More good reporting/writing by Teflon Don on why Friday in Iraq is the day for car and truck bombs:
"There’s all kinds of smoke in Iraq. There’s the plumes that signify a fire- white for wood or reeds, black for vehicles, and grey for buildings. Mushroom clouds mean a bomb of some sort- white or grey, especially with a lot of dust, for an IED, and black for car bombs."
UPDATE Omar at Iraq the Model on why the chlorine bombs, which TD also refers to, could be a good turning of the screw for us.
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Posted in Iraq, The War, Troops
Tagged Acute Politics, Iraq, Teflon Don, VBIED
The lunar eclipse from mounted patrol in Iraq:
"At some point while we were digging up the bomb, all the lights down the road went out, leaving the scene [lit] only by the ghostly half-light of the moon. As we pulled off down the road, even that pale illumination faded- the lunar eclipse had come and stolen the light."
Good piece from Teflon Don.
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Posted in Iraq, The War, Troops
Tagged Iraq, lunar eclipse, Teflon Don
Bing West at the Small Wars Journal offers insight from a recent trip to Iraq:
"Trust will decide this war. We know the essence of the problem: Whether the Iraqi central government and security forces are led by deceivers who tell us they believe in a stable federation with power-sharing, while they abet sectarian division. In my most recent visit, there was the pervasive, open acknowledgement by the police, IA and the residents that they trusted the Americans, but not each other."
Momma made her join the Army, so Rachal Franklin became a pilot, an Apache gunship pilot.
"Though women are still barred from infantry and other ground combat units, this [Iraq] is the first war in which female U.S. troops have been authorized to shoot back. And they have – as helicopter gunners, military police, and even truck drivers forced to defend themselves on a battlefield with no clear frontlines."
Good read about our women at arms.
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Posted in Iraq, The War, Troops
Tagged Apache gunship, Iraq, pilot Rachael Franklin
Ben of Mesopotamia is so short…
"I’m even more tired of seeing MedEvac helicopters skimming above the palm trees, ferrying more wounded soldiers to the Combat Support Hospital."
Short timer malaise in Baghdad.
"An Iraqi contestant in an Arab-world talent competition similar to ‘American Idol’ has managed to unite her country like no government can. Every Friday night, Iraqis gather around their TVs to root for Shada Hassoon, 25, as she tries to sing her way to victory and a big cash prize on ‘Star Academy.’"
Iraqis as one.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 