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Posted: 2/2/2013 4:03:31 PM EDT
[#1]
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While I commend the bravery of the French troops and fully support what they are doing, it is disheartening to see how dependent the rest of the worlds militaries have become on the US for it's logistical needs. The US commitment consists of 3 C-17s. They're being used for the same reason there are Spanish and Danish C-130s,Canadian,Brit,Qatari and Hungarian C-17s. It's all about having a coalition these days and France being see as least imperial as possible. It's not like they need the 2 Alpha jets Nigeria sent,it's about the image.Of course it gets it done faster and defrays the cost but here's a hint: we rent Antonovs from the Ukraine and Russia when we need them too. I thought Russia didnt get along well with estonia? |
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Posted: 2/2/2013 4:04:56 PM EDT
[#2]
Security surrounds France's President Francois Hollande (C) who is welcomed by Malians during his arrival at Timbuktu during his one-day visit in Mali on February 2, 2013. French President Hollande flew to Mali on Saturday to support French troops fighting Islamist rebels in the Sahel nation and he visited the famed ancient city of Timbuktu that was recaptured from al Qaeda-allied fighters six days ago. *******/Fred Dufour/Pool
France's President Francois Hollande visits the center of Timbuktu February 2, 2013. Malians chanting "Thank you, France!" mobbed Hollande on Saturday as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, and pledged France's sustained support for Mali to expel jihadists. *******/Benoit Tessier
France's President Francois Hollande (C) arrives at the airport with Mali's interim president Dioncounda Traore (3rd R) after visiting the center of Timbuktu February 2, 2013. Malians chanting "Thank you, France!" mobbed Hollande on Saturday as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, and pledged France's sustained support for Mali to expel jihadists. *******/Benoit Tessier
France's President Francois Hollande (C) shakes hands with French troops alongside Mali's interim president Dioncounda Traore (L) at the airport after visiting the center of Timbuktu February 2, 2013. Malians chanting "Thank you, France!" mobbed Hollande on Saturday as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, and pledged France's sustained support for Mali to expel jihadists. *******/Benoit Tessier
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Posted: 2/2/2013 4:10:59 PM EDT
[#3]
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http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/7995/79220448522607485645651.jpg http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/5241/aop.jpg From militaryphotos.net Looks like several guys popped their reserves on that jump. I'd probably do that also on a jump into a secured airfield. Tactical dumptruck looks pretty awesome. I noticed that too. No need to come in hot... AIRBORNE! I wonder if they train that when jumping heavy loads. |
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Posted: 2/2/2013 4:11:51 PM EDT
[#4]
Kickass Gazelle photos. I see your scouts fly as low as us
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Posted: 2/3/2013 4:02:38 AM EDT
[#5]
They're going WWII on them.
Atlantiques have been used to bomb the rebels with GBUs. |
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Posted: 2/3/2013 4:47:28 AM EDT
[#6]
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Kickass Gazelle photos. I see your scouts fly as low as us I never realized the Gazelle was so small. Almost like an OH58. |
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Posted: 2/3/2013 4:48:20 AM EDT
[#7]
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They're going WWII on them. http://www.air-cosmos.com/img/1-14706-600x350-0/atlantique-2.jpg Atlantiques have been used to bomb the rebels with GBUs. I wonder if we could have used P3s in Afghanistan for CAS? |
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Posted: 2/3/2013 8:18:16 AM EDT
[#8]
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They're going WWII on them. http://www.air-cosmos.com/img/1-14706-600x350-0/atlantique-2.jpg Atlantiques have been used to bomb the rebels with GBUs. I wonder if we could have used P3s in Afghanistan for CAS? P3s have done a lot of ISR work in the Middle East. To your point, anything that can stay on station a long time, cheaply, is a great asset after day 4 of the war. |
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Posted: 2/5/2013 5:08:23 PM EDT
[#9]
A French soldier (L) and a Malian gendarme stand guard at the entrance door of the Djingareiber mosque, in the center of Timbuktu February 2, 2013. Malians chanting "Thank you, France!" mobbed Hollande on Saturday as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, and pledged France's sustained support for Mali to expel jihadists. *******/Benoit Tessier
A Malian soldier (C, in helmet) patrols with French soldiers along the street outside the Ahmed Baba Institute, or Ahmed Baba Centre for Documentation and Research, in Timbuktu February 2, 2013. Malians chanting "Thank you, France!" mobbed Hollande on Saturday as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, and pledged France's sustained support for Mali to expel jihadists. *******/Benoit Tessier
France's President Francois Hollande greets people in the center of Timbuktu February 2, 2013. Malians chanting "Thank you, France!" mobbed Hollande on Saturday as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, and pledged France's sustained support for Mali to expel jihadists. *******/Benoit Tessier
France's President Francois Hollande (front) arrives at the airport with Mali's interim president Dioncounda Traore (L), after visiting the center of Timbuktu February 2, 2013. Malians chanting "Thank you, France!" mobbed Hollande on Saturday as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, and pledged France's sustained support for Mali to expel jihadists. *******/Benoit Tessier
France's President Francois Hollande (C) addresses French troops at the airport with Mali's interim President Dioncounda Traore (3rd L), following his visit to Timbuktu February 2, 2013. Malians chanting "Thank you, France!" mobbed Hollande on Saturday as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, and pledged France's sustained support for Mali to expel jihadists. *******/Benoit Tessier
France's President Francois Hollande addresses French troops with Mali's interim President Dioncounda Traore, at the airport following his visit to Timbuktu February 2, 2013. Malians chanting "Thank you, France!" mobbed Hollande on Saturday as he visited the desert city of Timbuktu, retaken from Islamist rebels, and pledged France's sustained support for Mali to expel jihadists. *******/Benoit Tessier 
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Posted: 2/5/2013 6:08:06 PM EDT
[#10]
keep posting new pics, these are good
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Posted: 2/5/2013 6:13:35 PM EDT
[#11]
The French are doing good.
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Posted: 2/5/2013 6:32:18 PM EDT
[#12]
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Imagine the surprise when of the French soldiers when they were told they were going somewhere to fight, with like real bullets and stuff. Yeah, because the French aren't fighting in Afghanistan or elsewhere already. French troops are kicking ass in Afghanistan. There used to be lots of videos of French soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. They fight very well. |
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Posted: 2/5/2013 6:33:42 PM EDT
[#13]
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Imagine the surprise when of the French soldiers when they were told they were going somewhere to fight, with like real bullets and stuff. Yeah, because the French aren't fighting in Afghanistan or elsewhere already. French troops are kicking ass in Afghanistan. There used to be lots of videos of French soldiers fighting in Afghanistan. They fight very well. sorta. yes. not so much. |
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Posted: 2/5/2013 6:39:03 PM EDT
[#14]
Interesting that they did an airfield seizure without engineer support. Risky.
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Posted: 2/5/2013 6:53:44 PM EDT
[#15]
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Interesting that they did an airfield seizure without engineer support. Risky. well, depends on how well the airfield was guarded. |
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Posted: 2/5/2013 6:58:32 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted: Quoted: Interesting that they did an airfield seizure without engineer support. Risky. well, depends on how well the airfield was guarded. Roger, Sir. I guess I am skeptical that they knew it wasn't guarded well but didn't know the FLS needed a LARP to open. |
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Posted: 2/5/2013 7:43:19 PM EDT
[#17]
I'm jealous of their flightline personnel. They get to wear shorts.
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Posted: 2/5/2013 7:58:07 PM EDT
[#18]
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Interesting that they did an airfield seizure without engineer support. Risky. well, depends on how well the airfield was guarded. Roger, Sir. I guess I am skeptical that they knew it wasn't guarded well but didn't know the FLS needed a LARP to open. They probably had a very good idea. They have complete air supremacy and some decent scout assets on a small battlefield. |
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Posted: 2/5/2013 8:46:02 PM EDT
[#19]
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not French but interesting AK... and rails on the stock? 
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8324/8422008894_30c654f371_o.jpg I wonder how many AK guys just puked after seeing that 7.62 bakelite on a Tapco fucked AK? Really? That guy is actually fighting a war with his AK and all you can think about are the accesories he is using? CAA stock on an M4 tube deal is my guess |
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Posted: 2/5/2013 8:55:35 PM EDT
[#20]
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Imagine the surprise when of the French soldiers when they were told they were going somewhere to fight, with like real bullets and stuff. Please sir, regale us with tales of your mighty deeds. |
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Posted: 2/5/2013 8:57:07 PM EDT
[#21]
this thread delivers more than baguettes
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Posted: 2/6/2013 1:47:06 AM EDT
[#22]
Danish Hercules in Timbuktu and Gao
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Posted: 2/6/2013 4:11:41 PM EDT
[#23]
Caesar howitzers based near Gao
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Posted: 2/7/2013 10:00:43 AM EDT
[#24]
TY raptor.
PGM hecate II (12.7mm) and FR-F2 (7.62)  |
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Posted: 2/8/2013 8:02:53 AM EDT
[#25]
Again from mp.net:
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Posted: 2/8/2013 8:19:39 AM EDT
[#26]
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In honour of these French warriors, I am sat eating 1/4 of a large 'Le (Grand) Rustique' Camembert.  I am so fattyfat.
I'm having French Fries. |
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Posted: 2/8/2013 12:46:06 PM EDT
[#27]
Quoted: In honour of these French warriors, I am sat eating 1/4 of a large 'Le (Grand) Rustique' Camembert. I am so fattyfat.And you have good tastes  . ETA: Rafale and Mirage F1 pics can be seen in High-res with a right click. |
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Posted: 2/8/2013 1:03:56 PM EDT
[#28]
Is it just me or do all of there ground vehicles look brand new? The APCs inside the ship look like they just got a fresh coat of Armour All
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Posted: 2/8/2013 1:15:29 PM EDT
[#29]
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one thing i've noticed is that wearing a helmet seems to be optional in the French army. i cant see any US forces being allowed on patrol w/o one.... https://moroccoonthemove.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/mali_00001-4_3_rx812_c1080x810.jpg?w=610&h=457 Interesting. Africa hot maybe? Iraq isn't ? ^^^^^^^---this |
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Posted: 2/8/2013 5:35:16 PM EDT
[#30]
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Posted: 2/11/2013 10:21:39 PM EDT
[#31]
Canadian Armed Forces personnel pose for a photo with a banner marking a milestone for the Canadian mission. The Canadian Armed Forces CC-177 Globemaster III aircraft has transported over one million pounds of equipment from Base aérienne 125 Istres-Le Tubé in Istres, France to Bamako, Mali.
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Posted: 2/19/2013 12:45:39 PM EDT
[#32]
2nd KIA: Staff sergeant Harold Vormezeele (Pics by lemamouth: http://lemamouth.blogspot.fr/)
 33 yr old, Belgian by birth, joined the FFL in 1999. Served in Bosnia (2000), Djibouti (2001, 2011), Gabon (2001), Ivory coast (2006), 3 tours in Afghanistan ( 2008, 2010, 2011) Killed in a firefight in Northen Mali, 20 Islamists were killed in this fight. Chose the French nationality in 2010. RIP |
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Posted: 2/19/2013 1:38:27 PM EDT
[#33]
Well I know It's not a thread dealing with FSA or Obama but damn...
Nevermind, another round of pics:                |
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Posted: 2/19/2013 1:45:01 PM EDT
[#34]
The FR F2 seems to be in wider use than I would have thought.
The MAS 36 is an under-appreciated rifle. 
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Posted: 2/19/2013 2:14:35 PM EDT
[#35]
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http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/7995/79220448522607485645651.jpg http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/5241/aop.jpg From militaryphotos.net Looks like several guys popped their reserves on that jump. I'd probably do that also on a jump into a secured airfield. Tactical dumptruck looks pretty awesome. I noticed that too. No need to come in hot... AIRBORNE! I wonder if they train that when jumping heavy loads. We never did but I am not sure of the support characteristics of our chutes to those used by the FFL. With that said, one time I jumped with a combat load ruck, M60, and the radio. Not my normal load but one of our guys could not jump and "it all has to get there". Let me just say I wish I had thought of what the FFL did, I hit like a ton bricks! |
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Posted: 2/19/2013 2:27:07 PM EDT
[#36]
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2nd KIA: Staff sergeant Harold Vormezeele (Pics by lemamouth: http://lemamouth.blogspot.fr/) 33 yr old, Belgian by birth, joined the FFL in 1999. Served in Bosnia (2000), Djibouti (2001, 2011), Gabon (2001), Ivory coast (2006), 3 tours in Afghanistan ( 2008, 2010, 2011) Killed in a firefight in Northen Mali, 20 Islamists were killed in this fight. Chose the French nationality in 2010. RIP Soldier, you are relived of your post and can lay down your arms. Sleep well brother. |
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Posted: 2/19/2013 2:30:31 PM EDT
[#37]
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2nd KIA: Staff sergeant Harold Vormezeele (Pics by lemamouth: http://lemamouth.blogspot.fr/) 33 yr old, Belgian by birth, joined the FFL in 1999. Served in Bosnia (2000), Djibouti (2001, 2011), Gabon (2001), Ivory coast (2006), 3 tours in Afghanistan ( 2008, 2010, 2011) Killed in a firefight in Northen Mali, 20 Islamists were killed in this fight. Chose the French nationality in 2010. RIP Soldier, you are relived of your post and can lay down your arms. Sleep well brother. Sounds like a hell of a warrior. We are diminished. |
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Posted: 2/20/2013 5:37:13 AM EDT
[#38]
Quoted: Quoted: 2nd KIA: Staff sergeant Harold Vormezeele (Pics by lemamouth: http://lemamouth.blogspot.fr/) 33 yr old, Belgian by birth, joined the FFL in 1999. Served in Bosnia (2000), Djibouti (2001, 2011), Gabon (2001), Ivory coast (2006), 3 tours in Afghanistan ( 2008, 2010, 2011) Killed in a firefight in Northen Mali, 20 Islamists were killed in this fight. Chose the French nationality in 2010. RIP Soldier, you are relived of your post and can lay down your arms. Sleep well brother. Reposez en paix, courageux soldat. Hope I got that right, my French is poor.
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Posted: 2/23/2013 4:00:11 AM EDT
[#39]
Quoted: Perfecly right and +87!Quoted: Quoted: 2nd KIA: Staff sergeant Harold Vormezeele (Pics by lemamouth: http://lemamouth.blogspot.fr/) 33 yr old, Belgian by birth, joined the FFL in 1999. Served in Bosnia (2000), Djibouti (2001, 2011), Gabon (2001), Ivory coast (2006), 3 tours in Afghanistan ( 2008, 2010, 2011) Killed in a firefight in Northen Mali, 20 Islamists were killed in this fight. Chose the French nationality in 2010. RIP Soldier, you are relived of your post and can lay down your arms. Sleep well brother. Reposez en paix, courageux soldat. Hope I got that right, my French is poor. Tiger:            |
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Posted: 2/23/2013 4:15:13 AM EDT
[#40]
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Imagine the surprise when of the French soldiers when they were told they were going somewhere to fight, with like real bullets and stuff. Yeah, because the French aren't fighting in Afghanistan or elsewhere already. The French have a long history of fighting, and fighting well in former French colonoal African countries. |
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Posted: 2/23/2013 7:20:34 AM EDT
[#41]
Street fightings in Gao yesterday:
     Atlantic 2 used for intel and as a bomb truck:  |
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Posted: 2/23/2013 12:29:11 PM EDT
[#42]
Looks like the French soldier in the second pic from the bottom has a rifle grenade stuffed into his pocket.
BTW, what was the circumstance that lead to the second soldier being KIA? I've heard there had been some fighting in the mountains involving French troops. Didn't realize it had come back to the cities. |
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Posted: 2/23/2013 2:53:37 PM EDT
[#43]
Quoted: Looks like the French soldier in the second pic from the bottom has a rifle grenade stuffed into his pocket. BTW, what was the circumstance that lead to the second soldier being KIA? I've heard there had been some fighting in the mountains involving French troops. Didn't realize it had come back to the cities. Yup you can see them in many pics. Rifle grenade : APAV 40mm: anti-personnel and AC58: anti-armor are in common use in the French army, more than the M203 You can see them here:  and here:  Center of the pics:  The 2nd soldier was killed in the northern mountains not far from the Algerian border. Mali is twice as big as Texas and there is only 4,000 French and allied troops in the whole country. French troops are mainly fighting in the North but sleeping islamist cells (some locals are friendly to them) are trying to get back into Gao (near the center of the country). They are infiltrating the town 1 by 1, regroup, fire some mags and then run away. The 1st try was a great sucess for them so they tried another time 2 days ago. But this time French troops were waiting for them along their escape paths. At least 20 of them were killed. |
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Posted: 3/4/2013 8:27:48 PM EDT
[#44]
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Posted: 3/4/2013 8:41:22 PM EDT
[#45]
Thanks for all the photos and for keeping us up to date.
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Posted: 3/4/2013 8:56:42 PM EDT
[#46]
Quoted: Thanks for all the photos and for keeping us up to date. This. Media attention may have dropped off the radar, but we are still interested and love the photos. |
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Posted: 3/4/2013 9:13:49 PM EDT
[#47]
Thanks for the awesome pics.
I know I have some cognac around here somewhere. |
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Posted: 3/4/2013 9:25:59 PM EDT
[#48]
Why all of the gushing support for France? They have been a pain in our geo-political side since before WWII was over. They are leftist marxists. And I am the only one who finds it suspect that the world's leading socialist nations are supporting them in their war? What is France's true interest in Mali? To "Free the Oppressed?". I doubt it. France has never given one damn for the African, except to exploit him.
And yes, as a long time grunt who has served with french troops, I respect their soldiers. |
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Posted: 3/4/2013 9:40:16 PM EDT
[#49]
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Why all of the gushing support for France? They have been a pain in our geo-political side since before WWII was over. They are leftist marxists. And I am the only one who finds it suspect that the world's leading socialist nations are supporting them in their war? What is France's true interest in Mali? To "Free the Oppressed?". I doubt it. France has never given one damn for the African, except to exploit him. And yes, as a long time grunt who has served with french troops, I respect their soldiers. You sort of just answered your own questions as to the purpose of everyone's support for the 'French' in this thread. They don't support the government or it's reasons for being in Mali but they support the troops on the ground there regardless of the reason. Sort of like how us American's should support our troops in the sandbox regardless of our own governments reasons for being there. The troops don't get to make the decision but they must follow the orders they are given. |
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Posted: 3/5/2013 12:03:18 AM EDT
[#50]
Awesome thread, thanks for posting these great pics. I find if very interesting to say the least.....
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