thedrifter
07-16-03, 06:15 AM
Marines Host Mujahedeen Warrior
By U.S. Army Sgt. Greg Heath / 4th Public Affairs Detachment
BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Former Afghani Mujahedeen commander, or “Holy warrior,” who at one time fought alongside the current president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, and Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden for his country’s independence from Soviet occupation, visited Harrier NV-8A pilots and support personnel of Marine Attack Squadron-513 yesterday at their Morale, Welfare and Recreation building.
Walid Majroh, nearly 15 years removed from his days as a military commander, has been living in the United States since 1989, and a citizen since 1997, working as an accountant. But when the U.S. war on terrorism started in Afghanistan Majroh was contracted by the U.S. government as an interpreter.
With Majroh’s extensive knowledge of fighting in and around Bagram, VMA-513 commander Lt. Col. Jim Dixon thought Majroh’s visit would be an excellent opportunity for his Marines to receive a first-hand account about the technical side of the threats they are facing now. Dixon added the briefing was especially important considering the enemy in Afghanistan uses similar techniques in the same environment and those tactics still apply today.
“ It was an enlightening military education opportunity to listen to somebody who had so many years experience fighting … in the Bagram valley,” Dixon said.
Under Majroh’s command during the Afghani resistance from 1978 to 1989, his soldiers were extremely successful at shooting down Soviet helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, destroying three-quarters of the airborne targets they fired upon.
For Capt. Ryan Flanagan, he came expecting to hear some “sea stories” from a seasoned war veteran, but it turned into a humbling experience.
“ It’s easy to get into that rut here, same old chow, winds blowing today, groundhog day over and over,” Flanagan said. “But the hardships we face on a daily basis probably pale in comparison to what he experienced for over a decade,”
The sacrifices and hardship that Majroh and his people have faced is not over yet, and progress has been slow coming, he said. But he and the service members of his adopted home are optimistic that things are moving in the right direction.
“ For me it’s a clear cut,” Majroh said. “We’re doing the right thing … and every one of us; we are ambassadors of a great nation. We can pass on this legacy we got from our founding fathers and can make the rest of the world a better place.”
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/jul2003/articles/ai071503k3.jpg
Walid Majroh, a former Afghan Mujahedeen commander who at one time fought alongside the current president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, and Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden for his country's independence from Soviet occupation, has been living in the United States since 1989, and a citizen since 1997, working as an accountant. But when the U.S. war on terrorism started in Afghanistan Majroh was contracted by the U.S. government as an interpreter. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Greg Heath
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/jul2003/a071503l.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
By U.S. Army Sgt. Greg Heath / 4th Public Affairs Detachment
BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Former Afghani Mujahedeen commander, or “Holy warrior,” who at one time fought alongside the current president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, and Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden for his country’s independence from Soviet occupation, visited Harrier NV-8A pilots and support personnel of Marine Attack Squadron-513 yesterday at their Morale, Welfare and Recreation building.
Walid Majroh, nearly 15 years removed from his days as a military commander, has been living in the United States since 1989, and a citizen since 1997, working as an accountant. But when the U.S. war on terrorism started in Afghanistan Majroh was contracted by the U.S. government as an interpreter.
With Majroh’s extensive knowledge of fighting in and around Bagram, VMA-513 commander Lt. Col. Jim Dixon thought Majroh’s visit would be an excellent opportunity for his Marines to receive a first-hand account about the technical side of the threats they are facing now. Dixon added the briefing was especially important considering the enemy in Afghanistan uses similar techniques in the same environment and those tactics still apply today.
“ It was an enlightening military education opportunity to listen to somebody who had so many years experience fighting … in the Bagram valley,” Dixon said.
Under Majroh’s command during the Afghani resistance from 1978 to 1989, his soldiers were extremely successful at shooting down Soviet helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, destroying three-quarters of the airborne targets they fired upon.
For Capt. Ryan Flanagan, he came expecting to hear some “sea stories” from a seasoned war veteran, but it turned into a humbling experience.
“ It’s easy to get into that rut here, same old chow, winds blowing today, groundhog day over and over,” Flanagan said. “But the hardships we face on a daily basis probably pale in comparison to what he experienced for over a decade,”
The sacrifices and hardship that Majroh and his people have faced is not over yet, and progress has been slow coming, he said. But he and the service members of his adopted home are optimistic that things are moving in the right direction.
“ For me it’s a clear cut,” Majroh said. “We’re doing the right thing … and every one of us; we are ambassadors of a great nation. We can pass on this legacy we got from our founding fathers and can make the rest of the world a better place.”
http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/jul2003/articles/ai071503k3.jpg
Walid Majroh, a former Afghan Mujahedeen commander who at one time fought alongside the current president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, and Al Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden for his country's independence from Soviet occupation, has been living in the United States since 1989, and a citizen since 1997, working as an accountant. But when the U.S. war on terrorism started in Afghanistan Majroh was contracted by the U.S. government as an interpreter. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Greg Heath
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/jul2003/a071503l.html
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: