Operation Mountain Storm
Operation Mountain Storm began on or about March 12, 2004, following the completion of Operation Mountain Blizzard. Mountain Storm is the next in the continuing series of operations in the south, southeast, and eastern portions of Afghanistan designed to destroy terrorist organizations and their infrastructure while continuing to focus on national stability and support.
The new campaign would involve all of the more than 13-thousand coalition troops in Afghanistan. The real focus of Operation Mountain Storm is to maintain stability in Afghanistan as it prepares for national elections, currently slated for this summer.
The coalition campaign coincides with Pakistan's hunt for foreign militants in its semi-autonomous tribal area of South Waziristan. That operation, launched Friday, involves a posse of local tribesmen, organized by local elders amid pressure from the Pakistani government. It is not clear that the Waziristan action is related to US and Afghan operations across the border, however Pakistani officials say that their efforts are not being coordinated with any activity across the border.
Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment participating in Mountain Storm were initially briefed on the operation on or about March 5 and began conducting mission rehearsal.
