The Afghanistan Poppy Eradication Campaign: Accounts from the Black Hawk Counter-Narcotics Infantry Kandak Team in Helmand Province

Description

The 16-man Black Hawk Counter Narcotics Infantry Team served as an advisory and training unit for the Afghanistan National Army during a poppy eradication operation in Helmand province in 2008 and 2009. For 75 days, they fought extreme heat, sand storms and the Taliban to eradicate 11.2 tons of poppy seed and earn the respect of Afghan troops. Although the U.S. team they relieved had lost half its men during operations, the Black Hawks came through unscathed. This book chronicles their mission in a little known theater of the Afghanistan War. Cover Acknowledgments Table of Contents Introduction One. The Arrival Two. The Ambush Three. Afghanistan National Army Two KIAs Four. It Was 75 Meters Away Five. Within Inches Six. AT4 Round Misses Compound Seven. The IEDs Eight. Smoke Signals Nine. The Black Hawks Find the Largest IED Factory in Afghanistan Ten. The Last Days Eleven. Five Years Later Appendix Chapter Notes References Index