Posted on 10/04/2009 5:24:11 PM PDT by kristinn
MILITARY anger boiled over last night after Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth rebuffed a plea from front-line soldiers for immediate reinforcements in Afghanistan.
Mr Ainsworth had asked soldiers who have just endured a gruelling and bloody six-month tour what they needed. Without hesitation he was told: “More troops”.
But the Defence Secretary – in Afghanistan with Home Secretary Alan Johnson, ironically to boost morale – merely replied that reinforcements would “take time”.
Staff Sgt Kim Hughes, who will shortly return to his family in Shropshire, said: “It’s been a ridiculously busy, ridiculously hard tour. We have lost two guys.
“Clearly more troops are needed on the ground, but then the same could be said for equipment.”
The troops were backed last night by the new head of the Army, General Sir David Richards, who said sending more men to Afghanistan would reduce casualties.
Britain has lost 219 personnel in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001, including 82 so far this year amid the bloodiest summer of the campaign.
The majority lost this year were killed by roadside bombs or improvised explosive devices.
Defence chiefs are considering increasing Britain’s military presence from the current 9,000 to about 10,000.
SNIP
British troops complain that they can take ground from the Taliban but do not have enough men to hold it. They have to keep retaking areas over and over again, increasing the risk of casualties.
(Excerpt) Read more at express.co.uk ...
I know it is tough and horrible to have our young men and women fighting without the much needed supplies and reinforcements.
My theory from the beginning has been, “If these soldiers are not fighting the terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan, the terrorists will be in America shooting at our grandmothers and children in the streets.”
I don’t have proof of this, but I know our soldiers have been a magnet to the terrorists in the Middle East. Our soldiers have volunteered to protect America and our people.
Obama has yet to publish a National Security Strategy as required by Goldwater/Nichols. The US Military is rudderless all over, not just in Afghanistan.
It is time for another TEA PARTY, IN HONOR OF OUR TROOPS.
Let’s show this Lame Commander in Chief that he needs to listen to the soldiers on the ground. If he will not let’s get rid of him.
Can you hear us now NY Times and CIA?
Her son was in Iraq (military intelligence)
Her first words to me where,
"They are going to do to my son, what they did to my husband in Viet Nam."
Great IDEA!!!!
Beck is sooooo PRO Troops...i bet he could get it mobilized.
We need a Tea Party nationally for the troops..and to show them we care about them even if they have a disgusting CIC!!
If they are not going to let them fight to win. Bring them home.
Yes ,bring them home and man the borders.
And protect us from the civilian defense force, “more well funded than the military.” GRRRR
I refuse to call Obama the Commander in Chief can we come up with something else. He doesn’t deserve the title.
I hope Ocarter can stand in front to hear you loud and clear
October 1, 2009
Ainsworth: no more troops in Afghanistan until equipment improves
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/Afghanistan/article6856922.ece
Mr Ainsworth pointed out that equipment shortages — another common criticism of the Government — would be worsened by rushing more troops into theatre. “The kit and equipment they need to do this job doesn’t come from Marks and Spencer. It has to be ordered through a very complex procurement process,” he said in a BBC interview.
^
How much has Ocarter got from cutting the Military budget? Seems it is the vast majority of the decreased spending he brags of
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1218174/Afghan-bomb-hero-ambushes-Ainsworth-lack-troops.html
When the Defence Secretary asked the frontline soldier what he needed most, he quickly replied: ‘More troops on the ground.’
His stark statement left Mr Ainsworth on the back foot, as he tried to justify delays in responding to calls for reinforcements from the top Nato General in Afghanistan, America’s Stanley McChrystal.
Mr Ainsworth acknowledged the need but said the Government could not ‘throw money’ at Afghanistan, adding: ‘We know that there is an ask for increased troop levels coming from General McChrystal. Yet it is very important that people recognise that we are not alone in this.
‘We cannot do it alone. It’s got to be a coalition effort. We have got to think how quickly we do it. It takes time.’
After the encounter, Staff Sergeant Hughes, 30, was unrepentant. He is a member of the Joint Forces Explosives Ordnance Device Group which has the job of dismantling Taliban bombs.
He said: ‘What was he going do, send me home? It’s been a ridiculously busy, ridiculously hard tour. We have lost two guys.
‘Clearly more troops are needed on the ground - but then the same could be said for equipment.’
Staff Sergeant Hughes, from Shropshire, added: ‘The teams are stretched. Ideally you would have more equipment and more troops - that would help a lot.’
His Commanding Officer, Major Eldon Millar, 35, added: “Inevitably you feel you could do with a little more help. We are so stretched across Helmand because it is such a large area.”
We are so stretched across Helmand because it is such a large area.”
^
Ocarter is hopefully going to learn about the mission this week, he’s got 2 more meetings, ya know...
Obama’s War Council Divided on Afghan Strategy[Obama Hadn’t Reached A Decision, Return Next Week]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2354875/posts?page=30
At its conclusion, Obama reminded the crowd that he hadn’t reached a decision and that his war council should return twice next week with more details and ideas,
This is an absolute disgrace to ask brave soldiers to sacrifice themselves while politicians sit at home with thumbs up their asses unable to make decisions or give them what they need.
SNIP
British troops complain that they can take ground from the Taliban but do not have enough men to hold it. They have to keep retaking areas over and over again, increasing the risk of casualties.
Obama is disgracing this country on any number of levels.
When he refuses to give our military what they need but give millions of dollars to his cronies in ACORN and the Environmental movement, it is time to do something.
When he refuses to give our military what they need but give -——— BILLIONS-—— of dollars to his cronies in ACORN and the Environmental movement, it is time to do something.
BILLIONS IS CORRECT NOT MILLIONS!
Most profound pic I’ve ever seen, leaves me speechless
Obama, in my mind, is the worst American commander in chief ever.
173rd did that a few times up in the central highlands... Hope we don’t start hearing about HILL numbers. Bastard Obama I curse the ground he walks on.
Its what they’ve always intended for all of us. Silence in dissent. While they redirect power to suit their own wants.
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