In this second of three interviews covering his Global War on Terrorism deployments, Major Edward Croot, US Army Special Forces, discusses his September 2003 through February 2004 deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), during which he commanded ODA 375, operating as the only American forces in the Helmand Province - the "drug capital of Afghanistan," he said - and concerned with two principal populations centers: Lashkar Gah and Gereshk. In this interview, Croot talks about his often harrowing experiences with Afghan Militia Forces under the command of warlord Mir Ali; his introduction (the hard way) into the Afghan warrior ethos of Pashtunwali; and how his eventual understanding of this way of life led to a noticeable reduction of tensions between the coalition and Mir Ali's forces. Croot also discusses in great detail a serious firefight that broke out between a different group of Afghan Militia Forces and government police.

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