Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
6:52 | India 3-12 was an artillery platoon but, when they got to Afghanistan, James Ferguson's Marines were designated a provisional infantry unit. Assigned to a remote area to protect a dam, they took over the site from the British Royal Marines, who had very restrictive Rules of Engagement. (Caution: rough language)
Keywords : James Ferguson Iraq Afghanistan artillery Helmand Province Regimental Combat Team 2 Kajaki dam Royal Marines British Helmand River Matt Lucas Rules of Engagement (ROE) indirect fire
James Ferguson was already feeling the call to serve while in high school, then the attacks on 9/11 happened. His mother had an appointment at the World Trade Center that day but it was cancelled, thankfully. In his Long Island town, though, there were other parents who never came home.
After the attacks on 9/11, James Ferguson was determined to get in the fight. He decided on the Marines because he knew they would be leading the way in whatever followed. His dad convinced him to go to college first, which he did, and so he became a Marine officer, still determined to get some revenge.
It was what Marines call a kinetic environment. They were shot at a lot but the main hazard was IED's. James Ferguson and his men were based in the remote town of Kajaki in Afghanistan and the first couple of months went well. They were hitting the Taliban hard.
One of James Ferguson's squad leaders was a Marine that everyone in the unit looked up to, a mentor and a natural leader. One night, they were setting up a two pronged ambush when a huge blast shook the earth. That Marine was mortally wounded and still continued to direct his squad.
The Marines were developing tactics to deal with the Taliban. James Ferguson describes how they would deliberately expose themselves to draw fire and set off charges to simulate the explosion of an IED, which always brought the enemy running. They also had a new rocket system called HIMARS which you could not hear coming. (Caution:strong language)
There was a change in strategy in Afghanistan when Gen. Petraeus took over. He was more open to aggressive operations. James Ferguson recalls how he submitted a plan for coordinated strikes which was approved at the top.
Apathetic and undeserving. That's the impression of the Afghan people that James Ferguson got while serving there. It gets worse when you look at how the women and children are treated. (Caution: strong language)
Despite the seriousness of their situation in a remote part of Afghanistan, James Ferguson recalls that there were some more lighthearted times. Like the time his wife sent him some chocolate treats that didn't quite make it intact or the time that the cook served the same meal five days in a row. (Caution: strong language)
After a few years back at home, away from the chaos of the war in Afghanistan, James Ferguson began to realize that he would only find closure over what he experienced there by getting back together with the men in his unit. This was the Genesis of the Warrior Reunion Foundation.
The way our years long struggle in Afghanistan turned out is very frustrating to James Ferguson, who served there as a Marine platoon leader. He has some observations about that war and some serious advice about any future ones. (Caution: strong language)
