While my opinion of the French government and French wines is for the most part not very positive, I do have good things to say about the French military. When I was stationed in Italy several years ago, flying CH47 helicopters across Europe and the Balkans, I often found myself in France for a RON (remain overnight), usually enroute to another destination. I recall on several occassions landing at a French airbase just outside Dijon where we were always met with professional Soldiers, eager to refuel our aircraft, secure our weapons, and provide us with transportation to a hotel in the heart of the city (not to mention suggestions as to where we ought to spend our evening enjoying the local culture).
There is a certain kindred spirit among Soldiers, regardless of the flag under which they serve, and I never once blamed our French hosts for the horrid food we suffered while passing through their AO.
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (American Forces Press Service, Feb. 8, 2007) - Soldiers, Sailors and Marines from the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) recently graduated from a grueling five-day French commando’s course at the Commando Training Center in Arta, Djibouti.
The servicemembers trained on everything from hand-to-hand combat to short range marksmanship and beach assault.
Maybe Heinlein was onto something with his notion that only veterans could be elected to public office. Sgt Hook out.
Posted by Hook @ 1157 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: Joint Services & Know thy Enemy
