Resilience in Afghanistan

[peyton]

Today marks the 11th aniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan. I have spent two years now traveling all over the country fixing Army computers.
Everywhere I have gone I have seen the resilience of the NATO forces and the Afghan military.
On one FOB they were training the local Afghan police force (think deputy sheriff) and they were trying to teach them how to march. The ones up front were doing OK but the ones in the back were kicking rocks like they were playing soccer.
The officer standing next to me said they get real attentive when the Afghan Army and Police bring some army and police survivors of attacks, and they tell them the new recruits what happened.
I got nervous only one time so far, we landed on a FOB in a Chinook helocopter, and flew right over the Afghan guard tower with a 50 caliber machinegun manned by a 18 year old Afghan soldier.
Today at church we had American, Poles, French, German soldiers, plus civilians probably from every corner of the earth all here trying to bring stablity and a opportunity for these people. I thought, "Not that long ago a lot of the people in the church were fighting each other".

 

[VPNAVY]

You be careful my friend. I am sure the American pullout is putting a lot of stress on the Afghanistan government and that means less protection for you guys. Be careful!

 

[keith44spl]

Thank You & Godspeed



Dave

 

[mg357]

peyton: Sir becareful and may god bless you and the other forces that your serving with.

 

[11B Lifer]

Thank you

For your service-there are thousands of Afghans who appreciate what you are doing-I work for the Army and we are with you -

 

[OIF2]

Great positive post. I get tired of reading all the negative "we've lost" stuff. I'll be back there one more time early next year. Take care and stay safe. Unlike the nay-sayers, you're doing good things for your country.
Bob

 

[Badkarma 1]

Watch yourself over there and stay low! And thanks for your service! Dale

 

[peyton]

The Washington Post has a good article I think gives a more realistic view than what we see/read.

Amid concerns about Afghan-American partnership, a story of trust - The Washington Post

 

[Frank237]

I am NOT trying to be negative here or start a **** storm.

A question for those of you with actual experience over there..WHY don't the civilians stand up against the Taliban? I read these stories and hear the occasional piece on the news that the civilians WANT peace, they WANT stability.

Then why not assist the NATO forces simply with Intel on the bad guys?

FN in MT

 

[Muley Gil]

I am NOT trying to be negative here or start a **** storm.

A question for those of you with actual experience over there..WHY don't the civilians stand up against the Taliban? I read these stories and hear the occasional piece on the news that the civilians WANT peace, they WANT stability.

Then why not assist the NATO forces simply with Intel on the bad guys?

FN in MT

I was over there for three years, training Afghan police officers. The reason given to me was that the Taliban are everywhere and they threaten to kill your family if you help the Westerners.

Like most folks, the average Afghan just wants to raise his crops or work at his job, feed his family, and be left alone. He really doesn't care who is in charge of the government.

 

[peyton]

We do get intel from the locals. That is always on the "secret squirrel" side, and we prepare and react to it as best as possible. A lot more can be done here but one man does not have much chance. The Afghan goverment has not done a good job of "spreading democracy" or money to 3/4's of the country. It is an absolute crime on how much money has been siphoned off to make the rich richer.

My post last week about the motorcyle suicide bomber is an example of the local's trying to get control. It was the town police that was running the check point, the bad guy got away, however the good guys maybe saved lives, including their own.
I spent 5 years in Iraq and it was civilians (Sunni mostly) that got fed up with the Terrorists killing everyone. The "Sons of Iraq" organized and realized that the terrorist were worse that the US military and started to help take back their country.