Posted on 01/03/2005 3:49:22 AM PST by metalcor
well i did some awesome stuff last night, and its very cool/ scary to think about. im sure no one really wants to think about it, i know i sure dont, but i caught a guy trying to set up an ied at our stryker gate. i was on my 7-9 guard shift last night, and i noticed a flashlight going on and off in the field far off to my right. it took a couple times to really realize what it was and for the guy i was on guard with to see it, but once he did we called some other towers to see if they could see who it was (nvg's suck.. we need thermals in a bad way) they didnt see anything, so we all just kept scanning with the flashlight going off every time a group of traffic went by (with headlights you cant see anything beyond the road on nvg's) well a orange and white taxi went by with his interior lights on flashing his brights the whole way down the road, and just as soon as he went by the light started flashing alot more frantically. we called it in to the TOC (give us orders) and they are so wimpy and scared to offend anyone all they tell us to do is monitor and report back. the only way you can shoot is if they aim at you, or a warning shot if they clear BOTH fences.. kinda scary when youre right on the road... they have reprimands for stuff anyone would have done. so we kept scanning, and a tower farther down saw the guy run to a car that had its lights off grab something, and the car took off.. then more traffic so we lost him. it was a fuel convoy, so it took forever for us to spot him again. when they did spot him they said he was running from the gate off towards the field again. then they lost him again. i was kinda hoping theyd send air support to flash lights or something, he was obviously up to no good. they went out and checked today and said they found wires, and someone had tried to cut the fencing. not the first time- weve got 3 holes in the wire, one large enough for a car to get through. yesterday they blew up a car that was suspicious parked near the dfac. and today they got word that there are several tractor trucks set up as ied's waiting for convoys to go by around here. theyre definitely getting crazy in their tactics. yeah- im sure i scared alot of you, but that was really exciting. well gotta go do my checks on the ambulances and trucks, so im gonna go.
From my Combat Medic daughter in FOB Marez, arrived in Mosul Christmas Eve as a replacement. Goota wonder about the security there even after the mass casualty just a couple of weeks ago. I suggested turning lose large numbers of feral hogs between the perimeter fences and feeding them the body parts of enemy killed and suicide bombers in broad daylight, but doubt that will happen. At least our kids aren't being allowed to be rude to anyone causght climbing the fences...............
Godspeed to this trooper.
Send this on to the members of the Senate and House Armed Service Committess, along with the demand from a concerned father that the ROEs be modified so as to insure your daughters safety. Mention that you will be passing your concerns (as a concerned father) to the media. It might actually wake someone up. Good luck to your daughter.
Well, at least this brave young soldier won't have to tell he grandchildren he was shoveling $h!! in Louisiana. Take care young man.
Thank you, but this soldier, 8 mos in the army, trained as a combat medic.
Security on the camp sucks. If you knew half of the BS that went on you would be shocked. My son was walking toward one tent to another when an RPG landed right next to him unexploded, he hit the dirt looking for cover. He got up to go back to his tent and was sitting on his bunk when an RPG landed in the bunk next to him again unexploded, the RPGs are Russian and they cant read the instructions or remember to set the fuse. He said dont worry Mom the Iraqis cant shot an AK or and RPG for sh#t the only thing they are good at are IED's
This is the way the Army does things, very PC. I'm surprised the guards had ammo. Nothing about this is rational. My son will be in Iraq soon and I'll worry about him every minute but I won't worry about a situation like this because he's a Marine and they have learned from their mistakes.
The only way I see validity in Iraq being compared to Vietnam (as is popular now) is in the way that this is a "restricted" war.
Our hands are tied politically for fear of upsetting or offending the Iraqis.
I'd love to read an alternate history of some WWII campaigns if they had been fought using the same rules of engagement as are in Iraq.
Sounds like the aim is pretty good to me. Since my girl has been there they have increased patrols and roadblocks around the city and I'm told that attacks on the base itself have decreased greatly. But I'm with you. Thanks to your son.
Sorry. My previous reply was smartass. Better to have the admin mod pull that reply for the safety of your son and others in Iraq.
The stink at RPGs. they get lucky ever now and then but not often
It seems like a great many FR parents have children serving overseas. FR might be the perfect forum for you all to act in concert and start a movement to support the troops. Despite being a recent overseas veteran, nobody in government would care for my opinion as to just how dangerous our ROE's are to the troops. On the other hand, a large movement of soldiers/sailors/airmen/Marine parents, coordinated thru FR, might be able to do something. If you guys bring to light enough stories(and most troops over there have such a story) of PC bull which is jeopardizing your kids safety on FR, it might get picked up by the blogs. Obviously, the MSM could care less about your kids other than to use their lives as ammo against the Bush Administration. The blogs on the other hand have proven to be quite effective in mustering patriotic sentiment and action. The fact that you have children in harm's way give you guys quite a great deal of credibility.
I am new to this whole experience of kid at war, as is she. So how unusual this is, I don't know. I know that bomber who hit the DEFAC climbed under the fence at a guard shift change (according to the terrorist group claiming to be responsible). I just find it so hard to fathom that this is how they respond to that.
So far as bringing attention to it, I can't help but wonder if the only result will be a detrimental effect on her career. I would have to consult with her on that. Maybe already should have before posting this.
Your fears are well founded. There is strength in numbers. I suspect that there are quite a few FR parents like you out there. Build enough momentum and the brass will have to deal with the real issues of safety instead of harassing the troops.
Nothing says that soldier's parents, known only by their screen name, can't congregate on FR and share stories of what is going on with their kids. It's a start.
I did ask her to look up any reporters in camp or visiting and ask them for an email addy so I could try to plant the idea for a story. That would be anonymous enough.
I wouldn't depend on the MSM. Several problems with that. One, she would sound like a whistleblower. This would not help her career. Two, the MSM is only interested in a story if it reflects badly on the Bush Administration.A strict ROE, one that hampers the troops, is probably viewed by liberals as a good idea, as it ensures that Iraqis(good or bad) don't get shot. I think the best thing is for a bunch of FR parents to pass on their kids stories second hand. It will get the stories out there.
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