𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟽𝘵𝘩, 𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟽. That evening some 600 American paratroopers from the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division were airlifted to the north of the town in Chinooks and Blackhawks escorted by Apache Helicopters, 19 helicopters in total. During the night the paratroopers fought through the Taliban defensive trenches to clear the way for further ground troops and then dug defensive positions. The Helmand Task Force of 2000 British troops: including Scots Guards, Brigade Reconnaissance Force formed by 4/73 Special Operations & 2 YORKS, Household Cavalry, and Royal Marines from 40 Commando, began the main attack. The task force advanced with Afghan troops from the south, west, and east, exchanging fierce gunfire with the Taliban. While the Brigade Recon Force provided the US Paratroopers with fire support from the west.
𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟾𝘵𝘩, 𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟽. As British and Afghan soldiers continued the main ground advance, US forces repeatedly attacked the Taliban, including numerous anti-aircraft positions surrounding the town. The Taliban defended had well-placed positions that were surrounded by minefields, forcing coalition forces to fight through certain pathways. A British soldier, Sergeant Lee Johnson of the 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), was killed shortly after 10 am on the eighth.
𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟿𝘵𝘩, 𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟽. The Taliban took up new positions to defend the town. Taliban snuck local militants in from nearby areas to reinforce its defense. The fighting was on-going through the day and bombs planted by insurgents continued to take a toll on ISAF forces when an American soldier, Corporal Tanner J O'Leary of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, was killed by an improvised explosive device.
𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟷𝟶𝘵𝘩, 𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟽. The Taliban force manages a retreat into the mountains where they are met by various Special Forces set to prevent them from moving into Bagram province.
𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟷𝟷𝘵𝘩, 𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟽. Musa Qala is under NATO control.
𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟷𝟸𝘵𝘩, 𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟽. Part of the Taliban retreating force tries to take Sangin Government Center and is repelled.
𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟷𝟸𝘵𝘩- 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟷𝟼𝘵𝘩, 𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟽. NATO forces capture and destroy bomb-making facilities, weapons caches, and burn $200 million worth of heroin while distributing 5,000 tons of aid to returning civilians.
