This archive report was first published on 21 December 2019.
On March 4, 2010, General Nicholson addressed the Pentagon press corps, making statements about the Afghan security forces that would later be proven false. Ten years on, the Afghan forces have suffered greatly, with over 50,000 people losing their lives after the Pentagon ended 'combat operations' in 2014.
At the time, Nicholson praised the Afghan forces, saying, 'These guys run to the sound of gunfire.' However, a former mortar man from his battalion disputed this claim, stating that he only saw Afghan soldiers run when they were trying to avoid danger.
A former senior noncommissioned officer who fought alongside the Afghan forces noted that the younger soldiers were often skittish in combat, only showing bravery when cameras were present or they wanted to impress. In contrast, the older soldiers were more willing to fight, having a deeper understanding of the Taliban's threat to their country.
Marines who served alongside the Afghan forces also disputed Nicholson's claim that they were happy to have them as allies. Many expressed distrust and skepticism towards the Afghan troops, with one young Marine writing in his journal, 'I'm just glad I'm in weapons company and don't have to deal with them.'
Furthermore, Nicholson's statement that Marines did not search homes, and that Afghan soldiers would do so instead, was also found to be false. In reality, Marines often searched homes, and Afghan soldiers were not always present.
