Posted on 12/23/2006 1:07:57 PM PST by james500
RAMADI, Iraq -- Spc. Brent Everson was just a few steps from safety.
The 22-year-old from Florence, Mont., was climbing out of a tank, near the entrance to a U.S. outpost called Sword when a sniper's 7.62-millimeter bullet hit him just above his Kevlar vest, tearing into his shoulder and through his back. He fell back into the tank -- wounded but alive.
On the roof of the outpost, Army gunners returned fire. But the sniper probably already was gone.
"This guy knew what he was doing," said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Gann, who like Everson is assigned to Company C of the Army's 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment. "You get some guys with rifles who wake up and just want to take shots at Americans. But they don't aim around body armor," he said, speculating that the sniper's gun had a telescopic sight.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Weissert's enthusiasm for the topic gets him two solid pages of propaganda. A weeks worth of interviews generated a few selected quotes.
-
"For Marines and soldiers targeted by the gunmen, the shots chip away at their morale, one crack of a rifle at a time. "
-
""We don't even have snipers that good," Iobst said."
-
""I don't like the way they fight, but I'd do the same thing if someone was occupying my country," said Cpl. Sean J. Egger, also part of the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment."
-
"Troops try to make themselves tougher targets for snipers by zigzagging when they walk and never standing in one place for longer than a few seconds. But the best snipers will wait for hours, often near natural obstacles where U.S. troops might be forced to pause. "
-
"And the subsequent search for the sniper is usually an exercise in frustration, sometimes impossible to contain. "
-
"Much of Ramadi is without power after dark and the few remaining residents near Sword were huddled by candlelight in their living rooms when the angry soldiers broke down their doors.
"Yes, yes," they breathed with terrified voices -- it was all the English they knew.
In some homes, soldiers demanded information through an interpreter without doing much damage. In others, they broke windows, overturned couches and ripped pictures off the wall as they searched. Iraqi troops casually tossed lit cigarettes onto woven carpets. "You know when somebody comes in and shoots at us! You know who the outsiders are!" bellowed Lt. Dow. "Tell us!"
"I am a taxi driver," stammered Wabeel Haqqay, who lives with his elderly father. "I am gone all day and know nothing." "
Yes we do. Thousands of us here would jump at the chance to kill Al-Qaeda and other muslim terrorists. They won't take us at our ages. Even at my age, I could leave many snipers in the dust for accuracy, ability to learn the process, sheer determination, patience, ability to memorize a setting in a matter of seconds, intelligent shot placement, learning the language to communicate and get around without even looking like a sniper, you name it.
Newsday tells of how the insurgents are getting good at what they do.
And does Newsday tell stories of how American soldiers are good at what they do and getting better too?
Also have an idea for a device to detect the origin of the sniper shot. Sniper could be found and eliminated quickly. If our government would decide to do things correctly (across the board), this could all be changed and become a nightmare for the enemy instead of for us.
Yes we do. We also know how to counter the sniper threat. We just need to do it.
You are correct. This is an enemy propaganda piece.
If you think you've got something worth developing, shop it around for either VC funding or grants. There are plenty of programs set up for just that kind of thing. Or develop it yourself if you've got the time, money, and equipment.
Great products (in this case, ones that save US lives) often come from individuals working in a garage with a spark of ingenuity.
I have yet to speak to anyone who has been too iraq and afghanistan, on the front lines, who isn't convinced of this mission. (save one)
These jihadis dress like civilians and hide among women and chilren who are either terrified or willing accomplices. If this war was fought like WWII this wouldn't present a problem.
Somehow the AP just doesn't strike me as the 'word of wise' anymore....I just have a really hard time believeing anything AP has to say about anything, anytime, anywhere.....
Bump what you said. This is a fabricated quote if I ever saw one.
I'll give your opinion every bit of consideration it's worth.
Probably.
But this is the way of war. Our NCO's and Officers are tasked to make sure that the troops are kept informed of our capabilities and that our kill success is reported to them. I think they've been successful at that and this reporter is just full of crap and simply wishes the morale were so bad.
""We don't even have snipers that good," Iobst said."
Wrong, you stupid nitwit.
And if I had you in front of me, Iobst, your ass would resemble swiss cheese for the next 6 months, after I explained the rigors of the Sniper Training Course and after I explained to you the capabilities of our side and after I explained the world of difference in our technology and the woeful state of the equipment that Haji is using.
Maybe I could find some pictures of other Haji's, that were taken out at 1000 yards, with one shot, by one of our "incompetent" snipers. Those targets didn't have the benefit of body armour.
Not that it would have mattered, since the .50 cal round will penetrate any body armour known to man. And Haji ain't got access to the same medical care that we do. He will most likely die on the spot.
""I don't like the way they fight, but I'd do the same thing if someone was occupying my country," said Cpl. Sean J. Egger, also part of the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment."
Well, that was kind of self-evident, wasn't it, boys and girls?
Hell, I never liked the way any enemy I faced fought.
But actually, I could give a damn as to how someone felt about it, the only thing I would worry about is just how many damn ways I could kill the bastards. Their crybaby crap about occupation be damned.
"Troops try to make themselves tougher targets for snipers by zigzagging when they walk and never standing in one place for longer than a few seconds. But the best snipers will wait for hours, often near natural obstacles where U.S. troops might be forced to pause. "
And so we train for this, giving our troops the knowledge and skills to survive. Again, you stinking idiot, this a WAR we're fighting here, not relaxing on the damn beach.
Who wrote this crap, some damn kumbayah, warm and fuzzy, birkenstock wearing frizzy-headed so-called journalist?
Hell, we should shoot them fools first and then use the bodies as cover while we shoot up the "snipers", that the author thinks are so damned invincible.
"And the subsequent search for the sniper is usually an exercise in frustration, sometimes impossible to contain. "
Yeah, war is hell.
You don't always find the stinking POS that shoots at you. But you let him and anyone that may be hiding and aiding him know damn well that you'll keep on looking.
Should we consult the Geneva Convention Handbook on the Conduct of War, and see if we can cry "foul" or something?
Stupid damn "journalists".
newsday is nothing but a liberal POS rag that hides behind the ny slimes.
It is already about to be deployed plus more "in the pipeline":
The US military plans to deploy a hi-tech laser device in Iraq which is capable of pinpointing sniper fire, a top Pentagon scientist has said. Other anti-guerrilla technologies in the pipeline would help detect roadside bombs and booby-traps, which have been inflicting daily casualties on US forces. See this link (there are more) for more on the subject:
http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/showthread.php?mode=hybrid&t=834
Sounds like more AP propaganda for the enemy. How would AP know they're getting better unless they knew how they were to begin with?
This is why they are truly known as the ENEMEDIA.
I used the Army Knowledge Online website (AKO) search and yes there is a Sgt. Benjamin Iobst.
With all due respect I do not watch MSM and I do like to know what the enemy is saying. I think this posting is relevant and on point to let folks like me know how the left are portraying things.
Why do you think he say such a thing?
Sorry, Why do you think he would say such a thing?
He must be Jon Carry's twin.
Liked your post SGM. We think alike.
Once again, another example of the media creating an air of invincibility around the terrorists in Iraq. No word of our far more skilled snipers who pick off easily 10 more terrorists than they pick off of us? Of course not. We don't want in any way to portray any vulnerability among the terrorists that would suggest they could be beaten, or portray any sense that the American military isn't the helpless sitting giant that's been tied down by the Lilluputians.
Well stated, Sarge.
My opinion exactly.
Anyone who thinks our snipers are inferior to ANY others have their heads in a dark place.
Terrorist snipers and I use the word sniper loosely, routinely only shoot from 100 yds or less and then disappear into a crowd. Using a scoped rifle at 100yds or less is like using a pistol at the 7 yard line. Not much skill required just a basic familiarization. Arab muslims seem to be culturally predisposed to military incompetence. While full of zeal they don't take the time become intimately familiar with their equipment and tactics. How else would you explain examples like SFC Paul Smith single handedly killing 50 terrorists. Kills of American snipers surpasses those of the insurgence even though we only kill combatants and they pad their stats with innocent civilians.
Three reasons come to mind.
1. He didn't, the reporter misquoted him.
2. He did but he is a blowhard who don't know what he is talking about.
3. He did and he is a soldier who does know what he is talking about and is speaking the truth.
Honestly I don't know enough about him to know, personally I have doubts about it being number 3 because everyone knows Marine snipers are the best in the World.
...and lies about its circulation numbers. LOL!
Iobst must be a sniper school wash out
Newsweek believes that Americans are just all-around losers. It is all a part of their self-hatred narrative.
More 'AP' crap!!!!
The U.S. military leadership in Baghdad has played down the influx of foreign fighters into Iraq, but many soldiers and Marines in Anbar said they believe the best snipers from all over the Middle East travel to Iraq for the chance to drop an American with a single shot.
"We don't even have snipers that good," Iobst said.
---
My theory is that, as these guys were interviewed over a week's period of time, they were asked leading questions and the answers were taken out of context. You think an AP reporter would stoop that low? I do.
I'm going to give Iobst the benefit of the doubt that he doesn't really think that we don't have snipers that, as a rule, "drop [an enemy] with a single shot."
One shot, one kill.
I suspect AP guy asked him something like "have you heard about the famed Juba that could reach out and touch someone at 5km, even choosing which eye to tap?"
Iobst then says, "That sounds kinda doubtful. We don't even have snipers that good."
Bob Lee Swagger
That is what I thought but I don't read it so thanks for confirming.
Subject: Fwd: Thread on Ramadi snipers
From: jaiobst@rcn.com
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:39:57 -0500 (EST)
To: jimrob@psnw.com
Mr. Robinson,
Since I haven't heard from you or your organization, I want
you to know that this will not go away. Get ready, we're coming your way!
I'm forwarding copies of the complete thread attacking SGT
Iobst and other soldiers at COP Sword, along with my
letter, to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans organizations, to
Senators and Congressman who actually do care about our soldiers' lives,
and ultimately to media interested in the
story.
Also when my son and other veterans return from Iraq,
perhaps you would be kind enough to listen to some of their
concerns in person and hear their own stories first hand.
Just where are your offices located?
Sincerely,
Jeff Iobst
Soldiers Father
Subject: Fwd: Thread on Ramadi snipers
From: jaiobst@rcn.com
Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 19:34:15 -0500 (EST)
To: "To:jimrob"@psnw.com
CC: webmaster@freerepublic.com
Hello again Mr.Robinson,
I haven't heard or seen anything more about my recent email
to you (attached). It also seems that my posting access
has been revoked. Please explain by email to me why this
is so.
Sincerely,
Jeff Iobst
Soldiers Father
Subject: Thread on Ramadi snipers
From: jaiobst@rcn.com
Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2006 11:28:44 -0500 (EST)
To: jimrob@psnw.com
CC: webmaster@freerepublic.com
Dear Jim Robinson,
On Christmas Eve, I came across a thread posted by James500
regarding an article written by Will Weissert on insurgent
sniper activity near COP Sword in Ramadi.
To my utter amazement, my son SGT Benjamin Iobst became the
subject of ridicule throughout the thread. SGT Iobst and
many of his fellow soldiers have served two or more combat
tours in Iraq, have endured nearly a year of intense and
unrelenting, in-your-face urban fighting, and have suffered
far more then their proportionate share of wounded and
friends lost.
I am distressed that people who profess to be patriots
would so easily make derogatory statements about our brave
soldiers fighting in Iraq, with literally no knowledge
about the circumstances that resulted in the Weissert
article. The writers' testosterone intoxication, their
ignorance of battlefield conditions in Ramadi, and their
obvious disregard for the inevitablity of being quoted out
of context is revealed by the excerpts I quote from below:
Sgt. Benjamin Iobst. How can this guy say we don't have
snipers that good? Is this a real soldier or some
fictitious person to make the "story" work?
4 posted on 12/23/2006 1:20:53 PM PST by VaRepublican
""We don't even have snipers that good," Iobst said."
Wrong, you stupid nitwit.
And if I had you in front of me, Iobst, your ass would
resemble swiss cheese for the next 6 months, after I
explained the rigors of the Sniper Training Course and
after I explained to you the capabilities of our side and
after I explained the world of difference in our
technology and the woeful state of the equipment that Haji
is using.
Maybe I could find some pictures of other Haji's, that
were taken out at 1000 yards, with one shot, by one of
our "incompetent" snipers. Those targets didn't have the
benefit of body armour.
Not that it would have mattered, since the .50 cal round
will penetrate any body armour known to man. And Haji
ain't got access to the same medical care that we do. He
will most likely die on the spot.
""I don't like the way they fight, but I'd do the same
thing if someone was occupying my country," said Cpl. Sean.
Egger, also part of the 1st Battalion, 37th Armor
Regiment."
Well, that was kind of self-evident, wasn't it, boys and
girls?
Hell, I never liked the way any enemy I faced fought.
But actually, I could give a damn as to how someone felt
about it, the only thing I would worry about is just how
many damn ways I could kill the bastards. Their crybaby
crap about occupation be damned.
"Troops try to make themselves tougher targets for snipers
by zigzagging when they walk and never standing in one
place for longer than a few seconds. But the best snipers
will wait for hours, often near natural obstacles where
U.S. troops might be forced to pause."
And so we train for this, giving our troops the knowledge
and skills to survive. Again, you stinking idiot, this a
WAR we're fighting here, not relaxing on the damn beach.
Who wrote this crap, some damn kumbayah, warm and fuzzy,
birkenstock wearing frizzy-headed so-called journalist?
Hell, we should shoot them fools first and then use the
bodies as cover while we shoot up the "snipers", that
the author thinks are so damned invincible.
"And the subsequent search for the sniper is usually an
exercise in frustration, sometimes impossible to
contain."
Yeah, war is hell.
You don't always find the stinking POS that shoots at you.
But you let him and anyone that may be hiding and aiding
him know damn well that you'll keep on looking.
Should we consult the Geneva Convention Handbook on the
Conduct of War, and see if we can cry "foul" or something
Stupid damn "journalists".
16 posted on 12/23/2006 1:59:53 PM PST by OldSmaj
""We don't even have snipers that good," Iobst said."
mmmmmm kay there, sport. LMAO...holy crap that is funny.
This is exactly what he said. Yep.
Right before his SGT smacked him in the back of the head
and said "Shut up stupid, and quit speaking of that which
you know nothing of". Assuming he said it in the first
place.
32 posted on 12/23/2006 3:10:27 PM PST by tongue-tied
Iobst must be a sniper school wash out.
33 posted on 12/23/2006 3:22:20 PM PST by Horatio Gates
First off...Iobst is an ass.
He must be Jon Carry's twin.
25 posted on 12/23/2006 2:26:46 PM PST by Osage Orange
The U.S. military leadership in Baghdad has played down
the influx of foreign fighters into Iraq, but many
soldiers and Marines in Anbar said they believe the best
snipers from all over the Middle East travel to Iraq for
the chance to drop an American with a single shot.
"We don't even have snipers that good," Iobst said.
My theory is that, as these guys were interviewed over a
week's period of time, they were asked leading questions
and the answers were taken out of context. You think an AP
reporter would stoop that low? I do.
I'm going to give Iobst the benefit of the doubt that he
doesn't really think that we don't have snipers that, as a
rule, "drop [an enemy] with a single shot."
One shot, one kill.
I suspect AP guy asked him something like "have you heard
about the famed Juba that could reach out and touch
someone at 5km, even choosing which eye to tap?"
Iobst then says, "That sounds kinda doubtful. We don't
even have snipers that good."
36 posted on 12/23/2006 4:22:04 PM PST by james500
I would like to see my letter posted in full, and responded
to by email if possible. I would also appreciate hearing
from some of the 'patriots' who contributed to the thread,
especially the suppossed SGM. And, I have to ask, why do
our soldiers have to endure attacks from every direction,
including now from here in the USA, and why do we families
have to read this kind of stuff on Christams Eve, while we
sweat out the deployments of our loved ones who so
faithfully serve our country?
Sincerely,
Jeff Iobst
Soldiers Father
Here's your post that was pulled:
"I know Sgt. Iobst very well--he's my son. This is his second combat tour in Iraq, and his second extension. What he and his fellow soldiers at COP Sword have undertaken with dedication, hardship, and numerous casualties during their Ramadi operations, very few of you guys could even imagine, let alone begin to understand. Of course Sgt. Iobst was quoted out of context. No doubt the brass is coming down on these guys for it. And,you guys should be ashamed of yourselves for posturing like this at our brave soldiers' expense."
I posted the article and given the circumstances, I'm going to give my reasons.
We can stick our heads in the sand and moan about MSM being anti-American, publishing propaganda text and images directly from the enemy or we can counter lies with facts and try to hold people accountable. It's tough since they have a substantial influence on the national dialogue and their own ombudsmen are completely impotent. So my first instinct when seeing something like this is to draw attention to it and then start picking it apart. If we don't, who will? Bob Woodward?
This article disgusted me. That such a transparent attempt to weaken morale was given two pages was bad enough but I was sure the quotes were taken way out of context. My intent was to take Will Weissert to task NOT the honorable and courageous men and women he used for his twisted screed.
I'll admit, I was taken somewhat aback by the attacks on Sgt Iobst as if some never considered that if AP or Reuters tells you something, it might not be true. That's why I felt compelled to post again with my theory on how these quotes were generated.
To the father of Sgt. Benjamin Iobst, thank you for raising a fine son who volunteered to serve his country. You have every reason to be proud of him but, of course, you already knew that.
Speaking solely for my comment...more sarcastic conjecture actually, it's hardly an attack. I say this as someone who has taken full advantage of the many opportunities afforded to me to make some dumbass comment and been called on it and ridiculed. I'm no worse for the wear but then again I'm pretty thick skinned. I'm also an urban police sniper so these stories obviously pique my interest. I've gotten to train with some of the best US Army sniper instructors. Guess what? We busted each other's chops more than you'd probably care for
I suppose as a family member and looking in from the outside it would be hard to not take it personally especially unaware of our varied backgrounds. Who knows? Sounds to me like your just pissed off so I may be wasting my time.
The vast number of MSM "Journalists" are idiots anyway so there isn't too much credence here as far as I'm concerned. So from this veteran patriot my advise is to chill out and thank your son for his service for me. Try to take comfort in the fact that I stand at the gates of Ft Lewis honoring soldiers just like your son as much as time allows. Many are my friends one of which who came back missing a leg.
out
(btw, Jim I still have a check with your name on it out in the car)
Thank you, Jim for posting my reply. Perhaps this is one step in hearing one another as we continue through these difficult days. I'll back off on my "counter-offensive" now, go to bed, and let the dicussion take its course. Perhaps once we air our differences we can see the bigger picture more clearly and see what we have and what we face in common, even perhaps start working together. I appreciate your willingness to dialogue.
Jeff Iobst
Soldiers Father
Thanks for your honesty. I know our guys over there and we families are "busted" enough right now. The guys at COP Sword have no doubt taken a lot of heat because of these out-of-context remarks. And yes, I was pissed off..wouldn't you be? Thanks for the advice. I will chill out now.
Good night and good luck in your work.
Soldiers Dad
PS
I came home from VN in 1969. Soldier bashing hits a raw nerve with me. Again, thanks for your honesty, and goodnight.
Soldiers Father
Wow! I admire your tenacious support and defense of your son and I apologize to him and you for coming off like that. This really did seem like another "slam our troops" article and I was simply asking why one of our soldiers would say such a thing. Was he in fact taken out of context.Again I am sorry for causing you and yours any pain.
One more thing, Thank you and thanks to your son for your service to our country.
We do have snipers as good or better, but our rules of engagement protect the enemy.
Not hearing from my son since the Weissert article came out, but knowing him well, YES, HE WAS QUOTED OUT OF CONTEXT. And, I'm sure so were the other soldiers quoted in the article.
Please keep in mind, these guys are tired, with day after day, night after night, nerve-racking street fighting in Ramadi. They're not professional PR guys, and they're used to trusting and depending on their own. Weissert I'm sure was a good listener, and they trusted him. The SGT Iobst I know is a professional soldier, completely dedicated to his fellow soldiers and his mission, and gets far more pissed off than I was when anyone questions what they're doing in Iraq.
Thanks for your reply.
Soldiers Father
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