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In Combat
Chinooks Assault Taliban Strongholds in Afghanistan
By Tom Marinucci
U.S.Army Photo
U.S. Marines board a CH-47F Chinook helicopter from Forward Operating Base Bastion, Afghanistan, en route to air assault into Helmand Province in support of Operation Khanjari, July 2, 2009. The assault was the starting point of Operation Khanjari, initiating U.S. Marine presence in support of security against insurgency throughout Helmand Province.
Reports continue to show the new CH-47Fs deployed in Afghanistan were widely used in assaults on hostile forces of the Taliban. U.S. Aviation helicopters from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade participated in the air assualt of more than 350 Scottish soldiers from the British Army.
"We are most grateful for the dedicated and courageous pilots and crew who got us into the heart of the insurgency safe haven and extracted us when the job was done," said Lieutenant Commander Stephen Cartwright, commanding officer, The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland SCOTS (RBG(S)).
In another operation, CH-47Fs of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade supported the assault of nearly 500 Marines in Helmand Province. The task force conducted insertions across six landing zones.
It was reported that, less than an hour into the mission, crews spotted possible RPG fire as well as small arms fire. The aircraft were able to maneuver without interference to route or mission, and no aircraft was hit by enemy fire.
U.S.Army Photo
U.S. Marines dismounting a CH-47F Chinook helicopter in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, during an air assault, July 2. The night assault marked the initial start of Operation Khanjari, establishing U.S. Marine presence in Helmand Province to provide security to Afghan people in the provincial area.