It's 3/4 Marines* and 3rd Recon, working on both ends of Helmand's Now Zad valley with a Taliban concentration, communication and supply lines in the middle. It's the first large unit combat use of Ospreys, used to drop Marines behind the Taliban at the north end of the valley while other Marines push north from their base in the town of Now Zad at the southern end. AP via Washington Times includes this encouraging news:
Maj. Pelletier said insurgents were caught off guard by the early morning air assault.
"Right now, the enemy is confused and disorganized," Maj. Pelletier said by telephone from Camp Leatherneck, the main U.S. Marine base in Helmand. "They're fighting, but not too effectively." It's the first operation post-surge announcement, though obviously planning preceded that. You'll note that this operation is called "Cobra's Anger," not "Make Friends And Influence People." While making friends with the Afghans is an important part of counterinsurgency, influencing them has to include convincingly reducing the Taliban's ability to make their lives difficult, while also influencing the softer elements of the Taliban to consider a friendlier course. Look for more squeeze plays coming on quick, as McChrystal and the soldiers and Marines under him work their way down their clear-and-hold list.
| Much more at the link, and Mr. Crittenden includes a nice round-up of reporting from other sources he trusts. Hattip Instapundit. |
| Not to be difficult, but as I recall we did a lot of hammer and anvil stuff in the days of Vietnam, and it didn't seem to finish off the Viet Cong and NVA. Holding and protecting villages seemed to work better. |
| First days, first steps. We'll see what happens next -- we've been promised clear and hold to come. |
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