U.S. Soldiers In Afghanistan Told To Disarm During Leon Panetta's Speech (Updated)

Troops stacking guns at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan before the arrival of U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday. Chris Turner / Pool

Soldiers Asked To Disarm During Leon Panetta's Speech -- The Telegraph

US soldiers were asked to disarm during a speech by Leon Panetta, the American defence secretary, in a sign of grown concern over spates of seemingly random violence in Afghanistan.

Less than a week after a US staff sergeant allegedly massacred 16 civilians in Kandahar, American soldiers were banned from bringing guns into a talk by Mr Panetta at a base in Helmand province.

Around 200 troops who had gathered in a tent at Camp Leatherneck were told "something had come to light" and asked abruptly to file outside and lay down their automatic rifles and 9mm pistols.

"Somebody got itchy, that's all I've got to say. Somebody got itchy – we just adjust," said the sergeant who was told to clear the hall of weapons.

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More News On U.S. Soldiers Told To Disarm Before Entering Leon Panetta's 'Tent'

Afghan Soldiers Told to Come Unarmed to Panetta Meeting -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Leon Panetta visits Afghanistan: Hundreds of U.S. Marines unusually asked to disarm before he speaks -- New York Daily News
In 'highly unusual' move, Marines asked to disarm before Leon Panetta speech -- MSNBC
US Marines asked to disarm as Panetta speaks in Afghanistan -- FOX
Marines told to disarm before Panetta speech -- CNN

My Comment: Why were these Marines disarmed .... apparently it was because the Afghan soldiers were disarmed (Duh!!!!) and Maj. Gen. Marc Gurganus, the Marine commander, did not want them (the Afghan soldiers) to feel "uncomfortable. Sighhhh ..... talk about political correctness going amok.