Operation Asbury Park

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An AH-1 Super Cobra attacks anti-coalition militia forces during Operation Asbury Park.

Between deployment on June 2, 2004, and June 17, 2004, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (or MEU) engaged Taliban and other anti-coalition forces in the Dey Chopan region of Afghanistan. This operation was referred to as Operation Asbury Park, and was characterized by atypical fighting on the side of the tactics of the Taliban and other guerillas encountered.

During Asbury Park, the MEU was faced with an opponent that frequently would dig in and engage the Marine forces, rather than the traditional hit and run (or "asymmetric attack") methods. As such, Marines, with the aid of B-1B Lancer, A-10 Warthog, and AH-64 Apache aircraft, engaged in "pitched battles each day,"[1], culminating in a large battle on June 8.

The fighting which took place on June 8 was decisive in that enemy forces were depleted to such an extent that that no further contact was made with the enemy for the duration of the operation. Over eighty-five confirmed kills were recorded, with estimates well in excess of 100 enemy dead. A "handful" of US forces were injured.

Asbury Park was followed by Operation Asbury Park II, which included Army personnel, Afghan National Army troops, and attached Marines.