By Sgt. Brandon Aird
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team PAO
KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The tense paratroopers and Afghan National Army Soldiers sat in silence surrounded by darkness.
The previous hours were spent huddled together rehearsing the mission "Destined Strike," which was to be an air assault into the Taliban's backyard.
The whoop, whoop, whoop sound of the CH-47 "Chinook" helicopter's rotary wings reverberated in the Soldiers' ears, drowning out all chances of another sound. Some of the Soldiers said last minute prayers while others daydreamed of loved ones back home. Squad leaders made last minute checks in the dark.
When the Chinook landed all thoughts came to the task at hand. The Soldiers jumped off the noisy helicopter onto a quiet, moon-lit mountain above the Chowkay Valley, in Kunar province. The mountain is over 7,000 feet above sea level.
The Taliban's biggest advantage in past fire fights has been its ability to dominate the high ground, but not this time.
Soldiers from the 2nd Platoons of Able, Chosen and Destined Companies, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), all members of Task Force Rock and the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, and elements from the 2nd Kandak, 201st Corps, launched Operation Destined Strike on August 21st through the 25th, according to Army Capt. Michael T. Jackson, Destined Co. commander.
"We came here to show the local populace that coalition forces aren't afraid to come into the Chowkay Valley," said Army 1st Lt. Kareem F. Hernandez, Able Co. 2nd Platoon leader.
After the initial insertion, the Soldiers pulled security and waited for daybreak. During the night, they searched with night vision devices for 15 individuals spotted earlier near their position by an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Once dawn broke, the Soldiers and ANA put their gear-laden rucksacks on, and broke trail down the mountain to the first farming village. The village and fields were hand cut out of the mountainside.
"I was kind of surprised," said Hernandez when asked about the first villager he talked to. "It was the first time in this country I had someone admit he knew who the Taliban were. He showed me where they had been coming through to attack us. I've never had that happen before. They always act like they have no clue what I'm talking about."
Hernandez learned the Taliban in the area were from the Korengal Valley. The trip from the Korengal Valley to the Chowkay Valley takes the insurgents two to three hours, according the local villager.
As 2nd Platoon, Able Company continued to the next village, rain started falling from the sky along with bolts of lightning. However, not all of the thunderclaps were lightning strikes. During the storm, Taliban extremists had attacked the 2nd Platoon, Able Co. landing zone, which was now occupied by Jackson and an overwatch element.
"They took small-arms fire and two rocket propelled grenades from the northwest," said Hernandez.
In response, small arms, 120mm mortars and 155mm artillery were fired at the Taliban positions. Four 500-pound bombs were dropped from fighter jets ending any plans the Taliban had to move Jackson from his overwatch position.
After the short firefight, Hernandez' platoon and 2nd Platoon, Chosen Company, spent the next few days moving to their extraction point for pickup by a helicopter.
On their way, Hernandez' platoon suffered three heat casualties. The difficult terrain, extreme weather conditions, and carrying extra ammunition, food and water was having its toll on the Soldiers. When one Soldier fell out another picked up his gear while the Soldier recovered and was examined by a medic.
But, after five days on the mountain, every Soldier who jumped out of the helicopter as a part of Operation Destined Strike jumped back on the helicopter without help when the mission was complete.
| Date Taken: |
08.31.2007 |
| Date Posted: |
08.31.2007 11:49 |
| Story ID: |
12091 |
| Location: |
KUNAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: |
719 |
| Downloads: |
471 |
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