Afghanistan: Fighting In A "Hornet's Nest"

U.S. General Tells 60 Minutes More Soldiers And Assets Needed To Defeat Enemy

(CBS)  This past year in Afghanistan was the deadliest yet for American troops. Seven years into this war, U.S. commanders from Kabul to Washington are pleading for more soldiers, exposing an uncomfortable truth: there aren't enough troops on the ground to get the job done.

We are going to tell you about a small group of American soldiers who deal every day with that reality under the worst of circumstances. 60 Minutes lived with them for a month on a small forward operating base in Eastern Afghanistan, not far from the Pakistani border. This is where the real fight against al Qaeda is happening - in canyon valleys and jagged mountain hideouts, which as we witnessed, are crawling with enemy fighters.

---

There is a reason the base 60 Minutes and correspondent Lara Logan traveled to is called "Wilderness." It's in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but desolate mountains stretching endlessly into the distance, until you drop onto a tiny patch of ground not much bigger than a football field in the heart of enemy territory.

"I thought it was gonna be a little bit quieter here. But we landed in a hornet's nest when we got here," explains Staff Sgt. Jake Schlereth.

When Schlereth, 27, and 33-year-old Sgt. First Class Anthony Barnes were sent to Afghanistan, they thought the fight was mostly over.

When he arrived in Afghanistan, Sgt. Schlereth didn't think he'd be landing in a hornet's nest. "I guess I really didn't know what to expect when I got here. I'd never been here before, I'd only been to Iraq. And you didn't hear too much about Afghanistan on the news. It was all about Iraq."

"Iraq, yeah. … Roles are reversed," Sgt. Barnes comments.

"Yeah. Reversed. And now it's all about here," Schlereth agrees.

It's all about "here" because the fight in Afghanistan is worse than ever. The tiny base has been hit by rockets and mortars at least 30 times since these soldiers arrived in March.

And that's only part of it: Barnes, Schlereth and their fellow soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division have survived 20 ambushes on their patrols.

American casualties are highest in the East, where they are fighting an Afghan warlord, Jalauddin Haqqani and his son, who are closely allied to al Qaeda and share al Qaeda's goal of driving America out of Afghanistan.

They've also publicly stated that targeting the base is one of their top priorities.

The base commander, 29-year-old Captain Thomas Kilbride, has seen more combat than any of his soldiers, constantly deployed since 9/11.

Asked if now, on his third tour in Afghanistan, things have changed in the country, Capt. Kilbride tells Logan, "In regards to enemy activity, I think it's increased. We need to deal with them deliberately, and, you know, immediately."

Their mission for 12 months is to protect a road, which is the only direct link between the East and the capital Kabul. "The road is a livelihood for everybody, it's a line that connects the rest of Afghanistan. It's a bloodline, an opportunity for all of Afghanistan to kind of develop," Kilbride explains.

Part of that development is a planned $121 million project to rebuild the road, paid for by U.S. taxpayers.

The enemy doesn't want to see that happen, so Kilbride is unrelenting about going after them. And doing that there means getting up every day to face these mountains, every inch of them enemy territory.

Asked how bad this area is, Kilbride says, "It’s one of our worst areas. They have the advantage, they know this terrain more than we do."

It often takes eight hours or more of climbing to 10,000 feet, even if they don't find the enemy, just to let them know they're not out of reach.

"The first time I did it, I thought I was gonna die because I'm from the East Coast. I'm from the South. The highest mountain we got's 5,000 feet," Barnes recalls.

"The terrain here will kick your ass. I mean, it's not a joke. You can feel it in your lungs. Feel it, you get that feeling in your chest when you're like 'Wooh!'" Kilbride explains.

He says it's a daily experience.

On one mission, after a steep - at times vertical - climb to the top of the mountain to search for a weapons cache, they found nothing.

The terrain and the enemy are relentless.

Asked if he ever let his guard down, Schlereth says, "Can't. Security's a must around here. Don't take anything for granted."

"If they catch you slippin', they will definitely make your day hard," Barnes adds.

[antoniof123]

This is the place that attacked us on 9-11 so why did we attack the wrong country again. Oh yes, it was the neo cons who wanted to get oil for blood. Now you can see why you are getting killed at the polls now right.

[inventagod2]

Mmmmm, more NeoCon Pentagoon Koolaid!

My favorite!

[downtowner97]

The solution is obvious. We need to keep doing the same thing.

[chris32324]

downtowner97,the solution is to get the hell outta there.

[brokercooper]

antoniof123? really ? oil for blood? I don''t recall having this huge surplus of oil all of the sudden?? Is it me , or did gas cost over $4/gallon the last 4-5 months? you are an A$$

[cariboubarbi]

Another day and more Bush/Republican failure.

If we''d just completed the job in Afghanistan instead of invading Iraq, we wouldn''t be in this position.

[cariboubarbi]

But of course, DopeBama wants to send regular troops into Afghanistan and get killed in the rugged remote mountain terrain....that''''s what you get when a amateur junior community organizer is Commander in Chief

Posted by Minuteman-8 at 03:20 PM : Oct 16, 2008




Moron, Afghanistan and Packistan is where Al Qaeda is. Not Iraq. It''s called finishing the job we started.

One day I hope you will defend your country instead of the failed policies of a failed President.

[chris32324]

cariboubarbie,where did you ever get the idea that the u.s. could complete what no other country in the history of afganistan could?they have repelled others military for 1200 years,forget this al quada stuff,,thats all media b s,their freedom fighters who want you out,same as the u.s. citizens did in 1776.

[petro49l]

Bin Laden''s laboratories produce tar heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, PCP, potent cannabis, and exotic hashish. Al Qada trafficks substances to Junkies all over the world. The profit funds terror activities against most Governments. The Coalition is forbidden entry into Waziristan. Street drugs bring in a great deal of cash. The Coalition is not only fighting a war against narcotics, but also finance for felonious acts.

[heero2020]

A barrel of opium is worth a lot more than a barrel of oil. Let''s go to Afghanistan.

[hotpaulie]

Minuteman-8 - - Come on now. Are you really that stupid or are you getting paid by the republican party to post this nonsense? Afghanistan should have been won by now...but Bush and his personal side project (Iraq) has prevented that.

[good4always]

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[jn122736]

When Bush abandoned the hunt for Bin Laden, to carry out his long planned Iraq fiaco, the enemy simply followed our military into Iraq and took advantage of the anger of the majority of Iraqi%u2019s to bleed our economy and defense capabilities for 5 years.

Then, when the time was right, they moved back into Afghanistan and Pakistan, where we were/are more vulnerable.

The Surge had little to do with the easing of casualties in Iraq, other than being the catalyst that triggered Al Qaeda%u2019s decision to move.

[thrdarmored]

The swell in the enemies numbers are normal for this time of year. They fill their ranks with new recruits and show them a little of Afghanistan before the winter hits and then they train HARD during the winter and are deployed in the spring. Each time this happens they are fielding more well trained combatants every spring and we are reacting to their tactics. We have to stop reacting and engage them heavily during the winter with a large infusion of troops. We have to cut their throats ahead of time and stop reacting with to low of numbers every year.

[thrdarmored]

The swell in the enemies numbers are normal for this time of year. They fill their ranks with new recruits and show them a little of Afghanistan before the winter hits and then they train HARD during the winter and are deployed in the spring. Each time this happens they are fielding more well trained combatants every spring and we are reacting to their tactics. We have to stop reacting and engage them heavily during the winter with a large infusion of troops. We have to cut their throats ahead of time and stop reacting with to low of numbers every year.

[its-not-over]

"Before 1980 Afghanustan produced 0% of the worlds opium. After the US/CIA backed Mujahideen won the Soviet Afghan war, by 1886 they were producing 40% of the world''s heroin supply. By 1999 they were producing 80% of the total market supply. But then something unexpexted happened... The Taliban rose to power, and by 2000 they had destroyed most of the opium fields. Production dropped from 3000+ tons to only 165 tons, a 94% reduction. On sept. 5th 2001, the full Afghanistan invasion plans were on President Bush''s desk. Ten days later they had their cause. Today opium production in US controlled Afghanistan, which now produces more than 90 percent of the world''s opium, breaks new production records nearly every year." -ZEITGEIST: ADDENDUM. If you dont belive me watch it, he cites his sources.

[royalia]

RE: I''''m confused, did you miss the Afghanistan war in 2001, that was in response to 9/11 ? in which we destroyed the majority of the AlQaeda operatives and training camps at that time ?

Uh, no we didn''t miss it. But then W. forget where the terrorists were and invaded the wrong country that had nothing to do with 9/11. And $800 billion later here we are needing to finish the job in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Please do tell, what has George W. Bush accomplished (POSITIVE ACCOMPLISHEMNTS) in his almost 8 years. Even if you agree with the invasion of Iraq, how could he possibly have bungled it so badly? I know, he''s not interested in things like historical ethnic and religious tension in other parts of the world. The Bush administration''s pre-war estimate of the total cost of the Iraq war was $50 - 60 billion. I don''t know how anybody can still defend this clown.

[thrdarmored]

The swell in the enemies numbers are normal for this time of year. They fill their ranks with new recruits and show them a little of Afghanistan before the winter hits and then they train HARD during the winter and are deployed in the spring. Each time this happens they are fielding more well trained combatants every spring and we are reacting to their tactics. We have to stop reacting and engage them heavily during the winter with a large infusion of troops. We have to cut their throats ahead of time and stop reacting with to low of numbers every year.

[its-not-over]

"Before 1980 Afghanustan produced 0% of the worlds opium. After the US/CIA backed Mujahideen won the Soviet Afghan war, by 1886 they were producing 40% of the world''''s heroin supply. By 1999 they were producing 80% of the total market supply. But then something unexpexted happened... The Taliban rose to power, and by 2000 they had destroyed most of the opium fields. Production dropped from 3000+ tons to only 165 tons, a 94% reduction. On sept. 5th 2001, the full Afghanistan invasion plans were on President Bush''''s desk. Ten days later they had their cause. Today opium production in US controlled Afghanistan, which now produces more than 90 percent of the world''''s opium, breaks new production records nearly every year." -ZEITGEIST: ADDENDUM. If you dont belive me watch it, he cites his sources.

[royalia]

And to think George HW Bush used to pal around with bin Laden the terrorist''s family as part of the Carlyle Group. Please explain all of this to us Mr. Limbaugh.

[downsteamjim]

When Obama is President, he will raise his hands and say ''Believe''. Al Qaeda and the Taliban will throw down their arms, burn their opium, and start building schools for little girls. Fleas and mosquitoes will quit biting. Vote Messiah and vote often. Remember, being dead is no excuse not to vote.

[its-not-over]

How much did you get paid to say that Agent downsteamjim?

[its-not-over]

"Before 1980 Afghanustan produced 0% of the worlds opium. After the US/CIA backed Mujahideen won the Soviet Afghan war, by 1886 they were producing 40% of the world''''''''s heroin supply. By 1999 they were producing 80% of the total market supply. But then something unexpexted happened... The Taliban rose to power, and by 2000 they had destroyed most of the opium fields. Production dropped from 3000+ tons to only 165 tons, a 94% reduction. On sept. 5th 2001, the full Afghanistan invasion plans were on President Bush''s desk. Ten days later they had their cause. Today opium production in US controlled Afghanistan, which now produces more than 90 percent of the world''s opium, breaks new production records nearly every year." -ZEITGEIST: ADDENDUM. If you dont belive me watch it, he cites his sources.

[thrdarmored]

I can name a couple of things: He brought respectability back to the White House after that moron Clinton was getting his you know what taken care of by Lewinski. and while he was doing that Al Qaida was planning 9-11. Believe me no one is planning anything right now, we have them engaged in combat around the world and they don''t have time to plan anything. That''s what Bush has done. Instead of thinking about his *** life in the oval office he has "Taken it" to the enemy to keep America safe. The other thing he has done is put our so called friends on notice that if they won''t help in defending freedom we''ll do it on our own and probably control most of the world in doing so.

[babooph]

I thought that blasting kids & women at weddings won their hearts & minds-some folks are just unreasonable-what more can we do ?We tried alie for coverup -that should have satified them -our "embedded" journalists did not notice that pile of bodies I suppose.

[its-not-over]

"The truth is, there is no islamic army or terrorist group called Al Qaida. And any informed intelligence officer knows that. But there is a propaganda campaign to make the public believe in the presence of an identified entity... The country behind this propaganda is the US." -Robin Cook- Former British Foreign Secretary.

[thrdarmored]

There is no Al Qaida? That is the dumbest thing I''ve ever heard. Bin Laden set up Al Qaida (which means "the base") In 1981 when fighting the Russians in Afghanistan, He recruited any and all people willing to fight against the Russians. He then would convert them to his version of radical Islam, we gave him money and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to help drive the Russians out, when the war was over and he had 20,000 fighters with nothing to do he turned on us because we have influence over the Saudis and they control Mecca and Medina and he didn''t want any infidels on holy ground.

[its-not-over]

Whatever Thrdarmored. Its not you would be biased or anything. Check my qoute.

[its-not-over]

And, oh yeah. The Cia backed bin laden in the 80''s. Thats a fact.

[thrdarmored]

Its-not-over: I have no idea where you got that quote, I think you made it up, you''re obviously also biased

[its-not-over]

Robin Cook, Former British Foreign Secretary Thrdarmored. Sorry but you lack the credibility here.

[thrdarmored]

When and where did he ever say that, without factual proof of that quote YOU have no credibilty

[its-not-over]

http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=3836 try that link for starters

[its-not-over]

took me all of 5 seconds to find it

[thrdarmored]

The fact is Al Qaida is a living, breathing entiity, dead set on attacking American interests worldwide, it''s absurd to think that it would be some lame propaganda ploy

[its-not-over]

I''m done, I proved my point. You can''t tell anybody anything if they already have their mind made up.

[thrdarmored]

Oh yeah, that rag of a website, he''s the bonhead who also thinks 9-11 was inside job.

[thrdarmored]

I agree

[babooph]

I guess the Bush & Cheney''Torture them " plan is not working so well-simple minds may not be the answer.

[r933gts]

So what if there isn''t a resource known as AL QAIDA ??? What difference does it make what you call them. The point is "they are back" and the US has to root them out once more. Enough with Iraq already now its time to go after the villains in the poppy fields and kill them once and for all.

[thrdarmored]

The war in afghanistan isn''t "lost" Or unwinable. The Taliban are resurgent, of course. You knew they would re-group one day. With the tribesmans help in Pakistan they were sure to come back strong. I''m glad to see we''re not waiting for Pakistan to take them out and we''re attacking them with Drones. I want McCain to win but it looks like Obama''s going to be the man. I hope he backs up his talk about going into Pakistan and engaging the enemy there.

[tincup356]

wars fought for money supported by lies, this is what we have to thank Bush and both parties of congress. What pisses me off is NO ONE in Washington will admit, we are in this financial situation because the war has had snowball effects on everything, starting with oil and then the costs of everything started rising out of control.When will people wake up and see, "stay the course did not have anything to do with fighting wars, it meant stay on course to bring America to its knees, take away as many rights as possible, and destroy the middle class, while all the while making a hefty profit for the Carlyle group and all its elitist members.My question is , Why are we still dumping money into any war when we are on the brink of financial disaster? Because it is profitable to a select few mega rich people, at the cost of lives of people they don''t care about. Now its time to vote out every incumbent in office and make major changes in politics that will prevent corrupt actions or NO- actions by elected officials."We the people will...STA THE COURSE until all those responsible are removed from office and criminally prosecuted for all they have done to destroy this country.

[thrdarmored]

The GAO estimated last year that the Iraq/Afganistan wars are about 3.5% Of the Gross National Product. we could stay there for a thousand years if we wanted to without causing any financial meltdown. In contrast, WW2 was 28% of the GNP and Vietnam was around 8% I think they said.

[tincup356]

listening to the liars is not smart do you really think they are going to tell the truth about ANYTHING....NOT,every single office and dept. of our government lives on lies told the people.and NO we cant afford to fight any wars, and those who would have you believe we should are either those brainwashed or those making a profit off of it.Under this administration and the congress that voted along with them, America has taken the role of terrorists, bombing and killing innocent people.Washington D.C. should be renamed district of liars.

[thrdarmored]

You are SOOO wrong, I hope you live in another country, because if you in the USA you should move if you hate this country so much. If the terrorists never attacked us we wouldn''t be at war with any other country, the U.S. is defending itself, innocent civilian deaths are a part of warfare I''m afraid but it doesn''t mean we''re acting like terrorists. Don''t be so cynical. These 2 wars don''t even compare with even the U.S. Civil war in it''s scope or uglyness, let alone ww1, ww2, Korea or Vietnam. The powers that be are almost always tainted with corruption, Obama will find that out if he gets in there, I''m sure after his time in office he''ll have plenty of Special Prosecutors to deal with.

[tincup356]

keep living in your fantasy world and one morning you will wake up with Washington calling for martial law , this was threatened to members of congress if they refuse to pass the second vote on the bailout.your an idiot if you cant see our rights mean nothing to them you will be one of those wondering what happened to the bill of rights when it happens.I would almost bet you are one of those people who votes the straight party ticket...meaning you are a brainwashed sheep heading for slaughter.

[thrdarmored]

I was just about to say the same thing about you. I don''t think have a clue what the world is really like. Just go ahead and read the comics like you do every morning and go to work and pay you electric bill and some day you''ll pull your head out of the sand.

[thrdarmored]

How have your rights been affected? My rights havn''t been affected in any way!! I''m still doing the things I did since the 60''s. Nothing the government has done has affected me in any way, except longer lines at the airport and that''s for our safety. Only if you''re someone who is considered a security problem has been affected. I''m sure they''ve tapped my phone but I don''t have anything to hide so I don''t really care. And the financial meltdown doesn''t bother me in the least. I''m not one of those fools that treated their house like an ATM machine and now they''re pissing and moaning that they''re upside down or they can''t afford the payments, Please, maybe you should''ve thought more about life instead of having material things.

[tincup356]

regardless of what you think our country has not had another terrorist attack because those responsible are those who hold power in Washington.Our government never told the truth about 911 and never will.I still want to see a security camera film of any airliner going into the Pentagon.If it exists why weren''t we shown it? The FBI went to the trouble of confiscating all surveillance camera data almost immediately after the attacks.they cant explain why so many buildings came down in controlled demolition form. No aircraft remains in the pentagon or in Pennsylvania crash? too many unanswered questions to believe the story they trid to sell the public.SO AS MUCH AS CONGRESS HAS LIED TO US ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE, WHY WOULDNT 911 BE A LIE.

[tincup356]

I hope they treat you well when they totally take away your rights, I will be one of those fighting tooth and nail to keep them, and i hope your attitude changes when true Americans weed out this corruption and bring control to the people, I hope it doesn''t break your heart too bad when bush and his corrupt cronies face world court prosecution for war crimes.