Afghanistan 2011

[bizjets101]

Click here today's Toronto Star announcement today of new Commander in Afghanistan.

[bizjets101]

Click Here - warning video posted yesterday on LiveLeak - a French imbedded reporter on a routine patrol in Afghanistan with USA Troops - as soldier steps on a landmine while being filmed.

[bizjets101]

Heh Stl, have you heard of this?? Is this a real story or is Daily Mail kind of like the National Enquirer??? I've found lots of links but they all seem to quote the Daily Mail as the source??

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... ds-newsxml

Question about land mines - do they give you any instructions on what to look out for - or a warning that an area is known to have mines??

Click Here Between 1999 and 2008 Afghanistan had the highest number of landmine casualties (12,069) in the world, according to the Landmine Monitor Report 2009.

[Prairie Chicken]

stl, I want to tell you that in the last day or two I was listening to a media commentary regarding Canada being in Afganistan and at the end of the report I realized that I was hearing the report with quite a different perspective than I would have before this thread started. So, to your credit, I think you've accomplished much of what you had hoped to.

As always, I'm enjoying the pics! By the way, you referred to being in the back of the C130 with only your cell phone to snap some pics with. I gather there are restrictions on when & where you can make photographs and as you are a photographer I guess that surprised me. How restricted are you as to when & where you can photograph?

[sky's the limit]

Hi Guys,

Well, I'm back to the land of internet after being out on the Pakistan border for a few days.

I'm looking for investors now, with where I've just been, I'm bringing an Astar over and am starting a heli-ski outfit, seriously. I'll hire Nark as Security... Epic country. Other than puking my guts up and and $#(%*@# through the eye of a needle for 36hrs, it was a great trip to a truly special place.

Biz, I have not heard about that story, I'm assuming it would be false, but then around here, you learn not to question a whole lot as if it seems possible, chances are its happened somewhere at some time or another. Daily Mail having the only reference seems a bit shaky though.

Prairie Chicken,

Thank you, I'm happy to hear that. All we can do is to continue to question what we think we know, and constantly look at issues from different angles, sometimes it's surprising what you might find.

As for the photos/C130, literally jumped down from the flight deck to the back during the run up to DZ, so I figured the Iphone would be the easiest as there were quite a few turns and steep decents on the lead in and my other rig is big and heavy. There are all sorts of restrictions for photography included in embedded reporting contracts, and each contract is different. Ex, the CF do not allow photos of aircrew's faces, unless they are specifically approved, the Americans don't care at all about that unless they are injured, then a waiver needs to be signed, or if they are dead, in which case I cannot use the photos. "Flight Line Photography Is Strictly Prohibited," but, as you may have noticed, I do a lot of that... so, it is just a matter of getting the proper authorizations and learn why it is generally prohibited, and avoiding those items. Once you do this for a while you figure all that out and I really don't have an issue with most of it.

Surprisingly, I've had some very candid conversations with various people this last few weeks, moreso than other trips actually, and it is refreshing. Unfortunately, that is where the embedding contracts kick in, and while to name sources in these conversations would be in violation of the contract, using the material as un-named sources is equally illegal. There are ways to get the information across however, one just needs to be a bit more circumspect with their use.

Anyway, here are a few more:

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[bizjets101]

Breathtaking photos . . . much appreciated . . .


World Press photo of the year depicts Disfigured Afghan Woman . . .

World Press photo

Couple more issues in the region - a US Embassy official with immunity shot and killed two men in Pakistan - Pakistan has him in jail for 14 days while they figure it out - but America is ticked as the American has immunity.

Also Pakistan and India have agreed to restart peace talks after a two year stalemate.

[sky's the limit]

Breathtaking photos . . . much appreciated . . .


World Press photo of the year depicts Disfigured Afghan Woman . . .

World Press photo

Couple more issues in the region - a US Embassy official with immunity shot and killed two men in Pakistan - Pakistan has him in jail for 14 days while they figure it out - but America is ticked as the American has immunity.

Also Pakistan and India have agreed to restart peace talks after a two year stalemate.

Thanks Biz,

I've seen that photo, pretty powerful. Also been following the mess in Pakistan with the American who killed the two men, looks like he's in for a bit of a stay... The Pakistanis are under huge pressure from their people not to let him walk, will be interesting to see how it plays out.

This article came to me this morning, from a village just down the road from where many of the shots here were taken: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world ... .html?_r=1

stl

[sky's the limit]

Here are a couple of scenery shots from the Pakistan border region. Stunning in person.

Of course this FOB is shot at daily, so when the Commander suggested I stand up on the roof of the MWR to take photos, he cautioned, "remember, if you can see them, they can see you. Just saying. Have fun!" Fortunately I was still feeling so bad at that point I didn't really care a whole lot, just being vertical and in the sun was nice for a change.

There's an advance trauma hospital at this FOB, which while beneficial for me during my scrap with the bug, serves many Afghans who come in to receive medical attention for all kinds of things from illnesses to trauma. Children are a large amount of the business, falls from trees, down rock bands and off buildings among other things - lots of broken bones and head injuries of various nature. They also show up with abuse/punishment injuries which can be gruesome, as scalding is often a form of punishment employed. It's sometimes difficult to keep the layers of what is occurring here separate, and in no way more so than when kids or women are involved. Did my wife not spend many years working in our own country in these areas, I might be lead to believe these abuses are localized because of cultural or language barriers which make understanding so difficult, it's simply not true however. This is why it is so important to pick away at issues and expose the many, and complex layers that comprise it, to do otherwise is to form opinions based on partial truths and misunderstanding.

Anyway, snowing like hell here today, nothing much to do for the next couple, then back at it when the weather improves.

stl

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[bizjets101]

All your photos look like they are right out of . . . Click Here movie Incindies.

That land mind stuff scary, once all the military are gone the mines will still be everywhere waiting for some poor soul to step on.

"We had to leave our home and farms under pressure from Taliban attacks and bombardments by foreign forces. We were fearing for our lives," he told AFP. Click Here

[bizjets101]

The grim axiom defining today's Afghanistan, 85 percent of whose citizens are farmers, is that its economy relies on two dueling revenue streams. One flows from Western aid, in the hopes that the country will renounce the Taliban. The other flows from opium trafficking supported by the Taliban, which use the proceeds to fund attacks on Western troops.

Click Here February Issue of National Geographic article, 'Afghanistan's Opium Wars'.

[bigpinky]

I was just wondering how secure the airspace in Afghanistan is? For the amount of flying that goes on there you don't hear of many aircraft getting shot down, especially fixed wing. With all those Taliban running around with rocket launchers how do they secure the airspace?

[sky's the limit]

I was just wondering how secure the airspace in Afghanistan is? For the amount of flying that goes on there you don't hear of many aircraft getting shot down, especially fixed wing. With all those Taliban running around with rocket launchers how do they secure the airspace?

Hi bigpinky.


There are not really any Taliban running around with rocket launchers that are capable of taking down FW a/c anymore. They have a great many RPG's, but they are unguided and short range, and have no tracking capability, ie. heat seeking or radar. This is why there is so much general aviation happening here, both on the FW and RW sides.

Small arms and RPG's are the biggest, and only threat to a/c atm. I have heard of only one Stinger type weapon being successfully used here in the last couple of years, most are too old to function anymore and nobody is supplying the Taliban with that technology like we were supplying the Mujahideen in the 80's. Were it the case, this war would look VERY different. We aren't fighting anywhere near as well funded or equipped a force as the Soviets were, not even close.

The new counter SAM systems installed on the military aircraft are 98% effective, to the point where in Iraq they don't even bother launching against a/c much anymore. Had a great interview with and Army Colonel about that last week, and the defensive systems keep evolving to a point where a Stinger type missile is pretty much non-effective against military aircraft. If they start attacking some of the civi aviation however, this could be extremely effective, it's just a matter of having the right ordinance to do it.

Hope that helps

stl

[bigpinky]

Thanks, it does.

[Sheila]

Thanks Stl, this is interesting to read and maybe you are putting this in print or something.
Perhaps, the Taliban don't use RPG's or Stingers because this fight is NOT in Iraq and the CAF are going overboard with all the military equipment?

About the economy, doesn't the government give aid to the farmers? Maybe the economy is falling since the world may switch from oil to other forms of energy.

[bizjets101]

http://www.larouchepub.com/other/1995/2241_bcci.html

[sky's the limit]

http://www.larouchepub.com/other/1995/2241_bcci.html

Exactly.

and nobody is supplying the Taliban with that technology like we were supplying the Mujahideen in the 80's. Were it the case, this war would look VERY different. We aren't fighting anywhere near as well funded or equipped a force as the Soviets were, not even close.

Crazy world we live in, no?

Yet people still insist on clinging to dogma, I just don't understand... well actually, I do.

stl

[2R]

The Russians are not supplying the Arab fighters with weapons that would change the game,as that they know the Americans are very capable of losing this war all by themselves without any help from the Kremlin.
This war will end :when the looming debt crisis, cripples the industrial military complex's ability to wage war without end.
The ides of march are just around the corner

[Expat]

The Russians are not supplying the Arab fighters with weapons that would change the game,as that they know the Americans are very capable of losing this war all by themselves without any help from the Kremlin.
This war will end :when the looming debt crisis, cripples the industrial military complex's ability to wage war without end.
The ides of march are just around the corner

Russia last week invited the US to commit to a longer term presence in Af. How funny! Even with US troops at their doorstep, they will benefit from seeing them stuck here for another while.

[Expat]

This week we had two complex attacks, in the most secure areas of the country. On in Kandahar center two days ago, and today at the Safi hotel in Kabul. No place is safe, even in the most fortified cities.
Attacks are targetted, not randomly, but with foresight, and with a purpose. The talibs that we are facing now is not what was defeated in 2001. It is more armed resistance against an occupier, than a religious or political movement. They are not interested in any power sharing agreements with the government.
In addition, these attacks are used to eliminate political rivals, even business competition.
Money is not a problem. Volunteers also. The use of the talib name scares the population, who remembers past atrocities. They are easily scared here. A few thousands talibs took the whole country. These people use fear and propaganda to rally popular support. They will not be defeated. The numbers speak for themselves, each month is worse than the previous, since 2004, when I arrived here. Support for foreign troops is waning, and defection rates in the illiterate forces of the ANA and ANP are on the rise.
The plan to gradually hand over security to ANA ANP is starting this year. It will go on, and the departure of Canadians will hardly be noticed. What difference does it make, to have a fewer foot patrols in remote villages, when the hearts of big cities are being attacked with increased frequency?
These facts you will not see in the press, as they are more concerned with declarations from commanders, that progress is being felt, that the collective will of troop contributing countries will prevail.
Commanders in the field have access to a lot more information, but are forced to embellish their campaigns, in order to protect their future. That puts them under considerable stress, and the political suicide of the previous commander here last summer was the result of such. Nato is in a bad situation, where countries, one by one will pull out in the next few years. It will leave a bitter taste, and allies will be more reluctant in the future, to form part of coallitions. That will leave the US more isolated, especially at a time when their economical supremacy is dwindling.

[bizjets101]

Disgusting to me, that we as a country would send our troops into harms way, have them walking around in the middle of nowhere - stepping on landmines, and driving to and from destinations getting hit by IED's.

Thank goodness for political pressure by Canadian citizens - to force Harper to remove our troops from harms way. It was 2006 that really put our troops in peril - in July 2011 we will have handed our mission back to the Americans - and in August 2011 and beyond - when you read a young American soldier died in Kandahar - it is because Jack Layton, Gilles Duceppe, and Stéphane Dion that it wasn't a young Canadian soldier killed.

Each Prime Minister bends over for American policies - I'd like just once for Canadians to stand up for something, anything - we have all the oil, all the water, all the USA aircraft overflying Canada to EU, we allow Norad - it would be prudent to begin far more trade with the rest of the world and while America needs to kick it's Oil addiction, we need to kick our USA addiction.

I can tell you with a million immigrants every four years - it'll be a matter of time until the Canada we grew up in doesn't even exist - and you can imagine how the majority of those immigrants truly think about America - and if your not sure - ask one.

[Prairie Chicken]

Hey Biz, I've been watching Harper for a long time & I really don't believe he wanted to remain in Afg. He did bow to American & NATO pressure but as we know the actual reasons are likely very different than the reasons given or what we hear in the media.

I don't buy the arguments that we always cow to American demands. It frequently makes sense to align ourselves with the US . However, we are a very different country, and culture, than the US--far more so than we used to be so it seems to me that we are not taking direction from the US as is frequently suggested. You need look no further than our health care or gun policies for strong examples. I agree we will continue to diverge from the US in future due in part to our immigration policies, globalization, and the decline of the US as a major power. Going back to Harper, remember that these polititians have only one goal and that is power. Getting power; keeping power. Anyone who believes a politician has his constituents' best interests at heart is naive. So, how would Harper staying in Afg. benefit that goal? I'm thinking it goes back to the issues discussed here earlier--oil, and national security.

Commanders in the field have access to a lot more information, but are forced to embellish their campaigns, in order to protect their future. That puts them under considerable stress, and the political suicide of the previous commander here last summer was the result of such.

Expat, this was both very disturbing and makes so much sense! Coming from government I've seen this first hand on too many occasions. It's sad to realize how much of this permeates so much of our government. It seems that in government, as with politics, one must sell your soul in order to reach a level where one can affect change.

[bizjets101]

You need look no further than our health care or gun policies for strong examples.

Not true - we had balls back when the foundation of Health Care was started by our Father of Health Care - Tommy Douglas and it was the NDP who pressured Pearson in 1966 to extend it to all Canadians.

Incidentally Lyndon Johnson - US President requested Canada send troops to Vietmam (1965) - our Prime Minister not only told them to 'F' off, at a speech in he gave in the states at the time, he stated America should stop bombing the North and seek answers to peace.

Before his speech was finished (In Philadelphia) he was summoned to Camp David to meet with LBJ who reported grabbed and threatened him - there were many reports of the event - neither spoke to each other again - and Canada stayed out of Vietnam.

We gave draft dodgers a home!!! Had it not been for Pearson - we'd have thousands of dead Canadian soldiers who also would have died for NOTHING!!!!

Yup when Canada had Balls.

As for guns???, I don't even know what our policy is??

Under US pressure we can't even legalize marijuana - which in turn if we legalized drugs there would be far less need for guns.

Don't forget when Upper Canada fought it out with the USA - the Red Coats made it all the way to Washington and burned down their Whitehouse!!!

[Expat]

Breathtaking photos . . . much appreciated . . .


World Press photo of the year depicts Disfigured Afghan Woman . . .

World Press photo

Couple more issues in the region - a US Embassy official with immunity shot and killed two men in Pakistan - Pakistan has him in jail for 14 days while they figure it out - but America is ticked as the American has immunity.

Also Pakistan and India have agreed to restart peace talks after a two year stalemate.

Thanks Biz,

I've seen that photo, pretty powerful. Also been following the mess in Pakistan with the American who killed the two men, looks like he's in for a bit of a stay... The Pakistanis are under huge pressure from their people not to let him walk, will be interesting to see how it plays out.



stl

The Asian press has released a few more details and explainations about it. The two men were shot in the back, and the diplomat was identified as a contractor. He was given a diplomatic passport after the fact. They say it looks like a meeting that went wrong. Not self defense... I am just curious as to what kind of meeting...
I guess there are more than one side to the story...

[Expat]

I was just wondering how secure the airspace in Afghanistan is? For the amount of flying that goes on there you don't hear of many aircraft getting shot down, especially fixed wing. With all those Taliban running around with rocket launchers how do they secure the airspace?

The airspace is more secure here than in many countries. The bad guys use restraint, and do not attack aircraft. Not even bullets, except on a few occasions. The same people who blow up civilians and IM indiscriminately, with IEDs do not even fire at planes and helicopters flying overhead. Strange, but a lot of things are strange here.

[Moose47]

<<<We gave draft dodgers a home!!! Had it not been for Pearson - we'd have thousands of dead Canadian soldiers who also would have died for NOTHING!!!!>>>

You mean we gave the COWARDS sancturay. A lot of them ended up as academia in our institutions of higher learning where they were free to spew their left wing ideology. Others became media personalities like Andy Barry (who actually deserted) and others politicians, doctors and lawyers. Svend Robinson's father was a draft dodger.

As it turned out, the U. S. got the better of the deal with an estimated 40,000 Canadians enlisting in the U.S military and serving in South East Asia. Go visit the wall in Windsor, Ontario I helped put in honouring the 113 confirmed Canadian K.I.A.'s and at least 7 still officially listed as missing in action. It was my distinct honour to be M.A.C.V.'s Specials Ops O.

Today we have deserters crying that they did not know what they were getting themselves into. They thought they could serve and get a free education from Uncle Sam and never have to worry about raising the barrel of their weapon against the enemy. This is pure 100 % Grade 'A' bullshit! Sympathy Factor - 0 %. I do however have sypmathy for those have gone and done a tour then refused to go back. At least they served their country and that's all that really matters to me!

http://www.cvva.ca/north-wall-memorial.html