2001 War in Afghanistan

Mortar launcher, 81mm in the 2001 War in Afghanistan

U.S. Marine Corps imagery documents Task Force Southwest using M252 81 mm mortars in Helmand Province during 2017-2018 fire-support and illumination missions tied to Afghan National Defense and Security Forces operations.

Weapon profileMortar launcher, 81mm
SideUnited States, NATO, and Afghan government forcesRoleFire Support
Mortar launcher, 81mm, 81 mm crew-served medium mortar, Artillery - 2001 War in Afghanistan
Image source: M252 mortar.jpg

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
U.S. Marines fired an 81 mm mortar near Gereshk on September 22, 2017, to register the weapon system during Operation Maiwand Six.

Sources: Gereshk 81mm Mortar Registration

U.S. Marines fired a non-explosive illumination round from an 81 mm mortar near Gereshk on September 23, 2017, to deter enemy activity during ANDSF clearing operations.

Sources: Gereshk Illumination Round

Task Force Southwest Marines aligned an M252 81 mm mortar at Camp Shorab on May 2, 2018, during a fire mission supporting ANDSF combat operations in Helmand Province.

Sources: Camp Shorab M252 Fire Mission

The M252A1 is an 81 mm mortar system used by U.S. Army and Marine Corps forces; the source supports system background rather than Afghanistan-specific use.

Sources: 81mm M252A1

Timeline

Mortar launcher, 81mm In 2001 War in Afghanistan

  1. 81 mm mortar registered near Gereshk

    U.S. Marines fired an 81 mm mortar near Gereshk, Afghanistan, to register the weapon system and improve the security posture during Operation Maiwand Six.

    Sources: Gereshk 81mm Mortar Registration

  2. Illumination round fired during Operation Maiwand Six

    U.S. Marines fired a non-explosive illumination round from an 81 mm mortar near Gereshk to deter enemy activity while ANDSF elements worked to clear the area.

    Sources: Gereshk Illumination Round

  3. M252 fire mission at Camp Shorab

    Task Force Southwest Marines aligned an M252 81 mm mortar at Camp Shorab during a fire mission that supported ANDSF combat operations in Helmand Province.

    Sources: Camp Shorab M252 Fire Mission

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

The M252 81 mm mortar is documented in the 2001 War in Afghanistan through U.S. Marine Corps imagery from Task Force Southwest in Helmand Province. A September 22, 2017 image record says U.S. Marines fired an 81 mm mortar near Gereshk to register the weapon system and improve the local security posture during Operation Maiwand Six.

A separate September 23, 2017 record documents Marines firing a non-explosive illumination round from an 81 mm mortar near Gereshk to deter enemy activity while Afghan National Defense and Security Forces were clearing Gereshk and surrounding areas. In May 2018, another DVIDS-derived record shows Task Force Southwest Marines aligning an M252 81 mm mortar at Camp Shorab during a fire mission that supported ANDSF combat operations in Helmand Province.

Sources: Gereshk 81mm Mortar Registration, Gereshk Illumination Round, Camp Shorab M252 Fire Mission

Timeline

The available dated evidence clusters in Helmand Province during Task Force Southwest advisory operations. On September 22, 2017, Marines registered an 81 mm mortar near Gereshk as U.S. advisors supported ANDSF counterparts during Operation Maiwand Six. The next day, Marines used an 81 mm mortar to fire illumination in support of the same operation.

On May 2, 2018, Task Force Southwest Marines at Camp Shorab aligned an M252 81 mm mortar system during a fire mission. The image metadata states that the mission helped enable Afghan National Defense and Security Forces during continuing combat operations in Helmand Province.

Sources: Gereshk 81mm Mortar Registration, Gereshk Illumination Round, Camp Shorab M252 Fire Mission

Narrative

The documented side for this record is United States, NATO, and Afghan government forces. The public imagery identifies U.S. Marines with Task Force Southwest as the operators and connects the mortar missions to support for Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, including Afghan National Army 215th Corps and 505th Zone National Police activity around Gereshk.

The supported role is fire support and force protection rather than a cataloged strike on a named target. The September 2017 records describe registration, improved defensive posture, and illumination used to deter enemy activity during Operation Maiwand Six. The May 2018 Camp Shorab record identifies the system as an M252 81 mm mortar and links the fire mission to ANDSF combat operations in Helmand Province.

The sources do not establish Taliban or allied militant use of 81 mm mortar launchers for this weapon record. They also do not identify every round fired, unit-level fire-control detail, or battle-damage effect; the supported claim is that U.S. Marines fielded and fired 81 mm mortar systems in Afghanistan as part of advisory and support operations.

Sources: Gereshk 81mm Mortar Registration, Gereshk Illumination Round, Camp Shorab M252 Fire Mission

Related Weapons by Role

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Sources