European Opposition to Iraq War Affects US Wounded

[Guest]

From the Strategy Page:

February 14, 2007: European opposition to American efforts in Iraq is expressed in many little ways. For example, American transports flying badly wounded U.S. troops back to the United States often ask European air controllers for a more direct flight path through European air space. This is in order to get the wounded soldier or marine to the American hospital more quickly. This is particularly useful when the aircraft have been turned into a flying ECU (Emergency Care Unit), and doctors are actually treating the seriously wounded in flight. The European air controllers rarely allow the direct flight. It would mean some more work for them, but saying "no" is another way to stick it to those bastards who removed Saddam Hussein from power, and continue to fight Iraqis who want to destroy democracy in Iraq. When the American medical flight reaches American air space, air controllers are quick to give the transport the shortest possible route to its destination. Some of these medical flights are non-stop from Iraq to Texas, where there are several major military hospitals.

mh
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"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[vortexring 0]

That's quite a mature and sensible rational; these European nations were all Saddam supporters and are trying to cause further suffering to injured American servicemen and women. Right. I never knew that. Thanks for the info.

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[Nick 0]

Could be part of the backlash against the rendition flights that passed through Europes airspace (whether flying through airspace or landing).

Nick

Nick
Gravity- It's not just a good idea, it's the LAW!

[christelsabine 1]

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Some of these medical flights are non-stop from Iraq to Texas, where there are several major military hospitals.

... and I thought, some of them flights were non-stop from Iraq to Landstuhl...?

http://darkblueworld.info/soldiers_angels_europe/?cat=101

dudeist skydiver # 3105

[Gawain 0]

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Some of these medical flights are non-stop from Iraq to Texas, where there are several major military hospitals.

... and I thought, some of them flights were non-stop from Iraq to Landstuhl...?

http://darkblueworld.info/soldiers_angels_europe/?cat=101

Most flights are. However, Landstuhl is only a regional center, if the injury is stable, the soldier will stop there for a day or two. If it looks extremely grim, the soldier will be brought there to be made as stable and comfortable as possible and the Army will fly family to Germany. However, Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in Texas is the center of choice in particular for burn treatment, state-of-the-world facility for that.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[PeterB 0]

Of course European countries don't have troops in Afghanistan and Iraq directly assisting the US effort.

I mean it's not like European soldiers have died in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The attached pic does not show British (GB is not in Europe) and Danish (neither is Denmark) on joint patrol. The camo on the Geländerwagen hasn't even been repainted so it's easy to conclude that these soldiers must be setting themselves up to be shot so it reflects poorly on the US.

C'mon dude. There are lots of countries in Europe and some have been in this whole ordeal from the start. You gotta look at the facts. Sure some of the Yuropeean furriners don't like the war and hate Bush. Some others go to help. Some fathers and mothers never see their kids again. It's shameful to not recognize this sacrifice and lump 'em all together into an america-hating-liberal-socialist-bunch-of-crybabies.

[DZJ 0]

I'd like to see a source for those assertions.

(Also, isn't that from the same place as that bullshit list of 'Iraq War myths' you posted some time ago?)

[chris74 0]

Yo Bro,
I am french so I am your ennemy ?
France has troops in afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, etcc. Explain me why during the first Gulf war your country awarded some french regiment from Daguet Division ? Explain me why actually the french SF worked together with the US and ( nato ) operators in Afgha. Did you know the cooperation between the french and US rens is better than before ? So please , stop your stupid speech . think by yourself .
PS As an ex French marine recon , I did some deployements in bosnia (Sarajevo ) , Africa and middle east . I worked with the brits , canadians , Dutch,.... soldiers and never had a problem . They were all my band of brothers .

[vortexring 0]

I'm so tempted to take the piss but how can I, considering the sacrifices French soldiers have made recently in Afghanistan.

Many 'short sighted' Americans still believe the nonsense their government pumped out over the lack of French support prior to GWII.

Why not the support? The French Government had been doing their utmost securing contracts with the Iraqi gov. over the years. Naturally enough they weren't exactly delighted when America(and the UK) took all the pie for themselves.

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[shropshire 0]

Nice post mate.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[NCclimber 0]

The OP article looks like unsupported propaganda.

[shropshire 0]

My guess is that propaganda does not need to be supported, it often stands on it's own. It hits at primary feelings and prompts an emotional response.

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(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[NCclimber 0]

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My guess is that propaganda does not need to be supported, it often stands on it's own. It hits at primary feelings and prompts an emotional response..

With the exception of our leaders in Washington. We always get fair and honest stories on them. No propaganda at all. No Way!

[chris74 0]

You forgot all the casualties in Kuweit, Bosnia, kosovo ..... I remember some patrol in the border of Irak with the 42 commando and they never took the piss of ...... I did some bodyguarding for brits VIP too at sarajevo and never " heard no way you protect me " so keep your piss and don't mix politics decisions and acts in operations. I won't let you to blaspheme the memory of all my bros .

[shropshire 0]

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[warpedskydiver 0]

I see nowhere that Vortex even comes close to dishonoring them in his statements.

I don't think he is that kind of guy...please re-read it.

[SkyDekker 1,145]

hat a bunch of bullshit...laughable.

I compared Strategy Page to the National Enquirer before, this little snippet just proves I am right....

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[Guest]

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hat a bunch of bullshit...laughable.

I compared Strategy Page to the National Enquirer before, this little snippet just proves I am right....

I consider the source as well. This piece was someone's opinion, and not a verifiable fact. I didn't say I thought it was gospel, and it's certainly written to push the buttons of the reader.

As for the "me too" folks who replied about their forces serving here and there in mere handfuls, please compare those token troops (with the exception of our loyal allies, the British) to the thousands of US soldiers who have lost their lives.

You know, I'm really getting fed up with the whole world expecting the USA to do all the spending of blood and treasure, while they all sit back and criticize every effort my country makes. The USA is always, always, always criticized, whether for action (as in the Balkans) or for inaction (e.g., Somalia).

In another thread, China, India and Russia are considering forming a bloc to oppose US policy in the Middle East and elsewhere.

That's fine with me. The Balkans are a European problem as far as I'm concerned - let Europe deal with it, and bring our troops home. Afghanistan and Iraq too. Let the Islamofascists terrorize the Afghans and everyone else they possibly can, including Europe. Let the Europeans wring their hands or sit on them and do nothing, as they always have.

Let war, famine, pestilence and death visit Europe once again, and let the USA do NOTHING to help.

I've HAD ENOUGH.

mh

Edit to exclude Great Britain from my shit-list! Sorry about that, UK folks - I mean it.
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"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[shropshire 0]

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Thanks for your edit on behalf of our lads .... but it's still a pretty shitty thing to say about anyone that is in harms way.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[dorbie 0]

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Thanks for your edit on behalf of our lads .... but it's still a pretty shitty thing to say about anyone that is in harms way.

There are a lot of shitty things said in Europe about America an her troops. The loud expression of all that negative sentiment has ramifications.

Perception of Europe in America is not exactly at a high right now (shock, horror, it's not a one way street) and I find it interesting to see that people tend to perceive a single opinion from one country or another. They don't recognize that in all those European countries opinion is split (although some would like to pretend otherwise) just as it is in America. It seems that the loudest nastiest voices tend to be the ones that reach across the Atlantic to get noticed, probably in both directions.

[Guest]

You're probably right about that. It's human nature to pigeonhole entire groups of people. this is exacerbated in the USA because we only hear / see what the mainstream media want us to hear / see. Unlike the Europeans, we can't just hop in a car or train and ride a while and get to a different country and actually get the opinions of our fellow man-on-the-street.

However, I stand by my remarks. The majority of the European powers give lip service to peacekeeping and send token forces, expecting the USA (and the UK) to do all the heavy lifting. It's that arrogant presumption I object to the most, and please don't get me started on the UN.
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"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[kallend 1,647]

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You know, I'm really getting fed up with the whole world expecting the USA to do all the spending of blood and treasure, while they all sit back and criticize every effort my country makes.

Since this thread IS about Iraq, I'm surprised you don't remember that most of the rest of the world advised your country AGAINST spending blood and treasure there in 2003. Maybe you forgot how the US reviled France, Germany and Russia for their opposition to the invasion. Maybe you forgot "FREEDOM FRIES". Your comment is just part of Republican revisionist history.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[PeterB 0]

Hey markharju.

I have friends in the group you so dismissively describe. They've been in that shithole that's Iraq. Been shot at, seen their friends killed. Come back home as different and not better men.

I'll let them know there are pro-military Americans who think they ain't shit and their sacrifice is a token one. I just hope they won't kick the crap outta me for it.

Not every country has over 300 million people. Some have 5 and a small military force. Proportions, dude.

The world don't expect the US to fix everything wrong with it. If anything, the world expected the US not to fuck things up more than they already were in the Middle East. When the US did these loyal friends still stood by despite international outcry and political pressure not to.

And you deign to tell me that the sacrifice is worthless and just token.

You may just be venting, but think of your post in this light; would you say what you wrote to the face of one of these men I mentioned?

If you would do that you either got bigger balls than me or is one helluva fighter.

[SkyDekker 1,145]

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You know, I'm really getting fed up with the whole world expecting the USA to do all the spending of blood and treasure, while they all sit back and criticize every effort my country makes. The USA is always, always, always criticized, whether for action (as in the Balkans) or for inaction (e.g., Somalia).

Most of the world didn't want the US to invade Iraq, why would they subsequently send troops to help out?

Afghanistan is a different story and many troops from many countries are involved.

It was Bush's illfated decision to go into Iraq, when there really was no need for it at all...why would soldiers from other countries have to die due to the faillures of your President?

[warpedskydiver 0]

To be fair many of the countries that objected had their hand in the till.