If there was a warning about possible attacks this weekend.??

[kentuck]

And the Iraqis closed some of their schools out of that concern and we were taking the threats seriously, why did we have a Chinook helicopter carrying that many troops over the most unstable area of Iraq? They know that the Falluja area is the most unpredictable in the country. Was that a necessary risk? I understand that the troops were headed for a couple of weeks R&R back home?? Was that a wise move by our military to fly them in a Chinook?

[frank frankly]

1. good point

was that mentioned on the TV today?

[MI Cherie]

2. Sorry to say ...

... but maybe they are trying to discourage R&R requests.

:scared:

[jayfish]

5. Welcome Fellow Grand Rapidian.

:hi:

It's comforting to know there are other libs. around here

Jay

[MI Cherie]

7. Thanks!

Sometimes I feel so alone!

:hi:

[ComerPerro]

8. I thought the exact same thing

I wouldn't put anything past them.

[SilasSoule]

3. Your connecting some dots again kentuck...

That invaribaly leads to questions like yours. I do recall seeing a DU thread about expected attacks over the weekend and parents keeping their children home.

There may be a very legitimate answer as to why an R&R transport mission was flying over unfriendly territory during a time of heightened threat of attacks. If there is I just want to hear it.

[HereSince1628]

4. Hel icopter pilot lesson from Nam...keep it low and FAST

don't give the bad guys a big window to get a bead on your ass.

For a time helicopters went hunting in pairs, one to raise fire and another to attack the source...I suspect this is or soon will be a common pattern in Iraq.

[KeepItReal]

6. The CH-47s should have had someone flying armed escort...

...especially since Rumsfeld was adamant that we had more than enough troops to invade and occupy Iraq, even though the military brass wanted more forces.

Even having armed escorts may not have helped those troops if the Iraqis fired the Surface to Air Missiles at the CH-47 first, though. The escort Apaches or Cobras would have sent the attackers to meet their maker, though.

Either SAM attacks in Iraq are being underreported, or they are just beginning...

'Luck troops.