Militia's surprise attack fatal for U.S. tank crew

[ss-zari]

By Edmund Sanders
Los Angeles Times

NAJAF, Iraq — To his buddies, 2nd Lt. Mike Goins looked indestructible atop his Abrams tank as he maneuvered through Najaf's besieged cemetery.

His command of the 69-ton machine in the mazelike graveyard led a superior to dub the 6-foot, 3-inch soldier his "killer tanker."

"He loved that tank and believed he was invincible in it," said Capt. Kevin Badger, commander of the Army's "Mad Dogs" company of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment. "He believed his training and his equipment could defeat the enemy."

But a week ago, Goins and his loader, Spc. Mark Zapata, fell victim to a surprise attack that stunned soldiers at the military base here for both its simplicity and audacity. A member of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia quietly scaled the back of the tank in broad daylight with an AK-47, shot the men at point-blank range through the open hatch, and fled.

Both soldiers were killed.

The attack exposed one of the tank's few vulnerabilities and served as a reminder of the urban-warfare risks U.S. troops face as they fight al-Sadr's followers in Najaf.

Goins, 23, joined the Mad Dogs around Christmas, just before the unit shipped out to Kuwait. A muscular 230 pounds, he made an instant impression.

"He was a big boy," Badger said. "When he walked into the room, you knew it."

Soldiers nicknamed him "Big Country" for his fondness for wearing a tall Stetson. "He loved that hat," Staff Sgt. Frank Fitzgerald said.

Goins studied Arabic on the computer and asked his wife, Paula, in Copperas Cove, Texas, to send language tapes. He wanted to learn enough to chat with children he met in Baghdad, where the Mad Dogs were based before transferring to Najaf this month.

During the first battles in the cemetery, Goins proved an aggressive fighter.

"He never wanted to back down," said Pfc. Juan Roque, driver of the tank that Goins commanded.

During one clash, sniper fire hit the tank and knocked a small shard of metal into Goins' hand. "He was so mad. He couldn't believe they made him bleed," 1st Lt. Christopher Dunn said.

At Goins' side in the tank last week was Zapata, 27, of Edinburg, Texas.

Zapata's real passion was firefighting, his buddies said. He'd been a volunteer firefighter since he was 12. Back in Texas, he kept his firefighting gear — a jacket and walkie-talkie — alongside his Army uniform and had rigged the horn on his jeep to sound like a fire alarm.

He, too, was studying Arabic and was interested in learning more about Arab music. One of his hobbies was mixing Spanish music.

On Aug. 15, Goins and Zapata were manning the tank on the west side of the cemetery, where members of the Mahdi Army had been storing weapons and launching attacks.

At a time of relative calm, the pair worked atop the tank, their upper bodies sticking out of the open hatch. Two other soldiers, including Roque, sat inside the tank.

Then, the tank crew saw a flash of gunfire straight ahead in the dense landscape of tombs and crypts. As the soldiers were looking forward, the Mahdi militiaman climbed up the back of the tank, Roque said.

Roque said he heard gunshots and then a scream from Zapata. He thought someone's gun had discharged accidentally. But then he saw a figure jump forward from the top of the tank and run through the graveyard.

"I don't know how you can get us out of here, but get us out of here," the tank gunner yelled at Roque.

Roque slammed the tank in reverse and crashed into a small mausoleum. Not sure what had happened, the two soldiers grabbed their guns and radioed for help.

Zapata died on the way to the base hospital. Goins was declared dead shortly after he was returned to the base.

After a memorial service, Goins' buddies couldn't help but ponder the circumstances of his death.

"We learned some hard lessons," Badger said. "I know he's up there now shaking his head saying, 'I can't believe that's the way I went.' "

[Midav]

A shame. I hope other tankers learn from this.

RIP

[Operation Ivy]

Bastard :fork:

RIP in man

[Germaine]

You think they would've had grnd support.
RIP

[Michael RVR]

RIP

I hope everyone learns from this.

:|

I would have thought that you wouldn't need to though.. Why the tank was there, all on its own, and not watching 360 i dont know.

:(

[rafaelcb]

RIP those two men.

The way they were killed is however hardly a modern tactic. And it could have been worse if the attacker would have thrown a granade or a 'Molotov cocktail' inside the tank.

[Javehn]

A shame. I hope other tankers learn from this.

RIP

Other tankers in other countries learned this lesson the hard way . Non surprising the tactics they use against it taken by people as a dispicable act (is that right , Argyll ,or I just missunderstood you?) .

The best way offcorse is too have infantry support around you , but not always this is practical . The other best way is just set a perimeter around the tank by the crue itself , and not let anyone come closer then for say 10 metters . Any closer then this will cause a dead area for observation , tank weapons and fast enough reaction . How you stop anyone getting close to the tank ? You will have to let people know that they can't get any closer to the vehicle , by setting a perimeter , for example by weapons fire .

RIP .

[garoco]

RIP :(

Obviously surrounding Infantry or other M1's in his Platoon were not over-watching each other.

[Argyll]

A shame. I hope other tankers learn from this.

RIP

Other tankers in other countries learned this lesson the hard way . Non surprising the tactics they use against it taken by people as a dispicable act (is that right , Argyll ,or I just missunderstood you?) .

The best way offcorse is too have infantry support around you , but not always this is practical . The other best way is just set a perimeter around the tank by the crue itself , and not let anyone come closer then for say 10 metters . Any closer then this will cause a dead area for observation , tank weapons and fast enough reaction . How you stop anyone getting close to the tank ? You will have to let people know that they can't get any closer to the vehicle , by setting a perimeter , for example by weapons fire .

RIP .

I'll chose to ignore your remarks Javehn,don't bring another topics problems into another thread,it's called hijacking,and I'd also interpret as you're trying to insult me.

1st off the guy who climbed onto the tank was,........well he did have an AK in his hands,so therfore he was armed.That in itself is completely different from the topic in the other thread,so leave that there,and DO NOT BRING IT INTO THIS ONE.

Anyone armed in the proximity of vehicles is a legit target,and as long as the ROE's are observed,by killing him,there is no problem.
ROE's......armed person,"Is he an Iraqi Policeman",is he an under cover SF operator,Is he aiming that fcuking thing at me?.........bang!

[Javehn]

What a surprise :roll: ... Again you missunderstood me .

That's exactly what I personally was talking about in other topic (one of the cases) .



1st off the guy who climbed onto the tank was,........well he did have an AK in his hands,so therfore he was armed.That in itself is completely different from the topic in the other thread,so leave that there,and DO NOT BRING IT INTO THIS ONE.

He had an AK , and still the tankers missed him . That is the reason to set overwatch perimeter , and worn people not to get close to the tank . Because the second someone get's close to the tank , tankers can't see him . He can pull simple pistol from his shorts , climb on tank , shoot everybody down , and no one can't do **** against it .
That's what I meant by enforcing perimeter by shooting NEXT (NEXT , not upon !!!!!! And next don't means 5 inches from someone legs) to warn people not to get close . And the shooting (NEAR !!! NOT UPON ! NEAR!! ) comes only as a last resort , after several warnings to that guy not to get any close to the vehicle . Did you think I ment started to get all wild west and shoot everybody down ? Before you are starting to accuse someone on that , don't you want to understand better what I ment ?



Anyone armed in the proximity of vehicles is a legit target,and as long as the ROE's are observed,by killing him,there is no problem.

Very sharp . How do you know if he is armed or not ? This is not exactly soldiers with ranks , BDU's and rules you are talking about . Those are people who dressed regulary , and could have pistol or explosived under his short . And what if he is a shaheed , how could you know that - he is not ared , and he looks like everybody else .


ROE's......armed person,"Is he an Iraqi Policeman",is he an under cover SF operator,Is he aiming that fcuking thing at me?.........bang!

****ing bright . I am starting to get pissed at you , you are twisting my words up and down . I haven't said sporadic fire on everybody who get's any close to the vehicle . Read what I wrote above .

[Uncle Sam]

It's a dam shame these guys went out like that.

NEVER underestimate your enemy.

RIP

[scm77]

Do they always ride around with the hatches up?

[Mudcat]

The crew can see alot more unbuttoned. Even with all the fancy thermal sights the crew can see better what's go'n on outside use'n the good 'ol Mk1 eyeball.

[Locked N Loaded]

Do they always ride around with the hatches up?
From what I read, they were NOT RIDING around. They were stopped during broad daylight. It's easy to play "Monday Morning Quarterback", not that you did........ ;)

L n L

[Helly]

Holy cr*p Javehn. Where in his statement did Argyll twisted your "words up and down"? Or maybe you're just looking for an excuse to show your displeasure for Argyll?

Argyll chose to ignore your statement. He said so himself. And yet you still took everything he wrote as a personal attack on you. Getting low on self-esteem bud?



ROE's......armed person,"Is he an Iraqi Policeman",is he an under cover SF operator,Is he aiming that fcuking thing at me?.........bang!


f*** bright . I am starting to get pissed at you , you are twisting my words up and down . I haven't said sporadic fire on everybody who get's any close to the vehicle . Read what I wrote above .

[to free the oppressed]

But a week ago, Goins and his loader, Spc. Mark Zapata, fell victim to a surprise attack that stunned soldiers at the military base here for both its simplicity and audacity. A member of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia quietly scaled the back of the tank in broad daylight with an AK-47, shot the men at point-blank range through the open hatch, and fled.
What God-Damned pussy.
RIP Zapata :(

[to free the oppressed]

Double-Post

[gilgoul]

It is pretty sad to see this kind of tragedy, but it brings a few questions about tactics over there, or awarness of the crew.
maybe some f you guys can answer those questions.

Having tank alone, especially in urban theater is a recipe for friendly KIA, how comes those guys didn`t have anyone to look for them around?

If alone, you set a perimeter around, and shoot to scare or shoot to effect any trespasser, in no way are you going to expose yourself to argue with trespassers, that too is a recipe for catastrophy.

In hostile sectore, even during rest, you should keep guard of two minimum, so on a M1 it means to resting and two guards, with separate sectors, the fact they were shot by surprise is really perturbing.

Is it common to stay in hostile area with open hatches ?

[Hiroshima]

god-damned pussy? HE JUST FIRED INTO AN ARMORED VEHICLE...what was he supposed to do? Have a light lunch? A damn shame though about the two boys killed...Think they're gonna have crews ride with the hatches buttoned up?

[Javehn]

Holy cr*p Javehn. Where in his statement did Argyll twisted your "words up and down"? Or maybe you're just looking for an excuse to show your displeasure for Argyll?

Argyll chose to ignore your statement. He said so himself. And yet you still took everything he wrote as a personal attack on you. Getting low on self-esteem bud?

Because if you don't know what the hell I am talking about (it's between me , Argyll and other thread ) , you shouldn't jump in the middle and to think you are the smartest one , ok ?
So stay away .

[Helly]

Holy cr*p Javehn. Where in his statement did Argyll twisted your "words up and down"? Or maybe you're just looking for an excuse to show your displeasure for Argyll?

Argyll chose to ignore your statement. He said so himself. And yet you still took everything he wrote as a personal attack on you. Getting low on self-esteem bud?

Because if you don't know what the hell I am talking about (it's between me , Argyll and other thread ) , you shouldn't jump in the middle and to think you are the smartest one , ok ?
So stay away .

I don't pretend to know everything, nor do I care about your issue with Argyll.

BUT, I know full well what's happening in the other thread. You said it yourself. It's between you, "Argyll and the other thread". You bringing the issue to this thread is uncalled for. And yes, you started the whole stink in this thread with your statement:


(is that right , Argyll ,or I just missunderstood you?)

A lot of visitors here, me included, just want to read about military-related news without having to deal with political and ideological BS (as much as possible). Do us a favor and keep your vitriol away from where they don't belong.

[Javehn]

My remark (except of Argylls reffering part) was very millitary reffering ;) .

[Argyll]

What a surprise :roll: ... Again you missunderstood me .

That's exactly what I personally was talking about in other topic (one of the cases) .

No it's not,and I was NOT talking about this in another topic,I was talking about what the person observed within the programs contents,it was you who explained the car crash/firing near civilians...........you never mentioned ARMED milita,talk about twisting words,it's also off topic,and you are attempting to bring another topics arguments into this one!

Other tankers in other countries learned this lesson the hard way . Non surprising the tactics they use against it taken by people as a dispicable act (is that right , Argyll ,or I just missunderstood you?) .
The other topic was about kids,keep twisting Javehn,keep it going buddy,you're attempts at sarcasm aimed towards me,is an attempt to start a flame war between us.



1st off the guy who climbed onto the tank was,........well he did have an AK in his hands,so therfore he was armed.That in itself is completely different from the topic in the other thread,so leave that there,and DO NOT BRING IT INTO THIS ONE.

Apparently you don't understand English very well when I told you not to bring the other topic into this thread.........Hijacking is what it's called,you sir have an agenda.........and I don't give a shi* whether you like me or not,keep it out of threads and topics......This thread was about an Armed MIlitia climbing unseen onto an M1,nothing to do with using supressing fire to keep people away from armoured vehicles

He had an AK , and still the tankers missed him . That is the reason to set overwatch perimeter , and worn people not to get close to the tank . Because the second someone get's close to the tank , tankers can't see him . He can pull simple pistol from his shorts , climb on tank , shoot everybody down , and no one can't do **** against it .
That's what I meant by enforcing perimeter by shooting NEXT (NEXT , not upon !!!!!! And next don't means 5 inches from someone legs) to warn people not to get close . And the shooting (NEAR !!! NOT UPON ! NEAR!! ) comes only as a last resort , after several warnings to that guy not to get any close to the vehicle . Did you think I ment started to get all wild west and shoot everybody down ? Before you are starting to accuse someone on that , don't you want to understand better what I ment ?

Boy oh boy oh boy..........and did I not mention that what you described here was pehaps part of the mission objective,covered by ROE's,you know that important factor to avoid collateral damage!!?,perhaps if you had explained your specific ROE's for such action,like how do you warn them,how many times,in what language,and under what circumstance does it warrant only AIMED shots........get my drift?



Anyone armed in the proximity of vehicles is a legit target,and as long as the ROE's are observed,by killing him,there is no problem.

Very sharp . How do you know if he is armed or not ? This is not exactly soldiers with ranks , BDU's and rules you are talking about . Those are people who dressed regulary , and could have pistol or explosived under his short . And what if he is a shaheed , how could you know that - he is not ared , and he looks like everybody else .

Are you thick?Read the huge letters,and you have the gall to talk about me twisting words?I made it pretty clear the target was ARMED,and then by using the ROE's...is he an Iraqi copper,SF operator..........that's the difference here buddy,ROE's.......like I stated if you have taken all the variations within theses ROE's then if you decided to take the guy down,there can be no come backs on you,not too hard to understand is it?


ROE's......armed person,"Is he an Iraqi Policeman",is he an under cover SF operator,Is he aiming that fcuking thing at me?.........bang!

f*** bright . I am starting to get pissed at you , you are twisting my words up and down . I haven't said sporadic fire on everybody who get's any close to the vehicle . Read what I wrote above .

You've lost it,what's to get pissed at within my quote,and where in my quote have I twisted your words?who mentioned sporadic fire,I didn't you just did.

Let me try this in simple form for you to understand,pertaining ROE's and my comment "Is he an Iraqi Policeman?(I know that IPS are not all in Uniform easily identified to SF(Security Forces) Interpreatation:Is this guy a threat!!Is he SF or is he a bad guy,"Is he an undercover SOF person"?Interpreatation:Was it divulged in the mission orders that they were operating in the area,what are the means of identifying them?Is he within the range of Comms?
"Is he aiming that thing at me?"........Friendly forces are not in the habit of raising and pointing weapons(which shows an intent)in the general direction of other friendly forces,as it leads to.............Bang!!!

[Abbyy]

Mmm... I missed good fight...

Question: why hatches of Abramses open on battlefield? It can't help during combat. Isn't it?

[Locked N Loaded]

Argyll chose to ignore your statement.
Big Up's for Argyll! It has gotten out of hand, and at least Argyll had enough common sense to see "He was beating a dead horse!".. ;) There is NO reason he had to explain as a Moderator anyways, but took the time to try! My 2 cents, i'm done with it.

L n L

[radon]

I cannot know the details but it looks like they made a mistake. Rip . Other tankers will be more careful with this tactic.

[Javehn]

Mmm... I missed good fight...

Question: why hatches of Abramses open on battlefield? It can't help during combat. Isn't it?

Gives much better view of outside world . In urban enviroment for example , where people walking next to the tank , the streets are narrow and blocked with cars , to manipulate between them without collathoral damage required TC (commander) with a head outside the hatch (how high it's personal commander choice ) . Offcorse there is always sniper danger , so the TC should be manipulating between standing high enough , and yet to be covert enough behind for example his 50 cal . If there is no infantry support outside as well , and no one guarding the tank's close ranges (blind spots) , it's pretty useless as well (every little boy could climb on tank , and put a bomb or something like this ) .

[LordHalbert]

Tankers that are in unfriendly territory should be buttoned up at all times.

That's the bottom line.

If the tank was in friendly territory and this happened, then they've got a security problem.

[aartamen]

Oh yeah, buttoned up, that's very smart. Especially given that Abrams has two MG's that can'be operated while buttoned up. Which means that in hositle territory you can't shoot those MG's. When can you shoot them? In a friendly territory? American TC's are constantly sticking out of the hatches and very often shoot their personal weapons while at it, because their .50's also have a lot of blind areas close in. And in Iraq the loader has very little else to do but be stuck out the hutch manning his gun.

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20040825/i/r1331951461.jpg

[Argyll]

I'd guess it's also pretty hot in there too,with outside temps nearing 50 degrees

[aartamen]

They've got AC.

[Argyll]

They've got AC.

Doesn't always work,especially if the engines not running!! ;)

[Hiroshima]

Well..not being buttoned up means those air burst shells get in..its a give or take kind of situation really.

[Far]

RIP. These fellas gave their lives for a just cause. My sincere condolences to their families....

Man, I am so tired of this crap. We should have bombed the cemetary and the mosque (which is no longer a place of worship as it is an ammo dump and a insurgent camp) three weeks ago, then sent our men in.