This entry is meant to be an obituary for LTC Hussein. Enough time has passed from when he was killed that I don't think there are any operational issues involved.
LTC Mohammad Hussein was a Tajik born in the northern provinces of Afghanistan. He had been fighting in one way or another, as had many Afghans, for his whole life. He was the battalion level commander for the Afghan National Army headquartered with B Troop, 6-4 CAV. There wasn't much to know about LTC Hussein initially, he was wary of US troops from his past experiences. But with time he began to show what kind of man he truly was. He cared for his soldiers, really cared about their welfare and their training. He was quick to laugh at ridiculous situations (of which in Afghanistan there are plenty), but somber and serious when the situation called for it. He held a strength that was visible, people recognized it and respected him for it. LTC Hussein had been fighting in the eastern provinces for the whole war, since the Taliban was driven out, before there was a formalize Afghan National Army. He had been targeted before to be assassinated, and the enemy almost killed him with a targeted IED. They wanted to kill him because he cared, because he was a good soldier who wanted to protect the people who couldn't protect themselves and because he was a true leader who inspired his soldiers to fight when they thought there was no point and to do the right thing despite the difficulty. Despite all the challenges he faced as a commander, he would just listen to everyone talk and then once they were done he would speak very calmly and quietly, with respect to each position, and tell his soldiers and everyone else who was there exactly what needed to happen. I had the opportunity to speak with him personally on many occasions and in addition to being a model soldier and officer he was a kind man who did the right thing no matter how difficult. He was killed on April 5, 2011 by an IED made specifically for him. He had gone to visit the place where an officer of his, a friend, had been killed the year before. The enemy waited until they saw him pay his respects, get into his vehicle, and then they murdered him and two of the soldiers he was with. His death was a loss, not just for his military and Afghanistan, but for everyone who fights against the enemy. He will be remembered.
LTC Mohammad Hussein was a Tajik born in the northern provinces of Afghanistan. He had been fighting in one way or another, as had many Afghans, for his whole life. He was the battalion level commander for the Afghan National Army headquartered with B Troop, 6-4 CAV. There wasn't much to know about LTC Hussein initially, he was wary of US troops from his past experiences. But with time he began to show what kind of man he truly was. He cared for his soldiers, really cared about their welfare and their training. He was quick to laugh at ridiculous situations (of which in Afghanistan there are plenty), but somber and serious when the situation called for it. He held a strength that was visible, people recognized it and respected him for it. LTC Hussein had been fighting in the eastern provinces for the whole war, since the Taliban was driven out, before there was a formalize Afghan National Army. He had been targeted before to be assassinated, and the enemy almost killed him with a targeted IED. They wanted to kill him because he cared, because he was a good soldier who wanted to protect the people who couldn't protect themselves and because he was a true leader who inspired his soldiers to fight when they thought there was no point and to do the right thing despite the difficulty. Despite all the challenges he faced as a commander, he would just listen to everyone talk and then once they were done he would speak very calmly and quietly, with respect to each position, and tell his soldiers and everyone else who was there exactly what needed to happen. I had the opportunity to speak with him personally on many occasions and in addition to being a model soldier and officer he was a kind man who did the right thing no matter how difficult. He was killed on April 5, 2011 by an IED made specifically for him. He had gone to visit the place where an officer of his, a friend, had been killed the year before. The enemy waited until they saw him pay his respects, get into his vehicle, and then they murdered him and two of the soldiers he was with. His death was a loss, not just for his military and Afghanistan, but for everyone who fights against the enemy. He will be remembered.
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