Video: On patrol in Ramadi
posted at 10:13 am on October 11, 2007 by Allahpundit
Not your usual explosive Iraq fare here — no IEDs going off or airstrikes on buildings with snipers in them, as you’ll often see on LiveLeak — but that’s the point. This is Ramadi, formerly AQ HQ and written off as a lost cause, now a green zone for U.S. troops. Michael Totten went out on patrol with a squad last month and shot 20 minutes of video of what life is like there now. Try to watch it all; it’s the only way to appreciate both the competence of U.S. troops and the mundane business of building good relations as an effective counterinsurgency. Gates spoke yesterday about the military needing to prepare for further “unconventional” conflicts in the future. These guys are building the knowledge base. Let’s just hope we can keep them.
If you don’t have time for the whole clip, skip ahead to 10 minutes in and listen to what Totten’s guide says about the mosques, and then again at around 15 minutes in re: people moving back into their homes. Money quote: “Most of the people fighting us, they’re just using religion as an excuse.”
Exit question to our military readers: Is there any deeper significance to the big news this morning about the Marines possibly taking over in Afghanistan while the Army takes over in Iraq? It sounds like the big selling point is simply organizational efficiency: give each force its own theater so that it can coordinate operations internally, especially as regards troop rotations, without having to involve the other branches. There’s some mention at the end about Afghanistan possibly being more suited to the Marines’ integrated strategy (i.e. they have their own air power) than Iraq, but I’m not sure why that would be. Any ideas?
Click the image to watch.
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There may very well be a higher significance to the Marines’ redeployment proposal. And I’d like to hear them. But I tend to believe it’s more a plan that comes from higher up the ladder to keep the ‘War on Terrorism’ going strong without the normal Congressional dramatizations and political soap-operas. I think everyone knows the ‘War’ is going to come down to the tribal regions of Pakistan. So shut-up and get ‘em ready.
The a-hole Dems have already publically acknowledged a loosening of their anti-war movement. I also believe ‘W’ let the dems in on a little factual knowledge called; “The Odds Of Another Huge AQ Attack Are Becoming Overwhelming.” And it’s just a matter of time. So shut up and get ‘em ready.
Griz on October 11, 2007 at 10:32 AM
I do not have time to read the whole thing, gotta go to work, but…
Marines are more mobile and flexible and an invasion force. We will get to remote locations quickly and can sustain ourselves in the field longer, by mission, not that the Army could not they just don’t. Afghanistan is a terrain that suits our force.
The Army is designed to take larger areas. Valley, mesas, etc. While Marines by design invade smaller areas, to secure advance Naval bases and such.
That’s all I got.
Theworldisnotenough on October 11, 2007 at 10:33 AM
The Marines have always thought of themselves as an expeditionary force. They are not nation builders, that is the Army’s job. So if they want out of al-Anbar, they must think the initial beach head has been taken and now the Army can work clean up and they can move on.
bnelson44 on October 11, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Maybe having one force on one side of Iran and another force on the other side of Iran means we will be hitting Iran from both sides and hard, putting the Mullahs and Imalittledingdong in a vice.
Ceroth on October 11, 2007 at 10:45 AM
I think its more an equipment issue than doctrine. Lighter Marine vehicles like LAVs are more suited for Afghanistan than Iraq. There’s a reason you don’t see pictures of M1 and M2 in Afghanistan.
BohicaTwentyTwo on October 11, 2007 at 10:50 AM
The tide has turned and we have Al Qaeda on the run in Iraq. Children are freely roaming the streets of Ramadi, out of sight of their once fearful parents. America’s finest greeting and being greeted by Iraqis in their neighborhoods. There is an aroma of optimism in the air of this former AQ battleground.
Thanks for linking the video, AP.
The Democrats are in big trouble.
We. Are. Winning.
fogw on October 11, 2007 at 10:55 AM
Watching that video, I’m proud to be an American.
Zorro on October 11, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Watching that video is like a breath of fresh air. Every time I see footage of what’s really happening, I sleep a little better at night. I know by now I should be completely immune to the endless torrent of negative press about the war, but it still gets to me.
God bless the troops. They are the true Peace Corps.
MadisonConservative on October 11, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Exit answer: I don’t believe so, except for the obvious. The Marines are likely being kept where the most surgical strikes are required, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if AQ has retreated to and/or is rebuilding its forces in Afghanistan. The army should be fine to serve as a watch force while Iraq continues to rebuilt, but I’m guessing a lot of caves in Afghanistan are still full of top leaders and plenty of jihadis just waiting to meet American Justice.
MadisonConservative on October 11, 2007 at 12:09 PM
the way my Marine father taught me, the Marines start wars and the Army finishes them…
meaning that the Marines invade and then the Army comes behind and secures. the Navy and the Air Force give logistic, air cover and target softening support.
so this is going in the face of that… although you might look to the neighbors of Afghanistan at perhaps being invaded soon. any guesses on what governments close to Afghanistan that might come under new rule or be unstable? mmmm
Kaptain Amerika on October 11, 2007 at 1:15 PM
Part of this is to take the Marine Corps back to its WWII style roots. The “Joint” fight has degraded some of our core principles and our current Commandant wants to take us back to that. This in itself is not the “reason” but I can assure you it is part of the thinking. Afghanistan being the sole focus of a Marine Air Ground Task Force would quickly become a far different place I can promise you. I did one tour in Afghanistan in 2004 with 1/6, 22nd MEU and the Marine Corps MAGTF principles served us well as we chase the Taliban through the mountains. I know the Air Force is not happy about this for funding reasons, but seamless tactical air and logistical support is invaluable in that mountainous environment and allows units on the deck to move more swiflty (small unit and big blue arrow stuff). Now don’t get me wrong my Air Force Bretheren, there is no happier sight than an A-10 Warthog circling above my head, and if you’ve never called in an airstrike utilizing a B-1 zooming along at 600 mph 200 feet above the ground you are missing out! But I believe current situations dictate a change in strategy and I believe this could be a good answer. A good reference on this, or the mentality in this can be found in the book “First to Fight,” by Victor H. Krulak.
gator70 on October 11, 2007 at 2:43 PM
I tend to agree with Gen. Krulak’s take on the situation. The Marines are better suited to the situation in Afghanistan, after all, they were the first ones in during the beginning of Enduring Freedom. Since there are quite a few SpecOps people there, the Marines would work better with them since they are more tactically oriented then the Army is. I also think it would work out better, giving each branch a certain ownership of the battle space.
ic1redeye on October 11, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Shhhhh.
We’re not supposed to know that. It would interfere with the liberal agenda to cut and run (retreat) so they can tell Pres. Bush, “See, we told you so.” even though it would be done so at he expense of our troops but who cares just so long as it helps their cause.
Yakko77 on October 11, 2007 at 6:12 PM
all of the above…………..
You can hear more & better ‘opinion analysis’ on a thread like this than in the entire newspaper coverage on any given day
Janos Hunyadi on October 11, 2007 at 7:58 PM
Smiling, laughing and goofy acting children is Gods gift to the world. That’s I need to see in order to know who’s winning.
Helloyawl on October 11, 2007 at 10:24 PM