Forward Operating Base Salerno

TASK FORCE CLASHES WITH INSURGENTS NEAR SALERNO

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – More than a dozen insurgents were killed late Tuesday night as Coalition helicopters, aircraft and artillery responded to a rocket attack at Forward Operating Base Salerno.

“It was a combined-arms effort,” said U.S. Army Maj. J.R. Mendoza, Task Force Thunder’s brigade fire support officer. “We were able to see the launching point of the rockets and we brought everything we had to bear on it.”

Mendoza explained that the base was postured to respond to just such an attack.

“They shot at us with rockets and we were responded with artillery, fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft,” Mendoza said.

U.S. Air Force A-10s and an AC-130H expended two 500-pound bombs, 10 rockets, 565 30mm rounds, 8 105mm rounds and seven 40mm rounds.

“These rocket attacks are, by their nature, indiscriminate. They attack not only our forces but innocent civilians as well. This seems to be the norm with insurgent rocket attacks,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Cornejo, Combined Joint Task Force-76’s fires chief. “Our fires, by contrast, are precision-oriented fires and are only launched after precautions are taken to prevent collateral damage.”

The base came under attack from an initial volley of four rockets Tuesday night. No one was injured and no equipment was damaged as a result. Initial reports indicated that the insurgents intended a second volley but Task Force Thunder’s counterattack prevented it. -30-

SOURCE: United States Central Command NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 April 21, 2005 Release Number: 05-04-15 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE