Even though all overhead imagery showed no signs of life on the peak of Takur Ghar, LCDR Hyder gave the team final guidance per SOP that if any signs were seen, mission would be aborted. What we can take from Operation Anaconda is the importance of implementing all six principles of mission command, which are: Build cohesive teams through mutual trust, create shared understanding, Provide a clear commander's intent, Exercise disciplined initiative, Use mission orders, Accept prudent risk. The risk acceptance principle is obvious in Slabinskis circumstance. The main body of TF Hammer reached its pre-assault point around 06:15 and waited for the expected "55 minute" aerial bombardment of enemy positions. AMF (Afghan Militia Forces): Commander Zia (Task Force Hammer), Kamil Khan and Zakim Khan (Task Force Anvil). Looking for a flexible role? The terrain is rugged, and the peaks have many spurs and ridges. Osprey Publishing, 2005. This operation aimed at removing Taliban and al Qaeda forces located in this valley. [26], It is not certain whether the sailor died immediately or was killed by opposing soldiers. The hot reception resulted in only two of the planned eight CH-47's landing in the LZ. Operation Anaconda is one of many battles one can study and learn from immeasurable contingencies and circumstances. The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. It is circumstances like these that demonstrate and build the principle of mutual trust between warriors. 1,300 words on the Operation Anaconda Case Study. The six principles of mission command are: build cohesive teams through mutual trust, create shared understanding, provide a clear commander's intent, exercise disciplined initiative, use mission orders, and accept prudent risk. Blaber was notified that the SEALs were forced to insert on the peak in order to fulfill the order to infil Mako 30 that night. The team came under immediate fire, and Air Force combat controller Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman was seriously injured, along with two Navy SEALs. 3 main talking points is Competence, Mutual Trust & Shared Understanding. A convoy led by Army Chief Warrant Officer Stanley L. Harriman of the Third Special Forces Group split off from the main TF Hammer force to reach the assigned observation point. Hyder moved down the mountain with their wounded. (LogOut/ The Pashtun militia obviously failed to exercise disciplined initiative by failing to take action when unforeseen threats arose. Purchase the answer to view it. Operation Anaconda serves as a powerful model for commanders and army leaders to apply the principles of Mission Command to overcome unpredictable challenges and eventually achieve their potential. Operation Anaconda was a military operation that took place in early March 2002 as part of the War in Afghanistan. Between March 2 and March 16, 2002 1,700 airlifted U.S. troops and 1,000 pro-government Afghan militia battled between 300 and 1,000 al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters to obtain control of the valley. Around this time command decided to change the frequencies for satellite radio communications which different units, including the AFO teams in their reconnaissance positions, were relying on to conduct and adapt the mission as the battle unfolded. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below: If you are the original writer of this essay and no longer wish to have your work published on UKEssays.com then please: Our academic writing and marking services can help you! The way the operation was planned and executed highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in the way the U.S. conducted military operations. At this point it became clear that Al Qaeda fighters had been expecting an attack. By July the tactical-level units from the 10th Mountain Division and the 101st Airborne Division, including TF Rakkasan, had all Subordinates gain the trust of their commanders by displaying competence and commanders gain the trust of their subordinates by a display of their competence in training, garrison, or combat environments. This delay meant that the SEALs could not be inserted into the LZ east of the peak until 02:30 on 4 March, which did not allow enough time to reach the peak before daylight. This operation would test our military's readiness for joint operations against a hardened and willing adversary. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/reader.action?docID=817138#, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/reader.action?docID=618737&ppg=208, https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Features/Story/Article/1736210/medal-of-honor-monday-navy-master-chief-britt-slabinski/. Military Science case study. Previously stated; the commanders intent does not emphasize the why of the mission, but the mission order does. Mutual trust is shared confidence which must flow through the entire chain of command. However, the Chinook experienced engine difficulties, and new MH-47s were dispatched to replace the original helicopters. If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! The exhausted Rakkasans were replaced by fresh elements from the 10th Mountain Division, who continued to clear the southern end of the Shahikot. Operation Anaconda is one of many battles one can study and learn from immeasurable contingencies and circumstances. This was due to a bomb getting stuck in the launch bay of the B-1B that was on its bomb run. [10] Increasing signals and human intelligence indicated a strong presence of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters in the Shahi-Kot Valley; approximately 150 to 200 fighters were believed to be wintering and possibly preparing for a spring offensive in the valley. 3 references, APA Format and original work No plagiarism, guaranteed! The main purpose of the Anaconda plan was to defeat the rebellion by blockading southern ports and controlling the Mississippi river. They were unable to get a clear answer from the officer they reached and also were unable to connect with the AFO teams. The original plan did not survive first contact with the enemy, but coalition force's ability to adapt under fire was able to secure victory. However they were spotted by an Uzbek insurgent and a brief firefight ensued, killing 5 out of 7 foreign fighters, as another insurgent joined the firefight by firing a PKM, the team broke contact and brought in an AC-130 which destroyed the enemy encampment with 105mm rounds.[20]. In late January and February plans were drawn up to assault the Shahi-Kot Valley using Afghan military forces (AMF) advised and assisted by U.S. special operators. TF Hammer's attack stalled short of entering the valley, due to unexpected heavy small arms and mortar fire, combined with the lack of expected close air support. It was then called away to support other troops before the Chinook arrived. Command and control have evolved into a well thought out structured philosophy now acknowledged as mission command. The multiple commanders had no control over the other forces, and allied Afghan forces had equipment support to complete the mission. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com. The U.S. forces estimated they had killed at least 500 fighters over the duration of the battle, however journalists later noted that only 23 bodies were found and critics suggested that after a couple days, the operation "was more driven by media obsession, than military necessity". One of the generals in overall charge of the events at Takur Ghar ordered the radio frequencies switched to prevent the plan being modified. [35] The previous record of 2,310 metres (7,580ft) was set a few days before by his teammate Arron Perry, also of the 3rd Battalion PPCLI. The two SEAL fire teams, Mako 30 and Mako 21, planned to establish an observation point on either end of the valley. Because of this adaptation, the necessary adjustments were made and the tide of the battle would soon turn in favor of the Americans. c. Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan - A Case Study of Adaptation in Battle. Student's Name University Course Professor Date. While attempting to land at the top of Taku Ghar, their helicopter was hit with an RPG. Mako 30 was forced off the peak due to the heavy fire and damage done. Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. The battle area occupied about 60 square miles. Such implementations would limit the flow of effectively shared information between components in battle. TF Panther was under the command of Colonel James L. Huggins and had two infantry battalions from the 3d Brigade of the 82d Airborne Division and one attached infantry battalion from the division's 1st Brigade. A great example of mutual trust and shared understanding is demonstrated in The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant. "[6] Predator drone footage also shows the possibility that TSgt. US Department of the Army. Through seven days of heavy, intense combat they were finally able to secure the very last objective. Mansoor fortified the valley, digging trench systems, building bunkers and firing positions into the ridgelines, many of which would be put to effect during the operation. Realism and the Audiovisual Media is a major and entirely original contribution to contemporary scholarship on realism. Competence is critical not only for the commander but for the Soldiers subordinate to the commander. 3. The events that took place during Operation Anaconda have shown that misapplication of thorough organizational principles can cause unnecessary loss of life and equipment. The Afghans had successfully defeated the Soviet Army twice in this valley, and were expecting events to pan out in a similar fashion. The next aircraft in line waited for the B-1B to receive permission to jettison the bomb and go round again. [24] Signalman Martin "Jock" Wallace, of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions during the fighting. The expectation was that fighters, as in the case of Tora Bora several months earlier, would flee in the face of an assault and that blocker groups would simply be able to round them up.[11]. The aircraft immediately began taking fire, and the right door minigunner, Sergeant Phillip Svitak, was killed by small arms fire. 3 references, APA Format and original work. View all posts by Yskander Arquimides Saucedo. The philosophy of mission command is supported by seven fundamental principles established in ADP 6-0 competence, mutual trust, shared understanding, commanders intent, mission orders, disciplined initiative, risk acceptance (p. 19). Then develop the body of the paper fully The commander is faced with the responsibility to plan for the success of the mission with the information given regardless of how inadequate the intelligence seems. The inherent will to survive and promote or impose ideas on the will of others will always carry with it the possibility of war. 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