*****************UNCLASS *****************

TO: CIMCOM
FROM: Charles Washburn, SGT
SUBJ: AAR for Op: MOUNTAIN HOME

MISSION: C-SAR

1. Insert PJ Team into hostile-held Boznia-Hertzigovina
2. Locate and recover surviving downed Black Hawk crew and intel
3. Extract to Primary or Secondary LZ

X. Carrier battle group available for backup

RESULT:

1. Downed pilot evac at Secondary LZ - success
2. 2 PJs survived -
   1. Extraction Team Leader (SSGT Jason Cobliegh)
   2. Support Test member (CPL Dan Gunn) 
3. Recovery of lost team members – currently in progress

AWARDS:

1. CPL Dan Gunn awarded the Cimmerian Valor patch for proven heroism during the waining minutes of Operation Mountain Home

MISSION SUMMARY:

USAFPJ Team X-Ray successfully inserted into AO with known hostile forces operating in proximity. CSAR operations immediately started to identify the location of a downed black hawk helo. Due to more than 2ft snow drifts, team movement was limited primarily to the primary road winding through the area.

First hostile contact was made on the road, northeast of the crash site. Hostiles, dressed in snow camouflage were lying in ambush after they heard the prop noise of our insertion aircraft. A firefight ensued. Both teams then broke contact after sustaining minor injurys.

Immediately afterwards, team's scout SFC Kendall Chong, was sent forward to ID the site and determine status of survivors. Chong was able to pinpoint the site and called for support. At this moment, both Support and Extract teams had taken a supporting position from the road above the site. Upon word from Chong, the Extract Team was sent in. Support team maintained cover for quick withdrawal.

Once at the site though, SSgt Cobleigh and his team immediately came under fire and required backup to extract the “package.” The Support team then moved in to attempt to break the hostile defenses that were now lining the opposing hillside. The Bosnians had maintained a complete screen of fire over the crash site. The surviving crewmember could only take cover and remained pinned in the gully below. Numerous attempts to break their defense line were thrown back and both teams began to take casualties. The carrier battle group had to now be called in to do the job. Fast movers were immediately on scene and the enemy's primary defense line now appeared to be broken.

Once both team's regrouped, a clear path was now open for the Extract Team to get the package to the Primary LZ and home. The Support Team provided escort. Once under way to the LZ, small arms fire had soon begun erupting from all directions. It was becoming very clear to us that the fast movers had only provided us a small window of opportunity to get clear of the area. The Extract team could do nothing to prevent being quickly over-run. The Support team remained pinned-down by hostile fire, while having to watch the once rescued airman slip into the hands of the enemy again. Still alive, he was dragged away in the direction of a nearby enemy-controlled mountain village.

Once the hostile force pulled out of the area, PJs from both teams who could still move were gathered up and a recovery effort was then underway. There were 6 of us left but we could not allow the mission to fail. Somehow we had to get to that village and bring that airman home.

Now behind the leadership of SSGT Cobleigh, we identified a narrow pass, through which, we could attempt to infiltrate the village unobserved. While doing this our team scout and a few other wounded members volunteered to cover our movement by drawing hostile attention towards the center of the valley and away from the village. It was this action, which allowed the Extract Team to move undetected around to the rear of the enemy village. Along the way a few stray hostile individuals were dispatched to aid in our scout's efforts.

Our movement through the pass was not noticed and we had not taken fire. Once just outside of the hamlet, a quick visual scan found the airman battered and lying in the mud near a small fire… but still alive. We knew we needed to move quickly. The village defense seemed to be light at the moment, perhaps to the attention Chong was getting in the valley. Guards on both perimeters were eliminated as our team moved ever closer to the pilot. Yet, the closer we got to the camp's center the stiffer the resistance seemed to get as many hostiles were now hurrying to return to the sound of our weapon fire. More team members were then lost.

It was now down to Cpl Gunn, Cobleigh and Sgt Washburn. They were the last to  scramble under fire to get to the airman. They moved out and slowly moved down the small road through the hamlet. At that moment, Cobleigh took a hit and went down. Washburn was nearly out of ammo and had grabbed Cobleigh's weapon to keep moving forward. Gunn, had now taken the lead and had to now stay low and fire while moving ever forward. One hostile now remained, hidden behind a vehicle just beyond the airman. As the enemy lunged out of hiding both Gunn and Washburn returned fire and edged forward. Cobleigh was now back on his feet and just looked up to see Washburn take a head-shot and drop to the ground. Gunn, in the same action, dispatched the hostile in the same fashion as he slumped over the hood of the vehicle.

Cobleigh now had a small chance to seize the moment. Now reaching Gunn's position a few moments later, they both got to the battered airman up on a litter. Together, the two dragged him to the safety of the Secondary LZ, just north of the hamlet. Helo gun-ships were then used to help support extracting the three to safety. 

PJ TEAM ROSTER:

SGT Charles Washburn, USAF PJ-Support Team Ldr.

CPL Dan Gunn, Support Team 2^nd

SFC Kendall Chong, Team Scout

PVT Christian Riley

PVT Tyler Gilbert

PVT Jeff Melton

SSGT Jason Cobliegh, USAF PJ-Extraction Team Ldr.

SSGT Jim “Ike” Newton, Medic

PVT Ty Sandoval

PVY John Lis

BOSNAIN FORCE ROSTER:

…Please list remaining roster here: 

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