BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Strikes al-Qaida Targets in Somalia

[MMDad]

They could have been staged out of a FOB in Ethiopia or Kenya, come from a carrier, or flown in long-range with refueling. I suspect it was a combination of aircraft and helos doing these operations.

I've read that they are Ethiopians, and not involved with the Al Qaeda attack. There were attacks happening before this, and they continue to happen.

 

[desertrat]

They could have been staged out of a FOB in Ethiopia or Kenya, come from a carrier, or flown in long-range with refueling. I suspect it was a combination of aircraft and helos doing these operations.

The Eisenhower is right off the coast.

 

[PsyOps]

an aparent victory in the war on terror and forestal and Kerad are silent.

 

[itsbob]

<img src="http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ac-130-15.jpg">

The AC-130 is an excellent fire support platform with outstanding capabilities. With its extremely accurate fire control system, the AC-130 can place 105mm, 40mm and 25mm munitions on target with first round accuracy.

... although it has a tendency to shoot itself out of the sky, albeit infrequently.

 

[Merlin99]

... although it has a tendency to shoot itself out of the sky, albeit infrequently.

A sucky end to an otherwise carefree day of fun.

 

[itsbob]

That bird must have some heavy duty rivets to withstand firing a 105.

I would guess they are limited to the amount of powder then can use. I don't think they are going to be going for 10 mile distances, so the charge and recoil are probably minimal.

 

[PsyOps]

When I was stationed at Eglin AFB, FL you could hear the AC-130H and A-10 out on the ranges for target practice. There is no stranger sound than the 25 and 30 mm Gatling gun being fired. Ever drive on those rumble strips on the side of the road at 60 mph? Mulitply that times 3000.

 

[Kerad]

Once again, MSNBC does a great job of reporting facts. They heard gunship, assumed it was a helicopter, and ran the story. They didn't even think of the fact that it is about an 1800 mile round trip. Not something you want to do in a "helicopter gunship."

Stupid MSNBC.

 

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

Stupid MSNBC.

Right... FOX reported it, it must be fact now.

 

[itsbob]

When I was stationed at Eglin AFB, FL you could hear the AC-130H and A-10 out on the ranges for target practice. There is no stranger sound than the 25 and 30 mm Gatling gun being fired. Ever drive on those rumble strips on the side of the road at 60 mph? Mulitply that times 3000.

Ft Knox, I borrowed the BN Cdr's Jeep CJ (gov't) to some work out on a test site. I was bombing through some frozen ruts when I felt this terrible shudder, stopped looked around, didn't see anything wong, drove around the site for about 5 more minutes it happened again.. I'm thinking "CRAP I broke the Colonels Jeep!!".. after the second or third time this happened I looked up and there was a pair of A-10's doing gun runs on the adjoining range. He was so close everytime he fired it shook the jeep. How I didn't get rained on by hot brass is beyond me.

 

[Toxick]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16531987/

U.S. airstrike targets al-Qaida in Somalia​

God ..

I hope nobody's civil rights were violated.
Do we have proof that those we bombed were terrorists?


HOLY CRAP - Did we get the intel on them using ILLEGAL WIRE TAPS?



Something smells fishy to me, and I'm certain that republicans are behind it.

 

[Ken King]

Ft Knox, I borrowed the BN Cdr's Jeep CJ (gov't) to some work out on a test site. I was bombing through some frozen ruts when I felt this terrible shudder, stopped looked around, didn't see anything wong, drove around the site for about 5 more minutes it happened again.. I'm thinking "CRAP I broke the Colonels Jeep!!".. after the second or third time this happened I looked up and there was a pair of A-10's doing gun runs on the adjoining range. He was so close everytime he fired it shook the jeep. How I didn't get rained on by hot brass is beyond me.

If it was equipped with the GAU-8/A the casings were cycled back into the ammo mag as they are not ejected from the aircraft.

 

[itsbob]

If it was equipped with the GAU-8/A the casings were cycled back into the ammo mag as they are not ejected from the aircraft.

Not debating, but I swear I've seen footage with the brass and links pouring out of the bottom of the aircraft.. Of course this may have been back in teh 70's when we didn't care so much about littering the countryside with brass casings..

 

[Ken King]

Not debating, but I swear I've seen footage with the brass and links pouring out of the bottom of the aircraft.. Of course this may have been back in teh 70's when we didn't care so much about littering the countryside with brass casings..

Could have been a different gun variation, but I think the GAU-8/A is the "normal" configuration and it doesn't spit the casings out. And the rounds had aluminium alloy cases in place of the traditional steel or brass.

 

[ylexot]

The ol' "Afghani Tornado"...
http://www.thespecialforce.com/images/Heckman/pages/AfghanTornado.htm

 

[MMDad]

Could have been a different gun variation, but I think the GAU-8/A is the "normal" configuration and it doesn't spit the casings out. And the rounds had aluminium alloy cases in place of the traditional steel or brass.

Was that to prevent them from fodding the engines? Or was there another reason?

The Military Channel episode on the A-10 was on at 10 AM today. Too bad I didn't DVR it.

 

[Ken King]

Was that to prevent them from fodding the engines? Or was there another reason?

The Military Channel episode on the A-10 was on at 10 AM today. Too bad I didn't DVR it.

Engine FOD and airframe damage by having metal beating along the craft. And the aluminum was weight reduction to allow for more rounds.

 

[itsbob]

Could have been a different gun variation, but I think the GAU-8/A is the "normal" configuration and it doesn't spit the casings out. And the rounds had aluminium alloy cases in place of the traditional steel or brass.

Almost all casings (other then small arms) went to aluminum in the early 80's, but shell casings are still referred to as 'brass'. The 105mm for the M60 (tank not MG) were brass until about 82, and those casings were prized possessions after they went to Aluminum.. Shiny aluminum just doesn't look as good as brass does as an umbrella holder/ashtray/ flagholder/paperweight. When the original M1 came out they were all aluminum casings, the 25mm for the Bushmaster on the M3 were all aluminum, but it's hard to tell as they were all painted green. When talking about the size of a 105 round the cost between brass and aluminum would be substantial, as would 1400 rounds of 30mm...

Now they have developed caseless tank ammo, no casings at all from the 120mm on the M1A1 except a little aluminum plate that gets ejected onto the floor after firing.

Looking at this picture I'd say you are right, the gun is firing, but no signs of any brass (and it's a linkless feed system so there wouldn't be any links or belts)

<img src='http://www.mabarn.ang.af.mil/Pics/676W1905.jpg'>

 

[Kerad]

Looking at this picture I'd say you are right, the gun is firing, but no signs of any brass (and it's a linkless feed system so there wouldn't be any links or belts)

Correct. The A-10 brings it's 30mm brass back with it. (I used to process 30mm for the A-10...)

 

[MMDad]

Correct. The A-10 brings it's 30mm brass back with it. (I used to process 30mm for the A-10...)

That explains a lot. Depleted Uranium is suspected of causing dementia.