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Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Thanks again BBC for more insight into other parts of the world.Great pics,keep them coming thick and fast:cool::cool::cool:
What does the AU insignia represent on that fleet of vehicles???
KEEP CLEAR OF THEM MOTAR SHELLS!!!!
Enjoy.
Andrew

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Andy,

The English AU or the French UA stand for 'African Union' or 'Uniao Afrique' respectively.

This is continental policy US style and it is the US trying to support the African Continent in solving their own issues. DynCorp, who I am working for are the US Dept of State's biggest contractor trying to do the national building stuff wherever.

Currently we are also supporting logistically a 2 X Bde push by the Ugandan military launched from south Sudan into the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) chasing the Lord's Resistance ArmyLord's Resistance Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia...the lawless boys led by Mr Kony who has been causing chaos in central Africa for too long.

They were telling me of the problems with supporting the operation logistically by road. They took a 50 veh escorted convoy from Northern Uganda and the distance was 320km. It took them.....................20 days!!!!

We are supporting the operation with 10 log/admin flights/week (I am soon out of here for a week out in Kampala...3wks in 1 wk out for a breather) Part of my week out will have me flying in to inspect the airfield from where we are supporting the operation. Should be interesting.

This is the US trying to solve African problems by proxy. It is difficult to do it with US military interventions...remember 'Blackhawk Down'...In response to the need DynCorp is establishing a continental Africa Office. Future business could include stuff in Zimbabwe.

I am happy to be here, Africa is a special place.

The Casspirs came out of the Rhodesian response to the landmine threat that emerged in the 70s. The South Africans picked the concept up and perfected it into their range of armoured vehicles which grew to include the Buffel, Wolf, Mamba, Casspir, Samil and a few others.

Based on a Unimog chassis and drive train the Casspir is doing great service here. I love them for their simplicity of design, a necessity in Africa. They are the only vehicle rated to take a double stacked tank mine...and no, Thales will not rate the Bushmaster as high.

This is the Casspir, takes a section and mounts three guns:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/11/791.jpg

This is what an AT mine will do:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/11/792.jpg

and this is what it did to the Casspir that ran over it:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...009/11/793.jpg

all survived...luckily....and, the Casspir was repaired, just component changes. The secret is in the V-shaped hull.

Unfortunately, they are not so able to deflect explosions from the side, as many are finding with the VBIEDDs in Mogadishu....not much is able to adequately protect from side blasts.

Impressive pics! :o

Any detail on the other variants you mention? :)

For a mine to explode in the middle of the street logic tells me someone must have dug up the street, planted the mine and then disguised their work. I don't know much about planting mines but I imagine this must take more than a second.

Since it was the middle of the street and looks to be a well populated area how is it they are not seen, stopped or the street made safe?

I know that is a naive question but I guess I'm asking for some insight into the mindset of the population living in that area. Do they really support their local streets being mined or do they oppose it but are utterly powerless to stop it.

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Originally Posted by Ferret

For a mine to explode in the middle of the street logic tells me someone must have dug up the street, planted the mine and then disguised their work. I don't know much about planting mines but I imagine this must take more than a second.

Since it was the middle of the street and looks to be a well populated area how is it they are not seen, stopped or the street made safe?

I know that is a naive question but I guess I'm asking for some insight into the mindset of the population living in that area. Do they really support their local streets being mined or do they oppose it but are utterly powerless to stop it.

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It does not take much time and effort to plant a device in a potholed road...and, judging by most things in Mogadishu....I don't think the street lighting was real strong just there.

What do the local populace think and do? Whatever it takes to survive. The two strongest human emotions rule here. Fear and greed. What won't a powerful man do, if he believes he can? What do powerless people do, if they have to?

There has been anarchy here for just about 30yrs. It is a haven for people who would wish to do what they want and most of those that can, have left the place.

Somalis everywhere identify and align according to their ancestors extending back 7 generations. The clan is their societal order and is what enables them to survive in the uncertainty of their world.

There was a guy on the radio this morning talking to Macca that I have to assume has been stalking you :eek:. It appears he's followed you everywhere you've been & is even in the same line of work !!
I thought you better know.
Small world aint it;):angel:

Seriously though Macca says some dumb things, especially since you said you've spoken to him before.
I thought your reply was a lot more refrained than what mine would have been.
Take care.
David

Yes I heard that this morning too.
Andrew

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Originally Posted by DeeJay

There was a guy on the radio this morning talking to Macca that I have to assume has been stalking you :eek:. It appears he's followed you everywhere you've been & is even in the same line of work !!
I thought you better know.
Small world aint it;):angel:

Seriously though Macca says some dumb things, especially since you said you've spoken to him before.
I thought your reply was a lot more refrained than what mine would have been.
Take care.
David

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Heard the same bloke myself. I stream 774 here on my laptop. It helps keep me a little more in synch with what is happening in that time zone.

Macca does not seem to have a lot of recall given that I have spoken with him from Moz 00, Timor 04 and, from the 'Stan' on a number of occasions..... just one of many 'mercenaries' out there I suppose! :twisted:

Macca's world revolves around one thing ... Macca!

If he's not fed the right information by his researchers he get's it horribly wrong. He's interviewed a few friends of ours and I know one of them made a complaint about him and all of them said they would never volunteer to be interviewed by him again.

BBC you must be a gluten for punishment having sat through several phone hook ups with him.

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Originally Posted by dm_td5

Macca's world revolves around one thing ... Macca!

If he's not fed the right information by his researchers he get's it horribly wrong. He's interviewed a few friends of ours and I know one of them made a complaint about him and all of them said they would never volunteer to be interviewed by him again.

BBC you must be a gluten for punishment having sat through several phone hook ups with him.

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dm_td5,

I don't have to wait around. Having rung before I have the direct line through to Lee Kelly, who is his producer.

Same goes for Overnight with Trevor Chappell and Mike Pavlich...I met Trevor in person last ANZAC day in Melbourne and he has extended me an invite to come in one night to the Southbank studio for an interview...LOL...one day....when I work up the gumption!