Afghanistan’s elite fighting force neutralize Taliban insurgents

Sure, it's simply publishing a CJTF-82 press release, just like news outlets publish AP press releases. At least with this - I'm clear on the biases of the local "stringers" feeding me the news - and it's obvious in the article, too. It may only be "one side of the story" but *whose* side is obvious, eh?

Besides, it's just kinda fun reading about Afghan National Army commando Specialist Mohammed Ali. At least for those of us of an age.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – As he approached the aircraft in the darkness, the rotor wash whipped dust and dirt across his face. However, amid the noise of the rotor, Afghan National Army Spc. Mohammed Ali said all he could hear was his upcoming responsibilities whirling in his head, ‘Run from the aircraft towards the target, breach the door, and clear my sector.’

Ali, an ANA Commando with the 201st Commando Kandak was deployed to Helmand Province by the Afghan Ministry of Defense in response to the increasing attempts by Taliban extremists to terrorize Afghan citizens.

The commandos’ mission was to develop intelligence and conduct a surgical strike against key Taliban leadership and control in Helmand Province. In preparation for their mission, the troops conducted specialized training such as day and night live-fire maneuvers and multiple insertion techniques. Commando leaders examined the most recent intelligence and targeted key individuals for capture.

The mission was ambitious: conduct a night air assault against multiple Taliban command and control centers to capture or kill Taliban leadership targets deep within the Kajaki region. The commandos named the operation, “Say’Laab,” meaning “flood.”

Buses containing nearly 100 ANA troops clad in black body armor and specialized weapons made their way from the 205th ANA camp to Kandahar Airfield where numerous Coalition aircraft awaited with rotor blades churning.

As Ali boarded the aircraft, he said his pre-mission prayers as the high-pitched whine of the engines gave way to the formidable thumping of the rotor blades above. Moments later, a massive formation of transport and attack helicopters lifted off the runway together toward their targets.

As the strike force approached its objectives, Coalition helicopters dropped to just above ground level and increased their speed. Commandos pulled their night vision goggles over their eyes bringing the black ground to green life. In spite of the intense training and mission preparation, the Commandos understood the risks associated with this operation.

Pilots relayed their final checkpoints to the Commandos over radio communications, informed them to ready their weapons, and remove their seatbelts. Seconds later, the helos pitched into multiple landing zones. The Commandos quickly disembarked from their helicopters and quickly closed on their target compounds. As the roar of departing rotor blades filled the sky, Commando assaulters cleared four separate compounds in search of their elusive quarry.

Within minutes of insertion, Commando assaulters seized their intended targets and secured a foothold deep within the city. Despite the advantage of tactical surprise, a fierce battle ensued. The report of multiple weapon systems rang out as insurgents put up a futile defense against the elite Afghan force. Commandos quickly and accurately eliminated threats with small-arms and machine gun fire.

The speed, surprise and tenacity of the assault not only caught the enemy insurgents off guard, but also prevented the escape of a senior Taliban commander.

Throughout the operation, intense anti-aircraft fire filled the night sky. Attack helicopters swarmed over their targets, placing precision-guided munitions and intense machine gun fire on enemy fighting positions. Coalition aircraft flew in support of the Afghan troops aiding in the elimination of enemy caches and drug processing facility.

At mission’s end, multiple enemy fighters were eliminated. The Commandos quickly boarded their aircraft with 11 combatants in custody. On the ground, six enemy vehicles containing thousands of pounds of weapons and munitions, as well as nearly $8 million of illegal narcotics, was destroyed.

As the helicopter assault force lifted off toward Kandahar, Ali shook the hands of his brothers-in-arms with an undeniable certainty that the people of Afghanistan were safer this night

“The daring and complex operation highlighted the capacity of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to strategically deploy elite commando forces across the country to conduct surgical strikes in support of their national objectives,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a Coalition spokesperson. “The success of Operation Say’Laab reinforced the esprit de corps and operational reach of the nation’s most dedicated warriors. Commandos continue to ensure no safe haven exists for the enemies of freedom and prosperity, and that a brighter future lies ahead for the people of Afghanistan.”

And it's no diss on the boxer Muhammed Ali, either. He took a stand and took his lumps and didn't run off to Canada or Sweden, etc. I can live with that.

Crazy Killer Troops in Afghanistan: Dark Humor and Green Berets

[Kat]

Over at Blackfive, some folks were in a huff over a report written by Elizabeth Rubin of the NYT.

I'll admit right up front that I did not read all of Rubin's piece. Glancing through some of the quotes at B5 cut out from the report, my first reaction was incredulous that an officer was that open with information about his troops medical or mental conditions. The second reaction, having read Junger's piece (also linked), is to accept that these men have been up on a mountain side with little relief, for an extended period, with few amenities, under constant fire in conditions that most resemble stories from Vietnam (contrary to some folks visions of Iraq being "Vietnam", this is probably the story that reminds me of those stories the most).

The enemy is in the valley, in the villages, but the men can't just blow the village to kingdom come because its full of "civilians". The insurgents use the ROE effectively by continually intermingling with civilians, going to their fire bases to attack and then returning home. The soldiers at Firebase Phoenix have rigged concertina wire and claymores as a last ditch defense of the outpost. When I read Junger's story, I immediately had visions of the movie "Green Berets" with John Wayne in "Dodge City" examining the building of the base perimeter.

I know that "Green Berets" tried to distill down to the basics the story of counterinsurgency in Vietnam, many called it "propaganda". Maybe it had some truths for our troops who have to do this hard fight in Iraq AND Afghanistan, for the public that tries to understand it and the press that tries to cover it. Maybe it's these scenes that even Mr. Junger, portraying the difficulty in building the base, is reluctant to examine. About a quarter of the way through this section, the Colonel (John Wayne) asks Beckwith what he is going to write when he goes back. Beckwith never answer's that question satisfactorily.

Our real-life Junger knew the answer. Though he mentions some of the issues with the troops on long deployments, in rough conditions and potential issues with PTSD and anti-depressants, he chose to focus on those things around the soldiers that both made their situation untenable and heroic at the same time. He saw their gallows humor and general "stuck in the suck" attitude for what it was and made it the part of the story that it deserved: brief moments of humanity in an insane world. Mr. Junger had been to war.

No one asked Ms. Rubin what she was going to write when she got back because they knew what she wanted when she went.

"I went to Afghanistan last fall with a question: Why, with all our technology, were we killing so many civilians in air strikes?"

They gave her the answer: in spades.

One full-moon night I was sitting outside a sandbag-reinforced hut with Kearney when a young sergeant stepped out hauling the garbage. He looked around at the illuminated mountains, the dust, the rocks, the garbage bin. The monkeys were screeching. “I hate this country!” he shouted. Then he smiled and walked back into the hut. “He’s on medication,” Kearney said quietly to me.

Then another soldier walked by and shouted, “Hey, I’m with you, sir!” and Kearney said to me, “Prozac" Serious P.T.S.D. from last tour.” Another one popped out of the HQ cursing and muttering. “Medicated,” Kearney said. “Last tour, if you didn’t give him information, he’d burn down your house. He killed so many people. He’s checked out.”

Seriously? One full moon night, all the crazies in camp "popped out"?

Pardon me for my insensitivity, but, just for a moment, a small laugh escaped when I read that part. By accident or design, it seems Ms. Rubin was played or played herself. I think she needs to make another trip or two or three because she obviously hasn't spent much time with a group of soldiers waiting for something to happen, having nothing else better to do than to let off a little steam.

Sadly, either way, I imagine that Capt. Kearney has got some explaining to do.

Here's another "it's not the soldiers, is the place and time that made them crazy" story: Abu Ghraib prison turned soldiers evil by design: researcher

Money quote:

"Because I had seen those cells before at Stanford. The power is in the system. It's not bad apples, but bad barrel makers."[snip]

A "hero" at Abu Ghraib turned out to be a lowly private that called for abuses there to be stopped, according to the professor.

"Heroism is the antidote to evil," Zimbardo said. "Let's focus on justice and peace, which sadly our administration has not been doing."

Now you get it. Evil is the Bush Administration. Wow! No one has ever said that to me before. I'm convinced! Sign me up!

We here at Castle Aargghhh! take combat stress and PTSD very seriously. If any soldier believes he is suffering from these symptoms or any family member has a concern, please read the right hand side bar on this site under "final mission". Important information is available including a brief guide for the soldier and their families along with a crisis hotline. Every soldier has a "final mission". That mission is to come home as physically and psychologically whole as possible. From Castle Aargghhh to our men and women in the trenches, that's an order!

H&I Fires 29 FEB 2008

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).

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A study in contrasts: Al Doura (Dora), Iraq. First up, Rolling Stone offers "The Myth of the Surge." Actually, a title more accurate to the author's apparent intention would probably be "The Myth of COIN," but their choice is revealing. Up next, "A Neighborhood, Reborn," in which a platoon leader returns to the neighborhood he once patrolled. Both articles discuss the same neighborhood, both were published this week. I don't know how to reconcile the contradiction. - FbL

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Does Obama know how to laugh at himself? I'd say evidence is: no. Perhaps a riposte such as, "No, thanks. I'm sure Hillary's been using it for the last 10 years, and I prefer mine new," would've been more appropriate? - FbL

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An argument for McCain over Obama from a European point of view. - Damian

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Andy Mickey Rooney hits back at the Orange Ribbon Brigade. As CDR Salamander says, Bravo Zulu!

Just read this. I don't want to spoil the punchline. - FbL

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Dear Matt Drudge:

If you *knew* the fact that Leftenant Cornet Windsor was on the ground in Afghanistan was being with-held (and for good reason, it seems to me) and yet you just had to run with it...

Well, the term a$$hat comes to mind.

Good criminey, the entire Brit press can keep their yaps shut, and you go all funny in the pants breathlessly destroying OPSEC.

That was one of the most unrelievedly stupid things to do, from this blogger's perspective. Others may have more lenient views.

Of course, the bump in traffic you got from that one post (and the revenue associated with same), probably dwarfs my entire lifetime traffic - to include that I've not yet had.

Still.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Knowing the difference is the difference between wearing your little-boy shorts or your adult pants.

Sigh.

If you didn't know - cue Emily Litella.

Update: [deleted because I can't read]

Better Update: Samizdata has more.

Iraqi Gun Show and Swap Meet.

So, reading through DoD Blogger's Roundtable stuff I see the interview with Colonel Scott where he talks about the Iraqi's intent to replace their aging AK-47's for M16's, via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The same program we're planning to use to go to the Ukraine to purchase BTR's for the Iraqis until they think their way through how they want to organize their mechanized forces.

They want an initial total of 165,000 M4/M16A2s. The plan appears to be officers get M4's, NCOs and troops get M16's. On this side of the pond, I've noticed raised eyebrows, especially from the gun guys who believe the AK-47 is simply about the best weapon out there.

Why the hell would the Iraqis want to trade away what is pretty much acknowledged as the perfect weapon for crappy, ill-disciplined soldiers who like to "spray and pray" in combat? For a weapon many experts (to include combat experienced US troops) think is a piece of crap, the M4?

Bob Owens, of Confederate Yankee, sees a possible corruption/influence issue, with the orotund Representative Murtha lurking in the shadows, meeting with the bag men. Or not.

Personally, I can think of a lot of reasons. Especially if they're going to get subsidized help in buying them.

1. Iraq's current stock of AK's is pretty old and beat up - if you are going to start replacing rifles, now is the time to make a switch.

2. The same thing that make AK's attractive to third world armies -cheap and robust - work against them. They aren't that accurate at longer combat ranges, especially when not maintained well. The ballistics of the AK round aren't all that great. There's a reason the Russians went to a different round - and it wasn't just that we did.

3. Rationalizing the supply chain (and tying it into NATO) is a plus for us. There is potential goodness there, too - which Matt lays out at Blackfive.

4. Combat ID - until the majis collect a significant number of M16s, guys carrying AKs are bad guys (or, admittedly, locals who have been allowed to keep their weapons for personal defense - better not wander around in a firefight unless you're a participant).

4. Corruption-reduction. If we/they maintain decent accountability for the rifles, then when they show up in maji hands, you've got a place to start looking for where they leaked out of the system. Doesn't make corruption go away, just makes it harder, which will slow it down, if they've the gumption to really pursue it.

5. Since we're trying to rebuild the Iraqi army into a more westernized Arab army, part and parcel of that is professionalizing them to the point where they can master the marksmanship and the discipline of maintenance.

6. The M16/M4 series of weapons are lighter to start and far more versatile in terms of the useful extras you can load onto them, especially the M4, and keep the weight down.

7. And don't underestimate the power of example. Every time the Iraqis have faced an M16-armed army, they've had their collective butt handed to them.

The Arsenal contains a competently built, stamped-receiver AK clone made in Romania. There is also a Bushmaster-built M4 clone. I've shot M16's from the three-prong-suppressor M16 through the A1 and A2. I hadn't shot the M4 until I bought one.

I've shot a lot of AK's - military ones, commercial ones, milled receivers, stamped receivers. 7.62, 5.45 and 5.56.

With the AK, I've experienced pedestrian accuracy, bleah ergonomics, mediocre weapon sights, and the attachments, like the very nice scopes, don't hold their value as keeping a zero on them is a pain - and that's without carrying them around flexing that stamped receiver doing combat stuff, and let's face it - the Picatinny rail system is nice.

The M4? For me, it points like it's a part of me. I actually snap-shot a rebar in half. Hitting it that square is luck seasoned with experience - but I've never had that kind of accuracy with any AK I've shot.

AKs are popular - especially among shooters here in the US, where you can generally get them for about half the price of an M4, and scads of cheap ammo. But every time I spend an afternoon shooting both - I realize it's money well spent, that I spent on the M4.

And if I had a choice to hook into US/NATO logisitics, and trade up on my rifle (and I consider it a trade up, even though some will disagree), and as a side benny, have to make my troops better troops in order to use it - hey, if I've got that luxury, I think I'd take it up, too.

The question is - can they keep up the requisite level of professionalization, and what happens starting in late February of next year.

The Carborundum Report

[For people new to the Castle, Carborundum is CW4(Ret) Bill T's Guardian Angel, who has suffered for decades, since Bill flew Hueys in Vietnam, trying to keep Tuttle and the people around him alive. Since Bill is back in Iraq, teaching the Iraqi Air Force how to fly, Carborundum was recalled from his comfortable retirement to make sure the Castle doesn't lose it's funniest resident. So he periodically checks in with us, to keep us abreast of what Bill's up to. - the Armorer]

Greetings, mortals. Just checking in to let you know we haven't lost a GA all week, despite Tuttle's best efforts. The Surge really is working! Not that it's all manna and ambrosia, of course. I begin to suspect that T'u T'il means "come here, sandstorm" in the language of the djinn. And these misguided humans are *paying* him to corrupt the young! You'd think they would learn, or at least read the file that's thicker than the Oxford Unabridged Dictionary *before* hiring him. And why is it he always ends up in horrible climates? The jungle bottom-of-the-aquarium experience was bad enough (feather mites, and if I didn't air out my wings, mold) but here we get vast quantities of very fine, very sharp dust that gets down in my pinfeathers and itches like you would not believe.

And if all that wasn't enough, ANGCOM has been seized with a fit of just in time/ efficiency nonsense. Maybe there are GAs that get to think about what to do before their human gets in trouble, but this detail is ALWAYS "just in time". Fortunately. There were a few close calls, like the beer/spider/water buffalo incident, but we pulled through. With losses. So now they want us to analyze our response patterns to see if there is anything we can do to improve efficiency. I had lots of ideas, and they shredded every single one of them. Even keeping Tuttle in a body cast. The one idea I had that *did* improve our efficiency I can't tell them about--creating "pre-filled" AAR forms for recurring incidents. I've even got sub-categories for "Helicopter, malfunction, life-threatening" and "Helicopter, impact, in flight". No, ANGCOM doesn't know and doesn't need to. What they NEED is Good Idea Fairy repellent.

ObamaNation: Where People Will Be Taxed Out the %$$ and Love It

[Kat]

I was watching CBS evening news (by accident) where I just watched the first half of their program sucking up and the second half actually taking apart his history.

Then they showed a clip of Obama lambasting John McCain about taxes:

John McCain plans to make those tax breaks permanent!

The crowd went wild.

In the alternate universe of ObamaNation, people will be taxed out the %$$ and love it! Literally!

It was like watching a crowd of angry villagers with lighted torches getting ready to hunt down the imaginary monster. Everybody wants to kill the monster and screams for its blood, but nobody knows exactly what the "monster" did to be killed.

For the record, the repeal of the tax breaks would neither help me nor hinder me. I'm that nefarious, notorious "middle class" that gets very little breaks from anyone. I can't help but feel that little sense of dread go "tingling up my leg" when I hear people applauding wildly to raise somebody's taxes because it's me, here in the middle, along with the majority of the rest of America, that usually gets screwed next.

Just a suggestion previously made at Instapundit: for all those ObamaNation citizens who just insist that someone should be paying more to support your spending habits, open your wallet and/or write a check. Send it to the IRS. The government WILL accept more money from you than your regularly scheduled taxes.

Or, you could just wad it up, roll it around, set fire to it and smoke it! Not like you haven't apparently smoked everything else in the house and you'll probably get the same effect, too!

H&I* Fires: 28 FEB 2008

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).

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Up here in the glittering, frozen north, our opposition politicians, if they're not agitating for the withdrawal of the Canadian military from Afghanistan altogether, are attempting to put caveats on our participation that would put us on a par with the Germans or Italians. My skin crawls with the very idea, as does my co-contributor Mark's.

So today, I use a Digger engineer video to educate our remedial opposition politicians about the realities of fuzzy-wuzzy development and reconstruction in southern Afghanistan. - Damian

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The Boston red Sox have the honor of meeting Philip Dow, American hero.

He had been on a training mission in the California desert on the night the Red Sox won the World Series, leaving his new bride from South Boston, Gina, and their dog, Teddy Ballgame, to watch the game by themselves on the base in Fort Irwin. So eight hours in an operating room yesterday wasn't going to stop a Milton kid, Philip Dow, not when Gina and his best buddy from BC High, Mike Viano, told him that the Sox were coming by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

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Armchair Generalist has a counterpoint up to my commentary on Senator Obama's musings on defense. As Jason is a sworn Obama fan, he speaks from a different perspective than I - but, as always, the amount of ground where we either agree, or are close enough to live with either result, is perhaps more informative, if less exciting for the news or juicy blogspatting. As I'm crashing on something, a response on my part will have to wait.-the Armorer

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Prince Harry has been serving in Afghanistan since December, and the news only broke now. That's not an easy one to keep secret, I'd imagine. - Damian

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Heh. Damian stole my thunder. Good on ya, Leftenant Windsor! -the Armorer

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Speaking of the prince's service at the pointy end of the spear, Chris Taylor has a fantastic post up about it. And as I see it, this line qualifies as Quote of the Week:

As far as I'm concerned, if MoD really wanted to burn some Islamist britches and destroy enemy morale, then HMS Ark Royal should be parked in the Persian Gulf with Elizabeth, Phillip, Charles, Andrew and Edward flying daily missions from her deck. That would make a great object lesson to hand down to the next generation of terrorists. "Your father was killed by an 82-year-old infidel Zionist-Crusader queen". "And did we shoot her down?" "No, she bombed your uncle last week."

Booya! - Damian

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Another Medal of Honor. Someone you should know, but don't: Master Sergeant Woodrow Wilson Keeble

This one is a catch-up from Korea.

WASHINGTON (Army News Service) - During the final allied offensive of the Korean War, Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble risked his life to save his fellow Soldiers. Almost six decades after his gallant actions and 26 years after his death, Keeble will be the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the Medal of Honor.

The White House announced this morning that Keeble will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously in a ceremony scheduled for 2:30 p.m. March 3.

Keeble is one of the most decorated Soldiers in North Dakota history. A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he was born in 1917 in Waubay, S.D., on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Reservation, which extended into North Dakota. He spent most of his life in the Wahpeton, N.D. area, where he attended an Indian school. In 1942 Keeble joined the North Dakota National Guard, and in October that year, found himself embroiled in some of the fiercest hand-to-hand combat of World War II on Guadalcanal.

Guadalcanal

"Guadalcanal seemed to be on his mind a lot," Russell Hawkins, Keeble's stepson, said. "His fellow Soldiers said he had to fight a lot of hand-to-hand fights with the Japanese, so he saw their faces. Every now and then he would get a far-away look in his eyes, and I knew he was thinking about those men and the things he had to do." At Henderson Field on the South Pacific Island, Keeble served with Company I, 164th Infantry - the first Army unit on Guadalcanal.

"I heard stories from James Fenelon, who served with him there, and he would talk about how the men of the 164th rallied around this full-blooded Sioux Indian whose accuracy with the Brown Automatic Rifle was unparalleled," Hawkins said. "It was said he would go in front of patrols and kill enemies before his unit would get there."

The Sioux have a word for that kind of bravery, according to Hawkins - wowaditaka. "It means don't be afraid of anything, be braver than that which scares you the most." Keeble personified the word according to fellow Soldiers, and earned the first of four Purple Hearts and his first Bronze Star for his actions on Guadalcanal.

Korea

Keeble answered the call to arms again when war broke out in Korea. He was a seasoned, 34-year-old master sergeant serving with 1st Platoon, Company G, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division.

According to eyewitness accounts, while serving as the acting platoon leader of 1st Plt. in the vicinity of the Kumsong River, North Korea, on or about Oct. 15. 1951, Keeble voluntarily took on the responsibility of leading not only his platoon, but the 2nd and 3rd Platoons as well.

In an official statement 1st Sgt. Kosumo "Joe" Sagami of Co. G said, "All the officers of the company had received disabling wounds or were killed in action, except one platoon leader who assumed command of the company." The company's mission was to take control of a steep, rocky, heavily fortified hill.

Hawkins recalled how the man everyone knew as "Woody," described the terrain. "We were driving through Colorado on a trip, and Woody was pointing at something out the window," Hawkins said. By that time, Keeble had suffered seven debilitating strokes and lost the ability to speak.

"I pulled over and realized he was pointing at a large, rocky cliff with an almost sheer drop. I asked Woody if that was what it was like during that battle in Korea and he nodded, 'yes,'" Hawkins said. "It wasn't quite a straight drop down, but you could get up the hill faster on your hands and knees than on your feet."

Sagami wrote that Keeble led all three platoons in successive assaults upon the Chinese who held the hill throughout the day. All three charges were repulsed, and the company suffered heavy casualties. Trenches filled with enemy soldiers, and fortified by three pillboxes containing machine guns and additional men surrounded the hill.

Following the third assault and subsequent mortar and artillery support, the enemy sustained casualties among its ranks in the open trenches. The machine gunners in the pillboxes however, continued to direct fire on the company. Sagami said after Keeble withdrew the 3rd platoon, he decided to attempt a solo assault.

"He once told a relative that the fourth attempt he was either going to take them out or die trying," Hawkins said.

"Woody used to tell people he was more concerned about losing his men than about losing his own life," he added. "He pushed his own life to the limit. He wasn't willing to put his fellow Soldiers' lives on the line."

Armed with grenades and his Browning Automatic Rifle, Keeble crawled to an area 50 yards from the ridgeline, flanked the left pillbox and used grenades and rifle fire to eliminate it, according to Sagami. After returning to the point where 1st Platoon held the company's first line of defense, Keeble worked his way to the opposite side of the ridgeline and took out the right pillbox with grenades. "Then without hesitation, he lobbed a grenade into the back entrance of the middle pillbox and with additional rifle fire eliminated it," Sagami added.

Hawkins said one eyewitness told him the enemy directed its entire arsenal at Keeble during his assault. "He said there were so many grenades coming down on Woody, that it looked like a flock of blackbirds." Even under heavy enemy fire, Keeble was able to complete his objective. Only after he killed the machine gunners did Keeble order his men to advance and secure the hill.

"When I first started hearing these stories I was amazed that a man of Woody's size (more than six feet tall and 235-plus pounds), could sneak up on the enemy without being noticed," Hawkins said. "So one day, I was out helping him mow the lawn, and I asked him how he did it. He just shrugged his shoulders.

"I joked with him and told him those soldiers must have been blind or old or something, because he would never be able to sneak up on a young guy like me." Hawkins said he continued to mow then was startled when Woody popped up from behind some bushes near him. "He could have reached out and grabbed me by the ankles, and I didn't even know he was there!" Keeble had slid on his back behind the brush. Although Hawkins was not positive, he believed Keeble might have used a similar maneuver when attacking the pillboxes.

Keeble's selfless acts on that rugged terrain in 1951 did not come without a price. According to Sagami and other eyewitnesses, he was wounded on at least five different occasions by fragmentation and concussion grenades. "His wounds were apparent in the chest, both arms, right calf, knee and right thigh and left thigh." Sagami cited blood at the wound locations as evidence.

Hawkins said 83 grenade fragments were removed from Keeble's body, but several others remained. "You could tell that the wounds bothered him sometimes, but he never complained."

Sagami wrote in his statement that Keeble did not complain on the battlefield either. "At no time did he allow himself to be evacuated during the course of the day. Only after the unit was in defensive positions for the night did he allow himself to be evacuated."

According to Hawkins, every surviving member of Co. G signed a letter recommending Keeble for the Medal of Honor on two separate occasions, once in November 1951 and then again in December that same year. On both instances, the paperwork was lost. Keeble was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Dec. 20, 1952 for his actions in Korea, not the Medal of Honor his men believed he deserved. He also earned the Purple Heart (First Oak Leaf Cluster); Bronze Star (First Oak Leaf Cluster); and the Silver Star as a result of his heroics throughout his tour in Korea. He was honorably discharged March 1, 1953.

The rest of the story is in the Flash Traffic/Extended Entry

Task Force King, ANA conduct joint artillery training in Nuristan

Peek-a-boo, I see you!

When I saw that pic, it just made me laugh, because all us Redlegs have done that, peered up the tube... Then I saw this one, and it made me curious:

After all, that elevation seems pretty high to be using a direct fire sight, though of course the guy could have simply been looking at the photographer, who was clearly standing on something nearby. But it was all made clear in the last photo - which is below the article.

Story and photos by Spc. Gregory J. Argentieri
173rd ABCT Public Affairs

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Paratroopers from 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, recently began training their Afghanistan National Army artillery counterparts in February at Forward Operating Base Kalagush in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.

Approximately 30 ANA artillerymen assigned to the Field Artillery Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 201st Corps for will be learning to operate and fire the modern M198 155mm Howitzer the next several weeks from their U.S. Army artillery counterparts from 2nd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 4-319th AFAR.

One important area of focus for the ANA artillery training will be to come away fully capable and proficient at indirect fire in support of their troops on the ground. Indirect artillery fire is critical to success while fighting in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan.

The Afghan Soldiers are excited about the opportunity to train with U.S. Soldiers.
“Everybody knows the ANA soldiers volunteer, so these soldiers are very interested in artillery, and are determined to use this opportunity to learn from the U.S. Soldiers and gain more knowledge,” said Field Artillery Company Commander 1st Lt. Abdul Nasir Ahmadi, from Kabul, “These are not new soldiers. They have been working for the ANA for four or five years, and have had lots of training.”

“The difference now is we have cooperation with the U.S. Soldiers,” said Ahmadi. “It is very important because hopefully in the future we will have a M198 Howitzer.”

Currently the ANA uses the D-30 Russian Howitzer.
“I really enjoyed shooting, and I want to have lots of training on the modern Howitzer,” said ANA Artillery Crew Chief, Sgt. 1st Class Falak Naz, from Jalalabad. “I have learned lots of things, different kinds of ammunitions, rounds, fuses, and how to direct fire for the modern Howitzer.”

Working side-by-side with the ANA provides the U.S. Soldiers with more than just a training opportunity, it also gives them a better understanding of the overall mission and the importance of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“When I first started working with them I wasn’t sure exactly what they would know and with the language barrier how difficult it would be to communicate with them, but since they came with interpreters and after I have been working with them, I have come to find out across the board artillery is artillery. So I think it’s just a matter of going from one gun to another,” said Staff Sgt. James F. Natiello, Section Chief, 2nd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 4-319th AFAR.

“It’s good to know these guys are here and they have experience. It gives us Americans confidence in people here to take care of themselves after we leave,” said Natiello, from Aston, Pa.

The Alpha Battery Soldiers are happy to share their experience with their Afghan counterparts.
“We are helping them learn better techniques on handling and loading ammunition, and our safety requirements and the things we do to be safe,” said Staff Sgt. Trenton R. Farris from Abilene, Texas, 1st Section Chief for 2nd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 4-319th AFAR. “Their motivation and attention to detail is much higher than we anticipated, and their discipline is much better than the ANA I’ve seen in the past. It gives me more hope for the future as far as them being able to take over in their role as artillery for their country.”

Artillery Section Chief, Sgt. 1st Class Wade A. Hunter, from Queens, N.Y., 2nd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 4-319th AFAR agrees that the training is important for the Afghans to properly defend their own country.

“As an artilleryman, artillery is the ‘King of Battle,’ and if these guys are proficient at artillery, and are looking at defending their nation and their citizens, this is something you want to be skilled at, something you want to invest in,” said Hunter, “It has been proven that artillery is an effective means of defending yourself from the bad guys.”

“For me this training is pretty exciting. It’s exciting enough training fellow Americans, but to do partnership training with someone from a different nationality, and see how they do business, you feel like you’re making a difference,” said Hunter, “The impact, the camaraderie, being exposed to another culture, and getting a chance to impart your skills and knowledge, it’s hard to explain, but it’s a good feeling.”

No matter what country you are from, artillerymen share a unique love for their job.
“When we were briefed on this mission, command told us these are our artillery brothers that are coming to train with us. I did not understand what that really meant until these guys got here. Just through this training alone, no matter what nationality you’re from, no matter what your cultural background, artillerymen are pretty much the same,” said Hunter, “The artillery company shows the same kind of attitude when it comes to shooting a round or motivation, their excitement for the mission, it’s just like looking at another American group, and that’s good to see. They do speak a different language but when it comes to body language and attitude, artillerymen are the same.”

“The plan is to have one-on-one training, to impart our knowledge to these guys. For a chief to learn a chief’s job or how he does business you talk to another chief. For a gunner to learn a gunner’s job the best person to talk to is a gunner, and these guys are hands-on and excited,” said Hunter. “The mission is to get these guys to a point where we all can be on the same sheet of music.”

No matter what country you are from, artillerymen share a unique love for their job.

Word! As for the use of the direct fire sight... well, they may well be shooting direct fire at those elevations in the mountains of Afghanistan.

If you'd like to see a larger version of that last pic - click here.

AN OPEN LETTER TO ANYONE WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM

This is well-intentioned, heartfelt, and, of course, a little late - but better late than never, as I said when I forwarded this to my favorite Vietnam Veteran.

His response was not what I expected, though in retrospect, it doesn't surprise me. Truly the forgotten soldiers of a forgotten war. Here's what he said:

"Its never for most of those who served in an even bloodier and more uncomfortable although shorter war in Korea, who got about the same reception when they came home."

For the record, Colonel - you're one of my heroes, and always have been.

Now to Ms. Weaver's missive.

Dear Hero,

I was in my twenties during the Vietnam era. I was a single mother and, I'm sad to say, I was probably one of the most self-centered people on the planet. To be perfectly honest…I didn't care one way or the other about the war. All I cared about was me—how I looked, what I wore, and where I was going. I worked and I played. I was never politically involved in anything, but I allowed my opinions to be formed by the media. It happened without my ever being aware. I listened to the protest songs and I watch the six o'clock news and I listened to all the people who were talking. After awhile, I began to repeat their words and, if you were to ask me, I'd have told you I was against the war. It was very popular. Everyone was doing it, and we never saw what it was doing to our men. All we were shown was what they were doing to the people of Vietnam.

My brother joined the Navy and then he was sent to Vietnam. When he came home, I repeated the words to him. It surprised me at how angry he became. I hurt him very deeply and there were years of separation—not only of miles, but also of character. I didn't understand.

In fact, I didn't understand anything until one day I opened my newspaper and saw the anguished face of a Vietnam veteran. The picture was taken at the opening of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. His countenance revealed the terrible burden of his soul. As I looked at his picture and his tears, I finally understood a tiny portion of what you had given for us and what we had done to you. I understood that I had been manipulated, but I also knew that I had failed to think for myself. It was like waking up out of a nightmare, except that the nightmare was real. I didn't know what to do.

One day about three years ago, I went to a member of the church I attended at that time, because he had served in Vietnam. I asked him if he had been in Vietnam, and he got a look on his face and said, "Yes." Then, I took his hand, looked him square in the face, and said, "Thank you for going." His jaw dropped, he got an amazed look on his face, and then he said, "No one has ever said that to me." He hugged me and I could see that he was about to get tears in his eyes. It gave me an idea, because there is much more that needs to be said. How do we put into words…all the regret of so many years? I don't know, but when I have an opportunity, I take…so here goes.

Have you been to Vietnam? If so, I have something I want to say to you—Thank you for going! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please forgive me for my insensitivity. I don't know how I could have been so blind, but I was. When I woke up, you were wounded and the damage was done, and I don't know how to fix it. I will never stop regretting my actions, and I will never let it happen again.

Please understand that I am speaking for the general public also. We know we blew it and we don't know how to make it up to you. We wish we had been there for you when you came home from Vietnam because you were a hero and you deserved better. Inside of you there is a pain that will never completely go away…and you know what? It's inside of us, too; because when we let you down, we hurt ourselves, too. We all know it…and we suffer guilt and we don't know what to do…so we cheer for our troops and write letters to "any soldier" and we hang out the yellow ribbons and fly the flag and we love America. We love you too, even if it doesn't feel like it to you. I know in my heart that, when we cheer wildly for our troops, part of the reason is trying to make up for Vietnam. And while it may work for us, it does nothing for you. We failed you. You didn't fail us, but we failed you and we lost our only chance to be grateful to you at the time when you needed and deserved it. We have disgraced ourselves and brought shame to our country. We did it and we need your forgiveness. Please say you will forgive us and please take your rightful place as heroes of our country. We have learned a terribly painful lesson at your expense and we don't know how to fix it.

From the heart,

Julie Weaver

H&I* Fires: 27 FEB 2008

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).
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On the side bar and in previous posts here, we talked about "the final mission" that every vet has - coming home. Veterans Talk is a new blog by a Marine Veteran of Iraq.

When I got back from Iraq, I admit, I drank a ton. Now, with a more clear mind than I had back then I can see that I drank because it somewhat numbed my mind, it allowed me to be myself and not have to worry about 'maintaining'. I could get drunk with my buddies, or at home by myself and everything would be alright. I could tune down a bit from having to look over my shoulder everywhere I went, and forget about worrying about every piece of trash laying on the side of the road. It also helped me to forget the faces of the people that we hurt and put down.

Go read: Combat Veterans

On a roll with our veterans issues: A Helping Hand.

Denizenne Theme Song: You Can't Say No To A Soldier Or, maybe the denizenne theme song is this.

Techography jumps on it: Bloggers are little toads

Mugniyah orchestrated 2006 war according the Hezbollah

I'm torn about this. Though we once had a long discussion in comments here about the fall of the USSR. I noted that the left claims the fall was inevitable due to bad economics and politics while the right claims that Ronnie's "peace through strength" spent them into oblivion. I always felt that both sides overlooked a very important aspect: the black market. Not just the underground economy that it spurred, but the things that people bought. Like Coca-Cola, Levi jeans and Michael Jackson music cassettes (back when he was somewhat "normal"). You really can't say "freedom" any better than American made products and American music.

Stephen Haye's warns us not to take Obama and the Power of Words for granted. Remember Reagan? I can't help that I keep hearing a Coca-Cola commercial when I hear him speaking.

I'd like to build the world a home and furnish it with love...grow apple trees, honey bees and snow white turtle doves.

That's the real thing...what the world wants today...(.wav file, original song, if you can't get to youtube)

Obama, the Coca-Cola Candidate: he's fizzy and gives you a rush. Just don't snort him out your nose.

Hillary?

And here's something to really tick off a bunch of folks: Study Finds Immigrants commit less crime than US born citizens.
-Kat
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Uh...Pardon Me? Hello? Let me repeat: Nuts!
-Kat

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Remember last election cycle the news was about the Iraq vets who were running against the war? This cycle there are Iraq vets running who support the war. Iraq Vets For Congress. Jules Crittenden has more. -the Armorer

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With elegant understatement, Neptunus Lex takes a look at of some of the big names attempting to "advise" Clinton and Obama on foreign policy:

Together the three wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post intended to stiffen the spines of any presidential candidates - they know who they are - now running on an anti-war platform, but who might be toying with the notion of going all wobbly and governing responsibly once in office.

To balance things out, I'll pimp myself:

I don't know what gave him away... maybe it was the mile-wide grin on his face, or the way he walked so lightly in dusty boots recently unburdened of at least 50 pounds of gear, but the USO director instantly knew the broad-shouldered young soldier was home from Iraq.

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Continuing the story - Army Chief of Staff General Casey testifying before Congress, speaks to Senator Obama's Army Captain:

"I have no reason to doubt what it is the captain said," Casey said. "This was 2003 and 2004, almost four and a half years ago. We acknowledge and all worked together to correct the deficiencies that we saw in th