How's this for "Lots of free time in the Army"?

I recently attempted to share some pictures I aqquired from another unit stationed with me in Iraq. It seems that they were reposts; for that I am sorry. There were others who questioned their authenticity. Again, I appologise that I can't give you the units and names of the women I have pictures of for validation. I'm unsure of their present military status; it would be wrong.
However, the comments that struck me was, "It seems you have a lot of free time in the Army" and something about not being "off killing the bad guys".

Let me explain something. I have been in the Army for 10 years, and this is not my first deployment. It is, however, the first time I've ever had the means to get internet in my room (trailer). My main reason is for communication with my family. If I didn't have them, I'd have left the Army years ago. Other than that, I use it during my "free time."

I'm going to share some pictures with everyone that I KNOW aren't reposts; I took them. I think, under the circumstances, it should be understandable that any free time we have here is cherished, and meant to keep our morale up. So, anyone else care to question what it is I do with my "free time"?

The first picture is one of our humvees. After being here less than 30 days, we had a hit. The injuries were "minor" but one guy went home because he caught shrapnel through his temple, behind his eye.
By the way, the IED (booby trap) was aimed poorly, and actually missed, for the most part.

This one was only a few days later, but far worse. The vehicle filled with explosives did not miss. Once again, everyone was lucky enough to live, but one guy will have to wear a mask for a year because his face was burned so badly. Another guy, he lost a foot...

Oh, this was a humvee..

Kool Pic , thanks for sharing glad you finally got net which might I add you guys really deserve

Just this morning, some of my platoon were on a mission when one of the vehicles in the convoy was hit by a suicide bomber. The explosion sent the humvee through a guard rail off a 30 ft embankment. Everyone walked away with "minor injuries", but I don't know what that means yet. What should I tell the guys who witnessed that from 50 meters away to do with their free time?

Okay, I'll step down off of my soapbox now.

RedboR, thank you very much...

Damn that Humvee is busted
I hope you guys have the armored humvees and not the un-armored or "armor-kit'ed" familycars!!

for me, this topic is more than welcome in my forum, it's nice to have first-hand information and experienses to liven up the chit-chat here.

And as a note to all readers of this topic;

KEEP THE POLITICS AWAY FROM THIS THREAD!!
I will not tolerate one single political message, any pissing, nagging or other shit.
All of those will be removed, and the one who made the will receive a warning.

Thank you.

wit_

It´s not a Humvee anymore?

@ robin4str8, Well, it's technically less than 1/3 the size it was before the IED blew the front off and it burned up, but I guess it is still a humvee... Although, I didn't realize it until I got a closer look.

@Wit_ Yes, we have up-armored equipment. It takes approval from a Colonal or higher to leave the perimeter without armor, and that ain't happenin'...

Obviously, it doesn't always matter though...

*snyft*Humvee*snyft*

are these ied's basically a version of our claymores?

An IED an "improvised explosive device." That's a broad generalization used to descibe what the insurgents use to blow shit up. Usualy, it's something along the lines of a 130mm artillery shell, wired to go off by remote detonation. They bury them off the side of the road, or load a bunch in a car, and either remote detonate by wire or with a motorola phone. They also drive cars right next to our convoys and blow themselves up with similar effect. We call those VBIED's the 'VB' stands for Vehicle borne. Sometimes they mess up, and sometimes they don't work. When they do, it's nasty. If you want, do a little searching. I know there's videos on the net that show actual strikes. It's sobering enough seeing it like that.

Thanks for the interest...

well.. throw OPSEC out the window on this one .. good job soldier

Hey those bomb makers have never heard of the internet. No need for them to do their own BDA (battle damage assesment), you are doing it for them!

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text removed.
shut up.

-Bangledesh

As for me, I myself dont care what you do in your "Free Time" All i care about is that you are there doing what you do for us and because your asked to do so. Also that you and everyone that is there take care as best as you can in the situation that your in and come back home to family and friends in one piece. Remember Keep them off you one shell casing at a time. Let that other dumb bastard die for his cause and you stay safe over there.

OPSEC?? None of what I've said has anything to do with our OPSEC. :Operational Security" applies to the Army's activities and procedures. I'm prety sure the insurgents opsec is pretty well know at this point... Wouldn't you? Please don't make comments like that if you're not sure what your talking about... Thanks..
As for the BDA... I'm sure you know that there are always spotters and trigger men in the immediate viscinity of the attacks, some of which actually record their attacks... Once again, thanks for looking dumb...

@plstellus- Thank you for the conscern. I started this thread to try and bring to light the simple fact that everyone's free time should be taken seriously, because it could be the last free time you get. I was also hoping to, just maybe, inform "curious" people of what really goes on over here. It seems some people are simply replying to make smartass remarks. I guess not everyone gets my point... Oh well... Thanks again...

OPSEC WARNING: Soldiers working at a fire base!!

Not everything we do out here involves death and destruction...

our thoughts and prayers are with you all....go team....Go America and her allies...be safe guys...as for everyone else...stay safe also...why can't we all get along? Here's one vote for world peace...

Quote:

Originally posted by Morgadeth

They bury them off the side of the road, or load a bunch in a car, and either remote detonate by wire or with a motorola phone.

Thanks for the interest...

Just curious how you set off a bomb with a cell phone. It seems kinda like something out of james bond for one. For two, I want t o make sure I dont blow some shitup while trying to text my girlfriend

No seriously, they set them off with cell phones?


btw: thanks morgadeth for your service to your country. it is a noble thing. and watch your back, be safe mate

Quote:

Originally posted by ®TheCoolerKing

Just curious how you set off a bomb with a cell phone. It seems kinda like something out of james bond for one. For two, I want t o make sure I dont blow some shitup while trying to text my girlfriend

No seriously, they set them off with cell phones?


btw: thanks morgadeth for your service to your country. it is a noble thing. and watch your back, be safe mate

It is relatively easy to use a cellphone to remotely control any electric/electronic device. A friend of mine can turn on and off his car heater (a Webasto) with his phone and the only limitation is the cell phone coverage in the area. The whole system cost about 50 Euros + an old cellphone (which he already had).

An even more simple approach would be to wire the cell phone backlighting voltage (which usually turns on when you receive a call) to trigger the circuitry that does the actual deed...