Perspectives on the Battle of Wanat

Challenges Facing Small Unit Operations in Afghanistan

Randall Steeb, John Matsumura, Thomas J. Herbert, John Gordon IV, William W. Horn

ResearchPublished Nov 3, 2011

The research reported in this document is focused on exploring alternatives for improving ongoing small unit operations in Afghanistan. The effort attempts to provide a more hands-on look at the situation that platoon-sized units face in establishing and protecting combat outposts (COPs). Using the Battle of Wanat as a case study, the authors explore and evaluate a range of alternative technological and corresponding tactical improvements. They begin the process by developing a tactical-level understanding of the circumstances and risks that a small unit faced as it transitioned from a vehicle patrol base to a COP. Future research will examine near-term technologies and tactics, along with alternative concepts of operation that could improve future outcomes for such small units.

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  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 2011
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 36
  • Paperback Price: $15.00
  • Paperback ISBN/EAN: 978-0-8330-5322-0
  • Document Number: OP-329/1-A

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RAND Style Manual
Steeb, Randall, John Matsumura, Thomas J. Herbert, John Gordon IV, and William W. Horn, Perspectives on the Battle of Wanat: Challenges Facing Small Unit Operations in Afghanistan, RAND Corporation, OP-329/1-A, 2011. As of September 11, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP329z1.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Steeb, Randall, John Matsumura, Thomas J. Herbert, John Gordon IV, and William W. Horn, Perspectives on the Battle of Wanat: Challenges Facing Small Unit Operations in Afghanistan. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2011. https://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP329z1.html. Also available in print form.
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The research described in this report was sponsored by the United States Army and conducted by the RAND Arroyo Center.

This publication is part of the RAND occasional paper series. RAND occasional papers were products of RAND from 2003 to 2013 that included informed perspectives on a timely policy issue, discussions of new research methodologies, essays, papers presented at a conference, and summaries of work in progress.

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