1 I would be very surprised to see that a terrorist made it into the camp with any type of explosive device. The TCNs (third country nationals) who work on these bases are throughly searched coming on and off the bases. Is it possible that an insurgent made it onto base with, say, a hand grenade. Yes, it is not outside the realm of possibility. Would the said hand grenade really be able to as much damage as depicted in the story and pictures. No. Much more likely that a 122mm rocket was the cause. And these rockets are not guided, just point and shoot and hope you did the math correctly. All luck after the fuse is lit. But for the purposes of the terrorists, it just sounds better for all of the other nuts that have joined if a fellow brother in Islam tied a bomb to himself, and, for the glory of Allah, was able to infiltrate into the evil Zionist lap dogs' chow hall and blow himself up.

2 This is not a surprise. If you have ever read CB's reports in his blog MY WAR, you can tell from his stories that it is easy to get in and out of the FOB. He has such stories and I have them in archive since he closed up his blog. He is at this base in Mosul, so I am worried about him and another soldier with a milblog there. This group is associated with Al-Zawari, an offshoot of Al Qaeda. These terrorist groups tape everything they do; we see only a little of what they do; how they could tape it, would only mean one of the Iraqi's in there - the drivers or translaters was somehow compromised but these terrorists groups are also very good at stealing info right from our own satelites and use it as part of their propaganda films. I didn't hear anything about a suicide bomber but this FOB is used to having morters and rockets over the wall and then booking it out of there, never to be caught. This time they hit the right place at the right time which makes me believe that one of the Iraqi's had to be in on it somehow - someone who was probably trusted by the soldiers there and who's family was probably at great risk. That's just one theory of many. Another theory is that whomever sent those morters shells over the wall just happened to get the right place at the wrong time just by accident. Ansar Al-Sunnar, like the other terrorist groups, usually plan these things down to the last detail and since they can hack even into the military computers for how this base is set up, not like the usual hit and run which does no damage, planned this for the worst possible effect and they are very good at what they do. My stomach turns that 19 out of 24 dead are US soldiers eating chow and 64 or more injured. I know people there and it bothers me that I'll never know how they're doing or if they are okay considering all the action that has been happening in Mosul lately. My hearts go out to all the families and the individuals themselves who were part of this melee; our soldiers are not even safe in their own base but this FOB does have it's own hospital, airport and more, and now they are no longer safe. They are also proud for it didn't matter who was hurt, everyone took care of each other. We have a lot to be proud of when it comes to our soldiers but this is the greatest loss of people in over a year. It makes me ache inside. If you want to know more about this group and it's affiliations, go through Rusty's archives; all the information is right there for your reading. These people kidnap, behead, make car bombs and are associated with Al Zawari and Al Qaeda; they are responsible for much of the terrorism going on in Iraq. What was done is Falluja will also have to be done in Baghdad and in Mosul; after that they have no where else to go except back into Afghanistan and Pakistan, but go through the archives, you will find plenty of info on this group. What we need to do is be there for our soldiers, their families and more. All the injured may need help for the rest of their lives. This was a very sad day indeed and it broke my heart when I first heard about this horrendous event at the Mosul chow hall. Expect more of this, expect that the Iraqi's must stand up at the plate and do everything in their power to stop these events even though they're being blown to bits themselves but mostly for our boys and their families - the living and the dead. This FOB is where most of the Strykers are located, too, so those families will be wondering until they hear word one way or another. God Bless them all and my condolences to them all as well; for those who were injured, speedy recovery and I hope I can get it out of my heart and mind myself soon; just what these families needed at this time of year. I can't even imagine how bad this was but I know it was a living hell, a shock and a surprise to all those who were involved. I personally find this extremely upsetting. We should find out where these soldiers were from, where their american bases were and give them all the love and support to them and their families as possible. Cindy

3 I eat my words. I guess the terrorists did find a way to get a bomb past security. From my experience, this would have been extremely difficult to do, but nothing is fool proof. The only consolation(and not much of one) is that the terrorist is atleast burning in hell this Christmas.

4 Amen, Craig. Most of the soldiers werer from the Stryker Brigade in Fort Lewis, Washington. ~C

5 There is going to be a day of reckoning for these murdering cocksuckers and it is going to be soon. American Soldiers will not stand by while these animals remain on the loose. We are going to put these running dogs down. I hope I am there when it happens. I want to be the one with my foot on their throat holding them down while I put two right in their forehead. I have been to these countries before and this is truly all they understand. They understand force and bigger guns and subjugation. The good people of Iraq deserve freedom. These monsters, like all their kind, deserve to go straight to hell, courtesy of the US Military. Zarquawi, your days are numbered. Ansar Al Islam, hell is coming to your doorstep. We got Saddam, we will get you too. No God will protect you.... Mark my words, there will be retribution for this act. Screw Zarquawi, Osama and the Partisan Treasonous Liberal Media that cheers for these jackasses. I hope the next bomb lands right on top of all of them.