Operation Anaconda was the first actual engagement of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. It was from March 1, 2002 until March 18, 2002 located in the Arma Mountains, southeast of Zormat in Afghanistan. Units that participated in the operation consisted of members from the 10th Mountain Division, 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta, CIA Special Operations Unit, British Royal Marines, Canadian Light Infantry, Afghan Commandos, Norwegian Special Forces, Australian Special Air Service Regiment, and New Zealand Special Air Service. Operation Anaconda was originally a three day engagement of light fighting however, it ended up turning into a fierce seven day battle with local Taliban. It officially ended
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The valley is two and half miles wide and five miles long. Located on the floor of the valley are four towns: Serkhankhel, Marzak, Zerki Kale, and Babulkhel. Surrounding the valley are high mountainous ridges. A humpback ridge, located on the western side, nicknamed The Whale, is nine thousand feet in altitude, one mile wide, and four miles long. The highest peak in the valley is Takur Ghar and is ten thousand, four hundred and sixtey-nine feet in altitude, with the eastern ridgeline running north. There is an arrowhead shaped ridgeline on the southern end of the valley, nicknamed The Finger. Limited access routes and high ridgelines provided natural protection and seclusion for the enemy …show more content…
The high ridge line along with the many crevasses and caves provided an excellent source of cover and protection. The US military had more advanced technical and tactical advantages than the enemy fighters. However, the cooler weather and foggy air coupled with the high altitude and rugged terrain made it extremely difficult for NATO forces to operate in the region. In January 2002, the US began compiling intelligence and building a battle plan. Weeks before the assault, elite Special Operations Forces conducted several reconnaissance missions in and around the valley without being detected by the enemy. However, the reconnaissance mission failed to provide an accurate picture of the enemy. The US led attack was based on faulty intelligence. The Taliban were numbered between seven hundred to one thousand armed with heavy machine guns, mortars, a couple of artillery pieces, and rocket propelled grenades. The enemy was occupied in covered and concealed positions throughout the ridge line and mountains with pre-planned targets at critical locations of the battlefield for their mortars to engage. Once the battle began, the fighters declared a jihad resulting in a significant number of fighters entering from outside the valley to join the
The valley is two and half miles wide and five miles long. Located on the floor of the valley are four towns: Serkhankhel, Marzak, Zerki Kale, and Babulkhel. Surrounding the valley are high mountainous ridges. A humpback ridge, located on the western side, nicknamed The Whale, is nine thousand feet in altitude, one mile wide, and four miles long. The highest peak in the valley is Takur Ghar and is ten thousand, four hundred and sixtey-nine feet in altitude, with the eastern ridgeline running north. There is an arrowhead shaped ridgeline on the southern end of the valley, nicknamed The Finger. Limited access routes and high ridgelines provided natural protection and seclusion for the enemy …show more content…
The high ridge line along with the many crevasses and caves provided an excellent source of cover and protection. The US military had more advanced technical and tactical advantages than the enemy fighters. However, the cooler weather and foggy air coupled with the high altitude and rugged terrain made it extremely difficult for NATO forces to operate in the region. In January 2002, the US began compiling intelligence and building a battle plan. Weeks before the assault, elite Special Operations Forces conducted several reconnaissance missions in and around the valley without being detected by the enemy. However, the reconnaissance mission failed to provide an accurate picture of the enemy. The US led attack was based on faulty intelligence. The Taliban were numbered between seven hundred to one thousand armed with heavy machine guns, mortars, a couple of artillery pieces, and rocket propelled grenades. The enemy was occupied in covered and concealed positions throughout the ridge line and mountains with pre-planned targets at critical locations of the battlefield for their mortars to engage. Once the battle began, the fighters declared a jihad resulting in a significant number of fighters entering from outside the valley to join the