Blue on Blue in Afghanistan
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skunk,
THANK YOU for your sage advice on how the US should train. Now WHY didn't we think of that? That there RED FLAG you run is just the cat's a**! Same for some of those other large force exercises you run (you DO have large forces, don't you? Oh, sorry..........didn't mean to embarass.)
For some reason I just can't fathom (but then I am American, therefore 'blond' in your opinion, me thinks), you choose to focus on a small quote from Larry the Cable Guy and blow it out of proportion. I could care less if you think he or anyone else is funny. My intent in choosing THAT particular qoute of his was to illustrate my point about the US Marines, in particular, being highly motivated to support their own when the ground guys call for help. "Git 'r done" just means do the job and don't whine about it. A lot of his material is moronic, but some of it IS funny. Different strokes and all that.
And say, THAT point comes back to the "what do you think is the difference between US and UK philosophies on shoot or don't shoot" in CAS situations. You seem to have lost focus, but then, does it matter?
Re your oh so original jibe (look it up!) regarding algebra and the like for Americans, fair point. Can we trade you some of our dentists and orthodontists for some of your math instructors?
I'm done with you on this.
Regarding the point of the thread. It is a damn shame that friendlies got schwacked by A-10s. Wish to God it hadn't happened or won't happen again.
THANK YOU for your sage advice on how the US should train. Now WHY didn't we think of that? That there RED FLAG you run is just the cat's a**! Same for some of those other large force exercises you run (you DO have large forces, don't you? Oh, sorry..........didn't mean to embarass.)
For some reason I just can't fathom (but then I am American, therefore 'blond' in your opinion, me thinks), you choose to focus on a small quote from Larry the Cable Guy and blow it out of proportion. I could care less if you think he or anyone else is funny. My intent in choosing THAT particular qoute of his was to illustrate my point about the US Marines, in particular, being highly motivated to support their own when the ground guys call for help. "Git 'r done" just means do the job and don't whine about it. A lot of his material is moronic, but some of it IS funny. Different strokes and all that.
And say, THAT point comes back to the "what do you think is the difference between US and UK philosophies on shoot or don't shoot" in CAS situations. You seem to have lost focus, but then, does it matter?
Re your oh so original jibe (look it up!) regarding algebra and the like for Americans, fair point. Can we trade you some of our dentists and orthodontists for some of your math instructors?
I'm done with you on this.
Regarding the point of the thread. It is a damn shame that friendlies got schwacked by A-10s. Wish to God it hadn't happened or won't happen again.
I think in this context you mean you COULD NOT care less, no?
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Does not the "less" in the sentence carry a negative connotation? If so, then "could not care less" would be a double negative, thus becoming a positive.
If "less" is not a negative, then I'll still stick to my original post, because, upon review, I must have cared somewhat to take the time to reply.
But, it's your English language, we just borrowed and adapted it (sometimes for better, sometimes for worse!)!
If "less" is not a negative, then I'll still stick to my original post, because, upon review, I must have cared somewhat to take the time to reply.
But, it's your English language, we just borrowed and adapted it (sometimes for better, sometimes for worse!)!
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SASless
Sorry, but I'm not with you on Abe's dog/leg story, and I think Abe missed the point too. If the tail IS a leg, it is a leg. If you just CALL the tail a leg, it is still a tail. To make the mighty President's retort correct the question should have been phrased, 'If a dog's tail was called a leg, how many legs would a dog have?'
Zoom for President.
Sorry, but I'm not with you on Abe's dog/leg story, and I think Abe missed the point too. If the tail IS a leg, it is a leg. If you just CALL the tail a leg, it is still a tail. To make the mighty President's retort correct the question should have been phrased, 'If a dog's tail was called a leg, how many legs would a dog have?'
Zoom for President.
Zoom is correct....as was Abe....I did not quote Abe correctly. Correction made.
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Does not the "less" in the sentence carry a negative connotation? If so, then "could not care less" would be a double negative, thus becoming a positive.
If "less" is not a negative, then I'll still stick to my original post, because, upon review, I must have cared somewhat to take the time to reply.
But, it's your English language, we just borrowed and adapted it (sometimes for better, sometimes for worse!)!
If "less" is not a negative, then I'll still stick to my original post, because, upon review, I must have cared somewhat to take the time to reply.
But, it's your English language, we just borrowed and adapted it (sometimes for better, sometimes for worse!)!
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I spoke with a USMC pilot two years ago, and when this subject came up, he told me it was because "We (the US) fire first and ask questions later."
He intimated that this was a good thing I might add.
I've lost count of the video clips I've seen over the last couple of years where some vehicle / bridge / building etc gets splashed, accompanied by a soundtrack of shouted "F*ck yeahs", "God damns" and general whooping and screaming.
Thinking back to my sorties in Iraq 1, I won't say I was calm about the whole thing (far from it) but none of those "gung ho" shouts for one minute entered my head.
It just makes me wonder about the difference in mentality between the US and the UK when it comes to taking another life.
He intimated that this was a good thing I might add.
I've lost count of the video clips I've seen over the last couple of years where some vehicle / bridge / building etc gets splashed, accompanied by a soundtrack of shouted "F*ck yeahs", "God damns" and general whooping and screaming.
Thinking back to my sorties in Iraq 1, I won't say I was calm about the whole thing (far from it) but none of those "gung ho" shouts for one minute entered my head.
It just makes me wonder about the difference in mentality between the US and the UK when it comes to taking another life.
QFIHawkman-
As Marine Harrier pilot I can tell you that the pilot you are quoting is a complete ass and deserves a good stomping. STOP quoting him and start quoting me. The pilots I have had the good fortune to serve with are competent, well-trained professionals. Not one of them would say such a stupid thing. We DO NOT shoot first and ask questions later. Our business is putting ordnance on time and on target and we're damn serious about it. And by the way, one of the best 'ooh-rah' videos I've ever seen from Iraq II (Telec?) was made by an RAF exchange pilot, so I guess it takes all kinds...
Brickhistory-
The Sgt you spoke with is jerking your chain. There is no way the USMC loses 400 per year in ground training accidents. I reviewed the safety stats for this year and I can only identify one operational (non-combat) gunshot fatality. See for yourself at http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/ash...es/default.htm
Semps,
The responses will go like this...
Navy safety site....plainly manipulated numbers,Marine Harrier pilot....not a real Harrier pilot (ie. RAF Harrier pilot), not a QFI,and a Spam...what can you probably know.
Semper Fi, Mac!
The responses will go like this...
Navy safety site....plainly manipulated numbers,Marine Harrier pilot....not a real Harrier pilot (ie. RAF Harrier pilot), not a QFI,and a Spam...what can you probably know.
Semper Fi, Mac!
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Some of you are making something simple sound very complicated. Basically, Americans often say "could care less" when Brits say "couldn't care less". They mean the same thing.
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If I might just weigh in here, this was an expression that caused me some confusion for a number of years. Basically: They say "I could care less" We say "I couldn't care less" and we both mean the same thing.
They are of course wrong but I suppose I could find many expressions (1) we use that also pass the syntax checker but fail the parser.
btw, when I say "They" and "We" I am myself being misleading because I am neither
...or perhaps both
(1) "I'll go to the foot of our stairs" as a for instance, especially as I live in a bungalow
They are of course wrong
but I suppose I could find many expressions (1) we use that also pass the syntax checker but fail the parser.btw, when I say "They" and "We" I am myself being misleading because I am neither
...or perhaps both
(1) "I'll go to the foot of our stairs" as a for instance, especially as I live in a bungalow
"It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required".
I would love to see what winnie was referencing.
Mark
"a more fulsome apology would have been welcome"
After all the facts come to light, I would hope so as well.
skunk
"is your lack of serious training"
I would love to see you back this up with some fact, rather than what you think you gleaned from a flailex. My association with the Corps goes back to the mid 80's. I can tell you with certainty that combined arms (live fire) exercises from the size you quote to MEF size are common.
QFIhawkman
This crap was paraded around after the initial battles of the Iraq war, brought up IIRC by our resident journo. It wasn't long before equally as incriminating evidence was found of Brits doing same. Go do some browsing on AARSE and take a look at some of your jingoistic Brit mil types that hang out there.
I would love to see what winnie was referencing.
Mark
"a more fulsome apology would have been welcome"
After all the facts come to light, I would hope so as well.
skunk
"is your lack of serious training"
I would love to see you back this up with some fact, rather than what you think you gleaned from a flailex. My association with the Corps goes back to the mid 80's. I can tell you with certainty that combined arms (live fire) exercises from the size you quote to MEF size are common.
QFIhawkman
This crap was paraded around after the initial battles of the Iraq war, brought up IIRC by our resident journo. It wasn't long before equally as incriminating evidence was found of Brits doing same. Go do some browsing on AARSE and take a look at some of your jingoistic Brit mil types that hang out there.
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Ah Good.
No posts since 5am.
Does this mean that this nonsensical argument has finally stopped.
I've seen more blue on blue between allies on this thread than there's ever been out there in the real world!
No posts since 5am.
Does this mean that this nonsensical argument has finally stopped.
I've seen more blue on blue between allies on this thread than there's ever been out there in the real world!
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Nope.
Semp, the 400 personell lost was my info not Bricks so please don't rip him for it. The Sgt in question was referring to the whole of the US military not just USMC. USAF, Navy, USMC, Army, Nat Guard etc.
Westy. What I think I gleaned? So you think I was smoking something? Or just imagined the whole time with the USMC umpires? We do talk to each other you know, in real life, not just via a daft forum.
Oh and the Lincoln quote was apparantley not originaly from Lincoln and it can't be proved that he said it apparantley. But what the hey, it sounds nice, if a bit lame.
Semp, the 400 personell lost was my info not Bricks so please don't rip him for it. The Sgt in question was referring to the whole of the US military not just USMC. USAF, Navy, USMC, Army, Nat Guard etc.
Westy. What I think I gleaned? So you think I was smoking something? Or just imagined the whole time with the USMC umpires? We do talk to each other you know, in real life, not just via a daft forum.
Oh and the Lincoln quote was apparantley not originaly from Lincoln and it can't be proved that he said it apparantley. But what the hey, it sounds nice, if a bit lame.
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No Escape Zone
If you want a good account of the CAS dilemma read Nick Richardson's account. He was shot down trying to get a good mark on the target and avoiding fratricide. It was a very difficult call and a cracking account.
No Escape Zone: One Man's True Story of a Journey to Hell (Paperback)
by Nick Richardson
http://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Escape-Zo...e=UTF8&s=books
No Escape Zone: One Man's True Story of a Journey to Hell (Paperback)
by Nick Richardson
http://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Escape-Zo...e=UTF8&s=books
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Active Duty Military Deaths Accidental deaths seem to average about 400-500 a year, excluding homicide, illness, suicide, hostile action and terrorist attack.
But I presume that still includes driving accidents, falling down stairs etc etc as well.
But I presume that still includes driving accidents, falling down stairs etc etc as well.
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Not seen the Canadian press but this seems to be a very sensible move in light of this tragic incident. A low profile right now is a good thing and more importantly would YOU want to be the poor sap standing next to it in your USAF emblazoned flying suit?.............thought not
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced
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mlc
they have subbed in an F-15 which maintains presence at the show without giving the media an opportunity to rough up Pvt Graham's family some more. Good move by USAF
First Tillman and now Graham - goddammit if athletes turned soldiers are going to be at hazard I'd prefer them to be soccer players, starting with the Liverpool and Chelski squads.
they have subbed in an F-15 which maintains presence at the show without giving the media an opportunity to rough up Pvt Graham's family some more. Good move by USAF
First Tillman and now Graham - goddammit if athletes turned soldiers are going to be at hazard I'd prefer them to be soccer players, starting with the Liverpool and Chelski squads.