Time March 18, 2002
Assault On Shah-i-Kot
by Kathleen Adams
A mission to rout pockets of al-Qaeda from the mountains of Shah-i-Kot turned into the bloodiest battle of the war. With four times as many al-Qaeda as the U.S. expected, the week saw fierce combat, downed helicopters, American casualties, reinforcements on both sides, then heavy bombing and hundreds of al-Qaeda dead FROM THE AIR...
An array of U.S. aircraft filled the skies near Gardez, from high-flying B-52 bombers to low-circling Predator drones. F-15E Strike Eagles bombed ground targets, and AC-130 gunships provided close air support. But it was the AH-64 Apache and the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters that were most lethal, firing missiles and heavy machine guns to take out caves and enemy forces
...AND ON THE GROUND
At altitudes above 8,000 ft. (2,440 m), troops fought on rocky, snow-patched mountain terrain and faced subfreezing temperatures at night. Enemy fighters were entrenched, zealous and far more numerous than the U.S. had estimated, using rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns against allied ground troops and aircraft HOW THE BATTLE WENT AWRY
In a "hammer and anvil" maneuver on Saturday, allied forces tried to encircle al-Qaeda fighters and cut off their escape routes, while Afghan militia advanced into the valley. Instead the Americans found themselves pinned down by mortar fire and rescued only after a fierce 18-hour fire fight. In the next three days, eight Americans were killed in battle
--Afghan allies under General Ziahuddin --Special forces scouts and snipers --10th Mountain Division blocks ravine exits at battle positions Heather and Ginger --A Chinook helicopter crashes on the mountain to the east of Ginger --101st Airborne Division and Afghan forces sweep in --Army's 10th Mountain Division at battle position Eve blocks eastern pass
BOX STORY:
--Luminescent tape (so U.S. aircraft can identify allied soldiers below) --Kevlar helmet --Mounting bracket for night-vision goggles --Radio intercom headset --Antenna --Cord for second radio handset (to communicate with aircraft) --two ammo pouches hold six magazines with 30 rounds each --M4 carbine with grenade launcher and laser designator --Bandage pouch --Gas-mask pouch --Side arm and holster --Second side arm and holster --Kneepads --Insulated leather boots --Not shown: Kevlar bulletproof vest Plastic tie strips (for handcuffing prisoners) Binoculars Knife Map Backpack: Bladder bag (for water) MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) Extra ammo First-aid kit Sleeping bag Winter clothing
SOURCES: GLOBALSECURITY.ORG; EAST VIEW CARTOGRAPHIC
Copyright 2002 Time Inc.
