Comments on: Afghanistan Campaign Gripped by Confusion

By: Aercdr

Aercdr — Sat, 31 May 2008 03:19:18 +0000

A large number of US troops are here in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom, not ISAF. Those forces do come under CENTCOM. There is a “dual-hatted” command structure that has an American general performing both duties. US troops include SOF and a wide-variety of other forces.

By: Herschel Smith

Herschel Smith — Wed, 28 May 2008 03:48:06 +0000

All U.S. troops are under the authority of NATO. You’re right, that the NATO forces do appear to be good at training, force protection and Kabul security. They should focus on this, split the forces into NATO and U.S., and let the U.S. focus on the Taliban and population with U.S. forces reporting to CENTCOM but matrixed as necessary to NATO for selected missions. Otherwise, the Petraeus promotion will make no difference.

By: trollsmasher

trollsmasher — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:32:48 +0000

I was under the impression that a part of US Forces in Afghanistan were still outside ISAF command? In my humble opinion U.S. Forces except those training Afghan forces should be placed outside the NATO command structure. NATO has proven to not be the best warfighters but seem to do a credible training job. Lets just hope the German ROE do not rub off on them.
Also did anyone notice that the offical press of Afghanistan is calling on the U.S. to start sustained attacks into the FATA against Taliban and AQ training camps and C3. This has to be done.