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  • U.S. Marines Try to Retake Afghan Valley From Taliban

    U.S. Marines Try to Retake Afghan Valley From Taliban

    By RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr.
    Published: July 1, 2009

    KABUL, Afghanistan — Almost 4,000 United States Marines, backed by helicopter gunships, pushed into the volatile Helmand River valley in southwestern Afghanistan early Thursday morning to try to take back the region from Taliban fighters whose control of poppy harvests and opium smuggling in Helmand provides major financing for the Afghan insurgency.
    ...
    “What makes Operation Khanjar different from those that have occurred before is the massive size of the force introduced, the speed at which it will insert, and the fact that where we go we will stay, and where we stay, we will hold, build and work toward transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces,” the Marine commander in Helmand Province, Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, said in a statement.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/02/wo...afghan.html?hp

  • #2
    Cactus Reply

    Here are excerpts from Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson's comments to the troops-

    Marine General Takes Fight To The Taliban-NPR

    "Excerpts From Nicholson's Address To Troops
    NPR.org, July 1, 2009 · Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, addressed his troops in Afghanistan before the operation launched early Thursday against Taliban-occupied areas.

    Following are excerpts from his remarks at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province.


    On the mission in the Helmand River valley:

    Our job is to get in there and get it back [from the Taliban] ... We don't want to give the enemy one second to think about what he's going to do. Because we're going to be pushing so goddamn hard on the enemy. Our job is to go in there and make contact with the enemy — find the enemy, make contact with the enemy and then we'll hold on. This is an enemy that's used to having small-scale attacks and having the coalition pull back. There is no pullback. We will stay on him, and we will ride him until he's either dead or surrenders.

    On the threat of roadside bombs:

    Now, I'm concerned about the IEDs [roadside bombs] and I know you are, too. There's a hell of a lot of IEDs out there. As we get in there, we're going to get a better feel for who these people are who are putting them out. We're going to work the networks. And we're going to kill the guys that have a chance to go out there and lay them. But they are out there, and you need to know that.

    On putting the Taliban on the defensive:

    All too often, it is us who have to think about where we're going to go, where we're going to attack, what we're going to do. In this case, we're going to be so thick in his AO [area of operation] that he's going to have three choices: Stay and fight, which we hope he does; try to blend into the population and just pretend he's a local, in which case the Afghan army and police can sure as hell help identify that along with local leaders; and the third thing is run. And if he tries to run, we've got people waiting for him.

    On the Marines' training and preparation:

    You probably know the name of every little terrain feature in that AO. And that's good. Because you're going to need to. You're going to need to very quickly get into his turf and get comfortable and make him the guy on the run. Make him the guy who's going to have these decisions as to what he's going to do.

    On defeating the enemy:

    We'll kill and capture a hell of a lot of enemy over these next couple of weeks, I'm confident of that. And I hope the enemy does try to go chest-to-chest with you. It would be a hell of a big mistake, and I don't think his last mistake. And I suspect we'll see some of that.

    On supporting the Afghan people:

    We need to make sure we understand that the reason we're here is not necessarily the enemy. The reason we're here is the people. What won the war in al-Anbar province [Iraq] and what changed the war in al-Anbar was not that the enemy eventually got tired of fighting. It's that the people chose a side, and they chose us. We offer the one thing the enemy can never offer, and that's a future; that's hope. The people are looking to you.

    On the need to minimize civilian casualties:

    We'll surround that house and we'll wait. And here's the reason: If you drop that house and there's one woman, one child, one family in that house — you may have killed 20 Taliban, but by killing that woman or that child in that house, you have lost that community. You are dead to them. You are done. And when I talked to the governor [about this scenario], I said, 'Yeah, but governor, we will have killed 20 Taliban.' And he goes, 'Yeah, but you will have also killed the local family, and the people will always remember that.' The Taliban didn't kill that local family. You did. And as far as they're concerned, you killed locals and you're done. They will do anything they can at that point to help the Taliban and help the enemy against you.

    On the media:

    I tell you, personally I want the media out there because we've got a hell of a story to tell. I'll tell you, I've never in more than 30 years regretted embedding the media with the Marines that we've been associated with.

    On the conditions in enemy territory, in the desert:

    Bottom line, fellas, it's hot. It's gonna get hotter. Your packs are heavy. They're gonna get heavier. Our resupply to you is going to be tough. We're focused on getting you water. We're focused on getting you ammo. Chow will come later. Anything else will come later. We'll get you all the water and ammo you can use, but a lot of it may be by air drop, because the roads to get to you may not be open. And like I said, there is no cavalry. There is no reserve. You're gonna fight. And you're gonna stay there, and you're gonna fight until you win.

    Final words:

    Bottom line, fellas, is that this is the moment. This is the moment you've trained for. This is the moment you came into the Marine Corps for. This is the moment that all of us have been waiting for for a hell of a long time.


    Total coverage- Times of London, NYT, WAPO, WSJ, Reuters, A.P. etc. Everybody's in so we'll have major egg on our face if gone or any rollback of stated intent. Nicholson seems clear that it's his intent to overwhelm large portions of Garmsir and SQUAT on the enemy from within by establishing COPs right in among the people...and do it NOW.

    Don't know how much this brigade can cover and do so sustainably. Guess we'll find out soon. Seems Nicholson had hoped for an equal match of ANA but only has 500 instead of 4,000.

    Just gotta wonder sometimes...

    Anyway, it seems our Marines are geeked and it should be a bit of a help for the Brits. Guess I'm disappointed that the target is Garmsir. I'd hoped that we be aiming further south but it just goes to show that areas like Sangin, Lashkar Gar, and Garmsir aren't going to be easy nuts to crack.
    "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
    "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

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    • #3
      Apparently they are only meeting light resistance at the moment. Well, according to that most reliably sources the radio (BBC)
      Nulli Secundus
      People always talk of dying for their country, and never of making the other bastard die for his

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      • #4
        Shiny Capstar Reply

        "...at the moment"

        Always the kicker. The talibunnies choose the time and place- if smart. Even with a lot more troops, there's no guarantees of contacts. Even with this area being consistently notorious, a good taliban commander can have his local fighters go very low profile.

        What should be interesting in the absence of a lot of initial contacts will be the time it takes for marines to decentralize their ops throughout the A.O. It seems, if the intent is to squat a large number of COPs (Combat Outposts) upon the enemy simultaneously and from within radiating outward, then the Marines will need a lot more ANA.

        Part of the al Anbar/Iraq success was having local Iraqi army/police platoons to partner these COPs. Part of that efffectiveness, btw, also stemmed from the relatively high population densities that afforded a high payoff of committed platoons to a protected populace while the close proximities enabled rapid re-inforcement and mutual support.

        I don't see the ANA mirrored support nor am I aware of the geographic objectives for a sustainable presence. How large an area and how many objective people to be secured and at what cost in available manpower?

        Should be interesting but I think your guys actually went further south this last April.
        "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
        "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

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        • #5
          Hurrraahhhhh

          Comment


          • #6
            Good to see reinforcements, much in need.
            Definetley in need of troops Brits are to few to strike, hold and move on, hands tied.
            Shame we can't comit more of our own troops, maybe the MOD will wake up from la la land, they really havent a clue.
            Anyhow good to see the Marines on board. hoohaa
            Brits can now step up a gear.

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            • #7
              Nice to see you here, old friend. MOD is not taking their chunk out of you yet?

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              • #8
                We're all over this.

                I like working this op. It's well-conceived, and the general is right: we will FINALLY be in a place that the enemy will either have to lose or fight force-on-force for, and he doesn't want to do either one. All chess players know that the trick of the game is to leave your opponent two or more bad choices.

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                • #9
                  Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Military Operations | Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe and Trooper Joshua Hammond killed in Afghanistan

                  Farewell Trooper Hammond, 'Rest in Peace', you died a 'Brave and True Tankie'; Fear Naught (My Old Regiment).

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                  • #10
                    UK forces launch Taliban assault

                    More than 700 UK troops have launched a major offensive against insurgent strongholds in southern Afghanistan.

                    The soldiers from the Light Dragoons and 2 Mercian are taking part in the third wave of Operation Panther's Claw, which began two weeks ago in Helmand.

                    The assault came as US and Afghan forces began a separate assault on the Taliban in the province's south.

                    The co-ordinated missions aim to clear insurgents and make the area safe ahead of presidential elections in August.

                    The UK's Operation Panther's Claw began a fortnight ago with an air assault on the region of Babaji, north of Lashkar Gah.

                    More than 350 troops from the Black Watch were dropped into the area backed by 12 Chinook helicopters in what the Ministry of Defence described as one of the largest air operations in modern times.

                    Two British soldiers taking part in the operation - Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, and Trooper Joshua Hammond, of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment - were killed in an explosion in Helmand on Wednesday.

                    Lt Col Thorneloe is the most senior British army officer to be killed on operations since the Falklands War.

                    'Lack of resources'

                    The BBC's Ian Pannell, who is travelling with UK troops in Helmand, says the latest phase of the offensive involves a major land assault, with soldiers backed up by artillery and air support.

                    Thousands of British forces have been fighting the Taliban in Helmand since 2006, with 171 so far losing their lives and hundreds more injured.

                    But our correspondent said that while the British had taken some key towns, their effectiveness had been limited by a lack of resources.

                    However, the arrival of thousands of US marines had now freed up the Light Dragoons battle group to launch its latest offensive, he added.

                    The assault has been co-ordinated with the ongoing US operation to the south - named Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword.

                    The US military says about 4,000 marines as well as 650 Afghan troops - supported by Nato planes - have been involved in the surge, launched in the early hours of Thursday.

                    It is the first such large-scale operation since US President Barack Obama authorised the deployment of 21,000 extra US troops to Afghanistan, as part of a new strategy for winning the conflict.

                    Many of those troops are being redeployed from operations in Iraq.

                    Story from BBC NEWS:
                    BBC NEWS | UK | UK forces launch Taliban assault

                    Published: 2009/07/03 04:10:48 GMT

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                    • #11
                      This is tough. At least over here, McChrystal's focus has to be more than 'protecting the population'. It is to win over the population.

                      U.S. Faces Resentment in Afghan Region
                      2 July [NYTimes] LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan — The mood of the Afghan people has tipped into a popular revolt in some parts of southern Afghanistan, presenting incoming American forces with an even harder job than expected in reversing military losses to the Taliban and winning over the population.

                      Villagers in some districts have taken up arms against foreign troops to protect their homes or in anger after losing relatives in airstrikes, several community representatives interviewed said. Others have been moved to join the insurgents out of poverty or simply because the Taliban’s influence is so pervasive here. ...

                      The Marines are part of a larger deployment of additional troops being ordered by the new American commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, to concentrate not just on killing Taliban fighters but on protecting the population.

                      Yet Taliban control of the countryside is so extensive in provinces like Kandahar and Helmand that winning districts back will involve tough fighting and may ignite further tensions, residents and local officials warn. The government has no presence in 5 of Helmand’s 13 districts, and in several others, like Nawa, it holds only the district town, where troops and officials live virtually under siege.

                      The Taliban’s influence is so strong in rural areas that much of the local population has accepted their rule and is watching the United States troop buildup with trepidation. Villagers interviewed in late June said that they preferred to be left alone under Taliban rule and complained about artillery fire and airstrikes by foreign forces. ...
                      Last edited by Merlin; 03 Jul 09,, 07:52.

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                      • #12
                        The militants aren't stupid enough to attack the front lines directly...they have failed miserably in every engagement like that. They will withdraw and spread the US forces out, then make pin-point attacks and ambushes against single units or small groups. They will suffer air losses to some of their compounds, but that is no different than before.

                        Still, its a step in the right directly. As long as the front lines keep moving, the Taliban will be forced back towards the border, and across the border. If the Pakistani and American lines can meet up, the Taliban will be trapped in the mountains again, and this time, they wont be able to escape.

                        A pity this couldnt have been done 7 years ago.
                        The greatest weapon is the truth

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                        • #13
                          Very interesting read

                          Earn our trust or go, Afghan villagers tell Marines

                          SORKHDOZ, Afghanistan (Reuters) - The mullah's message was blunt. We don't trust you and if you don't earn our trust, our first meeting will be our last.

                          With that, he stood abruptly and walked out of his first "shura," or council meeting, with U.S. Marines.

                          U.S. forces who have moved deep into formerly Taliban-controlled territory in southern Afghanistan this week say they are here to stay and will not leave until they have improved the lives of ordinary people.

                          But locals -- used to seeing NATO troops come through to fight but fail to follow through on promises of development -- may not be won over easily.

                          This week, the Marines, sent by President Barack Obama, launched operation Strike of the Sword, one of the biggest operations by ground forces in Afghanistan since Soviet forces withdrew in 1989.

                          Their goal has been to seize quickly the lower Helmand River valley, a Taliban stronghold and the world's biggest opium producing region, where fighters resisted advances by an overstretched British-led NATO force for years.

                          In the village of Sorkhdoz, Foxtrot Company of the 2nd battalion, 8th Marines held their first shura with local elders on Sunday, three days after arriving on assault helicopters.

                          No one invited them into their home. Instead, they met on the street, in the shade of the outside wall of a mud-brick compound.

                          The company commander, Captain Junwei Sun, promised his troops were not just passing through.

                          "This is a beautiful village. It's very peaceful. And we need to work to keep it that way," Sun said.

                          "I know there's Taliban. They come through the village and intimidate you and intimidate your children. That's why I want you to know, we are going to stay here."

                          PRAYER BEADS AND DEMANDS

                          The elders listened, clicking their prayer beads. Then Mullah Zainuddin, the village's religious leader, listed their demands.

                          They want the provincial authorities to allocate more water for their irrigation system. They want a health clinic, and they want a school. Produce these things or leave us alone, he said.

                          "I do not trust you. There have been international forces that have come through the village and promised schools, promised clinics. When you are already (delivering) that, then I will trust you," he said.

                          "We are out of patience here. If you do not do these things and solve these problems, we will leave this village. We will fight: every man, woman and child, we do not fear death."

                          "This is our last speech, and if you can't solve these problems, we will not have another shura. We will not sit like this again and talk with you," he said. He then got up and walked away, leaving the Marines to finish the shura without him.

                          Suddenly, a Marine could be heard up the road shouting "stop!" and pointing his rifle at a man driving a motorcycle with two women hidden in burqas sitting behind him on the bike.

                          The Marine summoned an interpreter. Afghan police searched the driver and allowed the motorcycle to drive on. The village elders and the other Marines holding their shura watched the tense incident in quiet.

                          "I know you think you are here for our security. But you have come here to disturb us," said one of the elders, Hajji Baluch. "The women on the motorcycle were on their way to a clinic."

                          Captain Sun said he would try to persuade his men not to stop motorcycles with women.

                          "We're still new here. We're still trying to get used to the people. Once we know the people, we'll get better," he said.

                          In the end, they agreed to hold another shura. The Americans promised to bring officials from the agriculture ministry who would discuss providing the town with more water for irrigation.

                          The Marines shook hands and headed back to the compound they have occupied as a combat outpost. The elders remained in the street and quietly watched them walk away.
                          Earn our trust or go, Afghan villagers tell Marines - Yahoo! Canada News

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                          • #14
                            Some pics before and during Operation Khanjar (Dagger)





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                            • #15




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