Summary

Following the attacks on September 11, 2001 the United States has started an bombing campaign against Taliban Forces in Afghanistan in October of 2001. Just twelve days later, the first conventional ground forces have arrived in the area. Working with local militants such as the Northern Alliance in an aim to overthrow the ruling Taliban government, eventually seeing the Taliban’s Leader, Osama Bin Laden fleeing towards Pakistan.

With an Interim Government in place after the fall of Kabul in November 2001, and a more than short-lived period of rebuilding many of the efforts are now focused on driving the remaining Taliban Forces out of the remote provinces parts of the country.
 

Equipment

Top-level

• Radios: Widespread, including PRR
• CTAB: None
• GPS: AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver DAGR only, no mapping
• Maps: No synchronization
• Optics: Ironsight, or optionally Aimpoint/Holo (1x only), except for Marksmen/Snipers
   

Weapons

• M16A3/4
• M4 Carryhandle
• M249 PIP
• M136 HEAT / HEDP
• M14 / M39 EBR
• M240B
   

Vehicles

• Humvees, Armed (Unarmored, pre A2-kit)
• NO MRAPs
• M1117 ASV
• LAV-25
• Strykers

Support

• M939 / Oshkosh Trucks
• M252 Mortars
• M119 Howitzer
• A10 Warthog
• C17s
• Blackhawk/Littlebird/Chinook

Situation

Background

It's October 2001, and the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Divison under the United Task Force, are deployed to the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region in the province of Tottah, a newly constructed Forward Operating Base, recently completed to sustain our presence. With allied forces bearing down on Kabul, the Taliban goverment is under pressure, and we're assigned this region, as part of the larger objectives of Operation Honeybadger.

The current stated objective is to overthrow the Taliban Government and replace it with an interim government, elected by coalition forces, in preparedness for democratic elections. As part of this, we're instructed to be prepared to overthrow the Talibans provincial governor, police force and militant groups in Tottah Province, in coordination with the toppling of the Capital city in the coming months. 

Terrain

Tottah Province is a remote border region of mountainous terrain, comprising of a number of bustling settlements. With a population of 80,000 over this 100sq/km region, it's provincial capital is Tottah, a small settlement in it's central valley, home to the provicial Taliban Government.

Little is known specifically about the local populations views towards western occupation, but based on intelligence from the 5th Special Forces group, Tottah is suspected to adapt better than other regions to western presence, due to abuses by Taliban government forces. That said there will still be hard-line supporters of the Taliban throughout the region.

Remote areas suffer from a litter of soviet era unexploded ordenance (UXO), typically anti-tank mines, but occasionally anti-personel mines. Due to this, mapped roads are the safest form of travel, but are potential ambush points. Travelling on mountain paths, or off them can be extremely dangerous, if the proper support and care is not employed during navigation.

Tasking

Our mission is to overthrow Taliban rule of Tottah Province and bring peace to the region.

• Overthrow Taliban rule in Tottah Province
• Ensure a secure installation of the Interim Government
• Protect civillian life and property
• Improve the standing of the occupying forces, and understanding of their presence

Friendly Forces

Above: US Army DCU BDU, PASGT Bodyarmour/Webbing with PASGT DCU Helmets, circa 2001

Enemy Forces

The enemy forces comprise of a mix of Taliban forces, some are still part of the governement, such as the religious police, and government militia. Others are ardent supporters of the regime who are otherwise simply civillians who are opposed to the Western occupation.

In recent months, the enemy has been concentrated in the remote regions garrisoning and training away from the urban areas in caves and camps although they maintain a regular presence in built up areas. The enemy is expected to try and spread its influence on the local populace, and utilize hit-and-run tactics, using the open Terrain to ambush and disrupt. The enemy is knowlegable in the terrain and is known to use hit and run tactics, they rarely make themselves known in opposition to overwhelming enemy force, in other regions - presence patrols have helped to send them back to remote areas, and away from the local population. 

The enemy is expected to fully retreat should we overwhelm them, and resort to focused attacks.

Above: Taliban Sentry outside Tullah, pictured by the 5th SFG, the Taliban have little to no identifying markings on their traditional garments.

Independent Forces

The Northern Alliance (United Islamic National Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan) has been fighting a defensive war against the Taliban regime. They have received support from India, Iran, Russia, Tajikistan, Israel, Turkmenistan, United States and Uzbekistan and controll less than 10% of the country, cornered in the north-east and based in Badakhshan province. During our deployment, making contact and supporting local NA fighters is a priority, but identifying them will be difficult, as most all fighters in the region wear similar dress.

The Northern Alliance welcomes US support.

Above: Northern Alliance Fighters look almost indistinguishable from Taliban Fighters.