NationStates Jolt Archive


AP disputes US military report on soldiers deaths

Rubiconic Crossings
26-01-2007, 19:05
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003538279

Actually the really scary thing is that the commando unit has US uniforms, weapons, kit and spoke English....

If I was in embedded with a Iraqi unit I would be very very nervous...
Pyotr
26-01-2007, 19:09
Wow this is confusing, can I get a link to the original story please?


So, a US army garrison at a governors office was attacked by insurgents and lost 4 men and these insurgents travelled in black GMC Suburbans, carried US weapons, and wore US fatigues? Am I correct?
Rubiconic Crossings
26-01-2007, 19:21
Wow this is confusing, can I get a link to the original story please?


So, a US army garrison at a governors office was attacked by insurgents and lost 4 men and these insurgents travelled in black GMC Suburbans, carried US weapons, and wore US fatigues? Am I correct?

Pretty much...thats the scary part of the story...notwithstanding the kidnapping of the four GI's and their execution (the military said they died 'on site'...)...the fact that these insurgents basically masqueraded as US soldiers is yet another aspect of asymmetric warfare...high profile target...gruesome death and infiltration...
Zilam
26-01-2007, 19:31
Meh, this is war. Things like this happen in war.
Rubiconic Crossings
26-01-2007, 20:05
Meh, this is war. Things like this happen in war.

No. If it was war there would not be a Baghdad now.

The current scenario is whats euphemistically called 'police action'. Not that anyone is even calling it that.

The surprise is that its taken this long for this to happen...but the fact it has shows a yet another new danger for the US to look out for...let alone the nightmare they are having in Hiafa Street (sp??)...
RLI Rides Again
26-01-2007, 20:10
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003538279

Actually the really scary thing is that the commando unit has US uniforms, weapons, kit and spoke English....

If I was in embedded with a Iraqi unit I would be very very nervous...

Wait, are you trying to tell me that the war in Iraq is going anything other than perfectly? That's crazy talk. :mad:
Rubiconic Crossings
26-01-2007, 20:41
Wait, are you trying to tell me that the war in Iraq is going anything other than perfectly? That's crazy talk. :mad:

Oh...thats only the half of it. Remember that Blackhawk that was shot done?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/1/25/135651/379

2 Colonels
1 Lieutenant Colonel
1 Major
1 Captain
2 Command Sergeant Majors
1 First Sergeant
1 Sergeant First Class
2 Staff Sergeants
1 Corporal

That's one hell of a lot of brass on a single helicopter flight. This could indicate infiltration into the Green Zone of untold proportions.

Let's be clear, half of the manifest includes four field grade officers and two CSMs. That's a huge loss for a small and agile force such as what we've got deployed in Iraq. On top of this fact is also the fact that CSMs are the enlisted equivalent of general officers. CSMs run the army. CSMs can bring any company grade officer down with little effort. The only officers that will generally stand up to a CSM and call them on the carpet would be full bird colonels (two of which were lost on this flight) and command officers (i.e. generals).

The loss of a single CSM can often bring a full brigade to a standstill.

When faced with an insurgency using guerilla tactics, taking out four field grade officers with a single shot is a victory of epic proportions.

Poor bastards.