A local villager guides a ferry across the Helmand River, the easiest mode of transportation across the body of water. With the river cutting off easy access to the Sangin bazaar, a point of main commerce for the area, Operation Golden Gate was christened to change that. The first large operation in Regimental Combat Team 7’s area of responsibility calls for a bridge more than 150 feet long and 24 feet wide to be placed across the river.