First, I really feel for those guys. I’ve been out in the breeze and NOT gotten that treatment, but it was always our “nightmare scenario.” Those guys lived it, and some of them died in it. My heart goes out to all of them.

Don’t make any conclusions about who planned and organized it. By the sheer numbers of RPG rockets employed, it was a very serious effort that was well-planned. Arab-speakers operate in this area, so any effort of this magnitude would very well have had their involvement. Remember also that there is information that the Jaish e Mohammad has shifted from the Kashmir to Afghanistan. They are used to fighting against the Indian Army and would be pretty proficient.

I was in the Tag Ab, Nijrab, and Ala Say districts of Kapisa Province at this time last year. The terrain isn’t nearly as tight there, but it is mountainous, and it was daylight by 4:30… at least BMNT. Not having night vision, the ACM would need at least BMNT to engage with that accuracy. It is also a local TTP to attack after morning prayers. That’s why they attacked when they did.

The locals usually aren’t very accurate with their weapons. AK zeroing requires a specific tool, and they don’t shoot the AK’s much. Ammo is too precious and it draws attention. Same with the RPG’s… little practice, and they tend to do the old “spray and pray… Allah will guide my bullets.” Fighters in Kunar tend to be more accurate, from what I know, than most, but it’s very possible that there were some outsiders involved; even likely, given all the other variables that point in that direction.

They were making a statement.

Yes, COP’s are usually covered by indirect, but they would always hesitate to fire indirect into a village.

Side note; I read that they arrested the Police Chief of Waygal. I met that guy once (if they haven’t changed him out since then.)

Interesting.

Again, these guys lived the nightmare. We very often operate in very small teams in remote locations. Many times we survive at the pleasure of the locals and/or the amount of resources they have at hand and their commitment to use it. All of those factors came against Chosen Company. They clearly fought like hell. That 1LT clearly did his best that morning, and he died going outside the wire to reinforce the OP.

No, those men were not victims. They were warriors who fought in the worst imaginable scenario in Afghanistan. I am awestruck.