Bad Medicine
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On Pharmacy Road
24 August 2009
Helmand Province, Afghanistan
The British soldiers of 2 Rifles had a mission: clear and hold Pharmacy Road.
FOB Jackson is currently home to Battlegroup headquarters for 2 Rifles. The area around the river is called the “Green Zone,” but just as appropriately could be called the Opium Zone. During season, the area is covered with colorful poppies, whose 2009 products are probably showing up by now on the streets in Europe. European money flows back here and buys fertilizer in the Sangin Market, which can be used to make bombs, produce more opium, get more money and make more bombs and grow more opium and make more money and bombs and grow more opium. Sangin is at once an ATM and weapons bazaar for the enemy. Nearly all fatalities in this unit have been caused by fertilizer bombs. The decision to mostly ignore the drug dealers has been a strategic blunder.
This mission was about tactical exigencies created by the strategic realities. Though FOB Jackson is small enough to walk from one end to another in a few minutes, it is the main base in Sangin, with smaller patrol bases spread around the Sangin area of operations. Two of those bases are Patrol Base (PB) Tangiers and PB Wishtan. Tangiers is an Afghan National Army (ANA) PB often used by 2 Rifles, while PB Wishtan is manned by C Coy of 2 Rifles. (“Coy” is British for “Company.”)
From Jackson, one can often see or hear fighting related to Tangiers or Wishtan while tracers arc into the night, and illumination rounds cast long, flickering shadows as they float to Earth under parachutes.
Though PB Tangiers seems randomly named, PB Wishtan is named after the local area which the locals call Wishtan. The main resupply route from Jackson to PB Wishtan goes through the Sangin Market, past Tangiers, and west along the approximate 1 kilometer of Pharmacy Road through Wishtan to PB Wishtan.
British soldiers from 2 Rifles said they had sustained approximately twenty fatalities and injuries in the area. (More were killed and wounded in Sangin since this mission.) The situation is reminiscent of so many roads in Iraq, such as Route Irish, previously dubbed the most dangerous road in the world. The short stretch of Route Irish is situated between main bases in Baghdad. Since we never had enough troops in Iraq, the route was difficult to secure despite that it was a short stretch with bustling military traffic nestled between huge bases. A lot of people were killed and maimed on that short stretch—I have little idea of the numbers of casualties on Irish—but the total must have reached at least the hundreds. Irish was eventually made far more secure by allocating substantial Iraqi and Coalition troops along with what must have been many millions of dollars’ worth of physical defenses, all augmented with frequent coverage from the air. Despite that, car bombs, IEDs and small-arms attacks continued to occur on a less frequent basis. I’ve probably driven Irish a hundred times with no dramas, but it was never safe. Despite international infamy and the sharp political desire to secure at least one small stretch of road between main bases in Baghdad, Irish was never completely secured. Pharmacy Road in Wishtan is a small-town redux of Route Irish in Baghdad.
Pharmacy Road was effectively closed by enemy harrasment, including a blockage caused by two blown-up vehicles (a “jingo truck” and a British tractor). Resupply and troop movements were performed by helicopter, despite that a patrol could walk from Jackson to Wishtan in an hour, and straight driving would only take fifteen minutes. A bypass route was made with similar results. Captain Alexander Spry told me that Wishtan is like something from a Freddy Kreuger movie where bombs are planted in broad daylight and the enemy chisels small firing holes through the fifteen-foot walls and launches bullets down the tight spaces and alleyways. The Afghan mud walls are so robust that the 30mm cannons from the air will not penetrate. Dropping a 500lb bomb into the middle of a compound will leave the walls standing. In Wishtan, our snipers are of little use because they can’t see or shoot through the walls, and there is no commanding terrain other than the air. As with Route Irish and probably hundreds (thousands?) of other routes in Iraq and Afghanistan, routes cannot be secured without pinning substantial numbers of troops. Life is far easier for the guerrilla than for the counterguerrilla, just as arson is easier for arsonists than for firefighters.
With the shortage of helicopters in mind (and the fact that an RPG was recently fired at a helicopter as it lifted out of PB Wishtan), closure of Pharmacy Road increased enemy freedom of movement while decreasing our own. Though British forces continued to push into combat around Wishtan, battlegroup commander LtCol Rob Thomson wanted Pharmacy Road open.
Most of us tried to sleep the night before the mission, but there was much to do. At one point, perhaps half a dozen 81mm mortar illumination rounds from another base were shot straight over FOB Jackson. The empty casings, weighing perhaps 2lbs each, swooshed through the darkness, possibly at several hundred miles per hour, and thumped onto Jackson. (Terminal velocity varies from object to object.) One casing was heading toward a sergeant named Marty who runs Flight Ops. Marty hit the dirt and the casing landed just next to him.
The mission began under cover of darkness. Conditions were far too dark to focus and the soldiers were not using lights, so focus was done by trial and error. A sniper team quietly sat beside a dog and its handler. The dog seemed to take interest in the sounds of the camera.
The few who speak only whisper. A soldier checks his night-vision monocular.
Flipping up the night-vision monocular puts it on standby.
The mission will be very dangerous and the soldiers, who mostly could not see me taking photos unless they were using night-vision gear, seemed lost in thought.
The friendly attack dog. A dog handler recently told me he was urinating when an Afghan soldier tried to grab his willy. The handler said the dog bit the Afghan soldier who needed a few stitches.
We set off down the market road. Some folks believe such reports are “security violations,” as if the thousands of people living here do not know exactly where the bases are, or do not know exactly where we came from and went to. Operations take place here every day. Civilians are everywhere.
We made it to FOB Tangiers with no dramas. Some Afghan soldiers were on guard while others seemed comatose.
The commander of 2 Rifles is Lieutenant Colonel Rob Thomson (right), who this morning was constantly studying maps or soaking up information by talking with soldiers whose ears were glued to radios. Most soldiers did the smart thing and immediately began to fall asleep; experienced combat soldiers never miss a chance to fill canteens or sleep. Meanwhile, the Commander’s work has just begun (despite my having seen him work late the night before). LtCol Thomson has chided other officers and NCOs about sleep, saying it’s an advantage of growing older. You just don’t need as much sleep. Plus having children is good training for combat.
Corporal Mark “Axle” Foley (left) is the JTAC who controls air strikes. Axle is a good-spirited soldier and funny to talk with, always cracking jokes though sometimes I have difficulty understanding his accent. When Axle picks up that radio, a magical toggle-switch clicks in his head from “fun” mode to “all business.” While Axle talks business with the pilots, one can only wonder how well the American pilots understand Axle. Yet the pilots work with Axle all the time, and seem to understand him perfectly on the first go, and he understands them. One night, I heard a Southern accent come down from an aircraft, which set the Brits to laughing and trying to immitate the accent. Brits and Europeans often get a big kick out of thick Southern accents but all attempts to imitate the twang seem to fall flat. (Except by country bands in Germany who can perfectly imitate the patois as if they grew up next door to Willie Nelson.)
Axle, who often works with American pilots, says these A-10 and B-1B pilots are probably the best to work with because they come to Sangin so often that they know the terrain, the roads and bases, so they are easy to talk onto targets.
Sitting there in the darkness, Axle works the radio while watching the downlink screen. As the A-10s approach at about 0314, the aircraft are still about 40 miles out, and a pilot starts listing off all the various sorts of weapons they are carrying. They had more spells than Harry Potter. As the A-10s close in on our postion, Axle picks up a downlink and suddenly he can see through the A-10 crosshairs. Whatever the pilot is looking at comes on Axle’s screen. Axle gives the pilot some reference points and each time the crosshairs instantly go to that point, and within maybe thirty seconds, the crosshairs slewed precisely to the spot where we were sitting. Axle told him that’s us, which probably sounded to the A-10 pilot something like, “Ah roga, dat’s us,” and then Axle starts walking the pilot through to all the friendly locations so he can know where our guys are.
An A-10 was transmitting downlink but we were getting interference, maybe from the building or other radios. Axle moved outside where Corporal Henry Sanday from Fiji came in. Henry is a good man whom I got to know in Iraq, and sometimes we have lunch or dinner at FOB Jackson, where he constantly invites me on missions. Henry is battle-proven and very good under fire. When your life is at stake, Henry is a man you want to be with, as you will soon see. This morning, his men were falling asleep, but as a section leader Henry kept working. Major Karl Hickman (right) is the A Coy Commander, and while his men plopped down to sleep, Karl kept working. I’ve never been in combat with Major Hickman, but his men say he’s good and steady under fire. Axle as JTAC is a crucial link to this mission, which explains why when Henry and Major Hickman might be sleeping, they are checking in with Axle to keep their SA (Situation Awareness) updated.
We had the A-10s for only a few minutes when a radio call from a different net came to Axle to release the A-10s for a TIC (troops in contact) somewhere in South Helmand. Axle radioed the pilots to switch freqs, and I recall a pilot apologizing and saying he looked forward to getting back up here. Axle put down the radio and looked straight at me, saying, “That’s such a bummer,” as if his fishing buddy had to go home early, then Axle finished with, “However, the guys that get them will be well happy,” and started shutting down his gear as the sounds of the A-10s faded into the darkness. While Axle worked, I asked about times when he “smashed” the Taliban. British soldiers like to use the word “smashed” when talking about the Taliban. When Axle would finish talking about one fight, I would ask about another. Finally, Axle said, “You Yanks are great. You like to hear stories about us smashin’ the Taliban but people at home want to know how much we miss our families.” We both chuckled, and I asked, “Really? They don’t ask you about smashing the Taliban?” “That’s right,” then Axle said something like, “They only want to hear how sad we are.” Axle and I got along great because I didn’t care if he missed his family and he didn’t care if I missed mine. This part is about smashing people who would help those who smashed the World Trade Centers and blew up people in London and Bali and Jakarta and Israel and Spain and the Philippines and anywhere else they can reach. There is a crucial development and governance aspect to this war, and still a crucial smashing side. Sometimes you’ve got to swap hats for helmets. Mullah Omar is still alive, apparently in Pakistan, and he needs to be killed. Just on 20 August I heard a Taliban singing over a walkie talkie that Mullah Omar “Is our leader,” and they were celebrating shooting down a British helicopter only twelve hours before just some miles from here. There will be time to hug families later. Now is a time for fighting.
We talked some more about smashin’ the Taliban. When the A-10s turned toward some distant battle, nobody here complained. Yes, we need more helicopters, but since I have been in Sangin, we never have been short on attack aircraft. The JTACs are happy. Air cover, since I have been in Sangin, is better than we could honestly hope for. Axle talked about strike aircraft; “The F-15E Strike Eagles are brilliant,” he said. The JTACs, if given a choice of the other fourteen types of piloted aircraft that come on station, seem to vote for F-15E Strike Eagles.
The F-15E package (weapons, electronics, and strike pilots) is particularly lethal for this fight. When strike aircraft come onto station, the pilots declare their weapons load. A typical F-15E declartion sounds like this: An American voice crackles over the radio, “Good morning. I’ve got 4 GBU-12s, 6 GBU-38s, 2 GBU-31s, and 1,000 x 20mm cannon.” [GBU-12: 500lb Laser Guided Bomb is the JTAC favorite here; GBU-38 is a 500lb JDAM and also very good; GBU-31 is a 2,000lb JDAM and too big for use in Sangin but there are many other fights in Afghanistan; 20mm cannon can destroy armored vehicles but bounce off the compound walls here.]
In total, the two F-15Es arrive with a dozen accurate bombs, a thousand rounds of 20mm, incredibly good optics, and a great downlink package so the JTACs can peer through F-15E crosshairs and coordinate with the pilot. Most importantly, the Strike Eagle pilots are specifically trained for this mission. Nobody on the ground complains about this package.
Whereas Strike Eagles are favored in Sangin, there are close runner-ups. B-1Bs are called “Bones” because B-One spells bone. Bones were made for nuclear war with the Soviets and for carrying hydrogen bombs, and so they don’t carry a lot of different tricks for small battles. B-1Bs do come with 12 GBU-38s and 8 GBU-31s, very good optics and Axle says the pilots are easy to talk onto targets. When a B-1B runs low on gas, refuelers can fly to us. One day, Axle could see Bones refueling directly overhead while continuing to track a target.
In all, about fourteen types of aircraft fly topcover, including American, Belgian, British, Dutch and French. JTACs here say the least desirable aircraft of those fourteen are the French M2000D. A package of two jets carries no cannon, no downlink and a total of only 4 GBU 12s. The optics aboard the aircraft are not good, and the trail aircraft spots targets with binoculars like the Red Baron. Also, the French and British have problems understanding each other’s accents. The British who work with French forces refuse to say a bad word. They say the French are good and ready—which can be surprising because the Brits and the French like to slag each other—but the French aircraft simply are primitive in comparison to the American jets. An American unit in Zabul Province last year said that some French pilots probably saved them, or at least made a big difference, and so any words about primitive aircraft should be taken in light of respect for the pilots.
No mention is made of the Apache helicopters because Axle was talking about jets. The Apaches seem to do most of the heavy lifting—for every jet strike I must have seen 5-10 Apache strikes. Apaches are very effective. We are too far out for coverage from Kiowa Warriors. Predators are excellent but Reapers are especially welcome.
The A-10s were gone and so Axle headed to sleep but Corporal Henry Sanday keeps working while all his men are zonked out.
The following account does not pertain to Pharmacy Road, but pertains to Corporal Sanday, his men, Axle and others in these photos. These photos were made on 09 August. On 13 August, a bomb detonated at 0523, wounding Matthew Hatton and two others. Sanday arranged to evacuate the wounded by helicopter but there were IEDs along the routes to the HLS (Helicopter Landing Site).
As Daniel Wild and Mark Hale helped the wounded Matthew Hatton, they were hit by a second bomb, killing all three men. In total there were five casualties, and call-sign “Pedro,” helicopters from the United States Air Force had come in to evacuate the killed and wounded. Henry Sanday was acting Platoon Sergeant and wanted to land Pedro on a roof but the roof was too small. He finally got the casualties loaded out. After suffering three killed and two wounded, the men continued the mission though some of the men were very rattled. Later that evening, when the mission had been completed and the soldiers were moving back to FOB Jacskon, they were hit by a third bomb leaving two casualties. Sanday was setting up another helicopter extraction when a fourth bomb detonated and an interpreter turned into a “white mist” leaving only a leg. The interpreter went MIA. Sanday asked the Apaches to search for the body but they found nothing. I’d seen this happen in Iraq and it took us a long time to find two of the bodies. One missing body was maybe a hundred meters away. The other body was farther. It’s been a long time, but I think it might have taken an hour to find the last body, and we had dozens of people looking. Sanday was down to four unwounded soldiers in his section and in Sangin the IEDs often seem to come in big clusters. No matter which way you go, there is a high probability of more. Two interpreters were killed in the strike and three were wounded.
Some of the men were in shock and did not react to Sanday’s commands. They were seriously battle-affected and refusing orders, though others rose to the occasion and were the glue. I’ve seen this breakdown happen. Soldiers typically bounce back. Two officers described to me their thoughts on Corporal Sanday. “He is an absolute hero,” said one, and the other agreed. Sanday’s name was mentioned with respect all the way back in Iraq. Now in Afghanistan he continues to rise to the occasion, but now with more experience. The next day, Sanday went on a combat mission in Sangin. About 100 meters in front of him an IED detonated on another section. Three soldiers from the Royal Regiment Fussilliers were killed. During extraction to the HLS, a pressure-pad IED caused more casualties. Again, I am told Sanday and others rose to the occasion.
The interpreter who disappeared was found in the Helmand River, about 20 miles south at FOB Price.
But those attacks were still a few days away. Today, Sanday had more dangers to lead his men into, and through, and as they slept, he worked.
Body armor for a pillow. Many soldiers buy those bracelets because they say the profits go to support wounded warriors. Next time I’m in Camp Bastion, I’ll buy a couple.
“Axle” Foley, who was on that horrible mission with Sanday, went to sleep until more aircraft were scheduled to show up. This photo was made at about 0517 and I put down the camera then my head down at 0521, just in time for the first explosion seven minutes later at 0528. The explosion was close and powerful and literally raised some dust. AFTER it exploded, someone said it was EOD for the first controlled detonation. The Bang Boys were out there in the danger zone, cracking away. I said a little prayer for them and put my head back down and that’s when the rooster started crowing—from inside the building! Look at the halls in the photo. A rooster is very loud inside here, as if he were crowing straight into our ears. The ANA keep the rooster for fighting. He was incredibly loud. BOOM at 0540. EOD was back at it, and at 0548, then 0558, then 0610 and 0612 and 0621. The EOD soldiers were into a rhythm. Between the rooster crowing inside the building and EOD blasting away nearby, sleep was hard to come by, so I got up and walked to one of the guard towers. LtCol Rob Thomson seemed to be the last one working, and warned me not to get shot. (During the bad morning on the 13th, LtCol Thomson saw some gloom on a few faces and he jerked those faces back into the fight.)
Comments
Please keep the new's coming in zmichael,
Our prayers are with you all...and our actions are influenced by your dispatches. We must all do more to fight this world war...which it surly is...wherever we are and whatever our occupation. Thank you and all the men fighting. You are an inspiration and an encouragement to do our part and not be negligent. Wonderful photos and report...
For that is what these men are doing, and thank God for them, for those who command them, and especially to those who are maimed for us, and again, to you, Michael for this great photo story and report..
Stay safe fella. Celer et Audax.
A great organisation in the UK
I recently read a piece where a UK soldier thought that people at home are more interested in X-Factor or who won the cricket.
I for one know where the true heros are. They are in Helmand.
For helping to keep my family safe and for your service to your country, I thank you with all my heart.
To Michael Yon:
Thankyou for this reporting. We need to know how it is, on the ground warts and all. Only then can we begin to understand the courage and sacrifice made on our behalf.
To UK MOD:
Give these soldiers the equipment and rules of engagement they need for counter-insurge ncy operations or bring them back home. Your incompetence astounds me.
The Rainbow's a reference to a book and videogame series by Tom Clancy. Team Rainbow are a multi-national anti terrorist organisation.
As these guys are "multi-force" they've taken the title on, probably with their tongues firmly in cheek.
From a fobbit - take care.
Kevin
Also, well done with the google maps insertions. These images really helped me understand the battle space in your corner of this conflict.
I look forward to your next dispatch.
http://www.thunderrun.us/2009/08/from-front-08242009.html
There are so many similarities to South Vietnam ... but several important differences. In Vietnam, fixed wing fighter bombers could not deliver their ordnance with accuracy. If you were within 1,000 meters of the target you were considered ON the target. Bombs dropping miles from their intended targets were common. And all they had were unguided bombs and napalm ... useless for counterinsurgen cy ground support. Artillery was much better. We leaned heavily on the 155mm battery available to us.
It breaks my heart to hear of soldier's deaths and to have the general populace of our countries so oblivious to what's going on in Afghanistan. Yesterday NPR was reporting on the fact that Michael Jackson's death had gotten much more press than the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Irag.
I hope you can find a way to keep reporting on the work of these fine soldiers
I'm sure you'll find another unit to embed with in short order.
Godspeed, Michael
I appreciate all you do.
It's "Rainbow 6" by the way. One of Tom Clancy's Novels.
Political correctness issue surroundind 'smashed Taliban' or the like?
Or just a logistical thing?
Keep your head down,
--J
_________________
Thank a soldier today.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/ContactUs/AskAMinister.htm
This morning, as I do most mornings I read Michael Yon’s DISPATCH from Helmand Province, Afghanistan where he was, until today, embedded with 2nd Rifles.
Quite frankly up until Michael joined the 2nd Rifles in Helmand Province I didn’t think about the British soldiers and their contribution to the Afghan War. But daily through his words and pictures I grew to value and hold your troops in high warm regard.
I, and the thousands of people in the U.S. who read Michaels DISPATCHES, learned to respect and honor your troops in Afghanistan. We’ve wept over their deaths and prayed for their families, we rejoiced in their survival from horrendous wounds, and thanked God for them.
They have become our heroes along with our own troops.
Michael Yon has given a face and voice to the British soldiers and their amazing efforts.
I don’t know why you have chosen to silence that voice or remove those faces.
If you believe what he wrote today Bad Medicine[24 August 2009] diminished our regard and respect for the soldiers of the 2nd Rifles you are wrong.
And you are wrong to take this precious contact Americans have with the British Soldiers in Afghanistan away.
What a load of b8locks, typic MOD weenie doing a his stupid thing because the dispatches have included some Google, or some pics of shiny new kit that talks and sees through to gods eye view. You are respected by the Brits, we will miss your posts. if you get to Bastien, look the CJTH team, a good friend and neighbour from Mildenhall is a flight surgeon ask for Brad, he may help with some great copy.
Best
Zeno
Why in the world would you cancel Michael Yon's embed. Do you not realize what a tremendous service he is doing for the soldiers of this war? He humanizes it. I as well as many others spend many hours thinking about his dispatches and praying for these men and women. Before I began reading Michael's dispatches the war in Iraq and Afghanistan was nothing more than a sound bite in between the Hollywood news and our countries ridiculous politics. You do Michael, his readers and especially your and our soldiers a great disservice.
I'm betting that the liberals in Britain are worried that their troops may actually be doing some good in this way and they might possibly lose in any effort to remove them entirely from this theater of operations.
I may be wrong.
All the best,
SteveW
Stay safe bro.
Semper Fidelis.
Oh, common...If it was about the 5 year old Google Earth photos, it simply did not show anything new to the enemy. Most likely, they don't have a computer and don't even know who you are. Besides, they most likely know where the troops are hold up and what is being done in the fight. The one's that don't are already dead. Heck, computer? They're lucky to have a radio.
If anything, your article should give them pause as to whether or not they should continue to resist. Provided they can even read. We are not talking about a sophisticated enemy. The Viet Cong were far more sophisticated and informed than our present enemy.
Quite frankly I believe it may be political and for reasons not necessarily for the protection of the troops. More likely because if your articles are read, it just might garner popular support for the war effort. Frankly the liberals would not have that, now would they?
What they have accomplished is to extinguish or at the least, diminish the best news reporting out of the Afghanistan theater of war...at least when it comes to what the Heroic Brits are doing for this effort.
I have followed you in your reporting for the last four years, and one thing holds true. You care about the troops on the ground and would NEVER put their lives at risk. Your training in Special Forces gave you the tools you need to make those calls and you use them well.
As far as any special equipment the troops are carrying: Popular Science has had a number or articles about special weapons...it's nothing new.
I support you and devour each article the day they arrive. Without your reporting, this war would just be a 20 second blurb on the news about how many casualties we've sustained today, this month and/or this year.
It would be most suitable if the British Ministry of Defense would take a second look at this situation and realize how much of an asset you really are to all - then bring you back.
One other bit of speculation: They might have brought you out because they thought you were in danger, not bringing it upon their troops. It could be they are preparing for an even tougher conflict and didn't want anyone around who is not carrying a weapon. Just a thought.
Michael...be safe, keep your head down and your camera and keyboard at the ready. I'm eagerly awaiting your next dispatch.
Cheers,
Ken
Medic
4th Inf Div
RVN 69 - 70
Thousands line the streets when they come home in coffins. We CARE that they are away from home and dying out there or getting injured. We KNOW that they are the toughest and bravest. We WANT them to succeed.
As for the cricket - Andrew Strauss the cricket captain wore his Help For Heroes bracelet throughout the series - as do many key figures to promote that fine charity - although the bracelets worn by the soldiers don't look the same??
I do wish that more was done to CONVEY this to our troops instead of continually assuming ignorance here.
Thanks to you Mr Yon for letting Americans know what our men are doing out there. The American press barely ever mention them.
Thinking of our troops and wishing them the best at smashing the Taliban always
Keep up the good work Michael. I for one rely on your dispatches for getting the facts, something we have been unable to get in such detail, from the mediagenerally.
What a great dispatch! One of the best ones. The last note said it right, we Americans have a virtual blackout from our media about the British and what they are doing there. It is so great to read your dispatches and hear about the great things the Brits are doing. What a bunch of great guys. Before you leave tell them we are all pissed off that you got ejected. We wanted to hear more. We think they are great!
I can only hope the British Ministry of Defense changes their minds. Those guys deserve to have what they are doing known and appreciated here and in England.
Thanks again as always, keep safe and may God watch out for you.
David
I'm sorry to hear that you've been removed from your embed. I don't always agree with everything you have said, but I still respect you for your bravery and objectivity as a reporter. I can't imagine why the British command would choose to cancel. The British Defense might suffer in the long run for it, and that's no consolation to anyone on the ground there.
Thank you, and please keep up the good work, sir.
raise some money and write another book. PLEASE !!! Remind yourself what this is all about, ergo...picnics, barbecues, QUIET TIME and family. You have enough info and photographs to keep you busy for years! Come home for the Holidays
I'm guessing that you got a bit too close to the troops and told it how it was with a bit too much clarity than those fools wiould have the people in the UK believe.
Lions led by donkeys? That statement is as true today as it was during World War One.
Keep up the great work, Yon. Many of us appreciate your style of reporting.
Keep up the great work where ever you next find yourself.
Keep up the good work from wherever you can mate.
And I also wanted to say amazing night photos at the top of the dispatch. I refused to believe they were taken at night until I noticed the stars in the sky!
Thank you for (yet again) a provocative peek inside a world most of us can barely imagine let alone know and understand. Although I don't know the reason behind the British Ministry of Defense’s decision to end your embed, it's incredibly disheartening that often times our governments actually believe that we citizens cannot handle the truth and reality of war. Any compassionate citizen dreads the news of another lost or wounded soldier but part of knowing what we are fighting for is truly understanding what we are risking. I will continue to pray for all of the brave women and men putting themselves in harm’s way for us back home in America and our allies abroad, and for you Michael for taking enormous risk to bring us such an honest and unique perspective.
Until then...
All good things,
Randall
Don't worry about falling out with the MoD, you are in good company. The "head" of the MoD, Bob Ainsworth, has just tried to smear General Dannat over his £20 000 expenses over 3 years ( his own were roughly 10 times as much in the same period).
Did you know there are more civil servants in the MoD than there are soldiers in the British Army, by the way?
Keep up the good work.
News of your cancelled embed is distressing, you have been the most reliable source of what is going on over there, apart that is from Ross Kemp video reports.
I have written to my MP, Mrs Sandra Gidley (on holiday) and to MOD requesting an explanation and reversal of this decision. There is of course more likelihood of world changing its orbit than that happening, but it is necessary to try. In the meantime please accept my thanks for all you have done to illuminate what our forces are trying to do and the conditions they face daily.
Regards Barry Sheridan. Hampshire England
Dear Mr Grogan,
As a son of what might be termed a 'forces family', it has long been a source of frustration for me that the mainstream news media show little interest in reporting on the middle eastern conflicts in any real depth.
In a world where we are lucky to receive anything more than sound bites and cod journalism from sit-at-home 'experts', the independent American photojournalist Michael Yon has done much to bring news of events in-theatre to an appreciative audience.
You may not have come across him as he reports largely via his own web site, but I urge you to read a few of his dispatches, not least this most recent one where he was embedded with our very own 2 Rifles:
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bad-medicine.htm
The content is shocking, yet absorbing. One gets a true boots-on-the-gr ound idea of what our troops go through everyday in the name of freedom and democracy. As an American, Michael has also done much to improve anglo-US relations, flying the flag for Britain wherever possible. He deserves a much wider audience.
Today I read that the MoD has cancelled his embed with British troops, and via you I wish to register my disgust in the strongest possible manner.
I am sure the ministry will cite operational minutiae or the transgression of some unwritten rule in one of Michael's posts, but the fact is he has placed himself in the firing line on many occasions to bring us the human stories of 'our boys' on the front line in a manner that few other reporters could ever hope to achieve.
Michael deserves a medal for his efforts, not the slap in the face that the cancellation of his embed represents. I can only hope you concur.
Yours sincerely etc.
Gnr Beale ( 40th Regiment )
Sir,
For some considerable time, I have been reading Michael Yon's reports as an embedded reporter - from Iraq & Afghanistan.
His style is rare; he brings the story to life, most vididly, regardless of the subject or content. Indeed, he brings reality & truth into a contentious topic. Unfortunately, this cannot be said about some of the MOD press releases or coverage in the UK media.
I understand that as a result of his latest story (Bad Medicine - 24 August 2009), his embedded status was removed. As an ex-RAF pilot, with a reasonable comprehension of security issues, I cannot see what would have triggered this removal. The story was honest, gutsy & does more to explain the circumstances in Afghanistan that a month's coverage in the UK papers. Did the comments about lack of helicopters touch a sore nerve?
Please reinstate his embedded status forthwith so that the public can read about the courage & dedication of the troops involved. Michael Yon is an invaluable asset to the reporting process.
Yours faithfully,
M D Jenvey
"Finally, Axle said, 'You Yanks are great. You like to hear stories about us smashin’ the Taliban but people at home want to know how much we miss our families.' We both chuckled, and I asked, 'Really? They don’t ask you about smashing the Taliban?' 'That’s right,' then Axle said something like, 'They only want to hear how sad we are.'"
This morning I read Michael Yon’s DISPATCH from Helmand Province, Afghanistan where he was, until today, embedded with 2nd Rifles. I must enquire, what could possibly led your Government to revoke his embed status? I must admit that up until Michael joined the 2nd Rifles in Helmand Province, even though I am a Soldier, I didn’t think about the British soldiers and their contribution to the Afghan War. But daily through his words and pictures I grew to value and hold your troops in high warm regard. I, along with many others currently deployed to Iraq, and the thousands of people in the U.S. who read Michael's DISPATCHES, learned to respect and honor your troops in Afghanistan, where previously we believed you had no part and made no real contribution. We’ve rejoiced in their survival from horrendous wounds, and marveled at their contributions to the overall war effort. They have become heroes in my eyes along with my own troops. Michael Yon has given a face and voice to the British soldiers and their amazing efforts that previously did not exist. I don’t know why you have chosen to silence that voice or remove those faces. If you believe what he wrote in the article Bad Medicine[24 August 2009] diminished my regard and respect for the soldiers of the 2nd Rifles you are very mistaken. If anything, he improved my opinion of your Country and your Soldiers. And you are wrong to take this precious contact Americans have with the British Soldiers in Afghanistan away. This decision is a detriment to your improving good image in the minds of US Soldiers who do no see or appreciate the contributions of your Soldiers, and never will unless their story is told....told the way that Michael Yon does it. I encourage you to reinstitute his embed with 2nd Rifles, or at least another British combat unit. His efforts do more than you can possibly imagine for your National Image.
Sincerely,
Terry Windmiller (another combat Soldier)
Thanks for your wonderful work, I can't believe I just discovered this site only to learn your embed has been cancelled. Best of luck in whatever the next step on your path is!
Was it the frank reporting that Yon provide? Yon has been pulling no punches with the US Military, and I can't imagine he'd start going soft just because he was reporting on the British. It's Yon's honesty and informed, detailed perspective which is so valuable.
Hopefully you can get an embed with the US sometime soon. It's unfortunate that 2 Rifles won't have you as their advocate anymore. The British people should be angry that Yon's reporting is getting quashed, lest your citizenry find out what's really going on.
As a long time reader and supporter of Michael Yon's reporting from Iraq and Afghanistan, I was disappointed to learn that his embed with 2Rifles was cancelled yesterday. His description was simply: "The British Ministry of Defence canceled my embed after today's dispatch. Please read 'Bad Medicine.'"
I just read the dispatch and am baffled. I wonder if you could share with me and Mr. Yon's readers around the world your rationale for cutting off access to your troops to one of the great combat reporters of all time. It makes no sense. Conjecture is useless, so I look forward to your distinct reply.
If you have indeed opened a can of worms over the MoD neglecting to report British casualties, I hope you do so. Honesty in the press is something this Government doesn't stand up well to!
Your actions, with regards to British forces, are something certain British journalists could only wish to do so!
All the best
Serving in 'The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan'... will Democracy take there?
This type of info is exactly what I wanted.
CNN super sucks. Michael you DEFINITELY should get a medal.
We have a new generation serving who are very much in harms way and guys like you reporting at the sharp end, showing the personal side of what it is actually like, to both UK and especially US readers is invaluable. The populace need to know what is happening, need to know what our sons, brothers and friends are laying down their lives for and your reports provide exactly that.
I dont know who you upset to get the embed cancelled, but given the myopic leaderless paralysis that the UK MOD finds itself in these days I have to say that I am not altogether surprised. The truth as reported does not fit the political agenda.
Stay safe out there, thank you so much for your insight and may God go with you.
I'll second that!
and I am unsurprised at this-
"there are more civil servants in the MoD than there are soldiers in the British Army"
I've read your work for the last couple of years Micheal, absolutely amazing! A far more accurate picture of life on the ground that I have ever seen on any TV. Obviously the MOD have not changed since WW2 when they were trying to kill my father sending him out on suicidal bomber missions then lying about it! You have done them too many favours already!
Stay safe!
Come to think of it, there's no such thing as "unbelievable" stupidity where the MOD is concerned. Just look at the procurement fiasco.
Good luck with those Americans!
now according to this site, rafales are allso operating
http://armees.com/Rafale-en-afghanistan.html
Brenda Hale
Swift and Bold
Cdr. Scott Dudley, USN (Ret.)
I hope you can pick up the battle with the Stryker Brigade. The mud walls are no match for a select few of their pieces. The Brits have made some great reporting possible.
It has been said enough here....We are mostly in awe of the British tenacity,,,due to your dispatches.
I pass your dispatches to the soldiers my team has trained. It is a good dose of reality to those that might otherwise blunder into the box with mis conceptions about the situation.
Screw the political spin!
ALLONS!
Bob
I am was surprised and disappointed to learn of the cancellation of your embed. The British will learn of the disservice they have done to their own forces in stopping your voice.
I was most interested in your google maps. Your location in Helmand has been of great interest as I know an American soldier stationed at FOB Ramrod. If you know of this FOB, I would be curious to learn where it is located in relationship to FOB Jackson. Always, in reading about these British soldiers, I have imagined that Kevin was seeing and doing similar things....perha ps it is not the same but your news was the closest information we could glean.
Your background gives you the ability to understand, empathise & see with a soldier eyes the strengths & strength of purpose of those who have to close with the enemy.
You very obviously have great empathy for the soldiers you serve with, I do not use the word serve lightly.
Your work illustrates the incredible nature of the acts performed on a daily basis & without fanfare by the troops on the ground.
You serve them & us by continuing your work.
Stag on!
Marc.
thank you for your despatches on our boys and girls and the risks they take
Brenda Hale, my sincerest condolences. I know there's nothing that can fill the hole in your heart now but please know that Michael's readers and millions of other Americans truly feel a huge debt of gratitude to your husband Mark for his sacrifice. He was a true hero.
If Any Ever make it to NY visit any firehouse and tell your story you'll get a gerat meal.
Thanks for sthe reports Mike any if you get to NY look me up. cainm
911 rolling around again and there will be a great memorial at Ground Zero.
God Bless You All
Well, heck, if you read the NY Times and listen to CBS, it's all about the victimized troops on this side of the water as well.
Great photos!
Blue skies! -- Dan Ford
I echo the comments concerning the singular, outstanding work you're doing. It's above reproach.
Which is more than can be said for the people and what motivates them in the MoD and the abrupt cancellation of your embed status. Speculation about what caused it runs the gamut. It wasn't the Google Maps or the purported OpSec issues. You got too close to the root nerve: the MoD hasn't been doing its job for a long time and the situation there is beginning to show the soft spots. For instance, they MoD has not funded the necessary helicopter acquisition for the past 10 years. Now they're in a program of trying to do service extension life on the stuff that should have been replaced long ago.
I suspect many of our UK friends are coming to terms with the same kind of fundamental failure that the so-called "Health Care Crisis" has triggered here in the US. It's not a disagreement over policy, or methods, or political party platforms. It's much more basic. In fact, fundamental to our so-called "representative " democratic form of government. We simply can no longer trust the political class, or any member of it, to do anything but look out for themselves. Even the apparent Good Guys let us down every day by not telling us the truth about what's going on, about who, specifically, is responsible for the failures -- all under the cover of having to "get along" in order to be effective.
We simply can't trust them. Any of them. On any issue. For any reason. They're professional liars. We trusted them to go and represent us as best they could while the rest of us went about our lives. And while we were doing so, they hijacked "our" government and crafted every part of it to suit their own greedy purposes. Notice: the MoD decision wasn't about The Truth. But what else is there --- that's worth fighting and dying for?
And we're all still trying to figure out what we're gong to have to do to get back our own government that's been stolen from us
Our prayers are with you.
Pete
How good must they feel to be able to release a convicted Islamic mass murderer of 270 British and American souls on compassionate grounds or condone that act by not objecting, or encourage it with 'memoranda of understanding' with pariah, terrorist States over prisoner transfer agreements. How well they must feel they have served the British people by saving us the money required to buy our troops basic body Armour, camouflage kit, properly protective vehicles, helicopters and more helicopters. How righteous must they feel when pontificating about human rights for everyone and democracy for all and ubiquitous freedom from oppression. Great aspirations crafted for public consumption in glittering pantheons, safe for the protagonists to do battle with their enemies across those debating chambers.
But there are other pantheons, burial grounds for our unsung heroes. 210 dead in Afghanistan, not one welcomed back to British soil by any politician. Marked only by a minute at PMQs, or a very brief mention on the six o'clock news these extraordinary people achieving the remarkable by the hour are our great inspiration. In their dieing and in their service they achieve everything that eludes their superiors- they live for their Country.
Your posts have been illuminating, should be required reading for every individual of reading age in the UK. You have probably been one of the great proponents of UK/US relations, particularly in the US and we are grateful. You have been a valuable conduit for our troops' loved one's at home, so I really am appalled at the MOD's decision to pull your embed status. But you know it was not their decision. To suggest that their tactics were wrong on the drug trade, or that they were helicopter-ligh t, or incredibly, to suggest that what the kids were doing was in any way exceptional just did not fit the politicians posture.
So they sleep well in their comfortable beds while our AFs bake in the sun. They elegantly sidestep difficult questions while the troops dodge bullets. They do battle with their adversaries in comfortable tv studios while our young men and women live cheek by jowl with a ruthless enemy that would blow them up, stone them, slit their throats in an instant. How brave they are to advertise for yet more spin doctors at £70K pa to explain their policies while denying our fighting forces an absolute standard of protection.
It is impossible to reconcile the different positions of the British Govn't. On the one hand we are fighting fundamentalism there, because if we were not we would be fighting it here, and we are releasing fundamentalist mass murderers on compassionate grounds because not to do so would be a victory for fundamentalism? Give me strength. But all this while the men and women on the ground are being shot, exploded, maimed, killed.
I salute our troops. I laud you and your work. But at the same time I have utter revulsion for the politicians. That they can imagine that they have done a good day's work when another few coffins touch British soil, beggars belief. That they can sleep easy in their beds, knowing that with a few less diversity projects they could have saved a few lives takes me here: I hate these people with such a passion! No words can now describe my revulsion. Their talking heads are an affront to common decency; I cannot wait to be rid of them.
There is no cost too high that is not justified by the the safety of our babies. Thank heaven our troops know this and heaven help us that our politicians do not. So long as we have a voice like yours we will be reminded of that. They may silence you now, but the message you have delivered is loud and clear, unmistakable in it's simplicity. When we need someone on our side, we would all have a sapper before a politician any-day.
While the MSM continues to be so cozy with the politicians, you are a breath of fresh air. While they all but ignore the grief, suffering, sacrifice and honor of our troops and their families, loved ones, friends most of the population of this Country are beginning to understand. The people are repulsed by the politicians; they are reviled at large. Pretty soon they will have their just rewards. I hope our troops get theirs.
Am sure your para/commando/h igh threat/being married to me the worst nightmare has made you strong enough to remember you can do anything you put your mind to sexyass. Keep your head. Cant wait to see you in November. Proud of you as ever.
There maybe some richer bigger more decorated men in the world however I know what you do. Those men dont even almost get it - what it takes to do what and be close to who you are. Thats strength to me, real strength. Consistent loyalty and hard work is what you are. Thats rare hun unique even nowadys thats why I love you Schmid.
Your job and my job (here with L and Bo and my work in hospital) means we really do live in the moment for so much of our lives hope we can for once live in the moment with eachother for a change soon.
I am missing you it hurts and I get angry. All I can do in this passive disengaged country we call Britain is to be as English as I can be and respect you as much as I can while you are gone.
WIFE X X X
journalist. i am a vietnam era vet and i remember how they did our vets and how we lost when we didnt before it was even over.
the brits are a darn good bunch. i remember them from reforger in germany. keep up the good work..
Dear military men and women Thank you and lots of hugs and do come home safe soon!
Dear Afegan people wish you peace and prosperity.
Michael xoxo to you.
Just for peoples imformation 'Team rainbow is a mick take of the old childrens TV show from England' i only know this becouse i know the man who made the name up for his team, Sgt shaun powell.
Once again great job and a pleasure to read
God bless
I wish you the very best of luck Michael in your work/life and cannot express how grateful I and my family are !
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/StaffSergeantOlafSchmidKilledInAfghanistan.htm
All our men and women serving out there are Hero's. Every last one of them. However, the men who tackle IEDs every single day are very special, and the words of his comrades spell this out better than I ever could.
Christina Schmid, wife of Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid said:
"Oz was a phenomenal husband and loving father who was cruelly murdered on his last day of a relentless five month tour.
"He was my best friend and soul mate. The pain of losing him is overwhelming. I take comfort knowing he saved countless lives with his hard work. I am so proud of him."
ieutenant Col Robert Thomson, Commanding Officer 2 RIFLES Battle Group said:
"SSgt Oz Schmid was simply the bravest and most courageous man I have ever met. Under relentless IED and small arms attacks he stood taller than the tallest. He opened the Pharmacy Road and 24 hrs later, found 31 IEDs in one go on route SPARTA. Every single Company in 2 RIFLES adored working with him.
"I adored working with him. No matter how difficult or lethal the task which lay in front of us, he was the man who only saw solutions.
"He saved lives in 2 RIFLES time after time and for that he will retain a very special place in every heart of every Rifleman in our extraordinary Battle Group. Superlatives do not do the man justice. Better than the best. Better than the best of the best. Our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved family."
Today, a giant, legend and a hero of a man has fallen, may hell come to those responsible. Condolences to his family.
This is truely a sad, sad event.
RIP Oz.
RIP mate.
I am sorry to hear of your loss. I cannot imagine what you must be feeling right now...you must know better then anyone how truly great your husband is. I will be praying for you and your family. Your sacrifice can never be repaid but please know there are many who are thinking about him.
Emmett, Albuquerque NM
Think not?
Think again. It helps weed the gene pool back here in the USA. No sense trying to pretect the self destructive from themselves. All the better to let them move on to wherever it is they are going in the end regardless of our clumsy efforts to the contrary.
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