Task Force 58:Naval Expeditionary Operations FOB RHINO to Kandahar

1. Task Force 58:Naval Expeditionary Operations FOB RHINO to Kandahar

2. Themes of Amphibious Warfare • Problem of the tadpole • The landing itself is rarely the key problem • The problems of command • The amphibious landing is a means to an end • The influence of terrain and geography • The amphibious operation as a form of envelopment • Inherent chaotic and decentralized nature of landings • The development of amphibious technology and techniques

3. Afghan monarchy ended in 1973. • Communists seized control in April 1978. • Soviet-Afghan War in 1979 October. • The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan • The Taliban (religious students) militia emergedfrom the chaos as an ultra-conservative Sunni • Muslim reform movement in 1994 • United States supported Taliban from 1994 to 1997. • Jihad and Islamic Front • Global War on Terrorism September 11, 2001.

4. Geographical Background

5. Essence of the USMC is to a flexible expeditionary force. TF 58 was a seabasing operation. Combat Operations in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. • Supported joint forces as well as isolation and seizure of Kandahar, last political military stronghold of the Taliban regime. • FOB Rhino facilitated the projection of combat power several hundred miles further inland.

6. CH-53Es carried the first conventional forces into Afghanistan and paved the way for follow-on forces that would wreak havoc on the Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in our area of responsibility. On 25 November 2001, the Marine Corps introduced ground forces into Afghanistan using the CH-53E. Within 5 days after the initial insert, the FOB called Camp Rhino could sustain air and ground operations for an entire MEU.

7. As a Colonel, Mattis commanded 7th Marine Regiment, then the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Task Force 58 during the War in Afghanistan in the southern part of the country. Later being promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, he was the commander of TF-58, and became the first U.S. Marine officer to ever command a Naval Task Force in combat.

8. Success of Camp Rhino and Task Force 58 • As of early January 2002 approximately 1,000 Marines from the 15th and 26th MEUs, and 300 soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division, were operating from Kandahar. The use of FOB Rhino was discontinued on or around January 1, 2002 as coalition forces had driven Taliban forces out of their strongholds and the necessity for newer and more secure FOB's .became apparent.

9. The Marines and Sailors set new standards for Marine Corps amphibious doctrine. • Spanning 350 miles from ship to objective, TF 58 was conducting the deepest amphibious assault in Marine Corps history. Its sustainment depended entirely on airlift; every piece of equipment and every drop of water had to be flown in. • Rhino LZ tested the Marines’ capabilities for on-the-move adaptiveness and irregular changes to amphibious doctrine on land. • A large portion of the success at Rhino LZ is ultimately attributable to the Marines and airmen on the ground who adapted and overcame the shortfalls that resulted from the rapid planning.

10. Influence on neighboring countries of Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, India • Taliban, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan • East Turkestan Islamic Movement • Al-Shabaab • "Prevent Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists from moving freely about the country," • "Pressure the Taliban forces in Afghanistan

11. Deadlier than a Marine and his Rifle. Took Kandahar with only his hands (and his brain-power)