computer generated...
Posted on 06/23/2007 5:25:12 PM PDT by AlbertoMG
In The Corner on Thursday, John Derbyshire posed the following question:
"This week's big military operation north of Baghdad is named "Operation Arrowhead Ripper." Can anyone tell me why? Is it just a random name, or does it have some historical significance I don't know about?"
We answered it here and here. And as early as Tuesday, we were talking about it here. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at tank.nationalreview.com ...
I remember in 1962 the US Navy had a big communications exercise that taxed the traffic handling ability of communications stations worldwide, whatever else it was intended to do. It was called operation High Heels.
That would probably be too sexist for today.
“Can anyone tell me why?”
Beyond my pay-grade, AMG. I’m curious as to how they come up with those names, too.
So, perhaps the name is intended to mean a serpentine-and-bloody strike against the enemy.
yitbos
As long as they don’t have some limp-wrist naming these operations “Creampuff Waltz,” I’m satisfied.
IIRC, the name for the 7th Marines Regimental Combat Team (RCT)in Desert Storm was Task Force Ripper.
Semper Fi,
computer generated...
“As long as they don’t have some limp-wrist naming these operations “Creampuff Waltz,” I’m satisfied.”
The other communications operation of the period had a more manly name. It was called Quick Kick. Between alliteration and rhyming, we were more...uhm... literary code names in those days. Arrowhead Ripper, Arrowhead being the nick of the military unit, just doesn’t parse. At least, though, it isn’t a self-serving PR creature like Enduring Freedom or the execrable Patriot Act.
One might recall that Operation Masher, a search-and-destroy mission in South Vietnam involving US, South Vietnamese, and Korean troops was renamed "Operation White Wing." Perhaps "Masher" sounded too violent.
Just like when "search and destroy" was renames to "search and clear".
yitbos
Shock and awe is the bestest. I came across a place name yesterday that I like a lot, too. One of the states in Mexico is named Quintana Roo. Alright!
The name makes me think of pulling an arrow out of a wound. But that’s really messy.
That reminds me of a bit of humor I once heard or read regarding the different branches of the U.S. Military and their definition of the term, "secure the building".
It went something like this:
Marines: destroy the building.
Army: kill everyone in the building and set up a command post in it.
Navy: turn off the light and lock the door when you leave.
IIRC at lower levels, the names of things like phase lines, check points and objectives are supposed to be completely random and easy to understand over a radio net apple: dog, blue, hammer, etc.
I can understand choosing public names for ops for propaganda/morale reasons tho.
-One of the states in Mexico is named Quintana Roo.—
It sounds like an Australian airline mascot.
LOL
It really does, doesn’t it?
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