Seven more US soldiers killed in Iraq

[ProSense]

Seven more US soldiers killed in Iraq

54 minutes ago

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Seven more US soldiers have been killed in a single day of intense fighting around Iraq, the military said on Sunday.

Two soldiers were killed and six wounded in two separate attacks on Saturday in Diyala, a restive province northeast of the capital Baghdad which is in the grip of an Al-Qaeda insurgency.

A third soldier died in western Baghdad, and two were killed on separate patrols south of the city in an area where US troops are searching for two GIs kidnapped by Al-Qaeda more than three weeks ago.

"The patrol attempted to question two suspicious people near a mosque. When soldiers approached the two men, one person detonated himself, killing one soldier," said the statement.

Two other soldiers were killed in Nineveh province in northern Iraq when their patrol was hit by a roadside bomb.

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[Aviation Pro]

1. Ok, here's what we need to do....

...start sending the mercenaries out on patrol instead of U.S. forces. Afterall, they don't have to abide by the Rules Of Engagement (ROE) that our troops are "hampered" by. However, since these operators don't have access to the force multipliers that constitute a real army, everytime they run into overwhelming forces that requires support fire from attack helicopters, AF air, or indirect fire then we start charging their parent companies (Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater). I can just see the scenario:

"Whiskey Kilo 359, this CQ 1, we're taking heavy defilade fire from (coordinates). Request immediate suppression, over!"

"CQ 1, ok, sir, would you like a combination of 155 support and Apache Hellfire or just our daily mortar special. Over."

"I DON'T GIVE A GOOD GODDAMN, I NEED IMMEDIATE SUPPRESSION!"

"CQ 1, no need to shout sir, I'll give you the full suppression works. What's your corporate account number please? Over."

(Sound of incoming RPGs). "I DON'T FUCKING KNOW, GODDAMMIT, WE'RE UNDER THE BLACKWATER ACCOUNT!"

"CQ 1, fine sir, we'll just charge the general account a total of $500,000 and settle the specifics when you return. What are your coordinates again?"

"FUCK, MEDIC!"

And so on.....

(On edit: as soon as the privateers realize that this will end up affecting their bottom line they'll pull out like the rat bastards that they are).

[cliss]

2. I agree. Get the mercs out there, and

let them deal with the situation. After all, that's what they get paid for (ca. ~ $400,000/yr.). Compared to the troops who get....?

Well written dialogue. You obviously know whereof you speak.

[ProSense]

3. Chlorine "bomb exploded about 200 yards from the entrance of a U.S. military base"

Bomb releases chlorine in Iraq's Diyala province

At least 62 are made ill. U.S. says seven more soldiers are killed in two days.
By Garrett Therolf and Alexandra Zavis, Times Staff Writers
9:12 AM PDT, June 3, 2007

BAGHDAD -- A car bomb exploded about 200 yards from the entrance of a U.S. military base northeast of Baghdad today, unleashing a cloud of chlorine that sickened at least 62 personnel but caused no injuries, the military said.

The use of chlorine canisters to turn an ordinary bomb into a chemical weapon has become a signature tactic of insurgents fighting U.S. and Iraqi forces in Al Anbar province, west of Baghdad. But today's attack was believed to be the first time the tactic was used in Diyala province, north and east of the capital.

The U.S. military, meanwhile, announced the deaths of seven more soldiers in the past two days. Last month was the third deadliest on record for U.S. forces in Iraq, with 127 personnel reported killed.

A thick smell of chorine hung over the U.S. base on the edge of the Diyala provincial capital, Baqubah, after today's attack. The soldiers affected sought treatment for dizziness and nausea, but none of the cases was believed to be life-threatening, said Maj. Raul Marquez, a military spokesman.

An hour earlier, nine mortar rounds were fired at the base, injuring two soldiers. One soldier was hit by shrapnel in the forehead while at a barbershop for a haircut before going on leave, the military said. Another suffered a gash to his hand.

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