Task Force 373: US Led Afghan Assassination Team, page 1

Lucidity posts a new interview with Assange which among other things, details Task Force 373 the US led kill or capture team hunting senior Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives. There are numerous references to this special forces unit within the leaked documents, but one report details a blunder that killed seven children when a HIMARS strike hit a house.

Excerpt from report

NOTE: The following information (TF-373 and HIMARS) is Classified Secret / NOFORN. The knowledge that TF-373 conducted a HIMARS strike must be kept protected. All other information below is classified Secret / REL ISAF. (S) Mission: O/O SOTF conducts kinetic strike followed with HAF raid to kill/capture ABU LAYTH AL LIBI on NAI 2. (S)Target: Abu Layth Al Libi is a senior al-Qaida military commander, Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) leader. He is based in Mir Ali, Pakistan and runs training camps throughout North Waziristan. Collection over the past week indicates a concentration of Arabs IVO objective area. Result: 6 x EKIA; 7 x NC KIA, 7 x detainees (S) Summary: HAF departed for Orgun-E to conduct link-up and posture to the objective immediately after pre-assault fires. On order, 5 rockets were launched and destroyed structures on the objective (NAI 2). The HAF quickly inserted the assault force into the HLZ. ISR reported multiple UIMs leaving the objective area. The assault force quickly conducted dismounted movement to the target area and established containment on the south side of the objective. During the initial assault, dedicated air assets engaged multiple MAMs squirting off the objective area. GFC assessed 3 x EKIA squirters north and 3 x EKIA squirters south of the compound were neutralized from air asset fires. The assault force quickly maneuvered with a SQD element on the remaining squirters. The squirter element detained 12 x MAMs and returned to the objective area. GFC passed initial assessment of 7 x NC KIA (children). During initial questioning, it was assessed that the children were not allowed out of the building, due to UIMs presence within the compound. The assault force was able to uncover 1 x NC child from the rubble. The MED TM immediately cleared debris form the mouth and performed CPR to revive the child for 20 minutes. Due to time restrictions, TF CDR launched QRF element to action a follow-on target (NAI 5). They quickly contained the objective and initiated the assault. The objective was secured and the assault force initially detained 6 x MAMs. The GFC recommended that 7 MAMs be detained for additional questioning. The TF CDR assessed that the assault force will continue SSE. The local governor was notified of the current situation and requests for assistance were made to cordon the AO with support from ANP and local coalition forces in search of HVI. A PRT is enroute to AO.

The task force were also complicit in the death of seven Afghan National Police when a village was attacked. This was a night ride and the full report questions these types of operations. The document is referenced as blue-on-blue.

Excerpt from report

Initial Report (12 0430Z June) - TF 373 was conducting an operation 43 Km south-west of Jalalabad (OBJ Carbon) - Mission was a kill / capture of the senior TB commander (Qari Ur-Rahman) for attacks and planning in Nangarhar, and a cousin of Anwar al-Haqs - This was a combination of Helicopter and Ground Assault forces - Approximately one hour into the operation, the unit suffered a hard compromise and a firefight ensued - AC-130 was on station and engaged personnel who were engaging TF 373 forces with SAF and RPGs - ICOM chatter was intercepted stating enemy maneuver intentions on the TF 373 force - AC-130 engaged and reported positive effects on 3 x vehicles moving to reinforce the element engaged with TF 373 - The original mission was aborted and TF-373 broke contact and returned to FOB Fenty - BDA No TF-373 casualties, 4 x EKIA, 1 x Detainee, 3 x vehicles, 5-6 x personnel down IVO of the vehicle strikes, unknown number of small arms / heavy weapons and RPGs, and 1 x radio Followup Report - 7 x ANP KIA, 4 x WIA (evacuated to the JBAD Hospital) - 4 x EKIA

[edit on 1-8-2010 by LarryLove]