This might not mean much to most but I have an anecdote that puts a personal “face” on this news blip.
I led the first aerostat surveillance platform into Afghanistan and our site was FOB Ghazni. It has an immense history as Ghengis Khan built a castle on the hill overlooking the central mountainous city. The city had strategic importance as OBL once stated.
After a bad storm our first aerostat was damaged and flight ops ceased until a replacement could be trucked-in...no easy feat. During that down time a young Afghani SF-Interpreter came to me and asked in earnest, “when will you be up & flying again”? I informed him that for OPSEC I couldn’t divulge that but it wouldn’t be long. I asked him why he wanted to know? He told me that the Mothers in the village less than a kilometer away were now very scared. Evidently before we flew the aerostat they always kept their children indoors, taught and played with them but NEVER OUTDOORS. The Taliban would come through and raped the women & sometimes STOLE THE CHILDREN. Beat the men and women either way. He said since the aerostat had been flying the Taliban fled the area as they were scared of it’s presence. The children could GO OUT AND PLAY, fly their kites and enjoy life without fear. I hugged the young man and we both cried. I assured him to let them know SOON. SOON. I’m teared-up writing this as I just learned those SICK PEDOPHILIC BASTARDS have taken Ghazni. I think of those Mothers and children...
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/08/ghazni-city-falls-to-the-taliban.php
Prayers for the innocents.
I hate our government for what they have done to vets like myself over the 20 yr AFG campaign. Get every single American service member the frick out of there. Hell with Afghanistan. I'm so beyond finished with that place.
Graveyard of empires.
Yeah, except we only “lost” because of the limp wrists back in the States. And trying to play too nice with the locals.
I got some stories. And some rants. Maybe another day.
You have respect mate. From evening I've heard that place is a beautiful hell hole.
God Bless Patriot 💝😎
I know man...I feel you. So who’s worse; Taliban or our Government? Yeah 👌🏽
Don’t give a fuck. I’ve got enough reconciliation to do based upon my own participation. Fuck the Taliban. Fuck the “leaders” that sent us there. Fuck the people trying to keep us there. Fuck em all. Fuck em all straight to hell.
Clearly received 😎
Agreed 😪🙏
Great observation ☝🏼😎
We will blanket them all with our prayers, fren. May God hide them from evil eyes.
I’m with you. We’re all part of one human family, except for those seeped in evil. They must go, and soon.
Amen, fren!
Emotional story, man... weakness is always exploited. Our country is now seeing the effects of weakness and many of us believe there is a change eventually coming, but this is another reminder we can never go back. If we're given another chance, we need to get past wanting to be left alone and take responsibilities we don't want to make sure our children have better lives than the ones we gave up.
Strong men make good times
Good times make weak men
Weak men make bad times
Bad times make strong men
💝
Praying for those at the hands of evil.
EVERYWHERE 💕