Tanker Officer Defends Use of Heavy Tanks in Afghanistan

The recent decision by the defense department to deploy 14 M1 Abrams tanks to Afghanistan to assist in the counterinsurgency fight has stirred some mixed reaction.  Many question if the decision is wise citing a variety of reasons.  Tanks are not exactly a "light footprint" that some say is needed in a COIN fight.  They separate the Soldier from the population with who he is supposed to win over (hearts and minds)". The heavy tanks also will bring up bad memories of the Soviet invasion and occupation.  However, a young armor officer does bring up some valid points - one being survivability on the battlefield.  Read his defense of the use of heavy tanks in "Tanks to Afghanistan, a Soldier Writes", At War Blog, The New York Times, November 22, 2010.

Australians to Get Multicam Uniforms for Afghanistan

It appears that Australian troops will now be sporting the "multicam" uniform in Afghanistan. 

"The major changes to diggers' uniforms will see the current khaki and brown "cams" replaced with the US-style green and sand uniforms. Australia's Special Forces troops in Afghanistan have been trialling the Multicam uniform and now all Australian soldiers heading "outside the wire" will wear it. The Defence Force has placed an urgent order with the US to get the uniforms, which reportedly cost around $400 each, to troops in Afghanistan."

Read more in "Diggers to get US-style uniforms", ABC News, November 19, 2010.

Armor in Afghanistan? A Retired Marine Officer Comments

The introduction of M1A1 tanks by the Marines in Helmand Province has generated some comments from the military bloggers.  Read one article on this topic in "Is Armor Antithetical to Good COIN?", Small Wars Journal, November 26, 2010.

A Village Forms a Militia to Oppose the Taliban - Tarbuz Guzar

A village in Konduz Province has formed a militia to oppose the spread of Taliban influence.  Read more in "Into Taliban Territory: The Beginnings of the Tarbuz Guzar Militia", Radio Free Europe, November 23, 2010.

Casualty Data on Afghanistan War by Congressional Research Service (Oct 28, 2010)

The Department of Defense and other entities tracks casualty data from the Afghanistan War.  Read a recent report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).  See "Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians", CRS, October 28, 2010.

Aid Groups Negotiating with Taliban in Afghanistan

Aid groups working in Afghanistan are communicating with the Taliban in an effort to gain safe passage for its workers.  The independent NGOs are trying to put distance between their organizations and the coalition forces. 

"KABUL—Independent aid groups operating in Afghanistan are increasingly distancing themselves from the U.S.-led coalition and trying to forge safe-passage agreements with insurgents, betting that a show of neutrality will protect their work amid an intensifying war. The Taliban are reciprocating with a more moderate approach to some aid workers, while continuing attacks on those seen as affiliated with the coalition. Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban's supreme leader, recently issued formal instructions to help nongovernment organizations that register with them, Taliban officials say."

Read more in "Aid groups seek safety pacts with Taliban", The Wall Street Journal, November 22, 2010.

A Dispiriting Report on Afghanistan

A writer provides some insight into the difficulties of understanding Afghanistan. See "Statism fails in Afghanistan, too", The Washington Times, November 25, 2010.

Translaters for Afghan War Hard to Find

The Army needs interpreters for its many units in Afghanistan but finds it isn't easy finding them. See "Army has tough time recruiting translators for Afghanistan war", Los Angeles Times, November 26, 2010.

Afghan Local Police or ALP - Militias or the Solution to Security in Afghanistan?

The military is banking a lot on the Afghan Local Police (ALP) initiative.  The concept is to train and arm local villagers in an attempt to get them to provide security for their community against the Taliban.  Led by U.S. Special Forces teams - this latest scheme may work.  However, it needs a funding source and the SF teams need the latitude to operate independently unconstrained by conventional battalion or brigade commanders and their staffs. There are thoughts of expanding it beyond the Special Forces control and therein lies a problem.  While Special Forces troops are trained and experienced in training and controlling indigenous forces it is not so apparent that our conventional troops are.  So . . . can you spell armed thugs in the villages without any supervision?  Read an article critical of this latest initiative at "Quick fixes won't aid Afghan civilians", Politico, November 19, 2010.

Special Forces Officer Comments on Utility of Tanks, MATV and MRAPs in Afghanistan

A Special Forces officer with recent experience in Afghanistan writes a column providing insight on the utility of tanks in Afghanistan.  The writer also served as the director for Afghanistan in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense and as an advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney on South Asia and counterterrorism. 

"You ask us to stand up to the Talibs while you hide in your tanks from their bombs," one elderly Afghan man said incredulously as dozens of other wizened elders from the powerful Afghan Mangal tribe nodded in agreement. The group was sitting in a semicircle on an oversized rug in front of several bowls of dates and nuts in a concrete community building that doubled as a school, police station, and meeting hall. Most of the men had a mixture of shotguns, old British Enfield rifles, or AK-47s slung over their shoulders, and several were better equipped than the Afghan National Army soldiers who accompanied us. A number of the elders were also leaders of the Mangal's arbakai, or tribal militia, that protected tribal interests. They mostly stood stone-faced as their spokesman recounted a long history of the Mangal's support for the Afghan government and then chastised me for the Afghan Army and coalition's lack of support for his tribe and our lack of presence in his valley.

The author delivers a resounding and convincing argument for less armor rather than more.  If only our general officers could find the time to read the article and heed his advice.  Read the rest of the article in "Tanks, But No Tanks", Foreign Policy, November 24, 2010.

Special Forces Using Grey Eagle Drone in Afghanistan

A recent news blog states that U.S. Army Special Forces are using an armed drone named the Grey Eagle.  See "New cool armed drone for US special forces in Afghanistan", November 24, 2010.

Pentagon Report on Afghanistan Provides Little Signs of Progress

The Pentagon report on Afghanistan has spurred numerous press articles.  Some writers look at the positive signs and some writers say the report paints a depressing picture.  Read one such article looking at the negatives entitled "War in Afghanistan: Pentagon report cites progress, provides little", The Christian Science Monitor, November 24, 2010.

Will the Taliban Reintegrate?

Will the Taliban reintegrate into Afghan society?  A British general seems to think that the surgical strikes against high- and mid-level Taliban leadership is having an effect and that they will seek to reintegrate.  Read more in "Taliban being driven to negotiating table by precision strikes", The Telegraph, November 25, 2010.

What Happens When NATO Leaves Afghanistan?

Many are wondering what happens in July 2011 (or is it July 2014) once NATO forces depart Afghanistan.  A common question is will the Afghan Security Forces (ASF) be able to handle the Taliban?  Read an article on this topic entitled "Can Afghan forces bring security when Nato leaves?", BBC News, November 19, 2010.

US Seeks Wider Role for CIA in Pakistan

The U.S. is searching for solutions on how to hit the Taliban in Pakistan.  While the Pakistan government may not approve U.S. ground troops it could possibly turn a blind eye to an increase of CIA paramilitary capability.  Read more in "Wider Role for CIA Sought", The Wall Street Journal, October 23, 2010.

Reconciliation with the Taliban - Not so Much after Fake Negotiator is Uncovered

Reconciliation was in the news for much of the past several months.  NATO and Afghan governmental spokesmen were issuing statements indicating that the intensity of the Special Operations raids against the Taliban leadership were pushing the Taliban to the negotiating table.  They cited ongoing negotiations with the number two leader of the Taliban.  All came to a halt when they found out the number 2 guy was a fake - a shopkeeper from Pakistan.  Read more in "Afghanistan shifts from reconciliation after Taliban impostor revealed", The Christian Science Monitor, November 23, 2010.

Infantry Battalion to Assist Special Operations with Afghan Community Police Forces

Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez has confirmed that a U.S. Army Infantry Battalion will be sent to Afghanistan to work with U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) in the development of the local community police program.  The program, called Afghan Local Police (ALP), is an integral part of the various village security programs the coalition has rolled out over the past year to connect the local rural areas with the central government.  Read more in "With an eye on a drawdown, U.S. growing its force in Afghanistan", Stars and Stripes, November 23, 2010.

24 Non-Military Solutions to the Afghan War

The New World Strategies Coalition, Inc. offers 24 non-military solutions for the Afghan War.  Some interesting reading.  The coaliton is a group of "private contractors who provide strategies and creative solutions to solve problems." View these at the link below:

http://newworldstrategiescoalition.org/24_NonMilitary_Solutions.html

More News on the Corrupt Karzai Government in Afghanistan

An article that sums up the corruption of the Karzai government can be found at "Making Afghanistan's fraudulent regime seem barely credible", The Huffington Post, November 24, 2010.

British Public Voicing Concerns on Afghan War

The British public is becoming increasingly concerned over the United Kingdom's involvement in the Afghan War.  Read more in "British Public Growing Weary of Afghan War", Voice of America, November 23, 2010.

Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan - Pentagon Report on Afghan War

The Pentagon has finished its bi-annual report on the state of the Afghan War.  The report, entitled "Progress Toward Security and Stability in Afghanistan" includes data up to the end of September 30, 2010 and is a compilation of reports from many different agencies.  The report cites progress in some areas (increased capability of Afghan Army) but highlights problem areas that still are perplexing the coalition (such as recruitment of Pashtuns into the Afghan Army).  The report is mandated by Congress every six months.  Read more in "Progress in Afghan war called uneven", The Washington Post, November 24, 2010.

Interactive Province Map of Afghanistan

The link below will take you to an interactive province map for Afghanistan.  Once it opens, click on the province you want to learn more about and you will find additional information.

http://www.isaf.nato.int/map-usfora/index.php

Asia Foundation Conducts a Poll: Afghan's Say Things are Improving

"A recent poll reveals that many Afghans actually believe things are getting better — slowly, to be sure, but improving despite the odds. The survey was directed by the Asia Foundation in Kabul. It was the sixth public opinion poll conducted by the foundation since 2004, providing a snapshot of public opinion in Afghanistan over time. The 634 trained Afghan pollsters interviewed 6,500 Afghans, almost equally divided between men and women and including all ethnic groups, across the country’s 34 provinces. When instability or the presence of fighting placed areas off limits, sampling replacements were made in the same region. The polling was done two months before the September parliamentary elections."

Read the rest of the article in "The Afghan View", The New York Times, November 18, 2010.

Canadians Leasing MI-17 Russian Helicopters for Use in Kandahar

"The Defence Department has quietly acquired a new fleet of helicopters for combat missions in Afghanistan, but is refusing to provide details about how much the deal cost taxpayers or how many aircraft are operating. The lease of the Russian-designed Mi-17s helicopters for use in Kandahar province is shrouded in secrecy."

Read the rest of the article in "Details on chopper deal kept secret", The Montreal Gazette, November 22, 2010.

Route Clearance in Wardak Province, Afghanistan

"WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan – For Afghan civilians, Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Force personnel traveling throughout Afghanistan, clearing routes of improvised explosive devices is necessary to keep everyone safe and alive.  Soldiers assigned to Task Force Slugger’s “Apache” Troop, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, conducted route clearance and route reconnaissance in the Maiden Shahr and Nerkh districts of Wardak Province Nov. 18. Nothing was unique about that day’s mission; these Soldiers clear Afghan roads of insurgent-emplaced IEDs day in and day out."

Read the rest of the article - "Route-clearance soldiers help to keep Afghan roads safe, build relationships", CJTF-101, November 23, 2010.

In The Graveyard of Empires by Seth Jones

In the Graveyard of Empires is a book about the Afghan war.  Dr. Seth Jones has deep Afghanistan experience, has wrote numerous books and publications about the war in Afghanistan, and recently served as an advisor and plans officer to the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command (CFSOCC-A) in Afghanistan.  The book examines what went wrong in Afghanistan after the extremely successful operation to topple the Taliban regime in the fall of 2001.  The book provides you a historical background to the Afghan war to include the Soviet invasion, the mujahideen fight against the Russians, the civil war after the Russian withdrawal, the rise of the Taliban up to their overthrow by the Northern Alliance and the U.S. Special Forces.  It then provides a historical context of how the war has progressed - and how it has gone wrong.  The author concludes with an analysis of how to win the war and provides some sound recommendations on the way forward.  Click on the link below to read more reviews about the book or to purchase from Amazon.com.

In the Graveyard of Empires: America's War in Afghanistan

Foreign Forces in Afghanistan

A BBC article poses questions and provides answers about foreign troops in Afghanistan and lends insight as to how the conflict is proceeding.  See "Q&A: Foreign forces in Afghanistan", November 18, 2010.

Afghan's Uneasy Over New Withdrawal Date for U.S. Troops (2014)

The news from Lisbon and Washington that a new withdrawal date has been set for coalition forces has received a mixed reaction.  Some Afghans say it won't make any difference while others worry of the security vacuum that will be left.  Read more in "Afghans: Divided Over NATO's New 2014 Target", Time, November 22, 2010.

Karzai Supports U.S. Afghan War Strategy - Says U.S.

U.S. spokesmen and other high level officials are trying to downplay the words of President Karzai of Afghanistan when he criticizes U.S. operations.  His criticism of U.S. Special Operations Forces conducting "night raids" has been reported heavily in the press.  See more in "U.S:: Karzai supportive of Afghan war strategy", USA Today, November 22, 2010.

Col Abdul Razzik - Special Forces Ally in Southern Afghanistan

American troops are partnering with many different types of Afghan units in an attempt to quell the Taliban insurgency.  One such "partner" is Col Abdul Razzik - a leader of a military unit that secures Spin Boldak and other parts of southern Afghanistan.  Read more about this successful insurgent fighter and his questionable background at "In Afghanistan, U.S. Turns 'Malignant Actor' Into Ally", The Wall Street Journal, November 18, 2010.

Latest Poll Results Prompt Calls for Quitting Afghanistan (International Council of Security and Development)

A recent poll conducted by the International Council on Security and Development (ICSD) has prompted some to call for an early withdrawal from Afghanistan.  It is obvious from the poll results that we are losing the information operations (or do we now call it "strategic communications"?) battle.  Read a recent columnist's opinion of this poll and what we should do in "It's braver to quit Afghanistan now", The Guardian, November 21, 2010.

The following is the text from the website of the ICSD which provides some background information on the poll conducted in October 2010. 

"In October 2010 the International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) interviewed 1500 Afghan men in southern and northern Afghanistan. In Helmand and Kandahar, 1000 men were interviewed. In Panjshir and Parwan, 500 men were interviewed.

The two clusters of provinces chosen by ICOS reflect very different ethnic and political situations. Panjshir and Parwan are dominated by ethnic Tajiks, and were the stronghold of the anti-Taliban fighter Ahmad Shah Massoud during the civil war of the 1990s. They are now usually regarded as amongst the more peaceful areas of Afghanistan. Helmand and Kandahar, which are heavily Pashtun, were the homeland of the Taliban movement, and today are at the centre of the insurgency in Afghanistan.

Kandahar and Helmand, along with Kunar province in the north-east, see 60% of the insurgent attacks across Afghanistan, according to NATO-ISAF. Therefore the ICOS research in these southern provinces provides a unique insight into the most relevant cohort of the Afghan population, in the most relevant areas of the country.

The questions assessed a range of subjects including interviewees’ perceptions of NATO-ISAF and the wider international community, their attitudes towards the Taliban, and their opinions on international development efforts in their community. This ICOS field research offers a unique insight on the attitudes of the Afghan people on these issues."

The poll results can be downloaded from the ICSD at the link below:

http://www.icosgroup.net/modules/reports/afghanistan_transition_missing_variables

Taliban to Continue Fighting During Winter Season in Kandahar According to Noorzai Elder

According to a Noorzai elder the Taliban plan to continue their fight through the winter months.  Typically the winter season slows down the pace of the war but recent statements from the Taliban indicated this might change.  Read more in "Taliban vows to keep fighting this winter", The Globe and Mail, November 21, 2010.

Poll Results: Afghans Still Wary of Foreign Troops

A poll conducted by Canadian researcher Norine MacDonald has revealed some interesting information.  Only 8% of those Afghans polled realize that 9/11 is the reason that the United States invaded Afghanistan.  Many do not understand what we are trying to accomplish in Afghanistan and view us as foreign invaders occupying their country.  Read more on this topic in "How to win over the Afghans", The Washington Post, November 21, 2010.

8th Commando Kandak Avenge Death of Seven Afghan National Police in Khas Uruzgan

The 8th Commando Kandak in conjunction with U.S. Special Forces and air support were successful in the location and subsequent death of a Taliban leader who had earlier caused the death of seven Afghan National Police in Khas Uruzgan.  Read more on this operation at the link below:

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/60585/forces-kill-taliban-leader-responsible-7-afghan-police-deaths

Canadian Troops will Shift from Combat Role to Training Afghans

It is unfortunate that it took the United States military and other coalition partners so long to realize that foreign troops in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban is a difficult prospect at best and leads to alienation of the rural population against the perceived occupiers.  What we should have done is invested our time and money in training up the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police.  Some folks are finally catching on.  Read more in "Teaching Afghans more important than combat: army trainer", The Montreal Gazette, November 14, 2010.

Afghan Aid Groups May Depart Due to Security Firm Decision by Karzai

President Karzai has determined that foreign private security firms must depart Afghanistan.  Unfortunately this will affect the amount of aid that is administered in Afghanistan as the international aid groups are hesitant to depend upon Afghan security forces.  Read more in "Afghan Aid Groups Plan to Leave Over Karzai Decree", The Wall Street Journal, October 21, 2010.

Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (POMLTs) in Afghanistan

The Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (POMLTs) that are currently working with the Afghan National Police are seeing their goals scaled back.  This is due to the lack of additional teams to work with the Afghan National Police (ANP).  There was a request for 143 additional POMLTs from the NATO countries but it appears they will not be forthcoming.  The teams are 15-20 men in strength and are comprised of military and civilian members with law enforcement experience.  The POMLT members live and work with the Afghan police in the field.  Read more in "NATO revises goal for police mentoring teams", Stars and Stripes, November 19, 2010.

The deployment of the POMLT teams are usually for six-months; although U.S. teams will spend one year in country.  Countries participating in the POMLT training initiative include the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.  (see POMLT Fact Sheet June 2010 ISAF).

Australian Special Forces Could Stay in Afghanistan Longer

"Australian special forces could stay on in Afghanistan in a security overwatch role after other Australian forces depart, Defence Minister Stephen Smith says. Speaking ahead of the NATO summit in Lisbon this weekend, Mr Smith said the government had been upfront in declaring Australia would not walk away from Afghanistan the day after concluding the current training task."

Read the rest of the article in "Special forces could stay in Afghanistan", The Sydney Morning Herald, November 17, 2010.

Operation Bulldog Bite Concludes in Eastern Pech River Valley of Kunar Province

KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 18) – Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Forces concluded clearing operations yesterday in the eastern Pech River Valley, Kunar province.  The combined security force moved into the Watapur Valley to search for militants and weapons caches Nov 14.

 Reports indicate more than 40 insurgents may have been killed during the security sweep of the area. As the combined Afghan and ISAF force conducted clearing operations, they discovered weapons caches containing several mortar systems with rounds; 15 recoilless rifle rounds; over a dozen rocket-propelled grenades; 20 anti-aircraft rounds; four fragmentary grenades; 400 rounds of AK-47 ammunition; 1,200 PKM (machine gun) rounds; and improvised explosive components. The combined force took deliberate steps to avoid injuring innocent civilians during the operation.

“Operation Bulldog Bite has degraded the insurgents’ ability to terrorize the people of the Pech Valley,” said U.S. Army Maj. Mary Constantino, Task Force Bastogne spokesperson. “The safety and security provided by the operations such as this provide the Afghan people of the region the opportunity to live in peace with their families.”

Source of article is the link below at ISAF:

http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/afghan-coalition-forces-conclude-operations-in-eastern-pech-valley.html

Is Aid for Afghanistan Really Working? Learn about the PRT in Lashkar Gah

A columnist explores the actions and activities of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Lashkar Gah - Helmand's provincial capital.  He determines that some things are working yet wonders how much it can help with a government that is corrupt and inept.  Read more in "Afghanistan: can aid make a difference?", The Guardian UK, November 19, 2010.

Study Provides Clues for Taliban Motivation

A recent study by the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Canadian Global Peace and Security Fund finds that some Taliban believe they are fighting a "war of liberation" against the coalition troops in their country. The study also finds that many Afghans support the Taliban due to their perceptions of why the coalition forces are in their country.  Read more in "Taliban motivated by revenge against Western armies more than Islam: Study", The Canadian Press, November 14, 2010.

Herat Province Finds Security Elusive

Despite being heralded as one of Afghanistan's more secure provinces Herat still has some security issues.  Read more in "Even in Calm Corner of Afghanistan, Future is Murky", NPR, November 19, 2010.

Lieberman Says The Insurgency is Retreating in Afghanistan

The noted hawk and senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Joe Lieberman, told a GOP conference today that he believes the Taliban are in retreat and cautioned that :“very few” American troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan this summer.
“We really have begun to turn the tide. That means, very specifically, we are beginning to push the Taliban out in this very necessary war,” said Lieberman, who just returned from a trip to Afghanistan with Senators John McCain, of Arizona, Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

Read more: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2010/11/16/the-insurgency-is-in-retreat/#ixzz15ssUTlkK

Struggle for Villages and Towns Around Kandahar

The importance of the fight in and around Kandahar cannot be over-emphasized.  However, the fight for Kandahar is not control of the skies, limiting IED attacks (as important as that is), or setting up checkpoints.  The real struggle is for the support of the Afghan population for the district, provincial, and central government - and the Afghan Security Forces (ASF).  The fight for Kandahar is currently being waged in the villages and towns outside of the city where in most cases the coalition and Afghan forces control the terrain during the day and the Taliban control the terrain at night with night letters, intimidation, and assassinations.  Read more about the fight in the towns and villages in "Afghanistan's three parallel wars", The Observer, November 14, 2010.

NATO Steps up Assaults on the Taliban

"Coalition forces have increased the pace of military operations in Afghanistan to record levels, achieving battlefield successes against the Taliban as NATO prepares to discuss the future of the war at a summit this weekend in Portugal. Warplanes dropped a record 1,000 bombs and other munitions in October, up from 660 in October 2009, according to coalition statistics. The number of Special Forces-led raids against insurgent leaders has increased sixfold over last year."

Read more in "NATO ramps up attacks on Taliban in Afghanistan", USA Today, November 18, 2010.

Security Bubbles in Afghanistan - Can They Last?

The concept of pushing coalition forces out to small outposts in the rural parts of Afghanistan has been implemented across the country.  These small outposts are sometimes referred to as "security bubbles".  Read about one such security bubble that Italian troops are manning in Bala Murghab, Afghanistan.  See "In Afghanistan, Can NATO's Security Bubbles Last?", NPR, November 17, 2010.

NATO War Planners Want Additional Help from Australia in Kandahar Province

NATO war planners are looking for other nations to plug the gap that the Canadian forces will leave in Kandahar Province once their withdrawal is complete next year.  Australia has been approached for more ground troops.  Read more in "NATO to ask for more Diggers, defence sources say", The Australian, November 18, 2010.

Ulema Council of Kandahar Rendered Ineffective

The Kandahar Branch of the Ulema Council has been rendered ineffective - partially due to the assassinations of its members by the Taliban but also because it has not been embraced by other religious scholars in Afghanistan.  The Ulema Council was set up by the Afghan government to bring about a moderate religious force that could help build support for the government.  In Kandahar it has been relatively ineffective.  Read more in "Anti-Taliban mullah lonely man in Kandahar amid threats, squabbling", Winnipeg Free Press, November 14, 2010.

IEDs a Constant Problem in Kandahar

IEDs have become the primary threat to coalition forces conducting operations in Kandahar.  The US has spent billions of dollars trying to defeat the IED threat but the Taliban have still managed to deploy the bombs and cause many deaths and injuries.  Read more on this topic in "Taliban-placed IEDs threaten lives and stability in Kandahar, Afghanistan", The Christian Science Monitor, November 17, 2010.

Life in Sangin (Helmand Province), Afghanistan for Royal Marines

The Royal Marines of 40 Commando have returned from a brutal six-month deployment to Sangin - located in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  The unit suffered many dead and wounded comrades.  Many of the deaths incurred were from IEDs.  Read an article about their tour and homecoming - see "Royal Marines speak of horrible reality of life on patrol in Afghanistan", The Guardian, November 17, 2010.