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Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 8-21-14-Th. (132 days to go)

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132 days to go for US troops in Afghanistan as they work to complete retrograde operations before they all leave 31 December 2014.

There were stories in the news the last few days, while President Obama is on vacation, which states he supports the current date of withdrawal for US troops from Afghanistan. The 31 December 2014 date is an extension of a previous date for US troops to leave, but President Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, agreed to extend until the end of this year.

Now there is talk of President Obama wanting to extend the date once again, from 31 December 2014, until the end of 2016! The U.S. Congress needs to step in and put an end to this two year extension by defunding it!

God bless our troops as they complete retrograde operations, closing bases, and packing equipment, in this still dangerous country, as evidenced by the murder of a US general there in an insider attack earlier this month.

In the meantime, it seems the GWOT Hotspot has speed from Afghanistan to places around the world with Iraq back in play with US troops being sent back there, with the beheading of a US journalist by ISIS, continuing terrorist presence in Syria, and elsewhere around the world.

Meanwhile, some officers such as Army Major General John Nicholson, Jr. is back in the U.S. with a new wife, as the story at link #1 describes his digs.

Links from around the GWOT:

1.) Major General John Nicholson, Jr. returns home from years of war, to a new wife and new digs. Link:

http://fbelitemag.com/articles/2014/05/01/1324545

Written by orangekite1

August 21, 2014 at 10:59 pm

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) Sat. 8/16/14 (137 days to go)

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I am still shocked and saddened at the death of Marine sniper Sgt. Rob Richards, found dead in his home Wednesday. May he rest in peace.

 

 

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 8/14/14 Th. (139 Days to go)

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139 days to go for US troops in Afghanistan.

Why didn’t Gen. Amos, Marine Commandant worry about the safety and welfare of the Marine snipers and their families and get them treatment for combat stress and battle fatigue instead of wanting to “crush” them as other Marines are reported as testifying under oath that he wanted to do to them?

Now one of the scout snipers was found dead in his home. Sad, sad, sad.

Links from around the GWOT:

Link:

1.) Although demoted to Corporal, I still say, RIP SGT Richards:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20140814/NEWS/308140051/Marine-sniper-involved-controversial-video-found-dead

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 4-30-14-Wed. (245 days to go)

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245 days to go for US troops in Afghanistan, and the end of another month in that country leading up to the 31 December 2014 withdrawal of all US troops.

The month ends on a sad note as retrograde operations go on, with US troops busily closing down bases and packing equipment, two US Army soldiers were killed by hostile fire. God bless our troops still in Afghanistan, a still hostile place. May God comfort the families of the fallen and heal those injured. RIP soldiers.

Links from around the GWOT:

1.) Two US soldiers killed in hostile action in Afghanistan. RIP soldiers:

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/04/fort_drum_sergeant_among_two_army_soldiers_killed_in_afghanistan_report_says.html

2.) Family of hero killed in Afghanistan discuss their brave son:

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140430/NEWS/404300314/-1/SITEMAP

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 5-23-13-Th.

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Before American troops were in Afghanistan, where the “Vietnam Plan for Afghanistan” is taking place, as if there wasn’t a template for this already with Vietnam, there was the actual Vietnam experience. See link#1 for a most excellent story of a 3rd Recon Marine mission in Vietnam, and one of the injured Recon Marine’s stories. Recon Marines are TOP TIER! God bless them! Before the GWOT there was Vietnam. Links from around the GWOT:

1.) 3rd Recon Marines in Vietnam. A most excellent story, needs read by Americans, and especially our elected officials and military officers. God bless our Recon Marines, they are TOP TIER! Look at the haunting photo of the two 19-year old Recon Marines in Vietnam before their helicopter was shot down in 1967, where one died, and one was seriously injured. God bless you 3rd Recon, then and now! Link:

http://forestlaketimes.com/2013/05/22/he-could-never-forget-marines-left-in-vietnam/

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 2-9-13-Sat.

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One weekend after another, US troops remain in Afghanistan while Americans at home go about their business largely unaware a war is even being lost by American politicians who still have US troops stationed in Afghanistan. The US packs up from 12+ years of war, with a deadline of leaving on 31 December 2014. There is no longer talk of a US victory, not even from the politicians who sent US troops there. God bless America’s enlisted men and women as they furiously pack up, closing down bases by the dozens as they go.

In the meantime, the new Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, visits Afghanistan and is greeted with nearby bombs. Stories indicate he heard the noise of the explosions but was nowhere near when they went off.

Links from around the GWOT:

1.) Bombs go off when US Sec. of Defense Chuck Hagel visits Afghanistan:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-official-at-least-8-afghan-civilians-dead-in-suicide-attack-outside-defense-ministry/2013/03/09/4f2d9dae-887f-11e2-b412-2e8596e7c927_story.html

Written by orangekite1

March 9, 2013 at 1:38 pm

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 3-8-13-Fri.

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The US Marines have had their Tuition Assistance cut due to sequestration. Other service branches at this time are going to continue TA. There are funds to pay for our Marines’ Tuition Assistance, and I have an example below of where $300 million can be found right now for this funding. Don’t send $300 million to Afghanistan for Afghan women: use it for US Marines for their Tuition Assistance right now.

The end of the week comes for most Americans on a M-F schedule, and they face a weekend of relaxation, college basketball, NASCAR races, eating out, and enjoying the fruits of their work and freedom. Meanwhile, US troops are packing up equipment and closing bases in Afghanistan as quickly to leave Afghanistan by 31 December 2014. I hope the packing is complete before then and the US troops can come home before then, and bring our money with them.

1.) US taxpayers to fund $300 million to go to women of Afghanistan. I am asking Congress and our Senate to STOP this funding NOW. This money needs to go toward US active duty Marines whose Tuition Assistance is being cut. The President could step in with an executive order NOW! This $300 million needs to go to the US Marine Corps to fund tuition assistance. Link:

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2013/0308/USAID-to-put-300-million-into-women-s-rights-in-Afghanistan

Written by orangekite1

March 8, 2013 at 10:24 pm

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 3-2-12 Sat.

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A weekend at home in the USA while our troops still toil in the Afghanistan war which is becoming more scandalous as the days go on. The enlisted troops are doing their jobs, but those at the top do not have a focus on victory. God bless the US enlisted man (and women). Links from around the GWOT:

1.) New US commander in Afghanistan, Marine Gen. Dunford already issuing apologies. In fact, I believe he game apologies immediately after his arrival, this isn’t the first time he has apologized. Story states that NATO accepts responsibility for the deaths of 2 Afghan boys. US troops need to come home now and bring our money with them. Link:

http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/55254887/82234236/NATO_says_2_Afghan_boys_accidentally_killed

Written by orangekite1

March 2, 2013 at 7:51 pm

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 2-20-13-Wed.

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While parts of the USA await a blizzard, US troops still face danger and cold in Afghanistan. Pray for victory for American troops and that US leaders, both military and civilian, will focus on VICTORY THROUGH STRENGTH. The US no longer has the funds to carry out a long occupation and nation building. Win and bring the troops home long before the 31 December 2014 deadline for victory. Links from around the GWOT:

1.)  American Marines in MARSOC (Special Operation Marines) describe their role in a Philippine rescue of Filipino special operators. Note the award given to the MARSOC Marine: What is this? Some defense contractor award? Read the story for details. Are the contractors moving to the Philippines to drum up business as the Afghanistan Scandal winds down? God bless American troops. Let’s get civilian and military officials in there who have integrity and who are not going to retire and work for a defense contractor. In these times of budget cuts and tight budgets, and the end of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan is it time to disband MARSOC like the Marine Raiders were disbanded at the end of WWII?  It seems to me with the huge budget of the Army compared to the Marines and the Navy budget, the Navy SEALS and Army Rangers and Army Green Berets can handle the Special Operations work now that the wars are over. This would save money and much duplication, and with the Marine Corps shrinking, allow these MARSOC Marines to get back into the fleet and doing what Marines do: TRAIN TO WIN WARS, and when called to war: WIN THE WARS. Link:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/prime/2013/02/PRIME-marine-marsoc-main-021813/

Written by orangekite1

February 20, 2013 at 11:38 pm

Afghanistan Today, the GWOT Hotspot (The Afghanistan Scandal?) 2-17-13-Sun.

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Sunday at war again for US troops in Afghanistan. Pray for them this day, and for a safe and sound return home, ASAP, and that they can pack up the equipment and get out of there long before Dec. 31, 2014.

Links from around the GWOT:

1.) While our troops are packing up and closing down bases in Afghanistan, a new CIA director is being considered. Read this story for shocking details, and call you elected officials if you feel so moved. Link:

http://www.dianawest.net/Home/tabid/36/EntryId/2412/Brennan-Jihad-Apologist-to-Lead-Fight-Against-It.aspx

Written by orangekite1

February 17, 2013 at 1:44 pm