AFP/Getty Images
One of the most common complaints from Afghan forces and officials is that they don't have the equipment they need to lead the fight in Afghanistan. They routinely call on NATO to provide more cutting-edge hardware for Afghan troops.
Certainly, when you see a U.S. soldier standing next to an Afghan one, the difference is striking. U.S. soldiers are often saddled with pounds and pounds of electronics and gadgets, ranging from GPS units to night-vision goggles and radio-jamming devices.
Afghans, on the other hand, generally carry little more than an AK-47 and basic body armor.
But, U.S. troops more often than not say that the Afghans don't need all the high-tech gear.
"Giving them any kind of technology that they're maybe not used to kind of gives them a false sense of reality," says Capt. Kevin Ryan, an intelligence officer with the 1-91 Cavalry based at Forward Operating Base Shank in Logar Province.
He says it would be counterproductive to get Afghan soldiers hooked on technology when they still need to improve their basic soldiering and war-fighting skills, like mission planning, maintain formations and developing human intelligence.
Ryan says that in cases where the Afghans rely on technology, it often hurts them. One example is their use of Symphony systems, jamming technology used to prevent radio-controlled improvised explosive devices from detonating.
"When they know there's a Symphony system within line of sight ... they almost don't look for the obvious signs of an RCIED, and that's typically when they'll get hit by it," Ryan says.
Ultimately, Lt. Col. Whit Wright, the 1-91 Squadron commander, says the Afghan forces have more pressing needs than fancy equipment.
View the Original article
No comments:
Post a Comment