Afghan insurgents match surge with more IEDs

The US surges 30,000 troops (plus 1,400 US Marines from the 26 MEU) to Afghanistan.  The Taliban threat surges thousands of roadside bombs and IED’s.  Quid pro quo.

But attributing a recent increase to “a mild winter” that has kept mountain passes open is simply ridiculous.

Another US/NATO servicemember was killed over the weekend by an IED…the grind continues.

U.S. wounded rate in Afghanistan soars

Key Highlights:

• The number of U.S. troops wounded in battle in Afghanistan in 2010 more than doubled from the previous year.
• Almost 5,500 soldiers were injured in 2010. In 2009, 2,415 U.S. soldiers were wounded in action. The year’s death toll for U.S. troops was 430.
• The wounded rate was almost six times higher than 2008, although data indicated advances in emergency care reduced the mortality rate to 7.9 percent last year from 14.3 percent in 2008.

NATO Strike Kills 3 Afghan Police

Another NATO blue-on-blue incident over the weekend in Afghanistan; a NATO airstrike killed three Afghan police officers that were mistaken for insurgents.

Someone, in a tactical command center, cleared this target under the current rules of engagement and authorized the air strike.

Rightly so, a US Navy Captain was recently relieved of command for starring in and showing lewd videos to his sailors.

But, US-on-Afghan fratricide continues and no one is held accountable.

Go figure.

Dick Winters dies; WWII hero commanded ‘Band of Brothers’

Major Dick Winters, former commander of the fabled Easy Company (Band of Brothers), 2^nd Battalion, 506^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101^st Airborne Division during WWII passed away this weekend at the age of 92.

Rest in peace.

Curahee!