Letters

On Guard in Germany

* Col. Peter Herrly could have mentioned in his "Current Operations of the French and German Armies" (September) that the German Army is actively protecting U.S. forces' installations in Germany, both Army and Air Force. In a recent trip to several U.S. Army and Air Force bases in Germany, my vehicle, a rental car, was rigorously searched by German Army Wache (security troops) on entering these establishments. I was also rendered a precise salute upon passing their inspection-hardly a courtesy I expected while dressed in civilian clothes. Truly the Germans are showing a commitment to our security while we conduct peace enforcement operations in Iraq. Let all take note.

BRIG. GEN. RAYMOND E. BELL JR., AUS RET.

Cornwall, N.Y.

Lessons of the Past

The "Soldier Armed" article, "New Equipment," which ran in the November issue, made me shake my head. Those of us with Vietnam experience remember the introduction of the M-16 rifle. The flash suppressor was open-ended and three-pronged, and was not just troublesome, but actually harmful. The prongs caught on every stick, twig and branch and made the weapon difficult to use in close cover. The current closed flash suppressor was one of the first modifications made on the M-16A1 rifle. So why do I see the same troublesome problem on the new XM8 assault rifle? Who is paying attention to the lessons learned and paid for with blood from previous combat?

LT. COL. JOHN S. DUTY, USA RET.

Lawton, Okla.

Good Work

Kudos to you and Dennis Steele for a wonderful series of articles about the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Iraq in the November edition of ARMY. Thank you for your continuing good work.

CALVIN S. POSNER

Marietta, Ga.

ARMY Magazine welcomes letters to the editor. Short letters are more likely to be published, and all letters may be edited for reasons of style, accuracy or space limitations. Letters should be typewritten and double-spaced. All letters must include the writer's full name, address and home telephone number. The volume of letters we receive makes individual acknowledgment impossible. Please send letters to Editor in Chief, ARMY Magazine, AUSA, 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201. Letters may also be faxed (703-841-3505) or sent via e-mail (mfrench@ausa.org).