The U.S. forces had a mission to secure the escape routes out of the valley. ANALYTICAL ESSAY ON THE OPERATION ANACONDA 2 Introduction Operation anaconda was carried out in Shahikot valley of eastern Afghanistan in March 2002. "[citation needed] Relations were further soured with reports from a number of publications that Osama bin Laden might have escaped due to a substantial delay from the original H-hour of the deployment of American Forces. Task Force Sword/11: Mako 30, 31 and 21, Task Force Blue/DEVGRU. At this point it became clear that Al Qaeda fighters had been expecting an attack. As Air Force rules prohibited AC-130 aircraft from remaining in hostile airspace in daylight after the crash of an AC-130 in Khafji in the Gulf War, the AC-130 support protecting Mako 30 was forced to leave before Razor 01 reached the LZ, although the leadership was aware that Razor 01 was incoming. CTF 82's headquarters was at Bagram Airfield, and Vines based TF Panther, his primary maneuver element, at the Kandahar Airfield. [9], In February 2002, a Special Forces intelligence analyst working for Task Force Bowie began to identify patterns that led him to believe that surviving al-Qaeda forces were massing in the Lower Shahikot Valley, some 60 miles south of Gardez. The aircraft immediately began taking fire, and the right door minigunner, Sergeant Phillip Svitak, was killed by small arms fire. TF Panther was under the command of Colonel James L. Huggins and had two infantry battalions from the 3d Brigade of the 82d Airborne Division and one attached infantry battalion from the division's 1st Brigade. The battle and Mansoor (who was killed in 2008) were eulogized by the Taliban's official website, Voice of Jihad, on 7 March 2021.[9]. 3 main talking points is Competence, Mutual Trust & Shared Understanding. It is clear and direct but not to the point of impeding the decision of subordinates in battle, but not vague to where it results in confusion and indecisiveness. Naylor, Sean. Through seven days of heavy, intense combat they were finally able to secure the very last objective. They remained undetected in an observation post through the firefight and proved critical in co-ordinating multiple Coalition air strikes to prevent the al-Qaeda fighters from overrunning the downed aircraft, to devastating effect. As a result, they did not fire and the CH-47 made an entry similar to the first, this time successfully landing the team on the ground amidst heavy machine gun and rocket fire while taking some casualties. The way the operation was planned and executed highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in the way the U.S. conducted military operations. Due to the satellite communications difficulties, Razor 01 was mistakenly directed to the "hot" LZ on the peak at 332034N 691249E / 33.34278N 69.21361E / 33.34278; 69.21361. TF Hammer consisted of a large force of Afghan militia led by Zia Lodin and the Special Forces A-teams Texas 14/ODA 594 and Cobra 72/ODA 372. The Pashtun militia obviously failed to exercise disciplined initiative by failing to take action when unforeseen threats arose. Using his family's connections in the region Nasrullah Mansoor's son, Saif-ur-Rehman Mansoor, became the leading Taliban commander of Zurmat District in Paktia Province by 2002. Introduction Operation Anaconda was a subordinate joint combat operation, during Operation Enduring Freedom, (Lyle 2012) to be carried out in the Shahi Kot Valley located in southeastern Afghanistan. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com. "[32] Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh refuted the official account, describing it as "in fact a debacle, plagued by squabbling between the services, bad military planning and avoidable deaths of American soldiers, as well as the escape of key al-Qaeda leaders, likely including Osama bin Laden."[33]. One of the most significant and famous operations of the global war on terrorism. Another team codenamed India, composed of three Delta operators and an attached ISA operator walked into the valley through the same conditions to a hide in the southwest of the valley, known as the "Fish Hook". This delay meant that the SEALs could not be inserted into the LZ east of the peak until 02:30 on 4 March, which did not allow enough time to reach the peak before daylight. The operation took place in the Shahi-Kot Valley and Arma Mountains southeast of Zormat. This type of command structure inhibited the commanders on the ground to exercise disciplined initiative. a letter of orders from General Grant to General Sherman. [27] This report has not been confirmed. They infiltrated the area on foot via the southern edge of the valley to set up an observation post on a terrain feature known as 'The Finger.' One of Slabinskis SEAL teammates Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts fell from the helicopter onto the top of the enemy-infested mountain. During OA, the Afghan alliance fighting side by side with American Soldiers became demoralized and eventually retreated. Operation Anaconda was also met with criticism. It is evident through the course of human events that war is an inherent endeavor revealed within our will to survive. Chapman was seen fighting in a bunker against multiple enemies before stepping into the open and braving enemy small arms fire one last time to allow the QRF helicopter a bit of breathing room.[6]. [29] although this has not been confirmed by commanders. Operation Anaconda was a necessary evil. Military Science case study. It was then called away to support other troops before the Chinook arrived. Operation Anaconda remains one of the most significant operations in Operating Enduring Freedom. ProQuest Ebook Central. Operation Anaconda. Command and control of combat land operations become a critical role of the commander. In the Lower Shahikot several imposing mountains dominate the landscape; chief among them is Takur Ghar at the southeastern end of the valley; to the northeast is Tsapare Ghar, dominating the northern entrance to the valley. Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan: A Case Study of Adaption in, Battle. Thus, changing the approach to all future engagements and how they would be governed. The following is a look at exactly how the principles of mission command were compromised. Airpower Against Terror Americas Conduct of Enduring Freedom. Operation Anaconda lacked unityThe United States Air Force, USAF, was recognized on 18 September 1947. 1,300 words on the Operation Anaconda Case Study. Action is power and no greater force catapults action like the power of war. US and Afghan sources believe at least 200 Taliban and Al Qaida fighters were killed during the initial assault and subsequent rescue mission. Executive Director Global Commercial Operations Amgen. Then develop the body of the paper fully At the end of the first day of battle when the Troops returned to base for inspections; they realized that all of them had been hit by multiple enemy bullets (p. 15). (2019). Introduction Begun and completed in 2002, operation Anaconda became the largest operation held in Afghanistan under United States' tactical management. Unfortunately, the Razor Chinooks had not been equipped with functioning satellite radios to maintain communication with the HQ in Bagram or, even more critically, the AFO Teams lead. Command and control have evolved into a well thought out structured philosophy now acknowledged as mission command. "F-14 Tomcat Units of Operation Enduring Freedom", 2013, Neville, Leigh, Special Forces in the War on Terror (General Military), Osprey Publishing, 2015. OPERATION ANACONDA OVERVIEW What follows is a brief summary of the critical events that shaped the planning and conduct of Operation Anaconda, the final and largest battle in the initial invasion of Afghanistan after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Canadian and U.S. sniper teams and Afghan forces begin to sweep the Shahi-Kot valley area to root out rebel forces regrouping in the valley after the fall of the Taliban regime. The Apaches destroyed some enemy positions harassing the U.S. and Afghan troops, but the insurgents began intentionally firing their RPGs into the air. Drone footage of the incident shows the mortally wounded Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman drawing fire away from Razor 01 as it landed. However, during Operation Anaconda, the Afghan troops were not from the battle-tested Northern Alliance, but instead from a local, untested Pashtun militia. The initiative is disciplined because the decision made when engaged in an operational paradox is controlled within the parameters of the commanders intent. The United States had secured the support of friendly governments as well as much needed ground support from the Northern Alliance. Operations planning took place in February of 2002 and was executed from 2-16 March. phone: 02 58812298, 02 222283966. fax : 02 222264303. email. However, valuable lessons were learned from Operation Anaconda and utilized in future engagements. This command structure consisted of multiple commanders of various agencies whom all had an individual role in the success of the operation. It was decided to use U.S. conventional infantry. As the human will evolves, so will war and all the turmoil and change it brings. As a result of this action, both Technical Sergeant Chapman and Senior Airman Cunningham were awarded the Air Force Cross, the second highest award for bravery. Free resources to assist you with your university studies! The terrorists appeared surprised and did not fire on the Chinooks, its possible that they were distracted by TF Hammer's advance or the ineffective communication between the foreign fighters themselves. An undetermined number of Afghan fighters were also killed in the Operation Anaconda. c. Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan - A Case Study of Adaptation in Battle. foreign exchange transaction comprises both international trade & remittance. With the help of the new arrivals and close air support, the force was able to consolidate its position on the peak. (2012). He realized he would not return home to see his son. "Roberts Ridge" Bantam Dell (New York), 2013: Macpherson, Malcolm. Thus, changing the approach to all future engagements and how they would be governed. The quick reaction force (QRF) consisted of 19 Rangers, a Tactical Air Control Party (Tacp), and a three-man USAF special tactics team carried by two Chinooks, Razor 01 and Razor 02. [16], SOF teams from Task Force K-Bar and Task Force 64, which included: Navy SEALs from SEAL Teams 2, 3 and 8, Green Berets from 3rd SFG, The Canadian Army's Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2), The German Army's Kommando Spezialkrfte (KSK), the Norwegian special forces units Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK) and Marinejegerkommandoen (MJK), elements of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and the New Zealand Special Air Service and the Danish special forces from Jgerkorpset. It was a complex operation set in a place and against an enemy that Americans have struggled . The operation displayed the militarys capability to adapt to unanticipated changes and overcome them. Afghanistan Cave Complexes 19792004: Mountain strongholds of the Mujahideen, Taliban & Al Qaeda. Throughout the day, the TACP forward air controllers and Special Forces teams that had infiltrated into the area the previous day assisted in calling in airstrikes from B-1, B-52, F-15, F-18 and F-16 aircraft, inflicting heavy casualties on the Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, but by no means silencing them. In the months before OA, the Taliban and Al Qaeda faced several defeats and withdrew to Shahikot. Examining how the six principles of mission command were applied revealed shortcomings some aspects as well as success others. TF Hammer's attack stalled short of entering the valley, due to unexpected heavy small arms and mortar fire, combined with the lack of expected close air support. The competence of Americas military forces was tested in the battles of Operation Anaconda (OA). Significantly, the commanders intent should not be a repetition of why the mission is occurring, but a broader clear, and concise general purpose of the concept of the mission. 3 references, APA Format and original work. A former KSK commander is quoted in the German magazine Stern to have said: 'The pictures of Abu Ghraib, the torture in Iraqi prison camps, did absolutely not surprise me.'[36]. Macpherson, Malcolm. An undetermined number of rebels are said to have escaped the fighting through rugged terrain. Razor 04 returned to the peak in an attempt to rescue Roberts, offloading Mako 30. Facing decisive action is a common theme of military service and it leads into the next two and final principles of mission command; discipline initiative and risk acceptance. It was a joint mission between U.S. military branches, six other nations, and Afghans led by Major General Franklin L. Hagenbeck. Student's Name University Course Professor Date. We are left learning the following about Operation Anaconda. The operators and an assigned CSAR team boarded 3 MH-47Es while the Rangers climbed aboard a pair of MH-60G Blackhawks, launching from Bagram in the early morning. Maj. Gen. Frank Hagenbeck did confirm that al-Qaeda fighters were seen (on live video feed from a Predator drone orbiting the firefight) chasing Roberts, and later dragging his body away from the spot where he fell. But the risk was worth the effort to save his teammate and complete his mission. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/reader.action?docID=817138#, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/reader.action?docID=618737&ppg=208, https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Features/Story/Article/1736210/medal-of-honor-monday-navy-master-chief-britt-slabinski/. Nail 22, an AC-130H Spectre, reconnoitered the peak, and, seeing no enemy activity, declared the mountain top secure. At that point TF Devil, a unit formed around the 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division arrived to take the lead in tactical-level security operations. The commander is faced with the responsibility to plan for the success of the mission with the information given regardless of how inadequate the intelligence seems. Soldiers also recovered two AK-47 assault rifles, one magazine and 707,000 Iraqi dinar, equal to about $600. The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Mission commanders are trained with methods to analyze risk factors to mitigate them. [6] This operation was the first large-scale battle in the post-2001 War in Afghanistan since the Battle of Tora Bora in December 2001. The Northern Alliance proved to be battle-hardened allies that could be counted on to fulfill critical tasks of the mission command warfighting function. [30][31], General Tommy Franks declares Operation Anaconda over, later describing it "an unqualified and complete success. Hyder saw the need to assist Mako 21 who at that time had two dead and two injured, one of them non-ambulatory. Operation Anaconda was the first major joint combat operation against the war on terror that the US was committed to winning. "Roberts Ridge" Bantam Dell (New York), 2013. Initially, resources such as air support, heavy mortars, and personnel were not sufficiently allocated for the operation based largely on the inaccurate intelligence assessment. "[36], "The U.S. soldiers would in fact eliminate such 'threats,' says a former KSK officer. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Keywords: Operation Anaconda, mission command, unified land operations. The firefight was over in minutes; of the 18 al-Qaeda fighters, 16 were killed and two were wounded. CIA paramilit. Close air support was an element that was not properly planned for in the beginning, but was what ended up being the lifeboat for the ground elements locked in combat with the overwhelming al-Qaeda forces. This commander would have the authority to assign resources according to real-time need. Lang, Katie. The plan called for an attack on the valley, along with units positioned in the mountains to the east to prevent escape into Pakistan. One of the difficulties a mission commander may encounter in a large scale operation such as OA is the principle of shared understanding. In the wake of Operation Anaconda, relations between US and UK forces on the ground soured when Stars and Stripes, the magazine for American forces and their families, openly criticized the Royal Marines for returning "empty-handed" from their search for al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters claiming that Britain's contribution to the campaign was "disappointing. The QRF's Chalk 2 moved up the mountain to assist Chalk 1. The entire process has taught the involved parties on how to conduct a joint operation effectively. It provided an example of the ability of the American military to accomplish the mission in the face of adversity and to succeed regardless of the chances for success. Operation Anaconda is viewed as a success due to coalition forces being able to kill and root out several hundred Taliban and al Qaeda fighters, which left U. S. and coalition forces in control of the Shah-i-Khot Valley. The men on the floor of the valley then picked up and began to patrol north again moving another 50 or so meters when an RPG was fired off a low foothill to the east. Copyright 2003 - 2023 - UKEssays is a trading name of Business Bliss Consultants FZE, a company registered in United Arab Emirates. It also demonstrated the fragility of the relationship between those principles when the required attention to those principles was not applied. Case Study of Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. 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