Chopper

A total of 30 Bronze Stars, nominated by the American Army, were earned by the snipers, mainly for other duties such as Forward Observers. Their was a story about an FO team that helped take out an AQ mortor position .... ... somehow I lost the clip.

LOL. Yes indeed it was Arch. The shots were from 2,500 metres. The 1st shot wrecked the engine, thus stopping the truck. The 2nd shot wrecked the driver.

Galadriel Possessing a rare combination of wisdom and humility, while serenely dominating your environment you selflessly use your powers to care for others. Even the smallest person can change the course of the future

The PPCLI (Edmonton) are just about the best we have. They were the first Canadian combat troops to set foot in Afghanistan back in February 2002. IIRC it was their snipers that were responsible for some astounding kills and earned a handful of American Bronze Stars. I believe this will be their third tour there in rotation with the RCR (Petawawa) and the R22R “Vandoos” (Valcartier). From what I’m reading/hearing they’re going with the best equipment and support units we can. This includes A Battery, 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, which has just received their brand-spanking new M777 155mm howitzer firing the Excalibur precision-guided munitions (range 40km/25mi). The 4 platoon, B Company of the 2nd Battalion PPCLI will also be trying out their new C-7A2 rifles. Going along with them is the General Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force, the Strategic Planning and Policy Division, Asia Branch, CIDA and the RCMP. Also going is an engineer squadron from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER). I have a young friend in the 1 CER. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Regional Command South, which includes the Dutch' British, American and Romanians, will be lead by Brigadier-General David Fraser. He was (still is) the commander of the 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (Edmonton). The 2 CMB have also been to Afghanistan (last year I think) and, interestingly, draw their heritage from the Special Services Force, a.k.a. the Devil’s Brigade. The other combat unit to serve in Afghanistan is another senior regiment, the Royal Canadian Dragoons (Petawawa).

Wonderful Unusual poetry of the last battles of the "Dark Age". Barbarian vs Barbarian then Barbarian vs Medieval. The reason I watch historically based movies or read historically based novels is to help me assimilate all my historical data, flow charts and family trees, and why I resist criticism of their historicity, although it's my first reaction. In this case I wouldn't if I could, and I can't so I won't. Wonderful

HBD Jim.

Good morning all. Lightly snowing at -5C/23F.

Good morning all.

...........

neener neener neeeeeenerrr Actually, it's a very optional holiday. Few actually have the day off. Sort of like Nov. 11 here.

Good morning. and Happy Whatever-it's-called-in-your-Province Day to my fellow Canuckistanis. That would be Heritage Day in Ontario and, iirc, Family Day in Alberta. Whatever it is it's a Good Idea Day. Overcast and a tad breezy here @ -5C/23F.

Good morn. Mild @ -3C/27F, calm and lightly snowing.

Beware of snow drifts that move

Luv it.

Ya it's cooking for some days now and it just gets worse almost by the hour. Waynes direct part in the gambling has not been established. Stay tuned.

Too cool.

I found it odd the Stones were there. This is MOTOWN man. Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Supremes, Smokey Robinson ......... Alas, I don't think I coulda watched them either.

Ya it's on Gratiot a little west of the Renaissance Building. It was up in Pontiac before that and just north of Cobo Hall before that. Heck, I've never been to a pro ball game, NFL or CFL, so I don't pay that much attention.

Good idea. Never been there. The Lions keep changing there location.

Good morning all. Winter is back. Ford Field will need a bit of cleaning up as a fair bit of snow fell yesterday and thru the night. I've got about 10cm/4" out my window and I'm about 30 miles south east of Ford Field. Detroit local news is showing a bit heavier snow fall. Not a lot more is expected. The snow is that heavy wet variety. Edit: OK, the snow is coming down pretty good around here. Temperature is just around freezing. By game time, however, it will definitely be colder, maybe -5C/23F or a tad lower. Winds right now are variable and brisk at 25-50 kph / 15-30 mph. It'll probably steady up at the high end of that. However, around here this time of year, predicting the weather, even hours ahead, is problematic. It's been a long but very mild wnter around here. The lakers are still plying the Detroit River. Usually it's shut down by Christmas. I don't know, if weather plays a factor and favours one side, it'll probably favour the Steelers, but not by much I would think. By game time probably only the wind may play a role.

Ok sports fans, now it's snowing.

Good day all. Miserable and rainy day just above freezing. If Super Bowl Sunday is like this, I feel sorry for the teams and fans. I hate this weather.

Mornin all. Dull grey day just above freezing. Preparations for the Super Bowl is reaching a feverish pitch in my home town Windsor a.k.a. Canadian Motown a.k.a. Sin City. I'm giving that town a wide birth until at least Monday, although I've got to get dangerously closer to watch one of my nephews play in his band. Luckily he's playing at a Legion this side of the city outskirts.