Operation Anaconda Essay

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Abstract
In this paper, I will review and analyze a case study on an operation that took place in March of 2002, titled “Operation Anaconda”. The case study was written by Richard Kulger. The operation utilized a collaboration of multi-national elements which comprised of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF), other U.S. military units, friendly Afghan troops (mainly consisted of Pushtun militia), and SOF units from other nations to rid the Shahikot Valley of the Taliban and al Queda in the valley. In analyzing the case study I will reference the Army’s six principles to mission command (Build cohesive teams through mutual trust, create a shared understanding, provide a clear commander’s intent, exercise disciplined initiative, use mission …show more content…

The SOF units of both the U.S. and other participating nations, U.S. military units, and friendly Afghan troops were not allotted sufficient time to build the cohesiveness that’s is required for a high-level operation of this magnitude. Although the U.S. is formalized and standardized throughout every branch, the friendly Afghan troops that took part in the operation weren’t of the “Northern Alliance, whose forces were battle trained, tested, and capable of serious operations” (Kugler, 2007); but instead were from the Eastern Alliance. The Eastern alliance was a collection of individual locals Pushtun militia. The local militia was led by Zia Lodin who was a local warlord. Respected and eager to assist, “he and his subordinate commanders lacked experience in big battles” (Kugler, 2007). For this reason in the preceding weeks of the operation, the U.S. SOF advisors began to train and organize the militia in combat operations. Typically, training two to three months is required to train individuals for an operation of this magnitude, but the SOF Advisors were only provided a month. Will this in mind the SOF Advisors felt that the militia still wasn’t ready for the battle ahead, which didn’t allow for a cohesive

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