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Afghanistan
US marines who replaced British forces 'aid security'
2010-11-05
Security has improved since British troops were replaced by US marines in a volatile area of southern Afghanistan that has seen some of the most intense combat of the war, a key Afghan official has said. Gulabuddin Mangal, governor of Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, said the American military had better resources and finances to deal with insurgent violence in and around the town of Sangin.
Our government is willing to pay for bullets and helicopters, so our troops are able to be more effective. This is no reflection on the ability or courage of the British troops, nor on the perspicacity of their officers. Hopefully, once the British government gets the budget under control, they'll see to properly outfitting their armed forces.
US Marines took over responsibilities for Sangin in September, taking over from British troops who had fought there since 2006 and suffered more than 100 deaths - almost a third of the 342 casualties suffered by the UK since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001.

American forces replaced the British allies under a reorganisation of international troops in Helmand. Some critics claimed the switch followed a pattern set in Iraq, when the Americans moved into regions around the southern city of Basra to shore up Britain's military efforts.

British officers insist the move out of Sangin was on tactical grounds, allowing US troops to cluster in the north of Helmand, while British and other troops focus on central and southern areas of the province.

Mr Mangal, who said he will meet with relatives of a British soldier killed in Helmand and visit the National War Memorial in Staffordshire during his trip to Britain, insisted that UK forces had achieved successes.

The governor said insurgent groups had been effectively dismantled in Helmand's Nad-e-Ali, Marjah, Nawar and Gereshk districts as a result of recent joint offensives between Afghan and international forces.

"The insurgents are not able to have ten or 15 people in their groups, this means they were broken into pieces and defeated," Mr Mangal said.

He said that he had now ordered his staff to use only roads - rather than helicopters - to access those areas in the future, to demonstrate the improved security.
This may not be wise, but it certainly is demonstrative.
Posted by:trailing wife

#4  Broadhead6

Mind the Green Zone and Kajaki Sufla. They'll want to hold onto their old digs. Your lads at the dam will be happy to see you. Godspeed!
Posted by: Besoeker   2010-11-05 02:36  

#3  Broadhead6: the "...supposed private security firms working in parts of douchebagistan" you mention; are they Afghan/indig or foreign in makeup? I suspect they have a more 'local warlord' flavor, but I wanted to ask for the sake of clarity.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike   2010-11-05 01:36  

#2  WAFF > [USMC Commandant GEN. JAMES AMOS] AMOS DESCRIBES MARINE CORPS' FUTURE CONFLICTS.

ARTIC = ...

* In Future, WATER + [Food Sources]may be MORE VALUABLE THAN OIL [Also read, PRECIOUS COMMODITIES = Gold, Silver, etc.].
* DRUG, OTHER BLACK MARKET = CRIMINAL GANGS/ORGS may be as potent iff not superior to STATE(S)-SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL/REGULAR ARMED FORCES.
* RISE IN PROLIFERATION OF ILLEGAL ARMS + HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES, espec to NON-STATE ENTITIES.
* VIOLENT CONFLICTS to take place in INCREASINGLY POOR, INCREASINGLY URBANIZED AREAS [Major Cities-Towns, Suburbs], no lnoger in remote or difficult Natural Environments = Terrains.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2010-11-05 01:07  

#1  Brit mil leadership and their men have been superb...TF Helmand are top notch lads, I have nothing but praise for the avg Brit troop...their media is just as nauseating as ours.

We're getting ready to push up from Sangin to the kajaki dam at some point, & it's going to be messy. This is probably just the first stage to reposition troops for that eventual move. BTW - by all accounts Mangal is one of the better governors. Another thing for people to be aware of is Karzai has put a stop on supposed private security firms working in parts of douchebagistan, no big wonder who's going to assume that role for the near future...
Posted by: Broadhead6   2010-11-05 00:25  

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