When one thinks of a fire base typically, images of a lone hilltop in Vietnam come to mind, cannoneers slinging empty canisters while packing the breach with powder bags to send another round out in support of their infantry brethren in the valleys below.  Fast forward to 2010 Afghanistan, where C Battery 3-17 FA, who provides 155mm indirect fire support to 1-17 Infantry Regiment, recently occupied Fire Base Baghtu.  The new fire base is located where the wide desert of the Zahri Plain gives way to the rugged mountains of central Afghanistan.  The fire base is 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division's northernmost outpost.  With the assistance of 562nd Engineer Company, C Battery quickly constructed the force protection requirements, erected tents for the fire direction center and battery command post, dug in the gun positions, and emplaced two M777 howitzers.  Within hours of receiving the in position ready to fire report, C Company, 1-17 Infantry was requesting 155mm illumination in support of one of their observation posts.    

In late January 2010, 1-17 Infantry identified the need for increased indirect fire support. Much of the battalion's northern area could not be ranged from FOB Frontenac. The battalion was tasked with providing freedom of movement for local Afghans, Afghan Security Forces and NATO security forces along a key route.  1-17 had also been tasked to give up one infantry company to support operations in western Kandahar and Helmand provinces, so the force was spread thin over a large area of operations. MAJ Umbrell, the operations officer for 1-17 IN, wanted to "ensure that maneuver elements remained mobile and focused on population centric operations." The commander decided that the fire base would be built in a location that would allow the "redlegs" to overwatch a large portion of the route 1-17 was tasked to secure, leaving the Stryker equipped infantry platoons free to patrol the route and saturate the population centers.  Fire Base Baghtu was built in a location far enough north in the area of operations to extend indirect fires coverage to all of 1-17 Infantry, and provide support for Special Operations units operating in some of the most remote areas of Kandahar Province.

(SSG Turic, C Battery, 3-17 FA, helps his platoon fill sandbags for the 155mm ammunition bunker)

The fire base gets its name from the long, lush, narrow valley located just five kilometers to the north.  The Baghtu Valley is an historic hotbed of Taliban activity. As recently as last July, convoys traveling through the valley were subject to ambushes and sustained contact from the high ground.   The area has since been relatively quiet, due to the new fire base and numerous patrols from 1-17 Infantry. Significant inroads to the population and increased partnered patrols with the Afghan National Police have occurred since the opening of the remote fire base.  Fire Base Baghtu may be located far from the larger forward operating bases, however the fire base does not lack the amenities of the larger bases.  As of late March, the fire base has undergone numerous improvements. Shower and laundry facilities are in place and the small gym helps the Soldiers pass time between fire missions.  Improvements to the sleep tents, aid station and the final guard tower were completed last week.    

(M777 howitzer crew drill at Fire Base Baghtu)

To date the Soldiers of C Battery 3-17 FA have fired over 1500 rounds in support of 1-17 Infantry. Just last month the battery fired in direct support of the Afghan National Police. Through an interpreter the ANP commander was able to adjust Illumination rounds to support a checkpoint that had just been attacked. Although some unconventional adjustments using terrain association were made, the cannoneers of C battery were happy to assist.  As the temperatures begin to climb and operations in Shah Wali Kot continue, C Battery at Fire Base Baghtu will no doubt play a crucial role in the success of 1-17 Infantry's operations this spring. Cannons forward, King of Battle.

CPT Eric Livengood

1st BN 17th IN, Battalion Fire Support Officer

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