Edited by author 10-22-2003 06:23 PM
Thank you for the compelling coverage Kevin!

By the way, they aren't "240 barrel fed squad assault weapons." I think you may be referring to the M240 belt-fed machine gun, or the M249 squad assault weapon in belt-fed mode rather than magazine-fed. ( See http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m240g.htm and http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m249.htm respectively.) It would be pretty hard for any firearm to expell any projectile not in the barrel, so I think you meant to distinguish this as being a belt-fed weapon system rather than a magazine-fed rifle.

Distinguishing between the two is important for the story because the M240 isn't something these guys will run in shooting--they would set up somewhere outside to provide covering fire. The M249 is much smaller and is capable of being fired while standing, although in belt-fed mode this would be awkward.

I have a friend who's a combat engineer with the 299th, who says that if you want to send supplies, they like powdered Gatorade or other drink mixes, plus "pogie bait" -- trail mix, beef jerkey, dried fruit, things that you can carry in a pocket.

pea...is that the size of your brain ? nobody oblige you to read, watch..Your comment doesn't mean anything !
I'm really wondering if the Iraki would choose to go back with Saddam or prefer the yankee ?? But you're not in irak and you are not an Iraki so you don't have my answer, Kevin can , at leat ask the question for me.

hey pea, what makes you an authority on the subject?

are YOU a yankee embed? or are you just a cowardly little boy who didn't get to play with the other boys and their contact sports?

i like how he equates fox news to someone who is actually in iraq reporting what they see - what that tells me is that the mainstream media is indeed leftist and biased and that the truth is coming from fox news.

that is, if, pea knows something we don't. but of course he's not in iraq, he's just a jaded little boy.

just another yankee embed... what a load of pissweak team usa propaganda... the same crap you get on fox... go home yank!!!

I wonder how these soldiers feel about having to be gentle with people who moments previous wanted to see their blood spilled all over the landscape? Would they have gently laughed?

You didn't loose the " touch" . keep writing and tell us what is really going on in Irak. Do you have problem being an american ? Do the Iraki are still afraid ? Normal life is resuming in the city ? How do they feel about election next year?..
stay safe.