Army sends troops to South Sudan, gear to African Union….Thoughts?

2013-12-23T02:47:43-05:00

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Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 2:53 AM

2013-12-23T02:53:16-05:00

Simply this, my god. When will this subversion end?

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Dec 23 at 2013 3:25 PM

2013-12-23T15:25:25-05:00

<p>I haven't kept up on the events over there, but I guess I'll be doing some internet searches to get smart.  Here is a link that I found this evening...</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>http://www.armytimes.com/article/20131223/NEWS08/312230017/More-Marines-readied-possible-South-Sudan-evacuations </p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.armytimes.com/graphics/ody/alticon.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.armytimes.com/article/20131223/NEWS08/312230017/More-Marines-readied-possible-South-Sudan-evacuations" target="_blank">More Marines readied for possible South Sudan evacuations</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">
WASHINGTON The U.S. is moving additional Marines and aircraft from Spain to the Horn of Africa to provide embassy security and help with evacuations from violence-wracked South Sudan.
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Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 3:30 PM

2013-12-23T15:30:11-05:00

<p>BAE and GDLS stock will go up.</p><p> </p><p>I don't have a lot of hope we will have any more positive results in Sudan than we did in Iraq or Afghanistan.</p>

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 4:33 PM

2013-12-23T16:33:26-05:00

We are losing control of something that we never had control of. Iran is all over the place and is influencing the region more than the US. If they want it they can have it. We will just do what we do and send drones to attack. <div><br></div><div>I don't see any real deployments to the region as the enemy will not centralize to an area were they can be attacked like Afghan again.  </div>

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 6:14 PM

2013-12-23T18:14:41-05:00

South Sudan?  What is our vital national strategic interest in South Sudan?  What is the justification for the financial costs and the potential loss of American Soldiers in that place?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 6:32 PM

2013-12-23T18:32:12-05:00

<p>Sudan has oil and other mineral resources.</p><p><br></p><p>We established AFRICOM for a reason.  I hope I am wrong on this, but I foresee a "Gulf of Tonkin" type incident happening in the near future which will suck us into that area on a larger scale.  Africa has historically been carved-up by Western powers for their own purposes, causing much of the strife we have been seeing for decades.</p><p><br></p><p>Again, I hope I am wrong on this.</p>

Response by MAJ Joseph Parker made Dec 24 at 2013 7:33 PM

2013-12-24T19:33:17-05:00

<p>Good question, MAJ Jason B.: I've been to South Sudan doing "things" professionally from time to time (all I care to say on that). Our military people there now are supposed to be doing a NEO (noncombatant evacuation order). That's just fine! It's their job. </p><p><br></p><p>Our main national interest in South Sudan is mostly to counter intense Chinese interests in what is a LOT of mineral wealth, and to contain Islamic instability from Sudan out of Khartoum.</p><p><br></p><p>The US military isn't ready and never has really been ready for conventional military operations in Africa. There is a small, VERY small, group of US military trained for that region. What's more, senior leadership has no idea how to effectively conduct operations in Africa, so they often botch it unless they listen to that very small group of people who know what they are doing. With deference and no offense meant to AFRICOM, that includes them. </p><p><br></p><p>Hopefully, our government will be prudent enough to evacuate our civilian folks and any military associated with AFRICOM; and then leave the mess to the professionals until it's safe enough to bring back a hardened core of Embassy staff. South Sudan is not worth a fight.</p>

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2013 2:29 AM

2013-12-25T02:29:31-05:00

How do I pull a slot to get over there

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2013 12:09 PM

2013-12-26T12:09:43-05:00

Hop on to SIPR and check out the 2012 GEF end states and objectives. Both S. Sudan and CAR align clearly with those end states. Neither operation is adventurism or imperialism, one is simply facilitating stability and the other is protecting US personnel and facilities. Sadly, can not get more into it on here, suffice to say lots of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines fighting the good fight through the holidays.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Dec 28 at 2013 4:42 PM

2013-12-28T16:42:55-05:00

We left a country that was fairly stable, Iraq (leaving was a big mistake and the results were predictable).  We went into another country where we can't trust anyone and they don't want us, Afghanistan.  <div><br></div><div>Until we get a hard and fast set of policies, rules, procedures, philosophy, and ROE for future use of the military,  I vote "NO". We need to bring em' all home and deal with our homeless, border, and immigration issues.  We could save billions and let the economy burp itself. </div><div><br></div><div>Also, with the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and guardsmen back home they could vote (and they might count) out the clowns that have no testicles and get some real men and women in Congress and the Senate. First to go?  Anyone who has been there longer than 2 terms.  Damn, you got me started.  Now my wife wants me out of the house for the rest of the day.....LOL.</div>

Response by MAJ Zeke Wimert made Jan 3 at 2014 9:31 AM

2014-01-03T09:31:40-05:00

I served as a Special Forces adviser to Lao and Meo (Gen Vang Pao) troops in northern Laos from Mar '69 to Aug '70. Another forgotten/unknown war and not sure what we accomplished as the "good guys" were always doomed. Feel the same way about this discussion. No way to win. It is a different Army now, but other than gaining good experience, is it worth getting our junior officers and senior enlisted shot up? It is all based upon political will, which I do not believe our government has. I admire the young men and women who serve multiple tours, but most sincerely doubt we can sustain any significant missions.

Response by MAJ Zeke Wimert made Jan 3 at 2014 9:40 AM

2014-01-03T09:40:04-05:00

I served as a Special Forces adviser (Project 404) to Lao and Meo (Gen. Vang Pao) troops in northern Laos (Mar '69-Aug '70). Another forgotten/unknown war where the "good guys" were always doomed. Without the political will (which I do not believe our government has), the chance of junior officers and senior enlisted getting shot up is high...and for what...good experience? No strategic or tactical mission that benefits the US. I truly admire the young men and women who deploy multiple times and I realize that today's Army is very different from mine, but without significant force and strength, we are just pissing into the wind. Just my humble opinion.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 2:35 AM

2014-02-21T02:35:57-05:00

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 2:56 AM

2014-02-21T02:56:09-05:00

Not sure what happened with my last attempt to post and can't delete it... my comment was this:

I am currently deployed under CJTF-HOA. Quite frankly, my way of looking at it is such:

Economic
instability is one of the leading factors in creating conditions for
the Violent Extremist Organizations (VEO) to operate freely. Africa
(especially the Horn) is plagued with economic disaster, failed
governments, and porous borders that allow for completely unrestricted
abilities for VEOs to operate. With one of the world's largest
international ports being located in Djibouti (14 miles from Yemen) and
miles of coastline throughout Somalia, in conjunction with lack of
government and unrestricted borders, the freedom of movement and ability
to transfer supplies and operate under the radar is quite possibly
unmatched anywhere else in the world. This combined with the efforts in
OIF and OEF, which pushed VEOs to find new safe havens, makes US
interests in this region very important. By establishing a presence
here, we are able to focus more on building national capabilities to get
them to control their borders, and control smuggling, versus sending
Joe Infantry door to door looking for Mr. Shabbab.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 3:40 AM

2014-02-21T03:40:56-05:00

Sir,

My thoughts are WHY now? Africa has been in need of help since the late 90's.

V/R

1SG