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'We're pinned down:' 4 U.S. Marines die in Afghan ambush
McClatchy ^ | 9/8/2009 | Jonathan S. Landay

Posted on 09/08/2009 8:26:52 PM PDT by Saije

We walked into a trap, a killing zone of relentless gunfire and rocket barrages from Afghan insurgents hidden in the mountainsides and in a fortress-like village where women and children were replenishing their ammunition.

"We will do to you what we did to the Russians," the insurgent's leader boasted over the radio, referring to the failure of Soviet troops to capture Ganjgal during the 1979-89 Soviet occupation.

Dashing from boulder to boulder, diving into trenches and ducking behind stone walls as the insurgents maneuvered to outflank us, we waited more than an hour for U.S. helicopters to arrive, despite earlier assurances that air cover would be five minutes away.

U.S. commanders, citing new rules to avoid civilian casualties, rejected repeated calls to unleash artillery rounds at attackers dug into the slopes and tree lines — despite being told repeatedly that they weren't near the village.

"We are pinned down. We are running low on ammo. We have no air. We've lost today," Marine Maj. Kevin Williams, 37, said through his translator to his Afghan counterpart, responding to the latter's repeated demands for helicopters.

(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; ambush; fallen; marines; nsp; nss; oef
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To: Saije; All

New thread on this from today. Spread the word far and wide on this subject.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335336/posts


141 posted on 09/09/2009 8:26:33 AM PDT by 444Flyer (May God Bless and protect our boots on the ground!)
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To: Lancey Howard; Saije
This asswipe McChrystal has to go.

It can't happen too soon and if Gen Petraeus doesn't make it happen he should go also. It's criminal that fire support was not given these men, it was available but denied.

142 posted on 09/09/2009 8:32:52 AM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: Justa; MestaMachine; 444Flyer

He is not my biological son, just feels like one. He is actually my neighbor. His Mom is a single mom with 5 kids and we are very close. She deserves all of the credit! He is a wonderful man and his been a fantastic influence on my own boys throughout their growing up. His mom works so I take him to and from his appointments at the VA. When the pain isn’t bad he comes here and hangs out. Between the PTSD and depression his wanting to get out of the house and be around people has been a huge improvement.

I will be happy to Thank him from yall!


143 posted on 09/09/2009 9:42:27 AM PDT by panthermom
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To: panthermom
Please send the message along.:) And you are invaluable!


144 posted on 09/09/2009 9:49:33 AM PDT by 444Flyer (May God Bless and protect our boots on the ground!)
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To: panthermom; All

Thank you for caring so much, and thank you for passing our heartfelt wishes and thanks to him and HIS mom. You are a blessing.
I sent this thread to Rush Limbaugh. He is very involved with military causes. I am going to send it to him over and over until he sees it.
Please everyone. Do the same. Send it to Hannity, et al. Send it everywhere and anywhere you can think of. SOMEONE will listen.


145 posted on 09/09/2009 10:04:25 AM PDT by MestaMachine (One if by land, 2 if by sea, 3 if by Air Force 1.)
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To: bd476

Thanks for the heads up.

OV


146 posted on 09/09/2009 11:49:59 AM PDT by OneVike (Just a Christian waiting to go home)
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To: jazusamo; Lancey Howard
He won't go, he's doing exactly what Obama wants him to be doing.

I've been expecting Obama to micromanage this, just as he does everything within his grasp. The script for this cluster***k were repeatedly alluded to during his (presidential) campaign.

He's now offering reparations to the 57 islamic states in the form of American blood.

Our guys are going to tire of being in a shooting gallery, what then? Build a new wing onto Leavenworth?

147 posted on 09/09/2009 12:35:04 PM PDT by 4woodenboats (FUBO!!!)
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To: 4woodenboats; Lancey Howard

You’re probably right, boats.

The handwriting was on the wall a short time back when the ROI were changed saying we couldn’t return fire if fired upon should civilians be endangered. Obama is killing our troops.


148 posted on 09/09/2009 12:44:48 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: 444Flyer

I meant “Lance Cpl. Bernard” at post #84. (Not “Lt.”)


149 posted on 09/09/2009 1:37:56 PM PDT by 444Flyer (May God Bless and protect our boots on the ground!)
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To: Saije

RIP.


150 posted on 09/09/2009 3:01:46 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: RabidBartender

“These brave men’s deaths are on Obama’s head.”

Yes, he is the Commander-in-Chief.


151 posted on 09/09/2009 3:52:54 PM PDT by Cindy
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To: 4woodenboats; Lancey Howard

Leavenworth might not be so bad if the choice is being blown all to hell or killing some ragheads.

What they need to do is send people like me over, cause I just don’t give a sh!+ anymore.


152 posted on 09/09/2009 6:36:46 PM PDT by bigheadfred (NEGROMANCER!!!! Run for your LIVES!!!)
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To: stylin19a; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2nd Bn, 11th Mar; 68 grunt; A.A. Cunningham; ASOC; AirForceBrat23; ...

Thanks for the pissed off ping, stylin’. There just aren’t words.


153 posted on 09/09/2009 7:36:21 PM PDT by freema (MarineNiece,Daughter,Wife,Friend,Sister,Friend,Aunt,Friend,Mother,Friend,Cousin, FRiend)
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To: Saije

Everyone please pray and write your reps for decent rules of engagement.


154 posted on 09/09/2009 7:57:29 PM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: freema

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)


155 posted on 09/09/2009 7:59:17 PM PDT by 444Flyer (May God Bless and protect our Boots on the ground!)
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To: SoCalPol

YOUR filthy mouth would be the one more at home at DU or Kos. You, madam, are a loon! Your posts do NOTHING but insult and demean, to no purpose whatsoever. You are just another mouthy, nasty RINO troll.


156 posted on 09/09/2009 8:14:11 PM PDT by dcwusmc (We need to make government so small that it can be drowned in a bathtub.)
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To: Saije

This is inexcusable! This should never happen. Have we not learned from our past mistakes? The ROE in Viet Nam cost us dearly. The same in Somalia. Every time civillian jackasses get involved in decisions that should be made at the tactical level we end up with dead soldiers and Marines.
It’s the same old song and dance. Do these morons not realize that the Taliban know our ROE, and that they take advantage of them? If this is allowed to continue we will piss away any confidence the Afghan army has in us. Do you think they are happy that they are getting killed because of our bullshit ROE? Do you think they will continue to fight along side us if this continues? Hell no they won’t, and I damn sure don’t blame them!!


157 posted on 09/09/2009 8:16:17 PM PDT by sean327 (All men are created equal, then some become Marines!)
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To: sean327

R I P

Semper Fi Marines......

USN


158 posted on 09/09/2009 8:34:20 PM PDT by xrmusn ((6/98 )VOTE THE INCUMBENTS OUT)
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To: Lancey Howard

I am SICK!!!! Truly SICK!!


159 posted on 09/09/2009 8:55:50 PM PDT by Semper Fi Mom (Mother of a Marine and proud of it! (www.WeSupport Frank.com))
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To: tet68

Van Jones is worthless

4 Marines are priceless


160 posted on 09/09/2009 9:13:51 PM PDT by RaceBannon (OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE IS SHOVEL READY...FOR SENIORS!!:: NObama. Not my president.)
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