Rebuilding Afghanistan

Manic Moran

If you fly UAVs around for long enough, eventually you'll get lucky.

Imagine the joy, then, when the UAV finds a group of about fifteen lads digging a couple of holes in the road at 1am. Been here five months, our first hit. And they're all clustered nice and close together.

Well, might as well do the job right. Call in an airstrike. As we wait for the F-15s to show up, we lay the 155mms on spots about 100m to each side of them. If the bomb misses, they'll scarper. Right into where the artillery is laid.

A fairly reasonable plan, one might think. We thought so too.

Until there was an ND or AD with the 155mm. Round goes downrange, VT fuse detonates a distance away from the opposition. Opposition scatters to the four winds. Stunned silence in the CP. Everyone's head turns to the artillery commander, who had turned white.

Fortunately, the opposition were stupid. After a short while, they started gathering together again. A couple of 500lbrs later, there were six less of them. The remainder, we tracked to a couple of houses. Send out the troops. The 500lbrs just completely vapourised the targets. Our lads couldn't find the bodies.

Conduct a few raids, pick up a bunch of detainees. Except one valley which seemed to take exception to our raiding them. Apaches killed four. Kiowas got a couple as well. And just for the sake of it, our vehicle MGs also got at least three. Afghan forces got into the fight as well, catching a number of lads. They're very willing to fight, a little too enthusiastic, sometimes.

One wounded on our side, a medic who was treating an enemy wounded suffered a grazing wound to the arm. He was holding the IV bag up, dove for cover when the shooting started. Didn't let go of the IV bag. Can't have been pleasant for the recipient of the IV. (Not that we had much sympathy for him, mind).

Final tally, about 15 dead, some half-dozen captured. We think the cell may have been responsible for both the dog handler's death a while ago, and also a chap killed in the neighbouring AO yesterday. (Bomb in a culvert: He was checking the culvert, they blew it).

We're marking today down as 'a good day'.

NTM

citizen_p

any pictures taking latley??? (not of the above incidents but just in general)

a pictures worth a thousand words.

helimachoptor

Manic, in this particular incident (or even in general) From the time you see the enemy until you fire some artillery or drop some bombs what's the timeframe? Is there much red tape to go through? Presuming you have solid evidence said people are up to no good?


Also some random questions!
1) If your in the crapper and you call in air support what plane/chopper do you want would you choose?

2) Is there much fraternisation out there between the sexes?

3) Whats the first thing you'll do when you get home?

4) On your next deployment if you had a choice, Iraq or Afghanistan?

5) You've mentioned the ANA a few times, are you friendly with any of them or is the relationship a "do what i tell you so you dont get us killed" relationship?

6) Not sure if you lads have Xbox/PS3 but I presume you have laptops, do many of the soldiers playing FPS games?

7)Have you had any VIPs visit the base?

+1 on the pics!

Manic Moran

helimachoptor wrote: »

Manic, in this particular incident (or even in general) From the time you see the enemy until you fire some artillery or drop some bombs what's the timeframe?

You will forgive me if I don't answer that question.

Is there much red tape to go through?

There are a number of checks and procedures in place. If we sort things out right at this end, they don't take too long though. The main problem isn't the 'how long it takes to shoot' issue, it's the 'can we shoot' issue.

Also some random questions!
1) If your in the crapper and you call in air support what plane/chopper do you want would you choose?

Stupid question. The one that gets to me first.

2) Is there much fraternisation out there between the sexes?

If there is, I'm not getting any of it. Doesn't seem to have affected operations much, at any rate.

3) Whats the first thing you'll do when you get home?

Beer. Sex. Buy a fast car. Normal guy stuff. Then start job-hunting.

4) On your next deployment if you had a choice, Iraq or Afghanistan?

Afghanistan has more to do. Weather's nicer in Iraq.

5) You've mentioned the ANA a few times, are you friendly with any of them or is the relationship a "do what i tell you so you dont get us killed" relationship?

We're on a 'partner' basis. I won't say we're friends, but we work on mutual trust. Sometimes they'll take off and charge the enemy when we don't want them to, the biggest problem is keeping a rein on them.

6) Not sure if you lads have Xbox/PS3 but I presume you have laptops, do many of the soldiers playing FPS games?

When my new Sager shows up, I'll be joining them playing Unreal Tournament. I'd rather Steel Beasts, but unfortunately they're on a UT kick right now. Quite a number of PSs/XBoxes around. A lot of people have projectors so it gets displayed in huge-o-vision on the walls.

7)Have you had any VIPs visit the base?

Governors of Illinois and Nevada, a few General Officers. Nobody too famous, this is a small enough base.

NTM

helimachoptor

Thanks Manic

helimachoptor

Some more questions if I may....

1) Would you or any of your guys be tempted to sign up full time?

2) How much time do the enlisted lads get to spend online per week/month?

3) Is there a mix of the services on base? If so is there much competition to go out on missions or are missions just assigned to a unit and thats that?

4) Do you get to go to any of the other major US bases much?

5) Also when/if ever do you expect/hope to be promoted to Major?

6) What other coalition soldiers are the best equipped that you have dealt with?

7) Do you guys have movie nights? If so how often and whats the most popular genre?

8) Has there been anytimes where you've really thought that you were going to die?

9) How would you feel about being deployed to an American city a la "The Siege" with Bruce Willis and Denzel Wahsington

10) What piece of equipment do you feel if you went without would really damage your ability to solider out there?

11) Is there a lot of formality on base, will enlisted men stop to salute you?

12) What changes would you make the the ANA training (if any)?

thanks, and feel free to shoot down any of these questions

Victor

helimachoptor wrote: »

8) Has there been anytimes where you've really thought that you were going to die?

1am-8am on his wedding night :pac:

Manic Moran

Given that Bruce Willis never got anywhere with his Deuce Four movie, the possibility of my being world famous suffered a bit of a setback.

However, another war, another movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucONmKO4CPU

Some more questions if I may....

1) Would you or any of your guys be tempted to sign up full time?

Me: No. I like living where I do. The Army would make me get up and move around every couple of years. I vastly prefer the San Francisco area to Fort Bliss or Ft Riley. My lads, usually not. A number have volunteered to extend in theatre a couple of months, but every now and then someone will choose to go active.

2) How much time do the enlisted lads get to spend online per week/month?

Depends on where they are, how much they're willing to pay, and how little they want to sleep. Anyone who wants to get online, in our area at least, can do so without too much trouble.

3) Is there a mix of the services on base? If so is there much competition to go out on missions or are missions just assigned to a unit and thats that?

Air Force are here as well. A very small contingent of Marines. No competition, we each have our areas of focus.

4) Do you get to go to any of the other major US bases much?

No. Arrived in country via Bagram. I've been to Jalalabad twice. Otherwise, Warehouse (in Kabul) which is multi-national, and Surobi, the French base. I'll be swinging by JBAD later this week for a daytrip. Get some Green Bean coffee. Over Christmas, I intend to go via BAF and Kandahar to Qalat. I have no great need to go to the larger bases, this one is still sized well enough to have all the creature-comforts I would need, but not big enough to have the Garrison Factor come into play.

5) Also when/if ever do you expect/hope to be promoted to Major?

I will not be eligible for another 16 months. I would not expect the promotion for about three or four years. Careers tend to stagnate at Captain for a while, there are more Captains in the army than any other rank.

6) What other coalition soldiers are the best equipped that you have dealt with?

I've only really worked with the French. They've got some equipment that is better than ours, and some ours is better than theirs.

7) Do you guys have movie nights? If so how often and whats the most popular genre?

They tried doing that a couple of times, never really took off. The most recent was Animal House.

8) Has there been anytimes where you've really thought that you were going to die?

No. Though I don't like helicopters much.

9) How would you feel about being deployed to an American city a la "The Siege" with Bruce Willis and Denzel Wahsington

Hasn't really come up yet. We were preparing for riot control in March 2003, we didn't have a problem with it.

10) What piece of equipment do you feel if you went without would really damage your ability to solider out there?

Rifle.

11) Is there a lot of formality on base, will enlisted men stop to salute you?

No, for two reasons. 1) You don't need to stop to salute, you can keep walking. 2) As I mentioned this base is small enough to avoid the garrison problem.

At the bigger bases, it's a case of "I went to a war, and a garrison broke out." I will long remember the dry cleaning/pressing service at Anaconda doing good business. Who in God's name is going to get their DCUs pressed and starched in Iraq?
Was taking the bus around Bagram, chatting with the driver. He related a story he once picked up a Major General, who just wanted to be dropped off a couple of hundred meters up the road. "Why don't you just walk it?" "My arm is too tired, I'm fed up of all the saluting" "Well, you're a general, why don't you change it?" "I'm just a two-star, I can't actually do anything"

12) What changes would you make the the ANA training (if any)?

Nothing really comes to mind. They're really not that bad. The problem is that they're being used operationally, which reduces the time available to train. We're partnered with a CS Kandak (One recon coy, one engineer coy, one artillery coy, and a headquarters), but they're not training for their engineering or recon roles etc, they're all playing infantry. Great if you want infantrymen, not so great if you want engineers.

NTM

helimachoptor

Thanks Manic, most likely I'll think of a few more...

Did you guys hear the Marcus Luttrell 911 call? If so what did you think?

Do you know any guys personally that have had serious trouble settling back into "normal" life when their tour is over?

Did you have to give up your job (if you had one before deployment) I thought your jobs were protected during service.

Would you consider a secondment to another branch of the US armed forces (if you were staying in country) or another army?

How often are vehicles out of service due to the road conditions out there?

Have you lost any tanks/APC type vehicles to driver error?

Manic Moran

helimachoptor wrote: »

Thanks Manic, most likely I'll think of a few more...

What are you trying to do, research for a paper?

Did you guys hear the Marcus Luttrell 911 call? If so what did you think?

Who is Marcus Luttrell? (Goes to Google)

Do you know any guys personally that have had serious trouble settling back into "normal" life when their tour is over?

No.

Did you have to give up your job (if you had one before deployment) I thought your jobs were protected during service.

They are. There are occasional court cases on the issue, they usually end up poorly for the employer. I'm a special case: While I've been away, it seems that my job has vanished on me. Not that I was fired, just that the position no longer exists because my employer lost the contract I worked for. Theoretically my employer must offer me a similar or better position elsewhere in the company, but I was the only employee on the California Coast, so even if they did offer, I probably wouldn't take it.

Would you consider a secondment to another branch of the US armed forces (if you were staying in country) or another army?

I go where they tell me.

How often are vehicles out of service due to the road conditions out there?

Not too often. We've got some down due to broken suspensions or transmission issues, but they're not usually down for too long.

Have you lost any tanks/APC type vehicles to driver error?

One DASH, possibly due to driver error. Or maybe the ground just collapsed beneath it.

We've had other vehicles roll due to either the road giving way or the driver messing up, but they were recovered in a few hours. The only way we could get the DASH back up the hill was to blow it into more manageable pieces.

NTM

helimachoptor

Manic Moran wrote: »

What are you trying to do, research for a paper?

Actually yes but nothing to do with Afghanistan/War fighting/Terroism.. Military History/Operations/Tactics is just something I have an interest in.


About 7/8 years ago my friends uncle was over visiting from the US, we were heading out boozing as young lads do, my friend told me he was in the Rangers.. Anyway we got to chatting and he started telling me (and pretty soon the whole pub) about his experience in the Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down) I've never had a more surreal or enlightening experience, the guy talked for well over 3 hours on what happened, losing friends, killing people, tears in his eyes for pretty much the whole time.

I'm probably out of questions for a while anyway...

helimachoptor

I've got a few more questions if thats ok

1) Roughly hw many bullets have you personally fired on your tour?

2) Do you need to report in how many bullets have been fired (in your unit) to the supply clerk/quartermaster?

3) If you had to chose any other military job out there what would it be? Intel specialist, Medic, Artillery gunner etc.

4)If you need to just be alone and zone out do you go to your hut or some where else on base?

5)How good is the food on base?

6) Do you get care packages from home much?

7) Finally have you guys got a pool going on what politician will turn up in Afghanistan around Christmas time?

citizen_p

helimachoptor wrote: »

I've got a few more questions if thats ok

1) Roughly hw many bullets have you personally fired on your tour?

2) Do you need to report in how many bullets have been fired (in your unit) to the supply clerk/quartermaster?

3) If you had to chose any other military job out there what would it be? Intel specialist, Medic, Artillery gunner etc.

4)If you need to just be alone and zone out do you go to your hut or some where else on base?

5)How good is the food on base?

6) Do you get care packages from home much?

7) Finally have you guys got a pool going on what politician will turn up in Afghanistan around Christmas time?

wouldnt say hed be allowed answer the last one......

just incase your a talliban spy. :P

helimachoptor

Mousey- wrote: »

wouldnt say hed be allowed answer the last one......

just incase your a talliban spy. :P

Probably right but in general usually the VP/SecDef etc will make an unannounced visit to Bagram/Kabul have some turkey and then leave. I'd highly suspect the Taliban will be expecting it aswell!

Poccington

helimachoptor wrote: »

About 7/8 years ago my friends uncle was over visiting from the US, we were heading out boozing as young lads do, my friend told me he was in the Rangers.. Anyway we got to chatting and he started telling me (and pretty soon the whole pub) about his experience in the Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down) I've never had a more surreal or enlightening experience, the guy talked for well over 3 hours on what happened, losing friends, killing people, tears in his eyes for pretty much the whole time.

What was his name?

helimachoptor

Poccington wrote: »

What was his name?

To be perfectly honest, I have no idea but i'll drop a txt to my friend now and see what I get back

Son Of A Vidic

Going by the title of this thread - Post the Soviet occupation and the Northern Alliance/Taliban war, was there anything left to rebuild anyway?
Long term the Taliban won't be defeated, an accommodation will have to be reached. The best case scenario I think is Taliban reintegration in exchange for the removal/destruction of all foreign fighter/Al Qaeda elements. In the meantime, the Military Industrial complex will continue to put it's troops in the firing line for a couple of more years.

junder

medicman2009 wrote: »

Going by the title of this thread - Post the Soviet occupation and the Northern Alliance/Taliban war, was there anything left to rebuild anyway?
Long term the Taliban won't be defeated, an accommodation will have to be reached. The best case scenario I think is Taliban reintegration in exchange for the removal/destruction of all foreign fighter/Al Qaeda elements. In the meantime, the Military Industrial complex will continue to put it's troops in the firing line for a couple of more years.

I think that will be the eventual solution but not until atleat another 20 years of intercene conflict, the reason why the peace process in Northern Ireland came about is because all sides had become tired of the conflict attrition and worn all sides down, until such athing happens in afghan there is little chance of a political outcome

Manic Moran

helimachoptor wrote: »

I've got a few more questions if thats ok

1) Roughly hw many bullets have you personally fired on your tour?

About fifteen, on the zero range. I have half a mind to go back to the range next week, as it happens, just to confirm zero and make sure the rifle still works.

2) Do you need to report in how many bullets have been fired (in your unit) to the supply clerk/quartermaster?

No.

3) If you had to chose any other military job out there what would it be? Intel specialist, Medic, Artillery gunner etc.

Wouldn't mind being a tanker again.

4)If you need to just be alone and zone out do you go to your hut or some where else on base?

Hut.

5)How good is the food on base?

More nutritious than delicious. For 'mass-served food' it's not actually that bad, but we're all looking forward to a proper steak upon our return to civilisation.

6) Do you get care packages from home much?

Yes, and not just from home. From random people. I'm getting cookies and other snacks faster than I can eat them.

7) Finally have you guys got a pool going on what politician will turn up in Afghanistan around Christmas time?

No. Hasn't even been a topic of conversation. Besides, Christmas is ages away yet.

NTM

Manic Moran

The opposition around here have had a few very bad days.

Working on information recently obtained, our friendly neighbourhood people in black helicopters have paid some of the locals a visit or two. Fortunately, in both cases the opposition decided to make a bit of a fight of it, with the result that we no longer need to worry about the catch-and-release-programme. I think the tally's about 12 more dead, four detained.

Point to note: Whenever something like this happens, immediately hold a meeting with the local townsfolk to explain it. Failing to do so will allow the opposition to spin all sorts of rumours.

Speaking of rumours, our black soldiers scare the hell out of the locals. Apparently the word has gotten out that they're cannibals.

NTM

helimachoptor

Manic Moran wrote: »

Speaking of rumours, our black soldiers scare the hell out of the locals. Apparently the word has gotten out that they're cannibals.

NTM

Jebus, Manic whats the recial breakdown of your unit if you dont mind answering?

Manic Moran

Predominantly (as in some 85%) white. Figure about 5% black, the rest vaguely asiatic or latino.

Nevada is not known for being a diverse State.

NTM

Victor

Manic Moran wrote: »

... our friendly neighbourhood people in black helicopters ... our black soldiers ...

Winning combination? :pac:

ddef

just out of curiosity ManicMoran, what rank are you?

Manic Moran

Hauptmann.

NTM

concussion

I would have gone with Primo Capitano myself

helimachoptor

Poccington wrote: »

What was his name?

Guys name was Eric Marak/Merek went by the name Ernie, was a corporal (maybe a sergeant) passed away about a year ago.

Manic Moran

We now are starting to have pretty firm dates on when our replacements are scheduled to show up. They've mobilised and have started their train-up cycle. We're also talking about the demobilisation process (which is a little more complicated than 'get in helicopter, get out at Vegas, go home). Still, not quite the start of the downhill run, but we can see the crest from here.

Poor buggers are probably freezing to death in Indiana right now.

NTM

Skyhawk1990

Have you or any of the other lads learned anything new from your tour so far that you'd apply to future deployments/training? If so what? (if you can tell us:p)

helimachoptor

Manic, how soon before the troops deploy will your replacement come out, or will he come out at the same time?

Any idea how long you will have at home before your next deployment?

iceage

Manic Moran wrote: »

Poor buggers are probably freezing to death in Indiana right now.
NTM

Hows the weather with you at the minute Manic?

Manic Moran

Have you or any of the other lads learned anything new from your tour so far that you'd apply to future deployments/training? If so what? (if you can tell us

We've certainly learned a lot about the overall war and strategy in Afghanistan which we didn't know before we came here, but it's not something which can be imparted as much as experienced. The best advice we've given our replacements is the various different courses which need to be taken before they get over here, to save on their man-hours/availability.

Manic, how soon before the troops deploy will your replacement come out, or will he come out at the same time?

Not sure I understand the question. Our replacements will be here late February. I'll be out of here late March. It's about a three-four week hand-off process.

Any idea how long you will have at home before your next deployment?

Unsure. In theory four or five years. That would require my staying in this unit. In practice, I've no idea what unit I'll be in in five years, so I won't know where they are on the deployment cycle until I move in.

Hows the weather with you at the minute Manic?

Definitely breaking 'Chilly' at night, you don't want to be out for too long without a jacket. Highs remain about 15, with lows dipping to about 5.

Off for another helicopter ride to Nuristan tomorrow. Daytrip.

NTM

helimachoptor

Manic Moran wrote: »

Not sure I understand the question. Our replacements will be here late February. I'll be out of here late March. It's about a three-four week hand-off process.

sorry i mean will the officer replacing you, will he come before his troops or with them?

ynotdu

medicman2009 wrote: »

Going by the title of this thread - Post the Soviet occupation and the Northern Alliance/Taliban war, was there anything left to rebuild anyway?
Long term the Taliban won't be defeated, an accommodation will have to be reached. The best case scenario I think is Taliban reintegration in exchange for the removal/destruction of all foreign fighter/Al Qaeda elements. In the meantime, the Military Industrial complex will continue to put it's troops in the firing line for a couple of more years.

Hi medicman,at the risk of repeating myself the taliban and Al Q cannot be seen as seperate ie they are intertwined evil bloodbrothers with nothing to offer except death and oppression. I dont say that lightly,I have not been 'brainwashed',simply put there is overwhelming evidence to that effect.the idea that the taliban can be 'bought' one by one is a non starter IMO.

It is ironic that the USA were providing every Tom Dick and Abdullah with weapons to fight the Soviet forces,many of those CIA weapons are now being used against the coalition forces.{the sad truth is NOT having a war to justify weapons building has always been bad for the UK&US economy}
an interesting fact is that with even more troops than the total amount of forces there will be when the extra forces from US/NATO arriave and are battle ready will still be less than the Soviets had when they could only 'hold' Kabul!

interesting to note too that at the cost of a UK army base closure, 22 new Chinooks are to be built with the last one completed by 2003.
Could it be that the withdrawel date set by Obama is considered erm.....unrealistic?:)

Manic Moran

ynotdu wrote: »

Hi medicman,at the risk of repeating myself the taliban and Al Q cannot be seen as seperate ie they are intertwined evil bloodbrothers with nothing to offer except death and oppression.

Surprisingly, this is not actually true. There is a surprising amount of members of the Taliban who are fed up of the war and are willing to call it quits if they can be given an out which saves face. The problem is with the senior leadership who are perhaps a little more idealistic/irrational, and who refuse to talk with the Afghan government. AQ and Taliban are also starting to disassociate themselves a bit, as AQ is now far less of an asset. What can AQ do for the Taliban today?

It is ironic that the USA were providing every Tom Dick and Abdullah with weapons to fight the Soviet forces,many of those CIA weapons are now being used against the coalition forces.{the sad truth is NOT having a war to justify weapons building has always been bad for the UK&US economy}

What Western-produced weapons have been used by the opposition againt ISAF/US forces? The standard rifle is the AK, the standard MG is the PKM, the standard rocket is the Chinese 107 or the RPG.

NTM

ynotdu

Manic Moran wrote: »

Surpri this singly,is not actually true. There is a surprising amount of members of the Taliban who are fed up of the war and are willing to call it quits if they can be given an out which saves face. The problem is with the senior leadership who are perhaps a little more idealistic/irrational, and who refuse to talk with the Afghan government. AQ and Taliban are also starting to disassociate themselves a bit, as AQ is now far less of an asset. What can AQ do for the Taliban today?



What Western-produced weapons have been used by the opposition againt ISAF/US forces? The standard rifle is the AK, the standard MG is the PKM, the standard rocket is the Chinese 107 or the RPG.

NTM

Well Manic Your first paragraph offers HOPE,that can only be a good thing,Sounds like the very early days of the Peace process in Ireland.!

Obviously i am misinformed about the weapons,but it cannot be denied that anti soviet forces were armed by the USA at that time directly or by indirect international arms dealers.I guess the vast majority are just scrap now?{beggars the question where are they getting the money to buy their weapons now?}

When i said The US/UK always needed war for their economy(mostly the US)I meant ANY war not just Afghanistan.

Here's hoping the extra troops can sort out the mess.very few think it can be 'solved'but we can hope for some form of uneasy peace at least.
as ever stay safe!

helimachoptor

I'm pretty sure there has yet to be an aircraft/chopper brought down by a Stinger supplied in the 1980s, also AKs are plentiful so why would the Taleban/AQ want to use US designed weapons.

Victor

Manic Moran wrote: »

What Western-produced weapons have been used by the opposition againt ISAF/US forces? The standard rifle is the AK, the standard MG is the PKM, the standard rocket is the Chinese 107 or the RPG.

Loaded answer.

Iraq and the Mujahideen received large amounts of Warsaw-pact made, formerly Syrian- and Egyptian-owned (and Israeli possessed ) weapons, paid for by the Americans and Saudis and supplied via Pakistan* and replaced in Egyptian and Israeli stocks with American weapons.



* An amount may have been supplied via Iran, but the fall od the Shah stopped that route ealry on.

Manic Moran

<Singing>

I'm leaving, on a jet helicopter.. don't know when I'll be back again...

</singing>

Doesn't really work, does it?

Well, into the Twin 212 I go, into the wild blue yonder. Stop off at Bagram for a day or two, then on to Kandahar. Insh'allah will arrive at FOB Smart, in Qalat, Zabul Province a day or two before Christmas. I'm sure I'll find an email connection somewere en route.

Later.

NTM

junder

aside from being cold whats a winter tour like, have been told that during the winter the taliban basicly up sticks and head to pakistan?

junder

Going to be deploying in 2010 in case you wondering why i am interested

Manic Moran

Well, I'm in Bagram. And it's decidedly cold.

The downside to being based in Laghman is that as it is surprisingly warm...well.. not-cold, the opposition does not go on their winter holidays. Plus, Pakistan is apparently considered a little less secure these days. Either way, the opposition chills out here, and since they're here, and we're here, we continue to lob munitions at each other. GSW to the leg of one of our guys in this case.

Bagram sortof sucks. Hopefully I can catch a flight to Kandahar tomorrow. Getting to Qalat is proving to be quite an adventure. By the time I get there, it'll be time to turn around and come home.

NTM

helimachoptor

Manic can you say why you're on this journey?

Manic Moran

The squadron has been scattered all over the country. I have a platoon in Zabul province, and I'm going to go say 'hi' to them, trying to make it for Christmas. This isn't proving easy, the flight just got cancelled and I'm back to Space-Available. My lads in Nuristan are right next to me, a simple 20minute helo ride (or 90 minutes by truck) so I've seen them a few times.

NTM

cyrusdvirus

well in case you're not here tmrw Manic, stay safe and hope you have a great (& undisturbed by small arms or larger calibre fire) christmas.

MooseJam

Looking at the casualties twice as many US died in Afghanistan than in Iraq which is pretty surprising, there seems to be a lot of UK heads dieing there recently too, the primary if not only reason theres 10K UK troops over there is to brown nose the yanks, I couldn't imagine a more pointless death.

Fratton Fred

MooseJam wrote: »

Looking at the casualties twice as many US died in Afghanistan than in Iraq which is pretty surprising, there seems to be a lot of UK heads dieing there recently too, the primary if not only reason theres 10K UK troops over there is to brown nose the yanks, I couldn't imagine a more pointless death.

What a load of bollocks.

Victor

MooseJam wrote: »

Looking at the casualties twice as many US died in Afghanistan than in Iraq which is pretty surprising

http://www.icasualties.org/

Iraq 4371
Afghanistan 937

Manic Moran

Currently in Kandahar. Bagram's kindof like the Hotel California, you can check in, but never leave.

The genii in Kandahar have obviously never considered the possibility that people may have difficulty arriving at a 'normal' hour, but I'll leave my gripe for later. Suffice to say, we needlessly missed out next helicopter. Staying overnight again.

Very busy airfield, hard to sleep. However, far more personable than Bagram.

Terrain is very flat, with a few Ft-Irwin-like hills (not really mountains) in the distance. Good tank country.

NTM

MooseJam

Victor wrote: »

http://www.icasualties.org/

Iraq 4371
Afghanistan 937

sorry meant this year