Bombs Force Troops to Hoof It

Fearsome devices call vehicle defenses into question

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 22, 2007 1:06 PM CDT

(Newser) – Roadside bombs are now so powerful and plentiful in Baghdad that US soldiers are leaving their vehicles behind and patrolling on foot. Militant-planted explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, can blow through the strongest Humvees and tanks, and the decision to "dismount" from the vehicles is coming from both commanders and front-line troops, the LA Times reports.

The copper-plated weapons are more numerous than ever and have increased in power even as defenses improve. But more vehicle armor means more metal for bombs to transform into shrapnel, and many troops feel safer outside. Said a sergeant, “When I walk on my feet, I don't have to worry about being blown up. In the vehicle, I have to."

U.S. soldiers of the 2nd brigade, 12th Infantry Division, company D, patrol the Dora neighborhood in the southern Baghdad, Iraq, on Saturday, June 16, 2007. Smoke in the background came from burning... (Associated Press)

U.S soldiers of the 2nd brigade, 12th Infantry Division, do a body search on two Iraqi civilians during a patrol , in Dora, southern Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday, June 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (Associated Press)

Soldiers from Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division return from patrol eight days after a May 12 attack that left four U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi soldier... (Associated Press)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • military • Humvees • roadside bomb • Iraq death toll • bomb • explosion • Iraq war

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

14 Troops Killed in 2 Days

5 soldiers dead after roadside bomb explosion; death toll hits 3,545

A First: No US Deaths in Iraq in August

Iraqi crackdown, US strikes helped

Double Blasts Kill 35 in Iraq

Roadside bomb follows car bomb in city north of Baghdad

Breathing Trouble Dogs Middle East Vets

New study increases concern over respiratory issues

15K Civilian Deaths Unreported in Iraq

Military logs show US did keep track

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?