This is the second of what will probably be more and more frequent posts about how we need to dramatically decrease our level of involvement in the Middle East as soon as possible, if for nothing else simply practical reasons.
Today, 14 American soldiers died when their helicopter crashed in northern Iraq. Military officials said mechanical failure appeared to have brought down the Black Hawk UH-60. It was the second incident of its kind in eight days. (Note: bold was my emphasis).
This directly relates to what I I first said in my first Mission Unaccomplished post from May 1 of this year. I wrote then

Four years in a desert is never good for any car – think about what its doing to our military’s trucks, tanks, personnel carriers, helicopters, etc. You should see the amount of sand that gets in my stuff after one day at the beach. After four years at the beach? Oh man…I don’t even want to think about it…

I hate to say “I told you so” but I will in this case knowing the limited facts that I know. I also am unfortunately expecting more failures and more injuries. Bring them home!