My troop support group has been regularly sending care packages to the 4-23 INF of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, to companies A and C.
The soldiers are sucking it up. They are needed because they are experienced and excellent at this particular task of urban pacification. A new unit would suffer more casualties from inexperience.
So, the Merry Band of Patriots is starting an emergency airlift of pillows to our soldiers now that we have their APO for Baghdad, along with our usual assortment of snacks, personal care and entertainment items.
God bless and protect our soldiers in harm's way!
Clearly you know a few things.
There were such concerns once the 3 ID was replaced in Iraq back in 2003. I heard a few rumors about why the replacements were suffering more casualties than the initial units of the invasion. It was very disheartening for me personally. It is always that way in war though, I have been told.
I'm not going to say all that I can, but after the initial actions, the newer replacement Troops had some rough times, and casualties in Iraq were higher, which was partly because of inexperience of some of those Troops in that theater.
Rumors have been spread, (validity unknown here) that the enemy held the 3ID in some sort of awe and fear.
The media and mentally retarded Liberals, Democrats, and others, have done a lot of damage to that sort valuable reputation in such circumstances which cannot be overstated, in my not so humble opinion.
Some of the stories that I heard were rather humorous concerning the impression that many Iraqis had of American Troops back in "03."
Thanks to the MSM, the Insurgency came to awareness that all Americans are not experts in Kung Fu, and all of the attributes that Hollywood once upon a time projected around the World. A lot more information, seriously about the media's complicity in invigorating the insurgency can be found daily on FR.com.
ABC News has this subject matter on at this very moment concerning the extension, even as I type.
Keep up the good work that you do. It is valuable stuff. I know