Comments for H&I Fires* 20 DEC 2007

H&I Fires* 20 DEC 2007

2007-12-21T05:50:24Z

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...

Time to add a new caveat, because from email it's not clear to some folks (mind you, if you don't read this it won't matter...) Being an open post, people (collectively, the Denizens) other than I post in the H&I. They sign their work (most of the time) - keep that in mind when you want to flame someone in email please - if it doesn't say "The Armorer" or "John" then I didn't write it! And honestly - if you don't like something said or posted... leave a comment, and hash it out (within the context of The Rulez which are clearly posted on the comment form, I would add).

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Heh. *All* the slackers post at once today. Gad, if I could only get output like this once a week, spread out over the week... I could sleep in some days. Thanks, guys. And I mean that sans snark.

1SG Keith has a bleg for you:

The Army Reserve PAO is looking to interview Army Reservists who blog.
If you meet that description - and are willing to be interviewed, drop him a line by clicking here.

Just make sure before you say yes, your blogging is in conformance to the Rules! No point in setting yourself up to fail! -the Armorer

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Time to run an anti-PETA bit methinks... click here. I'm all for critters, as SWWBO's and my blogs attest. I can just take my advocacy with a little less hypocrisy, if you don't mind. -the Armorer

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The intersection of conspiracy theories and con artists. [h/t Michelle]

Speaking of conspiracy theories: the U.S. Military can now impersonate the voice of God. Just imagine the possibilities against a superstitious, ultra-religious, enemy... [h/t Bruce at The Flight Deck - FbL

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]]> *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 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."

Comment from MR T's Haircut on 2007-12-21

2007-12-21T06:59:50Z

LMFAO Swabbie! I remember many late watches in Combat Direction Center listening to "Filipino Monkey" and "Stinkie Indian" trade wit and Banter....

Comment from Yu-ain Gonnano on 2007-12-20

2007-12-21T00:22:21Z

It was noted that the guy on the receiving end was sometimes terrified, even after he realized it was that large American destroyer that was talking to him.

I've no idea why. It's not like a large American destroyer telling to back the hell up or we'll unleash a full broadside on your ass is anything to be afraid of.

Comment from Swabbie Doxie on 2007-12-20

2007-12-20T23:36:08Z

Some U.S. Navy ships also carry it, but not just to repel attacking suicide bombers, or whatever. No, the system was sold to the navy for a much gentler application. LRAD can also broadcast speech for up to 300 meters. The navy planned to use LRAD to warn ships to get out of the way. This was needed in places like the crowded coastal waters of the northern Persian Gulf, where the navy patrols. Many small fishing and cargo boats ply these waters, and it's often hard to get the attention of the crews. With LRAD, you just aim it at a member of the crew, and have an interpreter "speak" to the sailor. It was noted that the guy on the receiving end was sometimes terrified, even after he realized it was that large American destroyer that was talking to him.

Yeah. It says "This is the Filipino Monkey....I go to hit you. I go to cause collision."

Comment from Murray on 2007-12-20

2007-12-20T21:34:14Z

I used to think PETA were just misguided loons. Now I think they just like killing animals. At least I'm honest about liking meat.

Comment from Cannoneer No. 4 on 2007-12-20

2007-12-20T20:47:15Z

Technological Mental Fornication

Comment from Cannoneer No. 4 on 2007-12-20

2007-12-20T20:44:38Z

“Mohammed, this is Allah. You’ve been a very bad boy, Mohammed. My justice upon your ass is going to hurt! But if you bring the infidels Osama’s head when they let you out I might have mercy on your scraggily ass. Oh, one more thing. Leave the goats and little boys alone from now on, capiche?”

Comment from Theo Spark on 2007-12-20

2007-12-20T19:36:28Z

If you are remotely interested I'm Back.

Comment from FbL on 2007-12-20

2007-12-20T18:04:30Z

Oops! I read that too quickly. Sgt. B is NG, not Reserve.

Comment from Dadmanly on 2007-12-20

2007-12-20T17:40:42Z

I'm assuming he means Army Reserve specifically, rather than say, Guard or Reserve. If it broadens to include Army National Guard, I'm game.

Comment from BloodSpite on 2007-12-20

2007-12-20T17:04:49Z

I prefer People Eating Tasty Animals myself :)

Comment from FbL on 2007-12-20

2007-12-20T16:24:19Z

Keith, Sgt. B might be a good candidate, though his posts are infrequent (to put it mildly, haha).