Operation Moshtarak

BullyBeef

Britain hits grim milestone before major attack
Operation Moshtarak
Britains death toll in the conflict 256— above the number of Britons lost in the Falklands war of 1982.
Respect to all Allies involved.
[BBC image]

piby

It'll be interesting to see how it pans out in light of the way the build-up has been potrayed by both the media and senior military officials ie. the British are warning their public that they may even lose a Chinook (That's 40-50 soldiers) during the assualt!!

Irish_Army01

Still don't understand why they made this public..

Manic Moran

They didn't need to. Anyone with a lick of common sense could see the writing on the wall. Massive troop surge in the South, the end of the winter pause, known opposition hot-spot...

Why not just be blatant about it? "We're coming for you, and don't care if you know it, you won't stop us"

NTM

BullyBeef

Improvised explosive devices are stopping Afghan civilians leaving a town where UK troops will launch a huge operation, the defence secretary says.
Bob Ainsworth spoke ahead of Operation Moshtarak to clear Taliban fighters from Marjah in Helmand province.
Thousands of coalition soldiers are involved in the offensive.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8506137.stm
last updated at 16:09 GMT, Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Manic Moran

On the "Why are we advertising this offensive" bit.

The unusual approach, according to U.S. and British commanders, is intended to persuade Marjah's civilian population to leave or turn against the Taliban, while pressuring the estimated 2,000 insurgents to flee the town or switch sides.

"We're trying to signal to the Afghan people that we are expanding security where they live. We are trying also to signal to the insurgents, the Taliban primarily in this area and the narco-traffickers, that it's about to change," Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the commander of the U.S.-led international forces in Afghanistan, said Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey.

"We're not interested in how many Taliban we kill. We'd much rather have them see the inevitability that things are changing," he said. "And that's why it is a little unconventional to do it this way. But I think it gives everybody a chance to think through what they're going to do before suddenly in the dark of night, they're hit with an offensive."

citizen_p

2 sceanarios.
1 they storm the place which will be well defended and they will lose alot of men OR the taliban flee (doubt it)
2 they now have an excuse for alot of air strikes in civilian areas because they warned them etc... and gave them time to flee

. But I think it gives everybody a chance to think through what they're going to do before suddenly in the dark of night, they're hit with an offensive."

so instead of " o crap were getting attacked call the lads" itll be they are coming in a week, set up positions or flee.

Poccington

So it has begun....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8513665.stm

Best of luck to the lads over there.

BullyBeef

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8500903.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8513665.stm

BullyBeef

Operation Moshtarak, Commander's Speech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBMjRQr_YTI

Operation Moshtarak, The "Cat Triangle"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk32E7JiLD8

Unmanned Sky drone Aircraft 'spots' Taliban's Bombs (IED) for Operation Moshtarak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nl7iUGulFo

"Moshtarak" offensive in Afghanistan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPvAUMbKOKE

ynotdu

I did not know until after Ireland were hammered in the Rugby by France that the operation had begun.
RTE's 6 o'clock news reported that it had and met very little resistance.
I switched to Sky news and it has a rolling banner saying one UK troop has lost his life.
PM Gordon Brown reported as saying that the UK force's have achieved the major objectives of stage one of the operation,so far no reports from other countries involved have been reported that i can find on my available news channels.

Where did the Taliban go? or what are they up to? hope this was not some 'hyped' publicity stunt by coalition force's

Anybody got any updates?

BullyBeef

BBC Radio world service very sadly gave out 1 Nato allie had been killed & some injuries ,little resistance so far , a officer would only say its early days & so far so good but wouldn’t be drawn further by the reporters
It turns out the fatality is from the British forces..1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, RiP & may he not be forgotten.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100213/tuk-uk-soldier-dies-in-operation-moshtar-45dbed5.html

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/operation-moshtarak-goals/3712648095

iceage

Early days..

breadandjam

What was to stop the Taliban moving out of the area before the offensive, let it happen and then creep back in afterwards? Isn't that what guerilla armies do? How do the NATO led forces propose to hold the ground they take?

Manic Moran

Pride, mainly. And a belief that they can achieve their objectives by standing and fighting. The town is a fairly important logistical centre for the opposition as well. Yes, they may be willing to live in caves, but they also need 'civilisation' capability as well. Not least it's also a lot better for their IO campaign when they actually control a notable town.

NTM

iceage

Interesting clip found over on ARRSE of a Ch 4 coverage. Hope it works here.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1184614595?bctid=66448008001

Bear with it...it takes a sec or two to load up.

iceage

http://www.the-daily-politics.com/news/36-militarynews/438-talibans-top-military-commander-captured-


They reckon he got lifted 10 days ago?? Kept that quiet didn't they.

ynotdu

iceage wrote: »

http://www.the-daily-politics.com/news/36-militarynews/438-talibans-top-military-commander-captured-


They reckon he got lifted 10 days ago?? Kept that quiet didn't they.

Stangely enough Pakistan have been reporting that he was Killed since the offensive began not captured ten days ago!
alls fair...............first casualty of war is truth....................etc.

BullyBeef

[17 February 2010]
Afghan soldiers have uncovered an enemy cache during a clearing operation with British soldiers from the Coldstream Guards, 16 Feb, in the Nad-e Ali district, seizing heroin, fake army and police uniforms and improvised explosive device components.
http://www.army.mod.uk/news/19304.aspx





Sappers reflect on job well done - ploughing IEDs around Taliban HQ
The tank team driving the mine-munching Trojan, the Army's newest mine clearing equipment, on Op MOSHTARAK, have breathed a sigh of relief after safely ploughing through a suspected IED belt surrounding the Taliban's HQ.
"I was confident the kit worked but it was going through the back of my mind: are we going to hit an IED?" said Sapper Gwynfor Hughes, 24, from Prestatyn, North Wales, who was the Trojan's driver.
http://www.army.mod.uk/news/19299.aspx





Operation Moshtarak: British Army unleashes latest weapon in battle with 'dishonourable enemy'
By Ian Drury
Last updated at 8:12 AM on 18th February 2010
The Army has used a new weapon against Taliban roadside bombs in Afghanistan for the first time, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Royal Engineers fired the Python rocket-powered mine clearance system to blow up improvised explosive devices (IEDs) lined along a route in Helmand Province as part of the ongoing Operation Moshtarak.
The Python, which is mounted on a trailer pulled behind a Trojan armoured engineer tank, shoots a snake of high explosives high into the air and on to a minefield, where it explodes, detonating the mines.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1251793/Operation-Moshtarak-British-troops-seize-weapons-heroin-fake-uniforms-bomb-making-equipment-insurgents.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0fsW29XnR

BullyBeef

Star News online.com
Dutch government collapses over Afghan mission
By ARTHUR MAX Associated Press Writer
Published: Friday, February 19, 2010 at 11:58 p.m.

AMSTERDAM - The Dutch coalition government collapsed Saturday over irreconcilable differences on whether to extend the Netherlands' military mission in Afghanistan.
#forumnumcom h6 {width:250px;float:left;margin:18px 10px 0 0;padding:10px 0 15px;border-bottom:none;border-top:9px solid #888}
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced that the second largest party in his three-party alliance is quitting, in a breakdown of trust in what had always been an uneasy partnership.
Balkenende made no mention of elections as he spoke to reporters after a 16-hour Cabinet meeting in The Hague that ended close to dawn.


Telegraph . Co.uk
Operation Moshtarak: Taliban step up fightback
Taliban insurgents has stepped up their fightback against Operation Moshtarak in southern Afghanistan, a senior British officer has said.
Published: 12:53PM GMT 19 Feb 2010But Major General Gordon Messenger said the increase in activity ''in no way'' threatened the success of the mission to clear and secure former Taliban strongholds around Marjah and Nad-e-Ali.
The ''dislocation'' of Taliban command structures achieved in the initial stages of Operation Moshtarak was continuing to have an impact on insurgent capabilities, he said.
The resistence being faced by soldiers from the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan government forces is largely in the form of small groups of militants shooting from a distance. Meanwhile, significant finds of homemade bombs have been made at compounds in the area, after tip-offs from the local population to Afghan troops.

Local people have welcomed the coalition troops, complaining of being ''oppressed'' over the past 18 months by the Taliban and the drug lords with whom they have formed ''an unholy alliance'', said Maj Gen Messenger.
His comments came in a briefing at the Foreign Office in London shortly after it was confirmed that the British death toll in the operation had risen to three.
The Ministry of Defence announced that a soldier from 1st Battalion Scots Guards, part of the 1 Grenadier Guards Battle Group, was shot yesterday afternoon while fighting rebels in the Nad-e-Ali area.
And earlier yesterday, a soldier from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards died in an explosion in the Babaji area. The families of both soldiers have been informed.
Maj Gen Messenger said: ''The level of resistance has increased as expected. We expected after the enemy had time to catch his breath, they would up the level of resistance, and that's happened.
''There are now more incidents directed against the ISAF and Afghan forces than there were, but they are still uncoordinated.''
The British commander of ISAF forces in the south of Afghanistan, Maj Gen Nick Carter, ''assesses that the dislocation effect that the initial phases of the operation certainly achieved among the Taliban of the area remains very much the case'', said Maj Gen Messenger.
''In no way does he see the level of resistance being in any way threatening to the progress of the mission.''
Over the past 24 hours, coalition troops have uncovered a stash of 27 IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and components in a compound, Maj Gen
Messenger revealed.
And British troops arrested four insurgents after coming under fire from a small group while carrying out reconnaissance duties on a canal in the area.
Maj Gen Messenger was speaking alongside officials from the Foreign Office and Department for International Development, and all three emphasised the importance of following up military operations swiftly with sustainable reconstruction.
Governor Mohammad Gulab Mangal was in provincial capital Lashkar Gah today and is expected early next week to unveil a district stabilisation plan to assure local people that the national government in Kabul is committed to engaging with them in the long term.
Around 100 Afghan gendarmes have moved into Nad-e-Ali and a further 200 are expected in the area today.
Meanwhile, local people have been keen to sign up for cash-for-work programmes to improve roads, canals and irrigation.

BullyBeef

KABUL, Afghanistan - The last 24 hours have seen fewer engagements with insurgents. Despite this relative calm, IEDs and insurgent gunmen continue to pose a threat to civilians and security forces.

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=45774


British troops rescue local Afghans from floods
A Military Operations news article
24 Feb 10
Troops from the Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) recently saved the lives of several Afghan locals who became trapped in a lorry as it tried to cross a flooded river.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/BritishTroopsRescueLocalAfghansFromFloods.htm

As Op MOSHTARAK continues, Afghan forces deal with local issues
24 Feb 10
Afghan forces are increasingly taking the lead when dealing with local security issues in central Helmand as the stabilisation phase of Operation MOSHTARAK around Nad 'Ali continues.
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/AsOpMoshtarakContinuesAfghanForcesDealWithLocalIssues.htm

iceage

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/7294773/Army-pays-tribute-to-soldier-nicknamed-sniffer-dog-for-his-work-detecting-IEDs-in-Afghanistan.html

Tough job, don't know if I'd have the balls for it.

BullyBeef

Yes it requires plenty of nerve I should think, my farther was a Sapper originally in the Royal Engineers & was involved with the detecting & clearance of mines in North Africa ww2 now that was old heavy equipment but I would think today’s explosives & mines are more cunning to find or make safe .
Then in today’s news comes Treo,:)
ROYAL SALUTE FOR A DOG OF WAR
Treo, the Army sniffer dog who saved two British platoons and countless other lives by detecting roadside bombs in Afghanistan,

His action saved the lives of up to 48 men in two platoons from the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment.
Major Graham Shannon, the officer commanding the men in the battalion’s Ranger Company, thanked Treo at the ceremony.
http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/160298/Royal-salute-for-a-dog-of-war

ronaldoshaky

How long before the US and UK pull out?

OS119

how long is a piece of string?

Obama is taking about 2011 for a reduction in the US frontline combat role, Brown and Cameron are talking about a similar strategy for UK forces - effectively that Afghan forces will be doing the majority of the 'on the ground' security and fighting while NATO provides the mentoring and training, and battlefield support.

the view of both governments, though primarily driven by UK/US domestic opinion, is that if the Afghan state can't do the vast majority of the 'heavy lifting' against the Taleban - both militarily and politically - by 2011 then they never will and it'll be time to stop throwing good money after bad.

i'd say november 2011 will be the decision date - if the Taleban have been able to mount a serious campaign through the whole of the fighting season of 2011 then NATO will probably consider the political damage of Karzai's 'government' to their cause to have been so great that NATO's military efforts are pissing in the wind.

p1akuw47h5r3it

OS119 wrote: »

how long is a piece of string?

Obama is taking about 2011 for a reduction in the US frontline combat role, Brown and Cameron are talking about a similar strategy for UK forces - effectively that Afghan forces will be doing the majority of the 'on the ground' security and fighting while NATO provides the mentoring and training, and battlefield support.

the view of both governments, though primarily driven by UK/US domestic opinion, is that if the Afghan state can't do the vast majority of the 'heavy lifting' against the Taleban - both militarily and politically - by 2011 then they never will and it'll be time to stop throwing good money after bad.

i'd say november 2011 will be the decision date - if the Taleban have been able to mount a serious campaign through the whole of the fighting season of 2011 then NATO will probably consider the political damage of Karzai's 'government' to their cause to have been so great that NATO's military efforts are pissing in the wind.

I read sumwer that the British believed they would be their for up to 50 years (not all in a military role though). And that they plan to reduce combat troops in 2011.

I can't remember were the article was but I'm pretty sure it was the BBC

OS119

DanDan6592 wrote: »

I read sumwer that the British believed they would be their for up to 50 years (not all in a military role though). And that they plan to reduce combat troops in 2011.

I can't remember were the article was but I'm pretty sure it was the BBC

it was General Richards, new Chief of the General Staff (the UK's senior Army Officer) and former Commander of ISAF/NATO forces, Southern Afghanistan.

he said, very roughly, 5 more years in a combat role - however defined - and political, economic and military engagement for a further 40 years.

iceage

http://www.the-daily-politics.com/news/36-militarynews/1351-royal-welsh-uncover-large-stashes-of-taliban-ieds

Great find for these guys, and a great Irish name in the article. Surely will save a few lives of both civilians and Military personnel. Result!

Manic Moran

OS119 wrote: »

how long is a piece of string?

Obama is taking about 2011 for a reduction in the US frontline combat role, Brown and Cameron are talking about a similar strategy for UK forces - effectively that Afghan forces will be doing the majority of the 'on the ground' security and fighting while NATO provides the mentoring and training, and battlefield support.

the view of both governments, though primarily driven by UK/US domestic opinion, is that if the Afghan state can't do the vast majority of the 'heavy lifting' against the Taleban - both militarily and politically - by 2011 then they never will and it'll be time to stop throwing good money after bad.

i'd say november 2011 will be the decision date - if the Taleban have been able to mount a serious campaign through the whole of the fighting season of 2011 then NATO will probably consider the political damage of Karzai's 'government' to their cause to have been so great that NATO's military efforts are pissing in the wind.

Mid/Late 2011 does seem to be a reasonable date for that, but only when it comes to the high-intensity stuff. Which should be more or less over by then anyway. I never worked with the ABP, but the ANP are a basket case, and need all the help they can get. I have no doubt that there will still be a requirement for ISAF forces after 2011 on the streets of Afghanistan doing the face-to-face work. Police would be far better an option to do that partnership/mentorship job, but as long as police forces are unable/unwilling to do it, then the job falls to the soldiers of ISAF.

NTM