Battle of Khaz Oruzgan

Battle of Khas Oruzgan
Part of War in Afghanistan (2001–2014)
Map showing Khas Uruzgan district in Oruzgan province where the battle took place near the village of Khaz Oruzgan
Date 2 September 2008 Location Khaz Oruzgan, northern Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan Result Taliban Victory
Belligerents
United States  Australia  Afghanistan Indirect Dutch role	Taliban insurgency
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Troy Simmonds Unknown	Unknown
Strength
Five armoured Humvees Combined patrol consisted of 37 soldiers	Between 100–200 Taliban fighters
Casualties and losses
1 American killed and 1 wounded 9 Australians wounded Sarbi missing (trained dog) 1+ Afghan wounded	Between 20–80 (estimated)
None

The Battle of Khas Oruzgan (2 September 2008) occurred when a combined Australian, American, and Afghan patrol was ambushed by up to 200 Taliban fighters near the village of Khaz Oruzgan. The infamous battle was one of the most intense for Australian forces since the Vietnam war at the time.

In late August at the American FOB Anaconda, a combined operation of Australians and Americans began the first patrol to "flush out the bad guys". The Australians managed to spot a party of three Taliban who were possibly organising fighters to hit the Americans who were some distance away. After the Taliban crossed the 'killing ground' where there would be no real cover for them to hide behind, the Australian snipers proceeded to engage and neutralise all three targets.

American intelligence soon revealed further Taliban were coming in order to collect the dead. The Americans then changed their positions so they could observe up the valley. Right after the Taliban had stopped their vehicle, the Americans sent a volley of 40 mm grenades destroying the vehicle and its six occupants. It was later revealed that one of the Taliban inside was the eastern commander of the Taliban in that area.

The ANA soldiers then proceeded to pilfer their AKs, ammunition and their webbing, and anything else of importance. An American medic treated one of the wounded Taliban and was soon released after questioning. They thought it was best to let him go to see what would develop from the coalition ambush.

On the return to Anaconda, the patrol was ambushed by a handful of fighters with small enemy fire. The patrol was broadside onto the enemy and the green zone, and to the right was a large steep feature. With only one way to go the patrol turned all guns towards the enemy fire and threw everything they had. Eventually, the American JTAC called in two F/A-18 Hornets and provided two 20mm cannon runs into Taliban positions. On the first patrol a total of 11 had been killed that day.

After an overnight rest, they began to gear up for the next operation the following day. Little did they know that it would turn into one of the biggest battles involving Australian troops since Vietnam.

The battle took place on 2 September 2008.

After the success of a joint US-Australian ambush mission in the valley to the northeast of FOB Anaconda, the coalition force conducted a similar ambush mission in another valley to the east near a village called Ana Kalay. The mission commenced with two SASR patrols and a command element moving by foot in darkness to establish themselves in ambush positions to the north of the Ana Kalay valley.

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Wikipedia