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2008-07-17 Afghanistan

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Posted by Fred 2008-07-17 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top
File under: Taliban

#1 And yet the locals continue to request protection by Canadian troops. Clearly they've made an impression.

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2008-07-17 06:06|| 2008-07-17 06:06|| Front Page Top

#2 How are they ever going to be able to take over without their own air force? We depend heavily on ours and use our planes, choppers and drones constantly.

Posted by bigjim-ky 2008-07-17 07:40|| 2008-07-17 07:40|| Front Page Top

#3 1. They can take over the ground fighting and continue to use coalion air

2. they can rely less on air - theres an argument that we over rely on air, which has caused excessive collateral damage (real, not only enemy propaganda) that has not been cost benefit justified.

Posted by liberalhawk 2008-07-17 09:13|| 2008-07-17 09:13|| Front Page Top

#4 "They can take over the ground fighting and continue to use coalion air"

And to the extent that the Afghan government finds it necessary, we will have continuing influence.

Posted by Bin thinking again 2008-07-17 11:01|| 2008-07-17 11:01|| Front Page Top

#5 LH, if the cost benefit is that they die so I live the numbers are just fine with me. Afterwards we can debate whether the human shields had to die as well. But I want your butt on the line (preferably in the lead squad) before any guidance is heard from you on tactics so I know you are thinking of the welfare of the troops.

Civilians trying to control squad and company size maneuvers from 8,000 miles away are a deadly way to run things.

Posted by tipover 2008-07-17 11:40|| 2008-07-17 11:40|| Front Page Top

#6 when I said cost benefit, I meant mainly from our POV. If you use air instead of ground, your forces are safer, you have more collateral damage, and that collateral damage hurts you in fighting for hearts and minds.

Obviously there are going to be some occasions its worth it, and some where it isnt. Are we leaning to far towards air now? I dont know. Im not there, my ass isnt on the line, and more important I dont have access to the military and political info that US AND Canadian and British senior officers do. So dont ask me to decide on my own.

I am only saying that it IS an option, to go with less air, and some in afghanistan, and in Canada, advocate that. If and when this becomes an all Afghan show, it will be the Afghan NAtional Army whose asses are on the line, and they will have the right to try it with less air if they see fit.

Repeat, I am NOT some leftie screaming about the evilness of our killing the human shields. Im simply trying to respond to someone who is sceptical that the ANA could even try to win without an air force.

Posted by liberalhawk 2008-07-17 16:57|| 2008-07-17 16:57|| Front Page Top

#7 They were the heroes of Dieppe. I salute them all.

At Dieppe on 19th August 1942, Honorary Captain Foote, Canadian Chaplain Services, was Regimental Chaplain with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.

'Upon landing on the beach under heavy fire he attached himself to the Regimental Aid Post which had been set up in a slight depression on the beach, but which was only sufficient to give cover to men lying down. During the subsequent period of approximately eight hours, while the action continued, this officer not only assisted the Regimental Medical Officer in ministering to the wounded in the Regimental Aid Post, but time and again left this shelter to inject morphine, give first-aid and carry wounded personnel from the open beach to the Regimental Aid Post. On these occasions, with utter disregard for his personal safety, Honorary Captain Foote exposed himself to an inferno of fire and saved many lives by his gallant efforts. During the action, as the tide went out, the Regimental Aid Post was moved to the shelter of a stranded landing craft. Honorary Captain Foote continued tirelessly and courageously to carry wounded men from the exposed beach to the cover of the landing craft. He also removed wounded from inside the landing craft when ammunition had been set on fire by enemy shells. When landing craft appeared he carried wounded from the Regimental Aid Post to the landing craft through heavy fire. On several occasions this officer had the opportunity to embark but returned to the beach as his chief concern was the care and evacuation of the wounded. He refused a final opportunity to leave the shore, choosing to suffer the fate of the men he had ministered to for over three years.
Honorary Captain Foote personally saved many lives by his efforts and his example inspired all around him. Those who observed him state that the calmness of this heroic officer as he walked about, collecting the wounded on the fire-swept beach will never be forgotten.'
The London Gazette, 14th February 1946.

Posted by Besoeker 2008-07-17 20:58|| 2008-07-17 20:58|| Front Page Top

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