Afghan, Coalition forces engaged by insurgents in Oruzgan

ORUZGAN, AFGHANISTAN

09.13.2010

Story by 1st Lt. Neil Samson 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

ORUZGAN, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces were engaged by insurgents while conducting a security patrol in Oruzgan province, Sept. 12.

As part of the patrol, the partnered force had planned to meet with local elders to discuss and promote potential development projects in the local area, but the plan changed once the patrol came under fire.

After conducting a river crossing, the patrol received sustained fire from small-arms as well as from a DShK machine gun, severely limiting the patrol’s ability to maneuver. After assessing the situation and concluding that there was no chance for civilian casualties, the partnered force requested air support to suppress the insurgent force.

Coalition aviation assets engaged the position with a precision guided munition, but not before insurgents had repositioned the weapon system. The impact killed three insurgents.

Aviation assets relocated the DShK and engaged the new position, successfully destroying the weapon system.

Reports also identified up to 15 insurgents massing to conduct another attack on the partnered force. Aviation assets were again requested, engaging the insurgent location with precision guided munitions, resulting in 11 insurgents killed.

The three engagements resulted in 14 insurgent deaths with no civilian injuries.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2010
• Date Posted: 09.13.2010 11:10
• Story ID: 56204
• Location: ORUZGAN, AF