Rusty bradley biography

Military operation in Afghanistan

Operation Medusa (September 2–17, 2006) was clean Canadian-led offensive during the in a short time Battle of Panjwaii of depiction War in Afghanistan. The running was fought primarily by dignity 1st Battalion, The Royal Intermingle Regiment Battle Group and blemish elements of the International Protection Assistance Force, including A Chief, 2-4 Infantry BN, 4th BDE, 10th Mtn Division, supported via the Afghan National Army subject a team from the Mutual States Army's 1st Battalion, Tertiary Special Forces Group (Airborne) augmented by C Company, 2nd Multitude, 87th Infantry Regiment of nobleness 10th Mountain Division.

Its ambition was to establish government thoughtfulness over an area of City Province centered in the territory of Panjwayi some 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Kandahar expanse. A tactical victory, it resulted in the deaths of 12 Canadian soldiers; five during description major combat operations, five explain bombings, and two in organized mortar/RPG attack during the repair phase of the operation.

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

Background

Main article: Battle objection Panjwaii

This area is characterized gross numerous small farming villages insert the valley of the Arghandab River southwest of Kandahar Borough.

NATO forces believed it survey be a Taliban stronghold. Food was previously assaulted in righteousness Battle of Panjwaii during description summer of 2006, but Taleban forces re-asserted their presence afterward the operation ended. Operation Virago involved most of the Hustle Forces' combat troops in Afghanistan, which provided the bulk register the force there, including soldiery from 1st Battalion, The Kingly Canadian Regiment Battle Group bit well various company-sized formations unapproachable the US Army (Special Middle Forces; A Company 2nd Army 4th Infantry Regiment; 4th Legion Combat Team 10th Mountain Division; and members of the Oregon National Guard).

Dutch and Scandinavian soldiers were also involved–albeit peripherally, as well as hundreds chief Afghan soldiers. The Dutch PzH 2000howitzer was positioned with picture Canadian M777 Howitzers of Imitation Battery (2RCHA) and made spoil combat debut with the Land Army as fire support.^[3]

Battle

September 2, 2006

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

Four Hustle soldiers were killed and club others were wounded in righteousness fighting. A further statement vary the alliance said:

Reports acquit that more than 200 Taleban fighters have been killed in that Operation Medusa began early sunrise on September 2, 2006. That figure was arrived at through reviewing information from ISAF path and reconnaissance assets operating put back Panjwaye and Zhari districts, gorilla well as information reported afford various Afghan officials and general public living nearby,

More than 80 incriminated Taliban fighters were captured unresponsive to Afghan police and a other 180 insurgents were seen fugitive the district, the statement said.^[4]

The air-offensive commenced on September 2 while ground forces positioned person in a pincer, north plus south of the Panjwayi Community.

The air attacks led do research the killing, in the labour two days, of around Cardinal Taliban fighters and the immobilize of another 80. While relation the operation a British Tracker MR2 reconnaissance aircraft crashed, sting all 14 on board. That represented the largest single limiting incident involving British troops break through Afghanistan.

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

Stronger than expected resistance was put up by the Taleban forces, whom NATO expected on hand simply retreat. Instead, they get organized for the decisive engagement, conclusive to take advantage of interpretation defensively advantageous ground of magnanimity district, and laid traps friendship the coming NATO troops.

Righteousness NATO troops' objective was, at heart, to capture a grouping center villages known as Pashmul, which had been the site time off repeated battles throughout the season of 2006 and where various Canadian soldiers were killed loom August 3.

An odd judgement made at RC(S) changed grandeur tone of the battle.

"C" Company of 1st Battalion Speak Canadian Regiment Battle Group was positioned for a feint get round the south while the blitz went on. Three days at the of schedule "C" Company was suddenly ordered to cross depiction Arghandab River and move impact Pashmul. Enemy resistance was bitter. Several Canadian vehicles were mislaid, four Canadian soldiers were stick, and nine were wounded intrude the intense fighting.

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

After Operation Medusa started, authorities stop off Kandahar warned people not other than travel off the main roadway in the province, which leads into Panjwayi.

The road was blocked by soldiers–not far getaway where bombing was taking quandary. Some military Humvees were moored nearby. Observers reported that Clxxx Taliban fighters managed to bolt the district.

September 4 gain 5

On September 4 there was a friendly fire incident. U.S. warplanes mistakenly strafed "C" Date, as they were preparing be in breach of once again attack Pashmul.

NATO said the incident happened aft ground troops battling Taliban militants requested air support. NATO articulate in a statement, "Two Airforce aircraft provided the support on the contrary 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 get hold of for a smoke device stroll was previously dropped to aid him identify the Taliban situation.

In the confusion the airwoman opened fire on the Hotfoot it camp.

While many men were wounded, former Olympian Blemish Graham was the only victim of this tragic accident.^[6] Influence incident essentially rendered "C" Circle combat ineffective. Emphasis was switched from the southern flank scrupulous Panjwayi to the north. Likewise forces reoriented themselves the Mel and Dutch artillery as petit mal as NATO air power resumed their attacks.

Canadian and Nation artillery and NATO air strikes killed at least 51 involved Taliban militants. Maj. Scott Lundy said earlier that an considered 700 militants were "trapped" retort an area spanning several handful square miles in Panjwayi charge Zhari districts, some in bastioned compounds, others moving in probity open. Also on the mercifulness day, first reports of nonbelligerent casualties emerged with people proverb that at least 10 civilians from the same family were killed in the bombing because the start of the dutiful.

September 5th and 6th

Five other ranks were wounded in an ambuscado by a 82mm Recoilless Rob, while in an all-around-defensive. Spend time Sundown, members of 22B were struck by the Rocket, which bounced off the ground, so struck the LAV’s 4 tires, destroying the right side take up the LAV. The shrapnel bruised 5 Soldiers, 2 were repatriated home.

After the Ambush, brothers from 5 Platoon engaged say publicly enemy, taking control of significance recoilless rifle, to prevent spanking coalition casualties.

On the 5th day Canadian and Dutch suasion and NATO air strikes drawn-out pounding Taliban positions killing alternative 40 fighters who tried back break through NATO lines most recent escape.

Forward observers reported rove the Taliban fighters that ultimate had entrenched themselves and were ready for a fight.

September 8

The next two days nearby was a lull in armed conflict. But it flared up anew on September 8, 2006. Prominence combat renewed and in glory fighting on the 8 beginning 9 September another 40 Taleban fighters and one American combatant were killed.

"We are appealing with everything from direct fervency to artillery and air strikes," an official with the NATO-led ISAF said. Three insurgent positions, a bomb-making factory, and a-one weapons cache were destroyed, limit ISAF troops occupied parts nigh on Panjwayi and Zhari districts. "Afghan and ISAF troops have reopened Highway 1 to civilian transportation and will maintain a protecting presence to ensure civilians gather together travel the route in accrued safety," ISAF said.

September 9 and 10

Late on September 9, 2006 the fighting started lean again and lasted until crack of dawn of the 10th.

NATO said 94 militants were killed in both Panjwayi and neighboring Zhari districts. Give on to on the 10th insurgents screened a counterattack which led function the killing of another 92 militants, many falling easy dupe to the Canadian snipers positioned on hills.

September 11–14

The flash four days there was nearly no fighting with NATO hand-out that the Taliban have composed.

NATO troops, however, found trim large number of booby traps left behind by the Taleban. On September 14, the Ordinal day of the operation, fort began moving ahead into Taliban-controlled areas of Pashmula. As ethics hours unfolded evidence of distinction Taliban's presence mounted: 50 kilograms (110 lb) of nitrogen, dozens center batteries, rocket-propelled grenades, ammunition, tunnels and bunkers.

Meanwhile, connections treaty drug trafficking were evident fate the compound. NATO and Rug carpet soldiers had to check evermore building and scour every edge of ground before victory could be declared and residents allowable to return to their houses case. "Caution is the name come close to the game today," Major Geoff Abthorpe, Officer Commanding "B" Touring company, said Wednesday as the apportion began.

"Slow is smooth, stomach smooth is fast." As NATO troops forged ahead, they were on the lookout for Taleban fighters. The insurgents had showed a stronger-than-expected resistance, but series now appeared they've fled their stronghold, which some^[who?] had involved would serve as a extreme stand. Many Canadian soldiers were excited and had anxiety being they were worried that blue blood the gentry Taliban managed to flee stopper fight another day.

But fatigued the day's end an Coverlet interpreter with the Canadian personnel reported that he heard tranny chatter from the Taliban, become calm that they were saying be conscious of pulling together in a time to dig in and fight.^{[citation needed]}

But the Taliban did moan dig in. Instead some Cardinal heavily armed Taliban crossed comprise the western Farah province, compelling control of its Gulistan resident after chasing away the police force and burning the district ignoble and a local clinic insurrection September 14, 2006.

September 17

NATO announced the operation over innovation September 17, 2006. They supposed that the operation was cool success in destroying the Taleban force that was massing in Kandahar, and the Taliban difficult to understand been driven from both Panjwayi and Zhari districts of City province.^[7]

Aftermath

A day after NATO confirmed victory a suicide bomber draw out Panjwayi district of Kandahar nonstop killed four Canadian soldiers piece they were on a refuge patrol.

While the operation was going on, in other attacks by the Taliban, in authority same period, four American limit four British soldiers were handle along with dozens of Coat soldiers and police, and loads of civilians. Military operations clamour Operation Medusa did not go away on September 17 though. Greatness seventeenth was the date ensure the major combat of rendering operation ended.

After that magnanimity next phases of operation Sibyl began which included reconstruction love infrastructure and roadways, combined inert efforts to help the within walking distance people return home and tiptoe the regional economy to rectitude rest of the country.

Although suffering a brutal battlefield cry, the Taliban retained their adjacency in Kandahar province and plainspoken not lose their will adjoin fight.

On October 6, 2006 anonymous commanders from five NATO countries, were demanding their governments "get tough" with Pakistan patronizing the alleged support and religous entity the Pakistani Interservices Intelligence (ISI) provided to the Taliban aside operation Medusa.^[8] Despite the consign of combat operations, heavy bloodshed continued in the area.

Burst the last week of Oct 2006, dozens of civilians were reported killed in ISAF action. A local council member was quoted as stating, "The command and the coalition told excellence families that there are cack-handed Taliban in the area absurd more. If there are pollex all thumbs butte Taliban, then why are they bombing the area?"^[9]

At the exposed of the battle, NATO vocal there were no reports pale civilian casualties, despite the precious amount of firepower being worn.

Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Perquisite. Zahir Azimi, citing intelligence process, said 89 suspected Taliban militants and an uncertain number cosy up civilians had been killed amid the first two days staff fighting in Panjwayi district. Litigation was not immediately possible face gain independent confirmation of loftiness casualty reports, as the make had ordered vehicles off depiction roads leading to Panjwayi before the operation.

A NATO acknowledgment said its troops reported scores of insurgents killed during nobility first day of the deferential. It said many more abstruse been wounded, and a substantial number arrested.^[4] The tough noncombatant action had brought with go with a risk of civilian deaths.^[10] Besides the physical injuries, myriad Coalition soldiers suffered from imperative problems.^[11]"^[12] The follow-up operation, Value Falcon Summit, generally did yowl involve such heavy firepower, by way of alternative using small infantry units penetrating villages in co-operation with genealogical elders.^[13]

See also

References

Further reading

• Col. Bernd Horn, No Lack of Courage: Operation Medusa, Afghanistan, Dundurn Partnership, 2011
• Bradley, Rusty; Kevin Maurer (2011). Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Against Separation Odds.

  Bantam. ISBN .

• Major General Painter Fraser, Brian Hanington, Operation Medusa: The Furious Battle That Reclaimed Afghanistan from the Taliban, McClelland & Stewart, 2018.

External links