Word: khafji
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...tragic exchange was one of the first engagements of the ground war, an opening volley in the 36-hour battle of Khafji. It also represents this war's first documented case of U.S. casualties from "friendly fire" -- a combat euphemism for troops' getting shot, shelled or bombed by their own side...
...armed services have developed elaborate -- albeit imperfect -- systems to avoid friendly fire. To prevent mishaps like the one near Khafji, Marine air-support planes carry laser-guided versions of the Maverick missile that must be guided to their targets by the pilot. Though not as smart as the infrared models favored by the U.S. Air Force, which can be fired and left to track the target on their own, the laser-guided Mavericks are less likely to mistake a friend...
...battle for Khafji was a case in point. Though pool reporters were stationed with the 1st U.S. Marine Division outside the Saudi city, they were not allowed into the town until 18 hours after fighting started between Iraqi armor and coalition forces. Early accounts of the battle came mostly from reporters operating on their own. One of them, John King of the Associated Press, sneaked into the city on the first night of fighting and watched as Arab troops tried to retake the town. "The pools did not get an accurate view ((of the battle)) because they didn...
Perhaps the most prominent lesson of Khafji is also the simplest: the Iraqis, in General Schwarzkopf's words, "certainly have a lot of fight left in them." That is hardly surprising. Early predictions of quick and low-cost victory came mainly from U.S. politicians and Arab diplomats, while the professional military has been cautious in warning against any such assumptions. Nonetheless, the question arises as to whether the air campaign has been quite as successful, and proceeding as close to schedule, as is generally believed...
Showdown at Khafji...