Record U.S. troop deaths in Afghanistan in '08

[RamboLiberal]

Source: MSNBC/AP

KABUL, Afghanistan - A record 151 U.S. forces died in Afghanistan in 2008, the deadliest year yet in a seven-year war that military officials say is likely to get even bloodier in 2009, as thousands more American troops pour into the country.

The number of roadside bombs doubled from the year before to roughly 2,000, with many of the devices more powerful than in previous years.

Unlike in 2007, when militants carried out ambushes only in small numbers, insurgents over the last year massed in groups of hundreds on multiple occasions. Some 200 militants nearly overran a small U.S. outpost in eastern Afghanistan in July, launching an early morning attack that killed nine U.S. troops.

U.S. forces suffered an average of 21 deaths in Afghanistan each month this year from May to October — by far the deadliest six-month period in Afghanistan for American soldiers since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion to oust the Taliban.



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28449062/

[SpiralHawk]

1. "I want to be remembered as a bringer of peace. Smirk." - Commander AWOL (R)

[Soylent Brice]

2. .

all i can say to this.

[BadGimp]

3. My thoughts are with the families impacted by the deaths of these brave men and women

eom

[High Plains]

4. Expect even more next year, as Obama cranks up the war machine.

Add in a few thousand or tens of thousands of dead Afghans next year, too.

It is time to declare victory and leave.

[Hulk]

5. I guess this is what happens when you wait FIVE F*CKING YEARS to chase ....

...down OSB and his thugs. When you have pathetic negotians and alliances with Pakistan. When you bomb the shit out of civilians and blow it off as "collateral damage" spew.

It's only going to get worse unless we do something SOON with Pakistan and start treating the natives like OUR OWN!!