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Operation Anaconda almost over

Gen. Tommy Franks talks to reporters on Monday

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (CNN) -- At a medal ceremony honoring soldiers who fought with valor in Afghanistan, the head of U.S. Central Command on Monday said Operation Anaconda would be completed within 12 hours (about 1:25 p.m. EST).

Gen. Tommy Franks was at Bagram Air Base to present the Bronze Star, honoring valor on the battlefield, to four U.S. servicemen who fought during the operation.

"This is about you," Franks told forces gathered for the ceremony. "This is about Operation Anaconda which within 12 hours will be completed."

"Anaconda will probably close within 12 hours," Franks reiterated to reporters at a news conference after the ceremony.

Hundreds of U.S.-led coalition forces have been scouring the mountains in the Shah-e-kot Valley in eastern Afghanistan, searching for remaining Taliban and al Qaeda fighters. Most of the enemy fighters in the valley are believed to be non-Afghan Taliban.

During their searches of the valley, about 750 troops -- most of them Canadians and Americans from the 10th Mountain Division -- have discovered weapons, ammunition, diaries, journals and notebooks that will be analyzed for possible intelligence value.

Central Command said the number of detainees remains at 244.

Sen. Bob Graham, D-Florida, said the U.S. Army has confirmed 500 enemy deaths from Operation Anaconda, which began more than two weeks ago. Reports of another 200 deaths are unconfirmed, Graham said Sunday on Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.

The U.S. Army awards the Bronze Star to "any person who ... distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service."

The medal with valor bar was presented to Sgt. 1st Class Michael Peterson, and Staff Sgts. Randel Perez, Dwayne Simms and David Hruban.