5th green-on-blue attack in a week – still negligible
Omar the marksman missed this time according to the Associated Press today when an Afghan policeman opened fire on a group of American troops. The Taliban, however claims he killed three, so who knows. The shooter apparently escaped so he can try again sometime;
At least seven American service members have been killed in the past week by either their Afghan counterparts or attackers wearing their uniforms.
The rise in “green-on-blue” attacks raises questions about the Afghan security forces as international forces withdraw.
So I’m wondering if President Karzai sees a concerted effort yet. At least he’s begun condemning the attacks lately, not as vigorously as he condemns rumors of civilian deaths, but it’s a step in the right direction.
There’s no word if the White House is still willing to call the attacks “negligible” in the wake of this, the fifth attack in a week and that these green-on-blue assaults have resulted in more than 10% of US deaths in Afghanistan so far this year.
Commanders should give the troops the leeway to shoot any Afghan on any base with a locked and loaded weapon. That would solve one problem. Any Afghan who approaches US troops outside the wire should be forced to remove the magazine from their weapons before they get within twenty meters. It’s no more ridiculous than any policy the US commanders would inflict on our troops if the shootings were going in the other direction.
Category: Terror War
There should be a fast track option to exit that waste land ASAP.
Sadly the number of attacks is much higher. Only those causings KIAs are reported and disseminated in the media. When the SIGACTs are declassified I’ll let you all know exactly how many their were this week, including unsuccessful attempts. “Negligible” my ass.
Even though this guy is posting Anonymously, he’s right. I have a couple of friends over there that are talking about almost daily shit-storms. Most of them are spray and pray and the shooters are either captured or run before anyone can lock and load.
One of my friends was told by his PL NOT to wear his body armor at all times, whether indoors or out. He asked that the order be presented in writing as he said he’d sleep in it if he could.
However, since this negligible, I guess the troops don’t have anything to worry about. I mean, with their desks all facing the doors, they are perfectly safe, right?
@3, why on earth would anyone tell someone to not wear protective gear in a combat zone? Can you get an explanation from your friend? I’m trying to fathom the sheer stupidity behind that.
Thanks!!!
@2 Is he in BAF? On my way through BAF in 2006 I was “advised” by a major not to carry my ammo because it was unnecessary. (I was wandering somewhat aimlessly at the time because my point of contact was the company supply Sgt; we all know how elusive supply can be). The major was also kind enough to inform me that my uniform was n’t serviceable (the only one I had with the crotch somewhat intact). I didn’t recognize his patch but the spiteful child in me still pictures his face when I have bad thoughts about the national guard.
(Please don’t feel compelled to defend the guard. I know they’re not all turds, but I embrace my narrow-minded stereotypes here.)
On topic though, this is literally history repeating itself. It continues to escalate from here.
Oh, and ACUs are unserviceable when they’re brand new. What a Shitty uniform.
Lol well I posted that under my e-mail so I will respond to any hatemail from the guard this weekend.
@4. No, no… my friend is a pencil-pusher. Admin. He works behind a desk… His LT told him not to wear his gear in the office, because apparently having all desks pointed to the door puts up an invisible bullet shield.
@7 Flagwaver, perhaps your friend’s LT will have the benefit some day of an up close and personal experience with incoming ammunition from a local insurgent who is looking for an easy target. Maybe that will change his mind.
What is the ROEs over in the mountains and the sandbox ? I Used 2 rules to engage VC or NVA. Danger to complete the misson or life threatening to US Lives . Nothing was ever said to me. Joe
Our Afghans were NEVER allowed to carry any weapon on our FOB except for their colonel. But, we also had to wait for the RPG team to shoot at us first before we returned fire.