The Atlantic magazine has published a very thought-provoking article about the final patrol in Afghanistan of a group of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division. It's a very well-written article, and I think it's essential reading to understand the conditions under which our men and women are serving in that country. Here's a brief excerpt.
The paratroopers figured that the [Taliban fighters] had zeroed in on the compound’s two entrances, at the southeast and southwest corners, and would shoot at the soldiers when they exited. To distract them, the soldiers would detonate a Claymore mine, which they had set up 30 feet outside the door—and, if the gunmen were close enough, maybe hit them with a few of the mine’s 700 ball bearings. Sgt. Dale Knollinger, a 22-year-old team leader in Gerhart’s squad, thick with muscle from daily workouts in Combat Outpost Tynes’s outdoor gym, picked up the clacker and squeezed it three times, sending a current down the wire. The mine roared, the ground shook, a dust cloud floated through the compound, and the soldiers whooped. But the laughter stopped a moment later. Mike, the platoon’s Afghan interpreter, intercepted a transmission over a handheld radio similar to those used by the Taliban. “Was that your bomb?” an insurgent asked, confused by the explosion. “No,” another answered. “I don’t know what that was.” So the area around the compound already contained at least one bomb, and probably many more.
Gerhart sighed, cursed, then sucked in a deep breath. He hugged Knollinger. “If I don’t have any legs, don’t let them save me,” he said, their faces close. Knollinger, seven other 82nd paratroopers, and one 101st soldier would be the quick-reaction force if the patrol found trouble. “I’m serious,” Gerhart said.
The men lined up at the southwest door and Gerhart charged out, firing his M-4 rifle. Lachance and 12 others followed, disappearing into the tangled greenery that lay outside the compound’s walls.
There's much more at the link. Very highly recommended reading.
Peter
Thanks, Peter. My favorite nephew is going there. He's ARTY.
ReplyDeleteNot-so-good memories, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeletePeter, the environment in terms of humidity and terrain may be very different, but in so many ways it's very much a repeat of Vietnam, including the you're-kidding-me ROE. The main difference in ROE stupidity is that it applied mainly to air power in Vietnam, but to individual combat soldiers in present day.
I have nothing but respect for our young folks who are or were over there these days, and I take some solace in the fact that they are at least receiving better support upon return than we ever did. They sure as hell deserve it.
And with that, I'll now see if I can get through reading that full article.
And thanks for your support of our folks over there. Every post you make on the subject is one more thread in a safety net of understanding of those back home, and THAT is what returning troops need so badly.
Got damned tears in my eyes and I don't know why...it happens sometimes.