Operational Detachment Alpha 574
Encyclopedia
Operational Detachment Alpha 574 is a part of the United States Army
's Third Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group
. Its goal was to set the condition for a democratic government in Afghanistan
to replace the insurgent Taliban rulers. Jason Amerine
was noted for leading the group in several battles of the Invasion of Afghanistan.
; it was under control of the Taliban insurgents who were behind the 11 September attacks. The group was made up of 12 Americans under command of Captain Jason Amerine
. They worked side-by-side with the anti-Taliban militia led by Hamid Karzai
, who planned to take the Islamic spiritual center of Kandahar
. The key, he said, to the province was the town of Tarin Kowt. The civilians of the town overthrew the Taliban governor, so Karzai and Amerince planned to defend it. The 12 Americans of Operational Detachment Alpha 574 and 35 Afghans defended Tarin Kowt
from 100 Taliban trucks carrying 1,000 insurgents. The town was successfully defended by the brave troops of Alpha 574 as well as the Afghan freedom-fighters, who drove back the Taliban. Fighting again along the Arghandab River
, Alpha 574 defeated the Talibans at Shawali Kowt
and Sayyd Alma Kalay
. These victories were the key to the Kandahar Campaign, ending when Kandahar fell to US Marines. When Kandahar fell, Karzai became the interim president of Afghanistan, so Alpha 574's goal was complete.
, Operational Detachment Alpha 574 was awarded three Silver Star
s, four Bronze Star Medal
s for Valor, three Bronze Star Medal
s, and eleven Purple Heart
s. Amerine himself was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart
.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
's Third Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group
5th Special Forces Group (United States)
The 5th Special Forces Group is a United States Army Special Forces unit that was activated on 21 September 1961 during the Cold War.-Unit history:...
. Its goal was to set the condition for a democratic government in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
to replace the insurgent Taliban rulers. Jason Amerine
Jason Amerine
Jason Amerine is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Special Forces. He served in the Invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in which he aided tribal leader Hamid Karzai in fighting a guerilla war against the Taliban. For bravery in the invasion, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the...
was noted for leading the group in several battles of the Invasion of Afghanistan.
Invasion of Afghanistan
Codenamed "Texas 12" (Texas One-Two), the detachment's goal was to set up a new government in AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
; it was under control of the Taliban insurgents who were behind the 11 September attacks. The group was made up of 12 Americans under command of Captain Jason Amerine
Jason Amerine
Jason Amerine is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Special Forces. He served in the Invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in which he aided tribal leader Hamid Karzai in fighting a guerilla war against the Taliban. For bravery in the invasion, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the...
. They worked side-by-side with the anti-Taliban militia led by Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai, GCMG is the 12th and current President of Afghanistan, taking office on 7 December 2004. He became a dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001...
, who planned to take the Islamic spiritual center of Kandahar
Kandahar
Kandahar is the second largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of about 512,200 as of 2011. It is the capital of Kandahar Province, located in the south of the country at about 1,005 m above sea level...
. The key, he said, to the province was the town of Tarin Kowt. The civilians of the town overthrew the Taliban governor, so Karzai and Amerince planned to defend it. The 12 Americans of Operational Detachment Alpha 574 and 35 Afghans defended Tarin Kowt
Battle of Tarin Kowt
The Battle of Tarin Kowt took place in 2001 during the War in Afghanistan. In Early November, Hamid Karzai had entered Taliban-controlled eastern Afghanistan with a small force of guerrillas, accompanied by American special forces soldiers. In response to the approach of Karzai's force, the...
from 100 Taliban trucks carrying 1,000 insurgents. The town was successfully defended by the brave troops of Alpha 574 as well as the Afghan freedom-fighters, who drove back the Taliban. Fighting again along the Arghandab River
Arghandab River
Arghandab is a river in Afghanistan, about in length. It rises in the Hazarajat country north-west of Ghazni, and flows south-west falls into the Helmand below Girishk. In its lower course it is much used for irrigation, and the valley is cultivated and populous; yet the water is said to be...
, Alpha 574 defeated the Talibans at Shawali Kowt
Battle of Shawali Kowt
The Battle of Shawali Kowt took place near the Arghandab River in Afghanistan during the Invasion of Afghanistan. On December 2, 2001, after a pitched street-by-street battle, the Green Berets and Afghan Freedom Fighters captured the town of Shawali Kowt, but could not gain control over a vital...
and Sayyd Alma Kalay
Battle of Sayyd Alma Kalay
The Battle of Sayyd Alma Kalay was a battle set near the Arghandab River in Afghanistan in the War on Terror. The US and Afghans won against the Taliban insurgents and invaded Kandahar, a vital Taliban spiritual center.- Battle :...
. These victories were the key to the Kandahar Campaign, ending when Kandahar fell to US Marines. When Kandahar fell, Karzai became the interim president of Afghanistan, so Alpha 574's goal was complete.
Awards
For bravery in the invasion of AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Operational Detachment Alpha 574 was awarded three Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
s, four Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
s for Valor, three Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
s, and eleven Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s. Amerine himself was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
.