Battle of Kamdesh

Battle of Kamdesh
Battle of Kamdesh
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Ht camp keating 100205 mn.jpg
A Chinook helicopter lands at Combat Outpost Keating, Afghanistan, in March 2007
Date October 3, 2009
Location Kamdesh, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
35°24′36″N 71°20′29″E / 35.41°N 71.34139°E / 35.41; 71.34139Coordinates: 35°24′36″N 71°20′29″E / 35.41°N 71.34139°E / 35.41; 71.34139
Result Indecisive
  • Tactical Coalition victory[1]
  • Strategic Taliban victory[2]
Belligerents
 United States
 Afghanistan
 Latvia		 Afghanistan Taliban insurgents
Commanders and leaders
Curtis Scaparrotti
Randy George		 Dost Muhammed[3]
Sirajuddin Haqqani[4]
Ghulan Faroq[5]
Strength
60 (US)[1]
2 (Latvia)		 300[1]
Casualties and losses
8 killed, 22 wounded (US);[1] 4 Killed (ANA) 150 killed[1]
Kamdesh is located in Afghanistan
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Kamdesh
Location of Kamdesh in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan

The Battle of Kamdesh took place during the War in Afghanistan. It occurred on October 3, 2009, when a force of 300 Taliban assaulted the American Combat Outpost (COP) Keating near the town of Kamdesh of Nuristan province in eastern Afghanistan. The attack was the bloodiest battle for US forces since the Battle of Wanat in July 2008, which occurred 20 miles (32 km) away from Kamdesh. The attack on COP Keating resulted in eight Americans killed and 22 wounded.

As a result of the battle, COP Keating was nearly completely destroyed.[1] Observation Post (OP) Fritsche was attacked simultaneously, limiting available support from that position.[6] The Coalition forces withdrew from the base shortly after the battle. A deliberate withdrawal had been planned some time before the battle began, and the closing was part of a wider effort by the top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, to cede remote outposts and consolidate troops in more populated areas to better protect Afghan civilians.[7] The Americans "...declared the outpost closed and departed — so quickly that they did not carry out all of their stored ammunition. The outpost’s depot was promptly looted by the insurgents and bombed by American planes in an effort to destroy the lethal munitions left behind."[2]

Contents

Background

The battle took place about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of the Battle of Wanat that occurred a year previously. Described as the "Black Hawk Down" of the War in Afghanistan, Wanat was one of the bloodiest attacks of the war.[3]

Coalition forces had established two outposts in a valley near Kamdesh about 20 miles (32 km) from the Pakistan border, COP Keating and OP Fritsche. COP Keating, the larger of the two small[2] outposts, was manned primarily by US soldiers[6] and was isolated and exposed to high ground.[2] The road to the base was vulnerable to high ground and ambushes. The nearest attack helicopters were located in Jalalabad, a thirty minute flight away.[2]

OP Fritsche was established to provide overwatch for COP Keating and was manned by a mix of US and Afghan national forces.[6] US Army soldiers at both outposts had been ordered to prepare to evacuate them and had informed local Afghan leaders of their intention to do so.[7]

COP Keating was manned by Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron "Destroyers", 61st Cavalry Regiment.[6] In addition, Afghan national forces manned checkpoints and roadblocks at various locations around the area.[8] At the time, Afghan national forces were under the supervision and were being trained by members of the Latvian OMLT.[9]

COP Keating was planned to be closed by August 2009, but the move was delayed because of other military operations in a nearby district.[10] Because Keating was scheduled for closure in the near future, coalition leaders had decided not to make more than minimal efforts to fortify the base.[11]

Coalition forces received three human-source intelligence reports sometime before the battle indicating that insurgents were planning an attack on the outposts. Because the reports had not been verified by other intelligence sources, such as electronic intelligence, the reports were discounted.[12]

Battle

Kamdesh District in the Nuristan Province in Afghanistan

About 3:00 am on October 3, insurgents ordered all Kamdesh villagers to leave the area. At 6:00 am, the fighters opened fire from all sides of the outpost with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades,[2] immediately putting the Americans' mortar pit out of action.[1] Observation Post Fritsche was attacked simultaneously, limiting available support from that position.[6] Coalition forces responded with small arms fire, mortars, and by the afternoon, helicopters, heavy artillery, and airstrikes.[3]

The attackers overran Keating's perimeter defenses about 48 minutes into the battle. Breaches occurred at a latrine area close to the perimeter wire, the main entrance where civilian guards, ASG (Afghan Security Guards) were overwhelmed, and from the eastern side—where Afghan National Army soldiers were stationed. Despite the efforts of two Latvian military advisors, who tried to convince the ANA (Afghan National Army) forces not to flee,[13] the Afghan defenders quickly broke and ran. US soldiers reported that none of the Afghan soldiers held their ground.[2][14] During and after the battle, some of the Afghan soldiers stole items, including digital cameras and protein drinks, belonging to American soldiers at the base.[15]

Once inside, the attackers set fire to the base, burning down most of the barracks, Within the first hour, the American defenders had collapsed to a tight internal perimeter, centered on the 2 unburning buildings. Regrouping there they pushed out teams to retake much of the COP. They expanded the perimeter all the way back to the ECP (entry control point) and to the buildings on the western edge of the COP, which became their final fighting position. US air support directed by SGT Armando Avalos and SGT Jayson Souter, including attack helicopters, a B-1 bomber, and F-15 fighters destroyed the local mosque where much of the insurgent's heaviest fire originated. Once OP Fritshce soldiers gained control of their mortar pit SGT Avalos began directing indirect support to help the defensive of COP Keating.[1][2] Two USAF F-15E fighter bombers circled overhead, led by Captain Mike Polidor and 1st Lieutenant Aaron Dove, for almost eight hours helping coordinate airstrikes by 19 other aircraft.[16]

The insurgents began to retreat later in the day. Quick reaction forces from 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment did not reach the outpost until 7:00 pm that day, while insurgents remained in parts of the outpost as late as 5:10 pm. Relief may have been slow in reaching COP Keating due to bad weather.[1]

The outpost was evacuated two days later, and bombed on October 6 by a B-1 bomber to prevent insurgents from looting the munitions abandoned in the hasty withdrawal.[2][6]

Aftermath

Eight US soldiers were killed and 22 wounded; eight Afghan soldiers were wounded, along with two Afghan private security guards.[1] The US military estimated that 150 Taliban militants were also killed as a result of repulsing the assault. The US soldiers killed in the battle were: Justin T. Gallegos (Tucson, Arizona), Christopher Griffin (Kincheloe, Michigan), Kevin C. Thompson (Reno, Nevada), Michael P. Scusa (Villas, New Jersey), Vernon W. Martin (Savannah, Georgia), Stephan L. Mace (Lovettsville, Virginia), Joshua J. Kirk (South Portland, Maine), and Joshua M. Hardt (Applegate, California).[17]

On October 5 and 6, Coalition troops conducted operations in the area in an attempt to locate and destroy the Taliban forces responsible for the attack on the outposts. Another 10 Afghan soldiers and 40 Taliban fighters were killed during these operations.[18]

American forces had already planned to pull out of the area as part of a plan to move forces to more densely populated areas, so closure of the base was imminent when the attack occurred.[19] The attack accelerated those plans, with the troops' departure taking place so quickly after the battle that some munitions were abandoned. "The outpost’s depot was promptly looted by the insurgents and bombed by American planes in an effort to destroy the lethal munitions left behind."[2][20][21]

The flight crew of a United States Air Force F-15E was later decorated for actions during the battle. Captains Mike Polidor, pilot, and Aaron Dove, weapons system officer, were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for coordinating strikes on the attacking Taliban by 19 coalition aircraft during the battle.[22]

The flight crews of three United States Army AH-64D Apaches were later decorated for actions during the battle. CPT Matthew Kaplan, CW3 Ross Lewallen, CW3 Randy Huff, CW2 Gary Wingert, CW2 Chad Bardwell, and CW2 Chris Wright were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for conducting close combat attacks on the Taliban during the battle.[23]

Investigation

Following the battle, the US Central Command conducted an investigation what had occurred, led by US Army General Guy Swan. The report, released to the public in June 2011, concluded "inadequate measures taken by the chain of command" facilitated the attack, but praised the troops fighting at the base for repulsing the attack "with conspicuous gallantry, courage and bravery."[10] Four US Army officers, a captain, a major, a lieutenant colonel, and a colonel, who oversaw COP Keating were admonished or reprimanded for command failures.[24] In the report released to the public, the US Army concealed the names of the four disciplined officers.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Norland, Rob (February 5, 2010). "U.S. Military Faults Leaders in Attack on Base". NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/world/asia/06afghan.html. Retrieved February 6, 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j C. J. Chivers (2010-07-25). "Strategic Plans Spawned Bitter End for a Lonely Outpost". Wikileaks via New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/world/asia/26keating.html?_r=1. 
  3. ^ a b c Tavernise, Sabrina; Sangar Rahimi (October 4, 2009). "Eight U.S. Soldiers Dead in Bold Attack in Afghanistan". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/world/asia/05afghan.html. Retrieved October 4, 2009. 
  4. ^ Faeiz, Rahim (Associated Press), "Attack on Afghan outposts kills 8 soldiers", Military Times, October 5, 2009.
  5. ^ Gertz, Bill (October 16, 2009). "U.S. ignored warnings before deadly Afghan attack". Washington Times. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/16/us-ignored-warnings-before-deadly-afghan-attack/?source=newsletter_must-read-stories-today_photo_feature&. Retrieved February 6, 2010. 
  6. ^ a b c d e f Roggio, Bill (February 6, 2010). "Army releases report on battle at Combat Outpost Keating battle". The Long War Journal. http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2010/02/army_releases_report_on_combat.php. Retrieved February 6, 2010. 
  7. ^ a b Starr, Barbara; Adam Levine (October 6, 2009). "Afghan insurgents pushed into U.S. base, official says". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/10/06/afghanistan.us.deadly.fight/index.html. Retrieved February 6, 2010. 
  8. ^ Pitman, Todd (October 8, 2009). "Insurgents breached U.S. outpost in battle". Philadelphia Inquirer (Associated Press). http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20091008_Insurgents_breached_U_S__outpost_in_battle.html. Retrieved February 6, 2010. [dead link]
  9. ^ The Gazette: Mom works to help Carson soldiers honor battle bonds, 2010-12-30.
  10. ^ a b Trofimov, Yaroslav (February 6, 2010). "Fault Found in Outpost's Fall". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704533204575047192669825292.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5. Retrieved February 6, 2010. 
  11. ^ Lardner, Richard (Associated Press), "Command Failures", Stars and Stripes, 11 June 2011, p. 1.
  12. ^ Gertz, Bill (October 29, 2009). "Inside the Ring: DIA on Afghan intel". Washington Times. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/29/inside-the-ring-58944275/. Retrieved February 6, 2010. 
  13. ^ Latvijas Televīzija: Videofilma "Afganistāna. Skola karalaukā", 2010-12-30.
  14. ^ Gamel, Kim, (Associated Press) "US says ambushed Afghan outpost left vulnerable", Yahoo! News, February 5, 2010.
  15. ^ Lardner, Richard, (Associated Press), "Investigation: Afghan Troops Ran, Hid During Deadly Battle", Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 11 June 2011.
  16. ^ Laster, Jill, "Pilot honored for organizing airstrikes", Military Times, 19 February 2011, retrieved 23 February 2011.
  17. ^ Lardner, Richard (Associated Press), "Command Failures", Stars and Stripes, 11 June 2011, p. 1.
  18. ^ Faiez, Rahim; Todd Pitman (October 6, 2009). "Afghan, US troops kill 40 militants in east". CBS8 (Associated Press). http://www.cbs8.com/global/story.asp?s=11267057. Retrieved February 6, 2010. 
  19. ^ "COP Keating Investigation Findings Released". International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan. 2010-02-01. http://www.isaf.nato.int/en/article/isaf-releases/cop-keating-investigation-findings-released.html. Retrieved 2010-07-28. 
  20. ^ "Taliban fighters display 'US weapons'". Al Jazeera. 2009-11-10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uj6sRlzgik. Retrieved 2010-07-28. 
  21. ^ "The Battle for COP Keating". American Legion's Burn Pit. 2009-10-07. http://burnpit.legion.org/2009/10/the-battle-for-cop-keating-and-how-to-donate-to-help-the-troops-of-361-cav/. Retrieved 2010-07-28. 
  22. ^ Associated Press, "F-15 pilot awarded Distinguished Flying Cross", Military Times, April 26, 2010.
  23. ^ http://www.fortcampbellcourier.com/news/article_b924a39e-95d7-11df-8ec7-001cc4c002e0.html
  24. ^ Martinez, Luis (February 5, 2010). "Camp Keating Officers Disciplined for Attack That Killed 8 U.S. Troops". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Afghanistan/camp-keating-commanders-disciplined-attack-killed-22-us/story?id=9761160. Retrieved February 6, 2010. 
  25. ^ Lardner, Richard (Associated Press), "Command Failures", Stars and Stripes, 11 June 2011, p. 1.

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