He reports on a failure to stop a suicide bomber before he could take out eight American Special Forces soldiers, and the response that the unit gave to this attack.

This post is not accurate.

First, take out implies they were killed.

Three Special Forces soldiers were wounded. Three Iraqis were killed, including the interpreter whose wife had just had a baby.

8-of-22 that were on the Blackhawks were dead or wounded, not Special Forces. It sounds like there were 5 SF and 6 Iraqi SWATs per Blackhawk, 10 Special Forces and 12 Iraqi SWAT total.

From what I gather, no Special Forces died, sounds like 3 were wounded and returned to duty that night, so they were not taken out.

Maybe when the Iraqi government get back from the Easter break they will sort it all out.

Only 99 yrs to go.

davidk on March 25, 2008 at 12:13 PM

99 years says McCain, 99 years in Iraq.
Get through another one, 98 years in Iraq.

98 years says McCain, 98 years in Iraq.
Get through another one, 97 years in Iraq.

97 years says McCain, 97 years in Iraq.
Get through another one, 96 years in Iraq.

…

…

…

There are no guarantees, but this could be the endgame for major combat operations in Iraq.

AQI has come to the end of the road, and it will come in Mosul. It won’t be an easy victory, but it will likely be the end of major combat for the US in Iraq

Sounds like Michael Yon must think that Obama’s plan to keep American combat forces in Iraq for as long as 16 months, starting from early next year, is too long. Sounds like he must think that that is much too long.

Indy Conservative on March 25, 2008 at 11:27 AM

I understand your position but I don’t think you’re right. I know that Europe has some fire left in her, even if her loser leaders don’t. We (the West) have a chance; I just hope we take it.

What is the only way to reach peace?

It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.

More on point, I think we’ve passed a tipping point b/c the center of gravity for these bad guys is dependent upon their ability to blend in to the population and have local people assist (fixers). Whenever you move around a lot and are forced to relocate, you have more difficulty blending in and loose some of your network facilitators.

I suspect the pace of death and destruction for bad guys will only intensify from here on out so as to make it increasingly difficult.

Mr Jihadi, may I introduce you to maneuver warfare.

Indy Conservative on March 25, 2008 at 9:15 AM

If you’re right, that the war between Islam and the rest of us will be ongoing, and I think you are, we really have no choice. Sooner or later, one of the two sides has to go. Time and time again history has shown us that a conflict of philosophies has never been solved as long as both continue to exist. A truce, or peace, is no solution.

OldEnglish on March 25, 2008 at 10:40 AM

This is why Obama scares the hell out of me. He either is totally naieve, or he does understand the issue and is willing to give the U.S. to the enemies.

What sweet encouragement. No, AQ isn’t done, but it’s had many many amputations and organ removals.

Thanks to all the marines, soldiers, airmen and sailors for making it possible.

All the Iraqis needed was the encouragement to take courage and beat the crap out of these murderous fanatics.

Indy Conservative on March 25, 2008 at 9:15 AM

If you’re right, that the war between Islam and the rest of us will be ongoing, and I think you are, we really have no choice. Sooner or later, one of the two sides has to go. Time and time again history has shown us that a conflict of philosophies has never been solved as long as both continue to exist. A truce, or peace, is no solution.

OldEnglish on March 25, 2008 at 10:40 AM

Oh this war waged against the West by Islam will last for a long, long time.

Europe is surrendering. America is working on it.

America is being complacent again after September 11.

If one side has to win, or is working on winning, it certainly not our side or at least not the European side.

Unless Europe gets hit hard, it will never wake up.

Al Qaeda’s efforts in Iraq have been less than successful over the past year, due in large part to the Anbar Awakening and the related Councils of Concerned Citizens/Sons of Iraq movements, and the support offered those movements by Petraeus&#821…

He plays no political games,he spanked the Bush administration when it needed it,and he has,and is, spanking
the surrender crowd in the democratic party.

His vocal point is our Soldiers,their mission,and giving an accurate picture of what is going on.

Something the idiots in the drive by media are incapable of.

Freedom and the ability of moderate muslims to stand up for themselves and fight against the jihadist are keys to
victory.
And also something the bumper sticker liberal crowd said would never happen.

Thank God for our men and women in uniform and God’s speed
to General Petraeus!!

Indy Conservative on March 25, 2008 at 9:15 AM

If you’re right, that the war between Islam and the rest of us will be ongoing, and I think you are, we really have no choice. Sooner or later, one of the two sides has to go. Time and time again history has shown us that a conflict of philosophies has never been solved as long as both continue to exist. A truce, or peace, is no solution.

No, this isn’t about the Prophet Barack’s attempts to put Hillary’s campaign in the grave. (Besides, everyone knows it’s a bullet to head with zombies, not stakes.) Rather, that’s the title of Michael Yon’s latest report from Iraq, this time…

ndy Conservative on March 25, 2008 at 9:15 AM

My gosh you’re extremely pessimistic today. You should consider getting away from the news today and do something uplifting today.

TheBigOldDog on March 25, 2008 at 10:08 AM

Believe it or not, I didn’t watch any TV today.

But I’m being realistic, that’s all. I know what’s going on in the real world.

Unfortunately I can read in foreign languages, it opens your eyes to things not reported in the U.S. media. And it saddens me… i.e. the news, because I do care and love America and I hate to see what those Muslim bastards want to do to the country that I love.

So I’m being realistic but funny too, I hope.

Check out my replies in some of today’s other topics.