Operation Hoover

Operation Hoover was a Canadian-led offensive against the Taliban in the Kandahar Province district of Zhari. The aims of the operation were to root out as many as 300 suspected Afghan insurgents who had moved into the villages of the Zhari District.

Battle

During the first morning of the operation, Leopard tanks from the Lord Strathcona's Horse Regiment entered Zhari, accompanied with pickup trucks filled with Afghan National Army troops. One of the tanks was hit by an improvised explosive device, but no casualties were reported.

At dawn the Portuguese Commandos secure a few compounds to the east. One platoon to the north came in contact with insurgents. The contact lasted for more than an hour but at the end the Commandos, supported by Portuguese Special Forces Snipers, manage to get to their objective. One Portuguese soldier was air medevac and an undetermined number of insurgents lied on the ground.

Shortly afterwards, Cpl. Matthew McCully, a signals operator with the 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, was killed when he stepped on a landmine. Another Canadian, as well as an Afghan translator, were also wounded in the incident which occurred outside Nalgham village.

Master Corporal Rob McGregor, of the Royal Canadian Regiment 2d Battalion, was injured in the operation when he fell and broke his ankle.

Throughout the day a number of Close-Air-Support tasks were requested but none deployed any ordnance.