Posted on 03/03/2007 11:26:50 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
The United States military said today that an airstrike north of Baghdad killed several Al Qaeda insurgents who were using heavy artillery machine guns to fire at American helicopters.
The strike occurred Friday west of Taji, where several American helicopters have been shot down in recent weeks, and the American assault destroyed at least two pick-up trucks with mounted machine guns, said Lt. Col. Christopher R. Garver, a military spokesman in Baghdad.
He said the strike did not appear to eliminate the threat to American aircraft because other weapons had been used against helicopters in Falluja and other parts of the country.
“We have seen other systems,” he said. “When the other helicopters were shot down, it wasn’t always heavy machine guns that did that. Part of the assessment we’re doing now is trying to figure out where in the network these weapons fit in.”
Military authorities were still investigating the identities of the gunmen and how many were killed as of this evening. An American military statement said, “Coalition Forces believe key terrorists were killed during the airstrike.”
The attack represents the latest effort to eliminate an emerging threat to American troops. At least eight American helicopters have crashed or been shot down since January. Military officials have said that Sunni insurgents might be especially motivated to shoot down helicopters as a way of discrediting the new American and Iraqi security plan and undermining military transport.
Helicopters have also become ever more critical over the last few years as ground convoys became increasingly dangerous. In 2005, army helicopters logged 240,000 hours and in 2006 the figure was 334,000 hours, the military said. The projected number in 2007 is 400,000 hours.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
al Qaeda Taking A Pounding In Iraq
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The US is on the offensive in Iraq, before even half the troop surge is in place:(references to the above NY Times article...)
Pinch is smiling...
Insurgents attempt a surge of their own ~ Ramadi ...mid February...
It's not going well for al-Queda there either....
fyi
"....insurgents who were using heavy artillery machine guns..."
What in Hell is a heavy artillery machine gun?
Either a heavy machine gun, or air defense artillery (ADA)
Dumb-ass reporters.....
Multi-National Forces - Iraq Press Releases
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Baghdad – Fallujah, Iraqi Police captured three suspected members of an Al Qaeda in Iraq linked insurgent network during operations with Coalition advisors Friday in Fallujah.
Thanks for the link....
[. . .using heavy artillery machine guns. . .]
Not familiar with this terminology but the Times apparently is trying to say antiaircraft artillery (AAA).
Continued prayers for our military, for protection and for victory over this evil enemy.
A bunch of guys running around in flip-flops and pajamas are no match for our troops when we get serious. Throw everything at them but the kitchen sink and see how fast they crumble...
Insurgents attempt a surge of their own ~ Ramadi ...mid February...
***********Excerpt********************
In a vivid example, officers said that U.S. snipers methodically killed 10 insurgent attackers recently as they attempted to crawl up a creek bed toward a combat outpost downtown.
I bet that was satisfying. Sure as hell beats a typical day at my office job :-)
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"offensive air power"
The absolute right way to "offend" terrorists.
Its the new 'composi-gun" and has the attributes of both a cannon and a machine gun.
The first model catistrophically failed initial tests attempting to fire a 105mm howitzer shell through a 50cal machine gun barrel. The al Qaeda test team was obliterated.
The second design has been much more successful. A 50cal firing mechanism is mated to a 155mm field artillery barrel. Although the shell seems to lack spin for stabilization, and tends to tumble before exiting, the projectile does actually leave the barrel. The team is working on improving accuracy.
Brad, you may want to check out my post #16 for an explanation.
ROFL!
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