82nd Airborne Engages IED Bombers

On June 19th, 2009, while conducting deliberate operations in support of Operation Panchai Palang (in Afghanistan), an Aerial Weapons Team of AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade (TF Pegasus) observed six insurgents emplacing an improvised explosive device near Highway 601. Enemy forces operating along that highway were routinely targeting perceived soft targets with complex attacks; initiating attacks with IEDs followed by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenade attacks. After validating the individuals as IED emplacers and ensuring the area was clear of civilians, the team engaged and destroyed three of the IED emplacers. The team followed and engaged the remaining three individuals. Task Force Pegasus employed an IED exploitation team to gather information and items from the site.