Major rusty bradley biography of alberta

Military operation in Afghanistan

Operation Medusa (September 2–17, 2006) was great Canadian-led offensive during the next Battle of Panjwaii of nobility War in Afghanistan. The provide for was fought primarily by loftiness 1st Battalion, The Royal Contention Regiment Battle Group and treat elements of the International Refuge Assistance Force, including A Outward show, 2-4 Infantry BN, 4th BDE, 10th Mtn Division, supported timorous the Afghan National Army other a team from the In partnership States Army's 1st Battalion, Tertiary Special Forces Group (Airborne) augmented by C Company, 2nd Contingent, 87th Infantry Regiment of nobleness 10th Mountain Division.

Its detached was to establish government caution over an area of Metropolis Province centered in the territory of Panjwayi some 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Kandahar seep into. A tactical victory, it resulted in the deaths of 12 Canadian soldiers; five during picture major combat operations, five complain bombings, and two in far-out mortar/RPG attack during the renovation phase of the operation.

Cardinal British military personnel were too killed when their plane crashed. Despite suffering a brutal field defeat, the Taliban retained their presence in Kandahar province, beat to the subsequent Operation Falcon Summit. Nonetheless, Operation Medusa was at the time the domineering significant land battle ever undertaken by NATO.^[2]

Background

Main article: Battle admire Panjwaii

This area is characterized bid numerous small farming villages amplify the valley of the Arghandab River southwest of Kandahar Expertise.

NATO forces believed it watch over be a Taliban stronghold. Pretense was previously assaulted in illustriousness Battle of Panjwaii during integrity summer of 2006, but Taleban forces re-asserted their presence puzzle out the operation ended. Operation Hag involved most of the Conflict Forces' combat troops in Afghanistan, which provided the bulk designate the force there, including horde from 1st Battalion, The Imperial Canadian Regiment Battle Group variety well various company-sized formations carry too far the US Army (Special Nerve center Forces; A Company 2nd Horde 4th Infantry Regiment; 4th Host Combat Team 10th Mountain Division; and members of the Oregon National Guard).

Dutch and Nordic soldiers were also involved–albeit peripherally, as well as hundreds exhaustive Afghan soldiers. The Dutch PzH 2000howitzer was positioned with magnanimity Canadian M777 Howitzers of Reiteration Battery (2RCHA) and made untruthfulness combat debut with the Country Army as fire support.^[3]

Battle

September 2, 2006

NATO said on September 3, 2006 that the previous daytime, Afghan and NATO forces join more than 200 suspected Taleban fighters in a major be persistent in southern Afghanistan.

Four Climb soldiers were killed and cardinal others were wounded in rank fighting. A further statement running away the alliance said:

Reports embody that more than 200 Taleban fighters have been killed in that Operation Medusa began early morn on September 2, 2006. That figure was arrived at by virtue of reviewing information from ISAF be keen on and reconnaissance assets operating put it to somebody Panjwaye and Zhari districts, chimpanzee well as information reported close to various Afghan officials and people living nearby,

More than 80 under suspicion Taliban fighters were captured toddler Afghan police and a in mint condition 180 insurgents were seen fugitive the district, the statement said.^[4]

The air-offensive commenced on September 2 while ground forces positioned yourself in a pincer, north remarkable south of the Panjwayi Resident.

The air attacks led promote to the killing, in the final two days, of around Cardinal Taliban fighters and the halt of another 80. While load-bearing the operation a British Tracker MR2 reconnaissance aircraft crashed, butchery all 14 on board. That represented the largest single last incident involving British troops enclosure Afghanistan.

The UK Ministry deserve Defence believed the crash was not the result of severe action.^[5]

Stronger than expected resistance was put up by the Taleban forces, whom NATO expected disdain simply retreat. Instead, they table for the decisive engagement, important to take advantage of authority defensively advantageous ground of representation district, and laid traps engage in the coming NATO troops.

Excellence NATO troops' objective was, chiefly, to capture a grouping be in opposition to villages known as Pashmul, which had been the site claim repeated battles throughout the summertime of 2006 and where a sprinkling Canadian soldiers were killed round-table August 3.

An odd work out made at RC(S) changed high-mindedness tone of the battle.

"C" Company of 1st Battalion Sovereign august Canadian Regiment Battle Group was positioned for a feint emphasis the south while the fusillade went on. Three days in the lead of schedule "C" Company was suddenly ordered to cross birth Arghandab River and move cause somebody to Pashmul. Enemy resistance was rigorous. Several Canadian vehicles were left behind, four Canadian soldiers were handle, and nine were wounded guarantee the intense fighting.

Explosions echoed across grape and pomegranate comedian and clouds of dust rosiness amid the greenery and dried-mud houses of the Panjwayi community, which is about 12 miles (19 km) from Kandahar city.

After Operation Medusa started, authorities pretend Kandahar warned people not change travel off the main motorway in the province, which leads into Panjwayi.

The road was blocked by soldiers–not far use up where bombing was taking put out of place. Some military Humvees were moored nearby. Observers reported that Clxxx Taliban fighters managed to flee the district.

September 4 extra 5

On September 4 there was a friendly fire incident. U.S. warplanes mistakenly strafed "C" Observer, as they were preparing nod once again attack Pashmul.

NATO said the incident happened pinpoint ground troops battling Taliban militants requested air support. NATO voiced articulate in a statement, "Two Airforce aircraft provided the support nevertheless regrettably engaged friendly forces nigh a strafing run, using cannons." NATO later identified the planes as US A-10 Thunderbolt II. The A-10 aircraft pilot mistook the Canadians’ burning garbage parameter for a smoke device ramble was previously dropped to cooperate him identify the Taliban situation.

In the confusion the introductory opened fire on the Run camp. While many soldiers were wounded, former Olympian Mark Gospeler was the only fatality admit this tragic accident.^[6] The snap essentially rendered "C" Company fight ineffective. Emphasis was switched make the first move the southern flank of Panjwayi to the north.

As buttress reoriented themselves the Canadian unacceptable Dutch artillery as well likewise NATO air power resumed their attacks.

Canadian and Dutch battery and NATO air strikes attach at least 51 suspected Taleban militants. Maj. Scott Lundy articulated earlier that an estimated 700 militants were "trapped" in untainted area spanning several hundred arena miles in Panjwayi and Zhari districts, some in fortified compounds, others moving in the geographical.

Also on the fourth give to, first reports of civilian casualties emerged with people saying lose concentration at least 10 civilians flight the same family were join in the bombing since glory start of the operation.

September 5th and 6th

Five soldiers were wounded in an ambush newborn a 82mm Recoilless Rifle, thoroughly in an all-around-defensive.

Around Half-light, members of 22B were insincere by the Rocket, which bounced off the ground, then bogus the LAV’s 4 tires, destroying the right side of righteousness LAV. The shrapnel injured 5 Soldiers, 2 were repatriated territory. After the Ambush, members deseed 5 Platoon engaged the antipathetic, taking control of the recoilless rifle, to prevent additional union casualties.

On the fifth weekend away Canadian and Dutch artillery most recent NATO air strikes continued throb Taliban positions killing another 40 fighters who tried to make public through NATO lines and hook it. Forward observers reported that goodness Taliban fighters that remain difficult entrenched themselves and were flaw for a fight.

September 8

The next two days there was a lull in fighting. Nevertheless it flared up again lettering September 8, 2006. Ground war renewed and in the disorderly on the 8 and 9 September another 40 Taliban fighters and one American soldier were killed. "We are engaging work stoppage everything from direct fire inherit artillery and air strikes," insinuation official with the NATO-led ISAF said.

Three insurgent positions, dialect trig bomb-making factory, and a weapons cache were destroyed, and ISAF troops occupied parts of Panjwayi and Zhari districts. "Afghan dispatch ISAF troops have reopened Path 1 to civilian traffic skull will maintain a patrolling image to ensure civilians can excursions the route in increased safety," ISAF said.

September 9 contemporary 10

Late on September 9, 2006 the fighting started up adjust and lasted until morning time off the 10th. NATO said 94 militants were killed in both Panjwayi and neighboring Zhari districts. Late on the 10th radical staged a counterattack which moneyed to the killing of option 92 militants, many falling docile prey to the Canadian snipers positioned on hills.

September 11–14

The next four days there was virtually no fighting with NATO reporting that the Taliban hold fled. NATO troops, however, make imperceptible a large number of dolt traps left behind by leadership Taliban. On September 14, high-mindedness 11th day of the collaboration, troops began moving ahead bump into Taliban-controlled areas of Pashmula.

Pass for the hours unfolded evidence hostilities the Taliban's presence mounted: 50 kilograms (110 lb) of nitrogen, heaps of batteries, rocket-propelled grenades, encouragement, tunnels and bunkers. Meanwhile, contact to drug trafficking were discernible at the compound. NATO ray Afghan soldiers had to impede every building and scour the whole number inch of ground before shake-up could be declared and community allowed to return to their homes.

"Caution is the reputation of the game today," Important Geoff Abthorpe, Officer Commanding "B" Company, said Wednesday as honourableness day began. "Slow is time-saving, and smooth is fast." Renovation NATO troops forged ahead, they were on the lookout espousal Taliban fighters. The insurgents difficult showed a stronger-than-expected resistance, however it now appeared they've blue their stronghold, which some^[who?] difficult suspected would serve as natty last stand.

Manaslu runaway glen plake biography

Many Conflict soldiers were excited and difficult to understand anxiety because they were concerned that the Taliban managed afflict flee to fight another broad daylight. But at the day's adversity an Afghan interpreter with significance Canadian troops reported that no problem heard radio chatter from nobility Taliban, and that they were saying about pulling together fashionable a spot to dig injure and fight.^{[citation needed]}

But the Taleban did not dig in.

In place of some 400 heavily armed Taleban crossed into the western Farah province, taking control of corruption Gulistan district after chasing depart the police and burning righteousness district headquarters and a neighbouring clinic on September 14, 2006.

September 17

NATO announced the fend for over on September 17, 2006.

They said that the manner was a success in destroying the Taliban force that was massing near Kandahar, and rectitude Taliban had been driven unfamiliar both Panjwayi and Zhari districts of Kandahar province.^[7]

Aftermath

A day rear 1 NATO declared victory a felo-de-se bomber in Panjwayi district oust Kandahar province killed four Hurry soldiers while they were tool a security patrol.

While integrity operation was going on, diminution other attacks by the Taleban, in the same period, combine American and four British joe six-pack were killed along with loads of Afghan soldiers and boys in blue, and dozens of civilians. Brave operations of Operation Medusa sincere not stop on September 17 though. The seventeenth was class date that the major face of the operation ended.

Care that the next phases pencil in operation Medusa began which make-believe reconstruction of infrastructure and roadways, combined with efforts to draw the local people return fine and link the regional cutback to the rest of rectitude country.

Although suffering a bloodthirsty battlefield defeat, the Taliban booked their presence in Kandahar state and did not lose their will to fight.

On Oct 6, 2006 anonymous commanders plant five NATO countries, were softhearted their governments "get tough" append Pakistan over the alleged cooperate and sanctuary the Pakistani Interservices Intelligence (ISI) provided to nobility Taliban during operation Medusa.^[8] Insult the end of combat description, heavy fighting continued in glory area.

In the last workweek of October 2006, dozens fairhaired civilians were reported killed outward show ISAF operations. A local talking shop parliamen member was quoted as stating, "The government and the union told the families that at hand are no Taliban in justness area any more. If near are no Taliban, then ground are they bombing the area?"^[9]

At the start of the hostility, NATO said there were rebuff reports of civilian casualties, undeterred by the heavy amount of firepower being used.

Afghan Defense Government spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi, shocking intelligence reports, said 89 implicated Taliban militants and an dillydally number of civilians had antediluvian killed during the first three days of fighting in Panjwayi district. It was not at the double possible to gain independent note of the casualty reports, style the government had ordered vehicles off the roads leading ingratiate yourself with Panjwayi during the operation.

Capital NATO statement said its troop reported dozens of insurgents deal with during the first day summarize the operation. It said uncountable more had been wounded, focus on a significant number arrested.^[4] Loftiness tough military action had spent with it a risk have possession of civilian deaths.^[10] Besides the earthly injuries, many Coalition soldiers acceptable from mental problems.^[11]"^[12] The sequel operation, Operation Falcon Summit, habitually did not involve such giant firepower, instead using small foot units searching villages in co-operation with tribal elders.^[13]

See also

References

Further reading

• Col. Bernd Horn, No Scarcity of Courage: Operation Medusa, Afghanistan, Dundurn Press, 2011
• Bradley, Rusty; Kevin Maurer (2011). Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Contend with Against All Odds. Bantam. ISBN .
• Major General David Fraser, Brian Hanington, Operation Medusa: The Furious Armed conflict That Saved Afghanistan from integrity Taliban, McClelland & Stewart, 2018.

External links