| There is a difference between "poorly trained" or "peacetime" troops and the situation we are facing right now. The proper term is unfortunately "Asymmetric Warfare" where the other fellow either can't or won't fight in the same mode as his attacker. Last time the Iraqis fought us using the tactics which worked during the Iran-Iraq war -- and were thoroughly shredded in less than 100 hours. Something like 25 divisions were crushed and at least 5 so badly (including the "Tawakala al-Allah" RGFC Mechanized Division) the Iraqis didn't even reconstitute them. What we are dealing with is small groups of "Fedayeen Saddam" legalized thugs of the regime who are attacking in civilian clothes at close range in small groups. The actual combat units are not yet involved, and we still don't know what will happen when it gets to that. But the Iraqis learned not to take us on head to head last time around, and now it is our turn to adjust. The good news is our training is such that we can do it. Cookie Sewell AMPS |