Dont get me wrong, on that fateful day back in Sept 2001, I left work early and layed all of my weapons out, spit shined everyone of 'em. I have quit an arsenal. I even cleaned my rounds. I was ready to go to Afghanistan and take out every one of those "taliban". I wanted revenge! I speak about a cool head because we are gonna need one and I'm afraid I'm not gonna be one of them.
I too go back and forth. Hind sight is 20/20 and I think going into Afganastan was the right thing to do. I dont think we did it right though . . . I digress, sorry . . .
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I agree with you. Insurgents have stepped up their efforts in Afghanistan recently. Vigorous suppression is required - pronto or we're back to square #1.
IMHO, we did it exactly right. Read this book: The Hunt for Bin Laden, TASK FORCE DAGGER for a very accurate look at the war in Afghanistan for the first 100 days. I got the account verified by buddies of mine in SpecOps. Although one of the names mentioned in the book Keith Idema is not well liked in the SpecOps community in general. But the actions were verified. Everybody thought that Afghanistan was going to be the same QUAGMIRE for us it was for the USSR.
It could've might've been. Almost was because the NON-SF folks tried to horn their way into the newest gee whiz let's go get 'em...WAR. Conventional styles of combat against guerilla tactics is a loser in that terrain as the roooskies found out. But Rumsfeld prevailed in saying he wanted Special Forces boots on the ground. In the first 100 days just 100 operators and TACAIR assets (and working with the warlords of the northern alliance) killed over thirty THOUSAND AQ and Taliban troops. With minimal losses to our side. That's doin' it right!
The book was written by Robin Moore. Yes the same Robin Moore of The Green Berets book and John Wayne movie during 'Nam. Just as he did then, this aging old war correspondent (airborne and Q course qualified!) actually went along on several operations. Those guys really took care of the old guy, that's how beloved he is by the Special Forces.