Battle of Tarinkot
Part of theUnited States invasion of Afghanistan
Date November 13–14, 2001 Location Tarinkot,Afghanistan Result Northern Alliance/American victory
Belligerents
Northern Alliance United States	Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Taliban
Commanders and leaders
Hamid Karzai Jason Amerine	Unknown
Strength
30–60 11 soldiers (ODA 574 and 1AFSOCCCT)[1]	50–500[2]

TheBattle of Tarinkot took place in 2001 during theWar in Afghanistan. On November 14, 2001,ODA 574 andHamid Karzai inserted intoUruzgan Province via 4MH-60K helicopters^[3] with a small force of guerrillas.^[4] In response to the approach of Karzai's force, the inhabitants of the town of Tarinkot revolted and expelled theirTaliban administrators. Karzai traveled to Tarinkot to meet with the town elders. While he was there, the Taliban marshaled a force of 50—500 men to retake Tarinkot. Karzai's small force plus the American contingent, which consisted of US Army Special Forces from ODA 574 and theirUS Air Force Combat Controller, Tech Sergeant Alex Yoshimoto,^[5] were deployed in front of the town to block their advance. Relying heavily on close air support directed by Yoshimoto, the American/Afghan force managed to halt the Taliban advance and drive them away from the town.^[6]

The defeat of the Taliban at Tarinkot was an important victory for Karzai, who used the victory to recruit more men to his fledgling guerrilla band. His force would grow in size to a peak of around 800 men. On November 30, they left Tarinkot and began advancing onKandahar.

The story has been told inThe Only Thing Worth Dying For, by Eric Blehm, detailing the experiences ofOperational Detachment Alpha 574, a U.S. Army Special Forces ODA.

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