2007 Deadliest for US in Afghanistan

On Kandahar we had an outstanding Veteran's Day Remembrance Service. As we remembered the sacrifices that other's had made, we also experienced the most deadliest year since the ouster of the Taliban in 2001. It also really sums/validates some of my previous blog entries. Not that I am looking for validation, but few see and understand what we face in this fight against terrorism. The article was written by JASON STRAZIUSO, Associated Press Writer KABUL, Afghanistan. - Six U.S. troops were killed when insurgents ambushed their foot patrol in the high mountains of eastern Afghanistan, officials said Saturday. The attack, the most lethal against American forces this year, made 2007 the deadliest for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion. The troops were returning from a meeting with village elders late Friday afternoon in Nuristan province when militants attacked them with rocket propelled grenades and gunfire, Lt. Col. David Accetta told The Associated Press."They were attacked from several enemy positions at the same time," said Accetta, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force and the U.S. military. "It was a complex ambush."The six deaths brings the total number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan this year to at least 101, according to a count by the AP. That makes this year the deadliest for Americans here since the 2001 invasion, a war initially launched to oust Taliban and al-Qaida fighters after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, but one that has evolved into an increasingly bloody counterinsurgency campaign.The death toll mirrors the situation in Iraq, where U.S. military deaths this month surpassed 850, a record high since the 2003 invasion there.Three Afghan soldiers were also killed in Friday's ambush, while eight Americans and 11 Afghans were wounded. The 14 total U.S. casualties was the highest number of wounded and killed from a battle in Afghanistan this year. The ambush happened in the remote province's Waygal district, about 40 miles from the border with Pakistan, which militants are known to use as a sanctuary. Nuristani said the combined troops searched two houses after the meeting with village elders and were ambushed after while walking to their base afterward. Nuristan province has seen heavy fighting in recent months. Two U.S. soldiers were killed and 13 wounded by a militant ambush in July, while militants disguised in Afghan army uniforms wounded 11 U.S. troops and killed two Afghan soldiers in August.The attack on Friday was the deadliest incident for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since a Chinook crashed in February in Zabul province, killing eight Americans.

Above, TF 82 being led by CSM Willie Williams. This week we were honored to have MG Cone, Commander of CSTC-A, (Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan). General Cone came down to have a meeting with his commander's on the ground and to meet with his troops. During this Town Hall style meeting, he discussed several issues that he/we face in the conduct of this war. His focus now is to push the ANA/ANP into the fight, instead of having US/Coalition forces leading the fight. Just think, if I were the ANA/ANP and the American forces would take the lead instead of us, why not let them???

Until this happens, the fight here in Afghanistan will continue to take years. For me it is a confidence thing. The Afghan people MUST feel confident enough to feel that they can take on the Taliban themselves and win. Until that time comes about, we will continue to have a huge fight here. He also stated that we are 3,000 Police Mentors short in this theatre. WOW!!!

The question in my mind was, is anybody listening?? if so, why are we not being provided the forces we need here to do the job that the American Citizens sent us here to do. You know, if we continue to scratch the surface, eventually we may get to the meat, the problem that we are having is this... the Taliban is the one that feel confident right now. They know our moves, they ambush us at every corner, they know what fire power we have and use.... so where are they getting their intel.... WOW, our buddies in the rear..... (that is only my guess...). Our motto has always been to overwhelm the enemy with combat power, are we doing this??? if not, why.... The price of this war is very high, this week we had a Memorial Service for SFC Johnny C Walls who was also killed during a fire fight with the enemy. My heart truly goes out to his family and to the soldiers that are dealing with the loss of a friend, comrade, and a great leader.

As we remember the lives and sacrifices that so many have made for us, please remember those that are continuing to give, those that are injured and trying to make it through. Many times we get caught up in acknowledging the soldiers that have paid the ultimate price, but just as great is those soldiers that are in facilities like Walter Reed, dealing with serious life changing injuries. They are heroes too...

CSM Bobby Albert put it so eloquently today, he said to us following the Veteran's Remembrance Ceremony, that we should feel good about what we do, the sacrifice we have made in volunteering to serve here in Afghanistan. Know in your heart that you have done "YOUR PART" I feel so honored to have accepted the call to service... many folks ask why we are here and why we do what we do... So that your children MAY not have to do this, so that YOU can live in peace and prosperity. Or because it is the right thing to do. So when you see a soldier that has served in war, just thank them... That is all we want...