Operation Hoover

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Operation Hoover
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
A Canadian sniper fires on a Taliban fighter during Operation Hoover.
Date May 24, 2007 - May 25, 2007 Location Zhari District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan Result Coalition victory.
Belligerents
Canada, Afghan National Army supported by Portugal (100 Commandos), United Kingdom	Taliban insurgents
Commanders
Lt.Col. Rob Walker, Maj. David Quick	Local Taliban commanders
Strength
1,000	Up to 300
Casualties and losses
Canada: 1 killed	60-100 killed

v • d • e War in Afghanistan (2001–present) Qala-i-Jangi – Tora Bora – Anaconda – Red Wing – Lashkagar – Mountain Thrust – Helmand – Panjwaii – Medusa – Mountain Fury – Falcon Summit – Sangin – Achilles – Hoover – Chora – Firebase Anaconda – Harekate Yolo – Musa Qala – Karez

Operation Hoover was a Canadian-led offensive against the Taliban in the Kandahar Province district of Zhari. The aims of the operation were to root out as many as 300 Taliban fighters, mostly foreign fighters, who have moved into the villages of the Zhari District. The offensive was part of the over-arching operation Falcon Summit.

[edit] Battle

During the first morning of the operation, soldiers from India company, commanded by Major David Quick, moved on foot into a blocking position. By dawn, the Canadians in India company were in place and spotted Taliban fighters. The Taliban however, had also spotted the Canadians. Soon the Canadians and the Taliban began exchanging small-arms fire in a number of gun battles. Canadian snipers played a role in surgically removing individual Taliban fighters.

[edit] Casualties

As the sun rose, there was a bomb attack on a Canadian Leopard tank taking part in the operation . No casualties were taken, and the vehicle took only minor damage. Shortly afterwards, another bomb attack killed a Canadian soldier instantly. He was taking part in Operation Hoover as a mentor to units from the Afghan National Army when his dismounted patrol was hit by an improvised explosive device made up of anti-tank mines.

In the following weeks, fighting involving members of the Canadian and Afghan forces, and Taliban fighters ensued. The fighting left dozens of Taliban, and a small number of Afghan soldiers, dead.