Operation Anaconda Case Study History Case Study Paper

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Operation Anaconda was a complex battle that took place in the Shahikot Valley of Afghanistan between the U.S. Army and terrorists. It is considered as the largest combat operation conducted by the U.S. Army regarding the War on Terrorism which started after the tragedy due to terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Despite the unfavorable terrain conditions, the battle ended as another victory for America, yet costing the lives of eight U.S. military personnel. The victory of the battle wouldn’t be possible if not because of the detailed planning and proper organization of the command. In accomplishing missions, the fundamental principles of mission command are utilized in assisting commanders and staff coupled with tactical efforts and science of control.
Operation Anaconda was conducted during the transition period of U.S. military operations which are based in Afghanistan and did not comply with the typical information-age battles. To win the war on terrorism in this area, six principles of mission command are used such as building cohesive teams through mutual trust, creating shared understanding, providing a clear commander’s intent, exercising disciplined initiative, using mission orders, and accepting prudent risk.
The military organization of the U.S. troops in Afghanistan has to very unusual organizational structures as a result of Operation Enduring Freedom. Building cohesive teams through mutual trust is depicted in the coordination of various teams in the planning and execution of Operation Anaconda. The CFLCC reported about the location in Afghanistan of the largest concentration of al Qaeda and Taliban forces. The intelligence team is responsible for the estimation of the strength and number of the enemy. The location of the rebel forces is known to be strategic as based on the success of Afghan guerillas against the Soviets. Based on this information and mutual trust between organizations, JSOTF DAGGER established friendly Afghan forces. Using the Afghan forces of General Zia Lodin’s, TF DAGGER was commanded to develop a plan about clearing the Shahi Kot valley out.
Another factor that contributed to the success of Operation Anaconda is the establishment of shared understanding within the organization. This understanding includes the environment where the operation will take place, identifying the problems and the approaches to be used in solving them, and knowing the purpose of the operation being conducted. Through this understanding, mutual trust will be built and developed. Operation Anaconda was conducted in Shahi Kot valley wherein enemy activity was detected along with their numerous fighters staying in the caves and disguising themselves as civilians in multiples villages such as Marzak, Babukhel, and Serkhankhel. The main plan of the operation includes forcing the enemy out to flee the valley while U.S. troops are waiting in their blocking positions. This shared understanding requires continual collaboration and dialogue within the organization. Thus, meetings are often con...