Commanders decided to conduct a ground operation over an airstrike because women and children were believed to have been present in the compound.

As the joint American/Afghan force pushed through the difficult terrain under fire, they reportedly called in airstrikes from AC-130 gunships, F-16 fighter jets, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, and drones.

Following the explosion, the team of Rangers engaged in several close-quarter firefights within the compound, killing an individual referred to as “OBJ Nascent Calvia”.

As small arms fire became more abundant and accurate, a Ranger medic was forced to complete his treatment of Thomas by using a night vision device.

A joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) and two forward observers called in airstrikes as a medevac helicopter reached down.

After landing, a flight medic and a member of the medevac surgical team left the helicopter to help secure the casualties on the ground.

The investigation into the battle reported “The environment became so kinetic that, after setting the flight plan for departure, [the pilot] was forced to roll down his window and engage approaching enemy fighters with his organic M4.”[19] After flying out of the valley, the medevac helicopter continued to Jalalabad Airfield, carrying the remains of the two Rangers.

[21] The raid lasted for more than three hours up to about 3:30 a.m. and resulted in the death of the intended target with the Pentagon calling it as a success in degrading the group's ability to fight.

[31][32][33][34] United States Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis honored Rodgers and Thomas in a statement, saying "The families and fellow Rangers of Sgt.

Fighting alongside their Afghan partners, Josh and Cameron proved themselves willing to go into danger and impose a brutal cost on enemies in their path.

They carried out their operation against [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan] in Afghanistan before making the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation and our freedoms.

[39][40][41] In a June 2018 ceremony attended by family members of the fallen Rangers, F-16 pilots, Captain John J. Nygard and Captain Salvador A. Cruz, from the 79th Fighter Squadron, were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their actions during the raid, when they conducted precision airstrikes on enemy positions and provided air cover during the evacuation of the casualties.

[42][43][6] In December 2018, the United States Senate passed legislation introduced by Congressman Darin LaHood, to rename the U.S. post office at 200 West North Street in Normal, Illinois after Sgt.