Fatal U.S. military accidents up in Iraq

[ECH1969]

Deaths coincide with large troop rotation

WASHINGTON - U.S. troops in Iraq have suffered a rash of fatal vehicle accidents and other non-combat deaths in recent weeks, even as the number killed in insurgent attacks has declined.

Although details of recent accidents have not been made public, some officials believe the jump in their number can be explained in part by turbulence from the troop rotation that is now approaching its peak, with tens of thousands of troops arriving and like numbers going home.

There currently are about 155,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, according to the U.S. military command in Baghdad. That is the highest number of the entire war, including the initial invasion. The number of troops is expected to drop to about 135,000 over the next month or two as units that complete their one-year tours of duty in Iraq pack up and head for home. Some were held beyond their planned departure dates in order to provide extra security in advance of the Jan. 30 election.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6991889/

[cliss]

1. I wonder.......

I've posted before that something's up with the military vehicles lately. They seem to be tipping over, malfunctioning, crashes are on the rise, and of course they are vulnerable to explosives.

Vehicles (meaning Hum-vees, Bradley vehicles) in Iraq will soon be seen as MDT = most dangerous transportation.

[dbt]

2. Kick for the morning crew.

Are there any OTHER reasons not to rush into war? It's a LAST RESORT, ya shower o' bastards. You go to war only when EVERYTHING ELSE has failed--and you didn't try ANYTHING else!

Burn, motherfuckers.

:freak:
dbt

[oasis]

3. I wonder if beneficiaries are paid less if it's death by accident rather

than combat. That would be a reason for Rummy to order a re-classification and therefore the accidental numbers would be on the rise.