Watch Cap

Following the September 11 attacks, it was determined that al Qaeda was utilizing Afghanistan as a base of operations. In response, on October 7, 2001, President George W. Bush announced that airstrikes targeting al Qaeda and the Taliban had begun in Afghanistan staring Operation Enduring Freedom. The first large scale conventional battle took place between March 2 and March 16, 2002, in the Shahi-Kot Valley and was known as Operation Anaconda. This is a watch cap from C Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain. The three holes in front face of the cap were caused by enemy mortar shrapnel, which at the time was in the Soldiers rucksack during Operation Anaconda.