Dispatches from Afghanistan tell the story through a soldier’s eyes

I follow Michael Yon’s dispatches from Afghanistan. Michael is writing about the war, just as he did in Iraq. Yon is a former Green Beret, so his perspective is that of an experienced combat special forces soldier. He is also a photographer of no little talent. His visuals and his writing give an excellent perspective on our soldiers, what they have to endure, the hard job that they have, and, interestingly, how the Afghanis live. His reporting has led to the dismissal of two general officers, one Canadian and one American, for incompetence.

His photography is particularly compelling. He has a specially modified Canon SLR that will capture infrared allowing him to photograph using infra red light sources. His dispatches have pictures taken at night from the light of artillery shells that give off infra red light when they explode. His photos of the Kopp-Etchells effect of helicopter rotor blades at night are fascinating. His photos of the night sky in Afghanistan unfettered by light pollution are simply beautiful.

Yon’s photos of the Afghans themselves are colorful and give a glimpse into the lives of a people who live largely in what we would term third world squalor without electricity, water, or septic systems, but who also have cellphones, motorized vehicles and modern AK47s.

I like what he writes, because it is direct without the political machinations. There is no spin on Yon’s part. What he writes is direct, personal and weighed from the perspective of an experienced combat soldier. If he criticizes, he does so from the perspective of having been there, done that. His writing reflects his experience.

Here at home, our journalists ignore corruption, abuse of power and affronts to our Constitutional rule of law.

In the mean time, Michael Yon continues to write about heroes, men and women who do a hard job at great personal risk so that the fight stays there, and does not come here.

Not much is written in the mainstream press. It is as if Afghanistan is now a forgotten war.

Yon’s pictures show American heroes at their best, in the field doing their job of killing the Taliban. He also shows them in ragged uniforms that have failed after three days in the field. The troops left to wear torn pants for however long the operation continues. This situation is an embarrassment and needs to be corrected immediately.

Michael Yon soldiers on and risks his life along with the troops he writes about. He is a breath of fresh air in this time of compromised standards and political agendas in contrast to the high standards and integrity that once was the hallmark of the fourth estate. The reporters of renown are gone, replaced by the two-minute sound-bite attention span of the vacuous 20-somethings with salon cuts that cost more than the suits worn by their predecessors of the past.

Call or write U.S. Sen. Mark Begich’s office, since he is on the Armed Service Committee of the Senate, and ask him why we have troops in rags, too few helos in Afghanistan, and Army medical evacuation helicopters flying missions unarmed?

I have tried phone calls and e-mails to his Washington office, and to his Armed Services Committee aide, Lindsey Kavanaugh. No response. Too busy, I guess. Maybe you will have better luck. But at least try.

Our troops are fighting an enemy that is not a signatory to any convention. Why do we still pretend that this war is against a nation-state that has signed the “civilized” conventions setting forth the conduct of the antagonists?

This nation needs to end adherence to the Geneva Convention provision that causes the Army to disarm medical evacuation helicopters. Red crosses protect nothing and are a good target for enemy gunners. They know that the medical evacuation helos are unarmed. The Army’s med evac helos need to be armed, and classed the same as the USAF’s Pedros in Afghanistan, which are heavily armed.

Google “Michael Yon” and read his dispatches. His photography is outstanding, and his writing, direct without political posturing.

Larry Wood is a 57 year Alaskan resident living in Palmer, and a businessman.