My Perspective - Very Long

This is a pretty long read, and more business than fun, not recommended for the sleepy.

Several people have asked me my perspective on the war. “Do I think we should be here” “Do I think we are making a difference” “Do the local people like us/want us here” “How do we ‘WIN’” First of all, by no means should I be considered a source to quote for US or USAF views nor should anyone put more weight in my thoughts than they would want to carry up Mt. Magazine, but I do carry people who know, and have opportunities to talk to people who know more than most. People with names like “Joe, Sam, Mr. Smith” who walk up to the plane out of nowhere wearing carharts and vibrams, with beards and baseball caps, whose name isn’t on a passenger manifest, but simply ask for a ride, and you’re afraid to say no. People who have zero body fat, and are carrying more ammo and equipment than the other 25 army guys combined. People with personalities who smile and instantly win you over wanting to be their friend then they speak and you realize you aren’t smart enough to be their friend. (sorry for the tangent, I really respect/look up these guys) So all that to say, this is a passing on of info from people who know.

Do I think we should be here?
I personally think we (the US) have an obligation as a blessed nation to be anywhere there are people unable to live a free life. Free to live a life, no matter how odd in my eyes, they choose to live with a sense of peace. Not having to worry about strange men with guns busting down their door at night to take their sons for soldiers and their daughters as possessions to use and trade. Free to worship, educate, and voice their opinions as they deem fit. I know that are a lot of oppressed places but it just so happens there are also people in Afghanistan who are funding and training to take that peace away from us at home, and neglected long enough will try again.
Unfortunately the state of the US budget makes this an impossibility and the US populous puts a value on human life (not a bad thing) such that it is only willing to sacrifice so much when it has current relative peace.

Do I think we are making a difference?
Without a doubt yes. No debate, quality of life (by our standards) has improved since we have been here. There are construction/engineering courses given at a majority of FOBs (forward operating bases) giving tools and skills to construct reservoirs, stronger buildings, education in agriculture and medicine/hygiene. Businesses established to employ women, specifically women w/o husbands and sons who would otherwise be at the mercy of the public and the non-existent government. And most importantly schools at all levels of education are being built. FOB medical facilities are open to the public on certain days to allow aid to local civilians with numerous touching stories in the local newspaper.

Do the people like us/want us here?
Yes if we are helping, no any other time. This is their home, it has been overrun so many times in the past 45 years, a life at war is all they know. When we fly, we see villages at each mtn river drainage, separated by impassable mtns. Many of these villages have little to literally NO contact with other villages, much less any government or organized power. The concept of “Afghanistan as their country” means nothing to them. They would much rather, we leave, the Taliban leave, Russia leave before that, and let them live their own life. The valley around Bagram itself which we would consider a large city, is composed of over 10 villages, all fairly indifferent to one another. So yes, they like us when we completely run warlords out of their village. But if we only partially run them out, they are stuck between helping them (which is dangerous if we find out) or helping us (which is often more dangerous). Several years ago there was an earthquake in Pakistan, several of these “evil” groups rushed in supplying all kinds of relief aid. Who wouldn’t let them hide in your basement after they gave you food, when all they want to do is kill someone you are don’t care too much for yourself and who wakes up your baby in the middle of the night with screaming jets.

How do we win?
We have to have more points than the other team when the clock runs out. Good deal, so what are points? Who is the other team? And how much time is left? Are all the teams playing under the same point/time system?
I have no clue what points are, I would say local people who agree with you and want to see you live, (the more of them you have the better).
For the other team you have 1) the Taliban who brought in an oppressive form of Islam. Many I have spoken with have said the Taliban is running scared, tired and beaten down from too many years on the run in caves. They can’t trust each other, as every day more fighters and even commanders give up to make plea bargains. (we witnessed a CC surrendering to get treatment for Tuberculosis, who still has TB, come on, Booneville kicked that years ago) They are never safe, one minute they are drinking tea in peace, the next an informer gives a signal and dozen helos swoop in to snag them all. 2nd enemy) an influx of people who don’t like the US, here because they know there is a fight to be had, from Iran, Syria, Chechnya, Pakistan, a dozen other countries who are hard core fighters. Border security and help from neighbors (Pakistan in particular) is the key. Before all the floods (we have been on non-stop MRE/clean water shuttles since) I heard $6 Billion as the latest figure for what we have given Pakistan to help secure their mtn regions between the countries these fighters use to roam at large. They took the money, said thank you, cleaned up some of their larger cities and forgot about it. Pakistan is completely undermining our efforts by inaction, and even some instances of informing the other team. We know this and are slowly stepping up pressure, but its ridiculous. They hate us more than the locals here. We flew in a few weeks ago, had to hide our weapons and weren’t allowed to take pictures or leave the plane under armed guard supervision. A few days ago we weren’t allowed into their airspace until after holding awhile, and again delayed clearance to take off. However this time the same armed guard did come over to shake our hands with a thankful demeanor. 3rd team) local leaders/terrorists/warlords (tomAto tomato) looking out for themselves and their village as they see fit. These guys will turn in a Taliban commander, shake your hand, and invite you for tea during the day, then shoot a rocket over your fence at night. They fought the Russians as Mujahedeen, they fought the Taliban as Northern Alliance, and they will fight us because they just want left alone. The man who helped me buy my Shalwar, agreed we are helping, but admitted the only way to permanently make a difference is by changing the mindset of these village elders. Proving, we are their friends and showing the value of education, our education vs Taliban education. We won’t win these guys over quickly or easily and is the crux of our future in the region and ultimately our future at home. How much time is left? For them, generations, for us Aug 2011.