Camp Leatherneck turned over to Afghan Forces...Your take?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 11:06:03 -0400

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20141026/NEWS08/310260023/Marines-end-mission-Afghanistan-after-13-years

This weeekend ISAF forces turned over control over Camp Leatherneck and Camp Bastion in the hotly contested Helmand Province over to the Afghan National Forces. What is your take?
When I deployed in 2011, this was my jump off point for all of my convoys that I provided security to and we operated in Sangin all the way up to the Kajaki Dam...Leatherneck is HUGE. They had all of the amenities between Leatherneck and Bastion and it was always nice for the couple of days that we had back before we pushed back out because we could get all of our supplies like dip/monster/snacks very easily.

My prediction for Leatherneck and Afghanistan in general is the same I had for Iraq (I remember sitting in a chowhall on Leatherneck and watching the last convoy roll out of Iraq and into Kuwait on FoxNews, ironically). It won't take long for Afghanistan to lose it's democratic system and recess back into Taliban hands. As for Leatherneck, it will get scrapped out for Jingle Truck accessories and IEDs...

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 27 at 2014 11:18 AM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 11:18:02 -0400

Unfortunately, I think it's going to be similar to the Iraq situation.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 11:21 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 11:21:13 -0400

Typical and short-sighted policy.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 12:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 12:27:07 -0400

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20141027/NEWS/310270036/After-base-handoff-last-Marines-depart-Afghanistan?sf33040336=1

Just to caveat on this earlier story. Not only have we given Leatherneck over, the United States Marine Corps is officially out of Helmand Province...

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 27 at 2014 12:30 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 12:30:07 -0400

What could possibly go wrong?

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Oct 27 at 2014 5:42 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 17:42:18 -0400

Insurgency controlled in oh about 4-5 months at the longest....

Response by COL George Antochy made Oct 28 at 2014 10:45 AM

COL George Antochy — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 10:45:28 -0400

My concern is with the equipment that we have left to the Afghan Army. Their loyalties are questionable at best, and this is the drug center of Afghanistan, so have we just given these drug growers and smugglers the best weaponry in the world. As has been proven in Iraq, what we leave behind becomes our next target to destroy. These decisions are short sighted in my opinion.

Response by CPO Rick Felty made Oct 28 at 2014 3:16 PM

CPO Rick Felty — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:16:42 -0400

It will be just like North Vietnam taking South Vietnam, once we are gone. All for naught, like Iran. Was taken over after we left. The same will happen to South Korea if we EVER pull out.

These are not OUR wars, we have. Troubles here at home we need to tend to. I just feel sorry for all the men and women that died for naught. We need to pull out of. All foreign skirmishes .

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 28 at 2014 7:09 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 19:09:36 -0400

Hilarious!!! I have a picture of that signed that spelled Leatherneck wrong hahaha!!!

Response by Cpl Joshua Wehrman made Oct 29 at 2014 9:13 AM

Cpl Joshua Wehrman — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 09:13:51 -0400

The Taliban will have control of it rapidly even tho there may not be a very strong presence there now that is just because the know if they stand out they will not last long. The question real question to me is. 1 If we leave and the Taliban does take it over is it our problem? 2 Will we have to go back in there? 3 How long can we or should we stay there IMO you can't kill an idea, as long as there has been religion there has been extremist. Is this a war that can be won I personally think not. This is just the tip of the iceberg ladies and gentleman I could go on for days about this stuff but I'll quit here thanks if you read all this lol

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 4:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 16:23:03 -0400

Thanks for your input everyone...Only time will tell what will happen...