Fatal Green on Blue Attack Reported in Jalalabad, Afghanistan (8 APR 15).

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:05:55 -0400

Breaking News....CNN just reported a fatal "green on blue" (Afghan soldier killing American service member) in Afghanistan. My heart goes out to the family and our military family.

When the bullets start flying, the danger area is NOT where the known location of the enemy is, but where the next place the enemy will pop up. My first PSG (Platoon Sergeant) learned his trade craft from his Vietnam veteran PSG. He always told me about target fixation and leaving my 6 open for attack. He warned me about these "friendly allies" and how the enemy wants you to lose confidence in your allies, but these incidents are driving me insane.

Veterans, what was your take on working alongside these indigenous allies during your time in combat? Active members, think before you speak......

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/08/world/afghanistan-us/index.html

Response by MSgt Garrick Hill made Apr 8 at 2015 12:06 PM

MSgt Garrick Hill — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:06:54 -0400

Sad news.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Apr 8 at 2015 12:08 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:08:51 -0400

People continue to feel that Afghanistan is not as dangerous as it used to be. While the numbers may show that, people need to understand it is still FAR from safe. I am not sure what the vetting process is for their military service (or their police force for that matter), but, like here in the USA, some people that join, do so with other then honorable intentions. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those involved.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 12:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:09:38 -0400

I hate to hear this. But as long as we are there we are going to deal with this. Most Middle Eastern countries don't have the ability to vet their soldiers very well or they can assume a fake identity. Either way it is bad for anyone dealing with them. They know that we are partners and we will be together. It is something that I even worry about.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Apr 8 at 2015 12:20 PM

SPC Angel Guma — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:20:55 -0400

I was in Afghanistan when these green on blue attacks were nearing an all time high. Unfortunately, its hard to really hard against this. They are a tribal people, most illiterate and stuck with very reactionary sort of leadership. Any little perceived slight to an Afghan's honor is enough to set them off. Not to mention how quickly they change hats. The Taliban has this enduring admiration among a large portion of their population.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 8 at 2015 12:26 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:26:52 -0400

USA Today (on RallyPoint!) posted this about another Green on Blue attack from 2 months ago.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/taliban-claim-responsibility-for-kabul-attack

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Response by SSgt Joe V. made Apr 8 at 2015 12:48 PM

SSgt Joe V. — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:48:45 -0400

Six straight years of the saying "Stay Alert - Stay Alive" pounding through my head...Thanks to this guy -->SSgt Private RallyPoint Member - Kept me alive on more than one occasion.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 12:57 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:57:16 -0400

My wife just sent me the screen shot from Stars and Stripes. So sad...

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made Apr 8 at 2015 1:10 PM

CPO Greg Frazho — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:10:12 -0400

I always, ALWAYS, made sure when I was in Afghanistan particularly, that I greeted ANY Afghan with, "A salam walee'kam" or "Ramazan mubarak" if it was during Ramadan. I did this in several provinces and always made certain I was as professional, courteous and polite as possible, whether it was Afghan National Army, Afghan civilians or whomever.

Using a little bit of Pashtu and/or Dari will make and did make a world of difference in our international relations with a very tribal, traditional locale. I don't know if rudeness or detached behavior had anything to do with this Green on Blue, or as they called it when I was there, 'internal threats', but professional courtesy goes a long way with me.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 1:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 13:52:27 -0400

I treated them all with respect, and following their customary courtesies, I trusted no one. Always kept my eyes open, mitigated the risk by having them walk in front, as well as checking their wounds, kind of like being friendly, but never trusting them. When I had the chance I checked any pieces of paper (I can read and had dictionaries with pashto and dari as well as arabic), and constantly checked the badges while inside the FOBS and learned who was authorized to use cell phones or not. I always checked, even going to chow or to the latrines or MWR or wherever. On few occasions I turned in interpreters who were loudly talking on their cell phones without a badge, and let the MA's sort it out. So, resumed version is that I was liked as a medic, but trusted no one.

Response by SSG Eric Eck made Apr 8 at 2015 6:08 PM

SSG Eric Eck — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:08:10 -0400

If they had weapons and they weren't paid by DFAS, my eyes were on them at all times.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Apr 8 at 2015 6:09 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:09:33 -0400

I will respond from my experience as a Civil Affairs Operative who took educated chances in Afghanistan by removing all gear, and setting aside weapons and meeting with village elders where I easily recognized Taliban among those present. I had no problem with doing what I did and trusted those that I dialogue with because that is the nature of my MOS. I will also state that Civil Affairs Operatives have payed the ultimate price by doing what is expected of our MOS, I have long accepted that danger comes with the uniform and more so with the MOS. In all places we go into there is always the risk that the enemy within more so when the Taliban/enemy takes family members hostages and forces an individual to kill. I am now medically retired but would not change anything, because as I wrote the MOS requires chances. I am very sorry for the loves one of the soldier killed and wounded.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Apr 8 at 2015 6:29 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:29:06 -0400

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/04/08/116-days-longest-period-without-a-u-s-combat-zone-death-since-911-ends/?tid=HP_national?tid=HP_national

116 days: Longest period without a U.S. military combat-zone death since 9/11 ends

The last U.S. military deaths in a combat zone came Dec. 12.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 8 at 2015 6:32 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:32:17 -0400

That rhyme of history again.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 8 at 2015 9:49 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 21:49:36 -0400

Unfortunately, as my CSM told our Soldiers when I was a Battalion Commander (03-05) the Army (US Military) is war. Meaning, the United States was not really. Once Americans don't care, and don't have skin in the game like we do. I believe most are oblivious to what our military does 24/7.

That said, so long as we partnering with countries, and we can't vet their personal, and they are not like minded, or interested in what we want, the insider threat will be continue. It is hard to mitigate.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:05 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 22:05:50 -0400

Back in 2010 when this was rampant in Afghanistan, the Pentagon determined they needed a task force of CI personnel to deploy in an effort to combat this incidents from happening. I was part of that joint task force that had personnel from all services. The first thing we accomplished once in theater was beginning to know the enemy (i.e. whose responsible for conducting these attacks, how are they funded, etc). We then began to tear apart those individuals lives to fully understand the situation. Once we had a baseline of the an individual not only capable but willing to conduct these types of attacks, we went on a full court press throughout the country to brief everyone on the indicators to look out for. Within that year of our deployment these attacks dropped by 70%. It wasn't by just our doing, it was because of everyone being aware of their surroundings and knowing they are in Indian country.

My opinion is for everyone to watch their six in order to come home alive. I truly HATE to see these incidents starting to happen again!! Stay safe out there and say a prayer for this slain Soldiers family tonight.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 10:16 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 22:16:45 -0400

Simply Stated: I kept my head on a swivel when I worked with afghan troops. I was tasked with providing personal security to a number of differing assets on the ground in theatre. You can not, and should not, ever let your guard down, friend or foe infil-traitors abound.

Response by SGT Shayne Merritt made Apr 9 at 2015 12:06 AM

SGT Shayne Merritt — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 00:06:19 -0400

I had to work with them, but I always remained suspicions of everyone of them... some would say I was too paranoid, then 1 night in November 2010 in RC North in a place called OP North, our "Allies" that where guarding the ECP that night walked up the hill and killed 10 German Soldiers while they slept... Not all are bad.. But not all are good, do not trust your life gambling that you know the good ones and give up your back and security in a TIC

Response by TSgt Kristin Parsons made Apr 9 at 2015 1:15 AM

TSgt Kristin Parsons — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 01:15:28 -0400

Rest in Peace

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 9 at 2015 11:10 AM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 11:10:38 -0400

It's war and part of the cost of doing business. We do what we can to mitigate internal threats, incidental shootings , and accidents. The reality is there is no such thing as a perfect fight. We pick up our weapons and push forward

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Apr 9 at 2015 3:04 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:04:15 -0400

We call it an asymmetrical war for more than one reason.

My biggest threat (concern ) was always the "good guys" that weren't..

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2015 5:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 17:54:07 -0400

I worked with the Iraqi Army as a Logistics Adviser. The Iraqi Officers I worked with took great pride in ensuring my safety. That being said I never went anywhere outside of my hooch without at least a 9mm and always took a 9mm and an M4 on road trips. I trusted the Iraqis I worked with but that doesn't mean I trusted them completely with my life. Then again, I don't trust most Americans with my life either so maybe I'm a bad case study.

The enemy you see is one thing, but a basic rule of war is don't be or attack where your enemy expects.

Response by SGT Rodger Armstrong made Apr 24 at 2015 3:56 PM

SGT Rodger Armstrong — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 15:56:38 -0400

One soldier I was able to have. Deployed with a different battalion. And this is the same thing that happened to him. Work with them but don't take your eye of them.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 2:20 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 02:20:38 -0400

I never felt comfortable around any uniformed Afghans, yet I grew to respect many of the businessmen I interacted with. Despite my specialty, I could tell I was always looked down upon by those in uniform; however, when working with civilians, I could usually feel mutual respect and a true desire for a better life, especially when discussing family. Edit to say: One barber shop owner was so excited for my next visit to show me how he was learning how to write, all because I learned a few phrases to better interact. Conversely, I was asked to assess the conditions of an Afghan camp; however, the only way the "Doctor" we were meeting with would listen to a suggestion, despite being as polite as possible, would be to say it first to my male counterpart and have him echo the remarks. Perhaps the cynical view is that the civilian businessmen were motivated by money, but it seemed that the civilian population was far more accepting of western culture and motivated for positive change.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 7:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 19:47:32 -0400

When I was there 11-12, my squad leader told me to work with them, teach them, rely on them, but have a plan to kill every single one if something goes down. At the time private kitchen thought it was over the top, that this was a soldier who spent too much time at war giving me paranoid advice. I couldn't see how these fellow soldiers; so eager to learn, so willing to fight for their homes could be that much of a threat to those that sacrificed much to help and support them. I did as he said though. I trusted them as much as I could allow but always presented a hard target. We never let our guard down. Quiet aggressive. Then September hit and we rotated back to our fob and another platoon took our spot in the At Ghar river valley ( with holding the actual COP name). Two weeks later I get spun up to react on qrf to a TIC involving 4 American KIA and two critical WIA. When we get out there we found out that the same ANP we fought so hard to defend turned their weapons on my brothers. It was one of the worst feelings a soldier could have. Hatred towards those people, and a want for revenge. It dawned on me that the only thing that kept me and my platoon alive was those stupid paranoid words and our outward projection of strength. Should this happen, no. But all is fair in love and war. It's the nature of the beast, but would I go back over and fight beside them? Yes. Four out of the 450 I worked with is right in line with the law of averages. This is what we do. This is why we volunteered for the service. I will fear no man, I will live in fear of nothing. Just don't get complacent, you may have to kill everyone around you one day....