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From: drn@pinet.aip.org (donald_newcomb)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Amateur photo intelligence
Message-ID: <1991Mar8.023313.10284@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 8 Mar 91 02:33:13 GMT
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From: drn@pinet.aip.org (donald_newcomb)
During Desert Storm, I have been engaged in what might be called
a poor man's Photo Intelligence operation by gleaning tidbits of
information from details within photos published in newspapers 
and magazines. Such details include field expedients utilized to
mitigate the effects of the desert environment upon troops and
weapons. For instance, from August thru February few M16 flash 
hiders seemed to have any slots. In fact, soldiers kept their
muzzles covered with the issue storage cap to prevent ingress of
sand. I also saw masking tape used to seal the gap between magazine
and rifle. Bradley AFVs carried sheets of plywood, presumably to
be used as foundations for bedding. In a pinch the Marines can use
a Navy boathook as a flagstaff.
 
I first thought that the Iraqi convoy which was distroyed north
of Kuwait was hit by a CBU but, if you look carefully, you can see
that individual armored vehicles were targeted.
 
One unidentified item, on p. 35 of the March 11 U.S. News there is 
a backside photo of a US soldier. Under his left arm is a canvas
bag, looking something like a M17 gas mask bag, but not quite. Can
anyone identify this item?
 
There are many others which, I am sure, you saw and I didn't. If you
send me the Source, Date, Page and Observation, I will collect them
together for later posting. 

Donald R. Newcomb    | The outward and visible sign of the end of
drn@pinet.aip.org    | war was the introduction of the magazine rifle.
		     |  			--I.S. Bloch 1899