Bad Medicine
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The imagery from November 2004 does not show the power lines in the photo below. I made the photo below from nearly the same angle as the image above. So, the EOD soldiers on top of the truck are in the corner of the compound overlooking Pharmacy Road. The soldiers are a few meters from where the yellow thumbtack denotes “Blown Vehicles.”
The EOD team is rigging this wall to blow part of it down. On the other side of the wall are the two blown-up vehicles; one of the vehicles is British and the other is the trailer from a “jingo truck.” The area surrounding the trucks is booby-trapped with explosives, and the vehicles also are booby-trapped. So the goal is to blow down the wall and drag the vehicles off the road and into this compound.
These EOD soldiers wear a Rainbow patch and call themselves Team Rainbow, which of course seemed quite curious.
The wall is so thick and strong that Team Rainbow put about 200 pounds of plastic explosive in all the right places, then rolled out the wire. The reader might be surprised to see what 200 pounds of high explosives does to the wall.
Team Rainbow and LtCol Thomson stayed up close, but I got behind the farthest vehicle because I have no pride in my courage. Some people think this is crazy work, but I’m actually a safety fanatic.
When the enemy hears a detonation—which typically occurs many times per day—they wait for helicopters, knowing that if helicopters swoop in and land, they have achieved success. Many of the enemy bombs in Sangin are detonated by command wire, while many others are pressure-activated and are simply improvised land mines. The enemy often uses pressure cookers to make bombs, just as was done by the Maoists in Nepal. In Nepal, the government began confiscating pressure cookers (which angered many people), and the government often shut down cell service (angering many people) because the Maoists used cell phones. The Maoists won the war. We are operating far smarter in Afghanistan. Here it’s the enemy who actually shuts down cell towers—and this angers the people. Also, the enemy bombs around here are killing a lot of innocent people, and this also angers the people. Despite progress made by the Taliban, they alienate many people.
And so that’s all that 200lbs of high explosives, in perfect contact with the target, placed by experts, could do to this wall. When soldiers come back from Afghanistan and say that the compounds are like fortresses, this is what they mean. The electrical wires, which cannot be seen in the Google Earth imagery of 2004, got blown down. The EOD soldiers wanted to avoid the live electrical wires. EOD called the Royal Engineers to come up with a non-destructive solution to the wires. Within minutes they thought of a solution. The vehicle above cut a notch in the top of the far wall with his scooper.
He drove the scooper machine to the front and opened the wall to let a bigger truck inside. The Engineers hooked webbing around the electrical wires, and using the winch on the big truck, pulled the wires up and draped them over the notch the scooper had cut. EOD was back in business clearing Pharmacy Road. In fact, the soldier who is driving the scooper is the same driver who got blown up on Pharmacy Road, and his blown up vehicle is one that they were about to drag into the compound.
It can be very rattling out here. But they keep getting blown up and going, and the enemy is getting it worse.
Preparing plastic explosives in slivers of shade. Iraqis thought our body armor was air conditioners, and thought we have “cold pills” to chill us out. The soldiers carry far more weight than I do, and they work three times harder. This heat is bad even for me, but much worse for them. Often U.S. and British soldiers end up back at the hospital after they collapse, but in nearly all cases they come straight back to the fight. There was a U.S. battalion in the 1st Infantry Division in Baquba, Iraq, who were constantly pumping IVs so they could outlast the enemy.
SSgt Schmid of the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JFOD). Dealing with hidden bombs made by pernicious enemies requires special people. I asked Ssgt Schmid which wire he cuts when dealing with booby-traps—red wire, or the green?—SSgt Schmid just laughed and kept working.
The blown-up vehicles were dragged through the blown-up wall under the blown-down wires.
As the midday sun pounded down, the EOD soldiers continued to work in the heat. LtCol Rob Thomson stayed out in the boiling sun with the men. I retreated with some others to a cooler place that was halfway underground. Most of us soon fell asleep as the EOD soldiers kept blasting, blasting, blasting. They must have made dozens of explosions during the day and they never seemed to take a break. None of them, nor LtCol Thomson, ever took even a minute of shade break with us.
After an afternoon of blasting, LtCol Rob Thomson headed to PB Wishtan, but my gear was back at Tangiers, where some ANA were preparing for a mission.
During the clearance, this soldier fell off a ladder. He was all the way at the top, about fifteen feet high. Luckily he was wearing his helmet because he said he also cracked his head. His spirits were good but he seemed a little embarrassed for falling off, but accidents like this happen a lot. Even when nobody is shooting, there are plentiful ways to get hurt out here. In the background are two improvised cots where I slept the second night. Just on the other side of the barrier, the Hescoes got hit some months ago by an RPG, as seen below.
RPGs are simple but enormously effective.
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-insurgency 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-ground 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....perhaps 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-light, 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/high 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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