On Independence Day: US Forces under heavy attack in Iraq 18 Wounded 1 Dead

[tnitsuj]

From CBSNEWS

They are getting bolder and more sophisticated. This time it was mortar attacks and sniper fire, coupled with remote controlled bombs.

 

[mastertech01]

And we have also foiled another attack..

BAGHDAD, Iraq ? U.S. troops killed 11 Iraqis who ambushed a convoy on a highway north of Baghdad (search) Friday, hours after mortar rounds slammed into a U.S. base in the same area, injuring 18 American soldiers, the military said.





Another U.S. soldier was shot and killed while guarding the Baghdad museum (search), the U.S. military said Friday.

The U.S. military said 11 men attacked the convoy with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire near Balad (search), 55 miles north of the capital. Soldiers of the Army's 4th Infantry Division fired back, killing all the men. None of the Americans was injured.

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: tnitsuj
From CBSNEWS

They are getting bolder and more sophisticated. This time it was mortar attacks and sniper fire, coupled with remote controlled bombs.

 

[freegeeks]

if the US military can't get the situation under control fast it's going to get very messy in the near future.

 

[Moonbeam]

It doesn't look too good. About the only way we can redeem our terrible crime is to try and fix our mess. Not sure it can be done. Really sad. People will cut off their nose to spite their face.

 

[LunarRay]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
It doesn't look too good. About the only way we can redeem our terrible crime is to try and fix our mess. Not sure it can be done. Really sad. People will cut off their nose to spite their face.

The plan was to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people by liberating them and I assume creating the environment for that liberation to flourish.. somewhere along the line the thinkers in DC forgot about the bad guys that are now about their business... We apparently felt that once liberated all the good guys would turn in the bad guys and harmony would ensue... The mind of the good guy folks seems not disposed that way... In Ireland, it would be a sin for a Catholic to turn in an IRA member.... plus a bomb would probably go off or something.. So in Iraq... the folks need seeing more than just SH's head and his baby monsters to end the fear.. they need to see the end of bad guys period.. and that takes time... but, I suspect there is a long line of bad guys just waiting for their turn.. If this is true then with out doubt this venture is destined to be drawn out and dangerous...
If we can get a multi national Islamic group in for the "minding" part... get us out and forget the oil.. forget the rebuilding contracts... and forget the AGENDA... we can go back to just being afear of stuff.. Of course the AGENDA is fixed and thats that.... so ... oh well...

 

[Moonbeam]

Well Viet Nam is comming along, slowly, right?

 

[HappyPuppy]

Hmmm, sounds like we need to send out more troops on "search and destroy" missions. That's the ticket. Sweep through an area, destroy the infrastructure so the enemy can't survive there and then pull back to our base camps. Setting up "firebases" at strategic points would no doubt discourage the bad guys, as well. A stepped up campaign of Harassment and Interdiction strikes would keep the evil ragheads on their toes while, unfortunately, causing some insignificant "collateral" damage.

The only thing missing from this scenario is a triple canopy jungle. Welcome to 35 years ago.

 

[LunarRay]

Happy,

We could drop some Portland Cement to mix with the sand and water tankers to catalyze the mix and sorta be like VN... There is little
an occupying force can do with out the hearts and minds of the people firmly on their side... the people stand to loose much and they know it... It ain't just SH... it is all the bad guys who hate us and there are lots of em.. I just don't see how ya can tell the difference between the good guy and the bad guy in Iraq... Don't forget the bad guy gets an Islamic ticket to heaven by martyrdom.

 

[LunarRay]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Well Viet Nam is comming along, slowly, right?

That Movie ... with robin williams just flashed in my mind...... Goooooood Mooooornin Baaaaaghdad.

 

[CaptainGoodnight]

This was a heavy attack? Get real.

 

[Moonbeam]

I think it was pretty heavy for the one who died.

 

[LunarRay]

Originally posted by: CaptainGoodnight
This was a heavy attack? Get real.

Relative to their capability it is heavy... Their job is not to defeat a division in open battle.. using a mortar device is mighty major use of fire power given their human bomb weaponry.

 

[LunarRay]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
I think it was pretty heavy for the one who died.

Well within the parameters of acceptable battle losses... or what ever they refer to when determining which plateau the latest event belongs on..

 

[Drift3r]

As GWB would say...."Bring'em on !"

 

[Brie]

Originally posted by: tnitsuj
From CBSNEWS

They are getting bolder and more sophisticated. This time it was mortar attacks and sniper fire, coupled with remote controlled bombs.

Rule 1: Never underestimate the enemy. I have no doubt that the Iraqi resistance, no matter how organized or unorganized, is able to do much more. Just because they try somthing new shouldnt suprise us!

Hmmm, sounds like we need to send out more troops on "search and destroy" missions. That's the ticket. Sweep through an area, destroy the infrastructure so the enemy can't survive there and then pull back to our base camps. Setting up "firebases" at strategic points would no doubt discourage the bad guys, as well. A stepped up campaign of Harassment and Interdiction strikes would keep the evil ragheads on their toes while, unfortunately, causing some insignificant "collateral" damage.

Happy,
Yes indeed our soldiers are going out on many "search and destroy" missions. Currently is Iraq, for most units each soldier rotates in his duties. One day for patroling and "search and destroy" missions. Next day for some sort of guard duty or other various duties. And the third rotation is going and partying at Sadaam's palaces in the pools etc. Sounds pretty nice huh!
I agree that your plan for Iraq would be effective but it is not the right plan. The problem with the army is that we are pretty darned good at destorying infastructure but terriable at peacekeeping duties. While destroying infastructure will harm the resistance, it will also harm the civilians living in Iraq. In addition I must question your definition of the "bad guys." Currently there are many WELL respected civil and religious leaders that we suspect are participating in the Iraqi resistance. How can we arrest these people if it will only anger the local populace. LunarRay has exactly the right idea, once we convince the Iraqi's that we are the "good" guys it will be much easier to accomplish our mission and get our boys and girls home!