The Enduring Presence: Examining The Marine Deployment In Afghanistan

The number of US Marines deployed in Afghanistan has varied over time. In 2017, the US sent dozens more marines to Afghanistan, bringing the total to over 300. In 2018, a unit of nearly 300 Marines was deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, to train and advise Afghan security forces. In 2021, as the Taliban rapidly advanced across Afghanistan, over 2000 Marines were sent to Kabul to secure the evacuation of Americans and at-risk allies. The Marines have been involved in training and advising Afghan forces, providing security, and assisting with airstrikes and artillery strikes. While they have been close to the action, they have generally not engaged in direct combat with the Taliban.

Marines' mission in Afghanistan

The Marines' mission in Afghanistan has evolved over the years, from direct combat to training and advisory roles. Here is an overview of their mission:

Direct Combat:

In the early years of the war in Afghanistan, US Marines were engaged in direct combat operations against the Taliban. The Marines played a crucial role in the initial invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, which aimed to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime.

Training and Advisory Roles:

More recently, the Marines' mission has shifted to training and advising Afghan security forces, including the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Civil Order of Police. This involves providing advanced skill sets and training in areas such as signals intelligence, infantry tactics, and the use of weapons systems. The Marines also assist Afghan forces with air and artillery strikes, helping to bolster their capabilities in the fight against the Taliban.

Force Protection:

Marines are also tasked with force protection duties, providing security for US personnel and facilities, such as embassies and airports. For example, in 2021, Marines were deployed to Kabul to secure the US Embassy and the Hamid Karzai International Airport during the evacuation of US citizens and vulnerable Afghans as the Taliban advanced.

Evacuation and Humanitarian Assistance:

Marines have been involved in evacuation operations, helping to evacuate US citizens, embassy staff, and at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan. They have also provided humanitarian assistance, such as medical care and the distribution of aid, during times of crisis.

Counterinsurgency Operations:

The Marines have conducted counterinsurgency operations against the Taliban, aiming to reclaim territory and stabilize the security situation in Afghanistan. These operations include targeted strikes against Taliban leadership and efforts to disrupt their funding sources, such as narcotics revenue streams.

The Marines' mission in Afghanistan has adapted to the changing nature of the conflict and the needs of the Afghan security forces. While direct combat operations have decreased, the Marines continue to play a vital role in advising, training, and supporting their Afghan counterparts, with the overall goal of helping Afghanistan secure and stabilize their country.

Marines' role in direct combat

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces. Marines are trained in many different roles but fight each battle together. Marines are assigned specific roles for which they are optimally trained and are expected to become experts in their respective fields.

Marines in Ground Combat Element roles are central to the role of the Marine Corps as an expeditionary force. They are responsible for training their Marines for every variety of ground combat mission in any environment. They gather and evaluate intelligence on enemy forces, develop offensive and defensive battle plans and command their infantry unit's use of weapons and equipment. They are the only element in the Marine Corps that can seize and occupy terrain, and roles within the Ground Combat Element exist to win battles on the ground by asserting combat power and dominance on the battlefield. These Marines excel at conducting land-based and amphibious operations of an offensive, defensive, humanitarian, reconnaissance or security nature.

Marines are trained to provide logistics, intelligence communication, and other support to move equipment, ammunition, first aid and Marines to wherever they need to be to win the mission ahead. Without them, the force would stand still.

Marines are not at the point of contact in Afghanistan. Marine Commandant Gen. Robert B. Neller commented that their involvement in the day-to-day tactical activities of the Afghans is minimal. Marines are not engaging in direct combat and are instead facilitating Afghan forces to do the fighting. Marines are providing firepower from a distance and offering pointers with the belief that the United States could be in Afghanistan for years to come.

Marines are also responsible for training Afghan forces. In 2017, dozens of Marines were sent to Afghanistan to help with internal force protection. In 2018, a group of nearly 300 Marines arrived in Afghanistan and were tasked with training and advising Afghan security forces in volatile Helmand Province.

Training and advising Afghan security forces

One example of US advisory efforts is the Task Force Southwest, which has been deployed to the volatile Helmand Province since late spring 2017. This task force, consisting of around 300 Marines, is responsible for training and advising Afghan security forces in the region. The Marines work closely with the Afghan National Army (ANA) and have provided training in areas such as infantry skills, signals intelligence, and the use of weapons systems. They also assist with air and artillery strikes, helping to facilitate Afghan-led combat operations against the Taliban.

Another advisory initiative is the Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), which was first deployed to Afghanistan in early 2018 as part of the Resolute Support Mission. The SFAB is a dedicated advisory unit within the US Army, consisting of four primary advisors, eight specialists, and eight security personnel. The SFAB's mission is to advise and assist the ANSF at the tactical level, accompanying them on combat operations and providing training to enhance their capabilities.

In addition to the US military's advisory efforts, NATO has also played a significant role in training and advising Afghan security forces. The NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) was activated in November 2009 to oversee higher-level training for the ANA and Afghan National Police (ANP). NTM-A worked closely with the Afghan Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior to develop the capabilities of the Afghan security forces, including the establishment of defense colleges and academies. The mission of NTM-A was to "support GIRoA (Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) as it generates and sustains the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), develops leaders, and establishes enduring institutional capacity."

Overall, the training and advising of Afghan security forces have been a critical aspect of the international community's efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and build the capacity of the Afghan government to maintain security and counter terrorism. These advisory efforts have evolved over time, adapting to the changing security situation and the needs of the Afghan forces. While there have been challenges and setbacks, the advisory missions have contributed to the development of professional and capable Afghan security forces, enabling them to take the lead in securing their country.

Marines' living conditions in Afghanistan

The living conditions for Marines in Afghanistan are harsh and vary from location to location. Most areas lack basic amenities such as chow halls, showers, or shopping facilities. The climate is dry, with cold winters and hot summers.

Marines often live in camps with limited access to hot water and proper washing facilities. They may experience extreme temperatures, with freezing nights and very hot days. Meals are basic and limited in variety. Communication with family and friends back home is challenging due to scarce access to email and phones.

In volatile regions like Helmand Province, the living conditions are particularly tough. Marines are housed in tents without heating, and they must deal with the constant presence of mice. They play a crucial role in advising and training Afghan security forces in their fight against the Taliban.

The deployment of Marines in Afghanistan involves a balance between assisting local forces and avoiding direct combat. Their primary goal is to empower Afghan troops through training and advanced skill sets, such as signals intelligence equipment.

Marines' deployment numbers

Marine Corps deployment numbers in Afghanistan have varied over the years, with the Corps' focus and activities in the region shifting accordingly. In 2017, the U.S. deployed dozens of additional Marines to Afghanistan, specifically to Helmand Province in the southwest of the country. This deployment was in response to a request from the commander on the ground, Marine Brig. Gen. Roger Turner, and saw an increase of less than 100 Marines to the existing force of over 300 Marines assigned to Task Force Southwest.

In 2018, the Marine Corps' activities in Afghanistan continued to focus on training and advising Afghan security forces, particularly in volatile regions such as Helmand Province. This advisory role kept U.S. Marines away from direct combat, with none of the roughly 300 Marines from the initial Task Force Southwest rotation receiving a Combat Action Ribbon.

By 2021, the Marine Corps' presence in Afghanistan had decreased, with a focus on reshaping and preparing for emerging threats from militaries such as those of China and Russia. However, in response to the Taliban's rapid advance across Afghanistan that year, over 2,000 Marines were deployed to Kabul to secure the evacuation of Americans and at-risk allies. This deployment included Marines from Task Force 51/5 out of Bahrain, the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, Combat Logistics Battalion 24, and the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines.

While the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was completed by August 31, 2021, the Marine Corps has continued to reshape itself and adapt to new ways of warfare, including a return to its naval roots and a focus on distributed maritime operations.

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