Winter Strike: A Ranger Thanksgiving in Afghanistan

[Talyn]

In late 2003, large portions of the 75th Ranger Regiment were deployed for an operation titled “Winter Strike” in the mountains of Afghanistan. This mission was unique in the war on terror in that it saw Rangers going out into the mountains for weeks on end, living off the land and the people to accomplish their mission. This is one such account of the experience, which is very appropriate on this Thanksgiving Day.

Winter Strike: A Ranger Thanksgiving in Afghanistan • The Havok Journal

In 2003, large portions of the 75th Ranger Regiment were deployed to the mountains of Afghanistan for Operation Winter Strike. This was their Thanksgiving.

havokjournal.com

An element of 2/75 Rangers moving through the Kantiwa Valley in Afghanistan in support of Winter Strike.

 

[belladonna]

I have read many accounts of war, mostly from the Vietnam war, and this article was written well enough to take me into the battleground, much like those other accounts.
My nephew was a Ranger in Afghanistan, and although he doesn’t ever speak about it, this reinforces to me some reasons why. The lost track of time, the focus on the mission, the noting and dismissal of discomfort all helps me to understand him a little bit better. I haven’t heard from him in a while but my sister tells me he is gainfully employed now and doing well. I do know he struggled a lot for years after his separation from the Army.
This article says so much. Thank you for posting it.

 

[Talyn]

Afghanistan should have been an almost entirely SOCOM Op, except for some regular forces to secure strongpoints (in proper locations).

History has shown that "nation-building" in Afghanistan is/was a waste of time & resources.

 

[negolien]

Afghanistan should have been an almost entirely SOCOM Op, except for some regular forces to secure strongpoints (in proper locations).

History has shown that "nation-building" in Afghanistan is/was a waste of time & resources.

To be fair Afghanistan was a waste of time we shoulda been smacking down Pakistan and Iran. Hard facts....