4 ways you can tell the firefight in Afghanistan is over — for now

Feb 5, 2020 6:59 PM PST

1 minute read

SUMMARY

There are two types of firefights that ground troops experience: fun ones and others that suck. The fun ones consist of taking enemy contact, maneuvering in on them, and clearing them out with tons of firepower without any good guys inju…

There are two types of firefights that ground troops experience: fun ones and others that suck.

The fun ones consist of taking enemy contact, maneuvering in on them, and clearing them out with tons of firepower without any good guys injured.

The ones that suck are the few that we don't see coming — the ones where we take casualties. Although predicting when a firefight is going to happen is semi-possible, it's a different skill altogether to know when they're about to end.

Related: 14 images that portray your first day on a field op

So, check four ways you can tell when the firefight in Afghanistan is over — for now.

4. After an A-10 performs a perfectly executed gun run

During a firefight, it's common for the platoon sergeant to call for air support if there is "air-on-station," especially when the enemy is firing at you from a well-fortified position.

Witnessing the power of the A-10 nose-diving toward the enemy with its guns blazing is an excellent way to end the firefight for a while.

We love that song.

3. When the local kids come back out to play

We're not exactly sure how this one works, but right before rounds start flying, the locals tend to seek cover. Again, we're not sure how it happens, but somehow the kids know when the area is clear and they come back outside and resume playing.

It's crazy!

Afghan children play soccer with multinational service members outside the Bazaar School at Kandahar Airfield, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Sept. 25, 2010. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Tracy Hohman)

2. When the intel troops arrive to conduct a BDA

Most of the military's intel offices have access to satellites and view enemy activity from space. Typically, when a grunt unit is assigned to conduct a BDA, or Battle Damage Assessment, after a firefight, that means the coast is clear.

U.S. Army Capt. DeShane Greaser stands in a crater caused by a bomb dropped during an air strike conducting a Battle Damage Assessment outside a combat outpost in Afghanistan. (Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Also Read: 6 questions you asked yourself after your first firefight

1. When it's getting close to prayer time

Islam is a beautiful religion and the men and women who loyally follow the practice pray five times. Since prayer takes place throughout the day, ground troops commonly schedule missions and patrols according to those times.

It's been frequently noted that firefights come to a quick halt if they overlap with prayer schedules.

Muslim Soldiers bow down in prayer during the celebration of Eid-Al-Fitr Sunday at the Joe E. Mann Center. Eid-Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims worldwide. (Photo from U.S. Army)