ODA 574 was a part of 3d Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group. I say was because since 574 performed their heroic work in the winter and spring of 01-02, US Army Special Forces has gone to a four-digit designation system for the ODAs. 574's goal was to set the condition for a democratic government in Afghanistan to replace the insurgent Taliban rulers. Jason Amerine was the Detachment Commander, but as everyone knows Army Special Forces is run by the NCOs, and in many cases the Captain is just along for the ride. (This is not to disparage Amerine - he was an effective leader and was decorated after participating in several battles of the Invasion of Afghanistan.)
Codenamed "Texas 12" (Texas One-Two), the detachment's goal was to set up a new government in Afghanistan. The group was made up of 12 Americans under command of Captain Jason Amerine. They worked side-by-side with the anti-Taliban militia led by Hamid Karzai, who planned to take the Islamic spiritual center of Kandahar. The key to the province was the town of Tarin Kowt. The civilians of the town overthrew the Taliban governor, so Karzai and Amerince planned to defend it. The 12 Americans of Operational Detachment Alpha 574 and 35 Afghans defended Tarin Kowt from 100 Taliban trucks carrying 1,000 insurgents. The town was successfully defended by the brave troops of Alpha 574 as well as the Afghan freedom-fighters, who drove back the Taliban. Fighting again along the Arghandab River, Alpha 574 defeated the Talibans at Shawali Kowt and Sayyd Alma Kalay. These victories were the key to the Kandahar Campaign, ending when Kandahar fell to US Marines. When Kandahar fell, Karzai became the interim president of Afghanistan, so Alpha 574's mission was complete.
A charter member of Team STORMBRINGER found the following on Blackfive
I found it very interesting, and there are a whole series of them to be seen so get over to Blackfive and enjoy!
Take care and have a nice weekend - more to follow so y'all come back now . . .
- S. L.
Source URL: https://brownlowpictures.blogspot.com/2011/08/inside-green-berets-operational.html
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