OEF-Afghanistan/Consolidation I (2001 - 2006)/Operation Mountain Lion
From Month/Year
April / 2006
To Month/Year
May / 2006
Description Coalition forces, in cooperation with the Afghan National Army, began Operation Mountain Lion on 11 April 2006 to establish security, deter the re-emergence of terrorism, and enhance the sovereignty of Afghanistan. Afghan and coalition forces killed 6 insurgents while conducting offensive operations in the Marawara district of Afghanistan's Kunar province in the first day. Coalition leaders described the operation as a comprehensive effort to kill, incapacitate or capture terrorists operating in the region. The operation should not be confused with the US-led Operation Mountain Lion conducted in 2002.
Operation Mountain Lion was part of the coalition's ongoing series of offensives that aim to disrupt insurgent activities, deny them sanctuary and prevent their ability to restock. Operations began with predawn air-and-ground assaults in the Pech River Valley, an area notorious for terrorist activity.
Soldiers from 3rd Brigade of the Afghan National Army's 203rd Corps fought alongside service members from the coalition's Task Force Spartan, made up of soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment Marines from Task Force Lava. More than 2,500 Afghan National Army and coalition forces are involved in the operation.
U.S. Air Force F-15s, A-10s and B-52s are providing close-air support to troops on the ground engaged in rooting out insurgent sanctuaries and support networks. Royal Air Force GR-7s also are providing close-air support to coalition troops in contact with enemy forces. U.S. Air Force Global Hawk and Predator aircraft are providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, while KC-135 and KC-10 aircraft are providing refueling support.
Every single company from 1/3 Marines was reported to have been in firefights and received fire. The Marines frequently got into skirmishes with the remaining enemies as the Operation continued into May 2006. The Afghan army played a significant role in the success of the operation, as had support from the US Army's 10th Mountain Division, which cordoned off other nearby valleys. Air support from the US Air Force had also been important.
Operation Mountain Lion was concluded during May 2006.
