Military

DATE= 5/24/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= PENTAGON / AFGHAN BATTLE (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-290183

BYLINE= ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE= PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S military officials have acknowledged that communications problems together with bad weather as well as hostile al-Qaida forces contributed to the deaths of seven Americans in a fierce battle in Afghanistan in early March. More from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: The mountaintop battle of Takur Ghar was the deadliest firefight of the Afghan war for U-S forces, claiming seven American lives.

But a report issued by defense officials Friday said that despite the losses, U-S troops distinguished themselves with what a statement termed conspicuous bravery.

The commander of U-S forces in Afghanistan, General Tommy Franks, called it an example well worth remembering as the country prepares for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday.

///FRANKS ACTUALITY///

This battle is characteristic of so many battles in our history where we have seen a group of wonderful people doing their job in the toughest possible terrain. It is the stuff of which heroes are made.

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The incident is the one in which a U-S helicopter came under intense fire as it attempted to land on a key mountaintop during Operation Anaconda, the big March allied sweep against al-Qaida hideouts in eastern Afghanistan.

The helicopter came under fire as it was preparing to land. An American commando fell out while the badly-damaged aircraft struggled to fly away. The commando was killed by al-Qaida as were six other Americans who dropped in later in a bid to rescue him.

The after-action report compiled by defense officials said the enemy positions on the mountaintop were well-concealed and included a heavy machine gun positioned to shoot down aircraft -- something apparently not known before the U-S raid.

The report also concedes communications problems plagued the rescue effort.

But a senior defense official disputed suggestions the attack was somehow a failure, noting the dug-in al-Qaida forces were all killed. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/RH