Combined Joint Task Force-82
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Elements of the 1st Brigade, 205th Afghan national army corps, along with coalition Soldiers, repelled an unknown number of enemy fighters who were believed to be probing for responses and reaction times this morning at Firebase Anaconda, Oruzgan province.
The insurgents attacked the heavily-defended firebase at daybreak using small-arms fire and 107 mm rockets. The combined ANA and coalition force used accurate small-arms, machine gun and mortar fire to repel the enemy attack. Four insurgents were confirmed killed in the attack.
This was the second time this week Firebase Anaconda was directly attacked by insurgents. On Tuesday, a large group of insurgents attacked from three directions, but was also repelled, losing 23 fighters in the process. Coalition leaders believe these actions could possibly be a rehearsal for a much bigger attack, possibly an attempt to completely overrun the post.
"The insurgents are paying a high price to test our response to attacks on our bases," said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a Combined Joint Task Force- 82 spokesperson. "Though direct attacks are an unorthodox method for Taliban fighters, we remain prepared to fight them in any way they choose, though we find they are regularly unprepared for our methods of combat."