The Mystery Of America's Missing Pows In Afghanistan

The US military has achieved a historic first: there are no US military personnel held captive in Afghanistan. Bowe Bergdahl, a sergeant in the US Army, was the last American soldier to be held captive in Afghanistan. He was freed in 2014, in exchange for five Taliban prisoners. Bergdahl was the last known prisoner of war (POW) from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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

Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl was the last American POW in Afghanistan. He was held captive by the Taliban-aligned Haqqani network in Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2009 to 2014.

Bergdahl was captured after deserting his post on June 30, 2009. He was released on May 31, 2014, as part of a prisoner exchange for five high-ranking Taliban members held at Guantanamo Bay.

Bergdahl's capture and subsequent release highlighted a fundamental difference between the war in Afghanistan and previous American conflicts. For the first time in US history, a major conflict ended without any troops missing in action.

Bergdahl's disappearance and capture were the subject of intense media scrutiny. He was tried by a general court-martial on charges of desertion and misbehaviour before the enemy. In 2017, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to be dishonourably discharged, reduced in rank, and fined $1,000 per month from his pay for ten months, with no prison time.

In 2023, a federal judge vacated Bergdahl's conviction and sentence, ruling that the military judge overseeing the court-martial had applied for a job with the Justice Department, raising the appearance of bias.

The US military's priority to rescue troops, dead or alive, at all costs

The US military's commitment to "leave no one behind" is a sacred ethos embedded in the Airman's Creed and the Soldier's Creed. This ethos has deep roots in history and is reflected in the Latin phrase "nemo resideo", meaning "leave no one behind". The concept is almost as old as warfare itself, with Greek mythology portraying heroes who rescued those captured by enemies.

In modern times, this ethos has been operationalized through combat search and rescue (CSAR) capabilities, which play a crucial role in rescuing pilots shot down near or behind enemy lines. CSAR capabilities are not only a way to fulfill the military's commitment to its personnel but also act as a force multiplier, saving the significant time and resources spent on training replacements. Additionally, they boost morale, as personnel are more willing to engage in dangerous missions knowing that their comrades will do everything to rescue them if needed.

The US military's priority to rescue its troops is further exemplified by the case of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the last captive American soldier from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sgt. Bergdahl was freed in 2014 after five years in Taliban captivity, in exchange for five Taliban prisoners.

In conclusion, the US military's priority to rescue troops, dead or alive, at all costs, is a fundamental aspect of its ethos and operations. This priority has led to significant shifts in military priorities, with rescue missions taking precedence over combat operations and innovative technologies being leveraged to locate and recover missing personnel.

Modern technology's role in locating and rescuing missing troops

Modern technology has played a crucial role in locating and rescuing missing troops. Here are some ways in which technology has contributed to these efforts:

• Improved Sensors and Targeting: The development of multi-domain smart sensors has been instrumental in locating and targeting individuals in camouflage or under concealment. These sensors fuse data from passive infrared, laser radar, and millimeter-wave synthetic aperture radars, creating multidimensional imagery that enhances target detection.
• Enhanced Communication and Information Gathering: Advancements in secure wideband communication technologies, such as satellite communications and fiber optics networks, enable the transmission of voluminous data from sensors to command centers. This facilitates better information gathering, processing, and informed decision-making during rescue operations.
• Battle Management Software: The introduction of battle management software, or battle control languages, aids in computer-assisted decision-making and battle management. It allows for simulating and evaluating alternative courses of action, providing an unprecedented degree of realism in training and analytical exercises.
• Biotechnology and Biosensors: Advances in biotechnology offer the potential for early warning of chemical, toxin, and biological warfare agents. Additionally, biosensors derived from the human immune system can enhance soldier protection and enable rapid diagnosis of diseases, leading to quicker response and treatment.
• Drones and Aerial Surveillance: Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), equipped with advanced sensors and cameras, play a crucial role in search and rescue operations. They can cover vast areas quickly and provide real-time video footage, aiding in the detection and location of missing personnel.
• Global Positioning System (GPS): The GPS technology has revolutionized navigation and location tracking. It assists in pinpointing the positions of both rescuers and those who need to be rescued, making search and rescue missions more precise and efficient.
• Laser and Radar Technologies: Lasers and laser radars (ladars) have applications in target designation, rangefinding, and motion sensing. They can be used to guide weapons or provide illumination, enhancing the accuracy of rescue operations, especially in low-light conditions.
• Advanced Materials and Composites: The development of advanced materials, such as hybrid or multifunctional composites, addresses specific performance requirements for military applications. These materials can enhance the structural, optical, and electronic properties of equipment used in search and rescue missions, making them more durable and reliable.
• Miniaturization of Computers and Electronics: The miniaturization of computers and electronic systems has made it possible to incorporate advanced technologies into portable devices. This enables rescuers to carry lightweight, powerful tools that enhance their capabilities in the field, improving the chances of locating and rescuing missing troops.

The nature of combat in Afghanistan

Geography and Environment

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located on the Iranian Plateau, bordering several countries, including Pakistan, Iran, and Tajikistan. Its terrain is mountainous and rugged, with the Hindu Kush mountain range dominating the landscape. The country experiences hot summers and bitterly cold winters, with frequent dust storms and strong winds. The dry and arid conditions, combined with the challenging terrain, can make military operations difficult.

US-Led Coalition and International Forces

The US-led coalition, including NATO and other allies, played a significant role in the conflict. The initial invasion in 2001, dubbed "Operation Enduring Freedom," involved a combination of air strikes and ground forces, with the Northern Alliance as key allies. Over time, the number of international forces grew, with contributions from the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries. However, the US consistently had the largest foreign force in the country and bore the heaviest losses.

Taliban Tactics

The Taliban employed a range of tactics, including guerrilla warfare, suicide attacks, and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They often waged asymmetric warfare, taking advantage of the rural and mountainous terrain for cover. The Taliban also received support from Pakistan, using the country as a safe haven and base for their operations.

Afghan Security Forces

Building indigenous security forces, such as the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), was a critical aspect of the counterinsurgency strategy. This involved training and equipping the Afghan army and police to take on greater responsibility for security. However, the ANSF faced significant challenges and struggled to hold territory and defend population centers.

Civilian Impact

The conflict had a devastating impact on Afghan civilians, with high casualties and displacement. The UN documented a record high of 10,993 civilian casualties in 2018, and civilian deaths and injuries exceeded ten thousand for six consecutive years (2009-2014). The use of air strikes and bombings by US and NATO forces also resulted in civilian casualties, contributing to anti-American and anti-Western sentiment.

Duration and Outcome

The war in Afghanistan was the longest in US military history, spanning from 2001 to 2021. It ended with the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, and the Taliban regained control of the country. The conflict resulted in significant loss of life, with an estimated 176,000-212,000+ deaths, including 46,319 civilians.

The enemy's policies towards captured US troops

The "enemy" in the Afghanistan conflict is generally considered to be the Taliban, a group that rose from the ashes of Afghanistan's post-Soviet civil war and provided al-Qaeda sanctuary for operations.

Enemy Policies Towards Captured US Troops

The Taliban's policies towards captured US troops have varied over the course of the conflict. In the early years of the war, the Taliban were known to engage in the torture and execution of captured US soldiers. Bowe Bergdahl, a US soldier captured by the Taliban and held from 2009 to 2014, described his time in captivity as a "five-year ordeal".

However, in more recent years, the Taliban have shifted towards using captured US soldiers as bargaining chips in negotiations with the US government. This was the case with Bowe Bergdahl, who was eventually released in exchange for five Taliban prisoners.

Overall, while the Taliban have a history of mistreating captured US troops, their policies have become more focused on using captives as leverage in negotiations rather than simply executing or mistreating them.

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