Operation Strike of the Sword

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.

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
DateJuly 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

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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