They hit the target, like I said they would.

Part of the job, comes with being a cop or as a soldier.

Still sucks every time though. The Iraqi police have been getting hit particularly hard in this war. I wish safety and the best of luck for your husband.

Please email me offline (pardon the pun) if you've still got my address. I've got a knitting question. I'd have just asked directly, but I've got your email address at home in Arizona on a computer that's crashed.

The Iraqi police have been getting hit particularly hard in this war

Yes, they have, which makes me question why the AF is so gung-ho to put AF cops in Iraqi police stations for year-long tours. 

I don't think I've got your email addy, so here's mine for you: [email protected] .  A knitting question, you say?!  How exciting!

I am so sorry to hear of another American losing his life in Iraq. The reason the AF Security Police are put in the Iraq police stations is, that is where the Iraqi policemen are, and their mission is to train them. Yes, sadly that puts a target on their backs, but the target doesn't cause the death, the one who targets them does.

The only way we are going to get our troops home is to help the Iraqis stand on their own. Part of that is establishing a workable police force. That requires our MPs and SPs to train them, and reinforce the training at the stations. Yes, that makes them prime targets, but SPs have been considered prime targets in any war... even when there wasn't a war. Having SPs at the police stations is a crucial part of the mission.

I know words like, "he was doing his job" and "he knew the risks" don't mean much right now, you are hurt, sad and you just want this stupid war to be over. So all I can offer is a warm hug, a caring ear, and my love for you to help you through.

We worry about our oldest even though the area he is in is relatively calm. He should be home by Christmas.
Let your group know that we'll pray for them.

I know words like, "he was doing his job" and "he knew the risks" don't mean much right now, you are hurt, sad and you just want this stupid war to be over. So all I can offer is a warm hug, a caring ear, and my love for you to help you through.

I echo Ted's sentiments.  Peace to you and yours dear lady.

The only way we are going to get our troops home is to help the Iraqis stand on their own. Part of that is establishing a workable police force. That requires our MPs and SPs to train them, and reinforce the training at the stations. Yes, that makes them prime targets, but SPs have been considered prime targets in any war... even when there wasn't a war. Having SPs at the police stations is a crucial part of the mission.

I understand that, Ted.  I know WHY they're there, I just wish that they didn't have to be there, period, that they didn't have to be there for a year long tour, and that they were offered better protection.  From what the guys at the squadron are being told...well, I'd better not say anything else.  It's not classified, but it's just best for me to shut up.

I know words like, "he was doing his job" and "he knew the risks" don't mean much right now, you are hurt, sad and you just want this stupid war to be over. So all I can offer is a warm hug, a caring ear, and my love for you to help you through

With Dave making the move to HQ and going to Raven school, he's not going to deploy as much.  He'll have to go places, yeah, but it won't be for a year or even for 6 to 8 months at a time.  The downside of that is that he'll have to go much more often, but I prefer short little TDY's to the long ones we have now.  Another downside is that I really won't be able to talk about and sometimes even know where he's at.  OpSec for this new job is a big, big deal; he's already said that he won't be able to talk about what he did at work nearly as much as he does now.  I'll take those downsides, though, because this is going to be an AWESOME move for him.  Being a Raven is something that not everyone gets to do, and he's incredibly proud that he was selected.

We worry about our oldest even though the area he is in is relatively calm. He should be home by Christmas. Let your group know that we'll pray for them.

Where's he at?  What branch of service is he in?

Thank you for the prayers; I'll reciprocate in my own way.

I echo Ted's sentiments.

Thank you.  Like I said, he shouldn't have to go there, at least not in the near future.  However, we have friends who WILL have to go, and I'm worried for them and their families.

He's Army Reserve - where the Kurds are at. He says the Kurds are friendly towards us.

I just wish that they didn't have to be there, period

Amen

He's Army Reserve - where the Kurds are at. He says the Kurds are friendly towards us.

There is virtually no chance he will be shot by Kurds, yes. They are generally very friendly towards us, and if they are staffing the local security forces he's quite a bit safer there than some other provinces.

I hope he keeps safe.

I"m sorry to hear this. I'm praying there won't be anymore, but we know that's out of our hands. All we can do is continue to pray and hope.