Shafiq: Member of Tribe 33 and Tribe 34. One of Jim’s drivers, mechanics, and interpreters.
Sher Ali: Member of Mangwel Afghan Local Police (ALP).
Umara Khan: Member of Mangwel Afghan Local Police (ALP). Close friend and confidant of Jim’s.
Zia Ul Haq: Commander of the Chowkay Afghan Local Police (ALP). Haji Jan Dahd’s son. Jim’s close friend.
IRAQI
Alsheikh, Mohammed Lateef Moustafa: Jim’s advisor, bodyguard, interpreter, and brother in Iraq. Also known as “Mack.”
Taher, Colonel Alasadi: Commander of the Iraqi National Police Quick Reaction Force (QRF) battalion that Jim advised.
GLOSSARY
These definitions reflect the meanings of the words as used by the Pashtun tribesmen with whom I lived in eastern Afghanistan.
Arbakai – A traditional Afghan tribal police force, especially prevalent in eastern Afghanistan, that protects tribal territory and upholds the decisions of tribal leaders. The arbakai system of local defense was the social and cultural basis for the Afghan Local Police (ALP) program set up by the U.S. military and Afghan government in 2010. The terms “arbakai,” “Afghan Local Police” (“mahali police”), and “militia” were all used by Afghans to describe the tribal security forces, and are used interchangeably in the book.
Badal – Revenge. An often violent or deadly exchange to avenge a breach of honor. The requirement to seek badal, even for seemingly minor insults, can lead to longstanding tribal blood feuds. A pillar of Pashtunwali.
Ghairat – An individual’s honor or pride, often demonstrated through acts of bravery. A pillar of Pashtunwali.
Jihad – A religious duty of Muslims to struggle to defend or spread Islam, often used to mean “holy war” directed at nonbelievers, or infidels.
Jirga – A tribal council or assembly that meets to resolve conflicts through consensus and compromise.
Lashkar – A tribal army, which historically could comprise thousands of men, mobilized temporarily against an external threat.
Mahali police – Local police.
Meena – Love, used in an all-encompassing manner that means “everything,” as in “you are everything to me.”
Melmastia – A Pashtun obligation to offer food, lodging, protection, and other hospitality to any visitors—including enemies and non-Pashtuns—to the tribe’s territory. A pillar of Pashtunwali.
Mujahideen – A group of people fighting a jihad. Mainly used to describe Afghans who waged a guerrilla war to free their country from Russian occupiers in the 1970s and 1980s.
Namoos – The land, guns, and women in the family of a Pashtun male—those things considered possessions that he must protect in order to defend his honor. Namoos most often refers to women.
Nanawati – The act of asking a stronger opponent for mercy, pardon, or asylum. It can also describe a payment or offering aimed at correcting a wrong. Nanawati is not a sign of guilt or admission of guilt.
Nang – Collective (tribal) honor. A pillar of Pashtunwali.
Pashtunistan – A geographic area stretching from eastern and southern Afghanistan across the border into western Pakistan that is dominated by ethnic Pashtuns and is considered the homeland of the Pashtun people.
Pashtunwali – An ancient social code, pre-dating Islam, followed by Pashtun tribes.
Peghor – Shame or disrespect, a violation of honor.
Qalat – A typical rural Afghan walled compound or home, literally, “fortress.”
Shura – A meeting of tribal and other leaders, such as religious figures or government officials.
ENGLISH TERMS
Afghan Local Police (ALP) – A paid, armed local security force recruited from Afghan villages under a program initiated and funded by the U.S. military and authorized in 2010 by Afghan president Hamid Karzai. The program is part of the Village Stability Operations (VSO) strategy, aimed at promoting security, development, and governance in rural Afghanistan. Under it, small U.S. military teams work with local leaders to recruit and train groups of ALP—up to 400 police for each rural district—and carry out development projects. ALP fall under the Afghan Ministry of Interior. The program was inspired in part by Maj. Jim Gant’s 2009 paper “One Tribe at a Time,” which drew upon Afghanistan’s history of decentralized rule and tribal security forces, known as arbakai, in Pashtun areas of eastern Afghanistan.
Battlespace owner (BSO) – A term commonly used to describe the military unit that has overall control over the conduct of operations in a designated geographic area.
Counterinsurgency (COIN) – A counterinsurgency operation involves actions taken by the recognized government of a nation to contain or quell an insurgency, or an armed rebellion, in part by winning over the population to the side of the government.
Combat outpost (COP) – A reinforced observation post, usually manned by a platoon or company of U.S. service members who use the base for limited combat operations in a conflict zone.
Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command–Afghanistan (CFSOCC-A) – A headquarters created in Afghanistan in 2009, led by a U.S. brigadier general, in charge of all U.S. and international Special Operations Forces (SOF) in Afghanistan with the exception of classified counterterrorism units.
Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A) – A headquarters led by a U.S. colonel in charge of day-to-day special operations missions by U.S. and other NATO and international forces in Afghanistan.
Counterterrorism (CT) – The conduct of military and other government operations to attack and degrade or destroy terrorists and terrorist organizations.
Durand Line – The line drawn in the Hindu Kush in 1893 that divided Pashtun and other tribal lands in Afghanistan and British India, marking their sphere of influence. The line later delineated the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, although Afghanistan does not recognize it.
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) – A semi-autonomous group of small administrative units in northwestern Pakistan populated by about three million people, mainly from Pashtun tribes.
Field Manual 3-24 – The U.S. Army and Marine Corps manual published in 2006 intended to put the best counterinsurgency practices and lessons into current U.S. military doctrine, the first major update in counterinsurgency doctrine in twenty years.
Forward operating base (FOB) – A military base or position used to support tactical operations.
Fragmentary Order (FRAGO) – A military order given when changes to an Operational Order (OPORD) are needed.
Humvee – A High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), a four-wheel drive vehicle commonly used by U.S. military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hilux – A model of Toyota pickup truck popular with the Taliban and other insurgent groups.
Improvised explosive device (IED) – A bomblike device used effectively by insurgent fighters. The device can be constructed using military explosives or homemade materials and set off by remote control, command-wire, or sensors, or by the victim stepping onto or driving over it. IEDs have inflicted a majority of the wounds and deaths among service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also commonly referred to as a “roadside bomb.”
Green on blue – A phrase used to describe attacks on U.S. and other NATO forces by members of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) – The NATO-led military coalition in Afghanistan.
Jaish al Mahdi (JAM), Mahdi Army – A primarily Shiite Iraqi paramilitary force created in 2003 by the Shiite Islamic cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
Judge Advocate General’s Corps ( JAG) – A military branch that provides legal services for military members, prosecutes courts-martial, and provides legal advice to commands. A member of the corps is often referred to as a judge advocate, or JAG.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as North-West Frontier Province) – The northernmost province of Pakistan with a population of about twenty million, mainly from Pashtun tribes.
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Mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) – A heavily armored vehicle used by U.S. forces to counter improvised explosive devices (IED) by providing protection against the explosions.
National Directorate of Security (NDS) – A national intelligence agency of the Afghan government.
Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) – A small tactical team organized to have twelve U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers (Green Berets) highly trained in weapons use and communications, and medical, intelligence, and other skills, which plans and conducts a wide variety of missions.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – A severe condition that develops after a terrifying, traumatic event. Many current and former U.S. military members struggle with the disorder as a result of their combat experiences. The main problems associated with PTSD are anger, depression, mood swings, loneliness, insomnia, graphic and violent dreams, difficulty in relationships with other people including loved ones, alcoholism, and drug abuse.
Quick Reaction Force (QRF) – A military force used to react to emergency situations in combat.
RG-31 – A large armored personnel carrier used by U.S. forces to counter improvised explosive devices (IED). Also a type of mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle.
Robin Sage – The field exercise that culminates U.S. Army Special Forces training, considered one of the best unconventional warfare (UW) exercises in the world.
Rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) – A shoulder-fired weapon that shoots an explosive round.
Rupees – The basic unit of Pakistan’s currency.
SEAL Team Six – Formally known as the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), or DEVGRU, SEAL Team Six is a counterterrorism unit composed of Navy SEALs that is part of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).
Spartan – A native or inhabitant of the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta.
Special Forces – A branch of the U.S. Army composed of elite soldiers selected for high-risk missions such as unconventional warfare (UW). The Army’s premier soldiers for training and advising indigenous forces. Special Forces soldiers are also known as Green Berets for their distinctive service headgear.
Special Operations Command (SOCOM) – The United States Special Operations Command trains and equips all Special Operations Forces (SOF) to prepare them for overseas missions. SOCOM is also the primary command in charge of fighting terrorism.
Special Operations Task Force–East (SOTF-E) – The command in charge of conducting all special operations missions in eastern Afghanistan.
Taliban – An Islamic fundamentalist movement composed largely of ethnic Pashtuns fighting under a variety of different commands and organizations in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – A condition suffered when an external force damages the brain, causing cognitive, social, and behavioral problems. TBI in U.S. military members is often caused by IED blasts.
Unconventional warfare – Activities conducted to enable a resistance movement or insurgency to coerce, disrupt, or overthrow a government or occupying power by operating through or with a guerrilla force and its supporters in a denied area.
Village Stability Operations (VSO) – Military operations at the village level to raise local defense forces, bring in development opportunities, and create ties to district governments in Afghanistan. A grassroots initiative, it became the focus of U.S. Special Forces, Navy SEAL, and Marine Special Operations units throughout Afghanistan beginning in 2010.
United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) – The command in charge of training and equipping all Army Special Operations Forces, including Special Forces (Green Berets), Rangers, and Civil Affairs soldiers.
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) – The military command in charge of the Middle East and Central Asia.
Zombieland – The contested road between the village of Mangwel and Combat Outpost Penich in Afghanistan’s Konar Province.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The heroes of this book are the brave and loyal Pashtun tribesmen who joined forces with Jim and his U.S. soldiers, welcomed us into their villages, and protected us with their lives. Their trust underpinned Jim’s mission, and this book. First and foremost among them was Mohmand tribe leader Malik Noor Afzhal, a wise, honorable man who loved and served his people. Together with his wife, Hakima, and sons Asif, Azmat, and Raza Gul, Noor Afzhal treated Jim and me as family and gave me the incredible gift of his life story. Strong support also came from Safi tribe leader Haji Jan Dahd and his son Haji Jan Shah, Afghan Local Police members Umara Khan, Niq Mohammed, Zia Ul Haq, Sadiq, Abdul Wali, and Salim, and mechanic Shafiq. Brothers Ibrahim, Ismail, and Imran Khan worked tirelessly and fearlessly as advisors, interpreters, and comrades. This story could not have been told without them. Special thanks goes to Senator John McCain for working to get the brothers out of Afghanistan.
Many current and former members of the U.S. military and Special Forces contributed vital information, interviews, and assistance, including Jim’s teammates and commanders, and others whom I had the privilege of covering in combat. I wish to thank all of Jim’s U.S. soldiers on Tribe 33 and Tribe 34 and second-in-command Capt. Dan McKone. They embraced the mission, executed it with hard work, courage, and heart, accepted me as a teammate, and opened their lives to me. I am beholden also to Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc, Gen. John Campbell, Lt. Col. John Pelleriti, Lt. Col. Scott Mann (Ret.), CSM Tom Smith (Ret.), Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, Col. Chipper Lewis (Ret.), veterans of ODA 316 and ODA 2312, interpreter Khalid Dost, and Jim’s Iraqi comrade Mack. I am especially grateful for the insights and encouragement of Gen. David H. Petraeus (Ret.), a bold and inspiring leader who launched the local security strategy in Afghanistan, championed his ground commanders, and tried to win the war.
This book is based on hundreds of interviews and years of reporting, research, and writing. I alone am responsible for the content and any errors. But I leaned heavily on a few key people in the process: my brilliant agent, Shawn Coyne, who had an uncanny ability to help conceptualize the story; an anonymous friend and reader, who kept me going through some dark days; my ever enthusiastic editor David Highfill; author Steven Pressfield, the godfather of American Spartan. I benefited greatly from the suggestions of early readers: Dan McKone, who carefully pored over several drafts; Kalev Sepp, who offered extensive and meticulous comments, Callie Oettinger, who gave expert publicity advice; and my daughter Sarah Tyson, who helped check facts. Dave, Jeff, Barbara, Ray, Matt, and Debbie provided financial, logistical, and moral support.
I am grateful to my entire family, especially to my parents, Joy and Haney, for their steadfast love and devotion, and to my children James, Sarah, Scott, and Kathryn, for loving and understanding their stay-at-home mother who became a war correspondent. My deepest thanks goes to my husband, Jim, for sharing with me the mission of a lifetime, and for his love, trust, and companionship—now and in the many happy days ahead.
PHOTOGRAPHIC INSERT
All photographs courtesy of the author unless otherwise noted.
Maj. Jim Gant patrols the rural village of Chamaray, Konar Province, April 2011. Less than two months earlier, Jim and his small team of U.S. soldiers moved into the area as part of a strategy to recruit Afghanistan’s ethnic Pashtun tribes to defend their territory against Taliban insurgents.
Malik Noor Afzhal (left), a leader of the Mohmand, a Pashtun tribe, talks with Jim in the entrance of Noor Afzhal’s qalat (walled family compound) in the village of Mangwel, Konar Province. About four thousand members of the Mohmand tribe live in Mangwel and nearby areas. The relationship Jim builds with Noor Afzhal is the cornerstone of his early success in tribal engagement. August 2011.
Noor Afzhal (front row, second from left) sitting with Jim at Noor Afzhal’s home in Mangwel, together with Jim’s second-in-command, Capt. Dan McKone (front row, left), his interpreter and advisor, Ismail Khan, nicknamed “Ish” (front row, right), and Noor Afzhal’s two sons Azmat (back row, left)
and Raza Gul (back row, right). August 2011.
Jim speaking with Mohmand tribesmen who are members of the arbakai, or tribal defense force, officially known as Afghan Local Police (ALP) in Mangwel. The tribesmen, wearing black vests as their uniform and carrying AK-47 rifles, are paid to protect their home, village, and valley, reinforcing the role traditionally played by Pashtun tribesmen. Jim and his U.S. military team trusted the tribal fighters, who were their primary security, with their lives. July 2011.
Umara Khan, a Mohmand tribesman and member of the Afghan Local Police, manning an M240 machine gun in a guard tower of the qalat in Mangwel where Jim and his small team of U.S. soldiers lived. The team’s canvas tents are visible on the left, and the training range on the right. April 2011.
A group of Afghan Local Police from Mangwel set off on a “show of force” patrol into the nearby Taliban-influenced village of Kawer in September 2011, as part of an effort to prepare for the establishment of ALP in Kawer. The qalat where Jim and his team lived with the arbakai in Mangwel is visible behind the patrol.
Jim and Ann standing on a hillside above the village of Mangwel just after he asked her to marry him on January 14, 2012.
Ann holding the newborn son of Mohmand tribesman Raza Gul, the fourth son of Noor Afzhal, in the interior quarters of the family’s qalat in Mangwel. Each of Noor Afzhal’s sons and their wives had rooms inside the qalat, and as a woman, Ann was allowed to spend time in the inner portions of the qalat that were off-limits to males outside the family. August 2011.
Children at the school in the village of Chinaray, Chowkay District, Konar Province, gathering around Ann as she practices basic English vocabulary with them. Ann helped provide supplies and other support to schools in the tribal areas where Jim worked. Jim and his team had moved into a qalat near the school as part of his strategy to engage the Safi tribe that dominated the area. February 2012.
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