Fitaloon at MicroShaft

UK Forces fighting in Helmland

I posted earlier on the huge headline in the Independent about a secret plan by Gordon Brown to reduce forces in Afghanistan by 1,500. The actual story is a bit of a strange one as it doesn’t really document how this figure is worked out. We knew that 700 troops currently in Afghanistan were due back after the election as they were only temporarily assigned to provided extra protection and allow the Afghans to vote safely. Where the other 800 comes from seem to be contained within this statement in the article.

The Independent on Sunday established that Gordon Brown wants to bring up to 1,500 service personnel home from the war-torn country after its elections next month, seemingly on grounds of cost.

Later on in the article it tells us that

But a senior MoD source yesterday said the Prime Minister wanted up to 1,500 personnel pulled out of Afghanistan once the election campaign is concluded. The decision conflicts with demands for an Obama-style surge to defeat the Taliban threat, and comes only weeks after Mr Brown rejected a request from defence chiefs for 2,000 more troops.

Whatever is the true answer on Troop numbers it seems obvious that Brown wants to cut costs whilst his Chancellor is promising any amount of money.

This is the typical Labour ineptitude shown up, this time though it is likely costing the lives of our Armed forces. Compare and Contrast the following two stories.

1. The story of Private Robbie Laws who died last week in Afghanistan whilst helping in the dangerous job of Mine Clearing – It is a story of brave soldiers doing a job with inadequate equipment and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
2. The story of the US military doing the same job but this time doing it with the right equipment and nobody being hurt.

This is probably just the tip of the iceberg when we compare equipment and resources available to our forces versus those available to the US.

Hattip: Defence of the Realm for the story of two armies.

Revealed: Brown’s secret plan to cut Afghanistan force by 1,500 – UK Politics, UK – The Independent.