Video from the Surge, Tal's Unit, 2BCT - 82d Airborne

The SurgeThis is what life is like for the average Paratrooper on patrol in sector in what the media has often called a near civil war. Very brutal footage. Some kids involved in some of it, so if you have weak stomachs, you may not want to watch.For an update, 2BCT 82d Airborne is starting in our 8th month of the Surge. My Battalion, 407th BSB, runs combat logistics patrols daily, and we haven't been hit by an IED yet. In part due to the Engineers who conduct route clearance, and in part due to the brilliant Intel Analysts that work here.Enjoy.

---

News Media: Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory 1 negative report at a time.

TalI am curious Tal, since the reports are that the Al Qaeda are being systematically routed from the city proper and that car bombings are being thwarted by the placement of concrete barricades around the markets, is there any work being done to secure the infrastructure of the city below the streets? If I were a determined terrorist and my one route was blocked I would think it wise to search for a new one.Since most modern cities have an extensive network of underground systems a sufficient underground explosion would reek even more havoc than an above ground one and possibly with just as lethal consequences.
I would imagine the possibility has been looked into however ,as I said, I am curious.P.S. I enjoyed the film.Edited by sidelined, : No reason given.

Its too bad you guys are having no fun over there....... Embrace the suck

---

​

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt

That's an outstanding question. I think you're in the wrong line of work. It sounds as if you should be an intel analyst.

Most of our catastophic recovery missions and deaths (coalition forces) come from IEDs placed in sewer lines and command detonated. It doesn't matter if you are driving a Ford Explorer or a Tank as the the explosion rips through the underbelly of the vehicle. There usually isn't much left. The counter to this TTP (tactics, techniques, & procedures) are the MRAPs (man I hate acroynms, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) which are designed to increase the survivablity of the crew in the event of an undercarriage explosion.They come up with IEDs, we up-armor our vehicles. They went away from command wire detonations because we would find the triggerman. So they went to Radio Control and Cell Phone initiated. We countered that with various ECM systems. They went to EFPs and AAIEDs (thanks Iran), we counter with IR defeating equipment. They go to placing IEDs in sewer systems, we go with MRAPs. They come up with something new, we come up with a way to defeat it, and they come up with something new...So I guess the short answer is the bad guys can target us, but not civilians effectively through the sewer systems. VBIEDs are still the weapons of choice.*EDIT*
Nemesis, the problem is logistics. They need to get the explosives from their factory to the target. The sewer systems simply don't allow them the access. They either need to drive it there, or attempt indirect fire. They use all their rockets and mortars on our Combat Outposts, Forward Operating Bases, and Joint Security Stations though. Edited by Tal, : responding to Nemesis

---

News Media: Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory 1 negative report at a time.

Hi, Tal...I watched your video...did you guys make it? I was wondering how a cameraman would go along on a patrol? Anyway that was a great song that accompanied the footage, and it gave me a glimpse of Baghdad that I have never seen. It almost looks like the inner city? Anyway, I had a question and a comment. First the question: Do the little kids look up to you guys or fear you?Now the comment: You will never forget the experience that will turn you into the mentor and Father that you will soon become (or now already are!) Keep it real and true and keep praying!

---

Convictions are very different from intentions. Convictions are something God gives us that we have to do. Intentions are things that we ought to do, but we never follow through with them.
* * * * * * * * * *
“The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants.”--General Omar Bradley
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Homer Simpson: Sometimes, Marge, you just have to go with your gut!
Marge: You *always* go with your gut! How about for once you listen to your brain?

All I saw were some guys wearing soldier uniforms covered in expensive body armors carrying expensive guns smiling, jumping into bushes, stumbling around, and chasing chickens. So, that's what my tax money has been spent on...

---

Disclaimer:

​

Occasionally, owing to the deficiency of the English language, I have used he/him/his meaning he or she/him or her/his or her in order to avoid awkwardness of style.

​

He, him, and his are not intended as exclusively masculine pronouns. They may refer to either sex or to both sexes!

Probably both. I'm guessing that it depends on the child and the level of exposure (s)he has with the troops.I'm sure some kids have had their parents tell them horror stories-- some true, some false. For instance, during the first Gulf War, Saddam told his people that Marines, as a prerequisite, killed a family member in order to get in.Obviously, that would leave an indelible mark on impressionable, young minds.But at the same time I know that many of the kids like the troops. So its probably both, depending on the kid and what they;ve been exposed to.

---

​

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt

Its called "down time." Seems like they're making the best of a crappy situation, which I think most people would do under the circumstances.What would you like to see them doing? Firebombing a village?

---

​

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt

I was thinking "packing up to return to their families in the States."

Oh, for crying out loud, I was only joking. I consider myself extremely ignorant in regard to the situation in Iraq and thus have not been having any informed opinion on it at all. Like I said before many times, I don't pretend to know something and speak authoritively on it after having read a single news article on it. It's an attitude I've been trying to get creationistos to understand for years now.Anyway, sorry you couldn't see joke. I couldn't help it. It was the first thing that came to my mind as I saw how brotherly those guys seemed.

---

Disclaimer:

​

Occasionally, owing to the deficiency of the English language, I have used he/him/his meaning he or she/him or her/his or her in order to avoid awkwardness of style.

​

He, him, and his are not intended as exclusively masculine pronouns. They may refer to either sex or to both sexes!

Link

quote:

---

To believe that Americans, with an occupying force that long ago outlived its reluctant welcome, can win over a recalcitrant local population and win this counterinsurgency is far-fetched. As responsible infantrymen and noncommissioned officers with the 82nd Airborne Division soon heading back home, we are skeptical of recent press coverage portraying the conflict as increasingly manageable and feel it has neglected the mounting civil, political and social unrest we see every day. (Obviously, these are our personal views and should not be seen as official within our chain of command.)

---

I'm not sure how long this article will be available.

Since the internet is devoid of facial expressions and general body language, it is some times difficult to discern when someone is either joking, indifferent, or angry.I suppose this is why emoticons were invented.My apologies for misinterpreting.

You'd have to think I'm some kind of monster to actually think I'd seriously criticize these guys for making that video.

---

Disclaimer:

​

Occasionally, owing to the deficiency of the English language, I have used he/him/his meaning he or she/him or her/his or her in order to avoid awkwardness of style.

​

He, him, and his are not intended as exclusively masculine pronouns. They may refer to either sex or to both sexes!