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Article: 5 years later, a more sophisticated mission in Afghanistan.
- Article from:
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA)
- Article date:
- September 21, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 The Philadelphia Inquirer. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Andrew Maykuth
PECH RIVER VALLEY, Afghanistan _ The soldiers of C Company huddled around the radio as the bad news spread: Insurgents had ambushed a platoon about 10 miles upriver, killing the turret gunner of an armored humvee.
"One KIA," said First Sgt. John Mangels, a 20-year veteran, swearing under his breath. "One wounded."
A quiet rage ran through the main camp in eastern Afghanistan that day, Aug. 17. Army Capt. Robert Stanton, the company commander, hovered over a topographical map with one of his platoon leaders, jabbing at routes the Taliban might take to flee into the Hindu Kush mountains.
The Americans' instincts ...