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U.S. troops battle both Taliban and their own rules
The Washington Times ^ | 11-16-09 | Sara A. Carter

Posted on 11/16/2009 10:49:20 AM PST by 444Flyer

KASHK-E-NOKHOWD, Afghanistan | Army Capt. Casey Thoreen wiped the last bit of sleep from his eyes before the sun rose over his isolated combat outpost.

His soldiers did the same as they checked and double-checked their weapons and communications equipment. Ahead was a dangerous foot patrol into the heart of Taliban territory.

"Has anyone seen the [Afghan National Army] guys?" asked Capt. Thoreen, 30, the commander of Blackwatch Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment with the 5th Stryker Brigade. "Are they not showing up?"

A soldier, who looked ghostly in the reddish light of a headlamp, shook his head.

"We can't do anything if we don't have the ANA or [the Afghan National Police]," said a frustrated Capt. Thoreen.

"We have to follow the Karzai 12 rules. But the Taliban has no rules," he said. "Our soldiers have to juggle all these rules and regulations and they do it without hesitation despite everything. It's not easy for anyone out here."

"Karzai 12" refers to Afghanistan's newly re-elected president, Hamid Karzai, and a dozen rules set down by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan, to try to keep Afghan civilian casualties to a minimum.

"It's a framework to ensure cultural sensitivity in planning and executing operations," said Capt. Thoreen. "It's a set of rules and could be characterized as part of the ROE," he said, referring to the rules of engagement.

Dozens of U.S. soldiers who spoke to The Washington Times during a recent visit to southern Afghanistan said these rules sometimes make a perilous mission even more difficult and dangerous.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


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"It's a framework to ensure cultural sensitivity in planning and executing operations," said Capt. Thoreen. "It's a set of rules and could be characterized as part of the ROE," he said, referring to the rules of engagement.
1 posted on 11/16/2009 10:49:20 AM PST by 444Flyer
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"..."We have to follow the Karzai 12 rules. But the Taliban has no rules," he said. "Our soldiers have to juggle all these rules and regulations and they do it without hesitation despite everything. It's not easy for anyone out here."

"Karzai 12" refers to Afghanistan's newly re-elected president, Hamid Karzai, and a dozen rules set down by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan, to try to keep Afghan civilian casualties to a minimum."

2 posted on 11/16/2009 10:50:51 AM PST by 444Flyer ("The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7)
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To: 444Flyer
Our troops in Afghanistan are handcuffed by political correctness. If we don't want to allow them to win, let's bring them home before a single American soldier there is killed for nothing.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

3 posted on 11/16/2009 10:51:50 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: 444Flyer
God bless our troops...God keep 'em safe, despite the actions of the current pathetic occupant of the White House.


THE MAN WHO DESPISES AMERICA


AWAKEN, O AMERICA, YOUR LIBERTY IS CALLING (Inspriring Video)

4 posted on 11/16/2009 10:53:13 AM PST by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: All

“New Obama Military Rules of Engagement:, Don’t shoot back”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2384383/posts

“RULES OF ENGAGEMENT REVISITED’

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2346439/posts

“OBAMA’S RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN COSTING OUR TROOPS LIVES”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335891/posts

“THE RULES MURDERING OUR TROOPS”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2347085/posts

Then there is this:

“No Rush to Escalate (”war kills off great reform movements”)”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2355050/posts

____________________________________________________________

http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/official_texts/Tactical_Directive_090706.pdf

“...I recognize that the carefully controlled and disciplined employment of force entails risks to our troops...”

“...The Taliban cannot militarily defeat us - but we can defeat ourselves...”

This is all that comes to my mind when I read that:

“We are pinned down. We are running low on ammo. We have no air. We’ve lost today,” Marine Maj. Kevin Williams, 37, said through his translator to his Afghan counterpart, responding to the latter’s repeated demands for helicopters.

“’We’re pinned down:’ 4 U.S. Marines die in Afghan ambush”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335142/posts

If your going to keep them over there Obama&Co.. NOW, can we PLEASE have some Troop-centered and protecting ROE’s! And give them the equipment and manpower they need to back them up!
__________________________________________________________

11-11-09

“NUMBER OF WOUNDED TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN INCREASING”

“WASHINGTON – Far from winding down, the numbers of U.S. soldiers coming home wounded have continued to swell. The problem is especially acute among those fighting in Afghanistan, where nearly four times as many troops were injured in October as a year ago.

Amputations, burns, brain injuries and shrapnel wounds proliferate in Afghanistan, due mostly to increasingly potent improvised bombs targeting U.S. forces. Snipers’ bullets and mortar rounds also are to blame...”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091111/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_veterans_day_the_injured;_ylt=Av4wAcvsmrazH_Rco0XTRmGs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTM5bTI2NHVvBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMTExL3VzX3ZldGVyYW5zX2RheV90aGVfaW5qdXJlZARjcG9zAzEEcG9zAzIEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcnkEc2xrA21pbGl0YXJ5c2Vlcw—;;


5 posted on 11/16/2009 10:53:41 AM PST by 444Flyer ("The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7)
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To: 444Flyer
"It's a set of rules and could be characterized as part of the ROE," he said, referring to the rules of engagement.

Are these ROEs from McChrystal or from CIC ?

They are killing our brave troops.


6 posted on 11/16/2009 10:54:31 AM PST by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 119:174 I long for Your salvation, YHvH, Your law is my delight.)
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To: 444Flyer

At least they don’t have to tie one hand behind their back and hop on one foot.

But I hear those terms are being negotiated as we speak. The sticking points are whether a skip is allowed between swapping which foot the GI’s have to hop on; or whether they simply are limited to only using one foot for the duration of the day.


7 posted on 11/16/2009 10:54:38 AM PST by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
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To: Jeff Head

A big ‘AMEN’ to that Jeff.


8 posted on 11/16/2009 10:54:45 AM PST by 444Flyer ("The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7)
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To: UriÂ’el-2012

“Are these ROEs from McChrystal or from CIC?”

If we had a MSM worth anything, that would be an excellent question to BOTH of them.


9 posted on 11/16/2009 10:56:45 AM PST by 444Flyer ("The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7)
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To: 444Flyer
"It's OK for the insurgents to use their women to hide weapons but it's not OK for us [men] to search them," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Yost, 27, of Shelton, Wash. "So now, we have to break our own rules and bring women into combat just so they can search the women."
10 posted on 11/16/2009 11:02:20 AM PST by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
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To: Saoirise; MestaMachine; 1COUNTER-MORTER-68; mojitojoe; TomasUSMC; Vn_survivor_67-68; Nachum; ...

Ping. More news on Obama’s ROE’s from the Troop’s perspective.


11 posted on 11/16/2009 11:04:56 AM PST by 444Flyer ("The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7)
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To: UriÂ’el-2012

McChrystal.


12 posted on 11/16/2009 11:06:21 AM PST by MestaMachine (One if by land, 2 if by sea, 3 if by Air Force 1. Afghanistan Updates Daily on My Profile)
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner

More Political Correctness bull risking our Troop’s lives and making them vulnerable to an attack.


13 posted on 11/16/2009 11:07:41 AM PST by 444Flyer ("The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7)
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To: 444Flyer

It’s time to review the ROI - Rules of Impeachment.


14 posted on 11/16/2009 11:09:32 AM PST by taraytarah (Our Constitution must be defended and protected from all domestic enemies.)
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To: MestaMachine

“The Times compiled an informal list of the new rules from interviews with U.S. forces. Among them:

• No night or surprise searches.

• Villagers have to be warned prior to searches.

• ANA or ANP must accompany U.S. units on searches.

• U.S. soldiers may not fire at the enemy unless the enemy is preparing to fire first.

• U.S. forces cannot engage the enemy if civilians are present.

• Only women can search women.

• Troops can fire at an insurgent if they catch him placing an IED but not if insurgents are walking away from an area where explosives have been laid.”

Are you KIDDING me!


15 posted on 11/16/2009 11:16:01 AM PST by 444Flyer ("The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7)
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To: MestaMachine
This quote says it all...

"ISAF will have to change its operating culture to pursue a counterinsurgency approach that puts the Afghan people first."~Gen. McChrystal

Our guys are sitting ducks with this kind of talk. No wonder the KIA and wounded are increasing ever since Obama took office. He emboldens the enemy.

16 posted on 11/16/2009 11:22:37 AM PST by 444Flyer ("The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7)
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To: MestaMachine
McChrystal.

If the ROEs are from McChrystal and not from anyone above him,
then he is a bigger fool than I had thought and is not a leader
to be followed.
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
17 posted on 11/16/2009 11:23:14 AM PST by Uri’el-2012 (Psalm 119:174 I long for Your salvation, YHvH, Your law is my delight.)
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To: 444Flyer

No. McChrystal, piss be upon him, should be relieved of command and court martialled. I think the man is a lunatic. He reminds me of Captain Queeg in THE CAINE MUTINY.

“When is madness visible in leadership?”
Captain Queeq in The Caine Mutiny


18 posted on 11/16/2009 11:26:25 AM PST by MestaMachine (One if by land, 2 if by sea, 3 if by Air Force 1. Afghanistan Updates Daily on My Profile)
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To: Jeff Head

Thanks but I think I shorted out my keyboard.


19 posted on 11/16/2009 11:47:50 AM PST by Rappini ("Pro deo et Patria.)
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To: 444Flyer

"• Troops can fire at an insurgent if they catch him placing an IED but not if insurgents are walking away from an area where explosives have been laid."

Uhhhh...doesn't that give the enemy the opportunity to get away and strike again?

20 posted on 11/16/2009 11:48:22 AM PST by 444Flyer ("The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." Psalm 34:7)
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