Saving American lives in hunt for the Taliban

Army Green Berets fighting the enemy in Afghanistan on Nov. 15, 2001, discovered a hornet’s nest of Taliban tanks and armored vehicles rumbling to within two miles of their special operations personnel.

There was no question that the Taliban knew they were there and obviously intended to attack at any moment. The Green Berets did not have the heavy weapons to stop tanks. They needed help, and they needed it fast.

Lt. Andrew P. Hayes of Fighter Squadron (VF)-102, the radar intercept officer of a Grumman F-14B Tomcat, launched as the lead of call sign Brando 01, a flight from aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

Hayes assumed forward air controller duties for the operation.

He spotted the Taliban column, and thinking quickly, took command of the situation and attacked the approaching enemy.

According to the after action report, the Taliban resolutely opened fire on the Green Berets, but Hayes dropped three laser-guided bombs on the tribesmen and scored direct hits on two moving tanks and on a revetted armored vehicle.

Meanwhile, his wingman released three additional GBU-12 laser-guided bombs which Hayes guided in to destroy two more revetted tanks and a fuel truck.

When the truck exploded about 50 of the Taliban fighters leapt out of their positions and fled into the desert.

During the next six hours, Hayes continued to guide weapon deliveries by a dozen aircraft from Blueridge, Everest, Rocky and Sinai flights, and to track the Taliban as they scattered.

Finally, low on fuel he was forced to disengage and return to his ship for refueling.

Hayes’ heroic actions resulted in the destruction of 33 enemy vehicles, 27 of them armored.

‘‘The bigger accomplishment was saving American lives on the ground,” Hayes said afterward. ‘‘It was Americans helping Americans. It was my job to make sure they were safe while they continued their mission.”

Hayes subsequently received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism that day in November 2001.

Editors Note: Mark Evans is an historian in the History and Archives Division of the Naval History and Heritage Command and an expert on naval aviation history. His division maintains records covering 1941 to the present.