CNN: Apache helicopters shot up in Republican Guard attack

CNN live ^ | March 23, 2003 | cnn

[mikegi]

Live report from Karl Penhaul after Apache choppers attacked Republican Guards near Karbala (sp?). This is north of Najaf and WSW 70mi of Baghdad.

He reports that our Apaches were shot up pretty bad. The IRG put up a "wall" of AAA. After returning to base, Apaches were "strewn around" instead of being parked neatly. He wouldn't confirm that all our Apaches made it back.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

If I'm not mistaken, CNNs embedded journalist is a German and seems to have a German view (European) of the world.

[jwalsh07]

No, not a disruptor alert Travis

OK, you're not a disruptor, you're a baby killer. Take a hike.

[madison46]

Maybe your right that reports is bad...but I sure wish we lowly American people would get some hard news (targets, damage etc...)

[Stavka2]

Apaches are only good at killing armor in a combined arms attack/defense. In the attack, they fly in and strike and get out while the armor charges in. In the defense, they fire from a terrain feature away, hovering behind a rise and scooting up to shoot and then retreating behind the dug in armor. Apaches do not go in alone against an entrenched enemy with AA...this is just stupid.

[Travis McGee]

This guy is now advocating the preventive murder of Iraqi babies. I suggest you examine his membership here, if he is not a disruptor, he is doing a good imitation of one.

[Stopislamnow]

Because when that hellfire hits the tank the turret shoots up about 50ft into the air.

Then they have the cannon and rockets to deal with apc's, ground troops and bunkers/weapon emplacements.

Apaches are the premier tank killer of today.

We need arty to lay down some smack on the aa batteries beforehand though.

[terilyn]

Great post!

The hand-wringing is getting old. We're four days in and people are waving the white flag already.

Buckle up folks, it's going to be a bumpy ride. We took about 200 casualties in the first Gulf War. About half due to friendly fire. I don't expect this one will be much better. We never left Kuwait the last time.

[panaxanax]

"You sound like one of Saddam's boys"

**** ***

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Aren't apaches made for busting tanks?

[rotorhawk]

Apaches were "strewn around" instead of being parked neatly. He wouldn't confirm that all our Apaches made it back.

The reason the Apaches were strewn around is because they are returning to an unimproved field site in the desert. When they return at night and given the dust conditions, each aircraft picks a spot and goes for it. They look to separate about 50 meters apart to stay out of each others dirt cloud.

Additionally, this is no longer training. They try to land in a dispersed pattern to prevent all being destroyed in the event of an artillery or mortar attack.

The reason for using AH64s is because they are attacking a dispersed and dug in armored division that is using alot of deception, cover and concealment. I don't doubt that the Iraqis have learned the lessons of the Serbians very well in how to deceive fast movers. MOABs won't get a division that is dispersed over 10 miles of terrain.

Somebody has to be able to go in, detect the targets, verify the target and take it out. This take time, patience and deligence.

I doubt very seriously that the AH64s are "all shot up." That they took fire is not in doubt but the Iraqi's aren't good enough to find and fix and take out AH64's sitting out at max stand off. If you are in doubt, email me your SIPRNET addy and I will explain it further.

[Travis McGee]

I would not want to go against an enemy with our pallet of brushes!

[Justa]

"I don't know why they don't just scout it out and cluster bomb the entire area."

That should read "I don't know why they don't just scout it out and MLRS the entire area. They're not called the Grid Smashers for nothing you know.

[ffusco]

B-52's: SOMETHING OVER 30 YOU CAN TRUST!

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

The "disruptor" has been here since 5/01.

[Arkinsaw]

Yeah...this is a joke to 'the leadership' right now. What's next...the 'One Term President' mantra?

Give me a break. Its obvious that they tried to "shock and awe" the regime into collapsing. Unfortunately it did not. I am confident that they will now abandon that strategy.

Get a grip. I've been here since 1998, I sent cash to the Bush Recount fund. Quit questioning people's credentials when they say something you don't like.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Sounds like you should join the military so you can set the commanders straight!

[AmericanVictory]

This seems to be the same kind of distorting emphasis given us be CNN in the last Gulf War.?
Any interest, CNN, in the damages to the other side?

[r9etb]

If you want to kill babies, then you're no different from saddam. Go away.

[HardStarboard]

>>>If we are going to treat a battle as a disaster just because the enemy fires his weapon (to no effect), then we're guaranteed to have nothing but disasters.<<<

Bingo Scott! Folks, we all want to see this done quickly with a lot of their blood and none of ours. Ain't gonna happen.

We have lost perhaps 25, maybe 30 from my count. Terrible losses since they are our guys and gals. Do we know the kill ratio....old Nam term....I'm not sure anyone knows but I'd bet that its on the order of 200 to one. I bet we have sent 5000+ of them to their virgins in paradise.

Regret ever allied loss - but cheer at least as hard for every enemy KIA....and hope that by the time its over you haven't had to cry or cheer too much - but this is going to be a much longer and bloody event than the trivial exercise some seem to have believed that it would be.