In the early morning hours of August
28, 2009 Task Force Stryker attacked into the “green zone”
of the Southern Arghandab River Valley for Operation Opportunity
Hold. This surprise assault signaled the first day of three major
operations. During the Soviet War, a Russian Division had attacked
into the same area for 34 days and could not defeat the Mujahedeen.
Within 34 hours, Task Force Stryker had secured a foothold and
for the next several months, continuous operations would eventually
overwhelm the Taliban, and force them to relinquish the area
to the Americans.
August- December 2009 in the Arghandab River Valley was the first
sustained conventional force assault that the Taliban had faced.
In the end, they could not withstand the determination of Stryker
soldiers who dismounted and moved “into the orchards”
to destroy their Taliban enemy. - Signed by the artist. |