All are soldiers. True. There is, however, some poetic justice here.

Dear Jihadis: Please enjoy explaining to your fellows in jehannum how you were sent there by a woman.

Joe,

This is quite a change from the West Virginia maintenance unit caught off guard during the opening of the war, and a good sign that troops are well trained. I noted a similar thing in my post today:

"Imagine the humiliation of the misogynist Islamist terrorists as they are being routed by women on their own turf."

God bless those soldiers. Almost makes me wish I was an American :)

This one could even go in the "Good News" category.

Video links added above to video taken by the insurgents and to interviews with SGT Leigh Anne Hester and other members of the MP squad.

Great job. Didn't think to check DVIDS.

BTW, the name is Blackfive. Blackhawk is an Indian Tribe, an Army Helicopter, or a usually crappy Chicago Hockey Player (should know, I live there).

Oh man, I should NOT blog when I'm in a hurry. Huge apologies, Blackfive. I've corrected that.

Sheesh.

I'm amazed that in such a short time the military has gone from defined "non-combat" and "combat" roles, through the Jessica Lynch transformation, and back out the other side with National Guardsmen making head shots from SAW's and medics trained on rocket launchers.

How did the Army adapt that quickly? It's absolutely amazing.

Hey, Islamofacists: you got beat by a girl.

I believe that SAW stands for squad automatic weapon, it is a full auto rifle. one per squad.

This story and video proves (without a doubt) that the terrorists are incompetent at both fighting AND movie-making. Jeez... Get the poor sucker a Steadycam.

Jeffrey: hard to take good video when you're worried about getting your ass blown off.

Jim, a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) is actually a light 5.56mm machine gun, with a magazine of up to 200 rounds. It largely (but not completely) replaced the old Vietnam-era M-60.

Here's a Florida National Guard page with more info

And an FAS page with more history etc.

Bullet Time, the US military has talked for some time about the emergence of "nonlinear battlefields" in which there are no longer clear distinctions between the "front" and "behind the lines". They've designed future vehicles, thought about the combat implications and brought some sophisticated analytic techniques to bear on the question of how to fight on one and how to evaluate success.

On a nonlinear battlefield, the distinction between combat and support roles begins to blur and there are particular challenges for logistics.

As a result, the Army has been re-emphasizing combat-important skills for support troops. This has been a particular focus of the current Chief of Staff of the Army. The rubber hits the road, however, down at the platoon and squad levels where leadership and constant training and discipline makes all the difference. These National Guard MPs were trained and were executing their jobs with the discipline and precision that makes all the difference.

Jim, you're right - correction made.

Blackhawk is also a statue overlooking the Rock River near Oregon.

All in Illinois.

Does anyone know what happened to the troops in the other two escorting Hummers? Presumably they weren't close to the Hummer with the wounded soldiers and were pinned down by fire, or Michael Moore's Minutemen wouldn't have been able to advance toward that vehicle. I don't see any mention of them other than the "escorted by three armored Hummers from COSCOM".

I'm sorry, but I've been reading alot of different comments about the new Close Combat Badge, and I have to admit I'm starting to get a little angry because people don't seem to understand why it was created. It wasn't created to "make people happy". And, many high ranking soldiers and veterans investigated this matter for some time before finally settling on this decision. The close combat badge is not just for someone in a combat arms MOS that served in a combat zone. It is for those combat arms soldiers (other than infantry) in units that were specifically re-trained and re-structured to operate as infantry, and subsequently came under and/or were present under fire and returned fire in a combat situation. The CCB was created so as to not tarnish the history of the CIB being only for infantry. People making comments on the CCB really need to do their research. The CIB was created for the infantry because they are "on the ground" and get into combat situations often. However, it was also created because they train to "go after" the enemy specifically and deliberately put themselves in harms way, that's why in the past only infantry and special forces have had such an award. Now, the other units that train to "go after" the enemy and put themselves in harms way (namely other combat arms) are also being retrained as infantry and are being put on the ground to do the same job. That's who this new award is for. Despite MOS's like combat MPs and even truck drivers who see alot of combat and should be commended for their efforts, they still do not train like this. They aren't a direct combat arms job and despite what anyone in those jobs say, don't always delibertely put themselves in harms way going after the enemy. They do see alot of combat but most of that is in situations like pulling security for a convoy and then taking fire. In fact, most of these "support units" are trained to step on the gas to get out of harms way! Not to hunt them down. I was in Iraq for over a year. I was a tanker who was re-trained and operating as infantry. My unit even got filled out with infantry. Hell, my squad leader in Iraq was a ranger. I got in more firefights in Iraq then anyone should ever have to be in, and I lost some friends over there. Yet, I still could care less if I get an award, but that's not to say we don't deserve one. I also think alot of other guys in my unit would be proud to wear it, knowing they earned it. I hope no one making negative comments about the new CCB will talk so harshly about it around these soldiers that will be wearing them. That is all.

-Just another OIF soldier.

Old Guy, I'm not certain. This was a long convoy and I imagine the other two Hummers were far enough away so that they couldn't get back to respond quickly.

SGT Knight, thank you for your service and for taking time to comment here. I have great respect for those who have earned the CCB and especially for those who have retrained for infantry. You're absolutely right that what most MPS see of action doesn't come close to the job our infantry trains for and accomplishes daily under difficult conditions.

My colleagues in green suits have differing opinions about who should be eligible for the CCB. As a civilian, I'll withhold judgement on that other than to say that a) you are right about the importance and value of our infantry soldiers and b) I would like to see some significant recognition of combat valor for those MPs who do take the fight to the insurgents and perform with courage and effectiveness against a heavily armed enemy.

Old Guy, I'm not certain. This was a long convoy and I imagine the other two Hummers were far enough away so that they couldn't get back to respond quickly.

SGT Knight, thank you for your service and for taking time to comment here. I have great respect for those who have earned the CCB and especially for those who have retrained for infantry. You're absolutely right that what most MPS see of action doesn't come close to the job our infantry trains for and accomplishes daily under difficult conditions.

My colleagues in green suits have differing opinions about who should be eligible for the CCB. As a civilian, I'll withhold judgement on that other than to say that a) you are right about the importance and value of our infantry soldiers and b) I would like to see some significant recognition of combat valor for those MPs who do take the fight to the insurgents and perform with courage and effectiveness against a heavily armed enemy.

The Haji's are crappy cameramen (along with being crappy fighters...).

The Haji's are crappy cameramen (along with being crappy fighters...).

SGT Knight: The CCB was created so as to not tarnish the history of the CIB being only for infantry.

I believe this occurred after an incident in Panama where a female MP engaged in combat, and liberals led by Patricia Schroeder demanded that she be given a CIB.

When of course it was pointed out that the highly esteemed CIB is reserved for infantry and medical corpsmen, who face the enemy on an extended basis, they responded that the Army just wanted to see women die in combat and not get any recognition for it. (I do not exaggerate their tone, because I remember Schroeder using almost those exact words).

That doesn't disparage the valor of anybody who has earned a CCB (which could have used a more distinctive and original name) but you can see why some of the "Old Breed" might hold it in some disdain.

SGT Knight: The CCB was created so as to not tarnish the history of the CIB being only for infantry.

I believe this occurred after an incident in Panama where a female MP engaged in combat, and liberals led by Patricia Schroeder demanded that she be given a CIB.

When of course it was pointed out that the highly esteemed CIB is reserved for infantry and medical corpsmen, who face the enemy on an extended basis, they responded that the Army just wanted to see women die in combat and not get any recognition for it. (I do not exaggerate their tone, because I remember Schroeder using almost those exact words).

That doesn't disparage the valor of anybody who has earned a CCB (which could have used a more distinctive and original name) but you can see why some of the "Old Breed" might hold it in some disdain.

Three quick comments.

1. This is the first I've heard of the CCB. But if it requires specific training for the infantry mission then both MP and combat engineer units qualify. Since the earliest days of their existance these type units have had a stated secondary mission to fight as infantry, and not just as local defense. I'm a former combat engineer and a large portion of our training involved infantry missions as well as mines, explosives and construction. One engineer battalion even held off a panzer regiment during the Battle of the Bulge. That was one reason for some resentment about the CIB being only for infantry units.

2. If you don't qualify for the CCB, that is what they have Bronze and Silver Stars for.

3. The above excerpts leave out some details (see full AAR) The other 2 COSCOM Hummers had to be there since they were closer than the MPs who were shadowing from several miles back. I assume they were laying down covering fire to protect the convoy. The MPs moved to the sounds of gunfire so somebody was shooting and probably not the civilian drivers. The actions of the COSCOM soldiers are not included in any detail in the MP after action report because they are different units. The 3 COSCOM vehicles were widely separated to start (typically w/ three convoy escorts, one is at the front, one at the rear and the commander in the center). With 30 trucks separating them and the commander knocked out they would be more disorganized and less able to coordinate their actions (notice that the MPs stayed in a tight group). However it should be realized that if the Raven 42 were the designated quick reaction force the plan was for the COSCOM Hummers to do the close defense of the convoy and the MPs to counterattack. The fire of the COSCOM Hmmers may also have been less effective since they were COSCOM troops (mechanics, supply clerks, etc) and not trained as well in infantry tactics as the MPs (ie see comments on the CCB)

Ron makes some good points. I've been discussing this incident with some field-grade commanders, both infantry and MPs. There were 5 or 6 opinions among 4 officers (heh) re: the badge, but all agreed that medals might be appropriate.

I've been wondering about the other COSCOM hummers. The AAR doesn't say how spread out the convoy was but I got the impression that the insurgents attacked the tail end of the convoy. The MPs could have been responding to the heavy attack on the disabled hummer rather than to covering fire .... ??

The actions of raven 42 on that day were very heroic, but there is more to the story. There is no mention about the convoy security or the fact that 4 other MP squads responded in less than 20 minutes some that came from at least 15 miles away to help. There is no word about what the other squads did. Yes they did not engage any enemy but they did everything else, from treating wounded and forgot about truck drivers. They stopped traffic for 10 hours, they also cleared the entire area around the attack site for any other insurgents while some did nothing. If praise is to be given why should it not be given to all who participated.

The events on that day were somewhat different as I remember them. There is now so much on the internet about raven 42 and most of the info is provided from individuals from that squad. But these individuals have spiced up the story more than a little to better suit themselves and there huge heads. Others squads from the 617 th mp co. also responded to the same incident. There were five squads patroling that route and within 20 mins. all squads were on scene. The larger half of the mission that day was cleaning up the mess that was left from the attack.
What was also left out was that the attack came from both sides of the roads and from at least two positions on each side. After futher investigation one of these locations was found in which at least 30 to 40 insurgents lay behind cover from a hill and not a single one had been touched. It seemed that there were more 7.62 shell casings then dirt, and on the other side of the road no bodies were found but still more spent ammo. I just wish that the real story would be told.

This absolutely ends the debate about women in combat. They should have been at Pusan, Bastonge and Tet as well. They would have performed just as well, right? The Iraqi's they were fighting were just as tough as the Germans, Chinese and NVA, right?

Now, let's get rid of the lower physical fitness, height and weight standards as well. They tend to make male soldiers think the females are less capable.

Betsy, I'm not sure what different height and weight standards for the sexes have to do with anything.

As for women in earlier combat, the equipment, tactics and challenges were different then. And there was no oral contraception available at that time to a female soldier to allow her to prevent conception in the case of capture and rape.

Different times, different technologies, different kinds of fights and appropriate differences wrt women in combat IMO.

"I'm not sure what different height and weight standards for the sexes have to do with anything"

...talk to the Israeli's, who've studied the issue and found that size has a great deal to do with strenth and the capacity to perform combat arms functions: they've banned women from positions that take them into combat. Specifically though, why the Army allows women into the military who are much shorter than the minimum male standard is inexplicable. If men and women are the same, let one standard apply.

As regards birth control, what is your point? Jessica Lynch was repeatedly sodomized, so I don't see that she was helped by any oral contraceptive availability. Also, are we to assume that future captors will allow our female soldiers to have birth control pills sent along with their red cross packages?

Finally, the birth control availability has not helped with the rate of unwed births to enlisted women in peacetime (over 50%). Getting pregnant, getting off post and then getting an abortion is still a commonly used strategy for females looking to get out of the barracks. What makes you think it will make a difference in war time?

"As for women in earlier combat, the equipment, tactics and challenges were different then"

No, in the past the enemy was competent, brave and well equipped. The tactics, equipment and challenges were not all that different.

Height and weight are decent indicators of physical ability. That is why we don't take in fat soldiers, dwarfs or giants. Given that we know men are on average 40% more muscular than women, it makes no sense to disqualify a male from serving while allowing a female of the same height to join...except if the REAL goal is to take in more females.

Ok I am getting a lil mad cause everytime I click on the link or anything regarding the video of the RAVEN 42 ambush it won't let me view it sayting page currently unavailable blah blah you know the usual black and white page so does anybody have a for sure good link DIRECTLY to the video rather than just a site that has the video on it? I am a MP and would like to see the video. Thanks all.

Cody, I don't. I'll look around ... in the meanwhile, perhaps you can email the site owner? rrodd [at] dvidshub [dot] net

Quoting another Post: "Dear Jihadis: Please enjoy explaining to your fellows in jehannum how you were sent there by a woman." and I would like to add.. some "part-time help" National Guardsmen! Ok...got that out of my system...high fives though to folks (guys and gals) that had the Cajones to charge an ambush, and get the job done...plain and simple. If ANYthing positive has come out of the "Jessica Lynch convoy debacle" this is it. Proper Pre-Combat checks, ammo and Medic supplies placement, redundant commo, and having EVERY swinging Richard (and Rachel?) on board any vehicle cross trained in EVERY weapon and EVERY aspect of moving that vehicle should it be engaged and or damaged. Well done, and Kudo's all around.
Small extra note to the "Blackhawk" comments above: Its an :Indian Tribe, the Army's primary Troop Helo, yes, a Hockey team, and, the Motto and main name of America's oldest, longest serving, and HIGHEST decorated Cavalry squadron...(of which I was a proud member in Combat as a
AH-1F Cobra Pilot in Desert Storm) 1st Squadron, 1st US Cavalry, 1st Regiment of Dragoons..."BLACKHAWKS"! ANIMO ET FIDE!