Poop Man Bob Posted August 25, 2003 Share Posted August 25, 2003 http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor..._ak_47_heaven_1 http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030817/capt.1061152354.iraq_raid_msr113.jpg'> U.S. Troops Use Confiscated Iraqi AK-47s Sun Aug 24, 2:15 PM ET By ANDREW ENGLAND, Associated Press Writer BAQOUBA, Iraq - An American soldier stands at the side of an Iraqi highway, puts his AK-47 on fully automatic and pulls the trigger. Within seconds the assault rifle has blasted out 30 rounds. Puffs of dust dance in the air as the bullets smack into the scrubland dirt. Test fire complete. U.S. troops in Iraq (news - web sites) may not have found weapons of mass destruction, but they're certainly getting their hands on the country's stock of Kalashnikovs — and, they say, they need them. The soldiers based around Baqouba are from an armor battalion, which means they have tanks, Humvees and armored personnel carriers. But they are short on rifles. A four-man tank crew is issued two M4 assault rifles and four 9mm pistols, relying mostly on the tank's firepower for protection. But now they are engaged in guerrilla warfare, patrolling narrow roads and goat trails where tanks are less effective. Troops often find themselves dismounting to patrol in smaller vehicles, making rifles essential. "We just do not have enough rifles to equip all of our soldiers. So in certain circumstances we allow soldiers to have an AK-47. They have to demonstrate some proficiency with the weapon ... demonstrate an ability to use it," said Lt. Col. Mark Young, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. "Normally an armor battalion is fighting from its tanks. Well, we are not fighting from our tanks right now," Young said. "We are certainly capable of performing the missions that we have been assigned, there's no issue with that, but we do find ourselves somewhat challenged." In Humvees, on tanks — but never openly on base — U.S. soldiers are carrying the Cold War-era weapon, first developed in the Soviet Union but now mass produced around the world. The AK is favored by many of the world's fighters, from child soldiers in Africa to rebel movements around the world, because it is light, durable and known to jam less frequently. Now U.S. troops who have picked up AKs on raids or confiscated them at checkpoints are putting the rifles to use — and they like what they see. Some complain that standard U.S. military M16 and M4 rifles jam too easily in Iraq's dusty environment. Many say the AK has better "knockdown" power and can kill with fewer shots. "The kind of war we are in now ... you want to be able to stop the enemy quick," said Sgt. 1st Class Tracy S. McCarson of Newport News, Va., an army scout, who carries an AK in his Humvee. Some troops say the AK is easier to maintain and a better close-quarters weapon. Also, it has "some psychological affect on the enemy when you fire back on them with their own weapons," McCarson said. Most U.S. soldiers agree the M16 and the M4 — a newer, shorter version of the M16 that has been used by American troops since the 1960s — is better for long distance, precision shooting. But around Baqouba, troops are finding themselves attacked by assailants hidden deep in date palm groves. Or they are raiding houses, taking on enemies at close-quarters. Two weeks ago, Sgt. Sam Bailey of Cedar Falls, Iowa, was in a Humvee when a patrol came under rocket-propelled grenade and heavy machine gun fire. It was dark, the road narrow. On one side, there was a mud wall and palms trees, on the other a canal surrounded by tall grass. Bailey, who couldn't see who was firing, had an AK-47 on his lap and his M4 up front. The choice was simple. "I put the AK on auto and started spraying," Bailey said. Some soldiers also say it's easier to get ammo for the AK — they can pick it up on any raid or from any confiscated weapon. "It's plentiful," said Sgt. Eric Harmon, a tanker who has a full 75-round drum, five 30-round magazines, plus 200-300 rounds in boxes for his AK. He has about 120 rounds for his M16. Young doesn't carry an AK but has fired one. He's considered banning his troops from carrying AKs, but hasn't yet because "if I take the AK away from some of the soldiers, then they will not have a rifle to carry with them." Staff Sgt. Michael Perez, a tanker, said he would take anything over his standard issue 9mm pistol when he's out of his tank. And the AK's durability has impressed him. "They say you can probably drop this in the water and leave it overnight, pull it out in the morning, put in a magazine and it will work," Perez said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poop Man Bob Posted August 25, 2003 Author Share Posted August 25, 2003 "The kind of war we are in now ... you want to be able to stop the enemy quick," said Sgt. 1st Class Tracy S. McCarson of Newport News, Va., an army scout, who carries an AK in his Humvee. As opposed to the other wars, where you want to stop the enemy slowly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 25, 2003 Share Posted August 25, 2003 http://www.abadan.net/joke/sound/iraq.gif'> sorry... had to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rip Posted August 25, 2003 Share Posted August 25, 2003 Originally posted by Poop Man Bob As opposed to the other wars, where you want to stop the enemy slowly? yes, atleast some of our soldiers can kill someone now, cuz we got some good rifles(ak-47) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pilau Hands Posted August 25, 2003 Share Posted August 25, 2003 Two weeks ago, Sgt. Sam Bailey of Cedar Falls, Iowa, was in a Humvee when a patrol came under rocket-propelled grenade and heavy machine gun fire. It was dark, the road narrow. On one side, there was a mud wall and palms trees, on the other a canal surrounded by tall grass. damn campers yeah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarzAbove Posted August 25, 2003 Share Posted August 25, 2003 WOW are we that cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~KRYLON2~ Posted August 25, 2003 Share Posted August 25, 2003 i'd take an ak-47 over a rifle any day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iloveboxcars Posted August 25, 2003 Share Posted August 25, 2003 Originally posted by ~KRYLON2~ i'd take an ak-47 over a rifle any day wait... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rip Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 Re: Re: U.S. soldiers using confiscated Iraqi AK-47s b/c they can't get enough U.S. rifles. Originally posted by Pilau Hands damn campers yeah i was just about to say that. someone should tell them were not playing camper strike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kr430n5_666 Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 http://www.brown.edu/webmaster/images/gate_daffodils_06.jpg'> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phism Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 give em back to the iraqis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don't Panic Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 Originally posted by Poop Man Bob As opposed to the other wars, where you want to stop the enemy slowly? As opposed to other wars, in which you wanted to wound the enemy badly enough that they had to be helped in retreat, thus opening the unwounded soldiers to attack as they aid their friends. 1 hit = two soldiers not shooting back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest T E A S E R Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 Originally posted by Kilo7- sorry... had to do it. :lol: HOLY FUCK THATS HILARIOUS!!! hahahahahahahaha omg omg omg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smart Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 Originally posted by T E A S E R :lol: HOLY FUCK THATS HILARIOUS!!! hahahahahahahaha omg omg omg Tease, you are the lowest common denominator. And, everyday we are in Iraq it costs MILLIONS, and Bush knows that's what the Dems are gonna use against him during the election. I'd say it's less a question of a lack of supply and more of a using captured arms to ease the co$t$... every bit counts. Of course, if you are in an actual fire fight that involves more than just your HumVee then it might not be the best idea to be spitting out green tracers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Æ° Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 Originally posted by T E A S E R :lol: HOLY FUCK THATS HILARIOUS!!! hahahahahahahaha omg omg omg Yeah, it's about as funny as this... http://www.isye.gatech.edu/~ackstein/private/dont5.jpg'> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Quickwood Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 haha i like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poop Man Bob Posted August 26, 2003 Author Share Posted August 26, 2003 Originally posted by Don't Panic As opposed to other wars, in which you wanted to wound the enemy badly enough that they had to be helped in retreat, thus opening the unwounded soldiers to attack as they aid their friends. 1 hit = two soldiers not shooting back Do you really believe that is what goes through a soldier's mind when they are firing on someone? That they're trying to merely incapacitate the enemy and not kill them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poop Man Bob Posted August 26, 2003 Author Share Posted August 26, 2003 Originally posted by Smart And, everyday we are in Iraq it costs MILLIONS, and Bush knows that's what the Dems are gonna use against him during the election. I'd say it's less a question of a lack of supply and more of a using captured arms to ease the co$t$... every bit counts. It currently costs us over a billion tax dollars a week, although that figure isn't included in the current deficit numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smart Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 then it costs the US hundreds of millions a day... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poop Man Bob Posted August 26, 2003 Author Share Posted August 26, 2003 Roger that. I wasn't nitpicking, just posting a more overwhelming number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.yuck Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 That number seems a little extensive. We have a couple hundred thousnd troops over there? It doesn't really make sense to me. Where is the money going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 dont forget that the pentagon has been know to pay 12$ for a screwdriver. and you can just guess at the value of a good military contract to a business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.yuck Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 Are you still at work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 me? yeah.. I worked from 2-6 this afternoon and then went home to take a 2 hour nap. Now I'm back for a cursed allnighter. Luckily the shit is rather mindless so I can surf and listen to tunes. I actually prefer to work when no one's here. Forget the headphones, I'm booming my music on tannoy monitors though a mackie board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.yuck Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 Awesome!! At least its not a Friday all nighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 no joke. I had one of those 2 weeks ago plus a 16 hour saturday. that totally fucked my weekend big timers. Well I cant really complain because I took home a grand and a half for my pain and suffering. And playing the sympathy card works well. I mean who else gets to sleep in untill noon and then ramble into work a few hours later and get bought lunch and treated like a hero. I'd still rather be sailing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smart Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 I'd rather be sailing as well... I was recently helping a friend learn to drive his motorboat the other week and I realized it had been over 4 years since I'd been on ANY kind of boat... It's really no wonder I'm as angry as I am, sometimes I wonder why I haven't gone on 'my first shooting spree'... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smart Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 I meant to say: GET A ROOM YOU FIGS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 jeeze... let's hope smrt doesn't find an AK lying around anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RECTAL-ATACK Posted August 26, 2003 Share Posted August 26, 2003 Originally posted by Don't Panic As opposed to other wars, in which you wanted to wound the enemy badly enough that they had to be helped in retreat, thus opening the unwounded soldiers to attack as they aid their friends. 1 hit = two soldiers not shooting back stupidist attempt at intelligence ive ever seen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.