´óÏó´«Ã½

I am sure some one have to remain in that part of the wold other wise they are soo bad imforme about the west that they could do real pain to us in our country could bee many countrys united I do not now but It is terrible to have another New York, another Spain and so terrible another London I meet a beautifull lady ho lost her legs and It is terrible I do not hate this people from Irack or another country but they have to stop because we are diferent religion.We have to stop them and their ideas.Thank you.

I served during OP TELIC 2 and part of OP Telic 3. From what I saw on the ground and working in Bde HQ the role of the UK forces made sense. However, the misrepresntation by the media we experienced on TV and in papers (that took 5-7 days to arrive) caused me to take big pinc of salt with such topics in the media. A true picture of the events was not given. Although Newsnight is the best news program on terrestrial TV, I can't make a comment for this reason. Unless you are on the ground you don't know what is really happening.

The biggest error appeared to be disbanding the Iraqi Army and Police in 2003.

Richie

This is mukhobeh moses khaukha from uganda yee i hve the friend who serving there in irqe i support the british force to be in irag becouse they are doing a very good work to stablise thta country i hope now they have know all coners of the enemy they will do better.They is a saying that a new blooms sweps well but old beter so british forces are beter let the be there bye

I'm over here in the USA and I'll go right after G.Bush and Cheney shoulder a gun. And I'm 75

Do you think British forces are doing good being there? What an odd question to ask!

Bush and Blair cooked up this invasion in the full knowledge that there weren't any WMD in Iraq, but there was an awful lot of oil. In their stupidity they assumed that the Iraqis would welcome the coalition with open arms and let them have as much oil as they wanted in return for ridding their country of the dreadful Saddam, his even nastier family and the party apparatus which kept them all in power. Perhaps even Bush Senior encouraged his stupid son to finish the job he stopped Stormin' Norman from doing. Bush's friends at ExxoMobil would also have been very happy to see a 'regime change' just above more crude oil than even they would know what to do with.

What they forgot was that the various religious factions in that part of the world have been at each other's throats for 1,500 years, at least. So as soon as the Iraqis and those around about with an interest in the outcome could see that the way was clear to step up the internecine warfare with the arms and training thoughtfully provided by the coalition, they would and they did.

Whilst Bush and Blair witter on about democracy, elected governments and constitutions, those that want an entirely different outcome as in Shi'ite or Sunni supremacy over the rest, plus the oil revenues at $70/barrel when they have it, are getting on with the job of securing their future the way they see it.

What they are about is called civil war. We had one, so did the US, Russia, Yugoslavia, Spain and France did too. Most of Africa is having one right now as are parts of South America. In fact a civil war is almost a right of passage for a country seeking a satisfactory way of ruling itself. It's a bit like getting spots during puberty. An unavoidable, if unpleasant, part of growing up.

So why not let the Iraqis have their civil war unencumbered by external forces whose presence will have no bearing on the outcome, only the length of time it will take to get a resolution. The outcome should be of little interest to the Coalition because the oil will still be there afterwards and the victors will still need to sell it to get the dollars to squander like all the other middle eastern oil states.

So are the British troops doing any good? No, no, no, no and no. The sooner they exit the better. Let Iraq, a totally artificially created country (like Iran) sort out their own problems once and for all. Re-draw their borders, settle their hashes and grow up a bit. It's not worth so much as another British cut finger. The Iraqis are going to do it anyway. It's just a matter of time...

Have you served in Iraq?

I have kinfolk that have served in Iraq and they can not tell you anything their self. All I can tell you is that in phone calls we hear bombs going off and people saying body parts are flying.

Another went to a restroom and a gun was pulled on them, they drew and had to fire. It was a young Iraqi boy with a armed pistol.

There is a war over there, nothing less. The citizens can't but hate the occupying forces. Human nature demands no less.

In my opinion it was a mistake not pursuing the war against Iraq concerning Iraq's Army invasion into Kuwait. The only reason to fight is to save your life and WAR can not be justified any less. As it is you (True or not) are thought as the enemy that invaded and were unprovoked.

The Dictators Government was a hard way to live but the people got around him. Yet he never committed the carnage, destruction or suffered the people to the extent that war has caused, nor damaged the infrastructure that will not be rebuilt even in 50 years from now.

Dear ´óÏó´«Ã½. My greetings from Boulder, Colorado, USA.

The following is a copy of the most recent of a series of e-mails to the Governors of 19 western states. The idea I have been promoting has been well received by a number of the governors...& it is an idea, I believe, that would be an asset in the UK as well. Para-military & equestrian as it is, I thought it would be a good job for Prince Harry, which is the reason for the posting. Regards,

p.s. I am a big fan of Martine C, the same goes for Daljit D, who I haven't seen much of lately...&, btw... whatever happened to Angela R, who I also miss. Age can't be a factor. Look at Alastair Y.

**
Distinguished Western Governors

Many Hands Make Light Work

If the distinguished Governors don't mind...let me give out some assignments regarding the proposed formation of the Western State Cavalry & its Infantry.

The Home Base for a State's Cavalry would be a ranch on the outskirts of one ofthe State's Agricultural colleges. The Base would consist of the State Cavalry Stud...a horse barn made from beetle-killed timber, designed to accommodate 200 horses...mostly riding horses such as Quarter Horses, Mustangs & Morgans...but also a percentage of draft horses that would be used by a Minimum Security Infantry to haul large branches & small trees to the road for chipping. A State, K9 Kennel, also built of beetle-killed timber, would also be built to accommodate 100 k9s.

Returning veterans from Iraq & Afghanistan who are either disabled or distracted or female would be preferred to make up the Staff at the Home Base of the State Cavalry. This Staff would be called "Cavalry Support". The other two kinds of State Cavalrymen, as I have mentioned, would be the "Mounted", the Overseers...& the "Mechanized", the transport & chain-saw specialists.

Meanwhile...throughout the State's Correctional facilities, an inventory would be taken of volunteers for the State Environmental Infantry amongst the able-bodied, male, prison population. The Minimum Security Brigades would practice carrying nine-foot long timbers with piano-carrier slings...& also work with draft horses dragging large branches & small trees to a roadside. They would also practice using large loppers with a 3" bite.

Medium & Maximum Security inmates, whose role would strictly be carrying nine-foot timbers to the road...some from as far afield as 600 yards, would practice the carrying skilll as well. As a one-time piano mover in Switzerland & Sweden...& having worked on a crew that moved ABBA's, 10 foot- long, 1300 pound, Boesendorfer Grand around the concert halls of Sweden, I can attest to the fact that this carrying business is indeed a skill.

There are some who would object to having the Mediums & Maximums out in the field doing environmental work...& believe their proper place is a small cell. I have no objection with this idea per se. I just think that paying $50,000 & $70,000 per year for each these inmates to do this is Warholesque. While these inmates are staring at the wall, important work, such as the clean up & recycling of the debris strewn around Greensburg, Kansas is not happening. New Orleans, STILL, is not happening.

Those who have e-mailed me saying that their State is already doing something like what I am proposing...citing some inmate crew of a hundred they have going on, I would say, don't appreciate the importance of SCALE. What I am proposing will be Front-Page News...not something I would have to be told about in a private e-mail.

Contrary to what some might think, our troops now in Iraq & Afghanistan are not going to be there forever...& when they start coming back in large numbers, the Western Governors, I hope, will be waiting for them with gainful employment.

Regards, David Yuhas

p.s. Operations on the Plains might include Windbreak Establishment...& my specialty going back to my days as a bush ranger in Africa, The Revegetation of Desertified Ground & Dustbowl Capping with the aid of large numbers of scrap automobile tires. China has picked up on my method lately.

The planning of the war was and still is a mess.
I know that all those who have served in all theatres of conflict do their best, no matter what the politicains and press say.
However, if you ask Combat Stress about the sharp rise in numbers of service and ex service men they have had refered to them since the start of GW2, all with Mental Health problems.
The NHS do not have a clue how the military mind works, or how to break into it, to help those with PTSD and the like to help themselves.
There is in place a system for the TAVR through Chillwell, there is a unit in St Thomas's in London for those from GW1. Yet, there is little in service and only Combat Stress (Charity) once you leave the Armed Forces for those who have broken minds!

When I was holding mashine-gun in my hands at the age of twenty, I felt like great cowboy. It was wonderful but only when we took part into a competition. This behaviour is not a competition. Here people are beeing killed each day and it's enough to understand how important strategy is. I've never been involved in political conflict. My friend's dad serves in polish forces in Lebanon. For her this whole thing - war - is empty fridge while weekend and no possibility to relax a little. Things which are obvious for People. Killing, breaking walls, destroying almoust everything that surrounds Us. Is it the point of Our view? No matter where We are. "Even" in Iraq They have elementary rights. Brutal but real way of thinking. How do You think? World is "freeq" and I'm young, trying to understand like many young people.

I've spoken to a few servicemen over the last few weeks, and all I'll say is that no matter what stupid decisions appear to be made, no matter what goes on in the media, these people deserve all the support we can give them. They aren't the ones making mistakes, and even when they do, they make them in tough, pressured situations that no one sitting behind their desk has a right to make judgements about.

Just remember, only the deaths tend to get reported on the news, not all the people who are injured on a daily basis whilst risking their lives in difficult and frustrating condidtions in order to protect our country's interests.

Can you believe we’ve been in Iraq for four years now? I still receive occasional messages from friends and former colleagues currently serving, and from what they tell me, and the conclusions of my own research – well, things are now considerably worse. The only reason we aren’t suffering more casualties is because we hardly ever leave our bases – and then when we do we get shot at and bombed.

What’s happening in Iraq is a silent and bloodless coup. The Iranians are seeping in over the border and taking control of the police, army and militia forces. There is nothing we can do to stop this because the people of Basra are friendly and supportive towards their brother Shia Muslims in Iran.

To cut a long story short they’d rather have the Iranians in charge than us, which is understandable and easily predicted. We won’t see the gruesome effects of this until long after we’ve pulled out, then it’ll be hello ‘Mr Evil Dictator Part Two’ – but this time round he might be considerably worse than Saddam.

Within the military community there is a worrying new phrase that is sweeping through the ranks: Iraq War Three. You heard it right – they reckon that we might have to go back in another ten years or so to depose the new Saddam. The difference is next time round he’ll probably have a nuclear Iran backing him up.

Happy days hey?

All the best,
Steven McLaughlin
Author of Squaddie – a soldier’s story
Mainstream Publishing

For those unaware .....

'In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies' - Winston Churchill [1]

vikingar

SOURCES:

[1]

Sir,
I served in Iraq in 1991 as part of Operations to repel Iraqi forces from Kuwait and I served there again, shortly before my retirement at age 55 as part of Operation TELIC. I was part of a mobile column and my time in Basra was limited, thankfully!

I am probably NOT the sort of person that you would wish to interview, but I am here if I can be of help to you and your colleagues at the ´óÏó´«Ã½.

Gordon Ross.

Of the 3,500 US military fatalities in Iraq so far, 111 are officially listed as suicide.

This (like the very hight wounded-to-killed ratio) is the highest of any US campaign. The figure doesn't include attempted suicides, and suicides and attempted suicides back in the US.

Says it all.

Of the 3,500 US military fatalities in Iraq so far, 111 are officially listed as suicide.

This (like the very high wounded-to-killed ratio) is the highest of any US campaign. The figure doesn't include attempted suicides, and suicides and attempted suicides back in the US.

Says it all.

I served On op telic 8 and the situation in basra when i was there was a very mixed bag!
For the most part the poeple want to just carry on with there lives and are some what unbothered by the british military presence.
But saying that sadly mixed in with thats there are a small number of peolpe who are commiting acts of violence not just against our force based there but mainly against the local population and a large number of these people are in some way involved and in a sadly common case in the security forces themselves.

This in reality prevents us from form leaves as soon as we would like.
I have had experience first hand of the corruptness of the of elements of the security forces, this will not go until there is and established economic stucture to the country which will not come about until the government which is equally corrupt supports the economys and all the money are resources goes to where it is ment to!

For bristh forces this is another version of Northern Ireland if not a little more openly violent, but with more twists the main been the large amount of corruptness through all levels of government and security forces.
Until the corruptness is sorted is sorted I sadly think that we will be in Iraq for year to come