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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Empty the Magazine, Turn and Run |
| 2005-06-20 |
| June 20, 2005: While roadside bombs and suicide car bombers get most of the media attention in Iraq, they are not the main cause of combat deaths. Gunfire is still the most deadly cause of death, accounting for 25 percent of them. Next come roadside bombs (IEDs), at 20 percent, and moving IEDs (non suicide car bombs) at five percent. RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) account for four percent. Mortar fire, usually at bases, accounted for four percent of deaths. Helicopter crashes, caused by enemy fire, was three percent of deaths. Vehicle accident deaths, caused by enemy fire, were two percent, as were sniper fire and suicide bombers on foot. A long list of other battlefield dangers accounted for the remaining 31 percent. By far, the most common combat experience for American troops is someone just opening on them with an AK-47. This fire, while abundant, is not very accurate. Few Iraqis have gotten enthusiastic about marksmanship. While there have been more sniper kills of late, that could be the result of just a few individuals. One thing the hostile Iraqis do pay more attention to is their getaway. Often they make their attacks in crowded residential areas, and if they hit a few civilians while they are at it, it does not seem to concern them much. Indeed, the attackers will often use nearby civilians as shields, either during their attack, or as they are making their getaway. They know that the ROE (Rules of Engagement) American troops follow emphasizes minimizing civilian casualties. The al Qaeda ROE has no such restrictions, and sees live civilians as good protection from American firepower, and any resulting dead civilians as good propaganda. Knowing the speed and accuracy with which American troops return fire, most of these gunfire attacks are of the "empty the magazine, turn and run" variety. Any attacker who does not follow that drill, rarely lasts more than an attack or two. Because of the speed and skill of American troops, the IED, usually a roadside bomb, has become very popular. Like the AK-47 and RPG attacks, the attackers are usually paid to do the deed. But in the case of planting IEDs, the fee is a lot less. That's because the risk to the attackers is a lot less. Some terrorists are caught planting IEDs, but most of those are arrested. Fleeing is often not a good idea, again because of the accuracy of American firepower. For some reason, many Iraqis think they can outrun a helicopter or AC-130 gunship. However, it's probably the case, usually at night, where the terrorist doesn't know where the fire is coming from, and is just responding with a very natural reaction ("get out of the area, as fast as possible.") Many of these attacks, either with guns or bombs, often show a fair amount of planning and preparation. But the people who set these attacks up, rarely expose themselves to return fire. This is why the Israelis finally shut down Palestinian terrorist attacks last year by concentrating on the planners and organizers. That's what is going on in Iraq now, and, not surprisingly, more and more of the attacks and IEDs are crude and ineffective. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #6 These tactics don't ever last long, the insurgents that live are becoming more sophisticated everyday. Battling the greatest force on earth teaches you a few new tricks... The trick for us is to kill them before they learn any more. MM |
| Posted by: Mountain Man 2005-06-20 16:18 |
| #5 This is what my friend, Sgt. Hank Harvey, was telling me. Most often an ambush is initiated by an IED and then it looks like someone kicked over an anthill with terrorists running out in the open to empty a magazine and then run. No coordination and very little planning except for the initial bomb detonation followed by indescriminate shooting. If our troops are lucky enough to catch them without civilians around they are just mowed down. Hopefully they won't learn any good tactics but continue to be targets. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2005-06-20 11:18 |
| #4 For some reason, many Iraqis think they can outrun a helicopter or AC-130 gunship Clearly they don't get COPS or that "Wildest Police Chases" in Iraq. |
| Posted by: Penguin 2005-06-20 11:06 |
| #3 One thing the hostile Iraqis do pay more attention to is their getaway. Often they make their attacks in crowded residential areas, and if they hit a few civilians while they are at it, it does not seem to concern them much. Nor does it seem to concern the media either. But when U.S. military action occurs that inadvertently results in Iraqi civilians being killed, the shrieking is loud and sustained for as long as possible. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-06-20 11:00 |
| #2 Most deadly form of death? Who subbed this?! |
| Posted by: anon1 2005-06-20 10:55 |
| #1 Spray and pray almost never works. As for the IEDs being crude and ineffective, faster please! |
| Posted by: mmurray821 2005-06-20 10:52 |