The Future Role of Special Forces In Afghanistan

SUNSET CHAT
U.S. Marine Lance Cpls. Ryan Snyder and David Lambert talk while providing security from their defensive position as the sun sets during Operation Shahem Tofan Eagle Storm in the Garmsir district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 11, 2012. Snyder and Lambert are assigned to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder

Can These Commandos Salvage the Afghan War? -- The Danger Room

LAGHMAN, Afghanistan — The American Special Forces officer was having what one colleague says was the worst day of his war tour. And that was before the Soviet-made anti-personnel mine packed with 700 ball bearings exploded at his feet.

A weapon like that can turn a man into “pink mist,” the officer says.

It was late September outside the town of Mehtar Lam, in this hilly province just east of Kabul. The officer from the Germany-based 10th Special Forces Group — let’s call him “Tom” — had been leading his patrol of U.S. commandos and Afghan police trainees on the long walk back to base following a disappointing encounter with Taliban fighters in which half of the trainees failed to fight back.

Tom glimpsed a mound of disturbed earth and, not thinking, approached it.

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My Comment: A sobering analysis and my must read for today.