In a move that could be the most enduring imprint of U.S. influence in the Arab world, American military officials in Baghdad have begun a crash program to outfit the entire Iraqi army with M-16 rifles.
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(RG) In my limited experience with these weapons I would suggest that it would be best for the Iraqi Army to continue using AK s as you can practically drive a truck over one and it will still work, although it is more of a `Branding` exercise in my opinion to give the IA a more profession look, lets just hope that whether its an AK or an M-16 they know which way to point it and who is the bad guys?
© Mack (RG) The thoughts of a Falklands War Veteran.
Rogue_gunner_32_alpha@yahoo.co.uk
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(RG) In my limited experience with these weapons I would suggest that it would be best for the Iraqi Army to continue using AK s as you can practically drive a truck over one and it will still work, although it is more of a `Branding` exercise in my opinion to give the IA a more profession look, lets just hope that whether its an AK or an M-16 they know which way to point it and who is the bad guys?
© Mack (RG) The thoughts of a Falklands War Veteran.
Rogue_gunner_32_alpha@yahoo.co.uk
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The M-16 has proven to be a reliable rifle in the forty years since its cartrige propellant, bolt carrier, and training/assimilation problems were worked out. However, if you refuse to clean it (every thousand rounds or so) or if sand somehow gets into the UPPER receiver, you've got problems. Other than that, it is literally 98+% reliable, even under sandstorm conditions.
ReplyDeleteQuestion please, Mack: When did you get to handle our 46 year old aluminum wonder? And if you still remember, what was your first impression about its first-shot accuracy?
My family and I thank you for your service, even if your country's own politically-correct "chattering-class" doesn't...yet.
And thanks for being a straight-up guy watching out for ALL our troops.
BTW, you're right: it is about branding. Arabs (and most of us!) prefer to use the equipment of "winners". To the new Iraqi Army the M-16/M-4 (and L-85) say "professional" and so are actually sought-after by those who can get them. So, [cue soundtrack of Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The USA"] while running in a stack and maintaining fire discipline, they cover every threat direction with a cooler-lookin' weapon than some "spray-and-pray" Syrian mob!
ReplyDeleteNow all they'll need is the chewing tobacco and the the lawyers in HQ.
God help them.