Enemy Action / SAFIRE - Afghan War Diary, January 2009 (sitios de interés)
Descripción del sitio
Event classification
SECRETEvent summary
"Friendly Mission/Operation Task and Purpose: SWT 3 will depart FOB Salerno and conduct an area/ NAI recon along RTE Alaska & Virginia, VIC Garbuz DC, rocket ridge, and Mandozayia DC. Will remain w/in 10 NM due to red illum. Once complete, SWT 3 will return to Fob Salerno. Narrative of Major Events: At 1915Z, SWT arrived on station and observed multiple tracers, RPG and IDF focusing on HH6s location. SWT contacted HH6 and identified friendly and enemy positions with use of IR strobes and friendly tracer fire. SWT received clearance of fires from HH6 to engage enemy positions marked with tracers and IR laser. SWT conducted multiple gun runs ISO ground elements until Winchester. From 1920Z to 1935Z, SWT conducted refuel and re-arm. SWT then made another 3 gun runs until A/C declared Winchester. From 1953Z-2001Z SWT conducted refuel and re-arm. At 2001Z, SWT departed FARP to BSP 8. At 2007Z, SWT conducted another Gun run until Winchester. SWT declared that they had received SAF during last gun run from approximately the 12-3 oclock position. SWT observed numerous muzzle flashes and heard audible gun fire as A/C passed over enemy. CF on the ground also reported to SWT that they were receiving SAF. Since the SAFIRE occurred during gun runs, it is unknown exactly how close the rounds came to the A/C. The assessed POO is IVO XC 0950 0491. (Analyst comment: SWT said that they received SAF during every gun run.) SWT remained on station for another 10-15 minutes and conducted Relief on Station with AH TM3 at 2018Z. From 2028Z-2033Z, SWT conducted refuel and re-arm. SWT and AWT provided aerial security and CCA support for an additional four hours without further SAFIRE incidents. TF ATTACK S2 Assessment: AAF engaged ground forces in response to their AASLT IVO BSP 8. Due to the number of enemy KIA and the volume of kinetic activity, it is assessed that AAF had planned a coordinated attack on ground forces. OH-58Ds response to the TIC IVO BSP 8 made the aircraft a target of opportunity for AAF. It is also possible that Garbuz was attacked in order to divert any aircraft in the area to respond to Garbuz. AAF had not anticipated aircraft to respond to BSP 8 so quickly. BSP 7 has seen multiple attacks in the last couple months and it is likely that AAF are conducting attacks on BSPs to test aircraft response times. AAF have had ample time to safely re-supply and conduct cell meetings to plan attacks in the last 2 days due to mission cancellations due to weather. It is interesting to note that AAF have been effective in there attacks during zero illumination hours with out the known use of any NVG devices. It is clear that the AAF intent was to engage the ANA strong point on top of the hill and quickly exfiltrate back across the PK border. This is in keeping with their known TTP. "
Event identifier
0B422F5C-0D91-A3E7-D6C73468764727BE
Event category and type
- Category: SAFIRE
- Type: Enemy Action
Statistics
Wounded in Action
- Civilian: 0
- Enemy: 0
- Friendly: 0
- Host nation: 0
- Enemy Detained: 0
Killed in Action
- Civilian: 0
- Enemy: 18
- Friendly: 0
- Host nation: 0
Detained in Action
- Enemy: 0
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