FORGOTTEN SOLDIERS

Although they’ve been overshadowed by events in Iraq–indeed, some think we’re already gone–we’ve still got a sizable contingent of forces in Afghanistan:

NYT: The Other Conflict Continues to Take a G.I. Toll

As Sgt. First Class Vernon Story’s column of Humvees climbed a desolate ridge a mile from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border here on Sunday morning, the sergeant got the feeling that someone was watching. The five unexploded land mines he and his men had found along this same ridge in a firefight with Taliban rebels here less than two months ago lingered in his mind.

“Hey, don’t be driving down the tracks,” Sergeant Story warned his driver.

Just after he spoke, the front of his Humvee abruptly lurched into the air as a mine or remote-controlled bomb detonated under the right front tire. It severed the lower left leg of a young soldier in the front passenger seat and tossed the 6,000-pound vehicle violently on its side. Sergeant Story, seven soldiers and four journalists traveling with them in the back of vehicle were thrown to the ground.

***

So went a typical engagement in the grinding conflict for the 10,000 American soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, overshadowed by the larger conflict in Iraq.

Casualties are not as high here, but fatal clashes with a shadowy enemy continue.

I must admit that, while I knew we still had forces there, I had no idea our contingent was that large.

FILED UNDER: Afghanistan War, Terrorism, , , , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.