Because of the poor initial intelligence assessment, the troops on the ground were initially exposed to a much higher prudent risk factor than what was originally anticipated. Registered office: Creative Tower, Fujairah, PO Box 4422, UAE. The U.S. forces estimated they had killed at least 500 fighters over the duration of the battle, however journalists later noted that only 23 bodies were found and critics suggested that after a couple days, the operation "was more driven by media obsession, than military necessity". ANALYTICAL ESSAY ON THE OPERATION ANACONDA 2 Introduction Operation anaconda was carried out in Shahikot valley of eastern Afghanistan in March 2002. (LogOut/ Australian SASR soldiers had infiltrated the area prior to the first helicopter crash undetected as part of a long range reconnaissance mission when the Chinooks went down. No plagiarism, guaranteed! 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). Mutual trust is shared confidence which must flow through the entire chain of command. The exhausted Rakkasans were replaced by fresh elements from the 10th Mountain Division, who continued to clear the southern end of the Shahikot. Adamec, W. Ludwig. [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. Operation Anaconda, a subordinate operation to Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002, was notable for difficulties in integrating US air and ground forces in order to bring combat power to bear on a stronger than originally anticipated foe. You are required to give an in depth introduction of your topic. This operation would test our military's readiness for joint operations against a hardened and willing adversary. For example, an idea forms in the mind and is stressed into action by the ambition of the human will and becomes motivated to assert its will over the will of another. This commander would have the authority to assign resources according to real-time need. . One of Slabinskis SEAL teammates Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts fell from the helicopter onto the top of the enemy-infested mountain. Operation Lightning Hammer II. Debatably, competence is the most essential principle relating directly to the commander. The TF 11 operators added their firepower. 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. This round closed in on around 10 men, including the two Australians and most of the American leadership, landing in the snow and mud right amongst them but failing to detonate. The main body of TF Hammer reached its pre-assault point around 06:15 and waited for the expected "55 minute" aerial bombardment of enemy positions. 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. [14] TF Anvil consisted of TF Rakkasan and the 1-87 to set up blocking positions and prevent enemy forces from escaping. Operations planning took place in February of 2002 and was executed from 2-16 March. Huggins also had support from artillery, aviation, military intelligence, and other units. [28] Also, the quick-reaction soldiers reported fighters wearing Robert's gear and finding "a helmet with a bullet hole in it, [from which] it was clear the last person [Roberts] to wear it had been shot in the head. TF Rakkasan and TF Hammer fought all day with the AFO teams calling in continuous airstrikes on al-Qaeda positions while Apaches protected the Rakkasans on the valley floor. They were able to establish communications via a line-of-sight radio with the teams of the AFO positioned around the Takur Ghar, taking advantage of the AFO's knowledge of enemy movements in real time. This type of command structure inhibited the commanders on the ground to exercise disciplined initiative. Mission orders define the desired results but do not mandate how to achieve them. Operation Anaconda. The SEAL team set up defenses, attempted to warm the wounded, and waited for dark when a recovery would be attempted. With the help of the new arrivals and close air support, the force was able to consolidate its position on the peak. (2007). The military objective was achieved but with a higher loss of life than what was anticipated or warranted. 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. The inherent will to survive and promote or impose ideas on the will of others will always carry with it the possibility of war. 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/. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/reader.action?docID=817138#. 3 main talking points is Competence, Mutual Trust & Shared Understanding. Task Force K-Bar: ODAs from the 3rd SFG. Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan: A Case Study of Adaption in, Battle. Previously stated; the commanders intent does not emphasize the why of the mission, but the mission order does. Staff tasks conduct the operations process, knowledge/information management, synchronize information-related capabilities, and conduct electromagnetic activities. phone: 02 58812298, 02 222283966. fax : 02 222264303. email. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The commanders intent becomes the foundation that Soldiers should base their decisions on. Operation Anaconda would have greatly benefited from a unified command structure, because of the command structure that the operation used there were many issues with planning, integration, and confusion. [27] This report has not been confirmed. The US forces suffered 80 casualties in the operation, with 8 killed and 72 wounded. Commanders and staffs use the science of control to regulate forces and direct the execution of operations to conform to their commanders intent. The commanders intent for OA was clear and concise. Operation Anaconda was a military operation that took place in early March 2002 as part of the War in Afghanistan. LCDR Hyder requested authorization to shift the insertion 24 hours to the next evening but was directed that insertion was critical to SOF providing support to the Operation. CIA paramilitary officers, working with their allies, attempted to destroy al-Qaeda and Taliban forces. The success of the operation was mainly due to the commanders recognizing and acting on the information received (Fleri, Howard, Hukill, & Searle, 2003). In Operation Anaconda, the Joint Commander (JC) failed to utilize the Air Force capabilities available to him in an effective manner, which significantly extended the duration of the mission and the amount of casualties his forces incurred. When the execution of Operation Anaconda occurred, U.S. military presence in Afghanistan was not yet fully mature. Anaconda was a military operation carried out by an international coalition led by the United States of America against the forces of the terrorist organization al Qaeda in Afghanistan in March 2002. In the months before OA, the Taliban and Al Qaeda faced several defeats and withdrew to Shahikot. A great example of mutual trust and shared understanding is demonstrated in The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant. The battle area occupied about 60 square miles. use your time to develop a deep . [6] Miscommunication between Texas 14 and higher command meant the bombardment was not that extensive and consisted of six bombs. The battle can be analyzed from the point of view of mission command principles, such as mutual trust, competence, shared understanding, and clearance of the commander's intent . At approximately 03:00, the Chinook attempted to land atop the mountain. Command and control have evolved into a well thought out structured philosophy now acknowledged as mission command. It was a joint mission between U.S. military branches, six other nations, and Afghans led by Major General Franklin L. Hagenbeck. Naylor, Sean. On the second day, U.S. forces modified its original plan from a hammer-and-anvil focus to one that would see mass air fires on the valleys eastern sides in support of the U.S. Armys positions there. Kuglar, Richard. The Lower Shahikot bordered the Pakistani tribal lands where many al-Qaeda fighters were believed to have escaped to from Tora Bora. U.S. forces had estimated the strength of the rebels in the Shahi-Kot Valley at 150 to 200, but later information suggested the actual strength was of 500 to 1,000 fighters. Operation Anaconda demonstrated a breakdown in all six mission command philosophy principles and became the catalyst for changing the way war was conducted by the United States. OA demonstrated collaboration between countries, government agencies, various special operation groups, different military components, and companies of large ground forces. They came under fire almost immediately after landing on their way to their objectives, and remained pinned down by heavy mortar fire and locked in a fierce firefight throughout the day. [15], The operation was composed of elements: Task Force Dagger: ODAs from the 5th SFG, B company, 2nd Battalion, 160th SOAR and USAF Combat Controllers. Historical Dictionary of Afghanistan. It is the example demonstrated by Medal of Honor Recipient Master Chief Britt Slabinski. (1) Even though headquarters published the warning order on 6 January, the Combined Force Air Component . All work is written to order. This was the first operation in the Afghanistan theater to involve a large number of U.S. forces participating in direct combat activities. The surviving crew and quick-reaction force took cover in a hillock and a fierce firefight began. Introduction Begun and completed in 2002, operation Anaconda became the largest operation held in Afghanistan under United States' tactical management. The cause of the conflict is said to have been the complaint of some U.S. soldiers that the KSK soldiers had only changed their position when a shepherd stumbled into their hideout instead of killing him. The operation Anaconda demonstrates how each of the functions was used to support each other in order to accomplish the mission. The operation displayed the militarys capability to adapt to unanticipated changes and overcome them. The operation began on March, 1, 2002, and lasted for 17 days, taking place in the Shahikot Valley of eastern Afghanistan (Council on Foreign Relations, 2017). This operation included joint efforts by Special Operations and multinational partners who worked together in the Shahi Kot Valley in Afghanistan in March 2002 (Isherwood, 2007). While attempting to land at the top of Taku Ghar, their helicopter was hit with an RPG. a letter of orders from General Grant to General Sherman. If your specific country is not listed, please select the UK version of the site, as this is best suited to international visitors. The mission command philosophy is executed through the mission command warfighting function, which basically consists of a series of mutually supporting tasks. Around this time command decided to change the frequencies for satellite radio communications which different units, including the AFO teams in their reconnaissance positions, were relying on to conduct and adapt the mission as the battle unfolded. An undetermined number of rebels are said to have escaped the fighting through rugged terrain. The Operation Anaconda is seen as the initial conventional operation style of military in Operation Enduring Freedom. [11] In this engagement, Staff Sergeant Andrzej Ropel, and Specialist William Geraci, recently transferred in from the Division's Long Range Surveillance Detachment, led the squad under fire to a ridgeline above the "Halfpipe." 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. 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. Operation Anaconda took place in early March 2002 in the Shahikot Valley and the Armagh Mountains, Afghanistan. SOF teams from Task Force K-Bar and Task Force 64 also inserted into the valley to establish observation posts which according to US planners "had to be tenable, afford good reconnaissance, and cover the identified escape routes or 'rat lines' into Pakistan"[19], Near H-Hour, Mako 31 found a group of foreign fighters that had established a position and were manning a DShK HMG on the peak where they planned to set up an observation post. The Afghans suffered forty or more deaths and injuries. Because of this, the exercise of the disciplined initiative is accomplished and gives subordinates the confidence to apply their judgment in ambiguous situations because everyone at every level knows the missions purpose, key tasks, and desired end state. The Pashtun militia did not possess a clear, shared understanding of the importance of their role in the operation. *You can also browse our support articles here >. The operational phase of Operation Husky showed some . Hyder directed the Chalk 2 leader to continue mission up the mountain and moved, alone, to link up with Mako 21 in order to assist that team's movement away from the peak thereby creating a better situation for air assets to support by fire. On February 28, on the eve of the operation, three AFO teams were covertly infiltrated into the valley, one codenamed Juliet was made up of 5 Delta operators with a signals intelligence specialist from the ISA, entered the valley on ATVs from the north, driving through the night in adverse weather conditions, eventually reaching a covert hide on the eastern side of the valley. departed Afghanistan; the CTF Mountain headquarters staff followed in early September. The Afghans had successfully defeated the Soviet Army twice in this valley, and were expecting events to pan out in a similar fashion. The competence of Americas military forces was tested in the battles of Operation Anaconda (OA). At this point it became clear that Al Qaeda fighters had been expecting an attack. Naturally, an individual or group disagrees with the ideology of the invasive force and now the prospect of war is introduced into the equation. 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.' Mission command is used to balance the art of command with the science of control. 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. Operation Anaconda remains one of the most significant operations in Operating Enduring Freedom. As TF Hammer continued, it suffered from a lack of unit cohesion because of the transportation difficulties. Thus, changing the approach to all future engagements and how they would be governed. Also on March 4, 2nd Battalion of the Rakkasans air assaulted into the eastern end of the valley, immediately attacking the heights under Apache cover. As the Rangers and special tactics team exited the aircraft, Private First Class Matt Commons, posthumously promoted to Corporal, Sergeant Brad Crose, and Specialist Marc Anderson were killed. Policyowners can manage their policies and make premium, loan and rider payments on-line from the convenience of their computer, tablet or cell phones. Operation Anaconda was a necessary evil. One of the F-15E pilots later acknowledged that this may have been a communication directing Grim-31 to cease fire. 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 Afghan fighters, in trucks, were devastated by mortar fire registered in advance to strike fixed points on the road. "First, technology overconfidence, particularly among high-ranking commanders and staff, deludes American forces into believing they can dissolve the fog of war. As they approached, the pilots and SEALs observed tracks in the snow and other signs of recent human activity. Operation ANACONDA was ultimately a success. During the SovietAfghan War, Mujahideen leader Malawi Nasrullah Mansoor was in charge of the valley and invited foreign jihadists to base themselves in the Lower Shahikot. For example, in the early planning stages of OA General Mikolashek, General Hagenbeck, and General Franks conflicted with the planning phase because the three shared information, but were each in charge of their generalship. Task Force 11 received time-sensitive intelligence that a possible HVT was travelling within a convoy of al-Qaeda fighters who were attempting to escape by vehicle from Shahikot into Pakistan. There are countless examples available from various American battles but one, in particular, is notable in OA. This type of shared understanding was not initially achieved by the commanders of the U.S. forces. This operation provided many examples of how the principles of mission command are interwoven into the capability to conduct unified land operations. 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. The five-man team, including MCpl Graham Ragsdale, MCpl Tim McMeekin, MCpl Arron Perry, Cpl Dennis Eason, and Cpl Rob Furlong, killed over 20 enemy fighters during the operation and were awarded Bronze Star medals by the United States for their service. This, plus the actions of the two SASR officers working with the 10th Mountain Division, earned the commander of the Australian SASR force in Afghanistan the US Bronze Star for his unit's outstanding contribution to the war on terrorism. There is a possibility that Roberts was captured by the al Qaeda fighters, and executed later with a single shot to the back of the head (One of the feeds showed a group of 8-10 fighters huddling around what appeared to be a body; both GRIM 32 and MAKO 30 noted that an IR strobe was active, a video feed showed the fighters passing the IR strobe around). The operation took place in the Shahi-Kot Valley and Arma Mountains southeast of Zormat. 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. MilitaryScienceCaseAnalysis.docx. As they discussed a possible mission abort, the helicopter was met with effective RPG fire. The expectation was that fighters, as in the case of Tora Bora several months earlier, would flee in the face of an assault and that blocker groups would simply be able to round them up.[11]. After nearly having their position overrun, the men in the southern LZs were in a desperate position, pinned down all day and short of ammunition. "Use your silenced gun, then move on. Analyze the summary of Op Anaconda, provide a brief and short summary of what the mission was (Who, what, when, why, and how). 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. Leaders cannot stress enough the significance of fabricating a command structure for combat operations. In Sabinskis mind, he was well aware of the risk of returning to the area of initial contact. As the human will evolves, so will war and all the turmoil and change it brings. Such implementations would limit the flow of effectively shared information between components in battle. The supporting tasks fall into two categories, commander tasks, and staff tasks. 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. (2019). During shared experiences, the two-way communication and interaction between the commander, subordinates, and Soldiers reinforces trust. Also, it may serve as an ethical NCO practice if orders are absent; the commanders intent serves as a basis for taking initiative in the absence of orders. The objective of this essay is to demonstrate how the seven principles of mission command can be applied to the operational environment of the Operation of Anaconda. Due to time constraints, a helicopter insertion would be needed for the teams to reach the peak before dawn. Two Chinooks then landed their passengers in cover nearby and the operators took up positions overlooking the convoy. Mission Command: Command and Control of Army Forces. ProQuest Ebook Central. The mutual trust would have to be achieved before American lives would be put in danger. using some of the principles of Competence, mutual trust shared understanding, mission orders, commander's intent, disciplined initiative, and or risk accepted, Analyze and evaluate the major points of the case study for research to write your persuasive essay. "[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]. Then analyze the Operation using the 7 Principles of Mission Command: competence, mutual trust, shared understanding, commander's intent, mission orders, discipline initiative, and risk acceptance. OA was a US attack on a stronghold in the Shah-I Kot area held by the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. US Department of Defense. This operation was the first large-scale battle in the post-2001 War in Afghanistan . The six principles of mission command are: build cohesive teams through mutual trust, create shared understanding, provide a clear commander's intent, exercise disciplined initiative, use mission orders, and accept prudent risk. Overall, my stance is that the operation was a success. Mainly due to the multi-head command structure and the lack of time to define correct approaches to solving problems that may be encountered. Executive Director Global Commercial Operations Amgen. What we can take from Operation Anaconda is the importance of implementing all six principles of mission command, which are: Build cohesive teams through mutual trust, create shared understanding, Provide a clear commander's intent, Exercise disciplined initiative, Use mission orders, Accept prudent risk. [13][pageneeded] The amount of conventional assets allowed in Afghanistan was limited by United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and civilian defense leadership. The QRF's Chalk 2 moved up the mountain to assist Chalk 1. there are various rules and . Operation Anaconda was a military operation that took place in early March 2002 as part of the War in Afghanistan. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. Joint Planning During Operation Anaconda Operation Anaconda was the first large-scale Army combat operation that was carried out as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! Operation Anaconda not have had an ideal start, but after a few days and some recalibration, the tide turned for the better. Nevertheless, sometimes war is a necessary evil to fight against an invasive evil or evil ideological will. Bahmanyar, Mir. Afghan Taliban commander Maulavi Saif-ur-Rehman Mansoor later led Taliban reinforcements to join the battle. The militia was even told to conduct their operations according to the way they wanted. Trust comes from successful shared experiences and training, usually gained incidental to operations but also deliberately developed by the commander. 3.3 foreign exchange department (fed) foreign exchange transaction plays a vital role in the economic development of a nation. b. The fighters were a mix of well equipped Uzbeks, Chechens, and Afghan Arabs. However, during Operation Anaconda, the Afghan troops were not from the battle-tested Northern Alliance, but instead from a local, untested Pashtun militia. The rockets would automatically detonate at 920 meters, catching helicopters in flak bursts (a tactic learned in the Soviet-Afghan War). 4 minutes ago; Report Issue. It is composed of two distinct areas, the Lower and Upper Shahi-Kot which run roughly parallel to each other. Also, unfortunately, the pilot of the Razor 01 was not told about the enemy's anti-aircraft location on top of the mountain. Second, there is an insistence, reinforced by information technology, for high-ranking commanders to try to impose their . General Sherman replies to General Grant his understanding and purpose of the orders. Use your time to develop a deep understanding of your topic to fully explain your stance on the topic. 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. And with that necessary evil comes a necessarily great mission commander. "[36], "The U.S. soldiers would in fact eliminate such 'threats,' says a former KSK officer. At 06:30 the first wave of Rakkasans and Mountain troops landed via Chinook helicopter along the eastern and northern edges of the valley to await the fleeing fighters at their assigned blocking positions. John Chapman was alive and fighting on the peak after the SEALs left rather than being killed outright as thought by Mako 30. While this operation was considered an overall success, in the end, initial mission plans and the intent were far from being met. This was due to a bomb getting stuck in the launch bay of the B-1B that was on its bomb run. The way the operation was planned and executed highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in the way the U.S. conducted military operations. Since the battle of Tora Bora in 2001, OA was the first large scale battle in Afghanistan. The mission command warfighting function enables the commander to execute the principles of mission command philosophy. Nail 22, an AC-130H Spectre, reconnoitered the peak, and, seeing no enemy activity, declared the mountain top secure. The Northern Alliance proved to be battle-hardened allies that could be counted on to fulfill critical tasks of the mission command warfighting function. Hyder moved down the mountain with their wounded. The militia did not have an understanding of the bigger picture and just how important they were to the success of the mission. Mission orders define the desired results but do not mandate how to achieve them. The Ranger quick-reaction force located at Bagram Air Base and led by Captain Nate Self, was called in to search for the SEAL who fell out of the helicopter, now alone on top of the mountain. Operation Anaconda was the first major joint combat operation against the war on terror that the US was committed to winning. Operation Anaconda serves as a powerful model for commanders and army leaders to apply the principles of Mission Command to overcome unpredictable challenges and eventually achieve their potential. ADRP 6-0 states that the phrase exercise disciplined initiative is action in the absence of orders, when existing orders no longer fit the situation, or when unforeseen opportunities or threats arise. 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]. The hot reception resulted in only two of the planned eight CH-47's landing in the LZ. The primary objective of the operation was to eradicate the enemy presence that had gathered in the valley. 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. The base of the Shah-i-Khot. Razor 03 attempted to return and retrieve him, but the damage prevented proper control and the helicopter was forced to crash-land in the valley below, approximately 4 miles away. Their vital intelligence was fed back to the AFO and would prove invaluable once the operation started. The first shots rung out the infantry took up security positions around the HLZ as the Chinooks lifted off and departed. Since this endeavor is inherent within all human will, it then seems agreeable, that so long as the human will exist then so will the probability of war. These tasks are mutually supporting in that the commander tasks drives the operations process, develops teams, and informs and influences audiences inside and outside their organizations. Osprey Publishing, 2005. An enemy counterattack midday mortally wounded Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham, a pararescueman. The next aircraft in line waited for the B-1B to receive permission to jettison the bomb and go round again. Counterinsurgency: The operation, carried out by Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, was part of the continuous effort to sweep out insurgent strongholds.
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