I have a good buddy (or perhaps "had" - have no way of knowing at the moment) with the 133rd Engineer ANG Btn stationed in Mosul.
He was telling us about August of last Summer that the Mess Hall was a regular target of rockets and mortars, but that fortunatley for them, the Jihaddis aim wasn't all that good.
Some of the guys planned on eating a little early or late to avoid the rush (and sitting duck-shoot) at the mess hall.
Well, it appears that they finally got their range figured out. I sure hope my buddy was out of there early or hadn't gotten there yet late when they nailed the place.
The Jihaddis usually fire from modified vans or pickup trucks which scoot off immediately after firing a few rounds, knowing that our guys are prohibited from returning fire into a residential / civilian area.
In the Mosul base, they have concrete culvert sections lying around that are open at both ends for the Soldiers to take cover in during one of the regular barrages. They don't appear to be "dug in" to speak of - being engineers they certainly could if they wanted to I suppose.
And at least back last summer they had to pick the local dumps for stuff to "armor" their vehicles with, as best they could. Some of those HumVees must have looked like rolling balls of junk!
When they ran low on ammo they had to bum enough to defend the perimeter for the night from a Company of Danish Infantry. Makes ya proud, don't it?
How things may have improved since then I really have no clue. Sure hope they have to some extent!
With all of the underground bunkers that Saddamn had over there, I can't help but wonder why our Troops are still living out in the open in little trailers and tents within full range of any raghead who wants to take a pop at them, and then prohibited from shooting back when they do.
I guess we have to just assume that the brass over there knows what's best... It's not that easy at times like these, though.
If anyone over there is in touch with the 133rd, I would sure like to know if they took any casualties in this hit.
Just heard on the radio that the Mess Hall was indeed one used by the 133rd. Standing by for furthur info.
I suspect that will change.
bunkers...what a novel idea!
Plus, they would be cooler, in the blistering desert heat.