The Battle of Roberts Ridge A Virtual Staff

The Battle of Robert’s Ridge A Virtual Staff Ride

Overview • Introduction and Terrain Orientation • Operation Anaconda − Mission − Concept of Operations • Fixed Wing Support • The Creed

Introduction • Virtual Staff Ride – present day form of military education using multi-media to take the student to the battlefield • The Roberts Ridge staff ride is designed to familiarize you with a battle fought in Afghanistan in 2002

Operation Anaconda Pakistan

Operation Anaconda Mission: Isolate, destroy last al Qaeda/Taliban defenses in Afghanistan Enemy: 200 -300 in Shah-ikhot valley [estimate]; 500800 on high ground [reality] Terrain: High desert [5000 ft], mountain peaks [10, 000 ft] Troops: U. S. Special Operations Forces, Afghan militia, U. S. heliborne infantry, on-call air support Time: 36 hours [estimate]; 10 days [reality] Whale Shah-i-khot Valley Takur Ghar

Video #1 • Underestimated Taliban Strength • Not as quick an operation as originally thought • MAKO 30 bypasses landing zone and lands on peak • MAKO 30 hit by gunfire CPO Roberts falls out • QRF ordered in to rescue MAKO 30

Operation Anaconda

Video #1 Discussion

Situation: 1 MAKO 30 Mission In an attempt to rescue Neil Roberts, SEAL leader ‘Slab’ commandeers a second helicopter, Razor 04, and leads team MAKO 30 back to Takur Ghar. They are ambushed as they land, but the helicopter manages to get away. Takur Ghar, 0455 hrs 2 MAKO 30 Assault Unable to immediately link up with Roberts, ‘Slab’ orders an assult on the enemy bunker. The attack is unsuccessful, and the team takes further casualties; Air Force TSgt. John Chapman is killed. 3 MAKO 30 Retreat Failing to take the al Qaeda/Taliban position, ‘Slab’ leads the SEALS off the southeast face of Takur Ghar, and radios for relief. With wounded, the team cannot exfiltrate completely.

Shah-i-khot Flythrough

Juliet OP Takur Ghar Whale 3 March, 1800 Hours: Shah-i-khot Stalemate Mako 31 OP KEY al Queda U. S. Militia Afghan Militia

Video #2 • RAZOR 01 approaches landing zone unaware of danger • RAZOR 01 is shot down • QRF is trying to get their bearings against a well entrenched enemy force • SSgt Gabe Brown (USAF) immediately attempts to establish communication

Takur Ghar: 0545 hrs

Video #2 Discussion

Situation: Takur Ghar, 0615 hrs Sketch by Nate Self

Video #3 • QRF sets up defenses around downed helicopter • Capt Self takes control and starts directing fire • QRF does not even know if they are in the right landing zone • RAZOR 02 inbound does not know the danger

Takur Ghar: 0700 hrs

Video #3 Discussion

Video #4 • Capt Self and three others launch a frontal assault on the bunker • SSgt Brown finally makes contact with another controller sets up CAS • F-15 s now inbound – directed to hit one pine tree 75 meters from RAZOR 01 • Enemy is hurt but not killed – Danger Close Airstrike?

Air Strikes: F-15’s & F-16’s

Video #4 discussion

Air Strikes: North

Air Strikes: West

Video #5 • Capt Self decides only option is to drop bombs Danger Close • Pilots need Capt Self’s initials to insure he takes responsibility for bombing • Fighters are given “Return to Base” orders – told more fighters en-route

Air Strikes: Danger Close

Video #5 Discussion

Video #6 • Predator loitering overhead with two Hellfire Missiles • Second QRF (RAZOR 02) links up with RAZOR 01 • Sr. A Jason Cunningham is critically wounded • QRF will lose three men if not MEDEVAC’ed before dark

Air Strikes: Predator, 0930 hrs

Video #6 Discussion

Video #7 • Is there a balance? How much will you risk to bring back a fallen comrade? • The Fog of War • Honor, Bravery and Courage

Creed

Video #7 Discussion • Was it a case of courage that was ultimately successful despite the confusion and the fog of war? • Why did the men on Takur Ghar overcome so many obstacles to bring one man home? • Was it worth it? • Why?

Summary • Introduction and Terrain Orientation • Operation Anaconda − Mission − Concept of Operations • Fixed Wing Support • The Creed