Rebuilding Afghanistan

lazybhoy

Its curious that antis will accuse NATO forces in A-Stan of being murderers, occupying etc, even though the mission has a UN mandate etc and democratic govt. Yet never mention the good work going on.

Heres a few of the things the Royal Engineers did in 2006-07, things most dont hear about.


By the end of the tour
in March 2007, the Regiment had enabled
the construction of over 80 projects with the
number of municipal projects outnumbering
security infrastructure projects. These
projects included:
• Two-storey reinforced concrete
accommodation for trainee midwives
at Lashkar Gah hospital.
• Over 3km of new tarmac roads and
concrete drainage system.
• Over 30 classrooms and ablution blocks
at a variety of schools across Helmand.
• Eighteen new police stations and vehicle
checkpoints.
• Runway repairs and security works to
re-open Bost airfi eld (the main access
node for the UN and NGOs).


link broken.

http://www................rusi.org/downloads/assets/Sherwood_0207_RDS.pdf

wylo

But you do hear about that all the time, maybe not the specifics but in general you always hear politicians and the media use the words "rebuilding Afghanistan".

Tbh I would imagine theres alot more negatives than positives that you dont hear about.

BrianD

lazybhoy wrote: »

Its curious that antis will accuse NATO forces in A-Stan of being murderers, occupying etc, even though the mission has a UN mandate etc and democratic govt. Yet never mention the good work going on.

I wouldn't agree. Of all the campaigns that NATO has been involved in you very few people vilify the wests involvement in Afghanastan. The US invasion of Iraq was based on flimsy rationale, Saddam was no worse than many other regimes that are tolerated elsewhere. Without sanctions the Iraqis would have enjoyed an alright standard of living. In A-stan as you call it, there was a real breakdown of civilisation and ordinary people suffered in the name of religion.

I think the reason you don't see the good work going on is that military images sell TV news bulletins.

cabinteelytom

Public relations is a major role of the modern army on tour abroad; that, and covert operations which one only learns about years later. We may not have heard of accomodation built for midwives.... in Lashgah Gar they've probably heard of little else.
Heard on the radio recently; in Afghanistan coalition nations spend 100 million dollars per day killing Afghans, and 3 million dollars a day aiding Afghans.

lazybhoy

cabinteelytom wrote: »

Public relations is a major role of the modern army on tour abroad; that, and covert operations which one only learns about years later. We may not have heard of accomodation built for midwives.... in Lashgah Gar they've probably heard of little else.
Heard on the radio recently; in Afghanistan coalition nations spend 100 million dollars per day killing Afghans, and 3 million dollars a day aiding Afghans.

They are not spending money killing Afghans :rolleyes:

They are spending money fighting the Taliban most of whom are Pakistani.

Do you have a link for your stat ?

TomRooney

lazybhoy wrote: »

Its curious that antis will accuse NATO forces in A-Stan of being murderers, occupying etc, even though the mission has a UN mandate etc and democratic govt. Yet never mention the good work going on.

Heres a few of the things the Royal Engineers did in 2006-07, things most dont hear about.


By the end of the tour
in March 2007, the Regiment had enabled
the construction of over 80 projects with the
number of municipal projects outnumbering
security infrastructure projects. These
projects included:
• Two-storey reinforced concrete
accommodation for trainee midwives
at Lashkar Gah hospital.
• Over 3km of new tarmac roads and
concrete drainage system.
• Over 30 classrooms and ablution blocks
at a variety of schools across Helmand.
• Eighteen new police stations and vehicle
checkpoints.
• Runway repairs and security works to
re-open Bost airfi eld (the main access
node for the UN and NGOs).


link broken.

http://www................rusi.org/downloads/assets/Sherwood_0207_RDS.pdf

REALY why do you people keep posting rubbish about the British Army and there colonial conquests, Nobody cares what they do, this is Boards .IE as in IRELAND not boards .UK

you people realy need to stop this unhealthy obssosion with Foreign armys, we have our own you know.

ps i know there are 3 or 4 members of the PDF in AFG, but that doesnt justify a whole thread dedicated to the subject of british army

Local-womanizer

TomRooney wrote: »

REALY why do you people keep posting rubbish about the British Army and there colonial conquests, Nobody cares what they do, this is Boards .IE as in IRELAND not boards .UK

you people realy need to stop this unhealthy obssosion with Foreign armys, we have our own you know.

ps i know there are 3 or 4 members of the PDF in AFG, but that doesnt justify a whole thread dedicated to the subject of british army

It is a military thread,wheres the harm.

lazybhoy

TomRooney wrote: »

REALY why do you people keep posting rubbish about the British Army and there colonial conquests, Nobody cares what they do, this is Boards .IE as in IRELAND not boards .UK

you people realy need to stop this unhealthy obssosion with Foreign armys, we have our own you know.

ps i know there are 3 or 4 members of the PDF in AFG, but that doesnt justify a whole thread dedicated to the subject of british army

Why do you post on another board and claim to be a supporter of Republican Sinn Fein ?

Yet on here a former member of the Irish army ......dont think so.

iceage

Question. If hypothetically, I was to ask certain posters on the military thread had they anything constructive to offer in a round about way, would I receive a ban?

Also, hypothetically of course, if I was to ask certain posters have they anything constructive to offer to said thread, but in a round about way mentioned that they have fcuk all constructive to say and should piss off because thet might be causing offence to members of the military thread, would I receive a ban?

And hypothetically, if certain posters opened their eyes they would see that there are many Armies mentioned here, good, bad and indifferant, and not all are British by the way would they take any notice? would I receive a ban?

Lastly, hypothetically of course...If I was to quietly mention to a certain poster that yes we know, what is going on, and the whys and wayfores and that if he/she was to stop preaching like a net generated Morpheus they might not get their ass banned as often as they brag about. Would I receive a ban?

There are a lot of posters here with plenty to offer, Manic, Leadership, Poc, Bigduffman, Local, etc. I truly enjoy dropping in for a scaze, to keep up to date with ALL things military and generally a bit of a p!sstake and in some small way offer my own..misely as they are. My intention has never been to nag or bemoan or attempt to belittle with info, browbeat with links to endless arguments. Would I receive a ban?

Apologies for going off topic, but I'm a bit pissed off as you've probably noticed. Long day, broke down, towed home and not in the best of humour but I still dropped in to have a scaze as I always do. Would I receive a ban?

For the record, Poster not pissed but 5 more and I will be..

Hard Larry

iceage wrote: »

Question. If hypothetically, I was to ask certain posters on the military thread had they anything constructive to offer in a round about way, would I receive a ban?

Also, hypothetically of course, if I was to ask certain posters have they anything constructive to offer to said thread, but in a round about way mentioned that they have fcuk all constructive to say and should piss off because thet might be causing offence to members of the military thread, would I receive a ban?

And hypothetically, if certain posters opened their eyes they would see that there are many Armies mentioned here, good, bad and indifferant, and not all are British by the way would they take any notice? would I receive a ban?

Lastly, hypothetically of course...If I was to quietly mention to a certain poster that yes we know, what is going on, and the whys and wayfores and that if he/she was to stop preaching like a net generated Morpheus they might not get their ass banned as often as they brag about. Would I receive a ban?

There are a lot of posters here with plenty to offer, Manic, Leadership, Poc, Bigduffman, Local, etc. I truly enjoy dropping in for a scaze, to keep up to date with ALL things military and generally a bit of a p!sstake and in some small way offer my own..misely as they are. My intention has never been to nag or bemoan or attempt to belittle with info, browbeat with links to endless arguments. Would I receive a ban?

Apologies for going off topic, but I'm a bit pissed off as you've probably noticed. Long day, broke down, towed home and not in the best of humour but I still dropped in to have a scaze as I always do. Would I receive a ban?

For the record, Poster not pissed but 5 more and I will be..

Cheer up mate.

I hate it when cars and trucks break down

it just becomes a never ending circle of...
MONEY, POWER, OIL, MONEY, OIL, POWER, MONEY, CONTROL

Poccington

I've had to say this in another thread already but it looks like I'll have to say it again.

THIS IS NOT THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES FORUM.

I don't have to mention names but if this ****e keeps happening in threads, Infractions and Bans are going to follow.

TomRooney

lazybhoy wrote: »

Why do you post on another board and claim to be a supporter of Republican Sinn Fein ?

Yet on here a former member of the Irish army ......dont think so.

what the hell are you talking about....?

Manic Moran

On that note, today is the first day of my Afghanistan deployment, involved with an ISAF Provincial Reconstruction Team. I will have a reduced presence on Boards for a while.

NTM

Local-womanizer

Manic Moran wrote: »

On that note, today is the first day of my Afghanistan deployment, involved with an ISAF Provincial Reconstruction Team. I will have a reduced presence on Boards for a while.

NTM

Have a safe one.

Tribunius

Local-womanizer wrote: »

Have a safe one.

I'll second that.

iceage

+1. Have a safe tour. Take loads of pics I'm told the light is amazing.

Manic Moran

Afghanistan is now officially doomed.

http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20090414/NEWS/904149988/1045

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20090415/NEWS/904149842/1070&ParentProfile=1058

NTM

Local-womanizer

Manic Moran wrote: »

Afghanistan is now officially doomed.

http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20090414/NEWS/904149988/1045

NTM

A tour of Duty in Las Vegas first,not to bad!:pac:

Manic Moran

Sadly, we won't be around long enough to enjoy it.

Still, it's nice to have the squadron HQ there. I've spent a few weeks in Vegas at the taxpayer's expense in the past...

NTM

Fratton Fred

Nicholas T Moran?? Sounds like a good old American boy to me!!!

Break a leg, or whatever the correct phrase is, you do us proud.

mysterious

Double post.

mysterious

Why was my post deleted?


Where is the specific reasoning for this kind of ignorance, and I would appreciate it back up. Thanks in advanced.


All the best mysterious:)

Poccington

mysterious wrote: »

Why was my post deleted?


Where is the specific reasoning for this kind of ignorance, and I would appreciate it back up. Thanks in advanced.


All the best mysterious:)

None of the deleted posts are going back up.

All the best, Poccington.

mysterious

So you deleted it, cus you felt" like it?

You still haven't given reasoning, and so far you've proved nothing but ignorance on your part. That is not acceptable.

iceage

Let me guess. Ahhh... you posted that you would like to wish Manic Moran a safe trip, only drink bottled water, use plenty of sunblock and send a postcard??

Am I close? I doubt it.

Poccington

mysterious wrote: »

So you deleted it, cus you felt" like it?

You still haven't given reasoning, and so far you've proved nothing but ignorance on your part. That is not acceptable.

I have no reason to explain on here why I deleted the posts.

If you don't like it, take it to Help Desk. Keep questioning my decisions and claiming Forum members are ignorant, expect Infractions to follow.

Manic Moran

iceage wrote: »

Let me guess. Ahhh... you posted that you would like to wish Manic Moran a safe trip, only drink bottled water, use plenty of sunblock and send a postcard??

Did he? Cool. I think this is likely to turn into a blog thread...

http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/19204886/index.html
http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/19214813/index.html
http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/19244645/index.html

Currently in Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Just got our latest delivery of goodies. Army is starting to give us some very good kit now, the ECWS (snivel gear) provides a serious amount of flexibility, and seems to be good quality. Received a replacement MOLLE set, now in ACU instead of green, also the ruck got some improvements. Yet more vaccinations, but I escaped smallpox and anthrax courtesy of my previous jaunt. Being run ragged trying to get all our administrative stuff out of the way before going into the training cycle proper.

NTM

minidazzler

Manic Moran wrote: »

Did he? Cool. I think this is likely to turn into a blog thread...

http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/19204886/index.html
http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/19214813/index.html
http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/19244645/index.html

Currently in Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Just got our latest delivery of goodies. Army is starting to give us some very good kit now, the ECWS (snivel gear) provides a serious amount of flexibility, and seems to be good quality. Received a replacement MOLLE set, now in ACU instead of green, also the ruck got some improvements. Yet more vaccinations, but I escaped smallpox and anthrax courtesy of my previous jaunt. Being run ragged trying to get all our administrative stuff out of the way before going into the training cycle proper.

NTM

In the second Video where the National Guardsman is Saluting whoever is in the Suit, Is that Guardsman you? Look like you from the pics you posted Elsewhere.

Manic Moran

No, that's the Squadron Commander. He's almost my height, wears the same colour cav hat.
Guy in suit is governor.
NTM

minidazzler

Manic Moran wrote: »

No, that's the Squadron Commander. He's almost my height, wears the same colour cav hat.
Guy in suit is governor.
NTM

Ya, I was wondering why "you" were a Lt. Col. there, makes sense now thanks.

iceage

Just got to watch those Manic moran, thanks. 12 month deployment with US forces FFS and in some cases an extention to 15 months! It seems that this is to become the norm with US forces overseas and with other forces as well, Leadership you might be able to cast light on this for me, my understanding was that all UK forces say, deployed to oversea theatre for no longer than a 6 month period, is this to change?

OS119

iceage wrote: »

Just got to watch those Manic moran, thanks. 12 month deployment with US forces FFS and in some cases an extention to 15 months! It seems that this is to become the norm with US forces overseas and with other forces as well, Leadership you might be able to cast light on this for me, my understanding was that all UK forces say, deployed to oversea theatre for no longer than a 6 month period, is this to change?

the tour is 6 months, but with build-up, OPTAG and then post tour 'decompression' and leave you're getting towards a 10 month 'package'.

there's some (informal, 'bar-stool') argument for a 12 month tour with the attendant increase in time between tours, but while many regulars might welcome it the TA are going nuts. i think that almost regardless of legislation if a TA soldier was away from his employer for 16 months he'd be out of a job.

good luck MM, have a really good time with PRT, its a fantastic job - just grow that beard boy!

iceage

Cheers for that OS119. As I thought.

Manic Moran

OS119 wrote: »

there's some (informal, 'bar-stool') argument for a 12 month tour with the attendant increase in time between tours,

The main advantages to long tours are expense, efficiency, and effectiveness. For starters, it costs a lot of money to move thousands of troops and their equipment around the globe. Every time you have a tour, you have another train-up/OPTAG, which is time not on leave, and time not on mission. And thirdly, it takes a few months to really get to know what you are doing and to build relationships with the locals. On a short tour, once you've finally managed to build trust and an intimate (read: useful) knowledge of the terrain, it's time to go and the cycle starts over again.

NTM

G3-Nut

Manic Moran wrote: »

The main advantages to long tours are expense, efficiency, and effectiveness. For starters, it costs a lot of money to move thousands of troops and their equipment around the globe. Every time you have a tour, you have another train-up/OPTAG, which is time not on leave, and time not on mission. And thirdly, it takes a few months to really get to know what you are doing and to build relationships with the locals. On a short tour, once you've finally managed to build trust and an intimate (read: useful) knowledge of the terrain, it's time to go and the cycle starts over again.

NTM

Hows the weather over there bud? il be there in a few months myself!

good luck.

goldie fish

Manic Moran wrote: »

No, that's the Squadron Commander. He's almost my height, wears the same colour cav hat.
Guy in suit is governor.
NTM

You wear a kilgore hat nowdays?

OS119

Manic Moran wrote: »

The main advantages to long tours are expense, efficiency, and effectiveness. For starters, it costs a lot of money to move thousands of troops and their equipment around the globe. Every time you have a tour, you have another train-up/OPTAG, which is time not on leave, and time not on mission. And thirdly, it takes a few months to really get to know what you are doing and to build relationships with the locals. On a short tour, once you've finally managed to build trust and an intimate (read: useful) knowledge of the terrain, it's time to go and the cycle starts over again.

NTM

yeah, thats the argument - its a very attractive one in operational terms, the concern here is whether (after our tradition of 6 month tours, especially with the TA) you'd have much of an army left to exploit the advantages!

i fear the long-haired generals might get a little upset at the prospect of 16 months babysitting...

Manic Moran

I think the US Army has pretty much come to terms with 12-month-tours as the 'standard' so there isn't so much of a lash against that. Bear in mind that wars used to be 'for the duration', so even that isn't too much of a burden compared to that our grandfathers bore. It's the lack of 'dewll time' in between tours that's annoying people. They can live with a year away, if they get two or three years at home. For a while it was '15 months away, less than a year at home' which was causing the problem.

il be there in a few months myself!

Doing what?

NTM

G3-Nut

Manic Moran wrote: »

I think the US Army has pretty much come to terms with 12-month-tours as the 'standard' so there isn't so much of a lash against that. Bear in mind that wars used to be 'for the duration', so even that isn't too much of a burden compared to that our grandfathers bore. It's the lack of 'dewll time' in between tours that's annoying people. They can live with a year away, if they get two or three years at home. For a while it was '15 months away, less than a year at home' which was causing the problem.



Doing what?

NTM

I will be one of the 1000 extra turkish troops being sent over.

Manic Moran

A Turkish soldier... in Carlow?

What accent do you have?

(You realise that as I'm half Greek, I'm morally obliged to shoot you should I meet you, right? Of course, since only half Greek, a simple wounding will suffice)

NTM

Poccington

Best of luck over there Manic, keep your head on a swivel and tell the Afghans that you're Irish, apparently everyone likes Irish people. :pac:

G3-Nut

Manic Moran wrote: »

A Turkish soldier... in Carlow?

What accent do you have?

(You realise that as I'm half Greek, I'm morally obliged to shoot you should I meet you, right? Of course, since only half Greek, a simple wounding will suffice)

NTM

been living in Ireland since 1997, so im equipped with a carlow accent haha. in 3 weeks im flying back home to start training:eek:

Lmao do yourself a favour and have a chat with the greek guy Niko who owns a coffee shop across the street from my auntys flat in istanbul, he will enlighten you on how in real life greeks and turks dont argue that bad in the civvie world, as for the internet, its a bunch of 12 year old turks, arguing with a bunch of 12 year old greeks what do you expect:rolleyes:


BEst of luck over there mate, are yu going over with the greeks or the US?

Manic Moran

Life continues. Had the pleasure of watching some Navy and Air Force types (we're a mixed bag) going through their equipment issue, and trying to figure out the tactical sling and drop-leg holster. Eventually "Why don't you ask one of the Army guys how to put that stuff together...?"

Am walking around with just a sidearm. We've got so many volunteers to come on this mission with us that we don't have enough rifles for everyone, I had to turn my rifle in for reassignment. We're seriously overstrength. Hopefully we will get a refill.

NTM

Manic Moran

Just found out today that there are at least nine sibling pairs in our unit (incl one set of twins) and at least one father-son pairing.

Interesting.

NTM

minidazzler

Manic Moran wrote: »

Just found out today that there are at least nine sibling pairs in our unit (incl one set of twins) and at least one father-son pairing.

Interesting.

NTM

Please tell me that the Son is a higher rank than the father!!!

Are they Identical twins? I would hate to be the enemy staring down them. "Hey didn't I just get you?"

Manic Moran

Had a crack at the HMMWV rollover trainer the other day.

Kindof a fun ride, except for that minute or so that you're upside down with half the weight on your neck as you're trying to resist the weight of the body armour breaking it. The inability to bend is also a bit annoying when trying to reorient yourself in the small space after undoing the seat belt and falling to the ceiling. I did better than our S-2, who had his airway blocked and had to be rescued. Both times.

You really do have to take a bit of a pause after you're righted yourself though. I spent a couple of seconds wondering why the door was so far away from me, and how the hell the TC got between me and it.

Manic Moran

The focus of training here is on the PRTs, Provincial Reconstruction Teams. The 'ground-owning' units are something of an afterthought at this particular mobilisation station. (This isn't a surprise, our primary purpose for mobilising is to work with the PRTs). However, it does mean that we're not much of a priority for training, and those of us who drive desks have even less to do for now.

Got out and about the last couple of days though, on the convoy lanes. Fired what will probably be the only ten rounds of ball ammo for this mobilisation outside of confirming my zero.

It's amusing, though, to see the difference between 'schoolhouse' and 'real world.' We've already noted a few differences, and I had great pleasure in watching an instructor's reaction when an officer who's home on leave from Afghanistan commented that they do precisely the opposite of what's taught...

NTM

Manic Moran

Taking a long weekend, flew back to California. I should travel in uniform more often, US Airways bumped me to 1st Class both legs.

NTM

iceage

Bonus! I see nothin wrong with that, thoroughly earned and deserved....its the way it should be:) up there with all the totty n celebs, in the words of a wise man, Rock on Tommy!

minidazzler

Manic Moran wrote: »

Taking a long weekend, flew back to California. I should travel in uniform more often, US Airways bumped me to 1st Class both legs.

NTM

Very nice!!!! And well deserved I must add! Hope you are enjoying the training!!!



(Also, I have to say, I am delighted I finally know what NTM stands for!!! I though it was Not The Momma for a long time(don't ask!!!) Now I know what it stands for!!! Except the "T", but I assume that stands for Tiberius, just for cool factor, and please don't correct me, I prefer it this way!!)

Manic Moran

Flew back again. Delta, this time. No class upgrade, but did get a round of applause on the first flight, and moved to an exit row on the second (Plus a free $2 headset...)

Someone seems to have low expectations. From the local Fox news affiliate...

NTM