“A 'surge' for Afghanistan?” Commandant wants more marines in Afghanistan

[jody]

A 'surge' for Afghanistan?

Commandant Gen. James Conway's plan, if approved, would deploy a large contingent of marines to Afghanistan, perhaps as early as next year. The reinforcements would be used to fight the Taliban, which US officials concede is now defending its territory more effectively against allied and Afghan forces.

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Ideally, he says, the international community would provide more help for the roughly 50,000 coalition forces there now – about half of them American troops, mostly from the Army. About 300 marines are currently stationed in Afghanistan.

"But if it requires additional US forces," Conway says, "then it goes back to our suggestion that maybe we need more marines in there with a more kinetic bent."

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The Corps would probably deploy a Marine Air Ground Task Force, a self-contained unit that brings with it its own headquarters, ground elements, logistics, and air-assault capabilities that may be especially suited to the scale of operations in Afghanistan, Conway says.

Regardless of the hype, this is purely an inter service squabble between the Marines/Navy versus Army/Air Force over who gets to use his/her troops and get medals, recognition, and more money.

Note the Marine proposal increases its force in Afghanistan from a token 300 to several thousand with its own air support and logistics able to operate independently from Army/Air Force assistance.

The Navy is sympathetic because it can use its carrier task forces to support marines in Afghanistan, an important point during budget hearings when carriers are recognized as an endangered species vulnerable to Russia's Sizzler.

No one talks about stealth aircraft but one small stealth bomber like the F117 could take out every carrier in a carrier group with a single sortie. :shrug:

Conway said "need more marines in there with a more kinetic bent" meaning send in the marines to take names and kick ass.

Whether that’s a proper strategy/tactic to win the hearts and minds of those who sympathize with and support the Taliban is not discussed.

[NewJeffCT]

1. But, we already declared victory in Afghanistan?

How can this be? You mean Herr Bush was premature in his declaration?