The Battle of Afghanya occurred on 8 April 2008 when Taliban insurgents ambushed a patrol of ten Americans

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 and three Afghans

Afghanistan

Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...

 in the village of Afghanya, Kapisa Province

Kapisa Province

Kapisa is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the north-east of the country. Its capital is Mahmud-i-Raqi, and other districts include Kohistan, Nijrab and Tagab. The population of Kapisa is estimated to be 364,900, although there has never been an official estimate...

. The Americans and Afghans fought until reinforcements arrived, beating off the Taliban insurgents at the loss of only three wounded compared to several killed and wounded for the ambushers.

Background

Specialist Gregory "Scott" Ruske and thirteen Allied troops were on "presence patrols" inside Kapisa Province, Eastern Afghanistan. When they entered the village of Afghanya, they were not greeted, but rather given cold stares by civilians. Soon, a firefight began in the town when Taliban insurgents opened fire on the patrol. The Americans found out that they disrupted a meeting of high-ranking Taliban officials, and two Afghans were wounded in the opening of the battle. Shortly after, Ruske was hit in the hip by a bullet and wounded as well. American planes arrived overhead, but were not allowed to attack because of the need to contact the men on the ground. Even a QRF (Quick Reaction Force) outside the city was ambushed and bottled up adding to the soldiers' woes. Eventually, the QRF broke through and reinforced the Americans and Afghans, as well as the French Foreign Legion

French Foreign Legion

The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...

, Special Forces

Special forces

Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...

, 101st Airborne Division

101st Airborne Division

The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...

, ANA

Afghan National Army

The Afghan National Army is a service branch of the military of Afghanistan, which is currently trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the role in land-based military operations in Afghanistan. , the Afghan National Army is divided into seven regional Corps. The strength of the Afghan...

, and ANP

Afghan National Police

The Afghan National Police - ANP - is the primary national police force in Afghanistan. It serves as a single law enforcement agency all across the country. The Afghan police force was first created with the establishment of the Afghan nation in the early 18th century...

 troops. The battle went on for nearly six grueling hours, many Talibans killed or wounded. Ruske was rushed to nearby Bagram Air Base

Bagram Air Base

Bagram Airfield, also referred to as Bagram Air Base, is a militarized airport and housing complex that is located next to the ancient city of Bagram, southeast of Charikar in Parwan province of Afghanistan. The base is run by a US Army division headed by a major general. A large part of the base,...

 with the two wounded Afghans, all of whom were treated and eventually recovered.

Aftermath

After his tour of duty, Ruske was promoted to sergeant

Sergeant

Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....

 and awarded the Purple Heart

Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...

. He was also awarded the Silver Star

Silver Star

The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....

 by General Jack C. Stultz

Jack C. Stultz

Lieutenant General Jack C. Stultz, Jr. is the current Commanding General of the United States Army Reserve.-Biography:Jack Calvin Stultz, Jr. was born in Dillon, South Carolina. He attended Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He...

, Chief of the Army Reserve. Specialist Eric Segraves was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with honor for helping Ruske.