"The Last Patrol" - Page 2

Paslode · 10-16-2010, 09:30

Day in, day out sucking it up to take a walk on pins and needles....

As Trapline said, a very humbling read.

MK262 · 10-16-2010, 17:11

Powerful read. Amazing story.

We truly have the finest fighting men in the world.

I can't thank them enough for the service and sacrifice.

XJWoody · 10-17-2010, 05:37

That was powerful.

Thanks for another arrow in the quiver to cast at the next DB that I hear whining about how their day sucked.

Is "indirect fire" not being used to it's full advantage in theater? Without the descent through ten layers of approval hell to get a fire mission cooking... Or are the indig hearts & minds that precious? Seems like orchards, irrigation canals, walled compounds etc are just what mortars & other high-angle toys were made for?

**The Reaper** · 10-17-2010, 08:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by XJWoody

That was powerful.

Thanks for another arrow in the quiver to cast at the next DB that I hear whining about how their day sucked.

Is "indirect fire" not being used to it's full advantage in theater? Without the descent through ten layers of approval hell to get a fire mission cooking... Or are the indig hearts & minds that precious? Seems like orchards, irrigation canals, walled compounds etc are just what mortars & other high-angle toys were made for?

Sad to say, you cannot kill your way to sucess in an insurgency, as long as you are unwilling to commit genocide and the opponent's will to continue fighting exceeds your own.

We can see that from the Soviet Union's experience there, who were much more willing to employ such draconian measures than we are. It takes some serious amorality to drop cluster bombs disguised as toys, and to spray mycotoxins on entire villages.

I have my own personal opinions about the unit actions described, but was not there and will not second-guess their actions publicly. I think they did the best they could with the resources they had.

TR

fng13 · 10-17-2010, 10:36

Compelling read...

Thank you, TR.

Red Flag 1 · 10-17-2010, 14:05

A great and humbling read TR. Thanks for posting it!

RF 1

aegisnavy · 10-17-2010, 19:17

It should be requisite for every American to watch/read this report. One of the most poignant posts I have seen in a long time on any forum.

Shadow86 · 10-18-2010, 11:41

I cannot recall the last time a piece of journalism really hit me in the gut like that. A powerful, compelling read.

Thoughts and prayers to all our brothers currently in the fight.

Bordercop · 10-18-2010, 15:15

Thanks for this amazing article. The Border Patrol has hired quite a few former Marines and ex-soldiers to patrol the border. When I was in Arizona and we were laying in on trails waiting to arrest a group I noticed there was something different about the veterans we had working with us who had been to Iraq or Afghanistan. They paid more attention. They were quiet. They were ready for trouble and expected the unexpected better than Agents who had been doing the job for twice as long. Now I understand, a little better, why.

I've never been in combat, but reading that story sent chills up and down my spine. I pray every night for our men and women over there. God bless them all.

aegisnavy · 10-19-2010, 09:27

Along the same lines as this thread. Emphasizes the tough job the boots on the ground are facing.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7...nish.html?pg=1