A ? to our soldiers that have fought in this war, please.?

Question

I just read that 2 insurgents were able to drive a car thru a checkpoint in Baghdad. They had 2 children in the back & the soliders felt less suspious becuz of the children being there. They drive in, parked the van, the two men ran out of the van & with the children still in the vehicle, it was detonated, killing the 2 children & a few passerbys and injuring 7 others.

I understand that our soliders are fighting an enemy like never before. These terrorists don't give a d@mn about anyone, not themselves nor children. It sickens me! My question is -- at checkpoints, is it certain people that you are looking for or are you checking inside & underneath the vehicles for bombs? Do you check what's under their clothes? Do you have equipment that can detect certain bombs? or chemicals? I'm curious as to how suicide bombers are still able to drive through checkpoints. Forgive my lack of knowledge, I'm a civilian but want to know how checkpoints work. Thanks!

THANKS FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE!

Answer 1

First off, I don't like you for asking this question. Second, if a service member answers this question with any kind of logical remark, smack yourself. For all you know this is some stupid rag head trying to get info or a rag head will read this and say "oh, thats what our jihad brothers are doing wrong" to the rest of you civilians out there, dont' ever ask about tactics and operations within our military unless you want someone to get killed from it. If you need an example, look at the news/media. 90% of the enemys intel comes strait from AP and CNN. Not to mention the liberal media fuels the extremist propaganda. and as far as forgiving you for your lack of knowledge.... ITS A DAMN GOOD THING YOU DONT KNOW!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Honestly it depends on the type of checkpoint and the order. I mean somedays you may only stop white vans if you have intel that a white van may be used. Some checkpoints check all vehicles. An Entry Control Point will thouroughly check all non military vehicles - no matter what. But that is an ECP on a base.
IMO these soldiers got a little bit too comfortable, but I was not there and I am not the soldier so I honestly cannot say what may have happened or influenced the decision - that is only for the soldier to make. I know that you have to stay focused and keep your guard up becasue anyone can be an insurgent or used by one - man or woman, young or old. Remeber that next time you hear of women and children being killed - 80year old women and 5 year old boys can fire an AK47 and be strapped with a bomb....

Answer 3

The enemy knows that the US servicemember has a soft soft for children. They take advantage of this in several ways. One of the ones they used to do was have children wave down a patrol - then detonate an IED under the children when the patrol approaches. (This is one of the reasons I have PTSD.)

And the really sad thing is that the antiwar folks seem to think that the idea of people who use children in this way ruling Iraq is acceptable.

Answer 4

Children were used in Vietnam too.

It is all so sad. For both Vietnam and Iraq there is no clear strategy and nor clear reason for being there.

As to check points. All cars should be checked for weapons, but that is easier said than done. If every car was checked thoroughly, everything in Baghdad would grind to a halt.

Answer 5

In my opinion those troops got complacent in their job and failed to follow standard procedures. We stopped and searched every vehicle no matter who the occupants were, that was standard procedure. That is not to say that the terrorists would not have detonated the explosives during an attempted search but it appears they were targeting the civilian population which in they way it is in most cases there. I was not there so I really couldn't second guess the situation.

Answer 6

because they chosen to connect , lots of our proud outstanding troops does not strategies telling you . i've got heard many infantrymen say "there are some issues worth dying for" . Many courageous men died for the era of our history - for freedom & democracy .