Dispatch From Mosul

Mike Yon is in Mosul, Iraq and his latest dipatch is up paying tribute to the pilots that fly the Kiowa attack helicopters that save the lives of our boots on the ground and deliver hellfire to the terrorists. Mike is at his best when reporting combat and this dispatch is well worth reading, here is a clip to entice you a bit.

The Predator peered down on the terrorists planting the bomb. There were too many targets for one Hellfire missile, and it’s better to conserve the weapon when possible, since the Predator must fly far to reload.

A group of four Kiowa Warrior pilots were only a few minutes away from the enemy, but their helicopters were on the ground and the engines were cold, while the pilots were waiting in a building near the runway, playing Guitar Hero to pass the time.

A soldier interrupted the Guitar Hero session, telling the pilots to get in the air. Orders would come over the radio. The pilots abandoned Guitar Hero and raced out the door into the cold night to their OH-58D Kiowa Warriors, economy-sized helicopters that would make a Ford Pinto seem spacious. The pilots crammed two each into the two helicopters, strapping in, cranking engines, while radio chatter had already started. The pilots learned that the Predator had identified a target, which it would laser-designate for a Hellfire shot from a Kiowa.

Bill Roggio is also now embedded in Mosul so keep an eye on the Long War Journal for his dispatches.
Mike Totten also has a new post up from his time in Al Anbar last Fall on the more personal aspects of life in Iraq since the Surge took hold.
I am glad we have folks like this to deliver news that we will never see in the retreat in defeat liberal MSM so hit their tip jar if you are able.