Operation Moshtarak

"We are coming. Deal with it. Could be easy or could be hard, but we are coming."

That quote, obtained by ABC News, is from Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commander of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. It signals the impending launch of a joint operation between the U.S. Marines and Army, along with British, French, and Afghan forces, to seize control of Marja, a hotbed of terrorist activity in the volatile Helmand Province.

"Our feeling is if you go big, strong and fast, you lessen the possibility of civilian casualties as opposed to a slow methodical rolling assault. You go in and you dominate. You overwhelm the enemy," [Brig. Gen. Nicholson] told ABC.

The ABC News article notes that the area the Marines and accompanying forces plan to overwhelm has a population of about 125,000. While it raises the chance for collateral damage, Maj. Gen. Nick Carter is advising civilians to stay inside during the operation. Coalition forces have also been telling tribal leaders that Operation Moshtarak is about to begin, to both give civilians warning and hopefully scare terrorists into fleeing into areas where the U.S. already has complete control and can quickly spot and round up enemy forces.

Like any large military operation, including famous invasions like D-Day, this mission will not go perfectly. Terrorists will likely try to use civilians as human shields and put coalition troops in precarious positions. Those of us who haven't served cannot imagine how difficult this must be for our men and women in uniform, so all we can do is trust their judgment and pray.

While this is not a time for chest-bumping or macho talk on the homefront, Americans quietly know this mission's outcome is inevitable: the United States and its allies will win and the terrorists will lose. Don't ever take for granted that we have the most lethal, unstoppable, intelligent military force in the history of the world.

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde