In War Murphy Always Wins

According to reports tracing back to a highly placed and usually reliable source, General David Petraeus via Prime Minister David Cameron, the kidnapped British (Scots actually) aid worker employed by an American company in Afghanistan died as the result of friendly fire on the part of the Special Forces rescue force.  The reported cause of the woman's death was a grenade.  It has not been stated if the grenade in question was hand thrown or fired from a rifle mounted launcher.

That distinction is critical.  If the lethal weapon was a hand thrown fragmentation grenade, it was bad enough.  If, however, the grenade was of the launched sort, it was a misuse of force which may not be criminal but was blatantly stupid.

Hostage rescue is a most demanding tactical operation.  That is why certain units, the SAS in the UK or Delta and other forces in the US, were tasked with and trained for the incredibly difficult job of forcible entry, very prompt neutralization of all hostiles, and securing unharmed the hostage(s.)  Carried out in the hours of darkness and normally in confined spaces, the requirements of split second timing, coordination, weapons control, swift and perfectly orchestrated movement are legion.  The opportunities for lethal error are also manifold.

The first prerequisite for a successful hostage rescue (other than having a team which is fully trained and properly equipped for the task) is detailed intelligence regarding the physical layout of the area where the hostage(s) is held as well as the number, placement, armament, and other relevant details of the hostage takers.  Right now it is an open question as to whether or not this level of actionable intelligence was available to the rescuers.  Also, an open question exists as to whether or not sufficient time for briefing and (highly desirable) rehearsal was available.

The overarching question yet to be answered was the most basic: Were the members of the rescue party properly trained, equipped, and prepared for the mission?  Quite frankly, simple Special Forces training and experience is not sufficient preparation for a hostage rescue mission.  Even the most able and experienced Special Forces or SEAL troopie is not automatically qualified for this sort of thing.  The necessity of a properly trained team (put emphasis on the last word as hostage rescue even more than typical combat operations is a team matter, remember split second timing of orchestrated fire and movement in dark, close quarters) is more urgent if the pre-op intelligence is scant and time prohibits rehearsal.

Presumably, these questions and others, such as why were launched explosive grenades authorized, will be raised by the forthcoming joint UK-US investigation.  It may even be that the investigators will look into the matter of why American rather than British assets were employed?  Was it a matter of time?  Or, were appropriate British assets not available in theater?

Presumably, the investigators will examine the question of time.  This is the key issue when considering the alternative of gaining Ms Norgrove's release by negotiation.  Local Afghan officials have maintained that the local tribal elders were ready and willing to engage in palaver with the bad guys.  The family of the deceased has already been rather vehement on this, and it is to be expected the negotiation issue will be widely raised by politicians and media types--particularly those whose ignorance of war is surpassed only by their desire to see the US either out of or defeated in Afghanistan.

An unpleasant reality is any person kidnapped by members of groups espousing violent political Islam had best be considered dead the moment they are seized.  This does not imply that negotiations (provided they give the thugs nothing meaningful) nor forcible rescue attempts should not be considered, planned, and executed if appropriate.  Rather, it means the family of the victim and the media should be told to hold no specific hope, no positive expectations.  This is harsh but utterly necessary in order to inhibit future kidnappings for political or monetary ransom.

This approach demands a very stern "Birkenhead drill" on the part of governments, and, even more, the family.  There is a model--and an inspiration--for this.  Years ago an American Marine officer was kidnapped, held by one of those old style secular Arab terror outfits in Lebanon.  He was tortured and ultimately murdered.  Imagery of the butchered body were made available.  The officer's wife--another Marine--from the beginning of her ordeal played the stiff upper lip role with fine distinction, at one time saying that she had to consider her husband dead, but if he returned it would be as Lazarus--but far more warmly welcomed.

Her performance in its bravery and complete integrity is a tough act to emulate.  However, considering the nature of the enemy today--barbarically indifferent to killing or dying, fully committed to a religiously derived agenda, lacking any ethic beyond winning--no other manner of dealing with the phenomenon is feasible.

At the same time it is incumbent upon the senior command in Afghanistan to be certain that properly trained and equipped teams are available immediately in theater.  National pride cannot be allowed to interfere with hostage rescue.  It does not matter what the nationality of the victim is--all that counts is the capacity of the team(s) on call.  If SAS is best--use it.  If an American unit is best, then use it.

The inadvertent, certainly unintended death of Ms Norgrove is a tragedy not only for her family and friends.  It is a misfortune of the first degree for the US force involved and for the US effort generally as it provides ammunition for those who oppose continued operations in Afghanistan or elsewhere against the advocates of violent political Islam.

This means the US, the UK, and other forces must study what went wrong in the rescue attempt and put the proper reforms in place--quickly.  As sure as Muslims pray five times a day there will be more snatches in Afghanistan.  The snatch is a tool becoming ever more popular with the Mighty Warriors of the One True Faith not only in Afghanistan but wherever the Thugs of the Koran are present.