Posted on 07/01/2009 4:31:12 PM PDT by STARWISE
U.S. Marines and Afghan security forces moved into Taliban-infested villages Wednesday evening in one of the Obama administration's first major military operations in the previously forgotten war in Afghanistan.
The offensive was launched shortly after 1 a.m. local time in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province. More than 4,000 Marines and an estimated 650 Afghan soldiers and police sought to clear insurgents from towns and villages along the Helmand River Valley before the nation's Aug. 20 presidential election.
Dubbed Operation Khanjar, or "Strike of the Sword," the military push was described by officials as the largest and fastest-moving of the war's newest phase. British forces last week led similar missions to fight and clear out insurgents in Helmand and Kandahar provinces.
"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," Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson said in a statement.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Fox reported 8,500 Marines choppered in just after
midnite there...
Did they read them talibandits their merengi rights?
God be with our troops.
But this is still...OBAMA’S WAR
Good hunting Marines. Make Chesty proud.
It’s a huge operation ... AP etc says 4K. I pray it’s whatever is needed. St. Michael, be their protector in battle.
````
US opens ‘major Afghan offensive’
breaking news
The United States army says it has launched a major offensive against the Taliban in the southern Afghan province of Helmand.
The US military says about 4,000 marines as well as 650 Afghan troops are involved, supported by US warplanes.
Brigadier General Larry Nicholson, said this operation was different because of its “massive size” and speed.
Officers on the ground said it was the largest marine offensive since Vietnam.
The operation began when units moved into the Helmand river valley in the early hours of Thursday.
Helicopters and heavy transport vehicles carried out the advance, with Nato planes providing air cover.
Southern Afghanistan is considered a Taliban stronghold.
UK troops are also operating in Helmand, but there has been criticism that British forces have been overstretched and under-resourced.
Last week the commander of UK troops in Afghanistan, General Jim Dutton, denied that the battle against the Taliban was “a losing campaign”.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8129789.stm
Why the hell are we announcing this?
how did they fool obozo?
“St. Michael, be their protector in battle.”
A small crease of a smile came to my face as I read your post. I still have a St. Michael medal, with that statement, taped to my old dog tags from 40+ years ago. Those combinations were taped together of prevent rattling during night ops.
Semper Fi, Marines. Go get some.
Prayers to the Marines bless them and may their families be comforted and hear of no casualties! My son is a combat medic with the Army in that province I am praying for him as well! Bless all of our troops and all of the Combined Joint Task Force as well.
armymedicmom
6-12-09 Lance Cpl. Scott J. Dunbar, 21, Raven operator and Seattle native, hooks up Ground Control Station power cables prior to launching an RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle, June 12, at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Raven is a small, hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle that gives commanders a bird's eye view of the area their Marines are operating in by sending aerial images to a laptop display.
Dunbar is attached to Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment and graduated from Franklin High School in Seattle. 1/5 is a subordinate element of Regimental Combat Team 3 whose mission is to conduct counter insurgency operations in southern Afghanistan with a focus on training and mentoring the Afghan national police.
Thank you for your service .. ;)
Amen .. and thank you son for his service,
and yours, too .. Mom.
Silly Leo, you know Marines can't read! (Just ask John Effin Kerry)
:)
Pryers up. My nephews will be heading there later this year.
I do not agree that this was ever considered a ‘forgotten’ war, Thank you US and coalition troops.
|
*snip*
Nearly 4,000 Marines and U.S. sailors are taking part in the assault, code-named Operation Khanjar (Strike of the Sword), along with about 650 Afghan troops and police, a Marines press statement said.
“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 ...”
*snip*
The valley of irrigated wheat and opium fields along the Helmand river is largely in the hands of Taliban fighters who have resisted British-led NATO forces for years.
The United States has sent 8,500 Marines to Helmand province in the last two months, the largest wave of a massive buildup of forces that will see the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan rise from 32,000 at the beginning of this year to 68,000 by year’s end.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090701/ts_nm/us_afghanistan_assault
Why didn’t I hear details about this yesterday in the NYT?
Coincidence our military strategy and operational details are no longer being ‘reported’ in advance of operations now that Obama is in office?
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.