Monday, September 07, 2009

Michael Yon with British Troops in Helmand

Michael Yon who?
American Citizen and former United States Army Green Beret, turned Author and Reporter. He recently spent approximately a month with British Forces (for whom he has a lot of respect) in Helmand Province and spent his time living and patrolling with the 2nd Rifles (a Unit he had previously spent time with in Iraq). His stay would have been longer, but the Ministry of Defence (bless them) took umbrage at this report Michael filed on the 24th August 2009 entitled: Bad Medicine

However an even more interesting Blog Post was made on the 31st August and although it discusses the Afghan Elections as a future event (and was posted after they were held) is a must read for the realities of the War in Afghanistan: Precision Voting

Michael is moving on, but not back home, instead now trying to get permission to embed with US Forces. In the meantime he has filed a story that was published in the New York Daily News on the 6th September:
New Afghan war: Frontline correspondent says fight has morphed – but we still can't afford to lose
This makes sombre reading (especially from a British prespective), but is an article that it is too important to ignore.

Update: 08th September 2009 Another fascinating article on being with the British Troops in Helmand. Although posted today. the article is based on a patrol just prior to his permission to remain with British Forces was revoked. The title of the Article is Misleading, but it is really worth reading: Eight Years After 9/11



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