Elite Iranian Republican Guard

[Mamma]

Does anyone know exactly what makes Iran's Revolutionary Guard "elite?" Just about every time I read an article these days about Iran's Revolutionary Guard, they are refered to as "elite." I think they are a bunch of nutcases like Saddam's "elite" Republican Guard. Also, if they are "elite" what are we?

 

[mtsupilot376]

They wear dark robes and ride racing camels

 

[414Flyer]

Appparently based on a photo from Iran of a multiple missles being launched, they have good photoshop skills too!

http://www.daylife.com/photo/0gjafLz8Zg5wW/missiles_iran

 

[cjdriver]

You sure those weren't from Mosad?

 

[tomgoodman]

Armed with exploding pies

Does anyone know exactly what makes Iran's Revolutionary Guard "elite?" Just about every time I read an article these days about Iran's Revolutionary Guard, they are refered to as "elite."

That's to distinguish them from the Revolutionary Buffoon Guards, a different squad. :nuts:

 

[Dizel8]

[IMG/]

 

[SIG600]

Ya just what improvement did they make? Another vert stab? Is that really all they've got?

 

[Mamma]

Ya just what improvement did they make? Another vert stab? Is that really all they've got?

Well, the resounding fact that their pilots are "elite" should be enough to send shivers down your spine should you ever have to go up against them with anything in our inventory. I am sure the media knows something we don't on just how elite these guys are.

The one saving grace we all have is Israel will probably not leave any of them alive.

 

[AIR2MUD]

Well, the resounding fact that their pilots are "elite" should be enough to send shivers down your spine should you ever have to go up against them with anything in our inventory. I am sure the media knows something we don't on just how elite these guys are.

The one saving grace we all have is Israel will probably not leave any of them alive.

I can't be sure, but I think you're being sarcastic here.

At least I hope you are.

Just in case you're not, I would put their most 'elite' fighter pilot up against any of our average joe bag o'donut LTs who's been out of the FTU for about a year in a LGPOS (F-16 to the uninitiated), sit back, and watch the hilarity ensue.

As far as the media knowing something we (and I take 'we' as meaning the average citizen) do not, referencing 414's comment, the AP and the New York Times and whoever else published that photo knows (or at least thinks they know) that many Americans are sheeple. That goes double for many in Europe and throughout the rest of the world. Exposure to and the perceived need for 24-hour news services has changed the business of what used to be journalism dramatically.

The media is in the business of making the news and altering public perception at the very least. At worst, some of what the 'media' puts out there is really, truly, treason.

As far as Israel and what the future holds, go check your magic 8 ball.

And if you did mean to be sarcastic - ha ha!!!!

 

[MarineGrunt]

I will not allow anyone to bomb Iran for another 3 weeks until I'm home and at the beach.... then... have at it boys!

 

[Dizel8]

Ya just what improvement did they make? Another vert stab? Is that really all they've got?

Well, supposedly they installed a different radar, probably scavenged of something else, that now can track out to 25 miles. They supposedly dropped a laser guided bomb and supposedly, the engine might be upgraded.

It may work for the average Iranian, showing might and all, but I cannot see any US pilot losing sleep about going up against an F-5+.

Elite probably doesn't say much with respect to Iran, just like Saddams "elite". Seems like the average US grunt is more "elite" than anything the ME can field.

 

[Mamma]

AIR2MUD,
I was indeed being sarcastic.

 

[HoursHore]

Elite is code for "Head up the ass of the head mullah"

Nothing to do with fighting prowess.

 

[AirBadger]

I don't think anyone is concerned about a symmetrical war... if we did go to throws, it would be asymmetrical, correct? In that case I think it would be dangerous to underestimate these guys. They obviously know how to attack our guys by proxy in Iraq so it's not hard to imagine them escalating operations and further destabilizing the region. I guess I wouldn't be worried about their Frankenstein F-5s or Soviet-era tanks but rather their ability to hit civilians, soldiers, and Marines the same way insurgents have been doing but with better training and equipment.

 

[Dizel8]

I don't think anyone is concerned about a symmetrical war... if we did go to throws, it would be asymmetrical, correct? .

I think, that it would be over rather quick, if it were to happen, although I certainly hope it doesn't.

Right now, they have the luxury of time and stability if you will, to assist those in Iraq, that assistance would probably go by the way side rather quickly, within days.

I suppose the question is, what is the lesser of two evils.

Is it: Iran having a deliverable nuclear weapon, which will completely change the powerstructure in the ME. Obviously, the credible threat of a US attack is diminished immensely, they will always be able to threaten a nuclear attack as a response, doubt the US is willing to use nukes again unless it is due to a nuclear attack on US soil.

Or is the lesser of two evils to attack Iran now, before they aquire the weapon, knowing how far we are already stretched in Iraq/Afghanistan?

The Israelis might be able to accomplish the goal, but who knows what the response of Iran and the other ME countries will be. If Israel fails, it only makes them so much more likely to be attacked with nuke, probably one of the first of the Iranian assembly line.

I read some retired general making a statement to the effect, that if Iran wants the bomb, they will aquire it and to start thinking about how to live with that reality.

If Iran was in the darkest africa and they didn't have oil, then things would be different, but they are not. Iran sits in a very powerfull position location wise, straits of Hormuz and they are the second largest oil producer, I think, this has the potential of getting really ugly, really fast.