Frackal said:
What are your thoughts about depleted uranium use and it's possible link to gulf war syndrome?
Well, that's a wierd one. I remember many years ago I ran across a guy who used to be a C-130 pilot. Shortly after Desert Storm, he started having all sorts of health problems and was medically discharged. He didn't know what was the cause, but felt it had something to do with what went on over there.
You've got to keep the depleted uranium issue in context. Does it exist yes, but it is a relatively minor amount of metal out there, especially when compared to all the other shit that is spewing toxic fumes when it catches on fire.
We had a bad electrical fire on my plane one night on the way back home. An electrical fire is just about the worst fricken thing that can happen inside of a closed cockpit, due to the smoke and the need to shut down all your equipment. We managed to shut everything off quickly, but the fumes were so bad that we had to declare an Emergency, descend to 10K feet, depressurize and let some fresh air in. Everybody's eyes were watering badly and the stench was terrible. Ending up landing uneventfully, but I had to throw that flight suit out because you could never get that smell out. Had a nasty headache for awhile too.
Moral of my longish story. On the battlefield there are all types of leftover detris and nasty shit blowing fumes from being set on fire. While the depleted uranium rounds used by Hogs and Abrams might have some effect, the combined nastiness of everthing else is probably worse.
I've spent years on a flightline sniffing JP-4 and JP-8 jet fuel fumes. It's probably had an effect on me in some shape or form.
I think it's obvious that something took place during Desert Storm is causing some problems with our troops. Just don't know if it can be blamed on any one thing, vice the combined effect.
That's about as much mental capacity you'll get out of me at 0100.
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