Wednesday, May 27, 2009

In Afghanistan, US Troops Thwart IED Threat

U.S. Army soldiers drive a convoy into Gardez City, Afghanistan, the Paktia provincial capital, to meet with local officials, Feb. 17, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment. DoD photo by Fred W. Baker III

From Yahoo News/Christian Science Monitor:

Saydabad, Afghanistan – Capt. Matthew Burnett and his men were patrolling the dangerous Kabul-Kandahar highway when their vehicle hit the one thing every soldier dreads – an improvised explosive device (IED).

"There was a big explosion, and we lost all visibility," he recalls. "Some roadside debris even landed in the vehicle."

But the troops emerged unscathed, and kept on driving – something unthinkable a few years ago. Captain Burnett and his men survived thanks to the MRAP, a new armored vehicle capable of withstanding very large blasts.

Read more ....

My Comment: A fascinating read .... especially the development of UAVs that can spot and track down insurgents.

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