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Wow, it's been a really long time since I've posted. I just closed 28 days in the army. You have no idea how good it is to be home until you do something like that. It makes you appreciate the small stuff, like your little sister rubbing the buzz cut you have, or being able to lock your gun up and not carry it around for the next 48 hours.

So now, let's get down to business. What's been happening was a whole random helter-skelter mixture of things. I'll list the main points, hopefully in chronological order.

I went to the Gaza Strip, which I'm not sure if I told you guys about or not

I threw a couple grenades and now officialy have a 03 level of infantry training.

I had a very rough week in the field that included a whole bunch of different types of shooting, including single and squad procedures, the culmination of which is that now, according to the I.D.F., I'm considered a Lochem, a Warrior/Fighter. Warrior is more the biblical translation...

I was told my specification. I'm now in training to be a Gunner in the Merkava Siman (Mk) 4. You'd be surprised at all the cool stuff we have in that tank. My opinion is that it's computers are on par with the IVIS, even though they don't really perform the same functions. And I'm pretty sure the IVIS doesn't let you play Solitaire.

I had a week of lectures and walking trips in a program that is there to make the Israeli soldier a moral person, and basically instill in us the ability to not want to shoot any terrorist we see, regardless of what he just did. I had a really hard time, cause to me, if someone stabs your friend and then drops his knife, steps away and raises his hands, you still blow out his brains. After the visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum, though, I realised the point they were trying to get across.

Tomorrow morning I go back to my base, and I come home for Rosh Hashanah.

See y'all lata.

Ben

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

Congrats BG,

Your going to do just fine,and will probably still get your chance to "Smoke" a couple of those "Indians" that are so fond of killing your people.
Just throw in one or 2 for thw WT US folks for us here.

Goose

LIVE FREE OR DIE
<img src="http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5917/scan00020br.jpg" border=0>

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"

Hey people. I'm back for Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Lemme tell you, I've been having an amazing time this past week and little. We've been having lessons and actual tests for the whole week, which includes aiming, combat situations, night aiming, and other cool stuff. Then on Thursday we had our first Weekly Maintenance, which, as you can guess, is done every week. I must say, that as a gunner, I got off easy, especially in comparison to the driver and loader. One gunner can finish working on his tank, inside and out, in under three hours. I haven't broken anything yet, but I haven't completed my training. And that's the thing. Unlike the US Army who lets its soldiers play with the tanks and then leave them for the mechanics to take care of, we do our own maintenance, like I said. Only when something is really messed up do we call the mechanics.

In a couple weeks or so, I'm gonna take my first actual shot in the tank. I'm gonna use a thing which the adapts the 120mm cannon to accept 20mm rounds. Then I work my way up to 120mm and make things go KaBoom! I've got a month and a week left until my training is over. I can't wait.

The funny thing is, despite what everyone says about the Abrams, the Merkava IV bests it in almost every capability, be it speed, armament, armor (the top, which is usually considered a vulnerable point is heavily armored.), or crew survivability. That makes me feel good.

I'll try and write again next time I'm home.

Shana Tova!

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

hey ross you could come over here and have fun during a hurricane in our version of gaza (new orleans)

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>despite what everyone says about the Abrams, the Merkava IV bests it in almost every capability <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Apart from the fact it stops moving on the Sabbath <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>...

You're born, you keep your head down and you die. If you're lucky...

I'm sure the Merkava is fine against molotovs and T-55s.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I'm sure the Merkava is fine against molotovs and T-55s.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Don't forget it's legendary ability to shrug off being pelted with Palistinian rocks that are being thrown at it. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

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For the record, the defense of the country does not stop on the Sabbath. That's a rabinnical decree. As for the T-55 comment, our potential enemies have improved T-72's, T-80U's, and M1A1's. I don't remember the Americans fighting against Abrams', do you?

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
For the record, the defense of the country does not stop on the Sabbath. That's a rabinnical decree. As for the T-55 comment, our potential enemies have improved T-72's, T-80U's, and M1A1's. I don't remember the Americans fighting against Abrams', do you?

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

No we just give the totally not dangerous bunch of Syrian Bathe Party and Iranian Mullahs <i>the American made</i> Abrams MBT and wish the Israeli Merkava Tankers the best of luck. <img src=newicons/Whatever_anim.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Mainstream Media will continue until morale improves"

_________________

Well, actually, I was referring to Egypt, who we still consider one of our largest threats, and to a lesser extent Jordan, which also has American equipment.

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

Well I know for a fact that the US Government hasn't supplied Egypt & Jordan with anything close to an Abrams MBT. In fact Israel's best gifts from America are the AH-64 Apache and F-16, and we have been stingy with some of our other heavy hitters like the A-10 and the F-22 Raptor.

It's also good that wasn't said as an insinuation of another USS Liberty, that discussion has already been had. The US Armed Forces and the IDF are about even in training and equipment...yet the IDF would find itself slightly outnumbered, even with the occupations of Iraq & Afghanistan going on at the moment. In fact lack of elbow room would be the biggest hardship an occupying force of Marines and Army would face. So just throw that bullshit right out of your head. <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Mainstream Media will continue until morale improves"

Edited by - Lunatock on Oct 12 2005 11:02 AM

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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> and we have been stingy with some of our other heavy hitters like the A-10 and the F-22 Raptor. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
I don't think Israel could afford to buy any Craptors, not at the price the government is paying for them anyway.
I had also heard that when the A-10 was bulit, it was actually offered for sale to a few other countries, but none of them wanted to buy it. I also thought I heasrd that I think it was Turkey was going to buy like 50 Hogs in the early 90's. but obviously that never went through.
Anyone know the real deal on foreign sales of the A-10?

They say that the only two things certain in life are death and taxes. I prefer them in that order.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Anyone know the real deal on foreign sales of the A-10? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

In 1979, a representative of an Israeli electronics company, along with someone from the IAF and the State Department paid us a visit. The purpose was to do some measurements for a form/fit/function replacement of the RWR. They came to us because at that time, we were the only ones that had that system. I had the pleasure of escorting them and during the course of conversation, I asked the IAF gentleman why Israel didn't buy the A-10. His answer was surprising. He told me flat out it was too expensive. I looked at him and said "Huh?". He laughed and said "not the aircraft, the ammunition". Keep in mind it was the gun..nothing else mattered and I believe even back then, it was over $20/round for TP.

Turkey was not going to BUY any A-10's, the Air Force was going to GIVE them to Turkey under EDAP (excess defense articles program). Turkey said thanks but no thanks, we can't afford the $200 million it's going to cost to refurbish them.

OC

Interesting to know, thanks Old Chief.

They say that the only two things certain in life are death and taxes. I prefer them in that order.

Egypt and Kuwait hardly qualify as enemies of Israel.

Your enemies, Iran and Syria, have no more than T-72s.

" Well I know for a fact that the US Government hasn't supplied Egypt & Jordan with anything close to an Abrams MBT."

That's some 'fact' Luna, considering that Egypt has one of only two functional and operating M-1 production facilities in the entire world. Both Egypt and Kuwait are M-1 users.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>" Well I know for a fact that the US Government hasn't supplied Egypt & Jordan with anything close to an Abrams MBT."

That's some 'fact' Luna, considering that Egypt has one of only two functional and operating M-1 production facilities in the entire world. Both Egypt and Kuwait are M-1 users.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Did we give and transport those production facilities to Egypt? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Mainstream Media will continue until morale improves"

_________________

The other reason the IAF didn't buy A-10's, is because Israel wants the most bang for it's buck, and that means multi-purpose, like the F-4, F-15 or F-16. The A-10 was only built for one mission, so it wasn't deemed worthy enough to spend money on.

As for Kuwait being an enemy of Israel, yeah, they probably aren't, but Egypt is a country we share a border with, which happens to be full of people who don't like us, and also happens to have a really big army. Just cause there's a piece of paper that says "peace", doesn't mean that everyone holds by it. Operation Barbarossa comes to mind at this point...

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

Egypt and Israel also have a long standing mutual non agression pact in place that has stood since what, 1979?

Egypt is hardly worthy of the name 'enemy', though eqally unworthy of the title ally.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

"Did we give and transport those production facilities to Egypt?"

Sold is a more appropriate term, but yep.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

Alright then. So Egypt and Kuwait do have M1 Abrams MBTs' at their disposal.

"Mainstream Media will continue until morale improves"

_________________

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Egypt and Israel also have a long standing mutual non agression pact in place that has stood since what, 1979?

Egypt is hardly worthy of the name 'enemy', though eqally unworthy of the title ally.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

You know, Egypt's aiding and abetting the Pal's is enough to make them an enemy.

A friend of my enemy is my enemy.
A enemy of my friend is my enemy.
An enemy of my enemy is my friend.

That's what the Middle East has been living by for the past couple thousand years. Seems to have worked so far...

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!"-Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Marine Division, Belleau Wood, France, WWI

So then attack them.

We're in the same boat with Syria, and we should attack them as soon as it becomes feasible too.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

Shooter DUDE,

You need to either slow down your typing or stop playing P2 while typing because us "OLDTIMERS" are the only ones around here that get to make grammar mistakes, Hell your still in school Bro!
You can write better than that Its hard to make out anything all together.
So slow down,space out your words and hang-out as long as your "Cool"
about your postings your welcome.

Just dont get "Sniper" in your "6" because you wont have a chance.

Goose

LIVE FREE OR DIE

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"

He is attending the Lunatock school of spelling and grammar. <img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle>

Fender
"A woman drove me to drink
and I hadn't even the courtesy to thank her".
W.C. Fields