Shah Wali Kot Offensive
Encyclopedia
The Shah Wali Kot Offensive was a five-day joint operation during the War in Afghanistan
, conducted by Australian special forces
and the Afghan National Army
with US air support, between 10–14 June 2010. The operation took place in the Shah Wali Kot District
of Kandahar Province
, occurring in preparation for the coalition clearance of the province and resulting in heavy insurgent casualties.
(ISAF) began Operation Hamkari as part of an attempt to increase security around the southern city of Kandahar
, in Afghanistan. As part of the operation Australian forces were tasked with conducting a series of disuption operations in the Shah Wali Kot district of northern Kandahar province. A five-day air mobile operation subsequently began in the second week of June, targeting an insurgent stronghold which had been controlled by the Taliban since 1995. Forces involved included the Australian Special Operations Task Group and Afghan National Army units, supported by United States Army
helicopters.
made the initial attack on 10 June, and was later reinforced by members of the Special Air Service Regiment
(SASR) when it was discovered that the insurgents were preparing a counter-attack. Fighting was particularly intense on the second day of the operation when Australian and Afghan soldiers were fired upon by insurgents shortly after they disembarked from their helicopters during an assault into Tizak, with the engagement lasting for 13 hours. After five days of fighting the surviving insurgents withdrew from the area.
Following the operation the ISAF stated that an insurgent force numbering over 100 strong had been defeated. The commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General John Cantwell claimed that the operation had "dealt a major blow to the insurgent forces and their commanders and made a major and direct contribution to ISAF security operations focused on Kandahar province and its nearby districts" and would also improve security in Oruzgan province
. The Australian troops also captured large numbers of weapons during the operation.
claimed that the operation resulted in the deaths of "'a significant number of insurgents" but did not provide a figure for the number killed. One Australian soldier and an Afghan soldier were wounded by gunfire during the operation and several helicopters were damaged. An Afghan civilian also approached the coalition troops seeking medical assistance for a wound in his hand, but the Australian Department of Defence stated that it was not clear how he had received this injury. The ISAF stated that no civilians were injured in the operation. As many as 100 insurgents were believed to have been killed.
Later, during further operations in the area on 21 June, three Australian commandos were killed when a US UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed in northern Kandahar Province. The US pilot also died, while another seven Australians and a US crewman were seriously injured. On 23 January 2011, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith
MG was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia
at Campbell Barracks
in Perth
, for his actions on 11 June 2010. He is the son of Major General
Leonard Roberts-Smith
. Roberts-Smith's patrol commander, identified only as Sergeant P, was awarded the Star of Gallantry
for his role in the engagement.
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
, conducted by Australian special forces
Special forces of Australia
Since 1941, the Australian military has raised a range of special forces and special operations units, which fall into four categories:# Commando units such as the Independent and Commando Companies raised during World War II, and the 1st Commando Regiment, the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian...
and the Afghan National Army
Afghan National Army
The Afghan National Army is a service branch of the military of Afghanistan, which is currently trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the role in land-based military operations in Afghanistan. , the Afghan National Army is divided into seven regional Corps. The strength of the Afghan...
with US air support, between 10–14 June 2010. The operation took place in the Shah Wali Kot District
Shah Wali Kot District
Shah Wali Kot District is situated in the northern part of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. It borders Khakrez District to the west, Naish District and Oruzgan Province to the north, Zabul Province to the east and Daman and Arghandab districts to the south. The population is 38,400 . The district...
of Kandahar Province
Kandahar Province
Kandahar or Qandahar is one of the largest of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is located in southern Afghanistan, between Helmand, Oruzgan and Zabul provinces. Its capital is the city of Kandahar, which is located on the Arghandab River. The province has a population of nearly...
, occurring in preparation for the coalition clearance of the province and resulting in heavy insurgent casualties.
Background
In June 2010 the International Security Assistance ForceInternational Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
(ISAF) began Operation Hamkari as part of an attempt to increase security around the southern city 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...
, in Afghanistan. As part of the operation Australian forces were tasked with conducting a series of disuption operations in the Shah Wali Kot district of northern Kandahar province. A five-day air mobile operation subsequently began in the second week of June, targeting an insurgent stronghold which had been controlled by the Taliban since 1995. Forces involved included the Australian Special Operations Task Group and Afghan National Army units, supported by United States Army
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...
helicopters.
Battle
An Australian commando company group from 2nd Commando Regiment2nd Commando Regiment (Australia)
The 2nd Commando Regiment is an Australian Army Special Forces unit, it is one of three combat-capable units within the Australian Special Operations Command. The regiment was established on 19 June 2009 when it was renamed from the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment...
made the initial attack on 10 June, and was later reinforced by members of the Special Air Service Regiment
Australian Special Air Service Regiment
The Special Air Service Regiment, officially abbreviated SASR but commonly known as the SAS, is a special forces unit of the Australian Army...
(SASR) when it was discovered that the insurgents were preparing a counter-attack. Fighting was particularly intense on the second day of the operation when Australian and Afghan soldiers were fired upon by insurgents shortly after they disembarked from their helicopters during an assault into Tizak, with the engagement lasting for 13 hours. After five days of fighting the surviving insurgents withdrew from the area.
Following the operation the ISAF stated that an insurgent force numbering over 100 strong had been defeated. The commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General John Cantwell claimed that the operation had "dealt a major blow to the insurgent forces and their commanders and made a major and direct contribution to ISAF security operations focused on Kandahar province and its nearby districts" and would also improve security in Oruzgan province
Oruzgan Province
Orūzgān or Urōzgān , also spelled Uruzgan or Rōzgān , is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the center of the country, though the area is culturally and tribally linked to Kandahar in the south. Its capital is Tarin Kowt...
. The Australian troops also captured large numbers of weapons during the operation.
Aftermath
The Australian Department of DefenceDepartment of Defence (Australia)
The Australian Department of Defence is a Federal Government Department. It forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation along with the Australian Defence Force . The Defence mission is to defend Australia and its national interests...
claimed that the operation resulted in the deaths of "'a significant number of insurgents" but did not provide a figure for the number killed. One Australian soldier and an Afghan soldier were wounded by gunfire during the operation and several helicopters were damaged. An Afghan civilian also approached the coalition troops seeking medical assistance for a wound in his hand, but the Australian Department of Defence stated that it was not clear how he had received this injury. The ISAF stated that no civilians were injured in the operation. As many as 100 insurgents were believed to have been killed.
Later, during further operations in the area on 21 June, three Australian commandos were killed when a US UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed in northern Kandahar Province. The US pilot also died, while another seven Australians and a US crewman were seriously injured. On 23 January 2011, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith
Ben Roberts-Smith
Benjamin "Ben" Roberts-Smith VC, MG is an Australian soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia, the highest award in the Australian honours system....
MG was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia
Victoria Cross for Australia
The Victoria Cross for Australia is the highest award in the Australian Honours System, superseding the Victoria Cross for issue to Australians...
at Campbell Barracks
Campbell Barracks (Australia)
Campbell Barracks is an Australian Army base located in Swanbourne, a coastal suburb of Perth, Western Australia. The Australian Special Air Service Regiment has been based at Campbell Barracks since the Regiment was first established as an independent company in 1957...
in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, for his actions on 11 June 2010. He is the son of Major General
Major General (Australia)
Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank...
Leonard Roberts-Smith
Len Roberts-Smith
Major General Leonard William Roberts-Smith RFD QC is a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, which is the highest ranking court in the Australian State of Western Australia. He served in the Court of Appeals Division, and was first appointed on 6 November 2000...
. Roberts-Smith's patrol commander, identified only as Sergeant P, was awarded the Star of Gallantry
Star of Gallantry
The Star of Gallantry is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force and other persons recognised by the Minister for Defence. It is awarded for acts of great heroism or conspicuous gallantry in action in circumstances of great peril...
for his role in the engagement.