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Home : Resources : Image Gallery : Historical Paintings : Heritage Series : Taku Ghar

The Battle of Takur Ghar

Operation Enduring Freedom, the military action against Taliban and al-Qaidaforces in Afghanistan, was the catalyst for the largest mobilization ofAir National Guard personnel since the Korean War. It also markedthe first time that Air National Guard ground units, particularly pararescuepersonnel and air combat controllers, were used to support joint groundcombat operations. 

As part of Enduring Freedom, in March 2002 a joint military operationnamed  "Anaconda" was mounted in Paktia province to surroundand defeat Taliban forces hiding in the area. On the thirdday of Operation Anaconda an Army MH-47E Chinook helicopter was fired uponas it attempted to land on a ridge on Takur Ghar mountain. Takingheavy fire, the helicopter lurched and attempted to take-off to extricateitself from the field of fire. When the Chinook lurched, one of theNavy SEALs on board, Petty Officer First Class Neil C. Roberts, fell fromthe rear ramp. Too damaged to return for Petty Officer Roberts, theChinook landed further down the mountain. 

A second MH-47E attempted to land and rescue Roberts, but it too was firedupon and forced to leave the immediate area.  The third MH-47E toattempt a landing on what became known as Roberts’  Ridge was hitwith automatic weapons fire and rocket-propelled grenades while still 20feet in the air. The helicopter, containing an Army Ranger Team andTechnical Sergeant Keary Miller, a Combat Search and Rescue Team Leaderfrom the 123d Special Tactics Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard, hitthe ground hard.  Within seconds, one helicopter crewman, the rightdoor gunner, was killed, as were three Army Rangers. The 17-hourordeal that followed would result in the loss of seven American lives,including Petty Officer Roberts. 

Technical Sergeant Miller not only managed to drag the wounded helicopterpilot to safety, but also orchestrated the establishment of multiple casualtycollection points. In between treating the wounded, Miller set upthe distribution of ammunition for the Army Rangers who were taking thefight to the enemy. For his extraordinary life-saving efforts whileputting himself in extreme danger under enemy fire, Technical SergeantMiller was awarded the Silver Star by the U.S. Navy, one of the few membersof the Air National Guard to be so honored. 

Copyright Notice

Images of these paintings may also be used for educational purposes with an appropriate permission statement, such as: "[name of painting], a National Guard Heritage Painting by [name of artist], courtesy the National Guard Bureau." The U.S. Government retains all copyrights to these paintings. No commercial use is authorized without prior approval.

Downaload images

The Battle of Takur Ghar*By Keith Rocco*

                            -  Full Size (5129 x 3381).jpg  10.0 MB 
                            -  Medium Size (280 x 185).jpg  36.0 KB 
                            -  Small Size (230 x 152).jpg  26.0 KB 

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