Posted on 11/27/2004 8:33:51 AM PST by saquin
JABELLA, Iraq — The Cobra attack helicopters thumping overhead disrupt the predawn stillness of this rural town, agitating the roosters and the dogs. Through the cacophony and a cold rain, troops wearing the signature uniforms of the U.S. Marine Corps' Force Reconnaissance platoon race down potholed streets, balaclavas hiding their faces.
The tan masks not only make the raiders appear menacing. They also disguise the fact that the men behind them are not Americans, but Iraqis.
This is the embryonic Iraqi SWAT team in action, rousing families from their sleep and rounding up men for questioning about the deadly insurgency in towns such as Jabella, south of Baghdad.
The policemen leave behind their calling card: a postcard-size photo of the SWAT team in full gear carrying the message, "Are You a Criminal or Terrorist? You Will Face Punishment."
The flashy raid is aimed at creating a daring image for the 125-man SWAT team, an attempt by their American military patrons to turn them into an Iraqi version of the Untouchables. Marine commanders have also thrown the SWAT team into action in raids across northern Babil province, a push to flush insurgents and criminals out of their strongholds.
Most of the Iraqis in the SWAT team come from the town of Hillah in Babil, and have lived and trained with Marines at a base near home since August. The close partnership with the Marines is an experiment in inoculating Iraqi troops against the violence and intimidation that make joining the security forces so perilous.
SWAT team members argue that their readiness to lead raids is a rebuttal to those who say Iraqis are not prepared to fight for control of their country.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
There you go. That's what it is going to take. Best line of the article. We are doing it the right way to win, no matter what the stupid liberals say.
"(anyone old enough to remember the reference? "
I'm still pretty young, but, if I remember correctly. The Ace of spades was used by the SEALS (?) as their calling card.
Refresh my memory...
wasnt that the dead mans hand?
Wild Bill's hand when he was shot in the back by a coward
From an old folk song about Wild Bill Hickok, who was shot in the back as he was playing poker.
Was this what you had in mind?
Left on the bodies, right? Sort of a "Kilroy was here" for the Vietnam war?
The aces and eights are correct. The words rhyme. What did hold that a draw like would give him the "Dead Man's Hand?" He was good with a gun but maybe not a good poker player.
Thanks for the link. I've never seen most of the Vietnam war flicks (I grew up watching it in living color) but I knew I'd read about the calling cards. Now I can get the real story!
God speed to the Iraqis in the SWAT team.
Swat the crap out of the terrorists AND their supporters.
Aces and Eights
Aces and eights
The violent man
Has met his fate
For justice comes
It will not wait
The angel's sword
He'll not placate
He's never early
Never late
For God has set
A certain date...
EV
thak you for your post! Very interesting bit of history.
Thanks for the link. Yes, I was thinking of the cards left on Vietcong and NVA bodies.
The psyops web-page provides an interesting insight into the war in SE Asia.
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