Posted on Apr 8, 2015
Fatal Green on Blue Attack Reported in Jalalabad, Afghanistan (8 APR 15).
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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
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
Posted in these groups: 
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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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.
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CPT (Join to see)
SFC Mark Merino to be honest I don't think they would have survived in combat. If they were watching everything it would have been a different story.
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LTC (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) , now I am feeling bad because I have to point out you are not correct on this point (twice in one day) Two points -- 1) Afghanistan is not the Middle East but they do have problems with their screening process; it's not that they don't, it has more to do with poor record keeping and corruption 2) As for "Most Middle Eastern countries..." that's simply not even close to true. There might be some corruption, but nowhere near the scale of Afghanistan. I have worked or served with most all of them; when was the last incident outside of Afghanistan or Iraq? FYI, I am currently an advisor to the armed forces of one of these middle eastern countries. I am about 99% certain that their screening process if rigid in terms of preventing infiltrators. Countries in this part of the world are so worried about insurgents to their power, that they leave little to risk.
As for the Green on Blue, it is arguably the enemy's greatest tactic in Afghanistan. My unit had one on one of our outposts in 2013. It really tests the partnership and will give one a quick insight to the real commitment of those Afghans that are really committed to being soldiers.
The three KIAs that day were never forgotten, but in the end, our relationship with the Afghans remained strong and the mission was not lost in our area. Maybe we should not overemphasize how our soldiers were killed , as any loss of life at the hands of the enemy is tragic all the same.
As for the Green on Blue, it is arguably the enemy's greatest tactic in Afghanistan. My unit had one on one of our outposts in 2013. It really tests the partnership and will give one a quick insight to the real commitment of those Afghans that are really committed to being soldiers.
The three KIAs that day were never forgotten, but in the end, our relationship with the Afghans remained strong and the mission was not lost in our area. Maybe we should not overemphasize how our soldiers were killed , as any loss of life at the hands of the enemy is tragic all the same.
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CPT (Join to see)
I think the media is ok is some places but on an active battle field they an be a disaster.
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CPT (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) I will then correct myself to the GWOT then. I too am in the the middle east assisting in training an Army. I do think that they can find those that are an issue but at worst case I have seen some that are sympathetic. Some counties like Kuwait may not be the Norm but Iraq and Afghan have failed with their process. It is just a tactic that is extremely difficult to catch. We have had our own soldiers deal with this. Like the Guardsman that tried to join ISIS.
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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.
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CPO Greg Frazho
As I tell people, when you're in a combat zone, you're in a combat zone. There are no 'safe' areas. There are only locations that are more fortified and more centrally located than others. You aren't 'safe' until you return home, after the deployment's over.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Loyalties remain divided, clearly for many reasons. Fear of reprisal to the family unit or the village you come from will continue to plague the incoming 'FNG', they need to be informed of this, and perhaps taking on a new identity like when you join the FFL is the answer. I hate to see incidences of fratricide for any reason...especially on purpose.
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Six straight years of the saying "Stay Alert - Stay Alive" pounding through my head...Thanks to this guy -->SSgt (Join to see) - Kept me alive on more than one occasion.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
I always never liked that place, when I was there in 2013. It was too small and felt creepy.
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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.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thanks, I was just trying to survive. You figure you learn a thing or two after 4 combat tours lol. Mine can be resumed in one word: 'Merica.
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SSG (Join to see)
By the way, these news bring a personal note for me as I did almost 10 months in PRT Nangarhar, and know personally the chief of police mentioned in the article. Back then we started working again with the clan of Haji Zamman, one of the culprits who let Bin Laden escape to Pakistan back in 01, when SF was after him in Zinghar mountains (Same province), I knew about this guy as I read many books prior going on my deployments to know the underlying history prior getting there (One of my favorite topics is history) My S3 in one of the briefings was impressed of how I knew who he was. I Just thought of it like business as usual, but most of us here know that at the FOB's most soldiers let the guard down, they are less concerned about their surroundings. I usually end up being the mean guy in the party. All my 11B and 19D liked me and allowed me also to be gunner in quite few missions.
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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.
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.
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SFC Mark Merino
Excellent point, brother. Even in Germany (1990) I would slaughter the German language but they appreciated the attempt. Not so much in France, they still made me feel like a pig.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
I made every attempt to pick the brain of the tajimen (interpretors/lingquists) I worked with to learn more of the Pashto language. Working on syntax, vocabulary, and even writing. I thought I had a great working relationship with one until an incident in nearby Pakistan caused him to say that if the USA went to war with Pakistan, he would immediately kill me. That took me for a bit. Having been working with this particular interpreter for 8 months at the time, that he would try to kill me at offset of a Pakistan war. Sometimes no matter how closely you follow the customs, learn the language, or respect the culture they will never be your friend or ally.
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TSgt (Join to see)
It is for sure better than the (insert branch here) Times. THAT is the worst publication ever. All it ever is, is rumor and heresay.
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