Interesting toys to behold ,the Turbo Twister and the Monster Tumbler,within it’s frame Tesla’s light bulbs and silent sound waves might ignite electrical corrents or turn off breaks.Two other could go ahead to scout the ground with archeologest ground penetrating radar and high far length scout cameras and sound detectors. This is only for IEDs.

This is a submission of an unsolicited proposal for Nasa too and it’s engineers on ground robot movement.

An illiterate in the world of Nasa L.M.Roure

thought provoking, well done Nic

As one of the leading news-worthy providers,CNN serves as my favourite medium over the past years due partly to accurate reporting,good analysis and,most importantly,the preofessional competemce of your correspondennts.. Nic is always admired by those of of us keenly following news coming out of world’s hotspots for his exraordinary bravery and determination to unravel mysteries…

Thanks – I’ve smoked that very same cigarette.

We would not need any boots on the ground, if we simply napalmed the opium fields and divert their water sources. Or Monsanto Corp, could develop a opium seed that will not reseed and kills off the indigenous opium plant.

I appreciate you highlighting some of the psychological realities of war our service members and civilians are exposed to on a daily basis in Afghanistan and Iraq. In both theaters, we’re fighting an ememy that blends right into the local populace. This in itself creates an instant fear of the unknown. Yes, with each convoy or foot movement our minds are automatically programmed to accept the fact that we may assume some risks, in particular casualties of war. The adrenaline is pumping, stress levels are heightened, and we become increasingly aware of our operating environments. We are soldiers, but your fears are our fears and through discipline and training we must continue to overcome those fears long enough to get the mission completed. I applaud the many Capt Boyd’s serving in our military.

Thanks for sharing. My son is just home from 15 months in Afghanistan having served with the 2-508 82nd Airborne. Take care of yourself – please tell the troops to take care of themselves and thanks for all they do!

A harrowing tale, Nic. You make it all so vivid. Thank you for your daring and your work. Take care.

Thanks to all our troops, civilians just cannot fully understand what monumental stress and tension our soldiers and those of our allies endure. Its a lot like Vietnam must have been like, no set frontlines, the little boy or girl walking around could be carrying a grenade. If there was more water it would be very hard to tell the two wars apart. Come home safe, soon, well, and God bless you all, THANK YOU.

It’s surprising how the modern West appears so oblivious to any cause and effect logic outside of it’s own propaganda.

Don’t you people stop to think for a moment why there is such support for the Taliban (and growing every day) in Afghanistan, and what the hell your troops are actually doing there??

You’re occupying our country for your own political benefits, bombing our towns, killing our children and supporting corrupt governance that has allowed the opium trade to flourish to pre-Taliban levels.

While the Taliban are indeed ignorant to the true benevolence and mercy of Islam (a common result of our tribal and chauvinistic society and nothing to do with Islam), they were at least honest in their pursuit of justice and in their combat of corruption. The Western media’s reports on their extremism and female oppression were purposefully exaggerated to support the ‘war against terror’, but only during the Taliban’s rule did we experience justice that was above tribal concerns and peace and safety in our towns and villages. They were the first rulers in remembered history to break free of Western markets’ demands for drugs (who do you think buys all the opium and has interests in its growth?? us poor Afghanis??) and to fight this evil industry, with great success.

They are now a highly popular resistance and liberation movement for good reason. I wish you imperialist, control-minded, consumption-bent, falsely-righteous Western people would just leave us be in peace! Haven’t you brought enough damage and sorrow already??

Served with SETAF/173rd Airborne…Very well written and thought provoking. Thanks Nic for bringing a daily routine of so many for so long to those who just dont know. Godspeed….

Thank you Nic!

CNN drop the cutesy stories and put more eyes on the battlefield.

Yes, there is a battlefield. Cats stuck in trees should take second page.

Nic, Well done on a tremendous report. My son has just gone to Afghan last month with the Royal Engineers doing that very job you reported on. Apart from being worried sick, I find it completely unbelievable that in an age when we are capable of doing amazing things with technology that we still have men on the ground looking for IED’s by hand.

Take Care every one working in this difficult environment.

The sooner you are all home the better.

I totally agree with Fatima Mohamed, It’s time to think why everyone hates you guys and the support for Taliban is growing day by day. The truth of the matter is that US government is invading Afghanistan for their own political benefits. If they wanted to liberate Afghanistan, why give power to those whom have caused the problem in first place. All these ministers selected by US supported government were the ones fighting each other to gain power before the Taliban’s. Those who resist invasion are called Taliban’s and killed by the numbers, there’s no TV or Radio to show their side of the story.

Most of them are freedom fighters and have nothing to do with Taliban’s but they are still murdered in numbers and given the name of Taliban. If someone waged war against you US, wouldn’t you pick up your weapon and march to the front line to protect your country. That’s what they are doing and they are being punished for it. So stop fooling your self that they are fighting for a good cause. They are being sacrificed by your government for their own political benefits and not for liberation of Afghanistan or its people.

Well written story…felt like I was there. I’ll be there soon as well…

For Fatima,

Fatima, I understand there is a good amount of destruction and loss of life going on in Afghanistan…that has become our means for an ends: ridding the Taliban from control. And I believe this is the main reason for going there…kill Taliban and Al-Qaeda…those linked to terror cells…and 9/11. This is a war…there are going to be casualities. However you cannot say that we are unrestrained in our bombing and that we have not our fair share in reconstruction.

Therefore, we are doing our duty to our country while being as fair as we can to the afghans.

Now this is not to say the the US and other involved countries are without fault…and that there are not other reasons for us being there…but at least we (in exponential numbers) are flexible minded and are noticing the effects our policies are having throughout the world.

On bringing the Taliban back into power as a better alternative than what Afghans are experiencing now…by god…that’s like supporting terror abroad and peace at home. You said it yourself…do you think it is apropriate for a ruling class to be tribal and chauvinistic?

Not when it effects the rest of the world and brings Afghanistan to where it is now.

Truth is the real casuality.
Also the human beings raise above their self-ego and see the pain and sufferings of the others.
You can fight many more wars on presumtions, coined by the neo-cons.

Ross, I wouldnt worry too much about having a cigarette,just come back safely.Your father would be proud of you.

[...] Night patrol exposes Afghan risks [...]

TO Fatima Muhamed;
When the people of your country allow groups to flourish that then export thier violence to foriegn shores, you will reap the consequence. Had your people lifted a peaceful political group to power and not allowed violent ones, we would not be having this discussion. It is YOUR failure as a people to promote peaceful ways that has led to your occupation.

MAJ Hines, Command General Staff College, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Fort Lee, Virginia. “The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.”

Thanks for highlighting the dangers that our service members are facing on a daily basis. As we continue to fight this Global War on Terrorism in both Iraq and Afghanistan many more warfighters will have to deploy to these countries and will be faced with similar circumstances.

This article reminds me of when I was deployed to Iraq in 2006. I remember attending the daily morning battle update briefs, which highlighted that our convoys encountered improvised explosive devices (IEDs) daily. Remarkably, there were very few casualties. We have to be thankful for the training and protective gear we received prior to and during deployment on how to react to convoy attacks. On the downside, there were a lot of emotional casualties and after strike affects soldiers had to face. As a result, our Chaplains and Psychologists played the role of the “healing” doctors.

Thanks again for the hard work CNN does in providing updates on the situations affecting our military personnel here and abroad.

To address Fatima’s comments first, I would be more than glad to have my family members home and outside your foresaken country. Believe me, I would greatly prefer to leave you to your ancient tribalism and oppressive regimes by yourselves. Unfortunately, your country has allowed the Taliban to thrive within your borders and to export terrorists around the world. Therefore you are held accountable for the actions of your country to the rest of the world. You can throw around every ideological insult you please; however, you might wish to take a good hard look at your country’s recent history first before you judge a country you would be blessed to live in.
Nic, thank you for your report; it is greatly appreciated by those of us at home looking for news.

Being a Pakistani . I understand how easy it is to live with the fear that your family could be the next target of a suicide bomber . These people who are mostly young and sedated with hatred , go out and take down any one . These people could not be humans and no circumstance in the world allows this . The Japs did Kamakazi in WWII and realized this as a futile excercise. The other terrorists organizations in the world do not follow the same suit . There are many in this world who think that they are fighting impearilist regimes but do not go the same way .

I must tell the world that this issue of Taliban is not an issue of Islam at all . It is only an issue of ethinicity and racism . The word “PATHAN” is the main issue . This is the history that whenever these regions and the so called tribes are asked to change their lives ; they wear the slogan of religion and make it as an excuse to raise armies against those who are forcing change . Today , the issue is not Talibanization ; it is only a garb these people are wearing . They infact are fighting for their right of living in stone ages as Pathans or Pashtuns and as they live on both side of the border therefore Afghanistan is part of the problem and the solution both .

I strongly comdem these people as muslims who are downgrading the image of my religion becuase of their racist attitude and making fool of the illiterate people living in their areas by telling them that this is a holy fight . Whereas this is a fight of allowing them to live in the same inhumane way where there is no respect for women and children , no education , thousands of mothers and children die due to non-availability of medical facilities which is non-existing not because no one is willing to provide but because no one is willing to accept .

I condem all those who side with these so called Talibans and are using their names to satiate their own political agenda so just to come into power . Being an Islamic nation , we should have been an example for the region but the so called religios zeal which is nothing but political and racist agenda behind it has ruined not only the image of my Pakistan but also the religion .

I appeal to my muslim brethern . Accept that the problem is within us . Do not let these facist and racist mullahs and radicals play around with your emotions under the name of Islam and settle their own fanatic racist visions .

I suggest that the history of the region is like wild wild west where the jirga system or dialogue is just a tool of convenience where it has desirable effect . I would let the decision makers like Pervez Musharraf and our newly elected government to take actions against these racists . I would appeal the world community to support those who stood by you in this war against terror and do not leave them in the open .

Danish, you certainly have a wonderful grasp of what the Afghan region is all about. Thank you for your insight and I would encourage anyone on this blog to consider Danish’s commentary as that of a local expert. Having been there, and still in the region, I can recognize that Danish is right on the mark in his comments.

We need to solve the problems and issues of Azad Kashmir,Aghanistan and Iraq in a limited time frame with full devotion ,sinceriety.Current activities seems like un-educated old fashioned taditional behaviour to solve the issues.
Give me such a big power porfollio,I promise you to give you end results in few months.
My comments may not be valueable but it is fact .

Boyde, great job you have not changed a bit. Keep on fighting the good fight and I will make sure you have the top cover you need my old mate. Great to see you again!