Operation Rock Avalanche

Operation Rock Avalanche
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001-present)
Date October 19–25, 2007
Location Northeast Afghanistan
Result Unknown
Belligerents
Afghanistan
United States		 Taliban insurgents
Commanders and leaders
Hamid Karzai
William J. Fallon		 Mohammed Omar
Casualties and losses
At least 4 killed
Many more wounded		 Unknown
At least 10 Afghan civilians

Operation Rock Avalanche was a six-day U.S.-led offensive from October 19–25, 2007, for the purpose of hunting Taliban fighters in the Korangal Valley of Afghanistan. The mission also aimed to establish a peace with the local populace so that a road could be safely built through the area by the Afghan government. Over the course of the operation, a series of running battles occurred with members of the Taliban, as well as with local tribesmen. US Army Paratrooper Salvatore Giunta would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during combat between US forces and local Afghans.[1]

Contents

Background

Prior to the operation, the United States military had struggled for some time to establish itself as a force within the valley. Long considered to be a Taliban stronghold, the Korangal Valley was nicknamed the "Valley of Death" by US forces due to the dangers associated with being stationed there.[2] Spearheaded by Captain Louis Frketic of A Company and Captain Dan Kearney of B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (airborne) of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in the Kornegal Valley, the goal of the assault was to both disrupt Taliban and insurgent routes of transit in the area, as well as trying to establish a peace with local village elders by offering to build them a new highway through the mountains, paid for by the Afghan government, in exchange for information about anti-governmental combatants.[3][4]

Popular culture

The events of the offensive were witnessed firsthand by American journalist Sebastian Junger and British photojournalist Tim Hetherington, and were captured on film for their Academy Award-nominated documentary Restrepo.[5] Among other awards, the film received the Grand Jury Prize for best documentary at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.[6] Junger would later go on to write the book War, an account which expanded upon his experiences during Operation Rock Avalanche.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ Hetherington, Tim. "Medal of Honor Winner Salvatore Giunta on Bravery, Brotherhood, and the Korengal". Vanity Fair. http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/11/medal-of-honor-winner-salvatore-giunta-on-bravery-brotherhood-and-the-korengal.html. Retrieved 11 November 2010. 
  2. ^ Rubin, Alissa (April 14, 2010). "U.S. Forces Close Outpost in Afghan 'Valley of Death'". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/world/asia/15outpost.html?hp. Retrieved April 14, 2010. 
  3. ^ Rubin, Elizabeth (February 24, 2008). "Battle Company Is Out There". The New York Times Magazine. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/magazine/24afghanistan-t.html?pagewanted=all. Retrieved September 11, 2010. 
  4. ^ Caldwell, Jacob (October 31, 2007). "Company Works to Flush Out Taliban During ‘Rock Avalanche’". American Forces Press Service. http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47993. Retrieved January 28, 2011. 
  5. ^ An up-close yet impersonal look at war, Wesley Morris, Boston Globe movie review.
  6. ^ Addicott, Brooks (January 30, 2010). "2010 Sundance Film Festival Announces Awards". Sundance Institute. http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/2010_sundance_film_festival_announces_awards/. Retrieved 30 November 2010. 
  7. ^ Caputo, Philip (9 May 2010). "Sebastian Junger's 'War,' reviewed by Philip Caputo". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR2010050702254.html. Retrieved 10 September 2010. 
  8. ^ Seaborn, Jody. "Sebastian Junger's 'War': A year with a platoon in Afghanistan". Statesman.com. American Statesman. http://www.statesman.com/life/books/sebastian-jungers-war-a-year-with-a-platoon-716399.html. Retrieved 10 September 2010. 

External links