Afghanistan: Our Latest Viet Nam

Afghanistan: Learn from History

The past is a great educator. We learn as children not to touch fire or you will be burned. How hard is it to learn that lesson concerning Afghanistan?

The former Soviet Union fought in Afghanistan for 10 years (1979 – 1989) resulting in a retreat that made Dunkirk (World War II) look like a social outing.

The mighty red bear, at the time, had one of the most formidable military forces in the world. The Soviets found they simply were outmatched by the less-equipped Mujahideen and Taliban forces. By the end of 10th year, the Soviet Union withdrew their forces with the equivalent of a bloody nose and a few broken teeth. Ten years of fighting did not reduce the Mujahideen and Taliban forces to submission. Why do we anticipate a better ending for our Amercian forces?

The best illustration I can give of how frustrated the Soviets must have been comes in the form of air superiority. The Mujahideen and Taliban had no helicopters, no aircraft whatsoever, however, they grounded one of the mightiest air forces in the world. The Mujahideen and Taliban would sit at the end of Soviet airfields and wait for aircraft to either take-off or land. When an aircraft came within range, they would fire hand-held surface-to-air missiles (Stingers) and shoot the Soviet plans and helicopters out of the sky. This resulted in huge aircraft graveyards at the end of Soviet runways. Surely a test of nerves for any Soviet pilot.

The Stingers were provided by the United States. Remember all of this occurred during the Cold War when the US was at odds politically with the Soviet Union. The Cold War won by the West with the tearing down of the Berlin Wall in the 80’s during the Reagan administration.

The Stinger is 5 feet long, 2.75 inches in diameter, and weighs about 34 pounds. It is easy to operate and is fired from the shoulder – truly point and shoot. It can be fired up to 5 miles from the target and shoot down helicopters and other low-flying planes. The US decided to send Stingers to Afghanistan was part of a multibillion-dollar U.S. program to arm the Mujahideen. “The Stingers neutralized Soviet air power and marked a strategic turning point in the war,” says Vincent Cannistraro, a former CIA officer involved in the Afghan operation.

Today, the US is not experiencing air superiority problems. Our issues lie in being able to find and contain the enemy. Similar to the same issues experienced during the Viet Nam war. In Viet Nam, the Viet Cong were illusive. You could locate evidence of the Viet Cong operating in a given area but you never could quite lay your hands on them. This comes from knowing your neighborhood so to speak.

During the Cold War the US military was geared toward fighting large engagements like those fought in World War II. Our adversary was anticipated to be the Soviets and Warsaw Pact nations. Gorilla warfare – insurgencies – has never really been our strength. The US’s most recent learning experience with these smaller, but highly intense engagements, came during the more current Iraqi war. Fighting house to house is much different than fighting in the hills and valleys of Afghanistan. Our military is evolving quickly to undertake these type of assignments and the learning curve is step for sure. But remember, the “enemy” forces in Afghanistan have been fighting this way for well over 30 years and they are good at it. These forces are simple yet sophisticated in their tactics, communications, and organization. Make no mistakes, they are a force that rivals to any opposition we’ve fought in years.

Our politicians seem to believe that more soldiers, marines, and sailors will give us the edge in Afghanistan. Better strategy will force the enemy to dissolve. I’m sorry but its not working. How long will it be before the United States learns from history? How many lives will be lost in the name of freedom? What national security interests are there in Afghanistan that need protection? I cant’ answer these questions. Our current administration needs to rethink this mess and develop another solution. Our options are simple: withdraw, win, or compromise. Either way, I feel a bloody nose is coming.