Why aren't we?

Question

using napom in Iraq? There's nothing like the sweet smell of napom in the morning!!

Answer 1

Initially let me say that I was under the impression that we had discontinued the development of Napalm (DOW Chemical if I recall). Appears I was wrong....but perhaps just the primary explosive agent changing confused me. Read on please.

Citing sources from the GlobalSecutiry.org website, yes we have used napalm in Iraq.

According to The Independent; August 10, 2003; the Pentagon at first denied the use of napalm in Iraq. But US Marine pilots and their commanders confirmed that an upgraded version of the well known Viet Nam era weapon was used against dug-in positions. It was used primarily for its physiological effects on the enemy....the unique smell known to any one ever near one after detonation.

However, it is comprised of kerosene now and not jellied jet fuel.

Answer 2

Er, without getting into OPSEC violations explaining why and how this came about and how it came to be enforced, suffice to say in simple language that we don't use weapons that cause significant damage over a large area, especially around urban population centers. The emphasis is on precision fire, not creating needless casualties.

Napalm stores badly; even exposed to just air it corrodes and leaks, it's unstable, and it's just plain inhumane to everyone concerned (especially those who get hit by "splashback" from their own side). I don't think there's any napalm left in the inventory anyways; fuel-air explosives have taken their place now.

And no, it doesn't smell like victory.

Answer 3

Napalm had its purpose in Vietnam. Vietnam was a jungle battleground for the most part and napalm was used to burn down the jungle. It made it easier to see the enemy. Iraq has very little jungle, however, so napalm is really useless.

Answer 4

Well, you're the Vietnam Vet Einstein. You tell me why we aren't.
I've read your other questions and suspect that all that dope you smoked in the 'Nam killed off all your conservative brain cells.

You probably were in the Air Force working in the laundry and that's were you found out what Napalm smelled like. No one I know enjoyed the smell.

Answer 5

Incendiary munitions or firebombs were used early in the war against Iraqi troops. They're made with jet fuel and not napalm however.

Answer 6

Why don't we use nukes?
Go ahead and freak out libs and French...I am serious. It's just a weapon. Like all weapons it's terrible. Like all weapons it kills too many humans. Like all other weapons, it makes us strong against our enemies. Go ahead and talk about Japan, but get your facts straight first. The 'conventional' firebombing of Tokyo did more destruction and killed more people that the the nuclear blasts did. Were they any less DEAD? War is hell, I say it's time we dished out some of it to our enemies.
PS -- thank you to all our hero warriors who CHOSE to defend our nation.

Answer 7

when I was 13 or so, I saw this picture of a young girl, running down the road with her arms stretched out wide.. she was naked, and in tears.. in the far distance there was napalm, with the trees all ablaze..
I don't want that to happen again.. what's happening now is bad enough.

Answer 8

Far more advanced weapons are being used. Napalm is... crude and largely ineffective against buildings and hardened structures.

Answer 9

They have used napom... I guess you really support the troops since our soldiers will be affected as well. Hey, why don't you enlist and get a little napom on your feet.

Answer 10

I believe its Napalm, and if you want to sniff it, be my guest. Whats a little cancer among friends?