October 8, 2009
CAIRO – Losing their lives in a futile war that has no obvious purpose, US troops in Afghanistan are growing depressed and deeply disillusioned with the eight-year conflict.
"The many soldiers who come to see us have a sense of futility and anger about being here," Captain Jeff Masengale, of the 10th Mountain Division’s 2-87 Infantry Battalion, told The Times on Thursday, October 8.
"They are really in a state of depression and despair and just want to get back to their families."
US commanders say their soldiers are losing their morale over the ambiguous goals of the Afghan war.
"They are tired, strained, confused and just want to get through," said Captain Sam Rico, of the Division’s 4-25 Field Artillery Battalion.
"They feel they are risking their lives for progress that’s hard to discern."
The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to topple the ruling Taliban and its ally Al-Qaeda.
Since then, the Taliban has launched a protracted guerrilla warfare against the US-led forces, rendering heavy losses to the foreign troops.
Eight US troops were killed in a daring Taliban attack on Saturday, the deadliest attack on foreign troops in more than a year.
The growing Taliban attacks have made 2009 the worst year for the US-led foreign troops since the 2001 US-led invasion.
Some 394 soldiers have died so far this year, 236 of them Americans, according to a tally of coalition deaths by the independent icasualties.org website.
More than 1,430 soldiers have died since 2001.
"We’re Lost"
Most US soldiers don’t know the purpose of their mission in the central Asian Muslim country.
"We’re lost — that’s how I feel," said Specialist Raquime Mercer, 20, who lost a friend in an attack by an Afghan policeman last week.
"I’m not exactly sure why we’re here.
"I need a clear-cut purpose if I’m going to get hurt out here or if I’m going to die," added Mercer, who has lost many colleagues in Taliban attacks.
A hundred soldiers of the battalion have also been flown home with amputations, severe burns and other injuries likely to cause permanent disability.
"Soldiers want definite answers, other than to stop the Taliban, because that almost seems impossible. It’s hard to catch someone you can’t see," said Mercer.
Sergeant Christopher Hughes, 37, from Detroit, who lost six colleagues in Taliban attacks, agrees.
"If I knew exactly what the mission was, probably so, but I don’t."
The ferocity of the war has also left its stamp on the soldiers, with many suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
"They’re tired, frustrated, scared. A lot of them are afraid to go out but will still go," said specialist Sergeant Erika Cheney.
Many soldiers suffer nightmares, sleeplessness and anger attacks.
"Everyone you meet is just down, and you meet them everywhere — in the weight room, dining facility, getting mail," said Captain Rico.
"It’s a very frustrating mission," added Lieutenant Peter Hjelmstad, 2-87’s Medical Platoon Leader.
"The average soldier sees a friend blown up and his instinct is to retaliate or believe it’s for something [worthwhile], but it’s not like other wars where your buddy died but they took the hill.
"There’s no tangible reward for the sacrifice."
Captain Masengale, a soldier for 12 years before he became a chaplain, is also frustrated.
"We want to believe in a cause but we don’t know what that cause is."
The Afghan war, in addition to Iraq, is also leaving its stamp on the soldiers’ families.
"They’re killing families," Caption Masengale said.
"Divorces are skyrocketing. PTSD is off the scale. There have been hundreds of injuries that send soldiers home and affect families for the rest of their lives."
US commanders say that most soldiers no longer want to stay in Afghanistan.
"All they want to do is make it home alive and go back to their wives and children and visit the families who have lost husbands and fathers over here. It comes down to just surviving," said Captain Masengale.
Sergeant Hughes has the same hope.
"If we make it back with ten toes and ten fingers the mission is successful."
