1st Stinger Battery makes first deployment in support of OIF

[Squatch]

Hmmm...did al Qaeda happen to shit an Air Force over the past couple years, or have I not been paying attention?

For those of you who don't know what a Stinger is, it's a fairly effective close-in air defense weapon system.

Link

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. So how long before they're stolen, used to down US choppers?

A couple of weeks? Is that what downed US choppers over the last few weeks?

[Squatch]

3. Nah...Russian-made SA-7s are cheaper and more readily available

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. Well, Iran has an air force...

[Kingshakabobo]

4. What air force do they plan on defending against????

Veeerrrry interesting. Or am I missing something???

[hardtravelin]

5. You should actually read the article...

A few lines down:

"Stinger Battery's mission is to provide air defense, but since there isn't much of an air threat in Iraq, we have a new secondary mission of providing air base security," he said.

The battery was notified of the deployment in mid-October, and many of its Marines have been anticipating their departure ever since.

"I'm kind of anxious to get over there," said Cpl. Thomas Gadbois, a field radio operator with the unit who is deploying to Iraq for the first time. "There are a lot of people who have been out there multiple times; hopefully we can give someone else a break."

My Brother's unit was a MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) Battery. They deployed to Iraq to serve as truck drivers and convoy security for a year. They are deploying later this year to Afghanistan as Base Security.

Bottom line is there is just not enough bodies to go around. They are pulling units from the woodwork to throw them into the grinder. I wouldn't be suprised if they didn't send the Army band in next.

[Squatch]

6. The Army Band has been there already and heading back for the 4th time.

They've been doing SECFOR for the past couple of years.

[hardtravelin]

7. Hooah

Well the secondary mission of the band is Rear/TOC security.