Troops push security south in Helmand

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, May 7 (UPI) -- British and American troops combined their strengths in Afghanistan during a recent push to extend security south towards the Pakistan border.

British troops from the 16th Air Assault Brigade teamed up with the U.S. 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in an operation to disrupt Taliban strongholds in the volatile heart of Afghanistan's Helmand province in the Garmsir area, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

Officials say the region has had no presence from the International Security Assistance Force or from the Afghan Security Forces. Additionally there are only a few border security police. Moving security operations into the region is an effort to extend coalition presence further south towards Pakistan.

Troops were met with heavy resistance from the Taliban as soon as they crossed the Helmand River. But officials say the initial objectives of pushing into the region and beginning work with local Afghans on positive cooperation were achieved.

"This is what alliances are all about, professionals coming together to achieve the right effect," Col. Pete Petrozio, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, said in a statement.

"The brigade also contributed a lot in terms of intelligence and knowledge in advance. We were using our unmanned aerial vehicles to give surveillance intelligence, and then cover for the route. We also used the intelligence we gathered from patrols around Forward Operating Base Dwyer near Garmsir to get an understanding of the local atmosphere."