GOTTA SEE THIS-WarEndur.Freedom 4/2/03-H2,Mosul,Al Hindiyah,Khasib,Thunbah Al Hamra,Basra
DOD, IraqiTV, Yahoo, AP, Reuters, and the usual suspects | 4/2/03 | The Armies of Good against the Axis of Evil

Posted on 04/01/2003 4:25 PM EST by Diogenesis

GOTTA SEE THIS - War for Enduring Freedom 4/2/03 - H2, Mosul, Al Hindiyah, Abu al Khasib, Thunbah Al Hamra, Basra

Baghdad, Iraq - Crescendo shock and awe from the Presidential compound to Presidential guest compound
Baath telecommunications building, Baath Security Bldg. Information Ministry, Iraqi State TV Studio
H2 - western Iraq - Coaltion Forces take western airfields AC-130 gunships
Arbil - Iraqi retreat
Mosul - Missile Facility and Enemy gets Shock and Awe
Al Hindiyah - Red Badge of Courage at the Euphrates River
Abu al Khasib - 'Operation James' and the British Commando Regiment Royal Artillery
Date Groves - British Military Queens Dragoon Guards fire at Iraqi positions
Thunbah Al Hamra - Desert Rats took the Baath Party Headquarters
Battle of, and Exodus from, Basra
Basra - checkpoint of freedom
Basra - champion Irish Guards
Basra - discarded Iraqi gas masks
Frederick, Maryland - Patriotic rally
New York - Patriotic rally

SecDef and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs say war plan is a good one, troops have everything they need

========= Baghdad =========

In Baghdad, Iraq, continued crescendo shock and awe.

In Baghdad, the presidential compound.

In Baghdad, at the presidential guest compound

In Baghdad, at the Baath telecommunications building.

In Baghdad, Baath Security Bldg. pre and post strike.

In Baghdad, at Saddam's own burning oil trenches

In Baghdad, at the Information Ministry, pre-strike and post-strike photograph.

"DON'T QUITE GET IT" AWARDS

In Baghdad, Iraq, Peter Arnett tries to resuscitate Saddam
and his odious regime, paid for by MSNBC and CNN and National Geographic.

In Baghdad, Baathists and terrorists save portraits of Saddam from the rubble.

In Baghdad, Greek reporteress purports destruction of Baghdad's press center.
[Probably by the Iraqis again, like with the SAMs. Note the boards not even broken or burnt].

DEAD MEN WALKING

In Baghdad, downtown, at the future "Ozymandius" statue, enemy Iraqis perform
last hubric rights for their fellow Baath and Tikrit rulers.

On the trail of Tareq Aziz, Iraqi Deputy Premier, stooges attempting to prop up
a dying regime.

In Baghdad, the Iraqi State TV Studio, before and after air strikes.

========= Coaltion Forces Rule =========

========= H2 - western Iraq =========

Coaltion Forces took the western airfields.
Iraqi plane, located at H2 airfield in western Iraq, being shot up by AC-130 gunships.

========= To the North =========

Coaltion heroes in a convoy of freedom pass Kurd fighters.

========= Near Kirkuk =========

Near Kirkuk, Iraqis fled.

========= Near Arbil =========

South of Arbil, Kurd Peshmerga took more Iraqi territory,
as Iraqis retreated again. They Kurds use map is for their new-won turf.

========= Mosul =========

Mosul - Missile Facility and Enemy gets Shock and Awe

In Mosul, Coalition explosions rise from enemy locations.

In Mosul, Missile Facility, pre and post strike.

========= To the South =========

========= Al Hindiyah =========

Al Hindiyah - Red Badge of Courage at the Euphrates River

In Al Hindiyah, at the Euphrates River, heroes of the 3rd Infantry Division
took the critical bridge.

In Al Hindiyah, at the Euphrates River, at the front of battle,
Iraqis yearning to be free run through the crossfire to America and the Coalition forces.
Why would a woman risk her life to flee to the American champions? Freedom.
Why would the man risk HIS life to help the woman, who
while fleeing was shot down with a critical hip wound? American hero.

In Al Hindiyah, Iraq, the wall of the "police station"

In Al Hindiyah, Iraq, ~120 klicks southwest of Baghdad,
US Army heroes gave cigarettes and food to Iraqi prisoners,
here at a local police station. The POWs said the Iraqi police
had not fed them for three days before they evacuated the town
in advance of the invading U.S. Army.

========= Abu al Khasib =========

In Abu al Khasib, in 'Operation James', heroes of the British Commando Regiment Royal Artillery fire at
an Iraqi military stronghold outside the city of Basra in southern Iraq.
There was a 15 hour overnight firefight.

In Abu al Khasib, a Russian T-55 tank smoulders as
POWs get medical care denied to Americans and British taken by the evil Iraqis.

In the Date Groves, south of Basra, at the front lines, British Military Queens Dragoon Guards,
fire at Iraqi positions.

========= Thunbah Al Hamra =========

In Thunbah Al Hamra, Iraq, valiant Desert Rats took
the Baath Party Headquarters.

========= Battle of, and Exodus from, Basra =========

Battle of, and Exodus from, Basra

In Basra, British heroes on a Lynx 2.

In Basra, Iraqis wanting freedom immediately, flee the evil regime
even under threat of death from the terrorists. Shelling and machine gun fire is ongoing.

In Basra, many of the fleeing make it to the checkpoint of freedom.

In Basra, those fleeing are protected by champions of Irish Guards.

In Basra, Iraq, an Iraqi soldier surrenders to coalition heroes.

In Basra, discarded Iraqi gas masks laying in piles around the city.

========= Frederick =========

In Frederick, Maryland, at the Patriotic rally,.

========= New York =========

In New York, a Patriotic rally at the World Trade Center.

-----------------------
Please spend a few hours today helping for success in the War for Enduring Freedom,
or/and post your thought, missive, picture, thread, analysis, greetings to those serving overseas,
venting, update, correction, observation, or anything else of interest.

END OF TRANSMISSION 4/2/03 .......... K

AMERICA ROCKS

One finger of one America hero exceeds the entire moral weight of the UN and EU.

1 posted on 04/01/2003 4:25 PM EST by Diogenesis

AMERICA ROCKS

BUMP FOR FREEDOM and COALITION SUCCESS

2 posted on 04/01/2003 4:26 PM EST by Diogenesis (If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.)

thanks, and thank God for the USA

3 posted on 04/01/2003 4:30 PM EST by bedolido

D, You have the all-time most awesome threads! Thanks for including me on your ping list.

4 posted on 04/01/2003 4:31 PM EST by LurkerNoMore!

Superb, thanks very much for these updates.

5 posted on 04/01/2003 4:32 PM EST by alnitak

(choke)

Thanks

6 posted on 04/01/2003 4:33 PM EST by freedomlover

WOW! Thanks!

7 posted on 04/01/2003 4:35 PM EST by Molly Pitcher (Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow....)

Thanks for your great efforts!

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

8 posted on 04/01/2003 4:36 PM EST by Ernest_at_the_Beach (Nuke Saddam and his Baby Milk Factories!!)

I have not been very impressed with the USA bombing strikes, for they seem to leave the buildings standing, seeming barely touched. What is wrong here?

9 posted on 04/01/2003 4:36 PM EST by tessalu

Look at this woman's face! Peaceful? Relieved? I think her expression says it all.

10 posted on 04/01/2003 4:36 PM EST by Calpernia (http://www.politicsandprotest.org/attack.swf)

Thank you for these great pictures - they really are worth a thousand words each.

11 posted on 04/01/2003 4:37 PM EST by Argus

Have you seen some of the photos from inside the buildings? I've seen a few here and there. Their gutted.

12 posted on 04/01/2003 4:37 PM EST by unix

This is one of the best threads you've posted. Awesome!

My eternal gratitude for putting a realistic face on the war for us and for your deep, unwavering patriotism.

Leni

13 posted on 04/01/2003 4:38 PM EST by MinuteGal (THIS JUST IN ! Astonishing fare reduction for FReeps Ahoy Cruise! Check it out, pronto!)

"Euphrates?"

"Nope."

"Me neither."

14 posted on 04/01/2003 4:39 PM EST by Beelzebubba

Speaking as a former aircraft maintenance weenie...

Dang, that's going to be a LOT of man-hours to fix.

15 posted on 04/01/2003 4:39 PM EST by Poohbah (Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!)

beautiful - thank you - again

16 posted on 04/01/2003 4:40 PM EST by Freedom'sWorthIt

Truth, Freedom and Victory bump! Great photo thread as usual Diogenesis.

17 posted on 04/01/2003 4:40 PM EST by paws_and_whiskers

Interesting....

The street lights are still on in Baghdad.

This precision bombing is extraordinary.

18 posted on 04/01/2003 4:42 PM EST by Incorrigible

Freedom Soon Bump!

19 posted on 04/01/2003 4:43 PM EST by ThomasMore ([1 Pet 3:15-16])

The are precision strikes, designed to kill an actual target an minimize collateral damage. I am assuming on faith that are intelligence is so good that we feel we can leave some buildings standing

20 posted on 04/01/2003 4:43 PM EST by Scarlet_Pimpernil

Daily bttt!

21 posted on 04/01/2003 4:44 PM EST by SeeRushToldU_So ( Something witty, etc, etc....)

Thanks for all the work Dio, I look forward to your posts.

22 posted on 04/01/2003 4:44 PM EST by SENTINEL (Proud USMC Gulf War Grunt !)

Oh Dio, it breaks my heart to see these people risking their lives to flee their homes .... running TO the coalition forces.

And people say WE are evil? WE are doing this?

LOOK AT THE CONDITION OF THEIR CLOTHING AND TEETH! And Hussein has (had!) HOW MANY palaces????

I've run out of patience with the peace niks. They're so blinded they cannot see.

23 posted on 04/01/2003 4:45 PM EST by Brad's Gramma

AMERICA ROCKS

One finger of one America hero exceeds the entire moral weight of the UN and EU.

Just so. But the gunner in that pic is one of our British cousins, letting fly with his L7A1 7,62 NATO GPMG *Gimpy* medium machinegun.

No matter. Same side, same enemies.

-archy-/-

24 posted on 04/01/2003 4:46 PM EST by archy (Keep in mind that the milk of human kindness comes from a beast that is both cannibal and a vampire.)

Saddam has stolen the wealth of the country and has brutalized his own citizens. Bless you, Dio, for showing the world the truth.

25 posted on 04/01/2003 4:47 PM EST by TenthAmendmentChampion (This just in: The left wing media lies! In other news, the sun rose in the east today...)

And yet the left-wing-fanatics can't see that. Imagine a President of this country having over 20 palaces! Imagine!!!!!

26 posted on 04/01/2003 4:51 PM EST by Brad's Gramma

bttt

27 posted on 04/01/2003 4:52 PM EST by Oldeconomybuyer (Let's Roll)

Good Point. Thank you for the important correction.
More errors today than usual from the rush to get this out to counterbalance the irritating disappointing media.

----> The Poles and Australians deserve kudos here, too.

So many lines of code .... so many errors. Mea culpa.

BTW, look at this girls face on the right when she finally vectors to freedom.

The Coalition Rocks.

28 posted on 04/01/2003 4:58 PM EST by Diogenesis (If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.)

WOW! I am awestruck by today's collection of photos! Thanks as always, Diogenesis!

29 posted on 04/01/2003 4:59 PM EST by arasina (PRAY for our troops, our president, our journalists, the POWs and the innocents!)

The Iraqi people, without any shadow of doubt, now know who is for them, and who wants to destroy them...

30 posted on 04/01/2003 4:59 PM EST by EternalVigilance

Will you kindly add my name to your PING list? :-)

31 posted on 04/01/2003 5:01 PM EST by arasina (PRAY for our troops, our president, our journalists, the POWs and the innocents!)

"Iraqi plane, located at H2 airfield in western Iraq"
I was not aware they had anything serious in the way of aircraft. The photos are beyond great, dio.

32 posted on 04/01/2003 5:04 PM EST by Bahbah (Pray for our Troops)

Tears fill my eyes
Tears of joy
As I see the liberating power
Of free men armed
Steeled to the sacred task
Of crushing evil's head

33 posted on 04/01/2003 5:05 PM EST by EternalVigilance (The heavenly host has loosed their fiery swords - satan despairs...)

34 posted on 04/01/2003 5:06 PM EST by paws_and_whiskers

Bump for total victory....

35 posted on 04/01/2003 5:07 PM EST by eureka! (Bless our Troops and Allies.........)

The soldier rescuing the woman is from Georgia.

A caption from today's AJC, "Soldiers from the Army's A Company 3rd Battalion 7th Infantry Regiment approach an injured woman who was caught in the crossfire with Iraqi forces over the Euphrates River. Capt. Chris Carter of Watkinsville led the rescue effort."

Quote from Chris' father, Michael Carter, "He is the kind of man every parent in America would be glad to have s a son."

36 posted on 04/01/2003 5:08 PM EST by Atlantian

But the gunner in that pic is one of our British cousins, letting fly with his L7A1 7,62 NATO GPMG *Gimpy* medium machinegun.

No matter. Same side, same enemies.

I thought that was a British soldier, but the belt-fed is much tougher to ID than their 5.56mm bullpup, especially when as seen through NV goggles. Speaking of firearms, there don't seem to be any major complaints popping up regarding either the US or UK weapons performance. After that brouhaha over the Brit rifles last year, that's encouraging.

Now, what sort of sniper rifle is that Dragoon putting to use up above?

37 posted on 04/01/2003 5:14 PM EST by Charles Martel

How many Iraqi citizens do you think there are doing this with their own national colors...?

38 posted on 04/01/2003 5:15 PM EST by HiJinx (Sierra Vista Rally AAR @ www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/880284/posts)

In Baghdad...pre and post strike photos.

Dayum. The trees around them aren't even singed. How can anyone look at that and then come up with some story about a missle hitting a marketplace?

39 posted on 04/01/2003 5:15 PM EST by SquirrelKing (New slogan for Baghdad Tourist Board: "See the ruins")

Thank you once again...

40 posted on 04/01/2003 5:16 PM EST by tubebender (?)

Belated thanks for the daily bumps you send to me. Jim needs to put you on Payroll.

41 posted on 04/01/2003 5:18 PM EST by Rebelbase

Operation Iraqi Freedom U.S. Army Spc. Michael Edward Curtin, 23, South Plains, N.J., March 29, 2003, Iraq Pfc. Diego Fernando Rincon, 19, Conyers, Ga., March 29, 2003, Iraq Spc. Gregory P. Sanders, 19, Indiana, March 24, 2003, Iraq Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert, 27, Hometown Unavailable, March 22, 2003, Kuwait Sgt. Roderic A. Solomon , 32, Fayetteville, N.C., March 23, 2003, Iraq Spc. Brandon S. Tobler, 19, March 23, 2003, Iraq Pfc. Michael Russell Creighton Weldon, 20, Palm Bay, Fla., March 29, 2003, Iraq Sgt. Eugene Williams, 24, Highland, N.Y., March 29, 2003, Iraq U.S. Navy Lt. Thomas Mullen Adams, 27, La Mesa, Calif., March 22, 2003, Over International Waters Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael Vann Johnson, Jr., 25, Little Rock, Ark., March 25, 2003, Iraq U.S. Air Force Maj. Gregory Stone, 40, Boise, Idaho, March 25, 2003, Kuwait U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, 36, Waterville, Maine, March 20, 2003, Kuwait Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, 30, Bloomington, Ill., March 20, 2003, Kuwait Sgt. Michael E. Bitz, 31, Ventura, Calif., March 23, 2003, Iraq Lance Cpl. Thomas A. Blair, 24, of Wagoner, Okla., March 24, 2003, Iraq Lance Cpl. Brian Rory Buesing, 20, Cedar Key, Fla., March 23, 2003, Iraq 2nd Lt. Therrel S. Childers, 30, Harrison, Miss., March 21, 2003, Iraq Lance Cpl. David K. Fribley, 26, Lee, Fla., March 23, 2003, Iraq Cpl. Jose A. Garibay, 21, Orange, Calif., March 23, 2003, Iraq Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, 22, Los Angeles, March 21, 2003, Iraq Cpl. Jorge A. Gonzalez, 20, Los Angeles, Calif., March 23, 2003, Iraq Sgt. Nicolas M. Hodson, 22, of Smithville, Mo., March 24, 2003, Iraq Cpl. Evan T. James, 20, Hancock, Ill., March 24, 2003, Iraq Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, 42, Brazoria, Texas, March 23, 2003, Iraq Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, 25, Houston, Texas, March 20, 2003, Kuwait Sgt. Bradley S. Korthaus, 28, Scott, Iowa, March 24, Iraq Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Menusa, 33, San Jose, Calif., March 27, 2003, Iraq Major Kevin G. Nave, 36, Union Lake, Mich., March 26, 2003, Iraq Lance Cpl. Eric J. Orlowski, 26, of Buffalo, N.Y., March 24, 2003, Iraq 2nd Lt. Frederick E. Pokorney Jr., 31, Nye, Nev., March 23, 2003, Iraq Cpl. Randal Kent Rosacker, 21, San Diego, Calif., March 23, 2003, Iraq Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Slocum, age unknown, Adams, Colo., March 23, 2003, Iraq Lance Cpl. Jesus A. Suarez Del Solar, 20, Escondido, Calif., March 27, 2003, Iraq Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Watersbey, 29, Baltimore, Md., March 20, 2003, Kuwait Lance Cpl. William W. White, 24, of Brooklyn, N.Y., March 29, 2003, Iraq Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams, 31, of Yuma, Ariz., march 23, 2003, Iraq   Operation Enduring Freedom U.S. Army Spc. Marc A. Anderson, 30, Brandon, Fla., March 4, 2002, Afghanistan Sgt. Michael C. Barry, 29, Brandon, Fla., February 1, 2003, Qatar Spc. Curtis A. Carter, 25, Lafayette, La., February 27, 2002, Kuwait Sgt. 1st Class Nathan R. Chapman, 31, San Antonio, Texas, January 4, 2002, Afghanistan Sgt. Steven Checo, 22, New York, December 20, 2002, Afghanistan Spc. Brian M. Clemens, Indiana, February 7, 2003, Kuwait Pfc. Matthew A. Commons, 21, Boulder City, Nev., March 4, 2002, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Brian T. Craig, 27, Houston, Texas, April 15, 2002, Afghanistan Sgt. Bradley S. Crose, 22, Orange Park, Fla., March 4, 2002, Afghanistan Master Sgt. Jefferson D. Davis, 39, Clarksville, Tenn., December 5, 2001, Afghanistan Spc. Jason A. Disney, 21, Fallon, Nev., February 13, 2002, Afghanistan Pvt. James H. Ebbers, 19, Bridgeview, Ill, October 14, 2002, Djibuoti, Africa Spc. John J. Edmunds, 20, Cheyenne, Wyo., October 19, 2001, Pakistan Sgt. Ryan D. Foraker, 31, Logan, Ohio, September 24, 2002, Guantanamo, Cuba Sgt. Gregory M. Frampton, 37, California, January 30, 2003, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Justin J. Galewski, 28, Olathe, Kan., April 15, 2002, Afghanistan Chief Warrant Officer Thomas J. Gibbons, 31, Maryland, January 30, 2003, Afghanistan Spc. Rodrigo Gonzalez-Garza, 26, Texas, February 24, 2003, Kuwait Chief Warrant Officer Two Stanley L. Harriman, 34, Wade, N.C., March 2, 2002, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Kisling, Jr., 31 Missouri, January 30, 2003, Afghanistan Pvt. Giovanny Maria, 19, New York, N.Y., November 29, 2001, Uzbekistan Sgt. Jamie O. Maugans, 27, Wichita, Kan., April 15, 2002, Afghanistan Pfc. Spence A. McNeil, 19, Bennettsville, S.C., March 8, 2003, Saudi Arabia Chief Warrant Officer Timothy W. Moehling, 35, Florida, February 24, 2003, Kuwait Sgt. Orlando Morales, 33, Manati, Puerto Rico, Afghanistan Chief Warrant Officer Mark S. O’Steen, 43, Alabama, January 30, 2003, Afghanistan Spec. Pedro Pena, 35, Fla., November 7, 2002, Kuwait Sgt. 1st Class Daniel H. Petithory, 32, Cheshire, Mass., December 5, 2001, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Brian C. Prosser, 28, Frazier Park, Calif., December 5, 2001, Afghanista Sgt. 1st Class Daniel A. Romero, 30, Lafayette, Colo., April 15, 2002, Afghanistan Chief Warrant Officer John D. Smith, 32, Nevada, February 24, 2003, Kuwait Sgt. 1st Class Christopher J. Speer, 28, Albuquerque, N.M., August 7, 2002, Afghanistan Pfc. Kristofor T. Stonesifer, 28, Missoula, Mont., October 19, 2001, Pakistan Sgt. Philip J. Svitak, 31, Joplin, Mo., March 4, 2002, Afghanistan Spc. William J. Tracy, 27, of New Hampshire, February 24, 2003, Kuwait Sgt. 1st Class Peter P. Tycz II, 32, Tonawanda, N.Y., June 12, 2002, Afghanistan Sgt. Gene A. Vance Jr., 38, Morgantown, W.V., May 19, 2002, Afghanistan U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Matthew J. Bourgeois, 35, Tallahassee, Fla., March 27, 2002, Afghanistan Machinist’s Mate Fireman Apprentice Bryant L. Davis, 20, Chicago, Ill., November 7, 2001, Arabian Sea Electrician’s Mate Fireman Apprentice Michael J. Jakes Jr., 20, Brooklyn, N.Y., December 4, 2001, Northern Arabian Sea Engineman 1st Class Vincent Parker, 38, Preston, Miss., November 18, 2001, Persian Gulf Aviation Boatswain’s Mate-Handling 1st Class Neil C. Roberts, 32, Woodland, Calif., March 4, 2002, Afghanistan Electronics Technician 3rd Class Benjamin Johnson, 21, Rochester, N.Y., November 18, 2001, Persian Gulf U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Evander E. Andrews, 36, Salon, Maine, October 10, 2001, Northern Arabian Peninsula 1st Lt. Tamara Archuleta, 23, Los Lunas, N.M., March 23, 2003, Afghanistan Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman, 36, Waco, Texas, March 4, 2002, Afghanistan Tech. Sgt. Sean M. Corlew, 37, Thousand Oaks, Calif., June 12, 2002, Afghanistan Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham, 26, Camarillo, Calif., March 4, 2002, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Jacob L. Frazier, 24, St. Charles, Ill., March 29, 2003, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Jason Hicks, 25, Jefferson, S.C., March 23, 2003, Afghanistan Master Sgt. Michael Maltz, 42, St. Petersburg, Fla., March 23, 2003, Afghanistan Senior Airman Jason Plite, 21, Lansing, Mich., March 23, 2003, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Anissa A. Shero, 31, Grafton, W.Va., June 12, 2002, Afghanistan Lt. Col. John Stein, 39, Bardolph, Ill., March 23, 2003, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. John Teal, 29, Dallas, Texas, March 23, 2003, Afghanistan U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Matthew W. Bancroft, 29, Shasta, Calif., January 9, 2002, Pakistan Lance Cpl. Bryan P. Bertrand, 23, Coos Bay, Ore., January 9, 2002, Pakistan Gunnery Sgt. Stephen L. Bryson, 35, Montgomery, Ala., January 9, 2002, Pakistan Staff Sgt. Walter F. Cohee III, 26, Wicomico, Md., January 20, 2002, Afghanistan Staff Sgt. Scott N. Germosen, 37, Queens, N.Y., January 9, 2002, Pakistan Sgt. Nathan P. Hays, 21, Lincoln, Wash., January 9, 2002, Pakistan Capt. Daniel G. McCollum, 29, Richland, S.C., January 9, 2002, Pakistan Staff Sgt. Dwight J. Morgan, 24, Mendocino, Calif., January 20, 2002, Afghanistan Lance Cpl. Antonio J. Sledd, 20, Tampa, Fla., October 8, 2002, Kuwait Sgt. Jeannette L. Winters, 25, Du Page, Ill., January 9, 2002, Pakistan CIA Johnny Michael Spann, 32, Winfield, Ala., November 25, 2002, Afghanistan   Operation Enduring Freedom - Phillipines U.S. Army Spec. Thomas F. Allison, 22, Roy, Washington, February 21, 2002 Staff Sgt. James P. Dorrity, 37, Goldsboro, N.C., February 21, 2002 Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jody L. Egnor, 32, Middletown, Ohio, February 21, 2002 Maj. Curtis D. Feistner, 34, White Bear Lake, Minn., February 21, 2002 Sgt. Jeremy D. Foshee, 25, Pisgah, Ala., February 21, 2002 Staff Sgt. Kerry W. Frith, 37, Las Vegas, Nev., February 21, 2002 Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wayne Jackson, 40, of Glennie, Mich., October 2, 2002 Capt. Bartt D. Owens, 31, Middletown, Ohio, February 21, 2002 Staff Sgt. Bruce A. Rushforth, Jr., 35, Middleboro, Mass., February 21, 2002 U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. William L. McDaniel II, 29, Greenville, Ohio, February 21, 2002 Staff Sgt. Juan M. Ridout, 36, Maple Tree, Wash., February 21, 2002

42 posted on 04/01/2003 5:18 PM EST by Spruce

Darrin, I don't care if Samantha turned you into a spider monkey. I want that Dinsdale presentation on my desk by 5 o'clock this evening, or you're FIRED!

43 posted on 04/01/2003 5:19 PM EST by Jeff Chandler ( ;)

Exceptional montage. Thanks for putting these together!

44 posted on 04/01/2003 5:19 PM EST by shezza (Freedom is never free.)

A Diogenesis BTT.

Not long now...

46 posted on 04/01/2003 5:26 PM EST by Billthedrill

We are everywhere.

This NOAA satellite image taken Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at 1:42 a.m. EST (9:42 a.m. Iraq local time) shows smoke plumes visible southwest of Baghdad, Iraq. U.S.-led forces bombed and battled Iraqi troops across a large arc south of Baghdad on Tuesday, a day-and-night pounding meant to pave the way for an attack on the capital.

47 posted on 04/01/2003 5:28 PM EST by sciencediet (Googolplex Star Thinker of the Seventh Galaxy of Light and Ingenuity)

"That's Right, SquirrelKing. The Missile-Market Story is BS. It's dead, Jim. It was a SAM."

48 posted on 04/01/2003 5:29 PM EST by Diogenesis (If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.)

A British Military Queens Dragoon Guard SNIPER delivers
"personal" gifts to Iraqi Soldiers

49 posted on 04/01/2003 5:30 PM EST by Johnny Gage (We will not tire, We will not falter, We will not fail. - President George W. Bush)

God Bless America, our valient troops, and God Bless you Dio for all of your stupendous photos....

50 posted on 04/01/2003 5:32 PM EST by Princess G

That pic is fascinating. Where did you find it?

51 posted on 04/01/2003 5:36 PM EST by Myrnick (eee, I wuz awl 'ungry like)

On behalf of myself and a handful of other military spouse's who have read this post and were brought to tears... Thank you.

From Ft. Bragg, North Carolina

52 posted on 04/01/2003 5:48 PM EST by Nefertiti ('Common Sense' is self-contradictory phrase. 'Sense' is never common....)

I thought that was a British soldier, but the belt-fed is much tougher to ID than their 5.56mm bullpup, especially when as seen through NV goggles.

After you've carried a Gimpy for a few days, you'll never mistake it for anything else. Thing is, about everyone uses it or the original Belgian MAG version- the Israelis, the Rhodesians, even the Argentines in the Falklands. The US has been using the things as the M240, first as a tanker's MG, then in the Infantry vehicles, and now generally replacing the M60 machinegun of the Vietnam War period. But the giveaway that the gunner is a Brit is the camouflage band on his Mark 6 *puddin bowl* helmet.

Speaking of firearms, there don't seem to be any major complaints popping up regarding either the US or UK weapons performance. After that brouhaha over the Brit rifles last year, that's encouraging.

The Royal Marines have still been grumbling, though most of the mechanized infantry, the paras and the Gurkhas don't seem to be. It may reflect some maintenance or lubrication procedure not particularly compatable with the saltwater enviornment that the Marines and SBS are particularly involved with, or possibly just some variation in procedures or methods that still remains a problem. I was quite happy with the L85A1s that I've carried now and again, though the things are a bit heavy- they're compact, but not lightweight. The real flaw was the repeated firing pin breakage, and a change in materials, heattreatment and the associated spring and carrier in which the pin travelled seem to have that problem beaten. And the new wider cocking handle, which allows a serious grasp of the bolt handle for cocking or charging a new magazine is a real help, and aklso serves as a brass deflector to keep ejected HOT brass cases out of the eyes and shirt front ond from bouncing off the shooter's nose.

Now, what sort of sniper rifle is that Dragoon putting to use up above?

That's an L96A1 sniper's rifle, known as the *Arctic Weapon* or AW, the replacement for the venerable old Enfield #4Mk1*[T] that served through WWII, in the deserts of Oman and Aden, and finally in the Falklands, with a rebarrelling to the 7,62 NATO cartridge in the early 1960s and a redesignation as the L42A1.

The L96 is genuinely revered, and several different telescopic sights are available for it, in magnification levels from 6x to 10x, a bit better than the old Enfield's 4x wartime optical sight. And there are other nice features of the L96A1, but of most importance, it's a real tack-driver.

The 80-some improvements of the H&K modifications of the L85A1/SA80 rifle, now designated L85A2, seem to have produced a rifle that works, and the longer barrel of the bullpup design combined with the SUSAT scope always was regarded as being both particularly accurate, certainly a worthy feature in desert and mountain fighting, as well as compact, helpful for those fighting in cities and built-up areas and from helicopters and tanks. But though the sniper's tool remains a bit cumbersome, it's still favoured by those with the skills to use it, as per this pic of a Gurkha shooter showing off his AW to a US General officer in Kosovo.

53 posted on 04/01/2003 5:50 PM EST by archy (Keep in mind that the milk of human kindness comes from a beast that is both cannibal and a vampire.)

Many prayers for our fallen heroes bump.

54 posted on 04/01/2003 5:58 PM EST by wjcsux

British troops of the first Royal Regiment of Fusiliers unload a truck full of supplies in the village of Imam Anas, near Basra, Iraq, in this Saturday, March 29, 2003, Central Command handout photo.

According to military officials, Imam Anas is the first village in Iraq where a ration card system has been put in place by coalition forces with the purpose of ensuring that supplies are distributed fairly.

55 posted on 04/01/2003 6:00 PM EST by sciencediet (Googolplex Star Thinker of the Seventh Galaxy of Light and Ingenuity)

ping

56 posted on 04/01/2003 6:08 PM EST by Nefertiti ('Common Sense' is self-contradictory phrase. 'Sense' is never common....)

No.....WE thank YOU. For your husbands' service, for the sacrifices YOU make.....

You're very very welcome here at Free Republic. It's your home.

Let us know if there's anything you need.....trust me, we Freepers will be there for you.

57 posted on 04/01/2003 6:12 PM EST by Brad's Gramma

The pictures are AWESOME just AWESOME.

We can't thank you enough Dio.

Can you add me to your ping a ling, please?

58 posted on 04/01/2003 6:19 PM EST by Gracey

bttt

59 posted on 04/01/2003 6:23 PM EST by BeforeISleep

Hard work must mean nothing to you THANKS for your effort and a BTTT for Freedom and HEROES

60 posted on 04/01/2003 6:28 PM EST by Rightly Biased (<><)

It looks like this:

Is what the chap in the picture is firing.

http://www.accuracyinternational.com/

I have shot one of those in 308 once. Two bullets. Single hole at 100 yards. No joke.

61 posted on 04/01/2003 6:36 PM EST by Beelzebubba

Come and visit the USO Canteen! Its a 24 hour a day online support rally for our deployed troops and their families. Click the graphic to enter the Canteen

62 posted on 04/01/2003 6:44 PM EST by HiJinx (Sierra Vista Rally AAR @ www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/880284/posts)

I showed the photo of the lovely young mother holding a new baby in the foreground, while soldiers watch over other refugees in the background, to one of the liberals I know. I tried posting the picture here but I'm just getting a little empty box in the preview. Hopefully you all will know which photo I'm talking about.

She insists that the soldier is pointing the gun at the baby, and absolutely cannot see this photo any other way. Can anyone else make their mind believe this soldier is pointing the gun at a newborn baby??? How distorted would your thinking have to be to see this photograph that way, given the perspective involved??

I have no concept of how someone could be so sure of something so wrong! Wouldn't you think the mother would look a little bit more concerned if this was so? But she also says the mother looks afraid to move!!!

63 posted on 04/01/2003 6:59 PM EST by ChemistCat (My new bumper sticker: MY OTHER DRIVER IS A ROCKET SCIENTIST)

Thank you Diogenesis!

No one shows us what you do!
I am forever grateful for your efforts.

64 posted on 04/01/2003 7:36 PM EST by LindaSOG (Bless Our Troops!)

I think that says it all . . .

65 posted on 04/01/2003 7:43 PM EST by mamaduck

STRIKE VIDEOS:

BREAKING: Strike Videos from the DoD News Briefing, Tuesday, 01 Apr 2003

DOWNLOAD THIS: IT BLEW UP REAL GOOD AWARD

A suspected SA-2 missile site is struck

SA-2 missile site is struck - Download mpg file here

A fuel tank in a revetment is struck

fuel tank in a revetment - Download mpg file here

DOWNLOAD THIS: IT BLEW UP REAL GOOD AWARD

radar site in western Iraq is struck

radar site in western Iraq - Download mpg file here

66 posted on 04/01/2003 7:47 PM EST by Diogenesis (If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.)

Bump.

67 posted on 04/01/2003 7:52 PM EST by manna

Your threads rock! Good work.

68 posted on 04/01/2003 7:52 PM EST by Samwise (prayers for our troops)

Thanks. I saw mention of the videos and was hoping to see them. You're a treasure D....

69 posted on 04/01/2003 7:54 PM EST by eureka! (Bless our Troops and Allies.........)

Looked like Arctic Warfare's AWP sniper rifle.

70 posted on 04/01/2003 7:55 PM EST by Darksheare (Nox aeternus en pax.)

Very beautiful LindaSOG.

71 posted on 04/01/2003 7:58 PM EST by fatima (I have been fine,thinking about bad guys and good guys.)

72 posted on 04/01/2003 7:58 PM EST by EternalVigilance

Big Boom Bump...

73 posted on 04/01/2003 8:06 PM EST by tubebender (?)

Best news of the day, by far!

74 posted on 04/01/2003 8:21 PM EST by FreedomPoster

Thanks for the ping Dio - this is one of your best threads ever.

75 posted on 04/01/2003 8:28 PM EST by 11B3 (.308 holes make invisible souls. Belt fed liberal eraser.)

I LOVE your posts, and I put the terrific pix from them and from all over the place at yourownmind.com.

There's a powerful message here -- the reality is pretty far from what's being reported.

Take a look for yourself, and pass the URL along to 5 or 10 people, telling them to do the same. Let's get the truth out there.

76 posted on 04/01/2003 8:31 PM EST by ModernDayCato

Iraqi line dancing! Cool! Can you hear the music?

Don't tell my heart
my achy breaky heart.
I just don't think he'd understand.
And if you tell my heart
my achy breaky heart
might blow up and kill this man.

Oh, wait...Baath guys don't HAVE hearts in the first place...Must be a different song.

77 posted on 04/01/2003 9:11 PM EST by lsee

Two bullets. Single hole at 100 yards. No joke.

WOW!!!

Stay safe; stay armed.

78 posted on 04/01/2003 9:12 PM EST by Eaker (64,999,987 firearm owners killed no one yesterday. Somehow, it didn't make the news.)

The pic you're looking for is just above, Post #10.

Liberals are lie-lovers without knowledge of, or respect for, the truth. You should know that by now.

Iraqis Celebrate Their Liberation: Resource Thread for Pictures & Links

79 posted on 04/01/2003 9:23 PM EST by houstonian (The Liberal and his conceit--a vicious cycle.)

Welcome to FR!! It's good to see yet **another** Freeper from here in NC, too.
Thank you for your post, and thanks for your husband's service.

May he return safely!

CD

80 posted on 04/01/2003 9:37 PM EST by Constitution Day

Amazing how similar they seem.

81 posted on 04/01/2003 9:39 PM EST by Justice

Thank You.

82 posted on 04/01/2003 9:43 PM EST by bentfeather

Sadly, NONE of those aircraft shown blowing up were operational airframes. This was so embarrassing. When asked by one reporter the Brig. Gen. did not even know what types they were. He was very poorly briefed on this matter. My guess is that these images were not even run past the intel analysts for verification before release. They look good yes, but a complete waste of ammo, time and energy. These airframes have been sitting at H-2 for many years acting as decoys. The aircraft in the image is a UK supplied HUNTER. These were last used by the Iraqi's in the 1970s. The other types seen destroyed by the gunship were Su-7 FITTER a type retired in Iraq in favour of the swing wing variant Su-17. The other decoy airframe seen destroyed was a MiG-17 FRESCO. Good target practice though!

83 posted on 04/01/2003 9:45 PM EST by Tommyjo

"I was not aware they had anything serious in the way of aircraft. The photos are beyond great, dio"

All the aircraft you seen destroyed at H-2 were long retired types placed out as decoys. All the good stuff the the Iraqi Air Force own were dispersed weeks ago. Footage has already been released of one fighter (MiG-23) in a cemetery. The Iraqi's have moved their other aircraft into populated areas for safe keeping. Aircraft types such as MiG-25s, Su-25, MiG-29, and Mirage F.1s.

Several senior ranks have commented on the fact in interviews that they don't intend to destroy completely the Iraqi Air Force. They realize that post Saddam the Iraqi's will still require an Air Force. The airfields are being supressed to deny them taking off.

84 posted on 04/01/2003 9:57 PM EST by Tommyjo

Diogenesis, your photo journal always makes the monitor foggy.

Never stop.

Sergeant Danny Morgan of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps
sits with his exposives sniffer dog Buster after playing
fetch with an assault rifle magazine at their base in
southern Iraq (news - web sites) April 1, 2003. Buster, a
Springer Spaniel, was hailed the hero of a British Army raid
on an Iraqi stronghold earlier in the day in which he
uncovered a huge hidden cache of arms in Safwan.
REUTERS/POOL/Nick Parker-The Sun

Some of the arms seized from local homes by U.S.-led forces,
including up to two dozen Russian-designed RPG (rocket-propelled
grenade) launchers (in the foreground), are seen in the port town of
Umm Qasr in southern Iraq (news - web sites), April 1, 2003.
REUTERS/POOL/Tom Whitehead

An A-10 fighter with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing takes off from a
forward-deployed location Saturday March 29,2003 for a mission into
Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Senior Airman JoAnn S. Makinano)

Tue Apr 1, 2:02 AM ET Flight deck catapult operators give the signal to launch an F/A-18C
Hornet during night operations on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
in the Gulf, Sunday, March 30, 2003. Planes from the ship continued to
fly missions over Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Mate 3rd Class
Todd Frantom/MOD/Pool)

85 posted on 04/01/2003 9:59 PM EST by PhilDragoo (Hitlery: das Butch von Buchenvald)

I have not been very impressed with the USA bombing strikes, for they seem to leave the buildings standing, seeming barely touched. What is wrong here?

Oh I suspect the insides of those buildings look quite a bit different than the outsides!

86 posted on 04/01/2003 10:40 PM EST by SuziQ

How many Iraqi citizens do you think there are doing this with their own national colors...?

A pertinent point would be how many Iraqis are doing that with their own natural colors WITHOUT BEING FORCED TO AT GUNPOINT!?

87 posted on 04/01/2003 10:44 PM EST by SuziQ

Thank you for that list of all the fallen during this War on Terror. We need to remember that Iraqi Freedom is just one more event in the total War.

88 posted on 04/01/2003 10:50 PM EST by SuziQ

OMG,

I can't believe you just made me belly laugh. Thanks, these are stressful times.

89 posted on 04/01/2003 11:12 PM EST by Jalapeno

To: Jalapeno

A laughing heart does as much good as medicine.

Stressful times call for a few laughs now and then.

Cheers!

91 posted on 04/02/2003 12:06 AM EST by Justice

In Baghdad, at the Baath telecommunications building.

Closed for repair.

92 posted on 04/02/2003 12:30 AM EST by Valin (Age and deceit beat youth and skill)

Looked like Arctic Warfare's AWP sniper rifle.

You have got to be a CounterStrike player.

93 posted on 04/02/2003 12:30 AM EST by EricT.

Did this toothless puke steal Harry Carey's glasses?

94 posted on 04/02/2003 12:38 AM EST by jwh_Denver

Truthfully, I hate seeing these brave men in danger, very much. But I am so grateful to them for being willing to put themselves in danger to ensure our safety. God bless each one of them abundantly.

95 posted on 04/02/2003 12:48 AM EST by WaterDragon (Playing possum doesn't work against nukes.)

Awesome pics ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ping list.

96 posted on 04/02/2003 1:37 AM EST by nutmeg (Liberate Iraq - Support Our Troops!)

97 posted on 04/02/2003 3:21 AM EST by Cindy

I have no concept of how someone could be so sure of something so wrong!

There is a scripture that God will send a powerful delusion on the world in the last days so that the wicked will not see and repent, thereby saving themselves from the judgement to come. You have just run smack-dab into it. I call it liberalism...

98 posted on 04/02/2003 3:46 AM EST by American in Israel (Right beats wrong)

BTTT!!!!!

99 posted on 04/02/2003 6:02 AM EST by E.G.C.

Darrin, I don't care if Samantha turned you into a spider monkey. I want that Dinsdale presentation on my desk by 5 o'clock this evening, or you're FIRED!

LOL! "Samantha, no hokus pokus."

100 posted on 04/02/2003 7:44 AM EST by MP5