Seems that the insurgents Islamofacists are not adverse to using high tech training techniques in training their sniper forces to a higher effective proficiency. They are also using the net as a tool for recruitment of suicide bombers.

That's the "RoP" for you...obtain high technology; use it to spread hate and make your killing activities more effective.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 01:31 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Go here for a video of one incident in the day of the life of a Marine in combat.

The video was filmed by some Air Force Joint Tactical Air Controllers
(JTAC) in Tal Afar, west of Mosul. They were with a Marine Advisor Support Team - they are attached to Iraqi units and help train their forces on a day- to-day basis - who where in a fairly sustained firefight in the streets of Tal Afar with about 3 Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF). They set their video camera on the bumper of their Up-Armored HMMWV which they were using for cover.

You can hear them shooting back and forth. The rounds you can hear are from the Marines and the ones you hear pinging against the side of the vehicle with no accompanying pop are from the AIF.

When the JTACs say they just "fired rifle" that means the aircraft
just launched the Maverick. You can hear it come in and see it strike
the vehicle the AIF were using for cover.

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Well, isn't THIS special.

It seems that Illegal immigrants are interfering with training excercises vital to the readiness of troops being groomed for duty in Iraq, by trying to use the training grounds/firing ranges as incursion corridors into the US.

I know it sounds cold blooded, but I have a thought on how to stop this. Mark the areas clearly as kill zones in Spanish, and if any do try to use the range as a free entry zone, use them as targets of opportunity. These people represent a clear danger to our national security, both in the fact that they are interfering with training needed to help our soldiers try to stay alive in a war zone, and that they provide cover to would be terrorists to observe our training to try to defeat those soldiers, as such, I would say that we consider them as enemy combatants, that have received fair warning and terminate with extreme prejudice. I feel sure that, after a few well publicized examples, those illegals that are "innocent" of espionage will learn to avoid these areas.

It is a harsh way to deal with the problem, I agree, but I believe that in the long run, it protects the greatest number of lives in the end, both our soldiers and Illegals.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 01:21 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Pictures From Iraq That Are Too Shocking & Graphic for The Mainstream Media
(And just don't fit their "quagmire" meme)

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One of my favorite Jarheads, Brandon Strassler, sent me this story of a ceremony dedicating a classroom to LCpl Kyle Renehan. (click on the second story to view details)

A training room at the Air Traffic Control (ATC) School aboard NAS Pensacola was dedicated to the memory of LCpl Renehan, who died in Iraq on December 9, 2004 as the result of a morter attack on his position.

After the ceremony, RenehanÂ’s father said, "ItÂ’s special. He will live on down here with everyone who goes through here. The family wanted to find a way to keep his name alive, and this will help."

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Here is a picture of the wreath that will be placed on the grave of Sgt Adam Plumondor U.S. Army. from the Nation of Riflemen, of which I consider myself a proud member.

The leaf body is Laurel, to signify a Champion, The flowers are Yellow Roses, to signify one of the Colors of the Regiment, and to remind us that Adam waits for us, now, and so to remind us to our duty as he did his. The Ribbons are White, to signify the purity of the Honor and Devotion to Duty of this man of men. The words inscribed theron are Gold, to signify that no higher Honor may be expressed.

UPDATE: Riverdog attended the Memorial Service for Adam and two other members of the Stryker Brigade,SGT. Frank Hernandez, 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment and SPC Clinton Gertson, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment. He has some photos of the catafalques of the fallen being honored; and a description of the ceremony that was so simple and yet so complete that it made you feel you were there as you were reading it.

Thank You for being our eyes and ears, from all of us who couldn't go to the Final Farewell, Major Schneider.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 01:23 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Mamamontezz sent me this to post on her site. I have done so and would request that you go on over to Slaglerock's and wish him your best. While seemingly a "posh" posting, I believe that there may be some surprises in the road ahead.

That's OK, he can more than handle anything that may be thrown his way. He's a tough little M-F, even if he is "only" a Zoomy.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 11:03 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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In the support and kudos we (rightfully) give our servicemen and women, there is an all but forgotton component of service life, and that is the families of these extraordinary people. Here is the story of one Marine wife and mother.

I would echo tim Chaves's statement when he writes:

And we should be proud of those on the home front who make the heroics in Iraq possible. Schools, civic groups and places of worship should take the time to boost the morale of these families — by letting the children know how much we appreciate them letting their daddies and mommies protect us, and letting the wives and husbands know their struggle is equally heroic.

We will win the war on terror because there is a Colleen on the home front standing behind every Mark in Iraq and Afghanistan. And that support lets daddies fight and sacrifice so other kids can be free.

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I just learned from Kim du Toit's site of the loss of another American hero, U.S. Army Sergeant Adam J. Plumondore.

The loss is made all the harder to bear due to the fact that Sgt. Plumondore was the Adam of the "Walter and Adam Fund" that Kim has been sponsering in his bid to help the troops. I was unable to contribute to this effort ere now, but I will make it a point to do so at the earliest possible time...mortgage be damned.

I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to Sgt. Plumondore's family, I hope they can take some small measure of comfort in knowing that Adam died doing an important job. His sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Update: Kim has posted eulogy to Sgt Plumondore made by his C.O., LTC Kurilla. It is a most inspiring piece.

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Recently, I had a question asked of me: "was the loss of soldiers lives/severe injuries worth the cost in Iraq?" Then the asker went on to excoriate the increase in military spending...well, this is one reason for the increase. IF we can develop robotic combatants, it will go a long way toward decreasing the number and severity of our causelties. Robots will never replace combat soldiers in the forseeable future, and I'm not sure we would ever want them to; but with their help, maybe we can fight with a much lower cost in the lives of our servicemen and women.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:46 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Tech Central Station has an exclusive interview with the "soldier" purported to have been captured and held hostage by the insurgents Islamofacists in Iraq.

As much play as the MSM gave this story as an example of the "quagmire" we are finding ourselves in Iraq, I'm sure they will all want to try to give this interview the widest possible coverage! NOT.

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Dusty has an interesting post over at Castle AAARRGGH on one of my favorite military aircraft, the A-10 "warthog. He writes it from personal experience with the ugly beauty. It was a joy to read about the Warthog from a man who loves her for her innate ability.

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Matt May writes a touching piece honoring his cousin, Spc Luke Frist,US Army,209 QM Corps. Spc Frist died on January 5, 2004, of wounds that he sustained in an IED attack on a convoy he was a part of several days earlier.

Why write such a tribute now, over a year later? Because of the events that occured yesterday. The first truly free election in Iraq. Those elections are a first step in what we are trying to accomplish in Iraq. Spc. Frist gave his life in that effort; these elections are testament that what he was trying to do was just and right.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 10:18 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Lt.Col. Mark Smith USMC 2/24, "the Mad Ghosts"/ Indiana State Police Trooper

A home town Marine brings a view contrary to what the MSM puts out.. If you listened to them, the Iraqis don't care if they vote or not, it's exchanging one set of "invaders" for a "US puppet government", Yada, Yada,Yada.

According to the Iraqi Sheik in this story though, the election means a great deal to the average Iraqi; thats why the insurgents Islamofacists are so determined to disrupt the process.
The Islamofacists know that if the Iraqi people know that the power to rule themselves is truly in their own hands; that their reign of terror is finished.

Be SURE to click on the "Extended Entry" and read LtCol. Smith's e-mail. He has layed out the reasons why we are in Iraq as well as anyone ever could. more...

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:25 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Once a Marine, ALWAYS a Marine, and the Marine Corps just proved that by letting a 51 year old rejoin to fulfill his dream of an overseas deployment.

Now I wonder.....Maybe the Army could use a 50 year old Vet/ truck driver?

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:45 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Blackfive has an inspiring story of a true American Hero, Major Tammy Duckworth. We often tend to forget that women are contributing in a larger part than ever before in combat type operations.

The thing that makes Maj. Duckworth a real hero in my eyes is her determination to reassume her duties in the military despite the extent of her injuries. I certainly wish her well in her quest. Maj. Duckworth is the embodiment of the best qualities of Military service, Pride, Honor, and Faithfulness.

Kudos to Blackfive on being named Best Military Blog in the 2004 Blog Awards!
He certainly earned it.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 10:12 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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The Left has made much of Rumsfeld's comment that "you go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want". Given the level of funding the Left would WANT to give the Military, here's an example of the aircraft defensive systems they would allow:

(note: NO body armor!)

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 05:23 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Here's another E-mail from Brandon.

The Story:

Claire Elizabeth Bailey was a friend of mine (a best friend's best friend) that was tragically lost in a car accident on April 18, 2003. She was on her way home from college, driving out to her parent's lake house, driving 35 in a 35, seat belt on, hydroplaned in the rain. She got hit by a Chevy Van on the passenger's side...she was doing everything right. Everything worked in her favor...yet still, the Lord called on her hand...and took her to her final resting place.

I was working really late one night and I sat down with a pen in my hand and saw a scratch piece of paper sitting in front of me. I don't know why but I was compelled to write down my feelings...I started and the whole thing just flowed from my brain to my fingers, from pen to paper. What was really weird is I hadn't written anything "poetic" since 7th grade...

The Poem:

CLAIRE

I sit here and think
As the rain hits the ground
My heart rests empty
Loneliness is around

The room echoes
With every word I whisper
There is no doubt in my mind
That I should be with her

She left quickly, quietly
Tiptoed through the night
Left it all behind
Vanished out of sight

The news ate at my heart
Like a plague-ridden rose
Tore through my soul
Worse than anything I've known

I'd like to ask why
But I know the answer
He called upon her hand
For he has his follower

What once was an angle on earth
Is now a star shining bright
She looks out over us
And protects with all her might

Darkness falls on this world of mine
Without her just the same
But knowing her light shines brightly above
Calms and soothes my pain

As I travel on my journey
I know we'll never part
She will be there by my side
Holding the key to my heart

Brandon

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I received an e-mail today from Cpl. Brandon Strassler USMC today. Brandon was a good friend of Cpl. Kyle Renahan's from Cherry Point. He had written a poem about how he felt about Kyles death, and Claire's death too. Here it is:

GROWTH

I'm learning to grow
I'm seeing the light
I realize what is happening
It's all about the fight

My emotions run deep
My soul cries out
I witness my purpose
I learn what life's all about

He whispers his words
He feeds my heart
I fuel my curiosity
I try to do my part

She shows me her love
She leads me her way
I tiptoe so softly
I catch up someday

His memory keeps me going
His memory soothes my pain
I smile at his picture
I know he didn't pass in vain

They both were called upon
They had completed their journey
I look back and see it now
I hope to learn from their maturity

I'm learning to grow
I'm feeling so safe
I FINALLY realize what is happening
It's all about the faith

Brandon
26 Dec 04

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 04:44 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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