koz
12-15-2009, 17:42
Videos on fox page
----
FoxNews LINK (http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/12/15/with-special-forces-in-afghanistan/?test=latestnews)
ZABUL, AFGHANISTAN-- Fox News was embedded exclusively with Special Forces for a week and got a rare glimpse inside the world of America’s most elite fighting force in Afghanistan.
Special Force teams have been in Afghanistan ever since the days after 9/11. Now more than ever, they’re at the “ tip of the spear,” in places like Zabul province in the southeast, where the Taliban is “everywhere.”
“Whether it’s two or three local Taliban or foreign Taliban,” the “Major” (that’s all he goes by for this report due to security reasons) told Fox News. “It’s safe to assume they’re in every village.”
The Major, the commander of a company of Special Force A-Teams, says the new U.S. counter-insurgency strategy is all about what the Special Forces have been doing here. Green Berets are involved in civil affairs programs in various Zabul villages, supporting schools, manning clinics and building bridges.
“There’s a lot of different tools in our tool kit,” the Major said, “to influence the populace and to win over their support.”
They also work closely with Afghan soldiers and elite commandos. Something that has gained in importance, as well. The Major and his colleagues have done that in South America, Africa and Asia.
“We’ve already done that around the world,” he told Fox News. “Coming here and working with the government is nothing new to us.”
Officials say high-level, irreconcilable Taliban and Al Qaeda figures still have to be killed or captured. Which is something the Major and his men have no problem with.
“Without targeting the Taliban and providing security for the populace,” he says, “we’re a lot worse off.”
And there are more commandos getting into the fight. Special Forces numbers have surged to a reported 5,000 in Afghanistan, with more expected -- if they clear the tough selection process.
“It’s pretty tough, the drop-out rate is high,” the Major reminded me. “Those who finish are pretty in touch with themselves and know what they want to do.”
As for concerns that the presence of U.S. forces, Spec Ops, helps fuel the insurgency, along with civilian casualties from raids, the Major says care is taken.
“It’s been a high priority, it’s now a higher priority,” he noted.“Every time there’s a civilian casualty it sets us back ten old.”
The Major described his men as “regular average guys” with more training. Perhaps more sense of mission and more mettle to boot.
Considering the increasingly complex task at hand here in Afghanistan, those “regular guys” will be put to the test.
----
FoxNews LINK (http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/12/15/with-special-forces-in-afghanistan/?test=latestnews)
ZABUL, AFGHANISTAN-- Fox News was embedded exclusively with Special Forces for a week and got a rare glimpse inside the world of America’s most elite fighting force in Afghanistan.
Special Force teams have been in Afghanistan ever since the days after 9/11. Now more than ever, they’re at the “ tip of the spear,” in places like Zabul province in the southeast, where the Taliban is “everywhere.”
“Whether it’s two or three local Taliban or foreign Taliban,” the “Major” (that’s all he goes by for this report due to security reasons) told Fox News. “It’s safe to assume they’re in every village.”
The Major, the commander of a company of Special Force A-Teams, says the new U.S. counter-insurgency strategy is all about what the Special Forces have been doing here. Green Berets are involved in civil affairs programs in various Zabul villages, supporting schools, manning clinics and building bridges.
“There’s a lot of different tools in our tool kit,” the Major said, “to influence the populace and to win over their support.”
They also work closely with Afghan soldiers and elite commandos. Something that has gained in importance, as well. The Major and his colleagues have done that in South America, Africa and Asia.
“We’ve already done that around the world,” he told Fox News. “Coming here and working with the government is nothing new to us.”
Officials say high-level, irreconcilable Taliban and Al Qaeda figures still have to be killed or captured. Which is something the Major and his men have no problem with.
“Without targeting the Taliban and providing security for the populace,” he says, “we’re a lot worse off.”
And there are more commandos getting into the fight. Special Forces numbers have surged to a reported 5,000 in Afghanistan, with more expected -- if they clear the tough selection process.
“It’s pretty tough, the drop-out rate is high,” the Major reminded me. “Those who finish are pretty in touch with themselves and know what they want to do.”
As for concerns that the presence of U.S. forces, Spec Ops, helps fuel the insurgency, along with civilian casualties from raids, the Major says care is taken.
“It’s been a high priority, it’s now a higher priority,” he noted.“Every time there’s a civilian casualty it sets us back ten old.”
The Major described his men as “regular average guys” with more training. Perhaps more sense of mission and more mettle to boot.
Considering the increasingly complex task at hand here in Afghanistan, those “regular guys” will be put to the test.