On 13 July 2008, nine American soldiers perished while fighting a pitched battle in the village of Wanat in Afghanistan's Waygal Valley. On that day, the men of Company C, 2d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, endured four hours of intense close quarters combat and mounting casualties. The contingent of 49 United States and 24 Afghan National Army Soldiers defended their small outpost against a coordinated attack by a determined insurgent force armed with rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapons. Despite the initial advantage of tactical surprise and numerical superiority, it was the insurgents who ultimately broke contact and withdrew from Combat Outpost Kahler. Army historians recognized the need to better understand the Battle of Wanat and ensure those who followed learned from the experiences of the Soldiers who defended their outpost.

Shipping list no.: 2011-0088-P.

Chapter 1. Historic and campaign background of the Waygal Valley. Nuristan Province and the Waygal Valley -- The Insurgents -- The Coalition Campaign in Afghanistan, 2001-2008 -- US Operations in Nuristan and Konar, 2001-2007 -- The Deployment of the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) to Afghanistan, 2007 -- Chosen Company and the Waygal Valley -- The 4 July Attack on Bella -- The decision to execute Operation ROCK MOVE -- Chapter 2. The establishment of COP Kahler, 8-12 July 2008. ROCK MOVE -- The Plan -- Planning and preparation in Chosen Company -- The establishment of COP Kahler, 8-12 July -- The terrain at Wanat and the configuration of the COP -- The configuration of OP Topside -- Operations and events at COP Kahler, 9-12 July -- The enemy, 9-12 July -- The eve of the attack -- Chapter 3. The Fight at Wanat, 13 July 2008. The attack on COP Kahler -- The initial defense of OP Topside -- Reinforcing OP Topside -- Arrival of attack helicopter support -- Arrival of 1st Platoon Quick Reaction Force -- The MEDEVACs at Wanat -- The consolidation at COP Kahler -- The withdrawal from the Waygal Valley -- Aftermath -- Chapter 4. Conclusions. Overview -- Counterinsurgency in Northeast Afghanistan, 2007-2008 -- Enemy disposition and intent : situational awareness in the Wanat area -- The delays in construction of COP Kahler -- The timing of Operation ROCK MOVE : the relief by TF Duke -- Defensive Positioning -- Summary -- Closing Thoughts.