July 13, 2008 · Kunar Province Theater
July 13, 2008
In the early morning hours of July 13, a force estimated at 200 Taliban fighters launches a coordinated assault on Combat Outpost Kahler near the village of Wanat in Kunar Province. Nine American soldiers are killed — the deadliest single engagement for US forces in Afghanistan in three years. The platoon of paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, having just established the outpost, fought off the assault with .50-caliber machine guns and close air support before relief forces arrived.
Commanders