An Ambush!

Sometimes luck is on your side. That's the way you want it to be - but in Iraq when luck is on your side it usually means somebody else's luck has run out.
On any given day in Iraq there can be over a thousand patrols and searches. Which means that there are a lot of Soldiers and Marines exposing themselves to dangerous situations. Even when the day's work is done there is still a chance that something can happen on your way back to base or even after you are "safely" home.
Two patrols - one lucky. One unlucky.
A patrol from Bronco Troop of the 1-14, with our Soldier driving the command Stryker, was returning to FOB Tal Afar from a mission during the early evening Tuesday. Operational security states that patrols should always take a different route home than they took on the way out. This patrol had a couple of available options and decided to take the road less traveled. Luck? They returned to the FOB without incident.
Another patrol also returning to the FOB at the same time had a decision to make too. But they took the other route. This patrol was ambushed by Iraqi militia with rocket propelled grenade launchers. The militia men fired off several RPG rounds and one impacted against the side of a Humvee carrying Soldiers from Stryker Brigade. A short gun battle finished what the Iraqi's started.
Four Stryker Soldiers riding in the Humvee were seriously injured in the ambush. One died on the way to the Army medical facility in Mosul.
When you hear the news that somebody didn't make it back you thank the Lord you did and then you say a little prayer for the family of the Soldier who wasn't so lucky.
So, if you feel you've had your fair share of luck and there's some to spare - send it to our guys in Iraq. They could use it.