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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Lethal Snipers Lead the Way |
| 2004-03-16 |
| MOSUL, Iraq -- Lurking in the shadows of infantry patrols, security perimeters and raids, Army snipers are becoming the worst enemy for terrorists in northern Iraq. These highly skilled Soldiers are stealthy, disciplined and precise. "In this type of a conflict, enemies use guerilla-warfare tactics because there’s no way they can engage us head on. They hide in crowds and fire at you, hoping you’ll return fire into the direction of civilians," said Sgt. Joseph Danier, a sniper for 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team). "We are here to avoid that. It’s not like I want to shoot people. But if I have to, I will be 100 percent positive that I’m shooting a bad guy." Snipers are split up into two- or three-man teams at the company and battalion levels. One Soldier mans the weapon while the others spot and provide rear security. The spotter acquires the target, calculates wind and gives it to the gunner, who adjusts his data on the scope. The gunner squeezes the trigger and the spotter can see the bullet trace - a disturbance of air pressure that causes light to be refracted differently - through his gun’s scope. "It’s like on the movie ’The Matrix,’ where you can see the bullet before it impacts. As a spotter, I can see the bullet and where it hits," said Sgt. Chris Lumadue, the sniper-section leader for 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment. "If the shooter misses, I can tell him exactly how far off he was, and he’ll make the corrections off the information I give him and shoot again." It’s very rare that one of the Stryker Brigade’s 40 snipers misses. In the skirmishes at Samarra, snipers were used extensively. "In Samarra, our snipers were on rooftops providing overwatch for the platoon and could see and eliminate the enemy before we were even the ground," said 1st Lt. William Baynes, the 1st platoon leader for Company B, 5-20 Infantry. "Their urban tactics far exceed the enemy’s ability to pop up and fire an RPG." Today’s snipers are prepared for these types of situations. The five-week U.S. Army Sniper School has begun to emphasize the importance of urban warfare, which helps Soldiers be ready for the settings in Iraq. "In war, the urban environment is absolutely the most dangerous place for any Soldier," said Lt. Col. Karl Reed, the commander of 5-20 Infantry Regiment. "The buildings in Iraq are so different than in the states. The windows and doors are a different size in each house; there are more rooms than what we’re used to, and there are a lot of the little mud houses everywhere." Danier said that it’s imperative he receives concrete intelligence on the buildings in the area of engagement before going on an urban mission. "If I can get the measurements of a window, then I can calculate and visualize the trajectory of the round and how it will enter the target area," he said. "People never believe that there’s so much math applied to being a sniper." Another technicality for Danier to explain is that he can see a mile away through the scope of his .50-caliber sniper rifle, one of four sniper rifles in use by the Army. "Depending on the weather, which can affect my sight picture, I should be able to see an expression on a man’s face from very far away," Danier said of the 20-plus pound weapon. Other sniper rifles include the M-4, M-24 and M-14. "My favorite weapon to carry is the M-24, because it’s so light," said Sgt. Randal Davis, the sniper team leader for Company B, 5-20 Infantry. "It has a day and night scope and a realistic effective firing range of 1,000 meters." It’s quite common for snipers to start quoting numbers about their weapons or tell you the year they were manufactured. "We’re trained to know everything about our weapon and what to do with it in any given situation," Lumadue said. "I guess that’s why we’re such an intimidating, lethal force: because we’re always ready and accurate." |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |
| #4 Haha. "Camper" is a derogatory term for snipers in video games. Usually, it denotes an ineffective sniper that just "camps" at a point and engages targets of opportunity. Even in video games, they can be demoralizing. Usually, they're just annoying. :D Hats off to the real deal out there. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2004-3-16 3:51:41 PM |
| #3 Okay, I'll bite - Camper ?? |
| Posted by: Doc8404 2004-3-16 3:39:27 PM |
| #2 U FUKIN CAMPER QUIT CAMPING U FAG |
| Posted by: gromky 2004-3-16 1:48:31 PM |
| #1 Bravo! These guys are invaluable and effective. There is nothing which demoralizes the enemy on the ground more than knowing there are snipers afoot... assuming they have the brains to get it. I'll bet these men know and follow the example of "White Feather" - Carlos Hathcock - a true American hero. Rock 'n Roll, gentlemen! |
| Posted by: .com 2004-3-16 11:18:48 AM |