This time we didn't leave on the struts of a Huey...

TLAM Strike · 08-18-10, 09:20 PM

This time we left with a friendly foot race to the boarder.

Last US "Combat" Troops leave Iraq.

Still will be some time before all US troops are out, since US Forces in an advisory role will still help the Iraqi Government and Army rebuild.

...discuss...

SteamWake · 08-18-10, 09:24 PM

We will be there for decades as we always do.

Ducimus · 08-18-10, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

We will be there for decades as we always do.

This.

I've heard that a helluva lot of concrete has been poured in Iraq. That may not mean much to the average joe, but to me it says A LOT.

jumpy · 08-18-10, 09:39 PM

lack of moral fibre... discuss ?
It might be good for public opinion and all of that stuff about the war being for oil/profit/get rid of saddam and many other motives, but I'll paraphrase something an american general said sometime last week - the withdrawal of combat troops should be based on the situational stability at the time - or words to that effect.
Wrecking the country then saying 'ok, it's up to you guys now, you're on you're own because it's not comfortable back home for us to be here any more' is asking for trouble.
It's a crappy job, but we started it, and the very least the ordinary people of iraq deserve is for us to finish it and not to leave them worse off than before we started.

That whole business in iraq and afghanistan was phenomenally short-sighted. We brits ought to have known better given our lengthy experience in N ireland. But that's politics, I guess.

GoldenRivet · 08-18-10, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

This time we didn't leave on the struts of a Huey...

yet

joke

August · 08-18-10, 10:05 PM

Actually the famous rooftop Huey escape didn't happen until two whole years after the last US combat troops left Vietnam so I guess we'll see if that picture is repeated in Baghdad sometime in 2012.

TLAM Strike · 08-18-10, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

Actually the famous rooftop Huey escape didn't happen until two whole years after the last US combat troops left Vietnam so I guess we'll see if that picture is repeated in Baghdad sometime in 2012.

Little known fact, flying CAP for that operation was the F-14 Tomcat.

AngusJS · 08-18-10, 11:58 PM

Quote:

This time we didn't leave on the struts of a Huey...

Obviously this time we used a Black Hawk.

Zachstar · 08-19-10, 07:33 AM

We cant consider a war over only after the last soldier leaves. If that were the case we would be in war after war with half the nations on earth. End of Combat Operations means End of War Period

Now it is up to the Iraq gov will they go running to Iran as expected or try to keep their independence.

Platapus · 08-19-10, 07:47 AM

Yup, now we will see if the government of Iraq is worthy of running their country. The United States can only help people achieve liberty, we can't do it all for them.

As for this being the end? I have not heard any fat ladies singing

Dowly · 08-19-10, 07:48 AM

Quote:

That presence is far from over. Scatterings of troops still await departure, and some 50,000 will stay another year in what is designated as a noncombat role. They will carry weapons to defend themselves and accompany Iraqi troops on missions (but only if asked). Special forces will continue to help Iraqis hunt for terrorists.

Umm... how does that translate as noncombat role?

Oberon · 08-19-10, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

Umm... how does that translate as noncombat role?

ROE will dictate that when the terrorists are found they are to be given a smack on the wrist and told to stop being naughty.

Dowly · 08-19-10, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

ROE will dictate that when the terrorists are found they are to be given a smack on the wrist and told to stop being naughty.

Fair enough.

Weiss Pinguin · 08-19-10, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

ROE will dictate that when the terrorists are found they are to be given a smack on the wrist and told to stop being naughty.

And for this they will be awarded the meritorious restraint medal

TLAM Strike · 08-19-10, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

Umm... how does that translate as noncombat role?

One of the primary missions of the Special Forces is to train other nation's armies. Its one of the main missions of the Green Berets IIRC, MARSOC does it too as does the British SAS (They have a long history of this).

They will also be providing intelligence gathering and logistical support to the Iraqi Army since we got a lot of fancy gear they don't.

08-18-10, 09:20 PM	#1
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	This time we didn't leave on the struts of a Huey... This time we left with a friendly foot race to the boarder. Last US "Combat" Troops leave Iraq. Still will be some time before all US troops are out, since US Forces in an advisory role will still help the Iraqi Government and Army rebuild. ...discuss... __________________

08-18-10, 09:24 PM	#2
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	We will be there for decades as we always do. __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

08-18-10, 09:39 PM	#4
jumpy Admiral Join Date: May 2003 Location: Midlands, UK Posts: 2,139 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	lack of moral fibre... discuss ? It might be good for public opinion and all of that stuff about the war being for oil/profit/get rid of saddam and many other motives, but I'll paraphrase something an american general said sometime last week - the withdrawal of combat troops should be based on the situational stability at the time - or words to that effect. Wrecking the country then saying 'ok, it's up to you guys now, you're on you're own because it's not comfortable back home for us to be here any more' is asking for trouble. It's a crappy job, but we started it, and the very least the ordinary people of iraq deserve is for us to finish it and not to leave them worse off than before we started. That whole business in iraq and afghanistan was phenomenally short-sighted. We brits ought to have known better given our lengthy experience in N ireland. But that's politics, I guess. __________________ when you’ve been so long in the desert, any water, no matter how brackish, looks like life

08-18-10, 10:05 PM	#6
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Actually the famous rooftop Huey escape didn't happen until two whole years after the last US combat troops left Vietnam so I guess we'll see if that picture is repeated in Baghdad sometime in 2012. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

08-19-10, 07:33 AM	#9
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	We cant consider a war over only after the last soldier leaves. If that were the case we would be in war after war with half the nations on earth. End of Combat Operations means End of War Period Now it is up to the Iraq gov will they go running to Iran as expected or try to keep their independence. __________________

08-19-10, 07:47 AM	#10
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Yup, now we will see if the government of Iraq is worthy of running their country. The United States can only help people achieve liberty, we can't do it all for them. As for this being the end? I have not heard any fat ladies singing __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.