KANDAHAR PROVINCE – A U.S. Army patrol operating in the treacherous Shah-e-Kot district of Kandahar Province faced a near-fatal ambush yesterday afternoon, narrowly avoiding heavy casualties thanks to a timely and decisive U.S. Air Force airstrike. The incident, which unfolded just after 2:00 PM local time, involved a coordinated attack by a significant Taliban force utilizing RPGs and small arms fire against a four-man reconnaissance team led by Sergeant Ben Miller.

Initial reports indicate the patrol, comprised of Miller, Specialist Jackson, Sergeant Riley, and Private Davis, was conducting a routine observation mission along a suspected insurgent route when they were suddenly targeted by a larger group of fighters. According to Sergeant Riley, who sustained minor shrapnel wounds, “They came out of nowhere. We were moving, trying to get to a better position, and suddenly we were pinned down. RPGs were whistling past our heads. It was chaos.”

The U.S. Army’s 12th Cavalry Regiment, currently engaged in Operation Mustang – a key component of the broader effort to stabilize the region – responded swiftly. After conferring with the on-scene commander, a U.S. Air Force AC-130 gunship provided precise air support, engaging the enemy positions with sustained fire. The airstrike reportedly neutralized the immediate threat, eliminating an estimated fifteen insurgents and significantly disrupting the ambush.

“It was a brutal, short fight,” stated Specialist Jackson in a brief statement following the incident. “We were lucky. That airstrike saved our lives. Without it, we wouldn’t be here to tell the story.”

Following the engagement, the surviving members of the patrol were immediately evacuated to a nearby forward operating base for medical treatment and debriefing. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by U.S. forces in the region and underscores the critical role of air support in combating the Taliban insurgency. Military officials have confirmed that a full investigation into the ambush and the airstrike will be conducted, as is standard procedure in such incidents. The operation remains ongoing, with a renewed focus on securing the Shah-e-Kot district.