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Can anyone familiar with SF Ops shed some light on the Niger patrol? The four deceased were from 3rd Group Bragg. Two others were wounded - no details. The four dead were a SF Engr, a SF Medic, an NBC NCO, and a Sgt vehicle mechanic. Reports are that the CAS was provided by French but they were not authorized to expend ordnance and did a flyover. They were allegedly returned by a French contractor craft. The Sgt was not recovered for 48 hours. Maybe the wounded were the primary shooters, but the mix of MOS's doesn't look like anything I'd be familiar with on a Recon patrol. Not trying to slam anyone and am sorry for the losses. Just wondering what is up.
| Military Times
Posted from thefallen.militarytimes.com
Special Forces
Intelligence
Special Operations
ISIS
Posted 7 y ago
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We have been doing Hart's and mind mission there for over years. My last Battlion had what we call a Det there supporting CA and ODA elements. Our mission was helping the villagers with road improvements, and schools. The SOF guys CA and ODA have lead on these projects, as in they are building local friendships and Target folder of the Area for future OPS if needed. These operations are being conducted all over Africa.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
Thanks for the info. I caught some feed from a couple of retired Army officers but they didn't provide much detail. I know that presence of certain NGOs have other purposes than the obvious mission. Things like MEDCAPs or whatever allow presence and presence leads to info. It builds trust but it's also a way to have folks there that don't appear as military oriented. A friend was USMC captain that was involved with the CAPs in Viet Nam. They had the cover of helping the villages but they were also in the neighborhood to keep an eye on things and call for fire or support if things got out of hand.
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CPO (Join to see)
Yes, we joked about being cover while doing are projects and helping people in these areas. CA and ODA elements come out at beginning and take all the glory at the end photo ops and stuff like that.
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William I spent the majority of my time in SF. I will say the task org for any patrol for SF depends on the mission. There are a million variables that went into the task org they could be very simple and could be very complicated or classified. I will say it is not uncommon for SF guys to be the only good guys working deep in bad guy country. Ref the CAS, I had a similar thing happen in Afghanistan, and yes it was the french. They got there quick because they had fast movers but they did not do anything when they got there. William I know I did not help at all, however, without debriefing the TM it is all speculation at this point.
I will also say it breaks my heart no matter who it is but when it is SF guys it is worse. DOL
I will also say it breaks my heart no matter who it is but when it is SF guys it is worse. DOL
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LTC Jeff Shearer
CC, you could not be more right. Right, wrong or indifferent the families will go through a million different feelings.
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FLINTLOCK Exercise 2014 - Niger, Africa
Flintlock Exercise 2014 - Flintlock is an annual Africa-led multinational military training exercise. Special Operations teams from western nations gather to...
Usually a 12 man team (ODA) - there were in a convoy with Nigerian troops on a ‘reconnaissance patrol” when the attack occurred - A multi-national force of American, Nigerien, and French forces responded to the incident.
From what I see - a non-SF NBC KIA - possible they were looking for a terrorist connected to Niger’s uranium mining.
The big issue in the area is in the use of Berry Aviation. There are the only contractor in Niger or Burkina Faso under CASEVAC [casualty evacuation] contract for U.S. Africa Command and I think they only own fixed wing air frames.
There are other US units that support AFRICOM in the region but are outside the golden hour - I would bet however most in AFRICOM would agree - golden hour is not possible in certain parts.
I think this is reason for the 2 day delay in recovering the fourth casualty.
Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, or SPMAGTF, equipped with MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotors and KC-130 aerial tankers, in Spain
A team of U.S. Navy SEALs at the Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, Italy
And a company of Army troops that formed the East Africa Response Force, paired up with U.S. Air Force aircraft in Djibouti.
As well not sure if any of these units were put on alert.
This is purely speculation and me guessing but this is anything but another Benghazi - media should be asking how the JV ISIS got a foothold in Africa (collapse of Libya) and has now spread deep into Central Africa.
Here's a video that gives you some idea of the U.S. military's mission in the country.
https://youtu.be/VudbzRCce8I
From what I see - a non-SF NBC KIA - possible they were looking for a terrorist connected to Niger’s uranium mining.
The big issue in the area is in the use of Berry Aviation. There are the only contractor in Niger or Burkina Faso under CASEVAC [casualty evacuation] contract for U.S. Africa Command and I think they only own fixed wing air frames.
There are other US units that support AFRICOM in the region but are outside the golden hour - I would bet however most in AFRICOM would agree - golden hour is not possible in certain parts.
I think this is reason for the 2 day delay in recovering the fourth casualty.
Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, or SPMAGTF, equipped with MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotors and KC-130 aerial tankers, in Spain
A team of U.S. Navy SEALs at the Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, Italy
And a company of Army troops that formed the East Africa Response Force, paired up with U.S. Air Force aircraft in Djibouti.
As well not sure if any of these units were put on alert.
This is purely speculation and me guessing but this is anything but another Benghazi - media should be asking how the JV ISIS got a foothold in Africa (collapse of Libya) and has now spread deep into Central Africa.
Here's a video that gives you some idea of the U.S. military's mission in the country.
https://youtu.be/VudbzRCce8I
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SPC David S.
While Assad has been known to bury WMD's to avoid inspections I think his WMD days are long over any thing he buried had a limited shelf life. On Benghazi it seem the MSM is looking to spin this - that comment wasn't directed towards you - sorry for any confusion. As for FAST - as our troops are now being engaged I think the resources and locations of FAST elements supporting AFRICOM needs to be reconsidered. Yes I have seen some weird MOS mixes - direct action/indirect action kind of stuff - FOG/ISA - depends on the mission.
I myself never got to work with MEU(SOC).
I myself never got to work with MEU(SOC).
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CPO (Join to see)
After looking at make up of the team, I have worked with SOF on some of these HA/CA missions and this looks like it was an ODB team, they have a NBC or Logistics NCO none SF qualified on this B teams.
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CWO3 (Join to see)
SPC David S. - I didn't take issue at all. Due to sensitivity of the incident I realized after reading my post that it could easily create that impression. The media gas-lighting hasn't helped that either. We've about hit rock bottom when we use death for political gain.
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