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| Iraq |
| British Paras In US Uniforms Protect SAS Ops In Baghdad |
| 2006-04-24 |
| British paratroopers secretly operating in support of the SAS in Iraq are using American uniforms, weapons and vehicles as part of their cover, The Daily Telegraph has learned. Although John Reid, the Defence Secretary, only announced this week that the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) had become operational, a company of more than 100 paratroopers has been working for six months in Baghdad. They have reportedly become so successful that American special forces have called on their help. The SFSG was formed mainly because it was found that small groups of highly trained SAS troopers did not have enough firepower to take on large groups of Iraqi and Afghan terrorists. The unit has already seen a substantial amount of action in Baghdad. Whenever the SAS goes on raids to apprehend terrorists in highly dangerous areas of Baghdad, the Paras are used to provide perimeter security. Arriving in US Humvees, dressed in American army fatigues and armed with C7 Diemaco guns - a Canadian made version of the M16, the men have fought several battles with insurgents while protecting SAS colleagues. "The SAS are doing the smash and grab but all the contacts are happening on the perimeter and there are a serious amount of rounds going down the range," a Parachute Regiment source said. "They are making a really good name for themselves with the Hereford blokes and the Americans. If the shit hits the fan and the SAS need them, the boys are there as a quick reaction force." The troops were also believed to have been used to provide a security cordon as part of Task Force Maroon when the SAS rescued the peace campaigner Norman Kember and two other hostages. The troops deployed to Baghdad at the end of last year after undergoing specialist training at the SAS headquarters in Hereford, including the use of American weapons and equipment. "They wear US uniforms so they can blend in in Baghdad where a British paratrooper would stick out and draw unwanted attention," an intelligence source said. "But they don't have their hair cuts 'high and tight', don't strut around like Americans and are certainly not trying to speak with American accents. They are loving it with all the American kit, and you can't keep them out of the PX shop [US military duty-free shops]." The SFSG is mainly based on the 500 men of the 1 Bn The Parachute Regiment supplemented by a company of about 100 Royal Marines and a similar number of men from the RAF Regiment. The group is based at St Athan, near Cardiff. Good lads! |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #8 Is it possible that they have confused "strut" with standing tall? Most any U.S. military personnel walks with thier head up and thier shoulders back a bit. Just the way a person should. Better said would have been, "Unlike the Americans, they slouch." |
| Posted by: Mike N. 2006-04-24 16:29 |
| #7 Think General DeGaulle. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-04-24 15:40 |
| #6 strut Audio pronunciation of "strut" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (strt) v. strut·ted, strut·ting, struts v. intr. To walk with pompous bearing; swagger. v. tr. 1. To display in order to impress others. Sometimes used with out: Don't strut out your resume until you have more accomplishments to list. n. 1. A pompous, self-important gait. Idiom: strut (one's) stuff Slang To behave or perform in an ostentatious manner; show off. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2006-04-24 13:53 |
| #5 What means "to strut?" |
| Posted by: JFM 2006-04-24 13:49 |
| #4 You honour both uniforms, lads. Have fun! (And we yanks don't mind if you strut a bit, so long as you've earnt it ;->) |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-04-24 12:09 |
| #3 Someone in an earlier post said these guys were the SAS' second string: seems like being #2 leads them to try harder. Congrats, enjoy the toys, watch yer head, and shoot to kill... |
| Posted by: Ptah 2006-04-24 11:14 |
| #2 Played Rugby against the Cardiff crew they may not strut like Americans but they hit like trucks. Happy hunting boyz and thanks for the support. |
| Posted by: Rightwing 2006-04-24 08:53 |
| #1 For full effect, LAH uniforms including cuff titles will be used on next raid... :)) |
| Posted by: borgboy 2006-04-24 02:32 |