What 's the difference between "major combat operations" and the .....

[kentuck]

combat operations now going on in Iraq? Bush said "major combat operations" were over. Does that mean the war is over? Or does it mean we are no longer bombing by air? But we did bomb by air just yesterday? And how can more troops die after "major combat operations" than during the same? What did he mean when he said major combat operations were over?

[SlavesandBulldozers]

1. he meant that

the traditional WWII-like war was over. Ya know the one where America drives over the enemy with a Battalion of M1a1 tanks? Now, it's just a no-fun guerilla war, where we dont get to target the enemy from a mile away with a wire guided tow missile.

[leftofthedial]

2. he meant "Look at me!"

"I'm a conquering hero."

"My posse can kick your ass!"

"And I am NOT a deserting AWOL scumwad, so stop saying that!"

"Hey! I have a zuchini in my trousers!"

[northzax]

3. er, 'major combat operation'

involve us killing a lot of them. Them killing a lot of us? oh, that's nothing.

[tom_paine]

4. Nothing. It's another Bushevik lie

f anything, he meant "Conquest Operations" vs. "Securing the Oil and Stolen Loot for My Pals Operations"

[haele]

5. Combat Pay and Benefits...

And being able to cut insurance costs on the civilian contractors, reporters, aid workers, et all who are incountry.


It means that unless one is directly involved in a "combat operation", there are no "combat" benefits that are availible to the general troops.

I remember in the early 1990's - before women could be in "combat zones", the term "Major Combat Zone" also being use along with a operational change in status satirically termed "The Maybelline Line" - when a ship or convoy that had women on it used to stray into a "major combat zone" - that zone would automatically be downgraded and all personnel in that zone would lose combat benefits (special pay, dependant's benefits, etc) for the duration that the women were in the zone.

I've been in that situation twice, never got combat pay even though I ran the risk of being shot at or killed by a mine or missile. You can imagine what it did to the grunts and sailors when they'd see us show up... (sigh)

From what I hear, the situation is similar; unless directly involved in declared combat, one is no longer in a combat status, just in a "ready" status. No combat pay for risking the loss of a limb when your Humvee rolls over a land mine travelling from point A to point B, or standing around waiting for a morter attack when you're in the Green Zone...
No extra-hazardous duty insurance, pay - or potentially costly safety protocal - for the civilians who are over there doing a job as there would be if the area was a major combat area, just the normal HD.
Sucks big time for the grunts, but it does save the Pentagon a couple hundred per body per month, and that's the important bottom line, right?

Haele

[nostamj]

6. Major Combat Operations Have Resumed...........

in case anyone blinked, the US has resumed bombing runs on Iraqi targets..

this was in response to the missile strike on the chopper (uh, wasn't that a chopper CRASH that was under investigation 11 seconds ago?)

anyway, bombs away. bring in the TANKS. but don't expect the lovely night vision fireworks footage because this isn't happening--just in case something happens like bombing another wedding party (hey! aren't these pukes the defense of marriage pukes? nevermind I digress. it's either that or madness)

some count sheep to sleep, but this is the neocon lullaby:
:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke: