Troops battle terrain, not al-Qaida

SULEIMAN KHEL, Afghanistan -- Sweeping into the Suleiman Khel valley near the Pakistan border at dawn, about 300 U.S. troops were told to expect heavy resistance from al-Qaida or Taliban fighters. Instead their battle was against rugged terrain and merciless heat.

The troops had hardly been on the ground before pocket thermometers hit 122 degrees.

"I have never been so hot and sweaty in my whole life," said Pfc. Stephan Diskman, 20, of Portland, Ore.

As noon approached, troops sweating profusely under the load of weapons and equipment began running out of water even though each was carrying about 2 gallons. Medics handed out salt tablets and prepared saline drip bags in case some collapsed.

Sharp shale and rocks also hampered their progress, providing no cover but resulting in many cuts.

"This is gruesome terrain," said 1st Sgt. Ricky Pugalee, a 16-year Army veteran. "It's hard to survive and carry weapons and equipment" in the heat.

The troops did find some small weapons caches, searched suspected terrorist training camps and blew up several caves during the operation, which began Monday and ended Tuesday.

"We had credible evidence that al-Qaida was there. We found some evidence, and we will process it," said Col. Michael S. Linnington, commanding officer of the 3rd brigade, 101st Airborne. "We know there is still significant al-Qaida. Wherever they are, we will find them."

Linnington said operation Apache Snow II, staged on what had been set to be the opening day of Afghanistan's national council -- or loya jirga -- to pick a new government, should send a signal to anyone intent on causing more problems for Afghanistan.

"The message is that the legitimate government will take place. We will do anything to eliminate . . . al-Qaida and the Taliban," Linnington said.

That involved a record-breaking air assault that flew troops from the 3rd Battalion of the 187th infantry 192 miles from their base at Kandahar airport to valley. The previous record of 175 miles also was set by the 101st Airborne in the Gulf War.

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