U.S. Special Forces Joined Charge On Horseback Against Taliban

Bloomberg.com | November 15, 2001 | Tony Capaccio

[3catsanadog]

From the success of the calvary in Afghanistan now, I'm wondering if things would've turned out different in Vietnam had we used horses and taught the SVietnamese to use them.

[cajungirl]

Poppies.

[Travis McGee]

!!!!!!!!

[Ghengis]

These pics do not look too far removed from Ghengis Kahn....

Huh? Somebody ring?

[Eternal_Bear]

"Hi, Ho down we go, there's no such word as can't...cause..... we're riding down to Kandahar...."

with apologies to that Great movie

[comncents]

This is awesome! Like an Indiana Jones movie. This will make a great Hollywood flick by this time next year. Charge!!!

[RightWhale]

Tanks without infantry support are targets. Imagine the frustration of the tank commanders. A similar tactic was used against the German panzer on the way to Stalingrad and back. Horses can carry small artillery pieces, and cossacks can cross ground that gives fits to tanks. They ride up, dismount, fire their cannon, destroy a tank or support vehicle, and disappear.

[freefly]

As near as I can tell, you could nuke the country and in most places couldn't tell the difference.

[freefly]

Why would putting an Infantryman on a horse be that much of a shock if it increases his mobility?

Near as I can tell, the media is trying to make them look primative (like they needed help!).
I guess none of them bothered to think about the fact that moving around in that country is DIFFICULT!
A horse is actually a very good option

[tracer]

Now we have specHops and SEAHLs. And perhaps Green Berrrrrhhhhhay's. Way to go, and Tali-"ho".....

[freefly]

Given a choice between walking to the battle (carrying ALL your gear) and riding...that's a CHOICE?
Unless you have a LOT of helicopters or paved roads, a horse is an excellent choice of transport.
(Sometimes even if you have both!)

Here's a BTTT for the Cavalry...
They still ride!

[sneakypete]

``And with that,'' said Wolfowitz, ``one of our amazing special forces members went off on a cavalry charge with a Northern Alliance commander.''

Do you have any idea how jealous I am of all the fun these guys are having? I feel like I just drank a quart of battery acid. It's not going to be pretty if I ever manage to get my hands on that old SOB,"Father Time". He has a LOT to answer for!

[Travis McGee]

The stories those lucky dogs are going to have!

[PatrioticAmerican]

Col. Potter would be proud! ;>

[sneakypete]

the fact that some of our special forces, upon seeing the success of these NA tactics, actually mounted steeds and joined in an attack together with the NA, that really knocks me out.

Why is this surprising? It is a part of their jobs to show leadership and set examples,and you can't do this unless you are right up front where the fighting is. Besides,if you knew many of these guys,you would know they were probably fist-fighting each other to see who could ride in the calvary charge,and who had to lay back with the radios. Ain't NOBODY there who would want to miss out on a honest to goodness calvary charge! Do you have ANY idea how much mileage they can get out of this at the Sport Parachute Club?

[dighton]

Great post, Stand Watch Listen.

Great pix, Diogenesis.

[sneakypete]

I know of one SF officer who was really dissapointed that the army wouldn't allow him to shoot SF students with a 22,"so they could learn that getting shot isn't all that big a deal,and doesn't really hurt all that much.". Do you know who I am talking about? If you do,don't write his name on the public boards,FR it to me.

[sneakypete]

. One aspect of this training is the recognition that animals as a source of labor (water buffalo, horses, camels, donkeys etc) are very important to a people's survival.

BTW,there is a actual army field manual that details exactly how to load pack mules,including how to tie the knots. I believe it was developed by the original Phillipano Scouts in the pre-WW-2 era.

[marty60]

They tend to be more surefooted in the hills(mts). So they say.

[ccmay]

Not too long ago on FR, somebody posted something that mentioned how the Special Forces receive training in how to use and care for horses and mules.

This is true. My grandfather was an old muleskinner, and several of his friends trained Green Berets in this very subject back in the 80's, I think at Fort Huachuca in Arizona.

-ccm