From: Mil-Veh Co. (milveh@sbcglobal.net)
Date: Thu Dec 09 2004 - 08:50:47 PST
The venerable prop driven P3 has been a great asset in
surveillance in Iraq. It's been successfully spotting
IED's for many months, but for every one spotted,
likely many others go undetected.
The "drop and pops" have become the real problem,
delivered between 0000 hrs. - 0600 hrs. on a regularly
used highways and or roadways. Like the "drive-by"
ambush vehicle, "drop and pop" delivery vehicles can
merely swerve off the road and toss their cargo.
Thats real hard to spot when you're watch dozens of
vehicles on a given stretch from a P3 or even fixed
posts on the ground.
The good news is: An analysis of the firing devices,
explosive types and general MO's of the attackers have
established just a few points of origin in improvised
bomb making facilities. The British have been the
experts in defeating IED's thanks to their wealth of
experience in Northern Ireland as Jim Webster has
noted.
This close look at bombing sites has led criminal
investigators outside Iraq. It's no secret that one
of the most blatant trails goes back to Lebanon and as
you might suspect, Hezbollah. Thanks to British and
(deleted - restricted), we've been able to link the
production of IED's to other groups and host nations,
Iran and Syria being two key helpers of insurgents.
(deleted - restricted) has been and continues to be a
great source of information and even direct
interdiction efforts, however for obvious reasons they
can't be overtly seen helping us.
Iran has gone to great lengths to disguise its
presence in Iraq, but Irania agents have been caught
numerous times aiding and abetting in ambushes and
bombings. Iran has a great stake in the outcome and
would like to see a Shia theocracy established in Iraq
to further their own influence in the region.
In terms of lives saved, Coalition forces owe a great
deal to the UK and (deleted - restricted), one of the
least likely nations you might suspected would be
helping us.
End
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