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H&I* Fires, 09 MAR 2007

By Denizens on March 9, 2007 | | Comments (38)

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

You're advertising here, we should get an ad at your place...

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Since I know FOX has done a recent story about Israeli air strikes against Iran it might be worth looking to see what such a raid could do. Oxford has released such a study(pdf-24 pages). That I found the study at the intensely anti-Iraq War War in Context it should tell you what their conclusions are. But it’s still an interesting read.
--
Grognards assemble! Unfortunately this is true. A game a buddy of mine has been working on for 10 years about conflict in the Formosa Straight can’t find a publisher because nobody will buy pen and paper games anymore. Most people find even Warhammer 40K too complicated and cumbersome to play. We’re a dying breed. What, with my rapidly graying beard the days of hardcore board gamers are now seriously numbered.(h/t J of ArmchairGeneralist)
--ry
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File under: Well Duh

They could have sent me the money and I'da told them the same blame thing. :)

*ducking and running for cover before he's skewered by the Castle Ladies :) *
-BloodSpite

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Oh, the horror! I tested out as... the Prince of Darkness! (Wesley Clark for those who don't understand the reference) I may have to rethink my whole approach!

[I got pegged as Robert E. Lee -- must've been all the grey hair... --Bill]

Fortunately, I did better on this test - along with Mike D, I got a 100, so I guess I should vote. How about you? Should you vote - or not? -the Armorer

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If you have an interest - the Internet Haganah's Top 10 Jihadist website list.

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In Brit military news... Corporal Budd's Victoria Cross is awarded to his widow, Lorena.

THE Queen presented the widow of hero Para Bryan Budd with his Victoria Cross yesterday — telling her: “Always be proud of him.”

Cpl Budd, 29, died during a brave lone charge at Taliban fighters in the southern Afghan badlands.

He freed up his stricken section to escape an ambush by killing three enemy at point-blank range before being gunned down himself.

Widow Lorena, 23, received the cherished medal — only the second given in 25 years — during a private 15-minute audience with the Queen in Buckingham Palace’s State Dining Room.

She said: “I am enormously proud of him and it has been an emotional day. He was a loving husband and father. He will always be missed, but his memory continues to live on. The award of the Victoria Cross recognises his conspicuous gallantry, inspirational leadership and supreme valour.

“He made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down his life. However, he did so doing the job he loved, serving in the regiment that meant so much to him.”

Always be proud of him.

Indeed.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam, Commonwealth-style. -the Armorer

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From 1941 until present day he has protected America from Nazi's, Communists, and Criminals. He has fought madmen, genius's, war generals and common thugs. Unfortunately, this Childhood hero of mine, has been killed

Goodbye Captain America. We need you now more than ever, I fear. And what you stood for.
-BloodSpite

*A term of art from the artillery. Harassment and Interdiction Fires.

Back in the day, when you could just kill people and break things without a note from a lawyer, they were pre-planned, but to the enemy, random, fires at known gathering points, road junctions, Main Supply Routes, assembly areas, etc - to keep the bad guy nervous that the world around him might start exploding at any minute.

Not really relevant to today's operating environment, right? But, it *is*

The UAVs (oops, can't call 'em UAVs anymore - they're now Unmanned Aerial Systems... some Colonel got his Legion of Merit for that change...), er, um UAS's we fly over Afghanistan and Pakistan looking for targets of opportunity are a form of H&I fires, if you really want to parse it finely. We just have better sensors and fire control now.

I call the post that because it's random things posted by me and people I've given posting privileges to. It's also an open trackback, so if (Don Surber uses it this way a lot) someone has a post they're proud of, but it really isn't either Castle kind of stuff, or topical to a particular post, I've basically given blanket permission to use that post for that purpose. Another term of art that might be appropriate is "Free Fire Zone".

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38 Comments

By AFSister on March 9, 2007 7:46 AM
oohhhhh I LIKE IT! I'm Teddy Roosevelt! Biography: Teddy Roosevelt was one of the most dramatic figures in American history. He was both an accomplished civilian and military leader. He captured the nation's imagination by leading the "Rough Riders" in the Spanish American war. As assistant secretary of the Navy under President William McKinley, Roosevelt vigorously worked toward a two-ocean Navy. As President, he was known for advocating environmental conservation, pro-labor policies, and expansionism. Leadership Attributes: Teddy Roosevelt was a man of action and preferred to lead from the front. He stunned the country when he resigned his powerful and comfortable position as assistant secretary of the Navy to establish and lead the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War. He achieved lasting fame by leading his regiment in a bold charge up Kettle Hill in the Battle of Santiago. Personally, he was upbeat and dominant. As President, he was a skilled diplomat, negotiating many issues favorable to the U.S., including Alaska's boundary with Canada. He even helped bring an end to the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-1905, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize.
   
By AFSister on March 9, 2007 7:58 AM
*high-fives fellow Teddy Bear, BS* LOVIN' IT! btw John. Considering that you were against the war in Iraq when it first started, I suppose Wes Clark isn't that bad of a choice for you. He was a great diplomat, after all.
 
By Maggie on March 9, 2007 8:31 AM
The test is an excellent idea, especially since it says I can vote. However, I did not ace it. I must have been going too fast, on the Alec Baldwin question I picked his name, but left his occupation as "I Don't Know". It's true, I am careless. I got 99.71%. Oh well. On the other test I got Stonewall Jackson........I am muuuuccccchhhhh better looking. Bloodspite - My advice....drink the beer in the bottle that you open yourself. I am not worried about the story myself, I am not Greek.
 
By John of Argghhh! on March 9, 2007 8:31 AM
AFSis - Hush your mouth!
 
By FbL on March 9, 2007 9:23 AM
One little problem from the article Bloodspite links: They didn't account for the children. Single women are less likely to have children than married. Having children puts a whole set of demands on a woman (especially in the early years) that create the kind of exhaustion and stress that will reduce sex drive. Has nothing to do with marriage... So there! *just piping up to defend womanhood*
 
By kat-missouri on March 9, 2007 9:26 AM
hahahaha...AFsis talks softly and carries a big stick? I don't believe it! More like purrs loudly and uses any stick she can find as a scratch post. LOL
 
By FbL on March 9, 2007 9:28 AM
John, I'm Wesley Clark, too! *crying softly*
 
By kat-missouri on March 9, 2007 9:37 AM
I am Napoleon Bonaparte! No, I am not schizophrenic, the test says that my leadership skills are those of Bonaparte.
Biography: Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the greatest military geniuses of all time and a colossal political figure. Born in Corsica, he attended French military schools at Brienne and Paris. In his first famous campaign, he was given command of France’s army in Italy, and quickly defeated Sardinia and Austria. This was the beginning of his legend. He captured Malta from the British, defeated the Turks in Egypt, and defeated the Austrians at Marengo. He was named military dictator of France in 1799. After a string of further victories, he was finally defeated in Russia — by the Russian winter, which decimated his troops. He continued to have victories, but he was routed at Leipzig, and France was invaded. Forced to abdicate, he returned to battle later but was finally defeated at Waterloo by a combined British and Prussian force. Leadership Attributes: Napoleon was a brilliant planner. In fact, he set up an entirely new system for raising and training an army that revolutionized the field. He was not only a great general but a skillful diplomat, able to consolidate and extend power through treaties and political manipulation as well as on the battlefield. After defeating Sardinia and Austria in Italy, he made several gains through the use of treaties. He set up a friendly republican regime in Lombardy, a tactic he used on other occasions.
Of course, I will have to be careful and not let my colossal ego get in the way of winning and keeping my imperial throne. ;)
 
By ry on March 9, 2007 10:12 AM
I came back Westmoreland. I don't think I anticipated that. I would've thought I woulda come out Clark more than anyone else, seeing as how I look at the political ramifications more than most around here. But methodical and conservative tends to be what I wind up doing a lot. Of course, I think planning as many scenarios as possible gives you flexibility as you have some idea of what to do when stuff goes to crap (even if 99% of it doesn't apply to what fell into your lap), and so I found that to be a useless question. Of course, if anyone was ever foolish enough to ask me to write a plan the last line would be: If all else fails, improvise. And damn them for killin' Cap'. Punks. Heard about that last night too. Wankers.
 
By BloodSpite on March 9, 2007 10:26 AM
Mags-> You'd win :) Ironically when I showed my wife what I wrote she commented "I hope they throw you under John's dungeon with a nail file through your heart...." And this is the woman who loves me :)
 
By bad cat robot on March 9, 2007 10:38 AM
I got Omar Bradley. Not sure what I think about that. I *was* constrained by the test questions, not a one of which mentioned "deploy death ray" or "activate flying robots".
 
By Maggie on March 9, 2007 10:53 AM
Kat - Whadaya mean? AFSis is a huge fan of "big sticks"!!!
 
By AFSister on March 9, 2007 11:04 AM
hehe... yeah. kat's right. purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr then again, so is maggie. now, where'd my pole go?
 
By Rivrdog on March 9, 2007 12:12 PM
I must be the only one. I came up as Robert E. Lee. I'm proud of myself (son of the South, exiled to the Left Coast). We could use a few generals who can do "the mostest with the leastest" (yes, I know that's not even Lee).
 
By Oldloadr on March 9, 2007 1:58 PM
I've been giving forklift practicle tests all day. I finally got to take the test and I scored as John Paul Jones. Good at working without a lot of guidance from above and willing to take risks. I'll accept that.
 
By Barb on March 9, 2007 2:46 PM
I came up as Dwight D. Eisenhower. Not bad - I'll take it.
 
By Gwedd on March 9, 2007 3:21 PM
Comrades, Interesting. I came back as US Grant... Have to think on that one, although I'm not in anyway displeased. Respects,
 
By MajMike on March 9, 2007 3:40 PM
i'm Teddy Roosevelt, and voting at 100%. i like teddies (but not for me)..
 
By ry on March 9, 2007 3:56 PM
"I hope they throw you under John's dungeon with a nail file through your heart...." That's kinda hard to do, throw you under it that is(the file on the other hand...). Purgatory de Castle Argghhh!? That's doable. We have stale cheetos and comic books. Intermittent cable for the black and white tv. But you'll have to fight with John's parachutist hamster for the best blankets. It bites and so I let it win.
 
By Pat on March 9, 2007 4:15 PM
I got Robert E. Lee as well. After 18 years in the Canadian Forces something may have actually sunk in to my head. :-)
 
By Maggie on March 9, 2007 4:15 PM
John, I'm Wesley Clark, too! *crying softly* Posted by FbL at March 9, 2007 9:28 AM Crying softly? I expect that's how you scored Clark.
 
By dick on March 9, 2007 5:40 PM
Gen Sherman - I'll take it.
 
By Blackhawk on March 9, 2007 7:11 PM
Teddy R. I'll definitely take that.
 
By John of Argghhh! on March 9, 2007 9:14 PM
Pat - what, how to lose with tenacity and grace? *NOT* the Canadian tradition. *Win* with tenacity and humor, that's the tradition! Heck, yer the only people we've fought multiple wars against and *never* won... Except maybe the pig war out in the PNW... but I think that was a draw.
 
By AFSister on March 9, 2007 9:14 PM
CHA-CHINGGGGGGGG Maggs, you score "snark of the day" for that one. "I suspect that's how you scored Clark". CLASSIC!!! *bows to Maggie's snark superiority*
 
By John of Argghhh! on March 9, 2007 9:22 PM
It was a good shot Maggs made, s'trewth!
 
By Jai on March 9, 2007 9:33 PM
Damn fine leader, Wesley Clark. More tactical time than any of his peers. Not at all political -- yhat's what eventually ended his career. He wouldn't kiss the SecDef's ass. But he won his war doing it his own way.
 
By John of Argghhh! on March 9, 2007 9:57 PM
Jai - some people's mileage around here varies. Having worked for/with LTC Clark, COL Clark, BG Clark and GEN Clark - count me in the camp that calls him the Prince of Darkness. He was obviously successful within the system, and there's no doubting he's a sharp man - but his loyalty is a one-way street... all flowing to him. By the time I was working with him as a BG, I "followed" him because it was my duty to do so, not because he inspired anything in me other than a contempt for his self-serving back-stabbing nature. By that time, it was accomplish the mission and get the hell away from that vitality-sucking black hole of narcisstic self-promotion, however otherwise competent he might be. Not my definition of damn fine leader.
 
By Old Dog on March 9, 2007 11:34 PM
I came up Teddy Roosevelt. I can live with that!
 
By Justthisguy on March 10, 2007 1:29 AM
OMGWTFBBQ! I'm George S. Patton! Owhell, he wasn't neurotypical, either. (godawfully dyslexic, he was) Of course, this is all intellectual armchair generalship, with no consideration of the uh, splatter. (See Ender's Game)
 
By Boquisucio on March 10, 2007 6:24 AM
Back in my geeky days, I was an avid Avalon Hill afficionado. Many a-week-ends we whittled away clashing armies in my den. How do I miss, Squad Leader, Panzer Leader, Jutland, et al. - Ry.
 
By Barb on March 10, 2007 9:59 AM
John - tell us how you Really feel, man. Don't hold it in! heh. JTG - I was actually hoping for Patton, but apparently I'm too diplomatic. Go figger. It would be fun to see that expanded into a broader quiz with more gradations in response, though. Boq - my brother was deeply into the old table games. Some of his favs were "Wacht am Rhein" and "Battle for North Africa". Me - I couldn't get into playing out a game over 8-10 successive weekends.
 
By Marine6 on March 10, 2007 12:44 PM
Must be a really good day. First time I took the test I came up as Robert E. Lee. I tried again, with a slightly different approach, and came up as Thomas J. Jackson. Decided to quit on that while way ahead. Then got a 100% on the politics test. Not too bad for an old "Hey diddle diddle - right up the middle" infantryman. Marine6 Sends
 
By Casey Tompkins on March 10, 2007 2:13 PM
Omar Bradley, here. That's, what, two? ;) Scored 97.71% on the vote test; I got Pelosi's job description wrong. Feh. I could have sworn she was a [REDACTED]. Can I vote, now? Don't worry, Ry, they'll bring Cap back. Look how long it took DC to bring back Supes. Me, I think Frank Miller did one of the rare good jobs of writing Captain America. John, Wesley; John, Wesley. Bwwahhh haaa haaa!!
 
By steveH on March 11, 2007 12:46 AM
William Tecumseh Sherman. Definitely taking his advice to not run for office. Not that it's a major risk, mind. Any risk, to be more precise.
 
By Outpost37 on March 12, 2007 10:04 AM
Omar Bradley here. Too bad, I was hoping for Sun Tzu! 100% on the political test. God, I've got to get a life!
 
By Cassandra on March 12, 2007 1:51 PM
Another Omar Bradley :p