An ISAF statement said ISAF and Afghan security forces "...will continue to perform regular patrols near the village of Wanat. Once outside the bunker, he was shot through the chest and killed. Kilcullen stated that in March 2008, The fact that Kunar has bucked the general trend [downward trend in security across the country] seems largely to be the result of a consistent U.S. strategy of partnering with local communities to separate the insurgents from the people, bring tangible benefits of governance and development to the population, and help the population choose their own local Khan's(Protectors,usually military), through elections. According to U.S. intelligence, groups operating in the region included Taliban, al-Qaeda, Kashmir-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan-based (as of 2013 still located in one of many strongholds in the Bajaur agency of F.A.T.A.-Federally administered Tribal areas in Kunar and Nuristan of Afghanistan) Hezb-i-Islami. [22], AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and a Predator unmanned aircraft drone armed with Hellfire missiles arrived over the base about 30 minutes after the battle began. Intelligence reports said that the FOB was going to be overrun from within the base as well. View of Wanat COP looking east from mortar position with 2d Squad position, the bazaar and OP Topside’s later location in the background, 9 July 2008. Although the Americans believed that 100 or 200 attacked the base, a senior Afghan defense ministry official who did not reveal his name told Al Jazeera that he had information it was between 400 and 500 fighters. The explosion of the mortar shells hurled the anti-tank missiles into the command post.[20]. "[citation needed], Five days before the battle, on July 8, a platoon from the Second Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team established Vehicle Patrol Base (VPB) Kahler and a separate observation post called OP Top Side near Wanat. The Battle of Wanat occurred on July 13, 2008, when about 200 Taliban and al-Qaeda guerrillas attacked NATO troops near Quam, in the Waygal district in Afghanistan's … To criminalize command decisions in a theater of complex combat operations is a grave step indeed. Tyler Stafford was blown out of his machine-gun position next to Spc. They begin the process by developing a tactical-level understanding of the circumstances and risks that a small unit faced as it transitioned from a vehicle patrol base to a COP. They persevered in a fashion that deserves broad recognition of their bravery and tenacity. The Army said that the second look at the incident proved that the officers were "...neither negligent nor derelict..." and "...by their valor and their skill, they successfully defended their positions and defeated a determined, skillful, and adaptable enemy who masses and attacks at times, ways and places of his choosing." [3][9] Brostrom, Hovater, and another soldier may have been killed by an insurgent who penetrated the wire perimeter. The army troops and intelligence paramilitary soldiers faced an estimated ~500 al-Qaeda foreign fighters holed up in several fortified settlements. Soldiers", "Joint al Qaeda and Taliban force behind Nuristan base attack", "Taliban Breached NATO Base In Deadly Clash", "Report details attack on GIs in Afghanistan", "Wanat: Combat Action in Afghanistan, 2008", http://militarytimes.com/news/2009/09/army_wanat_investigation_093009/, "Attacks on Remote Posts Highlight Afghan Risks", "Even 500 Lbs Bombs Couldn't Stop Taliban", "Study gives new details on deadly Wanat battle", "Army's Missteps Set Stage For Tragedy, Study Finds", Soldier in storied Battle of Wanat to be given Medal of Honor, "Soldiers recount deadly attack on Afghanistan outpost", "NCO receives Silver Star for valor in '08 battle at Wanat", "Hawaii soldier killed in Afghanistan ...", "Remote Afghan Outpost Reinforced After Attack That Killed 9 U.S. They brought a Bobcat loader and a shipping container with engineer equipment. [38] Both were released within 24 hours, according to a spokesperson for the district chief. Jaffe, Greg (July 24, 2009). The evidence included large stocks of weapons and ammunition discovered in the police barracks in Wanat after the battle. "[21][43], Letters of reprimand were issued to Colonel Charles Preysler, Lieutenant Colonel William Ostlund and Captain Myer for "...failing to properly prepare defenses..." at Wanat, Pentagon officials said March 12. The Battle of Wanat occurred on July 13, 2008, when about 200 Taliban insurgents attacked American troops near Quam, in the Waygal district in Afghanistan's far eastern province of Nuristan. In July 2009, Senator James Webb requested that the U.S. Army formally investigate the battle and previous investigation. Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff further commended the performance of the soldiers: In every review and study conducted to date, the courage, valor, and discipline of the soldiers who fought at Wanat have been universally praised. ", In 2008, NATO forces in southeastern Afghanistan deployed sub-company-sized patrols to the Pakistan border to disrupt supplies flowing to the Taliban from the Federally Administered Tribal Regions of Pakistan. At a dinner meeting in the village, a villager told the Americans that they should shoot any men seen in the mountains, and asked them if U.S. UAVs were keeping watch nearby. [3][13] Brostrom, Hovater, and another soldier may have been killed by an insurgent who penetrated the wire perimeter. Lieutenant General Richard F. Natonski conducted another investigation in late 2009 which led to orders of reprimand for the chain of command. The population of Nuristan is ethnically distinct from the rest of Afghanistan, and divided into four major groups, the Kom, Kata, Kushtoz, and Kalasha. The day before the attack, the "Spin Giris", (Influential,tribal elders), of Wanat conducted a Jirga, (Elder Community Council-Experienced male members of the Quam have a right to attend), without the post's Officer-in-Charge. Alone, Pitts was able to hold-off the Taliban from overrunning his position until his comrades returned two hours later and he was evacuated to receive medical care. Rather, it is an implement of learning, allowing the reader to see the events of that day through the eyes of the leaders and Soldiers of Task Force Rock. [11][13] The attack was the highest death toll for American troops in the country since Operation Red Wings three years earlier. Cole, William, "Senators Want Explanation For Army's Reversal On Wanat", Articles with dead external links from November 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Battles of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present), http://web.archive.org/web/20080716011635/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2008/07/200871463317512597.html, "Taliban claim killing 20 US troops in Kunar", http://paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?203161, "Afghan Officials Aided an Attack on U.S. Lisez « Wanat : Combat Action In Afghanistan, 2008 [Illustrated Edition] » de Combat Studies Institute disponible chez Rakuten Kobo. [19] Still in preparation at the time of the attack, some areas were only protected by a barrier of concertina wire, but with no posts or stakes; the wire was simply stretched out on the ground. Includes 16 maps, photos and plans “The Battle of Wanat occurred on July 13, 2008, when about 200 Taliban guerrillas attacked NATO troops near the Quam,(large clan village), of Wanat in the Waygal district in Afghanistan’s far eastern province of Nuristan. "[31], After the battle, Major General Jeffrey J. Schloesser, U.S. Army commander of coalition troops in Regional Command East, Afghanistan, decided to abandon the patrol base and sent additional U.S. troops to assist the base evacuation. When the Americans drop bombs on civilians ordinary people want revenge - that's why they are joining the Taliban, strengthening us" pointing out their "ability to enter the bases and kill Americans." When the Americans drop bombs on civilians, ordinary people want revenge – that's why they are joining the Taliban, strengthening us," pointing out their "...ability to enter the bases and kill Americans." [3], About 4:20 a.m. on July 13, Taliban forces opened fire on the base with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and mortars. On September 30, 2009, U.S. Central Command commander General David H. Petraeus appointed U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Richard F. Natonski to lead a new inquiry into the battle and which would look into related issues "...beyond the tactical level..."[22][47][48] A later review was conducted by General Charles C. Campbell which "...focused on the totality of circumstances that included and affected actions at Wanat," including interviews of the officers involved, and reviews of previous investigations with the exception of the Fort Leavenworth Combat Studies Institute (CSI) narrative — stating that it had "...not undergone pre-publication vetting and academic review in accordance with standing CSI research protocols. Our hearts go out to the families of the fallen soldiers. He further stated that the position was "not overrun in any shape, manner, or form", adding that, "It was close combat to be sure — hand grenade range."[37]. The number of men at the base was judged enough to defend against intelligence estimates that placed the insurgent forces in the local area at only about 150 experienced fighters, though they did not know that attackers would be backed up by Al Qaeda and other guerrilla groups from neighboring regions as far away as Pakistan and Kashmir. [citation needed] Two American soldiers, platoon leader First Lieutenant Jonathan P. Brostrom, 24, of Hawaii and Corporal Jason Hovater, were killed trying to deliver ammunition to the observation post. "[19][39], Letters of reprimand were issued to Colonel Charles Preysler, Lieutenant Colonel William Ostlund and Captain Myer for "failing to properly prepare defenses" at Wanat, Pentagon officials said March 12. p. 1. Brostrom's father, retired Army Colonel David. It is possible for officers to err in judgment—and to thereby incur censure—without violating a criminal statute. soldiers, they set up firing positions inside Kors and a mosque next to and overlooking the perimeter. [3], A 2009 US Army report criticized the brigade commander, COL Chip Preysler, and the battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel William Ostlund, citing the lack of supplies, equipment, and drinking water for troops stationed in Wanat. The insurgents next destroyed the Humvee-mounted TOW missile launcher inside the combat outpost with coordinated fire from unguided RPG rockets. [10], Rock Move OPLAN 8–9 July 2008. He was seriously wounded and fought alone until reinforcements arrived. In June, a small contingent of 48 American and 24 Afghan troops, 72 in total, were operating in and around Wanat, a mountain Quam that w… It does not seek to draw final conclusions or to second guess decisions made before or during the heat of battle. 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