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Troops can and do call in CAS throughout Stan. CAS from reports was used here, eventually. Reality is though in most FOBs, CAS is always going to take time to bring in.

Most people have no clue to the sheer size, ruggedness and scope of this region we are talking about.

ROEs are almost always a problem. In degree, whenever a conflict prolongs itself out in years. Trigger pullers always want more leeway and should be given so (IMPO). At the same time that isn't reality, for a variety of reasons. Some understandable. Some complete BS.

With that said, winning this, in Stan, isn't going to be done with mounting true civ-casualties. COIN & FID Ops (which won An-bar in Iraq and helped speed up our success there throughout) calls at times for our warriors to be more at risk. In the short run. Though in the process you create an atmosphere the is a force-multiplier against the enemy.

FOBs, true FOBs, in this region of Stan are as dangerous a place as you are going to find in the world today. These warriors are out in true Indian country......and I'm sure they gave back ten fold. RIP warriors.

And the notion that we are pulling back from this region I don't agree with at all. Then again, unless Gen. McCrystal gets the needed boots, seems to be the call he is left with. Force numbers need to be adjusted to what the General is asking for. Give him the forces he needs and this General and the warriors he leads will accomplish what is asked of him/them.