Still in the Fight……….

 

“Hurricanes are bad…” said Captain Obvious.  Milton the monster (who remembers that reference?) is hitting the Florida Peninsula as I write this.  Usually, the hurricanes approach the southeast US traveling due north and then push towards the east, up the eastern seaboard and/or into the Atlantic.  If they go inland they rapidly dissipate.   Well, Ms. Helene had thoughts of her own, traveling strongly north by northwest into the mountains of North Carolina, dumping what can only be described as a biblical amount of rain.

Now North Carolina holds a special place for anyone who has joined the US Army Special Forces. Fort Bragg, now known as Fort Liberty (“Vive la liberté!”) is the home to where one becomes a Green Beret, including participating in an Unconventional Warfare culmination exercise designed to free the fictitious country of Pineland from the grip of tyranny.   It is conducted in 26+ counties and it extends well into the North Carolina mountains.

Well, the largely retired Special Forces community (many that I know), rose to the occasion and is providing massive humanitarian assistance to those devastated by Helene.  It only makes sense to me.  The force is well-trained, calm, courageous, and skilled in engineering, communications, medicine, weapons, tactics, sensing political obstacles, and operating in austere conditions.

Personally, I think this is a fallout from Operation Pineapple Express, in its own words:   Operation Pineapple Express is when a group of retired Green Berets who came together to save a former comrade—and 500 other Afghans—being targeted by the Taliban in the chaos of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

This was empowering. We, collectively, found our strength by, with, and through each other.

Assistance to North Carolina started as a small effort to assist fellow Green Berets post-Helene and grew into the central hub of assistance integrating with local and state Emergency Operating Centers.  Through our network, they have set up Forward Operation Bases, coordinated for and set up communications, established landing zones, and gathered a massive amount of resources (food, water, clothing, meds, power, and on and on thanks to all who donated) being delivered in a coordinated supply chain of personal vehicles, delivery trucks and even a fair amount of air assets.  Initially they conducted Search and Rescue operations, getting to areas that were “inaccessible” and providing lifesaving care and extraction of trapped personnel.  Not to mention gathering a massive amount of intel about the conditions of the area and sharing that with most authorities in order to coordinate and direct assistance.

I am unconditionally proud of my comrades.  My only misgiving is I’m not there.

De Opresso Liber

Published in Military
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  1. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    Awesome. A great story of America. Thank you.

    • #1
  2. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Heh.

    Now that the effort has taken on a life of its own, Smith and others leading the operation have gone from cursing FEMA for its absence to hoping it never arrives.

    Smith said he fears their carefully calibrated rescue mission will be bogged down with governmental red tape if the feds show up.

    “Nobody out here wants the federal agencies to come in. FEMA has walked into operations centers like this and has attempted to just take over and tell them what they’re doing is illegal and they’re not allowed to keep going. I’ve seen it firsthand in this area,” Smith told The Post.

    “My biggest fear is they’ll move into the area and in the process they’ll reinvent the wheel and rebuild the entire process.”

    • #2
  3. Gary McVey Contributor
    Gary McVey
    @GaryMcVey

    This is absolutely Main Feed material, and based on its strong writing and warm response, betcha it’ll be there soon.

    Notice the post author is modestly underselling the fact that he knows this particular group of heroes rather well. Well, damn, if he’s going to turn the volume too low, then I’m going to turn it up some. 

    • #3
  4. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Percival (View Comment):

    Heh.

    Now that the effort has taken on a life of its own, Smith and others leading the operation have gone from cursing FEMA for its absence to hoping it never arrives.

    Smith said he fears their carefully calibrated rescue mission will be bogged down with governmental red tape if the feds show up.

    “Nobody out here wants the federal agencies to come in. FEMA has walked into operations centers like this and has attempted to just take over and tell them what they’re doing is illegal and they’re not allowed to keep going. I’ve seen it firsthand in this area,” Smith told The Post.

    “My biggest fear is they’ll move into the area and in the process they’ll reinvent the wheel and rebuild the entire process.”

    More likely they’ll just sit back until others have done their job, and then they’ll take credit.

    • #4
  5. Blondie Thatcher
    Blondie
    @Blondie

    Love these guys! Pineland sometimes includes my little neck of the woods. This is who you really want to lead, not some career bureaucrat with a bunch useless degrees. 

    • #5
  6. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Heh.

    Now that the effort has taken on a life of its own, Smith and others leading the operation have gone from cursing FEMA for its absence to hoping it never arrives.

    Smith said he fears their carefully calibrated rescue mission will be bogged down with governmental red tape if the feds show up.

    “Nobody out here wants the federal agencies to come in. FEMA has walked into operations centers like this and has attempted to just take over and tell them what they’re doing is illegal and they’re not allowed to keep going. I’ve seen it firsthand in this area,” Smith told The Post.

    “My biggest fear is they’ll move into the area and in the process they’ll reinvent the wheel and rebuild the entire process.”

    More likely they’ll just sit back until others have done their job, and then they’ll take credit.

    I’ve heard this over and over from numerous disasters. FEMA demands to run the show and shuts down the locals who are actually helping, and then imposes its bureaucratic  sclerotic “process” that impedes the recovery.

    Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

    • #6
  7. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    I had the honor of working at both Bragg and Lejeune, and can state without hesitation amazing people.

    The under utilization of their resources is a major scandal in this disaster.

     

    • #7
  8. John Park Member
    John Park
    @jpark

    Thank you, @dajoho.

    • #8
  9. Doug Watt Member
    Doug Watt
    @DougWatt

    Thank you for your post. There were times when I was a street cop when I used the phrase ‘Paralysis by analysis’ Everyone starts waiting for a decision maker. I cannot think of a better group of former special forces soldiers to start providing food, water, and medical assistance in remote areas.

    My best advice would be to stay out of their way to let them do what they can to get the job done. 

    • #9
  10. carcat74 Member
    carcat74
    @carcat74

    Because —–‘MURICA!!!!!!

    • #10
  11. dajoho Member
    dajoho
    @dajoho

    Scott Wilmot (View Comment):

    Awesome. A great story of America. Thank you.

    Thanks Scott.  It is truly a great story and FWIW I am standing by for details from those involved.   I am sure there are great stories within great stories here.  

    • #11
  12. carcat74 Member
    carcat74
    @carcat74

    Doug Watt (View Comment):

    Thank you for your post. There were times when I was a street cop when I used the phrase ‘Paralysis by analysis’ Everyone starts waiting for a decision maker. I cannot think of a better group of former special forces soldiers to start providing food, water, and medical assistance in remote areas.

    My best advice would be to stay out of their way to let them do what they can to get the job done.

    Or —-“Tell me what needs to be done, sir!”

    • #12
  13. dajoho Member
    dajoho
    @dajoho

    Percival (View Comment):

    Heh.

    Now that the effort has taken on a life of its own, Smith and others leading the operation have gone from cursing FEMA for its absence to hoping it never arrives.

    Smith said he fears their carefully calibrated rescue mission will be bogged down with governmental red tape if the feds show up.

    “Nobody out here wants the federal agencies to come in. FEMA has walked into operations centers like this and has attempted to just take over and tell them what they’re doing is illegal and they’re not allowed to keep going. I’ve seen it firsthand in this area,” Smith told The Post.

    “My biggest fear is they’ll move into the area and in the process they’ll reinvent the wheel and rebuild the entire process.”

    You killin’ me!  All good humor has a modicum of truth.  Appreciate you reading and commenting.  I will find out exactly what kind of conflict happened in the weeks to come I am sure. 

     

    • #13
  14. dajoho Member
    dajoho
    @dajoho

    Gary McVey (View Comment):

    This is absolutely Main Feed material, and based on its strong writing and warm response, betcha it’ll be there soon.

    Notice the post author is modestly underselling the fact that he knows this particular group of heroes rather well. Well, damn, if he’s going to turn the volume too low, then I’m going to turn it up some.

    Thanks MG.  I too appreciate the warm response and as for strong writing well……

    And I do know these guys and they epitomize one of our motto’s “quiet professionals.”

    I appreciate the read………

    • #14
  15. dajoho Member
    dajoho
    @dajoho

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Heh.

    Now that the effort has taken on a life of its own, Smith and others leading the operation have gone from cursing FEMA for its absence to hoping it never arrives.

    Smith said he fears their carefully calibrated rescue mission will be bogged down with governmental red tape if the feds show up.

    “Nobody out here wants the federal agencies to come in. FEMA has walked into operations centers like this and has attempted to just take over and tell them what they’re doing is illegal and they’re not allowed to keep going. I’ve seen it firsthand in this area,” Smith told The Post.

    “My biggest fear is they’ll move into the area and in the process they’ll reinvent the wheel and rebuild the entire process.”

    More likely they’ll just sit back until others have done their job, and then they’ll take credit.

    Or cast blame pointing out things that “could have been done better.”  Thanks for reading.  

    • #15
  16. dajoho Member
    dajoho
    @dajoho

    Kozak (View Comment):
    Lead, follow, or get out of the way

    Amen. 

    Thanks for reading Kozak.  

    • #16
  17. dajoho Member
    dajoho
    @dajoho

    John Park (View Comment):

    Thank you, @ dajoho.

    You are welcome JP.  I appreciate you reading and acknowledging this. 

    • #17
  18. dajoho Member
    dajoho
    @dajoho

    Doug Watt (View Comment):
    My best advice would be to stay out of their way to let them do what they can to get the job done. 

    Thanks Doug.  For the life of me I cannot understand why they don’t do this and / or become part of the team.  “We are just going to leave a FEMA liaison here and if and when we can help with an identified problem as part of your team, we’ll let you know, otherwise you all are doing a fantastic job!,” said no one in  the government ever.

    • #18
  19. Dave Carter Contributor
    Dave Carter
    @DaveCarter

    I can hear Boss Mongo with a characteristic, “Outstanding!” This post the best news I’ve seen in quite some time. You guys absolutely rock! God Bless y’all! 

    • #19
  20. dajoho Member
    dajoho
    @dajoho

    Dave Carter (View Comment):

    I can hear Boss Mongo with a characteristic, “Outstanding!” This post the best news I’ve seen in quite some time. You guys absolutely rock! God Bless y’all!

    Hi Dave! Thanks for the note and Boss Mongo would absolutely say that.  I read his posts sometimes and his responses to some of my posts.  I can hear his voice.  We actually talked about that once that when reading each others posts we could hear the others voice as we went through it – funny.  I miss him.  

    • #20
  21. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    dajoho (View Comment):

    Dave Carter (View Comment):

    I can hear Boss Mongo with a characteristic, “Outstanding!” This post the best news I’ve seen in quite some time. You guys absolutely rock! God Bless y’all!

    Hi Dave! Thanks for the note and Boss Mongo would absolutely say that. I read his posts sometimes and his responses to some of my posts. I can hear his voice. We actually talked about that once that when reading each others posts we could hear the others voice as we went through it – funny. I miss him.

    A lot of us do.

    • #21
  22. Max Knots Member
    Max Knots
    @MaxKnots

    I second Dave C’s comments.  Great news. Best I’ve read all week. Thank you for sharing! We should be reading about this in our national media. We all understand why we won’t. Your post and those like it are the reason I’m on Ricochet.

    • #22
  23. dajoho Member
    dajoho
    @dajoho

    Max Knots (View Comment):

    I second Dave C’s comments. Great news. Best I’ve read all week. Thank you for sharing! We should be reading about this in our national media. We all understand why we won’t. Your post and those like it are the reason I’m on Ricochet.

    Thanks MK – it is a good news story and we could all use more of it.  I appreciate the read.

    • #23
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