Afghanistan in the rear view mirror...

Another. You don't think this is Operation CF. People with valid papers are are being turned back at checkpoints because those manning the checkpoints can't read.
 

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No greater friend, no worse enemy.

Those Marines and Corpsmen are from 1st Battalion 8th Marines, the same BLT that was in Beirut on 23 Oct 83. They were also with the 24th MAU which is now MEU.

A Humanitarian Service Medal is in their future.
 
A better than HSM if they have to fight their way out without air support and without heavy weapons, counter battery fire capability or amour after our supplied Mortar Rounds start landing on the only runway out after they learn how to use them. The Chosin Reservoir and Khe Sahn will look like a walk in the park. Pray for them. Baby cuddling should have been in the manual somewhere after Splinter and Sucking Chest Wound. Probably way in the back pages. It comes naturally if you are a human being or a Corpsman.
 
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@AF6872 ,

Keep those pics and your sentiments coming. It is exactly what this country and the soldiers on the ground need at this very moment. There were be plenty of time to revisit, second guess, argue and point fingers later.

Right now our military personnel and diplomats on the ground have an important job to do. I want them to do it with their heads held high. For that they need our unqualified support. Full Stop.
 
Devil Doc said:
Humanitarian assistance is part of work-ups for a deploying MEU. I don't however remember baby cuddling on the check off list. It appears to come naturally to these Marines and surely Corpsmen.
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This
And Amphibs are loaded out with supplies for Humanitarian Assistance as part of their normal loadout.
 
We are still second guessing the Diplomats after the fall of Saigon some forty six years later. Professional Diplomats have screwed it up for a long time throughout history. Generals who become diplomats can not serve two masters. The Soldiers on the ground don't need it the people who send them there need it. They seem to be a long way from that Platoon Leader at the tip of the spear.
 
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I saw this line somewhere under side by side pictures of Marines cradling babies and pushing back crowds at gates: "I hate that the Marines have to go through this, but I'm glad they're there."
 
Just pray they can get out when it hits the fan. Todays reports show that Taliban forces around the airport are becoming more aggressive. One C-17 disabled on a one runway airfield and the nightmare begins. But they have considered all possibilities.
 
A recent report: The commander of the 82nd on the ground has asked the commander of the British SAS to stop operations saving British citizens outside the airfield as it makes US troops look bad. Report is that the British commander firmly rejected the request. Hope he told him "NUTS" just to remind him.
 
US command sent three Chinook Helicopters to a Hotel 200 yards from the perimeter to rescue 169 Americans that could not walk in. At least it is something.
 
I hate to turn this political, but at least I am not taking sides with what I am about to say.

The withdrawal is a total clusterf_€k. It is on Biden’s watch and the buck stops with him. He gets the blame. He owns it. But I don’t think for one second that his predecessor would have handled it any better. There was no viable exit plan put in place by anyone. This is an American political failure, not a Democratic or Republican failure. And NOT a failure by our Military.
 
NJROTC-CC said:
I hate to turn this political, but at least I am not taking sides with what I am about to say.

The withdrawal is a total clusterf_€k. It is on Biden’s watch and the buck stops with him. He gets the blame. He owns it. But I don’t think for one second that his predecessor would have handled it any better. There was no viable exit plan put in place by anyone. This is an American political failure, not a Democratic or Republican failure. And NOT a failure by our Military.
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I will reserve judgment until the facts are in. There needs to be a congressional investigation. And not a partisan one.
 
I keep hoping to read or see the story of the massive invasion using every available element of our military. SEALs, Rangers, the Tier 1 units. Every helo and tilt rotor. Field medical units. Set up evacuation sites and humanitarian locations along the miles long foot march to the airport. Seems like there’s been enough time to have planned and executed that since the beginning of this disaster.
 
Devil Doc said:
I keep hoping to read or see the story of the massive invasion using every available element of our military. SEALs, Rangers, the Tier 1 units. Every helo and tilt rotor. Field medical units. Set up evacuation sites and humanitarian locations along the miles long foot march to the airport. Seems like there’s been enough time to have planned and executed that since the beginning of this disaster.
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Did you see the SECDEF and Milley's press conference? These folks are not Eisenhauer. They beg the question, "Does the American military serve the Constitution, the people, or does it serve the government?" That is a loaded question, to be sure, but a person can be squarely judged by their actions. This situation is shameful.
 
AF6872 said:
A recent report: The commander of the 82nd on the ground has asked the commander of the British SAS to stop operations saving British citizens outside the airfield as it makes US troops look bad. Report is that the British commander firmly rejected the request. Hope he told him "NUTS"
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Here's a good 82nd quote (also from The Bulge):
"Well, buddy, just pull your tank in behind me. I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going!"

 
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