Task Force Lafayette
As of today, there is a brigade (a small one by US standards - 2 infantry battalions, plus support, including artillery, helos, and UAVs - but still a brigade) of French troops operating under the command of the American general in RC-East. The French are responsible for Kapisa province and the Surobi district of Kabul province. Ever since they lost 10 troops in a battle in Surobi last summer, the French have, in the words of a 101st planner, "had their game face on." Kapisa and Surobi are key terrain immediately surrounding the capital, and are far from quiet areas.
This story ran in Stars and Stripes a couple of days ago.
And it should be noted that President Sarkozy has been considerably more stalwart and decisive on Afghanistan than The One.
Two minor notes:
1-The name TF Martel was rejected for political reasons.
2-As a red leg, I'm sure you'd love their Caesar howitzers. They're truck mounted, smart-round capable, and outrange our 777s.
As of today, there is a brigade (a small one by US standards - 2 infantry battalions, plus support, including artillery, helos, and UAVs - but still a brigade) of French troops operating under the command of the American general in RC-East. The French are responsible for Kapisa province and the Surobi district of Kabul province. Ever since they lost 10 troops in a battle in Surobi last summer, the French have, in the words of a 101st planner, "had their game face on." Kapisa and Surobi are key terrain immediately surrounding the capital, and are far from quiet areas.
This story ran in Stars and Stripes a couple of days ago.
And it should be noted that President Sarkozy has been considerably more stalwart and decisive on Afghanistan than The One.
Two minor notes:
1-The name TF Martel was rejected for political reasons.
2-As a red leg, I'm sure you'd love their Caesar howitzers. They're truck mounted, smart-round capable, and outrange our 777s.
Caesar looks interesting as a concept. Great mobility and probably fast to set up or change positions. However, the specs list 30 degrees for traverse (not sure if that is total, or +/- 30 degrees) which really limits its usefulness. Also, if the truck part of the unit has mechanical/battle damage that keeps it from moving , you just lost the whole gun, instead of hitching a towed gun to another prime mover.
Back in my military days, there was a bit of light-hearted folk-wisdom about a tank being a radio-controlled, mobile artillery piece. I forget how it went, but as each capability was lost, the "asset" was degraded nominally to its final status, rock.
Well, this is a problem that applies to tracked SPs, too. Ever pivoted in some sand or muck, and thrown a track? LOL