U.S. airmen morph into combat roles, providing security for convoys in Ira

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=25967

<snip>

(Airman First Class Brandon) Young and his MK-19 were about to leave the base and provide security for a convoy traveling the dangerous roads of Iraq.

So how, exactly, did a guy who normally drives distinguished visitors around Scott Air Force Base, Ill., find himself doing this?

“I have no idea,” Young said without looking up from his task. “I went to work one day, and they said, ‘Hey, you’re getting deployed, and you’ll be on a gun truck.’”

For nearly a year now, airmen who normally do such tasks as drive shuttle buses or act as chauffeurs for generals and politicians have been battling bad guys with crew-served weapons in support of convoys.

<snip>

Lt. Col. Sal Nodjomian, deputy commander of the 732 Expeditionary Mission Support Group in Balad, explained that the job changes came up about a year ago at an all-services conference where resources was the main topic. “The Army recognized that they were lacking some capabilities when it came to convoy support,” he said. “The Air Force volunteered to help the Army out.”

[Florida_Geek]

1. Good now get some Navy types over there

and get some of the Army troops that have been there 15 months home.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

2. the bands are next

drop your tuba and grab a rifle.

[lonestarnot]

3. get some bushit twins!

and some cheney with no heart types.

[hadrons]

4. so many Air Force & Navy guys think they're safe ....

the new draft will be drafting them into the Army

[tabasco]

5. Many rear echelon types are the most gung ho for war too...

because they get to be "war vets" without paying the price. Maybe when they get a taste of the real thing, many will reconsider their political views. I'm an infantry vet and I think this is long overdue.

[reprobate]

6. Once more the pentagon shoots itself in the foot.

It's been a few decades since I left the United States Air Farce, but I think few things have changed since then.

You join the air farce because you are allergic to combat. you are a technician, not a soldier. The striking power of the air force lies with the single officer at the controls of an oversophisticated, overpriced, and overloaded aircraft. *Everyone* else supports that role. I would guess that airmen still have to qualify with some personal weapon. For us it was the M1 carbine. Except for that most airmen would be confused as to which end of the weapon to point.

Hell, they don't want to kill people, they want to fix things. It's the flying officers that love to break things and kill people.

If they are planning to use airmen to provide convoy security they'd be far better off hiring some inner city gang bangers. They shoot better and love their work.

[Spinzonner]

8. Sure was the reason I joined the AF 1971-75

Enlisted one day ahead of my draft notice arriving (knew it was coming, didnt expect that soon).

Spent 4 years in Virginia programming computers instead of getting my ass shot at. wholly calculated risk avoidance - the AF wasn't sending first-termers to Vietnam then except for Security Police and Munitions specialists (and aircrews).

[Bo]

7. Just get us out of there...its lost

Iraq can never be pacified with force. We are in a losing battle and we have lost this war plain and simple. Urban warfare is a no win situation.

[villagechild]

9. military will say

they were never in combat, not their AFSC (MOS for Army). When they go for VA treatment, they'll be called liars. DD-214 will not show combat. VA will not pay damages. Happens all the time.