Foot patrols gaining in popularity in Iraq-fear of EFPs main cause

[babylonsister]

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fg-walk22jun22,1,6800014,full.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage&ctrack=7&cset=true

'EFPs' a big threat to U.S. forces in Iraq
Copper-plated explosives that pierce armored vehicles are proving so deadly that the military is advocating foot patrols instead.
By Julian E. Barnes, Times Staff Writer
June 22, 2007

BAGHDAD — U.S. troops working the streets of the capital fear one Iraqi weapon more than others — a copper-plated explosive that can penetrate armor and has proved devastating to Humvees and even capable of severely damaging tanks.

The power of what the military calls an EFP — for explosively formed penetrator, or projectile — to spray molten metal balls that punch through the armor on vehicles has some American troops rethinking their tactics. They are asking whether the U.S. should give up its reliance on making constant improvements to vehicle defenses.

Instead, these troops think, it is time to leave the armor behind — and get out and walk.

"In our area, the biggest threat for us is EFPs. When you are in the vehicles, you are a big target," said Army Staff Sgt. Cavin Moskwa, 33, of Hawaii, who patrols Baghdad's Zafraniya neighborhood with the Bravo Battery of the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment. "But when you are dismounted … you are a lot safer."

In the last three days, 15 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq, nine of them in two powerful roadside bomb blasts. The military does not publicly identify the kind of weapon used in improvised explosive attacks, but the deadly nature of the blasts Wednesday and Thursday suggested that EFPs may have been used.

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[Toots]

1. Oh God, now come the snipers...

Or even worse anti-personel bombs instead of anti-tank bombs.

[babylonsister]

2. What hell we have unleashed.

:(