[Dundee]

A letter from Brigadier General James Mattis, USMC – Commander Task Force 58 in southern Afghanistan, to Major General Duncan Lewis – Commander Australian Special Operations Command.

Dear Duncan,

As the Commander Task Force 58 it was my pleasure to serve alongside the Australian Special Air Service contingent during active operations in southern Afghanistan from November 2001 through Feb 2002.

At this time I desire to acknowledge the high qualities of leadership, devotion to duty and aggressiveness displayed by the men of the SAS. Uncritical in their acceptance of missions, the sun has seldom shone on soldiers as competent and confident.

I am familiar with the standards set by the fighting men of Australia. No Marine can fail to be impressed by your force's combat achievements from Gallipoli to North Africa and beyond. The performance of Lieutenant Colonel Gus Gilmore and these super fighters continues that tradition. The conduct of your officers and men has earnt them the full admiration of the Sailors and Marines of Task Force 58.

Please pass to them my personal respect and appreciation for a job well done.

We Marines would happily storm Hell itself with your troops on our right flank.

Semper Fi,
James N Mattis, Brigadier General, US Marine Corps

[taxesareforever]

The Aussies are truly one with us. A true ally.

[Cronos]

Come on, you f***ing c***”

Of course if you said it in a broad Irish accent it sounds almost beautiful: ya foo ggen koonntt

[Ninian Dryhope]

"The conduct of your officers and men has earnt them the full admiration of the Sailors and Marines of Task Force 58."

Nice touch, using earnt, instead of the American version, earned. I wonder where the Marine learnt that?

[ken5050]

Great post..many thanks....

IIRC, during the Iraq war, there was a thread here, with some awesome pics, of Iraqi fighte aircraft that had been buried in the sand in the western desert. The Aussie SFs had discovered the concealed planes..I tried to fing the thread on search.but no luck..