http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57495797/mother-seeks-answers-in-green-on-blue-attack/ Following excerpt from this site…
Afghanistan police officer kills 2 U.S. troops in latest “green-on-blue” attack
3 U.S. service members dead in second “green-on-blue” attack
“Green on blue” attacks a growing problem
3 U.S. service members dead in second “green-on-blue” attack
“Green on blue” attacks a growing problem
Marine Lance Cpl. Gregory Buckley
(Credit: CBS News)
The rest of us can only imagine her grief but everyone can agree with what she is saying.
“I’m so proud of my son, but this shouldn’t have happened to my son and I want answers,” she said.
A spontaneous wake occurred on the front lawn of their home on Long Island. The local baseball team walked over from the field across the street and stood in stunned silence as Buckley’s father, gasping for breath, tried to comprehend what had happened. “He was gunned down,” he said. “He was gunned down with a weapon that we supplied.”
http://www.stripes.com/news/panetta-acknowledges-taliban-role-in-increased-green-on-blue-attacks-1.185807 Quote from this site…
One of those steps is a “guardian angel” program that would provide security during meetings between NATO and Afghan troops, which Panetta said “involves identifying one individual to stand to the side so that he can watch people’s backs and hopefully identify people who would be involved in these attacks.”
Families need to have some comfort with relative safety of loved ones serving in combat. Usually there is a break in combat for soldiers on the front line, so family members can check in and get some level of comfort “we made it through another day.” But with the increasing danger of surprise attacks from Afghanistan police, there is no safe house or zone for our soldiers to take a safe break from the threat of attack and the stress of war. One encouraging sign is the “guardian angel” program referenced above. This is the same kind of program that is effective when soldiers need to sleep without fear of being killed while in the middle of combat and on the highest level of alert. Whether we talk about it or not families become a part of the battle field and on alert 24/7 when they feel their son or daughter is not safe at anytime, even when in an area is designated as secure. The challenges of moral injury and PTSD become even more exacerbated under these conditions, and the broader implications on family members waiting at home in constant fear must be considered…
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story
Families need to have some comfort with relative safety of loved ones serving in combat. Usually there is a break in combat for soldiers on the front line, so family members can check in and get some level of comfort “we made it through another day.” But with the increasing danger of surprise attacks from Afghanistan police, there is no safe house or zone for our soldiers to take a safe break from the threat of attack and the stress of war. One encouraging sign is the “guardian angel” program referenced above. This is the same kind of program that is effective when soldiers need to sleep without fear of being killed while in the middle of combat and on the highest level of alert. Whether we talk about it or not families become a part of the battle field and on alert 24/7 when they feel their son or daughter is not safe at anytime, even when in an area is designated as secure. The challenges of moral injury and PTSD become even more exacerbated under these conditions, and the broader implications on family members waiting at home in constant fear must be considered…
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story
