KANDAHAR PROVINCE (Sept. 24, 2011) – Afghan National Security Forces partnered with coalition forces, conducted a two-day air assault operation, Sept. 12-14, to disrupt insurgent networks in the area, while being engaged multiple times by insurgent small-arms fire, then detaining one insurgent, and killing another. 
Upon reaching the objective near the villages of Shele Kalay and Ghandekhel in far western Maiwand district, Soldiers conducted thorough searches of several suspicious compounds. While there, Afghan security forces detained a man suspected of aiding Taliban insurgents in the area. The joint element also received small-arms fire sporadically throughout the rest of the afternoon. To suppress the enemy fire, the Soldiers called in four rounds of artillery on the enemy location, killing one confirmed insurgent. 
On the rapid operation, approximately 40 Soldiers with the 6th Kandak of the 3rd Brigade, 205th Afghan National Army Corps, partnered with 150 Soldiers with Combined Task Force Spartan’s 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment. 
An air assault operation is a swift military insertion by helicopter, which denies the insurgents freedom of movement throughout Zharay and Maiwand districts of Kandahar province, while also finding and detaining their leaders and destroying supplies.