Camp Rhino

was captured by what is regarded as the longest amphibious raid in history. The site was observed by US Navy SEALs for four days prior to the Marines landing there to capture it. Before its capture, it is believed that the small desert outpost was being built for use as a drug distribution hub. [ [http://www.defence.gov.au/media/2002/73002.doc Media Brief - Australian Defence Force, 10 December 2002] ] The facility was surrounded by a convert|10|ft|m|0|sing=on wall and four hardened guard towers. Within the facility there were numerous new warehouses, offices, and even a small mosque which was declared off limits to all personnel as a sign of respect. The paint on some of the buildings was barely dry. Sealed roads ran throughout the camp, and it was also bisected by a three foot deep cement moat.

While under the cover of darkness, United States Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions and AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters, from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit on board the amphibious assault ships USS Peleliu and USS Boxer flew the Marine assault force convert|372|nmi|km|0|abbr=on from the North Arabian Sea, through Pakistan, to secure the camp. The CH-53Es utilized aerial refueling from KC-130 tankers, while the AH-1Ws used an existing Forward Arming and Refueling Area (FARP) as they proceeded north. Once the initial insert of forces was complete via the CH-53Es, multiple waves of KC-130 and C-17 aircraft allowed for quick build-up of combat power. At its peak, approximately eight CH-46E, four CH-53E, six UH-1N, and six AH-1W aircraft were deployed there.

. Life at the spartan Camp Rhino was rough. There were no showers or wash facilities, no messing facilities (only ration packs), every drop of water had to be flown in, and most troops were simply accommodated in a large, open warehouse building. The uncertain, tactical nature of the base meant that lights were generally not allowed after dark, and aircraft only operated at night. The base was surrounded by extremely desolate desert terrain resembling the surface of the moon.

trategic Importance

Camp Rhino was the US-led coalition's first strategic foothold in Afghanistan, and made the ground war in Afghanistan possible. While Rhino was being established, fierce battles between Taliban and Northern Alliance troops were still underway near Kandahar. But then the Taliban, realizing that US forces were now very close and were willing to operate at night, capitulated and retreated north to the mountains of Tora Bora. Supported by the USMC 26th MEU, the coalition forces based at Rhino then moved up to capture the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar International Airport in mid-December 2001, following a three week period of consolidation at Rhino. Kandahar International Airport then became the main coalition base in southern Afghanistan, while Bagram was established further to the north near Kabul. The majority of forces who had initially based out of Rhino had re-located to Kandahar by Christmas Day.

Controversial Patriotism

In the first hour of dawn the morning Camp Rhino was secured, a platoon of Marines raised an American flag in a fashion reminiscent of the famous World War II flag rasing at Iwo Jima. The Marines raising the flag were with the 1st Platoon of 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Photograph and video taken by Sgt. Joseph R. Chenelly were sent to media outlets and broadcast worldwide soon after. Around the same time, Brig. Gen. James Mattis, who had just been put in charge of new formed task force that included the 15th MEU, told reporters that the Marines now "own a piece of Afghanistan." The photos, video and general's comments did not sit well with the U.S. State Department, which immediately stated the United States had no intention of owing any part of Afghanistan. A directive was sent from the Pentagon to all troops in Afghanistan, ordering the Marines to no longer raise American flags in Afghanistan.

ee also

References

ee also

*Kandahar International Airport
*Military operations of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
*

External links

* [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/12/11/terror/main320967.shtml On The Scene: Camp Rhino] , CBS News, 11 Dec 2001
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/afghanistan/rhino.htm Forward Operating Base Rhino] , globalsecurity.org
* [http://www.specialoperations.com/Navy/SEALs/OEF.html specialoperations.com]
* [http://maps.google.com.au/maps?oe=UTF-8&hl=en&q=&ie=UTF8&ll=30.930501,65.099487&spn=1.569022,2.680664&t=k&z=8&om=0 Registan Desert] (Google Maps)