Operation Enduring Freedom Battle Reconstruction: Battle Site Survey and Ground Force Data Reconciliation (Revised)

December, 2010
IDA document: D-4223
FFRDC: Systems and Analyses Center
Type: Documents
Division: Joint Advanced Warfighting Division
Authors:
Authors
William M. Knarr, Jr., John Frost See more authors
At the request of GEN Franks, Combatant Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the DARPA/IDA team reconstructed “salient aspects of a major Afghanistan campaign (e.g., Mazar-e Sharif) in virtual simulation to support historical analysis as well as further research and development.” The reconstruction, and in particular the ground force data reconciliation, required (1) a battle site survey (i.e., “walking the ground”) to provide quality and detailed data and (2) discussions with key Afghan participants, to include Northern Alliance Commanders and former Taliban. This publication supports the Operation ENDURING FREEDOM battle reconstruction by documenting the battle site survey and presenting the results of the ground force data reconciliation. In addition, it documents the planning, preparation, and execution of the battle site survey for future ventures. The Battle Site Survey Team included representatives from CENTCOM, DARPA, IDA, and the original Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha that participated in the campaign. GEN Dostum, the Northern Alliance Commander of Afghan forces for the campaign, his subcommanders, and security force escorted the Team through the major battle sites south of Mazar-e Sharif. The Team validated or reconciled on-hand data and collected additional data on friendly and enemy unit movements, locations, times, engagement areas, battle damage, terrain, etc.