The Enduring Mystery Of Missing Pows In Afghanistan

There have been several American prisoners of war (POWs) in Afghanistan. One of the most notable cases is that of Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who was held captive by the Taliban for five years and suffered torture, abuse, and neglect. Bergdahl was freed in 2014 in exchange for the release of five Taliban prisoners held by the US. In addition to Bergdahl, there have been other American POWs in Afghanistan, including members of the Army's 507th Maintenance Company who were captured in 2003 and later rescued, as well as Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin, who was captured in 2004 and whose remains were found in 2008. Overall, the number of American POWs in recent conflicts, including Afghanistan, has been significantly lower compared to past wars, due to various factors such as technological advancements, the nature of combat, and the enemy's tactics.

Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl, the last US POW in Afghanistan, was freed in 2014

Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl was the last US POW in Afghanistan. He was freed in 2014, after being held captive for five years by the Taliban-aligned Haqqani network in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Bergdahl was born in 1986 in Sun Valley, Idaho, and enlisted in the US Army in 2008. He was deployed to Afghanistan in May 2009 and was captured in Paktika province on June 30, 2009. During his time in captivity, Bergdahl was subjected to torture, abuse, and neglect, including months of beatings and being held in a small metal cage. He also suffered from dysentery and was often blindfolded and kept in isolation.

Bergdahl was released on May 31, 2014, as part of a prisoner exchange for five high-ranking Taliban members who were being held at Guantanamo Bay. Upon his release, he was treated by US military medical staff at an undisclosed base in eastern Afghanistan before being transferred to Bagram Airfield and then to Germany for further medical treatment.

Following his return to the US, Bergdahl faced charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. In October 2017, he pleaded guilty to these charges and was sentenced to a dishonorable discharge, a reduction in rank, and a fine. However, he did not receive any prison time. In July 2023, a federal judge vacated Bergdahl's conviction and sentence due to potential bias in the original court-martial trial.

US POW numbers have decreased due to technological advances and weaker adversaries

The US has seen a decrease in the number of prisoners of war (POWs) in recent times, with conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq producing few prisoners of war. This is a historic change and can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including technological advances and weaker adversaries.

Technological Advances

The US military has benefited from and continues to benefit from rapid technological development. The application of new technologies has greatly increased the ability of American troops to project force and rescue isolated troops. For example, GPS technology allows troops to accurately determine their location and call for precision-guided munitions that provide quick, accurate, and direct combat support. Drones can also be used to linger and search over the battlefield, streaming superb battlefield intelligence.

Additionally, satellite communications, emergency beacons, and computer technology have stretched the communications zone, ensuring that units remain connected and that personnel can be located. These technological advances have made US forces better able to defeat adversaries and find and rescue separated troops before they become missing or captured.

Weaker Adversaries

In Afghanistan and Iraq, the US confronted a much weaker enemy than in previous conflicts. As a result, American troops usually had an asymmetrical tactical advantage. US forces were stronger than the enemy, and big units were almost never overrun. Battles were much smaller, and the enemy was comparatively much weaker. As a result, large US units were less likely to be encircled, overrun, or captured.

The nature of the enemy was also a factor. The enemy had less ability to pound US forces with huge amounts of mortar and artillery fire, which might have led surrounded units to surrender. The lower casualty rates, generally between 5-15% of what they were in past wars, meant there was one less factor to demoralize soldiers under pressure.

Furthermore, the smaller scale of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq meant there were fewer troops deployed, reducing the opportunity for people to be cut off from their units and have to surrender.

The decrease in US POW numbers is a positive development, reflecting the country's ability to rapidly locate and rescue missing military personnel. This historic change can be attributed to a combination of technological advances and the nature of adversaries and conflicts, resulting in lower casualty rates and a reduced likelihood of capture.

The nature of combat has changed, with fewer large-scale engagements

• Technological advancements: The use of drones, satellite communications, and GPS technology has given US forces a tactical advantage, allowing them to project force and rescue isolated troops more easily.
• A weaker adversary: In Afghanistan, the US confronted a much weaker enemy than in previous conflicts, such as World War II or the Korean War. As a result, American troops had an asymmetrical tactical advantage, and large units were rarely overrun.
• Smaller wars: The number of US troops deployed in Afghanistan was much smaller compared to previous conflicts, such as Vietnam or World War II.
• Enemy policies: In Afghanistan, the enemy often did not take US troops captive but instead killed them, as seen in several incidents.
• Improved training: Better training has led to fewer mistakes by commanders and more resilient soldiers, reducing the likelihood of entire units being isolated and forced to surrender.

These factors have contributed to a historic change in America's ability to rapidly locate and rescue missing military personnel, resulting in fewer prisoners of war and missing-in-action cases.

However, it is important to note that the lack of large-scale engagements does not mean that the US military is no longer capable of conducting them. The US military has adapted its doctrine and training to meet the challenges of modern warfare, and it continues to prepare for a wide range of contingencies, including large-scale combat operations.

The enemy's policies toward captured US troops have also played a role

The Taliban's treatment of captured US troops has been described as "some of the worst abuse suffered by any U.S. POW in decades". Bowe Bergdahl, a US Army Sergeant, was held by the Taliban for five years, during which he was subjected to torture, abuse, and neglect. He was kept in a metal cage barely big enough to stand in, and endured months of beatings.

The Taliban's treatment of captured US troops has also been described as "brutal" and "inhumane". In 2009, the Taliban released a video of captured US soldier Bowe Bergdahl, in which he appeared to be in poor health.

The Taliban's treatment of captured US troops has also been a factor in the low number of US POWs in Afghanistan. In 2011, it was noted that there was only one US POW in Afghanistan, Bowe Bergdahl, who was released that year.

The Taliban's treatment of captured US troops has also been a factor in the US military's decision to conduct a massive search for Bergdahl after he went missing in 2009. The search lasted 45 days and covered vast and difficult terrain.

The Taliban's treatment of captured US troops has also been a factor in the US military's decision to conduct drone strikes and other military operations against the Taliban. In 2017, the US military conducted a drone strike that killed the leader of the Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Mansour.

The Taliban's treatment of captured US troops has also been a factor in the US military's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. In 2021, the US military completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, marking the end of the 20-year-long War in Afghanistan.

Innovative technology has enhanced the ability to rescue isolated troops

Firstly, technology has improved the ability to locate and communicate with isolated troops. For example, Res-Q-Cell technology can locate survivors by activating their cellular devices and precisely geo-locating them, even when cellular networks are down. Wide-area motion imagery (WAMI) systems, typically used on the battlefield, can be easily deployed for search and rescue missions, providing a real-time, bird's-eye view of a large area. This allows rescue teams to survey damage and find victims faster than if they relied solely on static satellite imagery or live but narrow-field cameras. Additionally, mobile phone technology has been instrumental in locating persons lost while hiking, mountain biking, or engaging in water sports.

Secondly, technology has improved the ability to extract isolated troops. For instance, snake robots can aid rescue teams in finding and communicating with victims under collapsed buildings, while also detecting dangerous gases. Furthermore, autonomous or partially autonomous vehicles can be beneficial in situations where there is a risk of contamination, such as in the case of a large fire at a chemicals factory.

Thirdly, technology has improved the ability to treat injured troops. For example, Israel's advanced first-aid techniques, such as high-tech bandages and blood freezing, help workers treat victims more efficiently.

Finally, technology has improved the ability to coordinate rescue missions. For instance, the Euronav 7 system used by the Irish Coast Guard allows for better integration between the user at the mission control station and the FMS system, reducing the pilot's workload.

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