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Army operate an extensive fleet of fixed wing aircraft, just not combat aircraft although many have multiple roles. UAV's are pilotless and if they don't intrude on AirForce battlespace (altitude,etc..) the AF boys don't mind but it is an issue since the AF practically hates to fly CAS mission or do surveillance/reccy type sorties. Only AF pilots that can be counted on are the A-10 jockeys who get in the mud to help the ground trooper.

Gotta hand it to Boeing, the love that technology and the dollars it brings in.

Having just left Iraq...... if you don't stop or slow down as directed you will be stopped by us

if you try and integrate into a US convoy.. you will be stopped by us...

If you make a move that is perceived as putting US personnel in danger, you will be stopped.

Iraqi's well know the rules, the signs are in arabic and english. I gues the excuse here is that the signs were not in Italian. No one wants to kill but in Iraq, I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.

The NYT can kiss my green Army butt and they should stop pontificating about things they clearly do not understand or even comprehend. One VBIED(car bomb) in close proximity to you and you understand clearly. The Italians botched this up themselves and have no one to blame but themselves.

Having just left Iraq...... if you don't stop or slow down as directed you will be stopped by us

if you try and integrate into a US convoy.. you will be stopped by us...

If you make a move that is perceived as putting US personnel in danger, you will be stopped.

Iraqi's well know the rules, the signs are in arabic and english. I gues the excuse here is that the signs were not in Italian. No one wants to kill but in Iraq, I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.

The NYT can kiss my green Army butt and they should stop pontificating about things they clearly do not understand or even comprehend. One VBIED(car bomb) in close proximity to you and you understand clearly. The Italians botched this up themselves and have no one to blame but themselves.

I'm a US Army Tank officer, if a tank or Bradley infantry had opened up on her in the vehicle.... she wouldn't be beating her gums in public today. A Bradley 25mm canon would have dissected that vehicle in two and a tank main gun round would have vaporized it. If they were shooting 7.62mm coaxial machinegun the vehicle would have manifestd a more ventilated look. It is also interesting to note that the burial took place very quickly and that the forensics investigation has been a quiet point aside from the fact that they have said the occupants of the vehicle had shrapnel wounds, not bullet, but shrapnel. Bottom line is this. Don't run a damn road block in Iraq. Most Iraqi's know this.

I just finished a tour in Iraq. Ck points vary. There are movingt ckpoints, there are very elaborate ckpoints. Moving ckpoints get used for various reasons, to minimize the likelihood that VBIEDS(car bombs)can be planned at fixed ckpoint locations, to setup to catch insurgents where they least expect it and to simply change up routines. Predictability in counterinsurgency gets you killed or maimed quickly in Iraq. That being said..... iraqi's who have at least one activated brain cell know that when they see US forces set up, with or without signs what is happening. They know what hand and arm signals we use to get them to slow down. The reporter on here that is confused... it alludes to how little he is out and about and probably how unobservant he is. Want to survive.... if you see a ck point or are unsure if it is a ckpoint, slow your butt down before myself or another soldier or marine who is operating with specific rules of engagement disable your engine, windshield or heart. Sometimes vehicles are waived through because they are looking for specific types of cars, dress, license plates. etc...... sheeesh.

GREAT VIDEO work, opposing forces soldiers at Fort Polk, Louisiana at the JRTC. STryker however is pretty awesome. The SPC that made the film did a great job though.

I just finished a tour in northern Iraq west of Mosul. The temps there drop into the 20-30's at night and early morning and the young kids, young adults there wear cheap plastic and rubber slippers, no socks. This project is a great idea. Support if you can

"The president is asking Congress to continue to shovel money into U.S. military operations in Iraq with no further clarity as to what goals the military is expected to achieve, no hint of a possible timetable and no end to the occupation in sight," said Senator Robert C. Byrd of

As opposed to shoveling money into West Virginia Senator.............

The author of this article is so void of understanding of FCS that he needs to go back to school and learn how to do research all over again. And the fact that the Army is introducing robots into their arsenal is no surprise. This has been going on for quite some time. Our engineers use them routinely to destroy IED's and look in rooms that may be booby trapped. FCS is a larger program that fields a common chasis, mulitple role vehicle approache with enhanced communications, survivability, stand off and lethatlity. FCS is all over the place in terms of info. Anyway... robots are cool.

I flew a 777 one time, coach, it was no different from any other airplane in coach. Seoul, Korea to Chicago. It was a gauntlet no matter how big or how crowded.

You have to be very stupid to believe these claims to begin with.... Send your money to "Feed the children" or some other outfit, start thinking about others and not yourself.... idiots.

Saudi Arabia having new RUSSIAN weapons is like my daughter owning a BMP.... you have to know what to do with it. I've been privy to the quality of Saudi military personnel and quite frankly there is nothing to fear from them no matter what Kind of weaponry they possess. They could hire all the AQ terrorist cells in their nation to train them up since they all use russian designed equipment

This Marine should be vindicated. I just finished atour in Iraq... Rules of Engagement are pretty clear and our soldiers and Marines are given latitude to engage. What is really sick about what is going on here is a continuing systemic pattern of punish the US guy in a heartbeat. Does anyone remember the SGT that fragged his own officers and soldiers in the 101st Airborne Div on the eve of deploying and war. He murdered two soldiers.Two years later and he continues to languish in a military confinement center without trial or resolution due to sleep therapy. Bullcrap.. we haven't gone forward with his trial because he's a proclaimed Muslim. In the meantime we have Courtmartialed a number of US troops for their acts against Iraqi's and sent them into confinement sentenced. There is a double standard here

parts for this airframe will involve 41 of 50 states in the US and will be handled from NY and TX (surprise). Sikorsky lost for a number of reasons. Doesn't hurt that you supported the GWOT though.

Best Value is best value, no matter who the company is. If you research both airframes, the Augusta Westland airframe is as proven as Sikorsky. As a serving service member, I think American companies need to wake up and smell the coffee. Long procurement lead times, repetitive over budget programs, etc.... and the relationship we have with the UK all made this possible. Well done Augusta Westland/Lockheed.

Can you imagine the headlines, July 5th, 1776, Ben Franklin, "frankly we are all worried if this is going to work. Its the best shot we have at governing ourselves and we know people will lose their lives but living via tryranny is not an option."

Its amazing how cynical people can be.