The year in review 2002: Operation Anaconda - Calendar

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, July-August, 2003 | by William T. Baker, | Mark L. Evans

On 3 March 2002, U.S. ground forces in Afghanistan unleashed Operation Anaconda to trap al Qaeda terrorists and their Taliban supporters known to be lurking in the Shah-e-Kot Valley in southeastern Afghanistan. That day led to some of the fiercest fighting to date in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), the primary effort in the war against terrorism.

Intelligence flights had revealed hundreds of terrorists dug in around three villages in the valley, some of whom were jihadis (foreign volunteers). Often mistrusted by Afghans as outsiders, the jihadis, who thus felt isolated with little to lose, were known to fight ferociously.

The enemy's effective use of dispersal and camouflage and ability to hide in the rugged terrain made accurate intelligence and ordnance delivery crucial, especially with precision-guided munitions. In addition, the use of runners and nonbroadcast methods for communications reduced the effectiveness of jamming by EA-6B Prowlers.

The plan for Anaconda included dropping 1,200 Army troops behind the enemy to assume blocking positions on seven mountain passes that afforded the terrorists escape routes into Pakistan. U.S. and Australian Special Operations Forces (SOF), and hundreds of allied Afghans, would then drive the enemy into these blocking positions. In the interim, SOF would establish observation posts from which to direct air strikes.

When special operations forces were inserted into the valley at approximately 0300 on Sunday, 3 March, they encountered unexpectedly fierce resistance, especially from terrorists dug into Takur Ghar, a snow-capped mountain stronghold rising 10,200 feet.

As an Army MH-47E Chinook from the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment approached the landing zone, it was struck by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) round. ABH1 Neal Roberts, a sea-air-land team member (SEAL), was knocked out of the helicopter 10-15 feet into enemy positions. After a heroic stand against overwhelming odds, Petty Officer Roberts fell, mortally wounded, an act of bravery that prompted those who fought there subsequently to christen the mountain "Roberts Ridge." The pilots crash-landed the Chinook further down the mountain.

Reinforcements rushed in by other Chinooks were pinned down by intense enemy fire from RPGs, mortars and even a 75mm recoilless rifle. One MH-47E extricated the downed crew and the SEALs from the first Chinook, but a short while later enemy fire downed another and a vicious firefight ensued.

Fortunately, F-14A Tomcats from Fighter Squadron 211 immediately provided close air support, remaining on station for the next three critical hours. The Tomcats protected survivors with repeated bombing runs, dropping 500-pounders within 50 meters of SOF positions. In addition, they guided in other assets, including an Air Force AC-130 gunship.

Three feet of snow and foliage greatly hampered visibility of ground targets. Whenever the terrorists heard a Navy jet overhead, they ducked inside caves. While that eased the pressure on the pinned-down SOF, it also meant that the only way to ferret out the terrorists was to employ either Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) or thermobarics directly into the caves, marking the first time that thermobarics were dropped in combat.

The al Qaeda fighters still refused to surrender. Later that night, whenever they heard aircraft approaching, the terrorists drew blankets over themselves to mask their heat signatures in order to disappear from night-vision screens.

The desperate situation required immediate reinforcements, and Naval Aviation rose to the occasion. On 3 March, Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) shifted her position to just off Pasni, Pakistan. Early the next morning, a detachment from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU SOC)--five AH-1W Super Cobras and three CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (Reinforced) 165--launched for the grueling 730nm flight inland, which required refueling en route.

Arriving over Bagram at 1735 on 4 March, the Super Cobras immediately flew into action, blasting cave entrances for the hard-pressed troops. Meanwhile, the Super Stallion crews established a forward arming and refueling point within 10 miles of the battlefield, allowing the Super Cobras to operate at extended ranges with minimum turnaround time.

The John F. Kennedy (CV 67) battle group sped to the scene, launching its initial OEF strikes on the first night after arriving on station on 6-7 March. On 8 March, a detachment of two additional 13th MEU (SOC) KC-130T Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 deployed to Jacobabad, Pakistan, where their support proved crucial to allow the extended operations to continue. In addition, Marine AV-8B Harrier IIs proved so effective that SOF controllers specifically requested them.

Lieutenant Colonel Greg A. Sturdevant, designated as Commander Task Force 165 (comprising both Marine and Army aviation assets), was later awarded the Bronze Star for his extraordinary achievements during Anaconda, which also included being Air Mission Commander during four combat missions.