Camp Rhino

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FOB Rhino, December 2001.

Forward Operating Base (FOB) Rhino, also known as Camp Rhino, was the first US land base established in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Located in the harsh Registan Desert 100 nautical miles (190 km) southwest of Kandahar, the FOB was captured by what is regarded as the longest amphibious raid in history. The site was observed by US Navy SEALs for four days prior to the Marines landing there to capture it. Before its capture, it is believed that the small desert outpost was being built for use as a drug distribution hub.^[1] The facility was surrounded by a 10-foot (3 m) wall and four hardened guard towers. Within the facility there were numerous new warehouses, offices, and even a small mosque which was declared off limits to all personnel as a sign of respect. The paint on some of the buildings was barely dry. Sealed roads ran throughout the camp, and it was also bisected by a three foot deep cement moat.

While under the cover of darkness, United States Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions and AH-1W Cobra helicopters, from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit on board the amphibious assault ships USS Peleliu and USS Boxer flew the Marine assault force 372 nmi (689 km) from the North Arabian Sea, through Pakistan, to secure the camp. The CH-53Es utilized aerial refueling from KC-130 tankers, while the AH-1Ws used an existing Forward Arming and Refueling Area (FARP) as they proceeded north. Once the initial insert of forces was complete via the CH-53Es, multiple waves of KC-130 and C-17 aircraft allowed for quick build-up of combat power. At its peak, approximately eight CH-46E, four CH-53E, six UH-1N, and six AH-1W aircraft were deployed there.

Infantrymen from the 15th MEU at Camp Rhino on November 25, 2001.

Camp Rhino was in use from November 26, 2001 to January 1, 2002. At its peak, the camp contained about 750 US Marines and sailors, Australian Special Air Service Regiment soldiers, and dozens of embedded reporters. The troops were commanded by Brigadier General James Mattis, USMC. Camp Rhino also served as a detention facitlity for the American Taliban John Walker. Life at the spartan Camp Rhino was rough. There were no showers or wash facilities, no messing facilities (only ration packs), every drop of water had to be flown in, and most troops were simply accommodated in a large, open warehouse building. The uncertain, tactical nature of the base meant that lights were generally not allowed after dark, and aircraft only operated at night. The base was surrounded by extremely desolate desert terrain resembling the surface of the moon.

1 Significance
2 References
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Significance

Camp Rhino was the US-led coalition's first strategic foothold in Afghanistan, and made the ground war in Afghanistan possible. While Rhino was being established, fierce battles between Taliban and Northern Alliance troops were still underway near Kandahar. But then the Taliban, realizing that US forces were now very close and were willing to operate at night, capitulated and retreated north to the mountains of Tora Bora. Supported by the USMC 26th MEU, the coalition forces based at Rhino then moved up to capture the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar International Airport in mid-December 2001, following a three week period of consolidation at Rhino. Kandahar International Airport then became the main coalition base in southern Afghanistan, while Bagram was established further to the north near Kabul. The majority of forces who had initially based out of Rhino had re-located to Kandahar by Christmas Day.