Camp Rhino was the first land base established in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Located 50nm south of Kandahar, this desert forward operating base was captured during the longest amphibian raid in history. United States Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion's from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit onboard the USS Peleliu flew 550nm from the Arabian Sea to secure the camp. Combatants United States United Kingdom France Canada Australia New Zealand Germany Philippines Northern Alliance Taliban al-Qaeda Abu Sayyaf Jemaah Islamiyah Commanders General Tommy Franks Brig. ... For the 2001 movie by Mohsen Makhmalbaf, see Kandahar (film). ... Forward Operating Base (DOD) An airfield used to support tactical operations without establishing full support facilities. ... This article is becoming very long. ... A CH-53E Super Stallion taking off from the deck of the USS Saipan Designated S-80E internally by the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion, and the Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon are the largest and heaviest helicopters in the United States military. ... The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU) is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. ... The USS Peleliu (LHA-5) is a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy, named after the Battle of Peleliu during World War II. Originally to be named Khe Sanh and then Da Nang, Peleliu was laid down in 1976 at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, launched... Map of the Arabian Sea. ...

Camp Rhino was in use from November 26, 2001 to January 1, 2002. At its peak, the camp contained about 1100 Marines and Sailors. Camp Rhino also served as a detention facitlity for the American Taliban John Walker. November 26 is the 330th day (331st on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Flag flown by the Taliban. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The Marines and Saliors who made Camp Rhino possible also made the ground war in Afghanistan possible. Camp Rhino was a stepping stone to the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar International Airport.

See also

United States Marine Corps Portal