Posted on 03/14/2012 3:41:30 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Hundreds of U.S. Marines were ordered by an American sergeant on Wednesday to disarm before entering a tent where Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was set to speak during his trip to Afghanistan.
No reason was given and U.S. officials tried to downplay the move. But the highly unusual security measure comes amid rising tension in the country after an American solider allegedly killed 16 Afghan civilians on Sunday.
Sgt. Maj. Brandon Hall told more than 200 Marines at Camp Leatherneck that they were to leave their weapons outside. Afghan troops had already been told that they, too, were not allowed to bring their guns.
"Something has come to light," Hall told the troops. When an Associated Press reporter asked about the order, Hall said all he knew was, "I was told to get the weapons out."
During his visit, Panetta promised U.S. troops would not change its course of action, despite recent flare-ups. The trip was scheduled before the bloody massacre which has spurred demands for officials in both countries that foreign troops leave more quickly.
Afghan-U.S. relations have frayed since the shooting incident, in addition to the burning of Korans at a military base in Afghanistan last month. That sparked nearly a week of violent demonstrations, leaving 30 dead, including six U.S. soldiers.
American officials later said the disarming order at the Panetta event came from top commander, Maj. Gen. Mark Gurganus.
He insisted to the New York Times that it had nothing to do with the massacre.
"You've got one of the most important people in the world in the room," he said. "This is not a big deal.”
Just lovely! See how badly this bunch has mis-managed Afghanistan?
This administration has no backbone, or sense of pride.As a former Marine I find this disgusting..
It’s the new gay military.
Total POS cowards. And what if a jihadi comes in with guns ablazing? The soldiers would not have been able to react, respond or even defend themselves. Like the Ft Hood guys. All disarmed. Except the Mad Muzzie Major. We are all suspect now. Except the ROPs
Afghan troops had already been told that they, too, were not allowed to bring their guns.
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Hey Abdul dont take your gun...
The infidel American el jefe is the nervous sort...
What ??? Your bomb ???
Sure you can take that.
Nothing was said about concealed carry bombs...
Cuz’ he’s a filthy coward . . . and should be nowhere near our beloved soldiers. What a POS!
Sounds like grouping all the planes at Pearl in tight circles in the middle of the runway, in case Japanese saboteurs snuck in.
Did W make them disarm???? Clinton is the one who disarmed our bases - so Hasan had unarmed victims for his “workplace violence”....
I’m living in a parallel universe.
Rumsfeld or Cheney would never EVER ‘demand’ that, no matter what circumstance.
I hope the military men and women have the same trust level against these snakes as displayed here.
Whaddya think? Maybe their just a teensy bit upset?
Lyin’ Pendejo.
Sheesh.
Let’s hope the election gives us change!
Panetta visits U.S. Unarmed Forces in Afghanistan
I can’t think of many places I’d feel SAFER than in a room with 200 armed Marines. The guy is a wacko.
Panetta orders blocking of Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms in Afghanistan
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