Article

2006-04-18 Iraq

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Posted by Dan Darling 2006-04-18 00:49|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 nice going, boyz

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-04-18 01:04|| 2006-04-18 01:04|| Front Page Top

#2 Actually I continue to be very troubled by events like these (both Adamiyah and Ramadi) - not because they "provide fresh evidence" of anything, but because they result in anything less than a disaster for the bad guys. The govt. center in Ramadi has been a target for 2 years - is it really beyond our capability to lay traps, prepare the battlefield, and otherwise do the neccessary (perhaps special heliborne QRF ready to get behind the enemy without warning) so that these things are giant suicide debacles for the enemy?

Something similar about the Adamiyah event - if more than 10 bad guys gather together for an operation, we should have ample QRFs on hand to saturate the area and nab/kill every last one. And part of this is sitting on the locals to see if they know any of the culprits - second place prize (first place is telling the truth) is an all-expenses-paid 6-mont vacation at Camp Bucca.

I know, I know - we want/need to get the ISF up on its feet, and bonded with the populace, and all that. But I don't see why that aim can't be furthered even while we kill a lot more enemy. Contrary to self-serving declarations by many around here, the enemy is generally neither brave nor resourceful - and certainly not in the context of a fight against an advsersary like us. Could be wrong, because I lack critical info & details, but I have long sensed a disastrously timid and small-minded approach to this fight.

Even with the size of forces we have here, we should be capable of much, much, much larger and more decisive actions than we ever see. I have read/heard of only scattered instances of truly aggressive and creative approaches here (setting traps, sweating the local populace for info, using our ridiculous technical/material/personnel superiority to engineer decisive engagements - and yes, there such things in insurgencies, especially in such essentially weak and narrowly-based ones as that in Iraq).

A specific peeve: in the actual MNF-I release describing the Ramadi events, a Marine officer is quoted as expressing pride in his unit's use of proportionate force to respond to attacks. With all due respect, and acknowledgement of the common sense need to avoid superfluous damage, the people of Ramadi not only will not be alienated by a vigorous response - eons of experience have conditioned them to have real confidence only when overwhelming power has been demonstrated. In this case, there are many more "minds" to be won through displays of power than through evidence of humanity, professionalism, and good intentions.

Rant over.

Posted by Verlaine in Iraq 2006-04-18 02:34|| 2006-04-18 02:34|| Front Page Top

#3 The fighting in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, provided fresh evidence that the insurgency is thriving in Sunni Arab-dominated areas despite last month's decline in U.S. deaths.

Strike two Rumsfeld. Or it could be the generals, depending on whom you believe.

Posted by RR 2006-04-18 02:36|| 2006-04-18 02:36|| Front Page Top

#4 My God Verlaine! You dare blaspheme against Rummy? Shhhhh. Everything is good, man.

Posted by RR 2006-04-18 02:39|| 2006-04-18 02:39|| Front Page Top

#5 we got your Rummy thang RR, it's been noted.

Notice that Verlaine actually comes up with some ideas and Intel from theater? Suggestions from someone in theater has allot more value for me than an opinion here stateside, But maybe I'm mistaken maybe your there on patrol everyday RR or commanding a brigade in al Anbar.

Posted by RD 2006-04-18 03:58|| 2006-04-18 03:58|| Front Page Top

#6 A U.S. Army tank fired a 120 mm shell at a small white mosque where about 15 insurgents were shooting at the Government Center, Del Gaudio said. The round damaged part of the minaret and the firing ceased, he said.

Lt. Col. Stephen M. Neary, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, said it was the fourth time in the past 3{ weeks that insurgents had used the mosque to fire on the government building.

Good, atleast it won't be used for awhile! They should shut that mineret down and secure it with guards.

Posted by Cholutch Tholurong2686 2006-04-18 04:07|| 2006-04-18 04:07|| Front Page Top

#7 Thanks for everything you do VII, even if it does get my morning off to a cranky start.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-04-18 07:21|| 2006-04-18 07:21|| Front Page Top

#8 Verlaine makes good points.

Let me add something.

If the battle was really hours long, the forces in Ramadi had plenty of opportunity to maneuver the terrorists into an exposed position and have air mobile forces come in to Ramadi and wipe the terrorist force out.

In fact, the mystery here is why there is no mention of air power being used in this latest action.

Posted by mhw 2006-04-18 08:50|| 2006-04-18 08:50|| Front Page Top

#9 Lt. Col. Stephen M. Neary, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, said it was the fourth time in the past 3{ weeks that insurgents had used the mosque to fire on the government building.

CT2686, I'll go ya one better. If it's been used 4 times in 3 weeks, I think the whole thing should be leveled. I hear Flaterpillar has some good 'dozers that can do the work. And, only the MSM could call (only) a 90-minute firefight a thriving insurgency. Note it's the largest attack since April 8th. Things are calming down, now we just have some hot spots to put out.

Posted by BA 2006-04-18 10:29|| 2006-04-18 10:29|| Front Page Top

#10 These "Made for TV Attacks" sound more like photo opportunities for AP stringers. Film at 11:00. 35mm quagmire.

Posted by john">john 2006-04-18 13:47|| 2006-04-18 13:47|| Front Page Top

#11 I find it interesting that the 2 explosive-laden cars turned and sped away, and then blew up. Were the explosives on a timer or perhaps being controlled by a remote person who didn't like it that the drivers chickened out? Does that make the drivers martyrs-by-proxy? Do they get drive by virgins?

Posted by USN, ret. 2006-04-18 15:04|| 2006-04-18 15:04|| Front Page Top

#12 Unless you've had some kind of experience in the Middle East, you cannot believe what a warren their cities really are. I'll try to find a couple of photos to link to. You can't drive down streets looking for bad guys. Alleyways run in 20 directions over a half-mile, and may or may not connect up to what we would consider a street. Zoning and American-style layout DO. NOT. EXIST - except in certain parts of Baghdad where the city was bulldozed flat and they started over. You could hide half the Chinese Army in some of those cities. As for using airpower, the same thing applies. Unless you're directly overhead, you cannot see what's going on in those alleyways, courtyards, cul-de-sacs, and other blind spots. If you ARE directly overhead, you're vulnerable to ground fire, and you have to twist and turn so much trying to follow the crooked alley your back seater is puking down your collar.

I think we're doing damned well for what we're up against. We could do better, but at such a great expense to the Iraqi civilians that it would be a Phyrric victory.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2006-04-18 16:51|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2006-04-18 16:51|| Front Page Top

#13 Accurate assessment of the urban threat Patriot, as usual. Thanks!

Posted by Besoeker 2006-04-18 16:54|| 2006-04-18 16:54|| Front Page Top

#14 We need to instrument all the minarets with cams.

Say dropable cams with sticky base wimax and solar powered.

Drop and a tarlike base just sticks it to any surface. There are patents for devices like this. Use them.

Posted by 3dc 2006-04-18 20:59|| 2006-04-18 20:59|| Front Page Top

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