Operation Strike of the Sword

Operation Strike of the Sword
	Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
	; Operation Strike of the Sword in red; Operation Panther's Claw in blue
Date	July 2 – August 20, 2009
Location	Helmand province in Afghanistan
Result	Partial strategic coalition victory, stalemate continues in some areas, particularly the Nawzad district
Belligerents
United States; United Kingdom; Islamic Republic of Afghanistan	Taliban
Commanders and leaders
Brig. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson	Mullah Abdullah Zakir
Strength
4,000 U.S. Marines; 650 ANA soldiers	Unknown
Casualties and losses
2 soldiers killed; 1 interpreter killed	at least 49–62 killed

Operation Strike of the Sword or Operation Khanjar was a US-led offensive in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. About 4,000 Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade as well as 650 Afghan troops were involved, supported by NATO planes. The operation began when units moved into the Helmand River valley in the early hours of July 2, 2009. This operation was the largest Marine offensive since the Battle of Fallujah in 2004. The operation was also the biggest offensive airlift by the Marines since the Vietnam War.

The Marines pushed into primarily three significant towns along a 75-mile stretch of the Helmand River valley south of Lashkar Gah. At least two Marine infantry battalions and one Marine Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) battalion spearheaded the operation. In the north, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8) pushed into Garmsir district. In central Helmand, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5) pushed into Nawa-I-Barakzayi to the south of Lashkar Gah, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (2nd LAR) entered Khanashin in the Khan Neshin district.

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