Operational Encirclements: Can The United States Military Decisively Follow Through? by Scott Thomas

Author:Scott Thomas [Thomas, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2015-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

OPERATION ANACONDA

“Do not underestimate your enemy. If he is a mouse, prepare to fight a lion.”{83}—Afghan proverb

Operation Anaconda was planned and executed in order to trap Al-Qaeda and Taliban forces regrouping in the Shahikot Valley. The operation was originally planned to last only three days but ended up turning into a seven days intense battle. Officially, Operation Anaconda lasted from March 2nd to 18 March 2002.{84} This operation was developed partially due to the failures of a preceding operation called the Battle of Tora Bora. The planning and execution of this battle was criticized by the overreliance on Afghan tribal forces. This was the result because of an insufficient amount of U.S. combat forces on the ground. The end result was the escape of hundreds of Al-Qaeda and other Afghan fighters.{85}When the U.S. military identified the massing of AL-Qaeda and Taliban forces near the town of Shah-e-Kot; Operation Anaconda was developed. Included in the plan to kill or capture this cluster of enemy forces, it was thought this specific area with its vast cave complexes could provide valuable intelligence that might impact global operations against terrorist forces.{86}

Although, the U.S. military had learned many valuable lessons from the Battle of Tora Bora, some of these lessons were not fully integrated or embraced during the planning Operation Anaconda. The analysis and evaluation of these issues will provide the context to argue even though the Operation Anaconda was hailed as a success; there will was still significant shortcomings because of a failure to properly employ U.S. and coalition forces, a overreliance on technology, and inability to properly conduct command and control. All of these issues combined, adversely affected both joint operations and U.S. Army commanders’ ability to successfully plan and execute an encirclement operation aimed at preventing the withdrawal of enemy forces.

The plan for Operation Anaconda was developed to continue the pursuit of enemy forces. So in accordance with doctrine, the natural tendency would be to conduct an encirclement operation. The effect was to destroy or capture a retreating enemy force before they could withdraw to the sanctuary of Pakistan. The scheme of maneuver would focus on the isolation of Shahikot Valley. (See Appendix 3) The operation was to have in essence three concentric rings established to prevent withdrawal of enemy forces.{87} The inner portion of the planned encirclement operation forces would consist of two elements. The direct-pressure force was labeled Task Force (TF) Hammer. This force would be composed of Afghan indigenous forces lead American Special operations forces along with Afghan General Zia Lodin. The encircling force would be labeled Task Rakkasan, a brigade minus composed of elements of the 101st Air Assault Division, and the 10th Mountain Division. The outer encirclement ring would be labeled Task Force (TF) Anvil. These would also be made up of Afghan forces that would occupy blocking positions along likely enemy withdrawal avenues. Also on the outer ring would be Task Force K-Bar and Task Force 64. These elements would consist of coalition special operations that would provide surveillance and calls for fire on the objective area.

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