Assault On Shah-i-Kot

By Text by Kathleen Adams

FROM THE AIR...

An array of U.S. aircraft filled the skies near Gardez, from high-flying B-52 bombers to low-circling Predator drones. F-15E Strike Eagles bombed ground targets, and AC-130 gunships provided close air support. But it was the AH-64 Apache and the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters that were most lethal, firing missiles and heavy machine guns to take out caves and enemy forces

...AND ON THE GROUND

At altitudes above 8,000 ft. (2,440 m), troops fought on rocky, snow-patched mountain terrain and faced subfreezing temperatures at night. Enemy fighters were entrenched, zealous and far more numerous than the U.S. had estimated, using rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns against allied ground troops and aircraft

HOW THE BATTLE WENT AWRY

In a "hammer and anvil" maneuver on Saturday, allied forces tried to encircle al-Qaeda fighters and cut off their escape routes, while Afghan militia advanced into the valley. Instead the Americans found themselves pinned down by mortar fire and rescued only after a fierce 18-hour fire fight. In the next three days, eight Americans were killed in battle

--Afghan allies under General Ziahuddin --Special forces scouts and snipers --10th Mountain Division blocks ravine exits at battle positions Heather and Ginger --A Chinook helicopter crashes on the mountain to the east of Ginger --101st Airborne Division and Afghan forces sweep in --Army's 10th Mountain Division at battle position Eve blocks eastern pass