This is a good, informative report, it's definitely worth a read. Two nuggets:

Overall, the enemy has adapted their tactics and techniques in order to maximize their strong points and hit Marines when they are the most vulnerable.  They have learned from 2/1’s attack last April.

and...

BLACKFIVE: Showdown - The Battle of Fallujah - Part 15 - After Action Report: "There is no excuse for Marines being left behind in a building while the squad pulls out. "(Via .)

The first acknowledges the reason I think the Iraqi war is a mistake insertion into the "War on Terror". Basically, it provides a training ground, where AQ and their ilk can separate "the wheat from the chaff" on a field they couldn't care less about. (AQ doesn't give a damn what happens to Iraq in a broad sense.) They can then rotate out the people who have shown talent and initiative, and send them somewhere else. Somewhere we don't have the Marines massed and ready.

The second is why I love our military. Sure I may have issues here and there, but on the whole I am really proud of how our military handles things. "There is no excuse for Marines being left behind...."

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