Apache Snow II: Marines vs. Taliban

Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines launched an interdiction operation near the Bari Gul Bazaar in Nad Ali District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 4. Approximately 96 Marines, sailors and Afghan personnel engaged Taliban forces during the 14-hour operation, which included nearly four hours of sustained combat with insurgents in and around the bazaar. The operation, Apache Snow II, was designed to deny Taliban forces free movement in the area and strike against their ability to gather armaments. Interviews: 2nd Lt. James Salka, Platoon Commander, Bravo Company, 1/9, Washingtonville, N.Y.; Sgt Steven Pendleton, Squad Leader, Bravo Company, 1/9, Knoxville, Tenn.