Michael, I don’t think there is anything out-of-the-ordinary with the confusion over the weapon(s) used in yesterday’s tragic attack on the American troops in Mosul. Initial reports of a 122mm rocket attack were probably taken from the military. But a 122mm rocket is a big thing, and generally requires mounting the launching mechanisms on a large mobile platform (like a truck or trailer). Therefore, somewhat easier to see and track. To my mind, not knowing other than what is being reported, a suicide bomber seems just as likely – but I doubt anyone will know definitively for a few days.

American bases – even in relatively “safe” areas – are vulnerable, especially given the extent to which everyday Iraqi’s get to come and go in and around them. I would think our commanders would do well to have even support troops in combat-like dispersements at almost all times and frequently change the plan. The episode sadly brings to mind how surprised US forces initially were when finding Vietnam Cong infiltrators to an American firebase with diagrams on their person that marked the position of every U.S. foxhole, supply dump, and command bunker right down to the meter. There is no safe rear area in this war.