Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Ripsnort on January 29, 2008, 09:27:33 PM
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My nephew, who recently spent 16 months in Iraq (NOT in the green zone) shared this with me tonight. I've removed some distances and dates per his request as he was not sure how much of it is still classified. I *do* have permission to release this info below.
The people on the Bimmerfest thread seem pretty nice. I think there was some confusion though as to where I was stationed, one of the people that replied thought those pictures were from the green zone in Baghdad. Truth be told I have never been to the green zone the closest I have ever been to it was BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) Most of the photos shown on that threat were taken about (XX) miles NW of the green zone.
The thing signifigant about that is that we were deep in Al Queda controlled teritory these were people who knew very little of what the U.S. intentions were. Because of that it was a major bed down location for insurgents in our area as well as a place for Al Queda members to retreat to after attacking key points in Baghdad.
Before we went to this location, a U.S. convoy could not drive more than (XXXX) meters without hitting a large deep buried Improvised explosive device, In fact a good friend of mine was lost to just such a devices 6 months prior to my unit taking over that area. Our expansion into that area would not have been possible without the surge of troops in Iraq.
Because of the surge we were able to focus on smaller previously ignored areas, and by doing so we were able to bring a group which had been one of our major enemies in the area over to our side and help us locate and defeat unreconciliable terrorist groups in our area of operations as well as areas around Baghdad, Ramadi, Fallujah, and Tarmiyah.
By eliminating these safehavens together we were effectivly able to nutralize Al Quedas ability to recoup, restock, and recruit in a major junction point into larger cities. (Sorry for the redundancy I've been talking to way too many officers in the last 15 months). Anyhow I hope this helps to clarify some of what was going on around that area the time that I was there, I know I've got alot more stories some good and some bad, and there's alot of photos I won't be posting online aswell, but I will try in the future to put more on this Myspace page I mean I did take over 2000 pictures in my last 9 months there.
Anyone who questions the validity of this can PM me and I'll put you in touch with him.
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Send him my best wishes for a safe return & a job well done!:aok
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Send him a welcome back message & a great big ole
from txdad & I.
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A big
for his duty.
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I pray all is well for him.
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Cryin shame there can't be a little more media coverage on the positive aspects...............always with the negative vibes :(
A big Salute to your nephew Ripsnort. Safe journey, and quick return :aok
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where there pictures somewhere?
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nice to know rip. glad to know he feels safer. we've got our work cut out for us there.
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Originally posted by Russian
where there pictures somewhere?
Yes, I took them down for server space. I'll try to remember to put them back up when I get home tonight in this thread.
I'm sending Jake this thread. he'll appreciate the comments. He's a good man and a good father (His wife had a baby girl while he was deployed)
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SALUTE:aok
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Big
to your nephew Rip. He should be proud of his sacrifices, I am proud of all like him.
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Glad to hear he's doing well and home safe. A big
from me for his service as well. :aok
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so, we won?
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Originally posted by bsdaddict
so, we won?
This particular battle, yes. I like to compare the surge of Al Queda into the area similar to "The Buldge" when the germans pushed the Allies back. The resulting response of the Allies was very similar to the response and results of "The Surge" in Iraq.
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Jake... Thank You !!
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Al Queda only has to hang on for 12 more months until a democrat is elected and "redeploys" the troops to "end the war", then Al Queda can go on to win the war.
after the democrats "ended the war " in Vietnam the war lasted two more years until the south was defeated.
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so, we won?
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ask that question 20-30 years from now, maybe longer. if your running on a full set of cylinders you know the fight against islamist extremists is a generational war, but the answer of who won by that time depends a tremendous amount on what we are doing now. if we follow mubarack hussein osamas suggestion of pulling out of Iraq ASAP, the answer we ultimately get will be a bad answer.
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This makes sense. More troops= more protection for the citizens of Iraq. If the citizens feel safe, they want to keep the peace, not support the people (insurgents) who want to the start the violence back up.
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Thanks for your Service Jake
It never ceases to amaze how positive these men are. They don't complain about the their situation. They are proud to serve.
I met Shifty's (XO of 353rd here in AH)boy a couple of times in the last month or so and he was wounded pretty damn bad over there. That kid don't complain! Not one negative word out of his mouth. I got police officers that work with me that piss and moan over getting punched in the eye. LOL you would think they been shot!
These young men and women are the cream of the crop!!!!
God bless YOU and your buddies Jake!!!!
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Thanks Jake
from RedTop and Mrs. RedTop
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Thanks Jake! Keep safe. Your Uncle says you can have his house and hottub/spa any weekend you want!
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Originally posted by LePaul
Thanks Jake! Keep safe. Your Uncle says you can have his house and hottub/spa any weekend you want!
Hey hey hey! I gotta enuff problems with my OWN children! :mad: :rofl
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Jake. You've done your country a service that you can take pride in for the rest of your life.
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Hooah