Page 438 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

436 COUNTERINSURGENCY

GE 1945–PRESENT COMBAT IN

AFGHANISTAN

The soldiers of the International Security Assistance Force

access to the most advanced military technology available in
the early 21st century. But as Operation Moshtarak showed
A (ISAF) operating against Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan had
in February 2010, this still left infantrymen vulnerable.
THE NUCLEAR Operation Moshtarak was a large-scale The opening day of the operation was

offensive into a Taliban-controlled area impressively efficient and successful,
with pockets of Taliban resistance
of Helmand Province in southern
Afghanistan. Some 15,000 American, overcome. US Marines established
themselves inside Marjah and British
British, Canadian, and Afghan army
troops were sent in to wrest control
forces had probably left by this stage,
of the area in order to disrupt poppy
but sufficient insurgents remained in
cultivation and drug-trafficking troops entered Showal. Most Taliban
networks, and install government rule. the towns to pose a serious threat.
The insurgents were hiding among the The typical Taliban armory of AK
local population and occupying the assault rifles, RPG-7 rocket-
towns of Marjah and Showal. propelled grenade launchers, PK
Equipped with the latest night- machine-guns, and bolt-action sniper
vision optics, the ISAF was able to rifles was a match for ISAF infantry
launch the operation under cover of weapons in an environment that
darkness. Small special forces units offered plentiful concealment.
that had infiltrated the target area—
British SAS and US Navy SEALs— WAR AMONG THE PEOPLE
called in strikes by Predator unmanned Clearing the town house by house
aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Apache was a demanding task. The obvious
attack helicopters against Taliban tactic for the Americans and British,
positions. About two hours before eager to keep their own casualties
dawn, Super Stallion and Chinook low, was to identify the buildings
helicopters, escorted by helicopter occupied by Taliban elements and call
gunships, airlifted troops to landing in air strikes or use surface-to-surface
sites near the target towns. The missiles to destroy them. Modern
soldiers advanced with caution across guidance systems ensured that specific
ground scattered with improvised targets could be hit with a high degree
explosive devices (IEDs), the cause of accuracy most of the time, but
of two-thirds of ISAF casualties in there was still a grave risk of politically
Afghanistan. Using portable aluminum undesirable civilian casualties. Indeed,
bridges, they were able to cross the on the second day of the operation,
numerous irrigation ditches without two missiles fired by an American
traversing existing bridges that would High Mobility Artillery Rocket
inevitably be mined. While the airlifted System (HIMARS)—a truck-mounted
troops approached the Taliban-held multiple rocket launcher— killed 12
towns, other US forces began Afghans in Marjah, including children.
advancing from their bases overland Although the main towns were
into Taliban territory. M1 Assault officially under Afghan government
Breacher Vehicles led the way along control within 12 days of the start
the heavily mined and booby-trapped of the operation, draining low-level
roads; occasionally line charges combat continued, with sniper fire
(rockets towing cables of plastic and IEDs imposing a steady toll on
explosive) were fired ahead to blow ISAF and Afghan soldiers. In time, the
up any concealed devices. outcome would prove inconclusive.