MARINES HEAD TO FALLUJAH

New York Post ^ | 2/19/04 | NILES LATHEM

[kattracks]

February 19, 2004 -- WASHINGTON - A force of battle-hardened Marines is about to take over control of the ultra-tense Iraqi city of Fallujah from the Army, and the commander warned Ba'athist terrorists yesterday that his troops are ready to fight "small wars." The new-sheriff-in-town remarks delivered by U.S. Marine commandant Gen. Michael Hagee to reporters served notice that the tactics of the 25,000-member Marine contingent that is due to relieve the Army's 82nd Airborne will be better suited to fighting the gritty urban conflict.

[leadpenny]

The comments from the marine was probably meant for Iraqi consumption, not US Army consumption.

That probably is the key. But, imo, there still will be friction at various levels of Joint Staffs and others.

I gotta go to work.

[C-Note]

The comment is common, considering inter-service rivalries.

Also, the psych value is priceless.

The Marines are going to go in there and clean house. However, they will take casualties, it's the nature of close quarters battle.
Look for fallujah to be sparkling clean, regards of the US Marines.

C

[SJSAMPLE]

Hagee needs to be reminded that the marines are RETURNING to Iraq.

The Army never left.

[patton]

"long distance beats the heck out of being there."

[SJSAMPLE]

The marines are not being "called in" to rescue the Army or to expand the combat atmosphere. They're resuming their role in the rotation of units into and out of Iraq.

When the marines left Iraq at the end of OIF (while the Army remained), those units were replace by US Army brigades and battalions. I don't recall anybody from the Army making the claim that the marines were being replaced so the Army could do the job right. It was just a rotation, JUST LIKE NOW.

General Hagee can shoot off his mouth, but when he actually gets to Iraq (where he will be greeted by US Army soldiers), he better stop bragging and get to work.

[C-Note]

I'm quite sure his troops will be nothing but a** and elbows.

C

[Imal]

We'll see how it goes.

[VRWC_minion]

Even if Hagee believes that, it's a stupid statement to make to the press.

According to my son, words to that effect are repeated over and over again in boot camp. Its in their blood by the time they get assigned.

[FLAUSA]

Marines already have a rep in Iraq. They can be your best friend or your worst enemy. You choose.

Now it's time for Fallujah to choose.

[FLAUSA]

It ain't bragging if you can back it up. They can and will.

[91B]

The truth of the matter is that the jarheads have been making all sorts of denigrating comments for some time now that they are returning to the combat zone.

There was an article I remember where Marine officers were commenting (anonymously) on how horrified they were that the Army had been using such "heavy handed" tactics as air strikes and artillery barrages to deal with the insurgents. The "Teufelhunds" were going to come in and treat the Iraqis with more dignity and restraint, they wouldn't wear sunglasses when talking to the locals, they'd learn some Arabic, etc. Now its here come the ass-kickers to save the day.

The truth is that the USMC has been consigned to a sideshow for most of the war and the big, green PR machine can't stand that most of the attention has gone to the lowly US Army (winning wars and fighting the great majority of the nation's battle since 1775).

[Loyal Buckeye]

I have reread the comments and see no problem. Maybe I'm missing something, but I think I like it.

The thugs are on notice.

[PISANO]

Marines are warriors NOT politicians. They back up their rhetoric. GOD BLESS Hagee and ALL HIS MARINES they are about to TAKE Fallujah as they bring 'small war' capability to this town. Talking the talk, while walking the walk.

[AmericanVictory]

The statement reflects the different training.

[Imal]

I would also hazard to say it reflects attitude as well. ;^)

[americanSoul]

Fallujah is bulldozed and sprayed with pig fat.

Love that idea!

[TheGunny]

Talk about shooting ones mouth off...your doing a pretty good job at it. The CMC, as observed by the wise, is putting that out there for the consumption of 1. the enemy, who had better take heed, and 2. His Marines, who will need every bit of his confidence. I dont know if you have been tracking this story or not, but, it has been widely reported that the Marines (in prep of their redeployment)have been playing up their return and have intentionally contrasted our tactics to that of the status quo, such as the wearing of the GREEN Cammie's vice the DESERT ones. We want the enemy to know (BELIEVE) that there is a difference between organizations. The 82nd has done a fabulous job, now its time for them to rotate, reorganize, re familiarize, and get lots of rest before they have to deploy again. God bless them. Semper Fi!

[TheGunny]

Sounds like sour grapes to me, I dont think that your research is quite up to par with reality. You sound like some kind of jealous malcontent..... probably a young, uninformed jealous malcontent.
P.S. Take your pills, and get professional help (your penis envy is showing)

[North Coast Conservative]

I agree that this is in no way a dissing of the 82nd.

IF the rules of engagement are different for the Marines than they were for the 82nd then someone in Washington should get their ass kicked, preferably by the father or brother or squad mate of a soldier that died in the line of duty.

I have heard that the ROE are very stringent, favoring the other side. That is absolute BULL$HIT, and I pray that it is not true.

IN God We Trust.....Semper Fi