Operation Cobra's Anger
Encyclopedia
Operation Cobra's Anger was a US-led offensive in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan
. About 1,000 Marines
as well as 150 Afghan troops
were involved. The operation began in the early hours of 4 December 2009. The main goal of the operation was to disrupt Taliban supply and communications lines in the strategic Now Zad valley
of Helmand province.
s and V-22 Osprey
aircraft. This was the first time the Osprey were used in combat operations in Afghanistan. In preparation for the Marine offensive the Taliban planted thousands of homemade bomb
s and dug in positions throughout the valley at the foot of the craggy Tangee Mountains.
By the end of the third day of the operation no major resistance had been encountered.
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...
. About 1,000 Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
as well as 150 Afghan troops
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...
were involved. The operation began in the early hours of 4 December 2009. The main goal of the operation was to disrupt Taliban supply and communications lines in the strategic Now Zad valley
Valley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
of Helmand province.
Operation
The operation began on 4 December 2009, when some 300 Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines and the Marine recon unit Task Force Raider dropped into the Now Zad valley via CH-53E helicopterHelicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s and V-22 Osprey
V-22 Osprey
The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing , and short takeoff and landing capability...
aircraft. This was the first time the Osprey were used in combat operations in Afghanistan. In preparation for the Marine offensive the Taliban planted thousands of homemade bomb
Bomb
A bomb is any of a range of explosive weapons that only rely on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy...
s and dug in positions throughout the valley at the foot of the craggy Tangee Mountains.
By the end of the third day of the operation no major resistance had been encountered.