Posted on 09/18/2012 5:06:37 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Prince Harry at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan on September 7.
LONDON — Britain's defense secretary says Prince Harry got extra protection when the Taliban attacked his base in Afghanistan last Friday.
Philip Hammond says the prince, a helicopter pilot, was moved to a secure position once it was clear that the perimeter of Camp Bastion had been breached.
In an interview with the BBC Monday night, Hammond said: "He is serving there as an ordinary officer but clearly there are additional security arrangements in place that recognize that he could be a target himself specifically as a result of who he is."
Two U.S. Marines were killed and six planes were destroyed. The Taliban said the attack was staged to avenge a film that insulted Islam and because Harry is serving at the base.
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
Another keyboard commando arrives.
You do like to live up to your screen name, don’t you?
At least you’re entertaining.
Gawd, even that insult is tired. Just as tired as the countless “I’m a hero but he is not” posts I’ve seen over the years.
You and I read his posts differently.
From a military standpoint, he’s right - the extra security dedicated to keeping the Prince safe is a liability. Allowing the Prince to fly his helicopter - which doesn’t preclude his ability to evacuate to safety on orders - makes more sense from this former officer’s point of view.
His presence, at least since it was published, puts a target on everyone in that base, including him.
When you asked if the poster (forgot the screen name - my bad) would take Harry’s place, he stated that he was already serving at an afghan FOB as a contractor. He answered YOUR question, but you read it as “I’m a hero but he is not”.
We differ significantly on that interpretation.
I will admit, though, your attempts to be insulting (at least in my direction) are what I find entertaining. Sorry if my lack of outrage burdens you.
Finally, in the interest of fairness, I will admit that Prince Harry is a courageous young officer, who must (and did) follow orders regarding his own safety and protection. I have no illusions about whether he was scared (he’s not too smart if he wasn’t), but he did what he was supposed to.
That doesn’t lessen the mistake made by his commanders in not better protecting his anonymity.
It also doesn’t lessen the burden on his unit - including the extra threat to every other soldier at the base - posed by his being there. That, as I read it, is what Puckster was commenting on, even if he did frame his reply as if it were Harry’s fault (I see it as a command issue).
Now, back to the entertainment, if you wish...
Prince Harry is a huge boost in the morale of British troops stationed in Afghanistan because let’s face it, the war isn’t that popular.
“I see it as a command issue”
In this I agree, and if I made it seem as if it was Harry’s responsibility alone, my bad.
I see in old school terms in that when you serve, you serve.
Someone that is of special interest for the enemy would serve to inspire a cohesive fighting attitude, not a specialized retreat.
“forgot the screen name - my bad”
That would be me.
I’ve served in the USCG from 1970-75, and now as a contractor.
In a small FOB with ANA present, I’m as much, or more, at risk than most in Afghanistan. This is a very active spot.
No weapons for personal defense, at least Rambo was able to shoot back....when he commandeered weapons.
These are just the facts.
I did look up your screen name later, and pinged you because I was talking about you.
For a HVT like a British Prince, I can see him being assigned a wingman to cover his flying butt - but not a refusal to allow him to fly when the SHTF that makes him a stationary target.
I was an Army officer during Desert Storm, myself.
Thank you for your service, FRiend.
I don’t disagree with your point.
I just think that he should have already been set up with a plan for such an eventuality - and not one that makes him a stationary target. He’s a combat pilot, so let him take to the air. I’m certain that standoff weapons have a great utility in such a circumstance - he doesn’t have to be in range of the enemy, from the enemy’s point of view.
As I stated, it looks like a command failure to me. Just calling it like I see it.
I commend young Harry on being there, in uniform, serving his country. Let no one mistake my comment for criticism in that arena.
And thank you for your service....
When it comes to Afghanistan, I believe that in 2001, a war should have been prosecuted to the fullest, in as short a period of time, then withdraw with the message to the Taliban that this would happen again if they sheltered Al-Qaeda anymore.
At that time, the Taliban was an actual fighting force, they’ve morphed into drug lord lackeys with terrorist ways.
With the Northern Alliance strengthened and the Taliban weakened, there could of been a decade of distraction away from issues outside Afghanistan....leaving it an isolated conflict....to some degree.
I’m here to get as many back home, whole and alive, as I can.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too, But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you; An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints, Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.