History repeats itself

"These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we fucked up the endgame." - Charlie Wilson

Great story about how a rowdy Texan helped over throw the Russian Bear.
We rejoiced at how what we perceived to be savages with no education and a shoulder fired missle could inflict such damage on a military machine like the Russians.  But history has a tendency to repeat itself. Different shoulder fired rocket, same theater, tragic results.

Fast forward.

CH-47 investigation results released


By U.S. Central Command

.MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (October 13, 2011) — United States Central Command has released the results of its investigation into the CH-47 helicopter crash in Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan, Aug. 6, that killed all 38 personnel onboard, including 30 U.S. and 8 Afghan service members.

The resulting investigation confirmed the crash was caused by an insurgent-fired rocket-propelled grenade striking the CH-47’s aft rotor-blade as the helicopter approached its landing zone. There was no evidence of a pre-planned ambush.

The investigation determined that the helicopter’s mission and tactics were consistent with previous missions, and that the forces and capabilities selected to execute this mission were appropriate given the agility required to maintain pressure on insurgent networks.

It further concluded that the Army aviators flying the mission were fully qualified to perform their required tasks, that the CH-47 helicopter involved was fully mission capable, and that the number of personnel on board was tactically sound and well within the helicopter’s technical specifications and capabilities.

The report concluded by praising the skill, valor and selflessness of those killed, and acknowledged their – and their families’ – commitment and sacrifice. This sentiment was echoed by USCENTCOM Commander General James Mattis, who directed the investigation to take place and appointed an investigating officer Aug. 7.

“This report reinforces my appreciation and unbounded admiration for the courage and skill continuously shown by our Special Operations Forces, conventional forces, and our partner forces from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, said Mattis. “I offer my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the fallen during a mission made in defense of both our nations.”

He further pledged, “the ultimate sacrifice of the fallen, and the enduring loss and sacrifice of their loved ones, will be remembered by all of us who take this loss as a reason to focus even more strongly on our mission.”

The men of SEAL Team 6, AFSOC, TF 160 and the canine that represented our country on this mission had received training for, carried equipment and were flying on what equated to a dollar amount that is astronomical.  Obviously, no dollar amount can be placed on their lives but it shows that technology, training and money can be defeated by a soviet bloc rocket launcher.  It is a sad, depressing reality of war.  They can never be replaced.

I'll let the report speak for itself.  These operations continue, into the 11th year of this war. A war that I'm convinced will be and is rapidly becoming a generational war.

 "Never in the field of Human Conflict have so many owed so much to so few" - Churchill

Wardak Executive Summary