The New York Times reported today an attack on the MRAP, or Mine Resistant Armored Vehicle, resulted in the first death of a U.S. soldier inside the vehicle. This is categorically false. Three U.S. Army soldiers were killed in an IED attack in Ramadi and Karmah in early 2007, and other soldiers were killed in MRAPs in 2006. Earlier today I forwarded the article to my friend, Captain Eric Coulson, who is currently serving his second consecutive tour in Iraq (voluntarily). Before moving to Tallil Air Base, Captain Coulson commanded a company of Army engineers dedicated to route clearance in and between Ramadi and Fallujah, and outlying areas like Karmah during the end of 2006 and throughout 2007. Captain Coulson’s company from Task Force Badger cleared some of the toughest roads in Iraq. In February 2007, Captain Coulson’s Badgers lost three soldiers in a complex deep-buried IED ambush. His troops were clearing the roads to facilitate the rescue of a helicopter downed by an al Qaeda anti-aircraft team. Captain Coulson posted about the inaccurate New York Times report at his blog, Badgers Forward.
Captain Coulson said either the New York Times failed to do its research, or the Marines failed to report on the Army casualties:
The Danger Room notes two other minor screw-ups in the Times piece.
