Gunner's Blog

I just looked at the Department of Defense website where casualties are posted and I discovered a grisly fact. The reason given for the death of almost all of our military personnel was virtually the same "...died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on combat patrol."

Is there nothing that can be done to protect our men and women over there?

I am a very patriotic Army brat and hold my citizenship in this great country very dear to my heart. My father served two tours in Viet Nam as an officer in the US Army. My family was stationed outside of the United States for 8 years and always kissed the ground when we returned to the United States.

I am a big supporter of our troops and of President Bush. I want us to win in Iraq and unite our military with their loved ones at home.

Thank for very much for your time.

AR
Pine Canyon, Utah
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~G wrote:

Hello AR:

Thanks for your inquiry.

The problem with defeating the IED's is that the insurgents are improvising new ways to control the detonation of the device. As soon as the coalition forces learn how to block the controlling signals, the insurgents find a new method. My understanding is that the most difficult is the use of cell phones as the trigger device. The telephone number of the cell phone used makes it like looking for a needle in a haystack when one tries to find the number. A cellphone telephone number has a total of 9 digits - 9,999,999,999 - 10 Billion minus one - possibilities. The device is set to explode when the cell phone ringer is activated. To make the problem even more vexing, inexpensive disposable cell phones are available all over the world, covering all area codes.

Some of our most technologically advanced companies are working on a solution, but it appears that the solution is very elusive. The other element in the solution is the fact that the insurgents shift their methods when one method is defeated. Hopefully, they can develop something that will detonate them while they are still in the insurgents hands. What a great tool that would be.

~G

PS - Several purchases of large numbers of disposable cell phones have been blocked by patriotic Americans. Individuals purchasing 10 or more disposable cell phones seems a little out of the ordinary, but 25 or more seems downright suspicious. Sales of 1,000 and more retail sales of cell phones have been recorded. I hope that all cellphone sales organizations and clerks (retail and wholesale) will place country above profit. If you are employed by a cellphone sales organization, and experience a sale of a suspicious number of cellphones, please notify your local law enforcement officials.