Posted on 10/16/2009 3:47:46 AM PDT by MestaMachine
TANKS,Flyer,,,
The latest info I have came from Fox,,,
They reported that the orders were for the 1st.BCT.,,,
The 2nd.BCT is still in Kuwait as his wife told us today,,,
Fog of war I guess...
The comments I made in my post are simple facts about things at the tactical level. Typing in capital letters doesn’t change them.
I didn’t get into the intricacies of the Washington cabal, and I don’t need a lecture from you on conspiracies.
And I live with this over here every day, bud. Believe me, I pay attention.
I was not lecturing you. Your post was simplistic. Since you are there and paying attention, then you MUST know that this is not Afghanistan as usual since McChrystal took over. And THAT is the point we are trying to make. You say you didn’t get into the intricacies of the Washington cabal, but you will be, or are, a victim of it. Even though I am sure you are performimg a valuable service and I thank you for it sincerely, the “Washington cabal,” as you so aptly put it, and the emboldenment of the taliban because of it, is what we are discussing here, not the seasonal phases of the taliban insurgency.
I am dedicated to our Troops and you can snap back all you wish, but it seems to me that you are snapping too quickly. I am not your enemy.
And I do thank you for your service. Honestly.
Maybe you could tell us what YOU see going on. Have things changed for you since the ROE changes went into effect? How are our guys taking all this?
We hear long distance. If you are there, help us understand.
The prob I have is the ROE BS put in by O’Bammy/McChrystal
or whoever,,,
This “seasonal war” and PC mindset gets our guys killed,,,
~~~
“We are pinned down. We are running low on ammo. We have no air. We’ve lost today,” Marine Maj. Kevin Williams, 37”
~~~
This Is BullShiite!!!
I reeeally don’t give a rat’s ass how many moozzi’s get killed!!!
XIN LOI !!!
I am a security contractor protecting a USAID project, and not under any ROE. I work with some good airborne soldiers every day on the task of securing a road being re-built between the provinces of Paktia and Khost. This is an area with traditionally high levels of enemy activity. A better road will facilitate troop movement, and connect the local to services. Of course the latter will require the Afghan government to get off it’s rear end and make an effort, but that’s another story.
As I said earlier, the Army is conducting more offensive ops than I’ve seen at other times. This trend started last winter in an effort to get into areas used as base camps and sanctuaries - some of which US forces had not been into for years. At the same time this is one of the more active times for the Taliban, Haqqani, etc. They are quite capable of reading the newspaper, and know this is a good time for high visibility operations.
I speak with US battalion and company commanders routinely, and with soldiers just about every day, and I’ve not heard any of them complain about the new ROE, or Mcchrystal. That doesn’t mean they don’t, just that I’ve not heard it.
“Afghanistan as usual.” I like that.
Sorry. Meant US military ROE.
Any casualties are a tragedy, and are not worth it if victory is not the goal. But I remember 9/11 and know why we are there. I have read many complaints about the commanding general, but he is supported by his superior, General Petraeus, whom I thought we all respected. I wonder if this level of casualties is enough to end our resolve is there is any chance of our national survival. At the rate of 25 KIA per month it would take 80 years to lose as many of our soldiers as were killed in the Battle of Antietam alone, in a nation only about a sixth as populous as we are today.
McChrystal or O’Bammy think,,,
Their ROE have proven them Fools!!!
I remember 9/11 too,,,
We don't have 80 years to wipe them out,,,
Our Military won't last in these constant deployments,,,
My house-mate is a Blue Star Mom,,,
Her son is back in Kuwait(Monday) and will be back in Iraq
with the 2nd.BCT.10th.Mt.Div. in a few days,,,(3rd.tour),,,
28 months in combat so far,,,
Last tour was 18 months in Mahmudiyh,,,
I doubt he will stay in the Army when his hitch is up,,,
He's worn out,,,
FWIW : We lost about 1500 men in the first week of Tet,,,
We killed Giap’s whole army in a month,,,
Then the dem’s gave it all away,,,
They'll do the same damned thing this time...
(sorry to rant)...
“As I said earlier, the Army is conducting more offensive ops than I’ve seen at other times. This trend started last winter in an effort to get into areas used as base camps and sanctuaries - some of which US forces had not been into for years. At the same time this is one of the more active times for the Taliban, Haqqani, etc. They are quite capable of reading the newspaper, and know this is a good time for high visibility operations.”
We have been told that these offensives are not going to remain as part of the “new” strategy. We are withdrawing from forward bases and are NOT going after the enemy as we had been.
You say the taliban know this and are hitting us more. THAT is why these threads are here. If our goal is no longer to kill the enemy, and our ROE are so restrictive as to render our forces defensive at best, then how can we sustain any kind of long term control over ANY area, including the heavily populated areas?
The situation is deteriorating daily.
Thank you for giving us your insight. And I appreciate what you are doing over there. Anything that helps our guys is a good thing. My question is whether we have the resolve to make any of this worth it.
You should be. ;-)
The entire point is there is NO CLEAR FINAL GOAL for what we are doing there. The is no structure or infrastructure to fight for, and we are NOT going to create one.
At the Battle of Antietam, both sides knew exactly what they were fighting for. That is not so in Afghanistan.
We do NOT know what we are fighting for in Afghanistan. You are comparing apples to oranges. If the goal is victory, that is one thing. It seems not to be so. Every Soldier we lose in Afghanistan is somebody’s son, husband, daughter, brother.
Whether it is one, or one hundred, this is OUR blood and treasure being wasted over there...especially when we are not even allowed to fight the enemy the way we should.
And finally, fr anyone still following this thread, add THREE MORE TODAY!
(Reuters) - Following are security developments in Afghanistan at 7:00 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT) on Saturday
EASTERN AFGHANISTAN - Two U.S. soldiers were killed in a bomb attack in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, the NATO-led force said in a statement, without giving further details of the incident.
SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN - A U.S. service member was killed in a separate bomb attack in southern Afghanistan on Friday, the NATO-led force said.
I’m not going into relocations in this area for OPSEC reasons, but what is happening in our little piece of the asylum makes a lot of sense to me.
The situation is not deteriorating in our AO from what I see. There are more ANA. The US Army has hurt the bad guys locally, and is keeping up the pressure, but they are persistent. This is Haqqani territory and he and his son remain set on living the legend.
Your last sentence is right on the mark. Too many good soldiers have died or been badly hurt here. Do the power brokers, and the people, back there have the resolve for the long haul? God I hope so. What a waste otherwise.
“...THREE MORE TODAY!”
Prayers for their families.
Thank you, Sir. PLEASE stay with us and update us as much as you possibly can. Having someone on the ground keeps us honest, which is more than I can say for our guv officials.
It is some solace that your area, though dangerous, is doing better than others we have heard about. Continuing prayers for you and all who serve with you.
I see by your homepage you volunteered for this. I salute your courage. YOU are why we will survive this mess.
BTW. Caps are for emphasis. It’s quicker than having to do the html. I write like I talk, ya know?
Stay safe.
No let up in sight.
Danae, isn’t it the right of our Military Service Men and Women to have a CO who has their best interests at heart? Civil rights for the Troops has been sadly lacking. Our Troops are government chattel, but they are first and foremost Americans.
Do they not ALSO have the right to LIFE, if loss of life could be avoided? They are being treated shabbily under these new ROE. They are barely able to defend themselves.
The numbers of deaths are going up, not down. They are not being resupplied as they should be. Last week some of their weapons failed. Their equipment is breaking down and not being maintained.
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