NAWA, Afghanistan (AP) — Taliban militants were nowhere in sight as the columns of U.S. Marines walked a third straight day across southern Afghanistan. But the desert heat proved an enemy in its own right, with several troops falling victim Saturday to temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Marines carry 50-100 pounds (23-45 kilograms) on their backs. But because they are marching through farmland on foot, they can't carry nearly as much water as their thirst demands.
Few even realized the date was July 4, but once word of the holiday spread through the company, several said they knew relatives would be holding lakeside celebrations — a world away from the strenuous task Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment was taking on.
"Happy 4th of July, dawg. Happy America," said Lance Corp. Vince Morales, 21, of Baytown, Texas said to one of his Marine buddies while resting under a tree during a break.
Some Marines ate watermelon from a farmer's field as the evening sun set, but there were few other signs of a holiday celebration here.
Some 4,000 Marines are moving through southern Helmand to take back Taliban-held territory and pinch the insurgents' supply lines. Bravo Company has seen a lot of walking but up to now little fighting, though other Marines in the operation have had extended battles.
So far, the worst danger facing Bravo is the heat. Temperatures are well above 100 degrees (37.8 Celsius), and medics treated several heat casualties Saturday.
"When (body) temperature goes up past 104 (40 Celsius), your brain starts cooking, and that's what we're trying to prevent," said Simon Trujillo, an HM3 Navy Medic from Dallas.
The high heat, heavy packs, limited water and three straight days of walking through tough farmland terrain were taking a toll, he said. Several Marines threw up or were dry-heaving from the heat. Three passed out, and other Marines rushed to share the weight and pour water on overheated bodies.
"It's pretty taxing on your body. There's no way to prepare for this," said Trujillo.
One cruel irony: A helicopter dropped off a load of water to the Marines early Saturday, but because they hadn't yet reached their final destination, they took only what they could carry and left hundreds of bottles behind for Afghan villagers to drink.
The sun in southern Helmand is blazing by 8 a.m., and the troops seek out any sliver of shade available. Trees grow along the many manmade water canals the farmers use to survive here, but there is little relief elsewhere.
Sweat pours off faces as Marines shift heavy weapons from one shoulder to the other. Everyone still carries all the ammunition they arrived with in the dark hours of early Thursday, because this unit has not yet exchanged fire.
The Marines walk in columns down dusty dirt roads, and every couple dozen steps they bend over at the waist to give aching shoulders a break. During frequent breaks, medics go up and down the line, looking to see if their men are drinking water.
"It'd be so great if we took contact. We'd lose so much weight," said Lance Corp. Michael Estrada, 20, of Los Angeles.
Lance Corp. Bryan Knight, a mortar man, carries one of the heaviest pack. The 21-year-old Cincinnati native weighs a slight 145 pounds (65.8 kilograms) — and his pack almost equals him.
He carries a 15-pound (6.8-kilogram) mortar base plate, four mortar rockets that weigh 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) each, about 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) of water and another 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms) of combat gear — ammunition, weapon and his flak jacket.
Unsurprisingly, he is drenched in sweat. "The only dry parts of my clothes are the pockets," he said.
Squatting in a lean-to made out of a camouflage poncho beside Knight was Corp. Aaron Shade, 24, of Greenville, Ohio, who hadn't realized it was Independence Day back home in the U.S.
"My family's out on the boat house riding on jet skis, drinking lots of beer," he said. "That's not depressing to think about."
The company captain, Drew Schoenmaker, said the heat was affecting militants as well, noting there were few daytime attacks theater-wide and none on his unit. He said he doubted people back in the United States could understand how hard his Marines work.
"Someone back home might say, 'Oh, it's 100 degrees here, too.' But you're not trying to carry 60 or 90 pounds and people aren't trying to kill you," he said. "And you can always step out of the sun. You can't always do that here."
by the associated press
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Showing posts with label Afghan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghan. Show all posts
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Afghanistan report on deadly bombing
KABUL — Afghanistan’s government welcomed Saturday a U.S. report accepting blame for a bombing run that killed dozens of villagers. The report said it confirmed that international military forces were not doing enough to safeguard civilians.
The investigation into a May battle against Taliban militants that killed at least 26 civilians was released Friday in Washington. The report prepared by U.S. Central Command recommends tighter controls — including how air strikes are conducted — to limit the civilian deaths that risk turning Afghans against the U.S war effort.
Humayun Hamidzada, the spokesman for President Hamid Karzai, said he believed that the U.S. estimate of civilians killed in the May 4-5 clash in western Farah province was too low but generally welcomed the U.S. report’s conclusions.
"The key thing is that the report itself said there are problems with the way operations are conducted, and that’s what we’ve been saying,” he said.
The report comes as President Barack Obama funnels thousands of new troops into Afghanistan to combat a strengthened Taliban insurgency that is claiming growing numbers of American lives, too.
Hamidzada urged that better procedures be put in place quickly, both to protect the Afghan people and the wider military effort to turn back the Taliban insurgency. He did not make specific recommendations for what changes international military forces should make.
by the associated press
The investigation into a May battle against Taliban militants that killed at least 26 civilians was released Friday in Washington. The report prepared by U.S. Central Command recommends tighter controls — including how air strikes are conducted — to limit the civilian deaths that risk turning Afghans against the U.S war effort.
Humayun Hamidzada, the spokesman for President Hamid Karzai, said he believed that the U.S. estimate of civilians killed in the May 4-5 clash in western Farah province was too low but generally welcomed the U.S. report’s conclusions.
"The key thing is that the report itself said there are problems with the way operations are conducted, and that’s what we’ve been saying,” he said.
The report comes as President Barack Obama funnels thousands of new troops into Afghanistan to combat a strengthened Taliban insurgency that is claiming growing numbers of American lives, too.
Hamidzada urged that better procedures be put in place quickly, both to protect the Afghan people and the wider military effort to turn back the Taliban insurgency. He did not make specific recommendations for what changes international military forces should make.
by the associated press
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Gen. Stanley McChrystal and United States vows to protect Afghans
KABUL, Afghanistan — Gen. Stanley McChrystal, a former top special operations commander, took charge of nearly 90,000 U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan on Monday, telling them they must protect Afghan civilians from all kinds of violence.
McChrystal takes over the Afghan campaign at a critical moment: violence, troop levels and U.S. military deaths have all hit record highs, and President Hamid Karzai has pressured on U.S. forces to prevent civilian deaths.
McChrystal is expected to take a more unconventional approach to the increasingly violent campaign in Afghanistan, relying on decades of experience with special operators — elite military units such as Navy SEALs and Army’s Delta Force that carry out dangerous and secretive missions.
"The Afghan people are at the center of our mission. ... We must protect them from violence, whatever its nature,” the general told several hundred troops in central Kabul.
President Barack Obama has ordered 21,000 new troops to Afghanistan. There is expected to be about 68,000 U.S. troops in the country by the end of the year.
by the associated press
McChrystal takes over the Afghan campaign at a critical moment: violence, troop levels and U.S. military deaths have all hit record highs, and President Hamid Karzai has pressured on U.S. forces to prevent civilian deaths.
McChrystal is expected to take a more unconventional approach to the increasingly violent campaign in Afghanistan, relying on decades of experience with special operators — elite military units such as Navy SEALs and Army’s Delta Force that carry out dangerous and secretive missions.
"The Afghan people are at the center of our mission. ... We must protect them from violence, whatever its nature,” the general told several hundred troops in central Kabul.
President Barack Obama has ordered 21,000 new troops to Afghanistan. There is expected to be about 68,000 U.S. troops in the country by the end of the year.
by the associated press
Monday, June 15, 2009
Mission Afghan
KABUL — President Hamid Karzai told the incoming commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan on Sunday that the most important part of his new mission was to protect Afghan civilians.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal takes up his command today. The four-star U.S. general, a former special forces commander, is expected to bring a fresh approach to an increasingly violent eight-year war.
President Barack Obama has increased the U.S. focus on Afghanistan, ordering 21,000 additional troops to the country.
Civilian casualties have long been a point of friction between Karzai and the U.S., and the warning reflects Karzai’s impatience over the killings of Afghan villagers during military operations.
Sunday, McChrystal assured Karzai that he would take "practical measures to prevent civilian casualties,” Karzai’s office said.
by the associated press
Gen. Stanley McChrystal takes up his command today. The four-star U.S. general, a former special forces commander, is expected to bring a fresh approach to an increasingly violent eight-year war.
President Barack Obama has increased the U.S. focus on Afghanistan, ordering 21,000 additional troops to the country.
Civilian casualties have long been a point of friction between Karzai and the U.S., and the warning reflects Karzai’s impatience over the killings of Afghan villagers during military operations.
Sunday, McChrystal assured Karzai that he would take "practical measures to prevent civilian casualties,” Karzai’s office said.
by the associated press
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
President Obama's ,picked General states resources are needed to win war
WASHINGTON — The general President Barack Obama picked to turn around the war in Afghanistan told Congress on Tuesday that winning will require spending more U.S. resources and killing fewer Afghan civilians.
Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal warned that failure would probably mean all-out civil war and a firmer foothold for al-Qaida terrorists.
McChrystal said that with a proper counterinsurgency campaign, including a more prominent role for civilian experts, Afghanistan can be stabilized and its Taliban opposition marginalized. Progress must be shown within 18 to 24 months to sustain public support for the war, the general said.
"I believe it is winnable, but I don’t think it will be easily winnable,” he told the Senate Armed Services Committee in a hearing that suggested he is likely to win confirmation by the full Senate amid lingering questions about his role in the handling of the 2004 accidental shooting death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman in Afghanistan.
Litany of problems
McChrystal would replace Gen. David McKiernan, who was fired May 11. McKiernan said the war is "stalemated, at best” in southern Afghanistan.
The three-hour hearing highlighted problems facing Afghanistan: a resilient insurgency, a lack of effective governance, official corruption, rampant illicit drug trade, unwillingness by some NATO allies to do more fighting, and a spreading Taliban insurgency inside Pakistan.
McChrystal offered no new details on how he would approach the war, beyond saying that it will require a multinational effort, including contributions from civilian experts, over years.
by the assocaiated press
Army Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal warned that failure would probably mean all-out civil war and a firmer foothold for al-Qaida terrorists.
McChrystal said that with a proper counterinsurgency campaign, including a more prominent role for civilian experts, Afghanistan can be stabilized and its Taliban opposition marginalized. Progress must be shown within 18 to 24 months to sustain public support for the war, the general said.
"I believe it is winnable, but I don’t think it will be easily winnable,” he told the Senate Armed Services Committee in a hearing that suggested he is likely to win confirmation by the full Senate amid lingering questions about his role in the handling of the 2004 accidental shooting death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman in Afghanistan.
Litany of problems
McChrystal would replace Gen. David McKiernan, who was fired May 11. McKiernan said the war is "stalemated, at best” in southern Afghanistan.
The three-hour hearing highlighted problems facing Afghanistan: a resilient insurgency, a lack of effective governance, official corruption, rampant illicit drug trade, unwillingness by some NATO allies to do more fighting, and a spreading Taliban insurgency inside Pakistan.
McChrystal offered no new details on how he would approach the war, beyond saying that it will require a multinational effort, including contributions from civilian experts, over years.
by the assocaiated press
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Afghan officials receive criticism
KABUL, Afghanistan — The Afghan government quietly dumped more than 1,000 Shiite texts and other books from Iran into a river after a local governor complained that their content insulted the country’s Sunni majority.
The move appeared to be an attempt by President Hamid Karzai’s U.S.-backed government to smooth over a potential thorn in relations between the Muslim sects.
But the government was facing condemnation Wednesday from Shiite leaders after news leaked a month after the dumping.
"It is a humiliation for all Shiites,” said Mohammad Akbari, a prominent Shiite member of parliament. He said a joint commission of Sunni and Shiite leaders should have reviewed any complaints about the books.
The dispute highlights the tension between Sunnis and Shiites in Afghanistan despite efforts to preach tolerance.
Shiites were persecuted under the largely Sunni Taliban regime that ruled the country until the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. Since then, the two sects have settled into an uneasy coexistence, with the post-Taliban constitution giving Shiites the right to create some laws that apply only to them.
by the associated press
The move appeared to be an attempt by President Hamid Karzai’s U.S.-backed government to smooth over a potential thorn in relations between the Muslim sects.
But the government was facing condemnation Wednesday from Shiite leaders after news leaked a month after the dumping.
"It is a humiliation for all Shiites,” said Mohammad Akbari, a prominent Shiite member of parliament. He said a joint commission of Sunni and Shiite leaders should have reviewed any complaints about the books.
The dispute highlights the tension between Sunnis and Shiites in Afghanistan despite efforts to preach tolerance.
Shiites were persecuted under the largely Sunni Taliban regime that ruled the country until the U.S.-led invasion in 2001. Since then, the two sects have settled into an uneasy coexistence, with the post-Taliban constitution giving Shiites the right to create some laws that apply only to them.
by the associated press
Friday, May 22, 2009
Senate Gives $91.3 billion to ramp up Afghan War
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday passed a $91.3 billion military spending bill, shorn of money President Barack Obama wants to close the Guantanamo Bay prison but allowing him to intensify the U.S. war effort in Afghanistan.
The Senate voted 86-3 to pass the bill, which provides money for military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, setting up House-Senate talks on a compromise measure to present to Obama next month.
The measure closely tracks Obama’s request for funds, although the $80 million he was seeking to close the U.S. naval prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, died Wednesday.
Debate fizzled after Democrats moved to delete from the bill money to close Guantanamo, where about 240 terrorism suspects still are held. The companion House bill had already taken that step.
The underlying war funding measure has gotten little attention, even though it would boost total approved spending for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars above $900 billion.
by the associated press
The Senate voted 86-3 to pass the bill, which provides money for military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, setting up House-Senate talks on a compromise measure to present to Obama next month.
The measure closely tracks Obama’s request for funds, although the $80 million he was seeking to close the U.S. naval prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, died Wednesday.
Debate fizzled after Democrats moved to delete from the bill money to close Guantanamo, where about 240 terrorism suspects still are held. The companion House bill had already taken that step.
The underlying war funding measure has gotten little attention, even though it would boost total approved spending for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars above $900 billion.
by the associated press
Monday, May 4, 2009
Afghan women might be used in poll fraud
KABUL, Afghanistan — Ballots of Afghan women in conservative districts are vulnerable to fraud in August’s presidential election, the country’s top human rights official said Sunday.
"Two issues are of concern for me. First is that the right of the woman to cast her vote will not be given to her, and the second is that it’s possible that there will be serious fraud in the election by this method,” said Sima Samar, chairwoman of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.
Samar said during the last six months of voter registration, 72 percent of those signing up in Logar were women. She said it was not "logically acceptable” that so many registrants were female.
Under Afghan law, only the person on a registration card may vote.
by the associated press
"Two issues are of concern for me. First is that the right of the woman to cast her vote will not be given to her, and the second is that it’s possible that there will be serious fraud in the election by this method,” said Sima Samar, chairwoman of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.
Samar said during the last six months of voter registration, 72 percent of those signing up in Logar were women. She said it was not "logically acceptable” that so many registrants were female.
Under Afghan law, only the person on a registration card may vote.
by the associated press
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Combat militants plan Recruiting in Afghan
FORWARD OPERATING BASE AIRBORNE, Afghanistan — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff began a review Wednesday of a new community-based defense program recently deployed to fight rising violence in a province on the doorstep of Kabul.
Adm. Mike Mullen visited Wardak province, where U.S. troops deployed in large numbers for the first time this year. The program he’s assessing draws volunteers from Afghan communities to defend their villages.
Critics say the force is a state-sponsored militia that is likely to worsen the security situation. But its supporters say it creates a community-based security apparatus.
"The early reviews are positive,” Mullen said.
Wardak province hit the headlines last year after militants started attacking military convoys and U.S. helicopters patrolling its valleys, creating an impression that the Taliban was on the capital’s gates.
by the associated press
Adm. Mike Mullen visited Wardak province, where U.S. troops deployed in large numbers for the first time this year. The program he’s assessing draws volunteers from Afghan communities to defend their villages.
Critics say the force is a state-sponsored militia that is likely to worsen the security situation. But its supporters say it creates a community-based security apparatus.
"The early reviews are positive,” Mullen said.
Wardak province hit the headlines last year after militants started attacking military convoys and U.S. helicopters patrolling its valleys, creating an impression that the Taliban was on the capital’s gates.
by the associated press
Reservists could be in Afghan Plan
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is having trouble finding the civilians it wants to bolster its troop buildup in Afghanistan, so military reservists might be asked to do many of the jobs.
The administration said last month it would send several hundred civilians to work on reconstruction, but there’s a lack of available skilled workers.
Defense Department press secretary Geoff Morrell said Thursday the military is trying to find ways to fill the gap. That likely would be with reservists, officials said.
But Reserve Officers Association was quick to push back on the idea Thursday. The group worried that such a plan would harm unit readiness, and concerned about how volunteering for such jobs would affect reservists’ regular service time.
by the associated press
The administration said last month it would send several hundred civilians to work on reconstruction, but there’s a lack of available skilled workers.
Defense Department press secretary Geoff Morrell said Thursday the military is trying to find ways to fill the gap. That likely would be with reservists, officials said.
But Reserve Officers Association was quick to push back on the idea Thursday. The group worried that such a plan would harm unit readiness, and concerned about how volunteering for such jobs would affect reservists’ regular service time.
by the associated press
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