Operation Viper Challenge

• MISSION DATE: 15 MAY 2010
• Part of larger OPERATION VIPER PRIME

Mission Summary

Intelligence gathered in recent weeks suggests the Taliban is preparing for a push to gain strategic holds in three areas of the country. Coalition forces are being aligned in order to defend against and contain this threat.

Team 23 is ordered to protect an Afghan police compound near the border about fifty miles south of Camp Maholic. This compound is operated by a private NGO and is not under normal military control. MSOC has decided to assign a team of Marines to provide additional security during the coming operations. The nearby village of Spin Buldak, in close proximity to the Taliban-controlled areas of Pakistan, is not regarded as a key point in the expected Taliban surge. Three MSOC units (including MSOT-13) are assigned to provide security for Spin Buldak as part of Operation Viper Bold.

Mission objective

Secure the compound. Inspect and secure the detention center. Engage and detain any hostiles encountered. Approximate duration of mission is expected to be 72 hours.

Afghan Police Compound

Operated by Gemstone Security, a company contracted by the Afghan government to provide additional training for Afghani police and security forces.

Detention Facility

Houses 24 prisoners accused of various misdeeds. As well as being detained for criminal activity, the prisoners are utilized for instruction in interrogation and other security techniques. Two guards are on duty at all times, with anywhere from 3-8 trainees on duty during day shifts. The guards are private employees of Gemstone security. They work in staggered shifts, with one guard being replaced every 4 hours.

Medical Facility

The compound has a small medical facility equipped with drugs, antibiotics, bandages, and other first aid supplies.

Spin Boldak

Gemstone Compound is located near Spin Boldak (31°0′29″N 66°23′53″E), a town near the border with Pakistan. The town is linked by highway A75 with the city of Kandahar to the north and Chaman in Pakistan to the south. Spin Boldak is the second major port of entry between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is also a major transporting, shipping and receiving site between the two neighboring countries. The district is populated mostly by Noorzai/Nurzai Pashtuns. The town was the site of a suicide bombing in February 2008 that killed 38 Afghans - see Spin Boldak bombing.

Mission Personnel

Lieutenant Ira Zsasz (KIA)

Gunnery Sergeant John Wilson

Sergeant Esmerelda Esparza

Corporal Victor Martinez

Corporal Lee Linda: mission report

PFC Philip Watts

PFC Robert Bradley

PFC Angela Gomez

PFC Jack Iverson

Aftermath

See Operation Viper Challenge: Aftermath