06/06/2017
One of the most epic special operation missions in the War on Terror -
Coordinating military operations while on horseback with local tribal warlords, the Green Berets accomplished in weeks what many thought would take months, if not years; defeating the Taliban and pushing surviving members of al-Qaeda into the mountains of Pakistan. Soon thereafter, the Green Berets would adopt the familiar title of Horse Soldiers.
- Tiger 02 field report, 25 October, 2001, Northern Afghanistan
In regards to your questions about us and the Northern Alliance just sitting around and doing nothing, let me explain some of the realities on the groundā¦
I am advising a man on how best to employ light infantry and horse cavalry in the attack against the (Russian manufactured) Taliban T-55 Tanks, armored personnel carriers, BTRās, mortars, (D-30) artillery, ZSU (23-2) anti-aircraft guns and machine guns (Dshk and PKM). A tactic which I think became outdated with the invention of the machine gun. I canāt recall the US fighting like this since the Gatling gun destroyed Pancho Villaās charges in the Mexican Civil War in the early 1900ās.
We have done this every day since we hit the ground. The men attack with ten AK-47 bullets per man, with their machine gun (PK) gunners with less than 100 rounds, and with less than 5 rounds per RPG 7 (rocket propelled gr***de launcher). They have little water and less food.
I have observed a PK gunner who walked 10 miles to get into the fight, who was proud to show his artificial right leg from the knee down, caused by a Talib round years ago.
We have witnessed the horse cavalry bounding overwatch from spur to spur against Taliban strong points, the last several kilometers under heavy mortar, ZSU, artillery, RPG, and PK fire...and to carry their wounded from the field.
There is little medical care for the injured, only a donkey ride to the (SF) aid station, which is a mud hut.
We are doing amazingly well with what we have. We have killed over 125 Taliban and captured over 100 while losing only 8 KIA today. Frankly, I am surprised that we havenāt been slaughtered.
We will get better at working things out as we go. It is a challenge just to have food and water for a few days. These folks have nothing. I have ridden 15 miles per day since arriving, yet everywhere I go the civilians and the āMujā soldiers are always telling me they are glad the USA has come here with soldiers and planes to help them kill the Taliban. They all speak of their hopes for a better Afghanistan once the Taliban are gone. We killed the bastards by the bushel full today, and weāll get more tomorrow. The team sends its regards. āTiger 02
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