Damo Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 We now have the armed forces day, and when i first heard of this I thought it was a good idea. a good variety of associations putting on carnivals and entertainment for everyone (not just serving soldiers). I went to battersea park in london with the better half, and it was one hell of a good turn out. As we were entering the park my other half was interested in a information stand it looked to be supporting the troops. Then all of a sudden i was targeted by 2 women and a guy in front off my better half and everyone else that was around. A beautiful day and good entertainment spoilt by a few people who dont have a clue what it's like to be a soldier away from home doing a job that is both hard and tiring, even if they had a close family member serving it would open there eyes (well hopefully). There are a lot of people who support our troops, I hope the support continues!!!!! To all that have fallen you are in my thoughts and to all that are still operational, as my mother always tells me keep your head down and move fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I think Bob Shepherd ex SAS turned security contracter hit the nail on the head in his book The Circuit. Afghanistan is a $#@! hole, has always been a $#@! hole and will always be a $#@! hole. They have been killing each other over what we see as pointless crap for thousands of years and not only do I think the place is beyond saving but as he put it our guys are being used in the worst possible way. The only way progress will be made if at all is if they secure the ground first. There needs to be simply more boots (a f**k load more) from the rest of Europe not just us and they need to be given the equipment to do their job - simple as that. When and only when the ground is secure should they then start rebuilding the place and doing the hearts and minds stuff. The locals aren't a very loyal bunch of people, they wil side with whoever makes their lives easier and doesn't kill them and tbh who can blame them ?!?! The government are as corrupt as a high court judge and the ANP and ANA have people passing info to the Taliban to stripe up the troops so how can they expect to win. Not only that but the poor lads and lasses need to go into battle with one hand behind their back and a solicitor at their side and until these major things are changed nothing else will. I guess from their point of view. What you call pointless crap is what they consider their home, they see foreign armies (who used to be allies) attacking them so you should expect them to defend their shit hole of a homeland, right; they are losing people and so are we. Whats the purpose of sending poor innocent kids in uniform to their death anyway? What is it that we are trying to achieve and why? I feel sorry for the families that have to go through losing their sons and daughters, I feel sorry for the troops that are being brainwashed to fight and kill without purpose. Are there some pipelines somewhere that we are trying to secure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 What you call pointless crap is what they consider their home, they see foreign armies (who used to be allies) attacking them so you should expect them to defend their $#@! hole of a homeland, right; they are losing people and so are we. Its not their homes. The taliban are not local to Afghan or Iraq The majority of them are from Pakistan. They may have recruited a few locals if any but the locals want us there, they are glad we are there and give us valuable intel on the taliban. The taliban are not fighting to protect their homes. They are fighting because we have different ideals to them, and we want to tackle terrorism, and rid the world of these tw*ts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franko Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 British soldiers are the finest in the world. It's not solely about quantity although it helps, it's also about the quality and on that we can't be touched. Look at the number of U.S coming home in a box compared to ours. All the gear no idea. Give our guys their numbers and equipment and things would be much different. The Americans get all their gear because they are a country that it proud of itself and its armed forces (there is very little nation pride in Britain these days). They only train their soldiers for 2 months compared to our 7 months. They train so little because they have everything they need. As they see it, whats the point training for so long when they can just send some machine to do a job. Wars are won by the soldiers not machines but tell them that. I think if we gave our guys everything the government would cut our training to 2 months or so also. People who are proud of their forces here are getting smaller and smaller as the years go past, now we take in imigrants who chant and try to break up homecoming parades etc. This country will only get worse before it gets better. The groups who chant these things will get bigger and bigger unless something is done to stop them. Sure Britain has always been a country proud of its mixed nationalities BUT we should be less tolerant to these idiots and if they dont like it then they should go back to their own country, if its a British person then take everything off them the government has ever gave them including their home, they are quite happy to live off handouts from our government but not agree with the decisions they make then they should realise how good they have things living here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Ibtl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I think all the forces are doing a sterling job in Afghanistan, but i think they are painfully underequipped. Take the Americans for example, could you imagine them putting anything before their defense budget, not a chance- i mean, i know they like big things that go bang, but, at a time like this that isnt such a bad thing. The British Army are experts in irregular conflicts like this, as their time in NI has taught them, the American's not so, as Vietnam proved. An individual that i know of who used to be in the Army/ special forces, now develops bomb jamming devices and they like, one of which has proven to be very successful in trials, but from what i remember the Government went for a cheaper alternative, which doesnt actually work, just sums up the whole war really... Maybe they should save money by scrapping pointless sh*t like the Olympics and give our men and women on the frontline the support they so desperately need and deserve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 An individual that i know of who used to be in the Army/ special forces, now develops bomb jamming devices and they like, one of which has proven to be very successful in trials, but from what i remember the Government went for a cheaper alternative, which doesnt actually work, Well i can say hand on heart and from experience i know the "bomb jamming" equipment we have work really really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n boost Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 They are fighting because we have different ideals to them, and we want to tackle terrorism, and rid the world of these tw*ts U see mate , thats the problem with the western world.....always trying to sort some cr4p out which is not their problem in the first place. Bush went around throwing his weight with his buddy (blair) and now both have moved on and they have left their shite for others to clear. At the end of the day i dont have anything against our troops or anyone else's but bullying by bigger more developed countries is completely wrong and is what put us in this sito in the first place and triggered all these sucide bombers. Us decided first to pound Afghanistan and Uk todded along for feck all looking for Bin laden...............erm where is he after all these years?.......state of the art equipment and they still have not found him and then started pounding Iraq to divert the media attention of their failure in Afghanistan. Simple thing is if u go around attacking people/countries then enivetably you are going to pick up casualities and in most cases their is far less injurys/deaths to uk troops then the other side. BTW....they will never get rid of them T**ts as u say because they probably kill one but the they have 10 more waiting to replace them and all this recruiting is thanks to the US/Uk with their silly foreign policies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Well i can say hand on heart and from experience i know the "bomb jamming" equipment we have work really really well. Oh right, god knows then. I think it was something to do with the range of them? Cant really remember now, it was a while ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaughany Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 How unfortunate it is when soldiers die but that is a part of the forces. I never served in Iraq or Afghanistan but did two tours of N.I in the early 90'S. Unfortunately in this type of war where IED'S are gonna be the main form of attack, I am afraid that the soldiers certaintly have it stacked against them. You get briefed, try not to set patterns, change your routines and times of patrol etc but when you are patrolling an estate or small village , you are certaintly going to walk past the same route time and time again. The IED'S are quick to lay so as a consequence, everything is in the favour of the terrorists. More troops and better equipment will definitley work in favour for the british guys but I am also of the opinion, more troops on the ground will result in more casualties. I was speaking to a guy I seved with in 2 para after he got back from there tour of Afghanistan where the battalion lost 15 guys. He is said it was a hard tour with the fatalities and amount of guys being injured. But he assured me that 2 Para gave better than they got so rest assured guys our blokes are kicking arse also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damo Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Well i can say hand on heart and from experience i know the "bomb jamming" equipment we have work really really well. I totally agree, after completing a few tours myself i have seen the equipment work and it is very good. Everything could be improved and with the constant changes in theartre i just hope the equipment continues to evolve as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I totally agree, after completing a few tours myself i have seen the equipment work and it is very good. Everything could be improved and with the constant changes in theartre i just hope the equipment continues to evolve as well. Well im an instructor for the "anti bomb kit" (not allowed to say what it is called and i think it is an amazing bit of kit, its also 100% better than what the yanks have, but we have been developing and using it since N.I And the new kit we were trailing in Iraq was amazing, but it was sending the civvy cars buts with power issues:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 It won't ever get better out there, the place is a s**t hole and it will just get bigger. R.I.P all the brave K.I.A, your country is proud of you, and I salute you. I second that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 And the new kit we were trailing in Iraq was amazing, but it was sending the civvy cars buts with power issues:D Oh well lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Beast Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I think all the forces are doing a sterling job in Afghanistan, but i think they are painfully underequipped. Take the Americans for example, could you imagine them putting anything before their defense budget, not a chance- i mean, i know they like big things that go bang, but, at a time like this that isnt such a bad thing. The British Army are experts in irregular conflicts like this, as their time in NI has taught them, the American's not so, as Vietnam proved. An individual that i know of who used to be in the Army/ special forces, now develops bomb jamming devices and they like, one of which has proven to be very successful in trials, but from what i remember the Government went for a cheaper alternative, which doesnt actually work, just sums up the whole war really... Maybe they should save money by scrapping pointless sh*t like the Olympics and give our men and women on the frontline the support they so desperately need and deserve didn't happen to have a place in Rushden did he just off the high street? I completed my ironman triathlon last weekend in austria, i have raised just over £1000 for help for hero's. Imagine my feelings when i was driving back when i got a phone call from one of my mates at my old unit informing me that another of my mates has been blown up. He lived but has lost both legs, one hand and the eyesight in one eye, not good at all, couple of the other lads badly injured and one death which was all that was repoted on the news, I wish they would provide the full story. Richie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 They are fighting because we have different ideals to them, and we want to tackle terrorism, and rid the world of these tw*ts U see mate , thats the problem with the western world.....always trying to sort some cr4p out which is not their problem in the first place. Bush went around throwing his weight with his buddy (blair) and now both have moved on and they have left their $#@!e for others to clear. At the end of the day i dont have anything against our troops or anyone else's but bullying by bigger more developed countries is completely wrong and is what put us in this sito in the first place and triggered all these sucide bombers. Us decided first to pound Afghanistan and Uk todded along for feck all looking for Bin laden...............erm where is he after all these years?.......state of the art equipment and they still have not found him and then started pounding Iraq to divert the media attention of their failure in Afghanistan. Simple thing is if u go around attacking people/countries then enivetably you are going to pick up casualities and in most cases their is far less injurys/deaths to uk troops then the other side. BTW....they will never get rid of them T**ts as u say because they probably kill one but the they have 10 more waiting to replace them and all this recruiting is thanks to the US/Uk with their silly foreign policies. Completely Agree... BTW: where is the answer to my question about the pipeline........anyone found it yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Can we leave all the political and religious opinions out of this please? The 8 dead are being repatriated through Lyneham and Wooton Basset today. The ceremony is from 12 onwards if anyone's watching BBC News 24. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Can we leave all the political and religious opinions out of this please? The 8 dead are being repatriated through Brize Norton and Wooton Basset today. The ceremony at Brize is from 12 onwards if anyone's watching BBC News 24. Fair point Ken, so gentlemen, if you wouldn't mind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adnanshah247 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Rest in Peace. regardless of what ever the reason, situation, politics, religions these men gave up their lives for their country, a very noble cause. I feel for their family and friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n boost Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I dont think anything religious was mentioned TBH unless i missed something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I dont think anything religious was mentioned TBH unless i missed something? But you take the overall point though, yes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Completely Agree... BTW: where is the answer to my question about the pipeline........anyone found it yet? There is no pipeline. It was because of the opium fields why we went in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Beast Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, just old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either. He's a recent Comprehensive School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the characteristics of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs shell scrapes and toilets and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of uniform: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his water bottle full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humour in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the British Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so. Prayer wheel for our military.. Prayer Wheel 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.' When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air. Of all the gifts you could give a British Soldier, Sailor, or Airman, prayer is the very best one. Richie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 The average age of the military man is 19 years...................................... Prayer Wheel 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.' When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air. Of all the gifts you could give a British Soldier, Sailor, or Airman, prayer is the very best one. Richie to that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Richie that was amazing... from a British muslim who has a load of faith in God, RIP soldiers...you didnt deserve to die...you should still be here & not fighting for your life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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