In this third of three interviews covering his Global War on Terrorism experiences, Major Edward Croot, US Army Special Forces, discusses his July through December 2004 deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), during which he served as the logistics officer and Security Detachment commander for 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, based at Kandahar Airbase. In this interview, he provides firsthand insights and remarkable details regarding the "huge war" that broke out just prior to historic Afghan elections between the forces of Amanullah Khan and those of Ishmael Khan, particularly the fighting that occurred at the site of a meeting between the two that was ostensibly scheduled to discuss a possible ceasefire. "Most of our job was trying to keep people out and limit attendance to only the top guys," said Croot, "while we were waiting for Ishmael Khan to arrive. Well, Ishmael Khan doesn't come to the meeting; instead, he attacks the meeting, with tanks." Croot speculates that Iranian troublemakers had a hand in convincing Ishmael Khan to attack instead of talk. He describes the fighting itself as well as how the immediate hostilities were resolved (with the assistance of non-lethal A-10 aircraft runs) and how a peace was ultimately brokered. "General Olson said this was the most significant thing that happened before the election. Our ability to stop the fighting was key."

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited