Operation Kaika

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Operation Kaika

Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

Date	June 23 – 25, 2006
Location	Near Kandahar, Afghanistan
Result	Coalition tactical victory.

Belligerents

United States,

Afghan National Army

Taliban insurgents

Commanders

Sheffield Ford III

Unknown

Strength

17 (United States),
48 (ANA)^[1]

Several hundred

Casualties and losses

2 killed

120 killed^[2]

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 Kaika was a joint operation between United States (US) special forces soldiers and Afghan National Army soldiers during Operation Mountain Thrust to clear Taliban fighters from several villages about 12 miles southwest of Kandahar, Afghanistan in June 2006. During the operation, the Taliban counterattacked and surrounded the US and Afghan forces, resulting in several pitched battles over two days, from June 23 to June 25. US Army and Air Force airstrikes, including close support by AH-64 Apache helicopters, allowed the US and Afghan troops to escape while inflicting heavy losses on the Taliban. Two US Army soldiers and approximately 120 Taliban were killed. One of the US soldiers, Brendan O'Connor, was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the United States government for his actions during the operation.^[3]