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| Iraq |
| UK ends troop presence in Iraq after six years |
| 2009-08-01 |
 [Al Arabiya Latest] Britain ended its troop presence in Iraq Friday, concluding six years of military involvement in the country that began with the U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. Under a deal between Baghdad and London signed last year, the last of Britain's forces left this week ahead of a July 31 deadline for their withdrawal, a spokesman for the British Embassy in Baghdad told AFP. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 Had to have the "pinch" and "tape" test a few times myself. Admittedly enjoyed the descent of low-porosity chutes later on as well. Visited too many TRADOC installations of late I guess. Some of these people would have difficulty making a complete uniform onsomble from a GP Medium tent, let along pass a PT test. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-08-01 17:35 |
| #4 Been there, done that, Old Spook. I never could get the weight people to admit I wasn't "overweight" at 5'9", 220#, but I could take a deep breath and sit on the bottom of a swimming pool - in the deep end. Thank you, Brits, for all you did, even though your "rules of engagement" and senior military kept you caged. I'm also glad so many of you had this experience, so you'll be well-trained when civil war breaks out in Britain between the Brits and the muslims. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2009-08-01 16:56 |
| #3 I routinely violated 600-9 screening standards. I was always 15 pounds over the max allowable. Standards just go on height/weight, and have nothing at all about muscularity in the initial screen. Had to go every damn year to the TMC and get the pinch test, and every damn year I came back with lower body fat than people that passed the initial screen. It would be the same bunch of us every time - the "luggers" who got to carry heavy crap: base plates, dismount TOW rounds, etc. Some of us really are just "big boned" (with muscles on those bones). You get that way from hauling loads or pushing players around or grappling and throwing opponents. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2009-08-01 11:59 |
| #2 Professionals I've found, and unlike far too many of our own these days, few of them would have problems with our casually ignored AR 600-9 standards. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-08-01 10:01 |
| #1 Good to have allies, even though they were hamstrung by piss poor political officers in command. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2009-08-01 09:56 |