NPR recently did a five-part series entitled Afghanistan, The Lingering War.

You can listen to those stories here…

Series Overview: The War Against Insurgents Rages
Part 1: Military Leaders See Mixed Results
Part 2: Taliban’s Shifting Tactics Define Afghan Conflict
Part 3: NATO’s Role in Afghanistan Strains Alliance
Part 4: Government Woes Hamper Rebuilding
Part 5: Too Much Power in Karzai’s Hands, Critics Say

Related to part 3, because of the strain, the US is bringing some Marines to Afghanistan. This was from January.

The Marine Corps will deploy approximately 3,200 Marines and sailors to Afghanistan in response to a specific request for additional forces from the NATO-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander in Afghanistan.

These seven-month deployments are scheduled to begin this spring and will enable commanders in Afghanistan to maintain the initiative against the Taliban and reinforce NATO-ISAF.

The bulk of the additional forces will come from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Comprised of about 2,200 Marines and sailors, the MEU is scheduled to deploy aboard amphibious shipping. It will join Regional Command South and conduct full-spectrum operations.

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit inspect their Operation Enduring Freedom unit deployment cargo containers on the USNS Algol at the strategic seaport of Wilmington, NC, Feb. 2, 2008. The cargo was loaded on the Navy ship in preparation for the 24th MEU OEF deployment to Afghanistan. (photo by Master Sgt. Kevin Young, 841st Transportation Battalion)

Today, the Marine Corps had this story about a special ops unit in Helmand Province.

Most have heard stories about Force “Recon,” but they may not familiar with the role of a Marine special operations company. A couple weeks here with a Marine Special Operations Company deployed from the 1st Special Operations Battalion in Camp Pendleton will change that.
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The MSOC Marines, based out of a forward operating base in central Helmand Province, operated at a much faster pace than other units in country.

Accompanied by a small group of Afghan National Army soldiers, the Marines were constantly on the go: visiting villages, distributing humanitarian aid and always searching for insurgents. Their breaks between operations varied from 12 hours to three days.

The MSOC Marines thrive on missions that have them patrolling for enemy forces, an MSOC Marine said. “We don’t like being on the FOB.”

Shortly afterward, the unit departed on a mission in northern Helmand Province.

An MSOC leatherneck said his Marines were attacked four times throughout the four-day mission. He described how they overcame enemy machine gun positions, mortar attacks and rocket-propelled-grenades.