Why not to mess with marines

[Rainsford]

Good on the Marines, but war is not a movie or a video game. :roll:

 

[NoShangriLa]

One can view this battle out come as positive news. But, IMHO, at least 250 sons & daughters of the dead Afghanistan are going to fill their ranks.

It is sad that this isn't one battle closer to winning the war.

 

[5150Joker]

I bet they killed a bunch of newbies in flip flops that had zero training. The hardened fighters would've wiped out those marines pretty quick, especially if they were pinned down already. For every story like this, there's ten others where Marines constantly need air support or to be evacuated asap because they can't handle it--case in point is when the war first started and the marines got bogged down by experienced taliban fighters and had to have Pakistani paramilitary forces come rescue them. It's a nice feel good story but the reality on the ground is these guys constantly need air support to win a battle. I hate the Taliban as much as the next guy but reality is the US, UK and other NATO forces have essentially forfeited Afghanistan back to the Taliban (aside from Kabul).

 

[Ozoned]

Originally posted by: 5150Joker
I bet they killed a bunch of newbies in flip flops that had zero training. The hardened fighters would've wiped out those marines pretty quick, especially if they were pinned down already. For every story like this, there's ten others where Marines constantly need air support or to be evacuated asap because they can't handle it--case in point is when the war first started and the marines got bogged down by experienced taliban fighters and had to have Pakistani paramilitary forces come rescue them. It's a nice feel good story but the reality on the ground is these guys constantly need air support to win a battle. I hate the Taliban as much as the next guy but reality is the US, UK and other NATO forces have essentially forfeited Afghanistan back to the Taliban (aside from Kabul).

Where did these experienced Taliban fighters get there experience?

You are simply talking out of your ass.

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: Ozoned

Originally posted by: 5150Joker
I bet they killed a bunch of newbies in flip flops that had zero training. The hardened fighters would've wiped out those marines pretty quick, especially if they were pinned down already. For every story like this, there's ten others where Marines constantly need air support or to be evacuated asap because they can't handle it--case in point is when the war first started and the marines got bogged down by experienced taliban fighters and had to have Pakistani paramilitary forces come rescue them. It's a nice feel good story but the reality on the ground is these guys constantly need air support to win a battle. I hate the Taliban as much as the next guy but reality is the US, UK and other NATO forces have essentially forfeited Afghanistan back to the Taliban (aside from Kabul).

Where did these experienced Taliban fighters get there experience?

You are simply talking out of your ass.

The country has been in a state of perpetual war since the 70s, where the fuck do you think they got it?

 

[Zebo]

There were thousands of 'won the battle' stories like this in 'nam too. Guess what happened?

 

[hellod9]

If the military leaders in Iraq really believe taht biggest take-a-way from 'winning a battle' is that marines can win battles...then no wonder things ended up so poorly.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Train

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Video games FTW. I am positive that video games help in this kind of thing.

I am positive they dont.

Yeah, I'm with Train on this one. Having a tactical sense of awareness is nothing like a video game, and neither is moving/shooting/communicating.

My CROWS .50 cal mounted on top of my truck during my last tour however... remote control video screen with a joystick.

 

[TheSlamma]

Originally posted by: Train
hooah is soldiers, oohrah is marines. Sounds like splitting hairs, but say one to the other and youll get a dirty look either way, or just laughed at for being a noob.

If it means I have more important things in life then to master a grunt then I hope I look like a n00b for the rest of my life

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: 5150Joker
I bet they killed a bunch of newbies in flip flops that had zero training. The hardened fighters would've wiped out those marines pretty quick, especially if they were pinned down already. For every story like this, there's ten others where Marines constantly need air support or to be evacuated asap because they can't handle it--case in point is when the war first started and the marines got bogged down by experienced taliban fighters and had to have Pakistani paramilitary forces come rescue them. It's a nice feel good story but the reality on the ground is these guys constantly need air support to win a battle. I hate the Taliban as much as the next guy but reality is the US, UK and other NATO forces have essentially forfeited Afghanistan back to the Taliban (aside from Kabul).

Can't say that I know enough to say you're right or wrong, but got anything source material on that? As far as I have read even experienced Taliban fighters are absolutely no match for NATO troops one on one. When they tried that in the early days, they were utterly wiped out. Hence the move to set piece ambushes.

I think saying that NATO forces "constantly need air support" is a bit misleading. Do NATO troops frequently call in for firepower to be delivered from up above? Absolutely - beats having to stick your head out and walk into what's almost surely a trap set by people far more knowledgeable about the lay of the land. It's not a measure of cowardice or battle acumen since what they're doing is logically making use of every tool in their arsenal.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: 5150Joker
I bet they killed a bunch of newbies in flip flops that had zero training. The hardened fighters would've wiped out those marines pretty quick, especially if they were pinned down already. For every story like this, there's ten others where Marines constantly need air support or to be evacuated asap because they can't handle it--case in point is when the war first started and the marines got bogged down by experienced taliban fighters and had to have Pakistani paramilitary forces come rescue them. It's a nice feel good story but the reality on the ground is these guys constantly need air support to win a battle. I hate the Taliban as much as the next guy but reality is the US, UK and other NATO forces have essentially forfeited Afghanistan back to the Taliban (aside from Kabul).

I would say that is untrue and placing the blame for Afghanistan's fall at the feet of Marines or the US Army is neglecting the facts. Pound for pound, Marines are some of the best soldiers on the planet and their reliance on air support doesn't come from their inability to eliminate Taliban forces, but because air support is more politically palatable (fewer US casualties).

 

[palehorse]

A big :thumbsup: for my Marine compadres and a job well done.

Get some.

 

[jpeyton]

Did we win the war yet?

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Did we win the war yet?

Have you helped yet?