Operational Issues
Civilian deaths caused by allied operations had increased sympathy among Waygal residents for the Taliban, who were allowed to move into the Quam. The residents may have been further dismayed by the failure of the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, to address the concerns of a delegation of Spin Giri's and Malik's in Kabul two days previously.
Coalition troops had noticed other warning signs. The day before the attack, the Spin Giri's, (Influential,tribal elders), of Wanat conducted a Jirga, (Elder Community Council-Experienced male members of the Quam have a right to attend), without the post's Officer-in-Charge. As well, the villagers began pouring waste water into an area of dead space near the post more frequently, which may have concealed the movement of militants within the village.
A 2009 US Army report criticized the brigade commander, COL Preysler, and the battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ostlund, citing the lack of supplies, equipment, and drinking water for troops stationed in Wanat. At the same time, the report noted the incredible performance of the unit under fire.
The same report criticized the actions of the involved commanding officers as being counterproductive to military goals, stating that "The highly kinetic approach favored by TF Rock...rapidly and inevitably degraded the relationships between the US Army and the Waigal population."
This statement, portraying the operational approaches of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (TF Bayonet) and 2-503 PIR (TF Rock) in a negative light, is contradicted by David Kilcullin in his book, The Accidental Guerilla. Kilcullin stated that in March 2008,
The fact that Kunar has bucked the general trend seems largely to be the result of a consistent U.S. strategy of partnering with local communities to separate the insurgents from the people, bring tangible benefits of governance and development to the population, and help the population choose their own local Khan's(Protectors,usually military), through elections.
Kilcullin also noted a statement by a previous U.S. commander in Kunar regarding LTC William Ostlund, the 2-503 commander: "Bill O. understood deeply that the effect of Coalition operations on the people was the key question."
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Wanat
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