KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 18, 2012) — Recent media coverage regarding a change in ISAF's model of Security Force Assistance (SFA) to the Afghan National Security Forces is not accurate. ISAF remains absolutely committed to partnering with, training, advising and assisting our ANSF counterparts. The ISAF SFA model is focused at the battalion level and above, with exceptions approved by senior commanders. Partnering occurs at all levels, from Platoon to Corps. This has not changed.This is utter bullshit.
In response to elevated threat levels resulting from the "Innocence of Muslims" video, ISAF has taken some prudent, but temporary, measures to reduce our profile and vulnerability to civil disturbances or insider attacks. This means that in some local instances, operational tempo has been reduced, or force protection has been increased. These actions balance the tension of the recent video with force protection, while maintaining the momentum of the campaign.
We've done this before in other high tension periods, and it has worked well. Under this guidance, and as conditions change, we will continue to adapt the force posture and force protection. The SFA model is integral to the success of the ANSF, and ISAF will return to normal operations as soon as conditions warrant.
The men and women on the ground are about to revolt over this issue. The ANA is not to be trusted and junior leaders will soon take action if senior leadership remains oblivious.
The lack of trust between the leaders and the led will only increase unless proper actions are taken to get this issue under control.
In short. The troops are being let down by their leadership. This cannot stand.
Onto a different subject.
The 3rd MAW suffered a horific blow that will reverberate across the Marine Corps.
To rehash.
A squadron rendered combat ineffective.
A squadron that saw its leader killed in combat by so called friendly forces.
A rotation schedule that is ready for the scrap heap.
Budgetary issues abound. Unless the squadron's colors are cased then it will cost money to bring it back up to speed. Unless Congress gives the Marine Corps a special wartime supplemental then you're looking at a chunk of money that was programmed for other uses beign rerouted to replace wartime losses.
Afghanistan is spiraling. Its not out of control yet, but affirmative action needs to be taken. If this suspension of training missions is temporary then that won't do. It needs to be permanent and leadership needs to state loudly and proudly that the mission that was set forth for the military has been accomplished.
The terrorist are in Pakistan, not Afghanistan and all we're doing now is nation building. The Afghans can build their own damn country. TIme to go.
Blaming this on a movie is such fucking shit. There have been Green on Blue killings all year, but the movie just came out recently. So what explains all of the previous Green on Blue??
ReplyDeleteMore PC bullshit. Will ANYBODY with some authority finally wake the fuck up?? A General somewhere needs to bite the bullet and start speaking the truth.
couldnt agree more
ReplyDeleteI've said before and say once again, down at the squad/fire team level one Marine/Soldier should be the kill switch man, watches the afgani's and always be armed. First sign of treachery and Boom, Boom out go the lights. if suspicious then always have a hand close to your kill switch device.
ReplyDeleteWatch them, use the old Possum squad tactics of WW 2 Pacific campaigns.
One Marine, eyes always on the afgani's and armed.
The whole pull out strategy is based on building up the Afghan military to take our place.
ReplyDeleteIs the pentagon largely still married to this strategy?
I know the President would rather build HSR and windmills than deal with Afghanistan, but I don't think he will risk the political ramifications/fallout of dropping the strategy, going back on our promises, and dumping our Afghan incompetents (especially under these conditions).
If it was Britain at the moment, then the squadron would be rebranded a 'reaction flight' and a virtue made of it only have a limited amount of aircraft...
ReplyDeleteAh well at least its the USMC, they won't do anything that transparent... and you do have all of our harriers to rebuild the squadron with...