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[campbell]

I would like to know why our guys are not in armoured vehicles.Why the radio network is not secure.Why they are not allowed to wear bullet proof vests.

Sitting ducks.
Is it a monetry thing???????Or just bad management?
Please don't let us turn out like the US.In the past the Aussies were the best fighters,police in the world.

 

[Former]

It's because they thought they had the place under control.

I'm waiting to hear more about this sniper, whether he was a lone man or part of a gang.

Before the Aussies came the locals were saying "We'll fight them". Anyone with some sense told them to throw their guns down, which most did (though many just buried their guns). Armoured vehicles were never really needed.

In any case all they would have to do is stage some sort of diversion to get the guys out of their armoured vehicle THEN shoot them.

 

[jim boy]

Please don't let us turn out like the US.

It's that necessity unfortunately that makes the troops more vulnerable. A peace keeping force isn't going to achieve peace or win over the locals by going around in heavily armed vehicles shooting up everything that moves (the american policy). You have to be more open, you have to be seen to be working for a population not against it.

Unfortunately, that means if someone really is determined to shoot you, they won't find it so hard. But that is a price worth paying, as with just seen with the latest attack on US forces in Mosul, there can be an even heavier price for being 'heavily armed'.

 

[jmerino]

My brother in law was over there.

I also want to know why the Government wont pay to secure the radio network,those guys never stood a chance.The baddies knew where they were when,because they listen to the radio to be told.Poor form by the Government.


Middle of the night out of the way, one way road in the middle of the jungle, is exactly when they need armoured vehicles,high powered rifles, not micky mouse toy pistols.

I can understand why you go softly in the town during the day, but you don't put your men in danger.Blind freddy could see the risk to those guys on a nightly basis.

Don't forget this is not the 1st time shots were fired at night at our guys.Apprently a report was done after the last time and the government rejected their concerns.


One damned angry police force over their at the moment.

 

[jmerino]

Good move that they are now reviewing he whole security issue ober there.It should have been done after the October 12th incident.

A secure radio network should be on the agenda.Imagine all and sundry being able to hear when the cops are coming, in the situation you have over there.

 

[Former]

It doesn't help that the feeling is that the Aussies don't know the local conditions or the local people and don't seem inclined to get to know them. It's mostly "We're here now to sort you lot out."

The interest seems to be mainly in teaching the local cops how to raise revenue by issuing traffic fines. No one who wants action goes to the main police station. They go to people they might know in the police if they want anything done. Expats who are assaulted are given the run-around and have to pull strings with their high comms to get arrests made.

If you're in trouble in Honiara run into the Lime Lounge. The cops MAY look up from their beers and EVEN put them down long enough to give you a hand.

 

[sinepari]

Becuase they are APS they dont get armoured vehicles. You cannot compare it to the U.S because its the U.S military in Iraq etc not their version of the APS.I agree however that they should have at least semi armoured vehicles.
It was no sniper either. A shooter that takes 6 shots is no sniper.