Heres a test
Tell me whats wrong with this picture?
Its a full page advertisement that ran today in the Washington Post (and maybe other papers) sponsored by the Boeing Co. that calls attention to a program running tonight on PBS called Operation Homecoming.
From the ad:
Operation Homecoming is a unique documentary that explores the first-hand accounts of American troops who have participated in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
the film opens a profound window into the experiences of those serving in Americas Armed Forces
AMERICAN troops and AMERICAN armed forces
Now look at the picture again
The soldier is holding an AK-47
Doesn’t look to me like it’s of an American Soldier
A Boeing spokeswoman said the photo was provided by the documentary maker. She said they hadnt gotten any calls about it and had never noticed that it was not of an American serviceman.
Now, let me get this straight. Boeing makes practically every weapon the U.S. military uses today (I know Im exaggerating, but keep with me here). Theyre one of the lead systems integrators for the Armys Future Combat System program, so they know what todays troopers carry. With all that experience, youd think at least someone would have enough insight to raise their hand and say: Wait a minute guys, this isnt an American?
Thats a big oops for the folks over at Boeing
(Thanks to PC for the scan)
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
DOH!
Can recognize that damn AK muzzle a mile away.
They SHOULD have caught that.
What about http://www.defensetech.org/archives/000541.html ?
chances are, whatever line producer at boeing’s creative department wouldn’t know an AK from an M16, and possibly wouldn’t know an ass from an elbow. a goof to be sure, but not that difficult to go unnoticed. unfortunately for them, the prime demographic for this show WILL be noticing.
Many special ops troopers use AK’s to blend in and look native. Also, because of the distinctive sound of the AK over the M4 it won’t give them away when firing.
Nah, they blew it!!
They wouldn’t know, AK’s aren’t in their purview. AK’s dont cost a few thousand a pop each, so they don’t appear on their radar.
This may be a stretch, but I think the vest looks a bit less bulky than the IBA: It may be one of those ’90s era PASGT (or is it PAGST) vest thingys nowadays found on Iraqi army troopers.
The photo was taken by a US combat photographer – you can find it on flickr – and seems right at home with a project designed to see the war through the eyes of troops. This image was captured by an American serviceman, and thereby seen quite literally through his eyes.
Also the number of US troops who have stopped to pose for a picture with an AK has got to be in the tens of thousands. You can find many dozens on the net in a matter of seconds.
This guy may or may not be an American (or a guy) but if that’s what seems noteworthy out of today’s Washington Post, you guys should start reading and not just looking at the pictures.
Could it be an Iraqi soldier ?
by any chances they could Spcial Forces.
Only in america do we have dumb dumb’ Withnothing to do, like our reps in Washington.
Boeing is a leader in their prfession,
I noticed this in today’s Washington Post. To me it doesn’t matter if it was an American soldier posing with an AK (although I think was more likely an Iraqi), if you’re going to advertise to an AMERICAN audience, about AMERICAN soldiers, then you should have a picture with an AMERICAN weapon.
well by the helmet outline and the way the soldier is pictured it could be an iraqi soldier. but all is speculation. i know of some u.s. soldiers who carried ak’s when they could because they didn’t trust their m-4′s.
Anyone who has been in Afghanistan knows that it is not uncommon to see the varieties of M-16s, AR-15s, and AK-47/74, and even PKM carried by regular foot soldiers.
Well the pants are tucked into the boots, the Iraqi Army does that. The helmet is on crooked, they do that as well. There is a scarf around his neck, IA does that so they can quickly disguise themselves from locals. It is an old-school flack, not a plate carrier. The AK is slung over his neck in a way that makes it unemployable unless removed from around his neck, thats an IA thing too. No gloves, most US troops wear them because its a requirement. And finally, its an AK. So no, there is no way thats anything but IA. End of speculation otherwise. As for the debate on if thats offensive or not, I find it offensive as a US Marine just because I don’t like those guys – not really for any other reason.
could be an SF operator (Green Beret or sumthin)… the helmet sillhouete looks pretty American
Anyone who has been in Afghanistan knows that it is not uncommon to see the varieties of M-16s, AR-15s, and AK-47/74, and even PKM carried by regular foot soldiers.
Posted by: D18 at April 16, 2007 09:36 PM
What he said, along with Spec Ops also carry the same, so not a big surpise…. And the stance doesn’t look to me as any different than those I’ve seen on our guys.
But then, Boeing was never big on the military until they assumed MDD’s apron and assets, so competence in advetising isn’t an expectation….
I think Boeing with all their billions of dollars can afford a picture of a person who is no doubt an American soldier with A Eugene Stoner designed weapon.
I think Boeing with all their billions of dollars can afford a picture of a person who is no doubt an American soldier with A Eugene Stoner designed weapon.
I think Boeing with all their billions of dollars can afford a picture of a person who is no doubt an American soldier with A Eugene Stoner designed weapon.
I think Boeing with all their billions of dollars can afford a picture of a person who is no doubt an American soldier with A Eugene Stoner designed weapon.
Yes, almost anyone with a brain would have noticed the AK-47 immediately, without the necessity for explanation.
Having worked at a corporation almost as large as Boeing (Pfizer), I’m pretty certain that no one but a few corporate execs. in advertising ever saw this ad. And advertising people are responsible for our advertising–so you know how smart they are.
I’ve sent e-mail to Boeing, wwwmail.boeing2@boeing.com, telling them in no uncertain terms how insulted I am, and how stupid I think they are.
If we all do that, I am certain that Boeings Corpoarte leadership will never hear about it, and they will continue to give a damn less about the opinions of American veterans and citizens.
Allow me to clarify . . . US Special Forces who train foreign fighters ALWAYS use the weapon that the foreign fighter uses. He is a US soldier who is either embedded with an Iraqi army unit or with Iraqi police.
Earl, anyone with a brain WHO KNOWS WHAT AN AK-47 LOOKS LIKE would have recognized it immediately. 99% of people in the world can’t tell the difference between the silhouette of an AK-47 and any of the various US combat rifles.
Seriously, when people get offended over things like this, it makes me think they haven’t been REALLY insulted in far too long.
Brian, i think you’re better at recognizing assault rifles than you are at sarcasm!
dont some special forces use enemy weapons so that they can get extra ammunition off the bad guys’ dead bodies.
i know in south africa the special forces were paradropped into enemy territory with enemy weapons (ie: AK’s) so that they could replenish ammunition off their kills.
that is an american special forces soldier using an enemy weapon.
i cant believe you guys missed it.
Obviously, you haven’t seen the thousands of photos of American servicemen carrying AKs. When we seize weapons caches, pick up dead enemies’ weapons, etc. we are usually picking up AK-47s or AK-74s, along with RPG-7s, etc. Most people prefer the 7.62 round over the 5.56, therefore, it is not uncommon to see an American carrying an AK in Iraq. Come on man, get over the picture.
Could be an Iraqi Army soldier, or Iraqi policeman. But, I would not be surprised if it was an American either. Could be anyone of those three, but who really cares? We are all on the same side. I mean who says it has to be a picture of an American anyway? I know for a fact that it is not the enemy, because the enemy does not wear helemts and body armor.
George Bush did it! He took the picture. When did he do it? When did he know it? Some poor moogh died just so he could look good!
Picture of the average person who gets worked up over this image:
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3355/dont20worry20sir20im20from20the20internetui7.jpg
I agree that it deserves the ultimate Doh! Although I contend that it is no less reckless to assume that just because “Maybe” the Boeing production of the image was done Stateside,by one of their employee’s…Does not in anyway….mean that it was Done by an AMERICAN !
Come on! Even a teenager who plays video games could figure that one out! That guy looks more like the new Iraqi Soldiers. Maybe the picture was done stateside with hmmm a airsoft gun and a guy that bought some surplus gear?