Report says 8 Americans died defending worthless Afghan outpost

[The Straight Story]

Report says 8 Americans died defending worthless Afghan outpost

A U.S. military investigation into a battle last October in eastern Afghanistan that cost eight American soldiers their lives has concluded that the small outpost was worthless, the troops there didn't understand their mission, and intelligence and air support were tied up elsewhere in the province.

According to an unclassified executive summary of the report that was released to McClatchy Newspapers and other news organizations Friday, "There were inadequate measures taken by the chain of command, resulting in an attractive target for enemy fighters."

A statement accompanying the summary said that the report, called an AR 15-6, suggests sanctions on higher-ranking officers and "also recommended administrative actions for some members of the chain of command to improve command oversight."

The investigation found that the soldiers of Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron of the 61st Cavalry Regiment from Fort Carson, Colo., "repelled an enemy force of 300 anti-Afghan forces (AAF) fighters, preserving their combat outpost and killing approximately 150 of the enemy fighters. U.S. forces sustained eight killed in action and 22 wounded, all but three of whom returned to duty after the attack. The soldiers distinguished themselves with conspicuous gallantry, courage and bravery under the heavy enemy fire that surrounded them."

http://www.kansascity.com/444/story/1729758.html

[ck4829]

1. And conervatives want to "surge" immediately, yeah, that's a brilliant plan

[Thothmes]

2. Seems like the current President has bought into that

strategy.

[stray cat]

3. They probably died defending each other and their buddies - as worthwhile as it gets!

I hope most of us would fight for our own lives and the lives of our friends.

[frylock]

4. wow!

thanks for the positive spin.

[dysfunctional press]

5. i thought that they died protecting our freedom...?

that's how it always seems to be described, just about anytime a soldier dies in 'combat'.

[Shell Beau]

6. I can only guess that saying such helps the families of the lost ones.

No one wants to die in vain.

[dysfunctional press]

10. that's always seemed like a silly reason to me...

so- because they don't want to have anyone 'die in vain'- more and more people have to 'die in vain' to cover up the fact that the ones before them had died in vain.

when does it stop...? especially if 'victory' is NOT a realistic option...?

[Shell Beau]

11. I totally agree.

But really, who wants to say their loved one died for something stupid?

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. No American has died protecting our freedom since 1945

And I say that with the utmost respect for any man or woman who has ever worn the uniform intending to serve their country. And the utmost contempt for those who have forced them to do otherwise.

[dysfunctional press]

9. i feel pretty much the same way...

although, it's getting harder and harder for me to...appreciate?...those who choose to go into military service any more- considering the criminal way in which our forces are used so much any more.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Expendable cannon-fodder in a lost war fought for PR. K&R

[Bigmack]

12. In Vietnam, we called those worthless firefights...

The Battle of the Next Trail-bend.