Operation Anaconda Essay

Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan: A Case Study of Adaption in Battle

Operation Anaconda was conducted in Shahikot Valley of Afghanistan during early March of 2002. The operation was originally estimated to be a three-day battle but lasted 17 days with heavy scene of fighting for the first seven days. The mission of Operation Anaconda was to remove the assembled Taliban and al Qaeda forces out of the valley. The battleground took place in a rough terrain surround by mountains that made it complex for modern warfare technology and tactics. The United States had to adapt to the environment and change their tactics that involves joint operations and advanced information network. This operation was considered successful because of the end state

Commanders, staff, and partners need that cohesion in operation environment to resolve challenges. Working with multiple organizations such as foreign forces need coordination and synchronizing for collaboration. U.S. Commanders understands that the Afghan forces was not prepared or did not have the proper training to accomplish the mission, so they adapt to that condition and called in for air support.

Commander’s Intent

Commander’s intent is a clear message to what he/she wants to accomplish and what the end state would look like that still aligns with the operation’s goal. While developing the Anaconda battle plan, General Frank was briefed on the impending plan, he thought the strategy did not have enough coordination between the joint operation. The plan was pushed back and was later approved through improvement. Operation Hammer’s purpose was to attack the enemy forces to either destroy or capture them. One of the tasks were to block position at the passes on the eastern side of the mountain.

Mission

While the mission order describes what the commander wishes to accomplish, it does state the tactical and technical instruction on accomplishing it. Afghan soldiers need to be disciplined and committed to the mission. Initiative and disciplined requires knowing what they are not proficient and train on it. During the Hammer Operation, Zia’s forces had 35 trucks with several unskilled Afghan truck drivers that slid from the road or broke down. This would not be an issue if they had the proper driving and preventive maintenance training.

Risk Acceptance

As with any missions, there are always chances of risks. Commanders must assess the level of danger and try to mitigate with different option or methods. Operation Anaconda started with mainly light infantry and little air support power. With bad intelligence information, the estimation on enemies’ capabilities were off by the hundreds, which almost cause the mission to fail. In the initial days of operation CAS, there were misunderstanding regarding to ROEs but was resolved by permitting strike against all enemies.