Non-Combat Combat In Iraq ...plus "You make the call" video

Now who could have predicted this (see story below)?  Now that the United States combat operations are completed in Iraq its certain that such operations will no longer be needed...right?  Maybe repelling suicide bombers is not considered to be combat operations.  Well lets see, 50,000 U. S. military personnel still remain in Iraq and as far as I know the United States did not surrender (How do I know?  Because Joe Biden said so!) and Obama clearly stated that combat operations have ended then we can safely say that any future repelling (even if it includes shooting the enemy) shall not be considered combat in Iraq.  Now I don't want to stray too far off course but when I served overseas in a non-combat area (i.e. Okinawa, Sicily, Germany during the 1970's and 80's) I did not receive that extra few dollars in my paycheck referred to as combat pay, however I did get that little bonus during my tour of Vietnam.  Will the remaining 50,000 troops in Iraq continue their combat pay?  No combat, no combat pay!  Oh and one more thing... What if one of those 50,000 men gets the worst possible scenario... Will he be designated 'KIA' or deceased do to repelling maneuvers?  Meanwhile feel safe to predict more non-combat combat in Iraq.  It will happen! ~ Norman E. Hooben

IRAQI GOVERNMENT

U.S. military helps repel suicide bombing attack, official says

September 05, 2010|By Jomana Karadsheh, CNN

U.S. military personnel were involved in repelling a suicide bombing attack Sunday on an Iraqi military base in Baghdad, four days after the United States officially ended its combat operations in Iraq.  (emphasis mine ~ Storm'n Norm'n)

U.S. forces "provided suppressive fire" and helicopter support during the attack, said Lt. Col. Eric Bloom, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Baghdad. No U.S. soldiers were injured, Bloom said.

At least 12 people were killed and 36 others were injured in Sunday's attack, the Iraqi military command said. The interior ministry reported eight dead and 21 wounded.There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy... Read the full story here CNN World

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On a side note to the above story...

Did you notice how the Iraqis take to disciplinary training?  Notice the coordination?  Now I wouldn't want to debase anyone for their lack of synchronizing efforts but just how much longer will our 50,000 troops be needed to train these people?  Watch the video while you make the call. ~ Storm'n Norm'n