[archy]

This is inaccurate. We didn't lose 8 Soldiers....4 Marines were killed when their vehicle hit an IED, and 3 Soldiers were killed in 3 different locations during major aggressive operations by OUR troops against the bad guys. Historically, archy, isn't that a credit to our awesome troops, and a very good first day's efforts?

Sorry to say, but I believe it's now 5 Marines KIA in Fallujah. Four Marines KIA in the IED explosion, one KIA in a exchange of fire in one of the outer neighborhoods of the city while first probing city defenses. At least one Iraqi also killed in that exchange as well.

It's always a victory when casualties can be held to the minimum possible; compared and contrasted to some meatgrinders American Marines have found themselves in our casualty rates appear neither wasteful nor excessive. But Marines who suggested that their methods and equipment would have resulted in fewer casualties than those suffered by the Rangers in Mogadishu may soon choose to reevaluate their opinion.

And even one KIA is always, always a tragedy.

One other thing to recall: it seems that our Marines are being accompanied by the Iraqi police/army they've been training, something like 1600 of them. Our Marines are NOT carrying this load alone.

There've also been reports of AC130 Spectre/Spooky gunship fire into buildings as Marines have drawn fire. That's a particularly dangerous enviornment for a C130 to be working, but those Marines need their fire support.

-archy-/-

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Sorry to say, but I believe it's now 5 Marines KIA in Fallujah. Four Marines KIA in the IED explosion, one KIA in a exchange of fire in one of the outer neighborhoods of the city while first probing city defenses. At least one Iraqi also killed in that exchange as well.

Thanks for the correction. I was too angry at the press and didn't check for details on the fifth Marine.

The newswires put out multiple reports, w/ changing headlines throughout the day (which end up as separate threads) - often including more than a single day's casualties - so the perception, if one glances at headlines throughout the day as most "news" consumers do, is of increasing attacks resulting in repeated multiple US deaths - when it's often the same story, over and over.

Is it correct to call Marines "Soldiers" (as in this headline)?

And even one KIA is always, always a tragedy.

Amen...and why I would never post to a mainstream press article exploiting them if given another, more respectiful alternative.

[Eagle Eye]

There've also been reports of AC130 Spectre/Spooky gunship fire into buildings as Marines have drawn fire.

Have heard the same, but have't yet had the pleasure of witnessing it yet. Hope to tonight...it's very dark.