Silly String

[usa_patriot]

From the Magazine | Notebook
Not So Silly String In Iraq
By ELLIN MARTENS
SUBSCRIBE TO TIMEPRINTE-MAILMORE BY AUTHOR

Posted Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006
American troops in Iraq have become masters of improvisation, like bolting jury-rigged armor to humvees to shield themselves from sniper fire and shrapnel. Lately, an even more novel item has joined their battle kits. Stratford, N.J., mom Marcelle Shriver recently got a call from her son Todd requesting ... Silly String. Marines working with his unit in Iraq had shown the Army combat engineer how it can be used to detect trip wires. Before searching buildings, for example, personnel spray doorways from at least 10 ft. away with streams of foam--and see if they're snagged by barely visible wires, which are often affixed to bombs. The Army acknowledges the off-label use, and Marine spokesman Captain Jay Delarosa says, "We force Marine trainees to improvise." Shriver is raising money to mail string to Iraq (aerosol cans are haz-mat and costly to ship). So the next time you waste string at a party, remember it could save a life.
From the Nov. 27, 2006 issue of TIME magazine

[Zoomie]

Pretty good read! But you gotta wonder what they were doing with it in the first place. p-)

[nullterm]

That's a pretty ingenious idea. Just imagine the supply officer who eventually receive the request for it through the regular channels.

[RAFREGT.]

hmmmmm.....we were using silly string in Bosnia and Kosovo a few years back!, looks like the idea catching on!!!!:roll:

[Steve Andrews]

Brits may remember the UK TV series "Combat", from 1989-90? Presented by the late Emlyn Hughes and Anneka Rice.

It was a competition between British regiments. I remember the Paras using silly string to assist in locating trip wires on one of the competitions.

So the idea's at least 16 years old111RMM ;-)

[IrishArmy]

But its always good to Train, Inform and Remind Military personel in old and new ideas.

Good idea, i like it, first i heard of it.

[keimo lantio]

What is a silly string?

[phasio]

http://www.fancydresscostumeshop.com/images/small/1326.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2058/649071008af4b62f576fv.jpg

[Boats]

Excellent useage of a useless product! Hope noone sprays it on an indig vehicle, and ruins the finish...:|

[ibstolidude]

hmmmmm.....we were using silly string in Bosnia and Kosovo a few years back!, looks like the idea catching on!!!!:roll:
What a waste of post.....especially so if you think this is the first time the US also used such a tactic.

[Sdet21]

Interesting like the article says if it can save a life than its worth it. Never hurts to go with what works.


Sdet21

[Laconian]

Saw a ditty on this on Fox news this a.m. I am reminded of one of Murphy's rules of combat: "If its stupid and it works; it isn't stupid."

[Ruledbyjames]

There was an Article about the SAS using it in Tora Bora. Good going!

[SBL]

Anybody remember back in the 80s when that kid was blowing out candles at his b-day party and somebody shot silly string through the flames?

[RAFREGT.]

American troops in Iraq have become masters of improvisation,


Ibstolitude........I didn't say they hadn't used it before, the article implied it, so calm down!:hug:

oh and yes....its v flammable!!!!

[Royal]

Ibstolitude........I didn't say they hadn't used it before, the article implied it, so calm down!:hug:

Stoli, like me is old and irritable - don't take it personally. It's been discussed on here before, both in the context of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and it's use in the Province...

Since where were 'Lessons Learned' papers for learning lessons from - that would take all the fun out of life ;)

[SBL]

Not the same incident I had in mind, but close enough.

http://www.youtube.com/v/8nzcD0rPxMU

[EsoognomEhT]

rofl rofl rofl..must try that at the next Contingent dinner

[aclark79]

http://cbs2.com/video/?id=29544@kcbs.dayport.com

Damned good idea!

Soory if its a repost.

[Clay125]

What a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thurrdome]

Fascinating!
I don't care if it's a repost!
They need to take off those M203s and add silly-string sprayers to M16s and M4s.

[Soldier of fortune]

woot

GREAT idea....

[Yaar]

Does the string come in ACU-camo pattern? :)

[100_Percent_HOOAH]

Thats awesome! Who would have thought. I forgot that stuff was even around anymore.

[Xaito]

you could also tie a string with a little weight or bind a thin twig to the tip of the rifle (ive seen french foreign legion teaching this to soldiers) and hold the rifle in front of you while walking - then youll notice the trap when the string/twig bends.

[Chounch McGavin]

Hahaha that's cool

[D-gin]

That's a really good Idea.....Funny how simple things like that can save a life.

[Lefty]

That's freaking brilliant, I'm sure the first guy to try it never even got a promotion :(

[BenUSMC]

Adapt and overcome!

Now THAT is good thinking.

[Dakota435]

Fascinating!
I don't care if it's a repost!
They need to take off those M203s and add silly-string sprayers to M16s and M4s.

Thurrdome your avatar makes beer come out my nose...

[Thurrdome]

Thurrdome your avatar makes beer come out my nose...

That's the point :):)

[Bloodhound]

Actually we recently had a drive to send care packages over to troops in iraq and afghanistan and that was on the list of things that we were asked to send.

[kerfuffled]

Here's what I heard, while US military minds were trying to come up with a way to detect ****y-traps, the SAS were the first to do this in the caves in Afghanistan.

[Macs.]

Here's what I heard, while US military minds were trying to come up with a way to detect ****y-traps, the SAS were the first to do this in the caves in Afghanistan.

I believe this even goes back to the Northern Ireland Conflict.

[Insane Tadpole]

very wise idea! Cool!

[jason82]

what's with all this useless fancy shmancy US technology? Just make the new guys always take point...

[Irish_11]

great idea, odd how simple things can save lives

[Ivan le Fou]

The next step in CQB will probably be: fighting with confettis and water guns! :)