Look, my point is simple, we have introduced many units from the reserves and national guard to the fight. And, not every unit is modernized with the latest generation of weapon systems at the same time. Also you need to consider the fact that weapons malfunction in combat, they need repairing like any machine, and who is to say the armorer issued the older SAW for this mission because the newer one is in maintenance or down for a part. This happens more than you would expect.
Let's not get wrapped up into the TO&E application for what should be in a Marine rifle squad; when dealing with the reality of close combat the TO&E isn't the forcing function. What is the forcing function is what gets you through the engagement, be it a AK47, a M16A2 or a Carbine or a SAW. "Joe" is going to use whatever means are avialable to him to whoop someone's arshe and it doesn't matter to him if the weapon is part of the TO&E or not. This is reality; and, Bill has captured the passion of a firefight very well.
Do our soldiers and Marines have the best equipment, damn straight they do! But don't loose sight that Murphy has a vote in combat operations, too. And gentlemen, it is not unimaginable or wrong if there is a mixture of weapons in an engagement or operation...
Pictures are invaluable to our passion, but they aren't the sole source of what is factual. We have to balance them against the lithmus test of reality...and seeing where we are in this operation, the historical perspective is very real and very current.
If I have ruffled some feathers then we need to take a step back. But we have to consider those things that are beyond what is captured on film...
Bill is doing a great job, and am eager to see how this vignette progresses.
Patrick
