Economy of force

Here's a story of a successful counter-insurgency effort: a small unit engaged with a local community.

I can identify with their experience. A half-platoon sized element working outside its job description with little support from higher on a "figure it out" mission.

Their experience seems to be going all right so far. Interestingly, this is the kind of engagement that author Max Boot described in his book, The Savage Wars of Peace as a way GEN Westmoreland could have won the Vietnam War.

Let's hope we keep doing it right this time.