The US drops the largest ever non-nuclear weapon on Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.

In the spring of 2017, a significant military operation unfolded in the rugged terrain of eastern Afghanistan, near its border with Pakistan. This event, known as the 2017 Nangarhar airstrike, involved the United States military deploying its most powerful non-nuclear weapon against a formidable adversary. On April 13, 2017, the world watched as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), colloquially known as the "Mother of All Bombs," was used for the first time in combat with the aim of dismantling deeply entrenched tunnel complexes utilized by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province (ISIL-KP or ISIS-K).

The Setting: Nangarhar Province and the Rise of ISIL-KP

The Achin District, nestled within Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province, is a region characterized by its challenging mountainous landscape and strategic proximity to the Pakistani border. This area had become a key stronghold for ISIL-KP, a particularly brutal offshoot of the Islamic State that had established a presence in Afghanistan, challenging both the Afghan government and international coalition forces. ISIL-KP, which sought to expand its caliphate into the Khorasan region (encompassing parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia), was known for its extreme tactics and its ability to exploit the region's complex terrain.

The Threat: ISIL-KP's Strongholds and Tactics

To evade conventional aerial surveillance and bombardment, ISIL-KP militants had extensively utilized and fortified a network of natural caves and man-made tunnel complexes. These subterranean structures provided cover, allowed for the clandestine movement of fighters and supplies, and served as command and control centers, making it incredibly difficult for ground forces to dislodge them without incurring heavy casualties. Neutralizing these fortified positions became a critical objective for coalition forces aiming to degrade ISIL-KP's operational capabilities in the region.

The Weapon: GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB)

The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, or MOAB, stands as the most powerful conventional (non-nuclear) bomb in the United States military's arsenal. Weighing approximately 21,600 pounds (9,800 kg), with over 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg) of high explosive, its primary destructive mechanism is an immense overpressure blast wave rather than fragmentation. This design makes it exceptionally effective against large, soft targets, and particularly against personnel and equipment within extensive cave or tunnel systems where the blast can propagate and incapacitate over a wide area. Its deployment sends a clear message of overwhelming force, often carrying significant psychological impact in addition to its physical destructive power.

Deployment: The Lockheed MC-130

The task of delivering such a colossal weapon fell to a United States Air Force Lockheed MC-130 aircraft. This specialized variant of the venerable C-130 Hercules transport plane is specifically adapted for special operations missions, including intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and the clandestine insertion or extraction of personnel, as well as the delivery of unique munitions. Unlike standard bombs dropped from beneath the wings, the MOAB is so large that it must be released from the rear cargo ramp of the MC-130, employing a parachute to stabilize its trajectory before its GPS-guided descent to the target.

The Airstrike: April 13, 2017

On April 13, 2017, the United States executed the airstrike in the Achin District. The MOAB was dropped precisely onto the targeted ISIL-KP tunnel complexes, unleashing an unprecedented conventional explosion that reverberated across the rugged landscape. The objective was clear: to collapse and destroy the intricate network of tunnels and caves that had served as a sanctuary and operational base for the militants, thereby disrupting their command structure and crippling their ability to wage war in the region.

Aftermath and Impact

In the days immediately following the strike, officials began to assess the impact. On April 15, 2017, Afghan authorities reported that the airstrike had been highly effective, resulting in the deaths of 96 ISIL-KP militants. Among those killed were four key commanders of the group, a significant blow to their leadership and operational capacity. While specific casualty figures in conflict zones are often challenging to verify independently, these initial reports indicated a substantial tactical success in disrupting ISIL-KP's presence in a critical area. The use of the MOAB garnered considerable international attention, underscoring the gravity of the threat posed by ISIL-KP and the resolve of the coalition to employ decisive measures to counter it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the MOAB?
The MOAB, or GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the United States military's arsenal. It weighs approximately 21,600 pounds (9,800 kg) and delivers a massive overpressure blast, primarily designed for destroying large, soft targets and extensive underground tunnel or cave systems.
Why was the MOAB used in Nangarhar?
The MOAB was used to destroy a network of deeply entrenched tunnel and cave complexes that served as strongholds for ISIL-KP militants in Afghanistan's Achin District. These structures made it extremely difficult for conventional ground forces or smaller bombs to effectively neutralize the threat.
Where exactly did the airstrike occur?
The airstrike took place in the Achin District of Nangarhar Province, located in eastern Afghanistan, close to the border with Pakistan.
Who was the target of the Nangarhar airstrike?
The target was the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province (ISIL-KP or ISIS-K) militants and their tunnel complexes, which were used for operations and as a sanctuary.
What were the reported casualties from the strike?
On April 15, 2017, Afghan officials reported that 96 ISIL-KP militants, including four commanders, were killed in the airstrike.
Was this the first time the MOAB was used in combat?
Yes, the 2017 Nangarhar airstrike marked the first time the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) was used in actual combat operations.