McChrystal: conventional strategy won't win in Afghanistan

Sep 29, 2009

By Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON -- The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan ardently believes that conventional military thinking and actions won't win the counterinsurgency war there.

"What I'm really telling people is; the greatest risk we can accept is to lose the support of the people here," Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal told "60 Minutes" news program correspondent David Martin during a profile segment that aired Sunday.

McChrystal was appointed in June as chief of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Martin traveled to Afghanistan to get McChrystal's thoughts about what it would take to win, or lose, the conflict in Afghanistan.

After arriving in Afghanistan as the top commander, McChrystal said conditions there were "probably a little worse" than he'd expected, noting he was taken aback by the spread of Taliban-committed violence into some of the northern and western portions of the country.

The Taliban are the radical Islamic terrorists that once ran Afghanistan. U.S. and Afghan allies chased them from power during Operation Enduring Freedom in the fall and winter following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Prior to their removal from power, the Taliban facilitated al-Qaida's stay in Afghanistan, where al-Qaida ran terrorist training camps and plotted attacks.

Protecting the Afghan population from a resurgent Taliban and thus gaining their support is the key tenet of counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan, McChrystal told Martin.

"If the people are against us, we cannot be successful," McChrystal said. "If the people view us as occupiers and the enemy, we can't be successful and our casualties will go up dramatically,"

McChrystal believes that just focusing on killing the Taliban - without consideration for accidental Afghan civilian casualties or the destruction of their homes - plays into the hands of the enemy.

"Since I've been here the last two-and-a-half months, this civilian casualty issue is much more important than I'd even realized," McChrystal said. "It is literally how we lose the war, or in many ways, how we win it."

Consequently, McChrystal banned air strikes against residential areas, even if the enemy was firing from the buildings.

"We've got some things we absolutely have got to show them we'll do differently," McChrystal said.

Waging conventional war in Afghanistan by blasting away with all the firepower that's available is a non-starter, McChrystal said.

"There's a favorite saying, that to a man with hammer everything looks like a nail," McChrystal said. "We can't operate that way; we can't walk with only a hammer in our hands."

McChrystal makes it point not to wear body armor or carry a sidearm when he visits with Afghan governors or with everyday citizens in public.

The governors and citizens don't wear body armor, McChrystal pointed out, noting it's important that he conveys a message of trust, while demonstrating that he doesn't believe he is more valuable than his Afghan hosts are.

During his travels around the country, McChrystal routinely asks Afghans what U.S. and NATO forces can do to improve their lives -- especially in regard to protecting them from Taliban insurgents.

But, things are going too slow in Afghanistan right now to suit McChrystal.

"We could do good things in Afghanistan for the next 100 years -- and fail," McChrystal said, "because we're doing a lot of good things, (but) it just doesn't' add up to success.

"We've got to think quicker," he said.

McChrystal also voiced frustration with a military bureaucracy that takes too long to provide him with needed staff personnel and other necessities.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates "talks in terms of 12 to 18 months to show a significant change, and then we eat up two or three months just on sort of getting the tools out of the toolbox," McChrystal said.

"That really hurts," he said.

An average organization pulls out a calendar when something needs to be done, McChrystal said, while a good organization looks at its watch.

"And, we really have got to get that way," McChrystal said.

McChrystal also has directed that convoy drivers cease driving wildly around on Afghanistan's streets and roads.

Such aggressive driving is perceived by the Afghans "as arrogant" behavior, McChrystal said, and an indicator of "not caring about their right to use their roads."

Bad or dangerous driving constitutes one of many "bad habits we've got to deprogram" in Afghanistan, McChrystal said.

McChrystal's room is shown as a Spartan affair, while the general acknowledges that he eats but once a day, and considers his daily hour-long run that starts at 5 a.m. as leisure time.

A Special Operations officer par-excellence, McChrystal was involved in the separate Iraq operations that captured Saddam Hussein and killed al Qaida terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

McChrystal recently submitted to the Pentagon and the White House his assessment of Afghan operations and another report recommending the required number of troops and resources that he thinks will be required to win in Afghanistan.

"I take this extraordinarily seriously," McChrystal said of his duties as the top U.S. officer in Afghanistan. "I believe that what I am responsible to do is to give my best assessment."

McChrystal also said he'd have no qualms if he had to tell President Barack Obama that the mission in Afghanistan couldn't be accomplished.

"And, if I felt that way; the day I feel that way; the day I'm sure I feel that way; I'll tell him that," McChrystal said.

Army honors Gold Star Mothers at Pentagon

Sep 28, 2009

By C. Todd Lopez

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Sept. 28, 2009) -- More than 20 Gold Star mothers met Friday at the Pentagon in the Hall of Heroes for recognition by Army senior leaders prior to the national "Gold Star Mother's Day" on Sunday.

"As Gold Star Mothers, you made an ultimate sacrifice in the service of your nation," said Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon Jr., director of the Army staff. "You perpetuate by your service this noble cause for which your children died. And in your quest, you set such a remarkable example for all of us in the face of such tragic loss, an example which inspires us each and every day."

Gold Star Mothers are those who have lost a son or daughter in military service. The organization began in 1936. In the United States, the last Sunday of September is officially designated as "Gold Star Mother's Day."

During the recognition ceremony, Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh presented Ruth V. Stonesifer, national president of the American Gold Star Mothers, with a letter recognizing the importance of the Gold Star Mothers. The letter was signed by McHugh, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston.

Stonesifer lost her son, Pfc. Kristofor T. Stonesifer, on Oct. 19, 2001. He was killed in action when his UH-60 crashed during a training mission in Pakistan. When her son died, she said, she'd been unaware of the existence of the Gold Star Mothers. It was her other son, a recently retired warrant officer, who clued her in on the possibility of being a Gold Star Mother.

"I was holding my grandson, a little baby, and he said we're going to apply for your Gold Star pin," she said. "I said gee, what's that?"

Stonesifer said she searched on the internet for more information about the organization that she would eventually become president of.

"I sent for an application and joined, and the very first meeting I had was with three Vietnam moms," Stonesifer said. "They took me out to lunch. They just had the most amazing gift to give me, with their 30 years experience of going down this journey before me. I'm very proud to be associated with these great moms, I learn from them and I am inspired by them every day."

The Army recognition ceremony Friday at the Pentagon was a kickoff to a weekend-long series of events for the Gold Star Mothers.

The mothers attended a banquet Saturday at Fort Myer, Va. On Sunday, the mothers laid a wreath at the Vietnam Wall; attended a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery with a speech by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki; attended a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns; and held an open house at the Gold Star Mothers National Headquarters. On Monday, the mothers visited the Smithsonian Institution to view the restored Star Spangled Banner.

This Months Top Headlines... (Army Announces New Troop Rotation)(Trauma From Iraq Could Alter Veterans' Brains)(Obama Pushes Euthanasia on Veterans) - ACORN 11 - CAIR Rejoicing - Race Card? - Joe Wilson (R-SC) was right? - Tort Reform - European Missile Program? ............... The headlines go on. Obama outspends Bush and Clinton. We have lost more jobs than ever and banks have money but refuse to lend. We release terrorist to kill again and push God out of life......Whats next....Who will stop the madness.. Call in and lets hear your side........Don't Forget about next weeks show with "Award-Wining Author Robert Chandler and his book Shadow World" He warned us about and has an great insight to the future and Communism.

THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT IS NOT ACCEPTING ANONYMOUS PACKAGES FOR THE TROOPS OVERSEAS, BUT HAS OFFERED SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO HELP OR SHOW SUPPORT:

Operation USO Care Package accepts individual donations of $25 that go toward a package of personal items and snacks for a soldier. Those wishing to participate can go to the Web site or call 1-866-USO-GIVE.

Operation Uplink  allows people to donate calling cards so servicemembers can stay in touch with family and friends.

Operation Dear Abby offers the option of e-mailing greetings to troops.

Defend America allows people to sign a virtual thank-you card to soldiers.

The Army and Air Force Exchange allows people to give money for gift certificates which troops can redeem for merchandise. Visit the Web site or call 1-877-770-GIFT (4438).

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides higher education financial assistance to the sons and daughters of Marines and former Marines.

Operation Independence organizes and sends care packages to deployed troops.

Dear American Soldier offers a forum to compose and send letters to soldiers overseas.

Donations are also being accepted by the Army Emergency Relief, the Navy/Marine Relief Society; the Air Force Aid Society; the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance; the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services; and the Fisher House Foundation, which provides "comfort houses" for family members who have lost service members.

Announcing National Call-Congress Day

Dear Patriot Supporter,

On Tuesday, October 6, Patients First, a project of Americans for Prosperity, is sponsoring a National Call- Congress Day to send our legislators a simple message: "Hands Off My Health Care!" Thousands of Americans have already joined with Patients First by participating in our bus tour and town hall meetings. And on Tuesday, October 6, patients, families, and small business owners across the United States will have the chance to send an unmistakable message to Congress: "Hands Off My Health Care!"

At JoinPatientsFirst.com, we're making it easier than ever to contact your elected officials in Washington. We'll help you identify your Congressperson and his or her phone number, which will allow you to call him or her at your convenience (or even leave a voicemail after business hours). It's never been easier to make your voice heard.

If your Congressperson supports a government takeover of health care, this is your chance to explain why we cannot afford any bill that puts Washington between you and your doctor. If your Congressperson has vowed to keep his hands off your health care, thank him and encourage him to stay strong in the fight against government-run health care.

Please let your friends and family members know about National Call-Congress Day and invite them to send a message to Congress. Unless Congress hears your voice, we all risk losing our choice of doctors, our control of health insurance options, and our timely access to quality health care.

Please join us on Tuesday, October 6. Tell Congress "Hands off My Health Care!"