US Special Forces in Mazar-e-Sharif (pics)

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - US Special Forces in Mazar-e-Sharif (pics)

Posted: 11/26/2001 5:22:32 PM EDT

[img]http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20011126/capt.1006795325afghanistan_attacks_uprising_xdrb110.jpg[/img]
U.S. special operation troops get out of their vehicle before meeting the local northern alliance commander in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, Monday, Nov. 26, 2001. The commander soldiers were fighting pro-Taliban forces at a fortress nearby where dozens of captives loyal to Osama bin Laden were said to be fighting to the death. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

Posted: 11/26/2001 5:23:33 PM EDT

[#1]

[img]http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20011126/capt.1006794973afghanistan_attacks_uprising_xdrb109.jpg[/img]

Think they grew beards to do some undercover work?

Posted: 11/26/2001 5:24:04 PM EDT

[#2]

[img]http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20011126/capt.1006794932afghanistan_attacks_uprising_xdrb108.jpg[/img]

Posted: 11/26/2001 5:32:27 PM EDT

[#3]

Man, oh man! Look at the beards on those rascals! Oh well, when in Rome do as the Romans!

Eric The(BeardedSinceBirth)Hun[>]:)]

Posted: 11/26/2001 5:40:52 PM EDT

[#4]

I like the "dingleberries" hanging from the front window of the SUV... What's the NSN on those ?

Posted: 11/26/2001 5:58:44 PM EDT

[#5]

Notice how he puts his glove on before he shakes the dudes hand.

What kind of optics are on his rifle in the first pick?

Posted: 11/27/2001 2:51:36 AM EDT

[#6]

Looks like an AN/PAQ2 laser designator in the first picture.

Posted: 11/27/2001 6:08:57 AM EDT

[#7]

i know it's supposed to hinder a perfect seal around breathing equipment but i think all branches of military should be able to grow beards. no goats (not you goatboy), just beards.

OffRoad

Posted: 11/27/2001 6:32:28 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Notice how he puts his glove on before he shakes the dudes hand.
quote]

How the hell do you know that is what he's doing? What are you some kind of Cleric? [;D]Maybe he's putting it back on from shaking his hand.

Posted: 11/27/2001 7:39:58 AM EDT

[#9]

Because he's exiting the vehicle without gloves on. Touchy much?

Look at the SF guy in the last picture ogling that dudes AK. Get over it man! You've got an M4!

Posted: 11/27/2001 7:46:26 AM EDT

[#10]

[b]Another fake photo[/b]

Check out the dingle balls in the SUV they drove up in. That's Mexico!!!! [:D]

Posted: 11/27/2001 12:16:04 PM EDT

[#11]

[img]http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20011127/capt.1006877714afghanistan_us_attacks_xdrb125.jpg[/img]
Two U.S. special operations forces officers walk as northern alliance troops fight pro-Taliban forces, in a fortress prison near Mazar-e-Sharif, northern Afghanistan, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2001. Northern alliance fighters helped by U.S. special forces claimed Tuesday to have quashed an uprising by captured Taliban after a third day of fierce fighting around a fortress prison. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

I don't know. These guys look more "company" than regular military.

Posted: 11/27/2001 12:17:09 PM EDT

[#12]

[img]http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20011127/capt.1006877947afghanistan_us_attacks_xdrb124.jpg[/img]

Posted: 11/27/2001 12:17:46 PM EDT

[#13]

[img]http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20011127/capt.1006878110afghanistan_us_attacks_xdrb123.jpg[/img]

Posted: 11/27/2001 12:22:07 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
[b]Another fake photo[/b]

Check out the dingle balls in the SUV they drove up in. That's Mexico!!!! [:D]

View Quote

I've seen these "dingle balls" in the Middle East too.

Posted: 11/27/2001 12:25:48 PM EDT

[#15]

[img]http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20011127/capt.1006873528afghanistan_us_attacks_xdrb106.jpg[/img]

Some sort of "stealth" transportation?

Posted: 11/27/2001 12:39:31 PM EDT

[#16]

c'mon, beards, long hair, NO INSIGNIA WHATSOEVER ON THE "UNIFORMS"... not military, gov't employees...but not military. maybe former military, if you get my drift.

No_Expert

Posted: 11/27/2001 1:27:26 PM EDT

[#17]

Just my half-baked guess, but I wonder if the beards aren't part of the uniform of the day. Really, even in civilian ranks, how often to you see almost 100% of US men wearing beards (well grown and trimmed, I might add, not one-week-stubble).

Maybe they think that it will help bridge the cultural gap in working with the Northern Alliance. I don't know all that much about the different cultures of these different tribes, but that's my take on this.

Posted: 11/27/2001 1:44:14 PM EDT

[#18]

Thumbhole is right. those 2 guys are Virginia Farmboys without a doubt!!! the guys with the SATCOM gear are Delta all the way. they rarely wear rank insignia in the fireld that ive seen

Posted: 11/27/2001 1:55:10 PM EDT

[#19]

That was awesome. Thanks.

Posted: 11/27/2001 2:34:20 PM EDT

[#20]

I noticed that a few of them traded in the M4s for something a bit more appropriate for this party.

Posted: 11/27/2001 2:48:48 PM EDT

[#21]

The guys in Civvies with AK's are CIA paramilitary operatives.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - US Special Forces in Mazar-e-Sharif (pics)

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