vik,
No UBL was NEVER on the CIA or other US payroll, nor were the Taliban directly supported by the US during the Soviet occupation. I wish the Shadow wolves luck. Perhaps they can find the trials the terrorists us and the Special Forces can set up some ambushes.

mike, cooperstown, USA

If the US govt really wants to find Bin Laden they just need to call the CIA. But they allow him to go free so the US govt can justify their pressence in Afghanistan. Didn't Bin Laden use to be on the US payroll?

Vik, London,

This is good news, my question is why now? why do we wait and act only when its long over due? Maybe even too late?
Be that as it may, my biggest question of all...
why do we publish all our plans and keep nothing secret? Do you suppose only the "good people" are reading all the reports we should be keeping secret?
Yes, we do know why the enemy is always a step ahead of us!
Its all about the news.. and being first in print, isnt it?

N. M. Yarlott, Indianapolis, Indiana

I think the Shadow Wolves will get r done,should of brought them in sooner ,being a Native Indian myself from here in Canada ,i`ve read a bit on these guys ,my prayers go out for them and all serving over seas .

Ken Smith, Victoria, Canada

We really didn't need to know this.
This is why the enemy is always a step ahead of us.

Tim, Rochester NY, USA

Tell the "keepers and guardians of our planet" to start by picking up the trash and garbage strewn across their own reservations! Thats not too hard to track is it?!

kt, phoenix, az

I absolutely agree with Mr. Fahey's comments. Sadly, the American Government finally called on a resource long overlooked -- the Tribes -- long assumed to be sots by Mr. Van den Broek's and likewise thinkers -- yet proved undeniably crucial to the discombobulation of the Japanese during WWII. The point that Mr. Van den Broeck failed to mention is the credit for the destitute environment of the reservations/pueblos belongs solely to the socialistic policies of the US Government.

C. Drew, Los Angeles, CA

It is truly a worthy testament to Native Americans, past and present, that they continue to contribute to our American way of life even though they were murdered and run off "their" land. Non-Native Americans could stand to learn from their red brothers!

My paternal grandfather was a full-blooded Cherokee. He was who I considered a great man. He had great honor, love for his fellow man (regardless of their color), and a deep respect of his heritage. He will always have a profound effect on me and my family.

I firmly believe the "Shadow Walkers" will prove their worth and much more! God Bless all Native Americans!

Kenneth Grantham, McDonough, Georgia / USA

At least they have the location right, the Pamirs, near N 37 41 E073' 43' a perfectly isolated area with a rather large village where there is the tradition like that of the Pashtuns to protect people like OBL.

Thomas E. Shafoavloff, Winter Park, USA/Florida

We are going to catch him and the whole world will know America is patient and relentless in her quest for justice!! We will find him hiding in the hole he has dug for himself!

Angela, Douglasville, GA

This sounds like a great idea and great way to track down Bin Ladan ,sounds like some true skilled human beings going out there and contributing to the task -an important one .I give them credit and to the U.S military for that angle,we need to look at all our options and use that god givin skill for that purpose.

R.Butay, Glendale, Ca

I am VERY glad to see that we are using all of the assets at our disposal in the fight with the UBL. I live in Souix country and spend time every Spring in Apache country, not to mention that I am married to a Mandan. These cultures have forgotten more about warfare than many of us could ever hope to know. This is NOT desperation, it is common sense to use the people that KNOW how to accomplish the stated goal and have proven themselves for the last 30 years.

To the Wolves: Thanks!!! Go get 'em boys!!!

Mike, St. Paul, Minnesota

There were more Native Nations involved in "code". Not just the Dine'. Every Native Nation invovled WWII had their own squad but it wasnt cleared to public til recently. My Ho-Chunk Grandfathers from WWII made songs about what had happen "over there" which my brothers and I sing about at family and social gatherings within our Nation. Some songs are about using "code" and some as simple as to the Flags they protected. Most are about what they did to them with violence involved for all the battles we have been in since before our original "Homeland Security" failed us.
Thanks for bringing up the "firewater" jokes. That reminds me, I have to send my beverage servers to my Casino Floor to fill glasses with the "firewater". I like my silly americans when their watered down, spending and complaining about the machines not being loose. Firewater ha ha good times.

G. B. Packer, Title Town USA,

Having lived on a Sioux Reservation, next to a Crow Reservatio and most recently taught a missions school for Navajos. I wonder that they were not employed in this search from Day 1, Sept. 12, 2001.

Jim Franklin, Boise, ID

Firstly, my sincere thanks to the author of th article, Tony Allen-Mills for telling the taliban that the trackers are coming and that they should start setting up false trains with boobytraps to take care of the trackers. I hope the the US government put out this information first, of course, they are in just as much trouble for revealing the "trackers", Are there no secrets anymore.

To all those looking for Mr, UBL, do you think he would so stupid to be working in the tailban camps in the NWFP, give us a break, who is leading this "search"

bob brenner, bangkok, thailand

All I can say is; exemplary work, Shadow Wolves. Considering our genocide against you, you continue to be 'The Only True Americans'.

Francis Lane, Las Vegas, USA/Nevada

VanDe....you probably backpacked from your car 50 ft to a campfire and consumed multiple packages of hot dogs. Probably the Shadow Wolves were watching you and laughing their rears off.

DLE, Potosi, MO

There is nothing desperate about applying all resources to a task that literally could not be made more complex and difficult due to the extreme landscape and cultural circumstances. Federal, State, and Local Governments were unable to find the anti-abortionist bomber Rudolph hiding in the Carolina mountains for how many years? And that was on our soil, in our society, in our backyard. I am amazed at the American Public diffuculty to comprehend what this undertaking involves, and more importantly, the cultural and religious obstacles aligned against it. Mr. Van den Broeck, you paint with an awful wide brush and add nothing to the discussion with your attacks. The voices belittling the use of these Trackers, seem to be the very same voices bemoaning that the Government wasn't thinking "outside the box" prior to 9/11.

Tony Cummings, Baltimore , Md

It is always good to hear from Monday Morning Quarterbacks. What the American Indian trackers can do is to help supplement the work that the special ops have been doing for the last 3 or 4 years. They have captured many of the bad guys. We have lost some good men out in the Northwest part of Pakistan, and we will get Bin Laden because if you look at his life cycle, based on Chinese Metaphysics, his time is coming. It is called the BaZi or 4 Pillars of Destiny. The Chinese know everything. The US Special Forces strike swiftly on land, air, and water using the principles of the American Indian. They are trained in the sky (airborne) like the eagle. They will succeed because of their ability to use the air(Satelite Technology), The "awakening of the worms" is coming for Bin Laden. There may have been times in the past 4 years to kill him, but they may take him alive, and then skin him. Remember his future has been foretold. The snows are beginning to melt. Wasu!

Mark Singer, Scottsdale, AZ. USA

It appears to me this course of action does not have an "air of desperation" to it as others might think. It resembles more of President Bush's promise to use everything and anything at his disposal to find Usama Bin Laden. The above article refers to the many and varied attempts already that the armed forces has made including drones, satellites, infrared, etc. Since that is not working, they are putting boots on the ground. I applaud their efforts and wish them success. Exhaust every avenue. Do what needs to be done to bring this criminal to justice.

Chris , Orlando, Florida

Mr Van den Broeck,
There is definitely no need for racist remarks. I don't see Natives writing in and saying how stupid the US government is portraying itself, by all the big talk and no show. Instead, they help out with the fight. They feel the pride and responsibility that too few of the "majority" do not. If it is so easy for you to track why are you not signed up?
Did you ever ask yourself why the land is so barren on the reservation? And why was the reservation placed on that particular piece of land? These are real questions that spawn real issues.
Not your personal opinion about who is fit to fight for your freedom; protecting your rights that you exercise everyday. 40 years in AZ? Perhaps you need to expand your horizons and learn that racism is not accepted any more and will not be tolerated. Give respect where respect is due and be thankful that they are on your side.

Respectfully yours, from a younger generation,

Sarah, Shaw AFB, South Carolina

Oh please, what if there aren't any "twigs" to catch hairs on? Maybe Charles Bronson can see horse tracks on bare rock, or was that the guy with Clint Eastwood. If you're wearing a turbin do you shed hair onto "twigs"? In Minneapolis we have "trackers" spread out around downtown with their ears to the ground.... but they look like they're sleeping!!!!!???? Are they practicing for the TEAM?

Jon Turbin, minneapolis, mn

I also live in Az. and have no romantic notions about American Indians. However, sometimes the simplest solution is also the best. Give it a chance and see if it works. It just might.

Mac, Prescott, AZ

Shadow Wolves have done an excellent job. In one year, one half of all the pot being smuggled into the US from Mexico through Arizona, was found by the Shadow Wolves. This is just another of the many tools America has that is being shifted to put more heat on Bin Laden.

This profile by the Smithonian says it all:

http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/issues/2003/january/wolves.php

Rick, Dallas, Texas USA

I say it's about time we changed our tactics. This was a brilliant idea! For those of you who would continue to try and beat down the Native Americans with your judgemental and contrite words...I say to you...These beautiful people were here before us, and will probably be here when we greedy white so-called Americans have killed our own selves off. They my friends are the keepers and guardians of our planet and their "Life Force" is immence!. We have alot to learn from the Native Americans if only we would listen. LISTEN!
And no unfortunetly, I'm was not born a Native American., I am merely a white Southern girl who has taken the time to gain knowlege about , and from, "The People".
I sincerly wish the "Shadow Walkers" Blessed trails. May GOD walk with you.

Judy Wright, Picayune, Mississippi

If it hadn't been for the Navajos in WWII, who knows where we would be now?

Bethel, Miami, aZ, USA

Dont be jealous Robbie Van den BROKE.
Afraid somebody from a minority group will out perform some major technology?
Would you be the NOVICE that you speak so highly of? Maybe then you should stick to novice work. Leave the professional stuff to professionals. How much time you got in the kill zone?

P.S. Is that what you call it nowdays "backpacking?" Most everybody else would call you a "mule."

g, w, i

Mr. Van den Broeck,
This latest move by the US military certainly has an air of desperation
about it. However, we don't need any racist "firewater" jokes just because
Native Åmericans are involved.

Michael Fahey, Boston, Mass.

The US government must be paying in cases of Jack Daniels. Have you ever been to the Tohono O'odham reservation in Arizona. There is nothing there. Lava fields, dry pan desert, and the Mexican border. They have been tracking illegal aliens for awhile. Any novice outdoorsmen can track 50 - 100 aliens in the open desert. It will be a little different when the trackers become the hunted. By hunters that shoot to kill, and will die trying. Bring more body bags, This is an unwise idea, I have seen some of this native American group, They are not a right fit for the task. I lived in AZ for 40 years, and have backpacked on both sides of the Mexican border, on the Tohono O'odsham reservation.

Robert J. Van den Broeck, Tempe, USA, AZ