Lethal Warriors search mountains of Konar

KONAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Soldiers of 1st platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior, conducted reconnaissance in the Pech River valley to gather information for future combat operations, July 21.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Chris J. Capasso, of Nashua, N.H., the platoon leader for 1st platoon, explained his unit was conducting reconnaissance of possible enemy positions and escape routes.

Capasso said the platoon found actionable intelligence, including several enemy fighting positions and trails.

“It helps plan and shape future operations,” he said. “The mission’s purpose was to gather information on the enemy.”

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph S. McKinney, of Fairfax, Okla., the platoon sergeant for 1st platoon, explained why reconnaissance missions

are important to the success of future operations.

 “The enemy we’re fighting is an enemy we can’t see,” he said. “These missions set-up the future operations.”

Capasso praised his Soldiers for the work they did on the day’s mission and the work they continue to do in hunting down the enemies of Afghanistan.

 “These guys have been working real hard,” he said. “They’ve been doing missions back to back with little complaint. They understand that to go after these guys we have to get out there and patrol the mountains.”

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph S. McKinney, of Fairfax, Okla., the platoon sergeant for 1stt platoon, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, assigned to Task Force Mountain Warrior, examines a hillside through his rifle scope while conducting a reconnaissance mission in the Kunar province. McKinney led his platoon up a small valley while searching for enemy combat positions and mortar attack points to gather intelligence for future combat operations.  (Photo by U.S. Army Spc. Eugene H. Cushing, Task Force Mountain Warrior Public Affairs)