Yon: Eight Years After 9/11

WorldSeptember 2009 • Views: 2,793

Michael Yon has another report from Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, as usual with excellent photographs and commentary: Eight Years After 9/11.

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46 comments

Ojoe Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:03:50am

As we sleep.

CommonCents Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:04:01am

Yon for Information 'Czar' 2009!

Anthony (Los Angeles) Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:05:22am

Something I've wondered for a while now: Why do soldiers hold their rifles in that position. I've seen it time and again, and it looks clumsy. Is it actually easier to ready it from that grip?

lawhawk Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:05:45am

Let's not forget that Yon is also self-supported in his reporting efforts, and they surpass those of the main media outlets like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, or CNN in depth of coverage, analysis, and being out in the field with the troops.

When you read his reports, you really get a feel for what the mission is like, what they're up against, and how incredibly professional the troops are. He also doesn't whitewash the deficiencies either - first with Iraqi soldiers and now with the Afghans.

It's one of the reasons I prize his reports so much...

Capitalist Tool Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:07:57am

Michael Yon - I hope your years of being in combat situations serve you well doing your current adventure.
You don't need me to tell you not to forget how to hit the dirt.

Desert Dog Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:08:09am

His reports seem increasingly depressing. We need to try a different approach in Afghanistan or it will only deteriorate further.

Guanxi88 Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:08:24am

re: #3 Anthony (Los Angeles)

Something I've wondered for a while now: Why do soldiers hold their rifles in that position. I've seen it time and again, and it looks clumsy. Is it actually easier to ready it from that grip?

He's carrying a bullpup stocked british rifle; there's no other way to hold it.

CommonCents Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:09:29am

re: #4 lawhawk

Let's not forget that Yon is also self-supported in his reporting efforts, and they surpass those of the main media outlets like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, or CNN in depth of coverage, analysis, and being out in the field with the troops.

When you read his reports, you really get a feel for what the mission is like, what they're up against, and how incredibly professional the troops are. He also doesn't whitewash the deficiencies either - first with Iraqi soldiers and now with the Afghans.

It's one of the reasons I prize his reports so much...

He doesn't pimp himself enough (in a good way) so I'll just remind everyone that he has a paypal account setup so you can make donations to help support him directly from his website.

Kragar Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:12:38am

seems a shame no one considers winning to be an option any more.

Anthony (Los Angeles) Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:12:41am

re: #7 Guanxi88

He's carrying a bullpup stocked british rifle; there's no other way to hold it.

Ah, I see. Thanks.

vxbush Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:13:52am

re: #6 Desert Dog

His reports seem increasingly depressing. We need to try a different approach in Afghanistan or it will only deteriorate further.

Is there any way to develop friendships with the locals as they did in Iraq? Once they convinced the tribal chiefs of the value of having the soldiers there, it helped. Petraeus' techniques did the final work, but the intel on the ground was crucial.

Yon says we have no intel from the locals.

gregb Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:14:12am

LGF, Zombietime, and Michael Yon are 3 of my daily sites (as well as multiple others).

My favorite quote: "because he told the truth."

I think people yearn for it.

Danny Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:16:30am

In the final paragraph, Yon notes that to "censorship" is creeping into the war in Afghanistan. Interesting...that is at odds with the official explanation that Yon's embed was cancelled to give other journalists a crack at an embed assignment.

Sharmuta Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:16:44am

The pictures of the children and the doll house are compelling. I'm glad Mr Yon included them in his report, because I think it's important to keep in mind that there are still things as simple as a doll house in the midst of all the warfare. It's these children who we're fighting for- their futures, their opportunity to live in freedom. Stay safe, Mr Yon.

Leonidas Hoplite Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:18:54am

re: #9 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

seems a shame no one considers winning to be an option any more.

Funny how that seems to coincide with the ascendency of a new administration.

Danny Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:19:24am

re: #11 vxbush

Is there any way to develop friendships with the locals as they did in Iraq? Once they convinced the tribal chiefs of the value of having the soldiers there, it helped. Petraeus' techniques did the final work, but the intel on the ground was crucial.

Yon says we have no intel from the locals.

In places, but in some areas the locals truly abhor foreigners. Many are Taliban supporters.

[deleted] Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:19:37am

Kragar Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:20:51am

re: #15 Leonidas Hoplite

Funny how that seems to coincide with the ascendency of a new administration.

I will limit my comments on what should be done to suggesting perhaps we can arrange shipments of pixie dust and unicorn farts to hit the enemy. That would be sure to win the day.

Leonidas Hoplite Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:22:23am

re: #18 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I will limit my comments on what should be done to suggesting perhaps we can arrange shipments of pixie dust and unicorn farts to hit the enemy. That would be sure to win the day.

Hey, hitting isn't nice!

gregb Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:23:29am

re: #18 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I will limit my comments on what should be done to suggesting perhaps we can arrange shipments of pixie dust and unicorn farts to hit the enemy. That would be sure to win the day.

I never heard the term "unicorn f_rt" before. I looked it up and there's a whole site dedicated to them. The very first quote is from Terry Pratchett--my favorite author.

Sharmuta Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:25:25am

Here we are, eight years after the attacks on 9/11, watching censorship creep in to “the forgotten war.”

I shudder to think what will happen if we abandon Afghanistan now.

Mad Al-Jaffee Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:27:28am

I've posted about this before, but see the national Geographic documentary Inside the Green Berets if you haven't already. It's about our special forces in Afghanistan, their day to day operations and what they face on the job.

Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:27:33am

re: #21 Sharmuta

I shudder to think what will happen if we abandon Afghanistan now.

Probably the same thing that happened the last time we abandoned Afghanistan.

Kragar Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:27:56am

re: #21 Sharmuta

I shudder to think what will happen if we abandon Afghanistan now.

I'm sure they'll be able to drag their feets and get nothing significant done for at least another year or so before they pull out. They'll probably try and tie it into either the 2010 or 2012 elections

Charles Johnson Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:28:26am

The stalker blog creeps have shown up at American Thinker now, pimping their stupid hate blog.

Leonidas Hoplite Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:29:45am

re: #24 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

I'm sure they'll be able to drag their feets and get nothing significant done for at least another year or so before they pull out. They'll probably try and tie it into either the 2010 or 2012 elections

We'll be gone by next summer.

Desert Dog Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:31:12am

re: #21 Sharmuta

I shudder to think what will happen if we abandon Afghanistan now.

Some will come in to fill that vacuum. And, we all know who that will be.

Douchecanoe and Ryan Too Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:32:11am

re: #25 Charles

The stalker blog creeps have shown up at American Thinker now, pimping their stupid hate blog.

Wow, getting bold now, aren't they?

Kragar Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:33:48am

re: #26 Leonidas Hoplite

We'll be gone by next summer.

1 big push over the next 6-7 months, "WE WON" and Barry starts bringing them home, whatever the actual situation on the ground is.

bj Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:39:25am

Wonderful picture of our soldier. Thanks to Michael for taking it and Charles for posting it. May they all be safe.

yma o hyd Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:48:24am

re: #21 Sharmuta

I shudder to think what will happen if we abandon Afghanistan now.

Well - we have seen what happened when the Taleban took over.

What I find very hard to understand is that all those, on both sides of the political spectrum, who call for us to pull out now, seem to have a total memory loss in regard to the fate of the Afghan women.

what i find impossible to forgive is the utter, deafening silence by the 'feminists' about the fate of the afghan women. They were silent when the Taleban was in power - and they are silent now.

But hey - keeping women uneducated and hidden from sight is just a cultural thing, no? Mustn't interfere in that.
*Spit*

Joshua Cohen Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:50:08am

Again a good article.

CommonCents Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:50:22am

I find it fascinating that NATO troops are being engaged by villagers without ANA (Afghan National Army) troops, meanwhile the ANA is still building it's forces.

I wonder how many villagers have joined the ANA, received their training, and then went AWOL back to the village.

The ANA assigned strength is 91,000 out of the current goal of 134,000, including a 9.1 percent absent-without-leave (AWOL) rate in combat units.

Read more: [Link: www.longwarjournal.org...]

Bagua Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:50:48am

re: #7 Guanxi88

He's carrying a bullpup stocked british rifle; there's no other way to hold it.

Right, it is in the perfect position to carry comfortable and snap off a quick shot. Bear in mind the Magazine is behind the action(trigger).

Bagua Thu, Sep 10, 2009 9:52:51am

re: #25 Charles

The stalker blog creeps have shown up at American Thinker now, pimping their stupid hate blog.

That's funny, do they not realize that AT apologized for that post and the commenters mostly savaged it? The stalkers are attracted to shite like flies.

Joshua Cohen Thu, Sep 10, 2009 10:00:44am

re: #34 Bagua

Right, it is in the perfect position to carry comfortable and snap off a quick shot. Bear in mind the Magazine is behind the action(trigger).

Do not forget being shorter over all but you can keep the same barrel lenght - good for CQC, and most bullpups eject downwards so its no problem to change the side of your aiming position.
And do not forget the pain of a bullet case that clings on your helmet and than falls into your neck...

But these British SA80 or L85 assault rifles are not the best. Many malefuntions...need to keept very clean.
I would prefer the Tavor.

Bagua Thu, Sep 10, 2009 10:11:02am

re: #36 Joshua Cohen

Agree all, the Tavor is the dogs bollocks, just as the Galil was the best AK

Guanxi88 Thu, Sep 10, 2009 10:14:02am

re: #36 Joshua Cohen

Do not forget being shorter over all but you can keep the same barrel lenght - good for CQC, and most bullpups eject downwards so its no problem to change the side of your aiming position.
And do not forget the pain of a bullet case that clings on your helmet and than falls into your neck...

But these British SA80 or L85 assault rifles are not the best. Many malefuntions...need to keept very clean.
I would prefer the Tavor.

I always loved the look and overall "feel" of a bullpup, definitely built for battle.

Guanxi88 Thu, Sep 10, 2009 10:23:36am

Only problem with the bullpup is it's lousy for bayonet-fighting, but then, one can't have everything, and bayonets just aren't as important as once they were. (This is not to diminish the bayonet, simply to note that its use has fallen out of favor.)

Joshua Cohen Thu, Sep 10, 2009 10:57:20am

re: #37 Bagua

Agree all, the Tavor is the dogs bollocks, just as the Galil was the best AK

Well I am not so sure about the Galil.
There was a East German Wieger STG 940 and some other of this 94X family based on the AK but much improved and made with German precision.
Btw: the East Germany AKs were the best of there kind, but this thing is even better.

The Galil is damn heavy and was to expensive versus the M16/M4 the IDF got from the Americans.

But you would love the Tavor prototyp in 6.8 SPC (or 6.5 Grendel if the Americans change to this caliber , esp. if you knew the accessories - like "through-shoot" rifle grenades with "bullet traps" usable with common rounds and stuff like that.
Sadly they do not use caseless ammunition yet - to expensive or progressive, even if ready for the market.

Locker Thu, Sep 10, 2009 11:18:40am

Amazing shots. Much respect to our fighting men and women.

CommonCents Thu, Sep 10, 2009 11:56:05am

re: #41 Locker

Amazing shots. Much respect to our fighting men and women.

A little upding to help offset the negatives from the last thread. Can't agree with you on everything, but this sentiment should be universal.

BARACK THE VOTE Thu, Sep 10, 2009 11:59:28am

re: #41 Locker

Amazing shots. Much respect to our fighting men and women.

Hey Locker! I popped in the last thread to help you out but you were just leaving. Left you some good karma and back up comments though. ;)

bj Thu, Sep 10, 2009 2:48:19pm

re: #25 Charles

Hackers are giving HonestReporting (and some other Jewish sites) a hard time right now. A pox on all stalkers and hackers.

bodrules Fri, Sep 11, 2009 8:28:17am

Just a couple of notes;

The SA80 is now one ofthe best assault rifles in the world, yes it did have its teething problems (just like the M-16 did waaay back when), and yes it was prone to jammign and such like.

However, H&K did a complete overhaul of the weapon, and the results have been excellent (though I still think the 5.65mm round is too light, but hey ho, that's another ball o' wax as the saying goes).

As far as fitting a bayonet to it, reports from people who've been to the 'stan say there ain't no problem using it - if anything the shorter length of the weapon make it more suited for CQB.

JEA62 Fri, Sep 11, 2009 9:09:53am

re: #9 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

The question is HOW do we do it? I don't see any good options.

Spy Mode Auto

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