Looking for a Surge
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20071217_More_troops_urged_for_Afghanistan.html
They are looking for a surge in Afghanistan now and I must say that this is easily a year overdue. I have been saying this for a long time, actually since I was over there. I distinctly remember sitting around talking to Smoke and Mouse one day and telling them at the time that we needed at least another Brigade Combat Team in country to perform full spectrum operations, if not at least two more Brigades and another Division HQ. Well not long after that conversation we found out they were going to put two full brigades in country (which is what they have had since last March). At the time they said it was only a temporary thing, but then soon changed it to be a long term strategy.
This year has been the deadliest so far with just over 100 Americans killed in Afghanistan and hundreds more wounded and hundreds of Afghan forces killed. The Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Anti-Coalition Forces, whatever you want to call them, continue to strengthen more and more as they get farther away from 2001 when we gave them a hell of a whoopin. They continue to learn tactics from insurgents in Iraq and the weapons coming in from Pakistan and Iran are getting better and more sophisticated.
The time for the US to act is now. Strengthen the forces on the ground through the winter lull months. Flood the country with combat fighting forces and release them to decimate the enemy fighters in Afghanistan in the Spring of 2008. If we continue to have a half-staffed Army and Police training Task Force and not enough warfighters on the ground to cover as much terrain as possible then 2008 will be deadlier than 2007….mark my words. When I was there, 2006 was the worst year ever, now it is 2007…it only makes sense that the trend will continue until we give the enemy no place to hide, no refuge, no escape routes.
jay
January 1st, 2008 at 11:09 pmHii Troy, I enjoy your blog. I spent 6 years active (11B3V). Got out in 1985. I am now 47 yrs old but am considering re-enlisting in the NG. I would be serving with an Infantry Brigade Combat Team set to deploy to Afghnanistan in Nov, 2008. The mission is training Afghani Forces. You mentioned before that we would have a good chance of engaging the enemy even though we will be there to train soldiers. Do you still believe that given the course of events in the region? Also, could you give me an idea of what “bringing me up to speed” on the changes that have occurred since I ETS’d will entail. Since they would be bringing me back as an E-6 I am concerned about being placed in a position of endangering others due to my “rustiness”. Yet I very much want to serve again. Look forward to hearing from you. Good luck and God bless.
Jay
LucienDoursSr
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:06 pmHi I am a 79 disable Air Force vet tring to support Family existing on S.S. Barely due to many ilness includinng,major strokes and 4 by passes with 80% blokages.