(6)CENTCOM releases findings on Chinook downed in Wardak
US Central Command has released the findings of its investigation into the downing of a CH-47 Chinook in Afghanistan's Wardak province in August that resulted in the deaths of 38 US and Afghan troops, including 17 Navy SEALs. The unclassified version of the report is available at CENTCOM's website, and can be viewed here, in PDF format.
There are no surprises in the report. The troops on the ill-fated helo were called in to help capture Qari Tahir, the Taliban's commander for the Tangi Valley in Wardak province. The SEAL team was aiding a US Army Ranger platoon that was operating in the area. The ground commander believed the SEALs could cut off and capture Tahir, who was thought to be retreating from the Rangers. A Taliban fighter shot down the helo as it landed in an alternate landing zone with an RPG, not with a more sophisticated air-to-ground weapon as some people speculated. Also, the investigation found that the decision to place all of the troops on a single helo was "tactically sound." From the report:
A previously undetected group of suspected Taliban fighters fired two or three RPGs in rapid succession from the tower of a two-story mud brick building approximately 220 metres south of the CH·47D. The first RPG missed the helicopter, but the second RPG struck one of the blades on the aft rotor assembly and exploded, resulting in the loss of over 10 feet of the rotor blade.
More:
The shoot down was not the result of a baited ambush, but rather the result of the enemy being in a heightened state of alert after 3 1/2 hours of ongoing coalition air operations concentrated over the northwestern portion of the Tangi Valley.
While it is no consolation, both Mullah Mohibullah, the local Taliban leader, and his fighter who shot down the Chinook were killed two days after the shoot down. Tahir was killed in a follow-up raid six weeks after the crash.
The Tangi Valley remains contested, as Afghan troops abandoned Combat Outpost Tangi just days after US forces turned it over to their control in April. Last month, the Taliban released a propaganda tape showing a large group of fighters touring the base. I am told that many of the Taliban commanders who toured that base are no longer alive.
READER COMMENTS: "CENTCOM releases findings on Chinook downed in Wardak"
Posted by JAG at October 13, 2011 7:31 PM ET:
God bless those brave SEALs and spepcial operators.
-Your brother in arms
Posted by Soccer at October 13, 2011 8:03 PM ET:
"I am told that many of the Taliban commanders who toured that base are no longer alive."
Who told you that, and what evidence would they have to reinforce such a belief?
I think either way you look at it, losing a base like that in that district is not a 'victory' for our side.
Posted by Paul Hirsch at October 13, 2011 11:16 PM ET:
Thanks for following up on this story.
Posted by Neonmeat at October 14, 2011 3:31 AM ET:
"Taliban fighters fired two or three RPGs in rapid succession from the tower of a two-story mud brick building approximately 220 metres south of the CH·47D"
Is this an effective range for an RPG? Was the guy a good shot or just lucky to hit from that distance?
It is disheartening that the ANA would abandon an Outpost immediately after ISAF hand it over, after our troops have died and bled to hold it. What this implies for what will happen when we leave is not good, will they just let the Taliban walk over them back into Kabul or will they fight for their country.
Posted by Rob Huyck at October 16, 2011 12:46 PM ET:
I disagree with the statement that placing all the Seals on the CH-47 was "tactically sound." It is not standard operating procedure - and you can see why it is not standard operating procedure - the report white-washes a poor decision that ran counter to Seal SOP. We lost a very expensive group of men (in terms of training and experience) and killed a couple of nobodies in return.
Spin it as you want.
Posted by Infidel4LIFE at October 27, 2011 11:40 AM ET:
Those Chinooks need a "cool" LZ NOT some hot spot where 40 Tier 1 Operators are a big fat target. I know the circumstances warranted this response but damn its heart breaking. Its not all that smart, but you go with wat ya got. BZ SEALS and Rangers. We will not forget.