We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:58:55 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification A little good news from Iraq, via the Partamian Report. More good stuff, this time from Colonel McMaster, 71st Colonel of the 3rd Armored Cavalry regiment, reporting out about the battle for Tal Afar. Now for something funny. Making lemonade out of lemons. What is wrong with this picture, of a product from a store in the Pentagon? CAPT H. knows... ...and here is how you make lemonade from a lemon. The Armorer at Argghhh! also wishes it known that in his guise as the Forester of Argghhh and Chief Engineer of the Castle Argghhh Garden Railroad Company, he has... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html Thu, 17 Nov 2005 10:39:58 -0600 hey, Bill... A mouthful of kitty 'fur' wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing...... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34920 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34920 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 22:48:14 -0600 But that would be a "Lorica Segmentatum". Cheers http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34918 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34918 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 21:23:11 -0600 Hmmmm. A miniature Lorica Segmentata on John would kinda look like a flattened V-8 can on a basketball... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34896 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34896 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 12:09:26 -0600 Geez, the Denizens are sensitive this morning. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34886 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34886 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 11:34:18 -0600 Hey I was the first one to link to a picture of a Challenger that matched the one on the picture. Me. Jeff called it, but I confirmed it, and AND gave details, and I didn't need your silly Capt H hint. . . blrrrrppphhhh! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34883 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34883 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 11:19:15 -0600 *pondering the ramifications of spending the remainder of the day with a mouthful of fur...* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34878 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34878 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 10:04:30 -0600 It's MAWK for "BITE ME" http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34877 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34877 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 09:55:08 -0600 Is "pouting" a midwestern synonym for "double-tapping left-click"? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34876 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34876 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 09:23:40 -0600 I'M NOT YELLING SIMPLY EXPRESSING MY FRUSTRATIONS NO. NOT YELLING AT ALL. *sorry...it's been a rough week, and I'm pouting* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34875 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34875 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 09:11:18 -0600 I'M NOT YELLING SIMPLY EXPRESSING MY FRUSTRATIONS NO. NOT YELLING AT ALL. *sorry...it's been a rough week, and I'm pouting* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34874 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34874 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 09:10:10 -0600 Update: AFSis was first to guess the soldier is Canadian. Dr. Funk was first to "show his work" so to speak, and prove he didn't just throw a dart at a map... not that I felt a *need* to stick this snark in here or anything... except for the shouting up there in the previous comment.... hehehehehehehe. So AFSis gets partial credit and Dr. Funk gets full marks! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34868 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34868 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 07:36:48 -0600 I DON'T CARE. I WAS FIRST FIRST, I TELL YA FIRST *sulks in corner... knowing John is right* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34862 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34862 Fri, 18 Nov 2005 07:17:48 -0600 AFSis - Paul gave *details*. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34853 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34853 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 22:23:30 -0600 ... and a Challenger 2 My guess is the soldier's picture is from c.2002, as he is wearing the CADPAT (TW) uniform with 84 Pattern webbing (we now have combat vests). The weapon is a C9 MINIMI with the ELCAN sight and a Blank Firing Adaptor attached. Cheers http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34852 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34852 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 21:52:27 -0600 HEY!!!!!!!!!! I got Canadian BEFORE he did!!!! And honestly, the "Capt. H" clue is what made me guess Canadian too. *sniff* no respect, I tellya.... NO respect. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34850 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34850 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 21:17:54 -0600 74 - just how local *are* you? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34842 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34842 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:55:33 -0600 The oficial US ARMY logo, (which is a registered trade-mark) is being used by a private company. Since the US Gov't (and its agencies, including the Armed Services)is not supposed to promote any particular company; I doubt if permission was granted to use the logo... Being a private company, they just pieced together "cool" images. I doubt if the person in their graphics department (or outsourced graphics company) would know an M-249 from an old BAR... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34840 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34840 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:48:25 -0600 The SAW (M249) is actually a pretty common weapon, being based on the FN Minimi. Which, despite the cool name, has nothing to do with Austin Powers. But as has been noted above, the Canadians and Aussies use it, with modifications. As do lots of other militaries. The tank, though, is obviously not an M1. You wonder who does these things. AFN sometimes runs a short blurb about the US shipping buildup to the First Gulf War which uses a lot of stock footage, including a shot of a French oiler. Okay, yeah, the French were there too, but the point is, if you're talking about the US oepration, why are they pictured? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34833 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34833 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:48:03 -0600 New Zealand tank???? WHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! We were going to get some once, but we got a Labour Party government instead. It's not just contracts with the US that they tear up. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34828 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34828 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:22:44 -0600 I saw that article about the Leavenworth gnome thief the other day and immediately thought about you John. :-) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34825 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34825 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 19:03:05 -0600 Well, if clinically done, Paul! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34822 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34822 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 17:35:07 -0600 That's the Canadian version of the M249, which we call the C9A1 light machine gun. The optics package differentiates it from the Minimi in any other army's service. Which makes the nice young man a Canadian soldier. The hint in the post is that 'Capt H knows' as he well ought to, being himself a Canadian Army officer. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34821 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34821 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 17:07:12 -0600 All American Outfitters is a Canadian company maybe? Someone google it and find out. I'm off to pick up She Who Refuses To Drive. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34819 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34819 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 16:40:52 -0600 I'm seeing an eagle's head poke out the top of that tank. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34817 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34817 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 15:27:02 -0600 That is a SAW or a very very close copy of it (M249) but the side of the reciever looks like it has extra ribbing that shouldn't be there. I thought it might be german, but the grips, bipod, foregrip, and shape all indicate SAW. Unform pattern looks like Flecktarn, German. Helmet is a PASGT lightweight NATO kevlar. I have no idea who's tank that is. Canadian maybe? Odd flat glacis on the turret.. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34816 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34816 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 15:26:16 -0600 At the risk of embarrassing myself here. I believe there should not be a space between U.S. and Army. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34815 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34815 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 15:19:11 -0600 Limey? (With all due respect to our U.K. Brothers...) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34814 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34814 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 15:14:59 -0600 Canadian, then? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34812 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34812 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 14:44:03 -0600 Is it a New Zealand soldier and tank? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34811 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34811 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 14:21:40 -0600 Snerk! There is a hint in the post, people. Really. Honestly. Right.in.front.of.you. Especially for Denizens and long-time readers... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34807 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34807 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:58:48 -0600 Hmmm - I wonder if the uniform is even U.S. (any service)? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34806 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34806 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:56:07 -0600 imput!!!" Inperfect, that, eh? :-)]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34804 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34804 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:45:50 -0600 British soldier and weapon, but it looks like he has a blank adaptor on the weapon, or do they just use yellow colored flash hiders? That is a challenger--an old one--but a challenger. See this link: www.interet-general.info/IMG/british-tank-challenger-1.jpg Stupid Ad, I'm surprised they don't have a peregrine falcon for the eagle! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34802 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34802 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:42:02 -0600 Heh. Sometimes my hints are *too* inside, and *too* subtle. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34800 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34800 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:28:43 -0600 The soldier isn't a Marine... Wrong weapon, wrong uniform, and wrong helmet. Not sure who he belongs to, but I'm inclined to guess at something decended from the former Warsaw Pact neck o' the woods... Not sure about the big ol' honkin' tank, and will defer to more experienced eyes... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34799 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34799 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:24:56 -0600 Not US Army. I'd say that british soldier and british tank http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34798 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34798 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:14:29 -0600 Is there a UN flag back there? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34796 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34796 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:44:55 -0600 Oohhhhhh! I wanna gnome door! Those are SO CUTE!! *twirk* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34793 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34793 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:08:41 -0600 My guess: that the guy isn't a Soldier; he's a Marine. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34792 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34792 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:05:30 -0600 Army is misspelled! No,wait... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34791 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34791 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 11:24:39 -0600 You mean aside from the fact that the tank is a British Challenger or Challenger II? At least I think it is - it's not blocky enough to be a Leopard II. The sights aren't right for an Abrams, among other things. (either I'm right, or I've really embarassed myself). The colors of the camo and the shape of the helmet don't look right either - I think it's a SAW he's carrying, but he's got airborne straps on the helmet. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34789 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34789 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 11:12:04 -0600 Well, I am not sure what army that infantryman belongs to, but I am pretty sure it isn't the U.S. Army. Wrong helmet, and is that a belt fed HK assult rifle? Where can I get one of those? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34785 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/11/some_good_news_something_funny.html#comment-34785 Thu, 17 Nov 2005 10:54:59 -0600