Attack on U.S. base kills 2 soldiers
(article from azcentral.com)
KABUL, Afghanistan - Insurgents armed with rockets, mortars and a truck bomb staged an unusual frontal attack on a U.S. base in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, killing two U.S. soldiers and forcing the defenders to call in airstrikes to avoid being overrun.
The assault, which came as thousands of American troops were taking part in an anti-Taliban offensive hundreds of miles away in the south of Afghanistan, pointed up the insurgents' ability to take the fight to a location of their choosing - in this case a remote outpost in Paktika province, which borders Pakistan's tribal areas.
The incident also illustrated militant groups' continuing capability to stage sophisticated, multipronged attacks in Afghanistan's eastern border zone, despite the Pakistani army's efforts in recent weeks to rein in insurgents who use the tribal areas in Pakistan as a staging ground.
The assault, which came as thousands of American troops were taking part in an anti-Taliban offensive hundreds of miles away in the south of Afghanistan, pointed up the insurgents' ability to take the fight to a location of their choosing - in this case a remote outpost in Paktika province, which borders Pakistan's tribal areas.
The incident also illustrated militant groups' continuing capability to stage sophisticated, multipronged attacks in Afghanistan's eastern border zone, despite the Pakistani army's efforts in recent weeks to rein in insurgents who use the tribal areas in Pakistan as a staging ground.
Saturday's attack on a small base in Zerok district, which lasted several hours, took place in the same area where a U.S. soldier disappeared Tuesday. The U.S. military said two days later that the missing man was believed to have been captured. A search is under way.
American military officials said "several" U.S. soldiers were wounded in addition to the two killed in the base attack but declined to provide a more precise figure.
American military officials said "several" U.S. soldiers were wounded in addition to the two killed in the base attack but declined to provide a more precise figure.
Grueling Afghan march taxes Marines(article from azcentral.com)
The high heat, heavy packs, limited water and three straight days of walking through tough farmland terrain were taking a toll, he said. Several Marines threw up or were dry-heaving from the heat. Three passed out, and other Marines rushed to share the weight and pour water on overheated bodies.
"It's pretty taxing on your body. There's no way to prepare for this," said Trujillo.
One cruel irony: A helicopter dropped off a load of water to the Marines early Saturday, but because they hadn't yet reached their final destination, they took only what they could carry and left hundreds of bottles behind for Afghan villagers to drink.
Lance Corp. Bryan Knight, a mortar man, carried one of the heaviest packs. The 21-year-old Cincinnati native weighs a slight 145 pounds - and his pack almost equaled him.
Squatting in a lean-to made out of a camouflage poncho beside Knight was Corp. Aaron Shade, 24, of Greenville, Ohio, who hadn't realized it was Independence Day back home in the U.S.
"My family's out on the boat house riding on jet skis, drinking lots of beer," he said. "That's not depressing to think about."
"It's pretty taxing on your body. There's no way to prepare for this," said Trujillo.
One cruel irony: A helicopter dropped off a load of water to the Marines early Saturday, but because they hadn't yet reached their final destination, they took only what they could carry and left hundreds of bottles behind for Afghan villagers to drink.
Lance Corp. Bryan Knight, a mortar man, carried one of the heaviest packs. The 21-year-old Cincinnati native weighs a slight 145 pounds - and his pack almost equaled him.
Squatting in a lean-to made out of a camouflage poncho beside Knight was Corp. Aaron Shade, 24, of Greenville, Ohio, who hadn't realized it was Independence Day back home in the U.S.
"My family's out on the boat house riding on jet skis, drinking lots of beer," he said. "That's not depressing to think about."
The Star Spangled Banner
(third verse)
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
3 comments:
Great Post! I thought alot about Brock on Sunday as we sat in church singing patriotic songs. We keep him in our prayers daily!
I also thought about Brock while we sang the Star Spangled Banner at church. The third verse left me unable to sing anymore...
I pray for your heart to stay strong. Those articles are hard to read. I'm so grateful for those brave men and boys and I'll continue to pray for Brock's safe return.
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