Thread: Doing what others couldn't..............

US takes on violent Afghan valley that bled Brits

U.S. commanders say success is critical in Sangin district - where British forces suffered nearly one-third of their deaths in the war - because it is the last remaining sanctuary in Helmand where the Taliban can freely process the opium and heroin that largely fund the insurgency.

The district also serves as a key crossroads to funnel drugs, weapons and fighters throughout Helmand and into neighboring Kandahar province, the spiritual heartland of the Taliban and the most important battleground for coalition forces. The U.S.-led coalition hopes its offensive in the south will kill or capture key Taliban commanders, rout militants from their strongholds and break the insurgency's back. That will allow the coalition and the Afghans to improve government services, bring new development and a sense of security.

"Sangin has been an area where drug lords, Taliban and people who don't want the government to come in and legitimize things have holed up," said Lt. Col. Jason Morris, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. The unit took over responsibility for Sangin in mid-October nearly a month after the British withdrew.

That withdrawal - after more than 100 deaths over four years of combat - has raised concerns among some in Britain about the perception of U.S. Marines finishing a job the British couldn't handle. Many claimed that happened in the Iraqi city of Basra in 2007.
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In addition to conducting more patrols, the Marine battalion has adopted a more aggressive posture than the British, according to Afghan army Lt. Mohammad Anwar, who has been in Sangin for two years.

"When the Taliban attacked, the British would retreat into their base, but the Marines fight back," said Anwar.

Insurgents fired at members of 1st Platoon, India Company, during a recent patrol near the battalion's main base, and the Marines responded with a deafening roar of machine gun fire, grenades, and mortars. They also tried to launch a rocket that turned out to be a dud.

"The Taliban like to engage us, and I like to make it an unfair fight," said India Company's commander, Capt. Chris Esrey of Havelock, North Carolina

A great friend of mine that I was in Scout Sniper Platoon, went back in as an officer did four stints in Iraq, and is now Skipper for Lima 3/5. I spoke w/ him on Facebook a few weeks ago. He said they were dropped into this town, and that the Taliban basically owned the roads.

They are showing signs of success, but this Bn is taking some knocks too, with 49 casualties and 13 dead (9 of which were in a span of 4 days). I am proud to know some of those Marines operating there, but most of all, I am concerned for their safety.

This is one thing I trust about our boys and girls over there... there will be casualties, and it's awful, but their training and skill will pull them through with less casualties than just about any other nation's forces would have.

Originally Posted by hawgballs

That withdrawal - after more than 100 deaths over four years of combat - has raised concerns among some in Britain about the perception of U.S. Marines finishing a job the British couldn't handle. Many claimed that happened in the Iraqi city of Basra in 2007.
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In addition to conducting more patrols, the Marine battalion has adopted a more aggressive posture than the British, according to Afghan army Lt. Mohammad Anwar, who has been in Sangin for two years.

"When the Taliban attacked, the British would retreat into their base, but the Marines fight back," said Anwar.

Well, to be fair, the Taliban had a nasty habit of scheduling these things when they knew the Brits had already scheduled tea time. I hardly think their refusal to change their schedule to engage the Taliban (who were being rude anyway, I mean did they even bother to pick up the tele and notify anyone of the change in schedule?) is a knock against the Tommys.