Counterinsurgency in Uruzgan 2009

Success in counterinsurgency requires a careful balance between the ability to win the support of the people, and a finely honed close combat ability that can crush the enemy with precision whenever and wherever the opportunity arises. This paper examines these issues from a commander's perspective with a focus on counterinsurgency operations in Uruzgan in the second half of 2009. In doing so it focuses on areas in which MRTF-2 modified its operational techniques. These included dispersed operations, mentoring and partnering, influence, support to mental health and resilience, mission specific training and whole-of-government cooperation.