Operation Rock Avalanche
The Operation Rock Avalanche (dt. Operation landslide ) was a military mission of US forces along with the Afghan National Army as part of the NATO -Einsatzes. It took place in the eastern Afghan province of Kunar , which borders Pakistan . The mission took place from October 19-25 , 2007 in the Chapa Dara , Korengal , Pech and Shuryak valleys .
mission
The operation consisted in the targeted positioning of various units in different areas of Kunar to flush the insurgent Taliban from these areas into adjacent areas, where other waiting US and Afghan military forces tried to lure them into an ambush.
The following units were involved:
- The Able Company , the Battle Company and the Chosen Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) of the 173rd Airborne Brigade
- The Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade
- Several companies of the 201st Corps of the Afghan National Army
Three US soldiers were killed in the fighting. These were:
- Army Staff Sgt.Larry I. Rougle from West Jordan , Utah ,
- Army Specialist Hugo V. Mendoza from Glendale , Arizona ,
- Army Sgt. Joshua C. Brennan from Ontario , Oregon .
All three were members of the 2nd Battalion of the 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) of the 173rd Airborne Brigade .
Salvatore Giunta , who tried to save the seriously injured Joshua C. Brennan, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his work. Brennan succumbed to his injuries.