Soldier's phone calls mom during Afghan firefight

zumbro clones · 05-06-2008, 05:11 PM

"A U.S. soldier accidentally called his parents during an April 21 firefight in Afghanistan, according to KPTV-TV. No one was home, so Stephen Phillips ended up leaving a three-minute message on their answering machine in Otis, Ore."

Includes a link to the phone message:

Soldier's phone calls mom during Afghan firefight - On Deadline - USATODAY.com

superdorf · 05-06-2008, 05:13 PM

How in the hell does his phone work over there?

superdorf · 05-06-2008, 05:13 PM

And how much did that call cost?

zumbro clones · 05-06-2008, 05:15 PM

As a parent of boys, that's one call I wouldn't want to get.

Flag Guy · 05-06-2008, 05:16 PM

I'm kinda suprised they're allowed to have phones on patrol....

brianhos · 05-06-2008, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by superdorf

How in the hell does his phone work over there?

Third world countries have better networks than we do in the US. That is the only form of communications in developing countries. Landlines are too expensive and there is no infrastructure to support them, so everything is cell.

One of my coworkers was able to make calls from the middle of Nepal last month, I was surprised.

JHudd · 05-06-2008, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by Flag Guy

I'm kinda suprised they're allowed to have phones on patrol....

He shouldn't have had the phone with him. It would not be such a big deal if it wasn't such a big security risk to his family/friends/comrades who would/could have had contact info in his phone.

j4state · 05-06-2008, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by Flag Guy

I'm kinda suprised they're allowed to have phones on patrol....

Here in Kosovo, we always have a cell with us on patrol as a secondary form of communication. In fact, it is our most reliable source of comms. The guy who said that 3rd world nations get good reception is exactly right. My point is I don't think the reason he had the phone was to call his high school pals during duty.

HOTDON · 05-06-2008, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by superdorf

How in the hell does his phone work over there?

CAN *pop pop pop* YOU *pop pop* HEAR *pop pop* ME NOW! *pop pop pop pop*

JHudd · 05-06-2008, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by j4state

Here in Kosovo, we always have a cell with us on patrol as a secondary form of communication. In fact, it is our most reliable source of comms. The guy who said that 3rd world nations get good reception is exactly right. My point is I don't think the reason he had the phone was to call his high school pals during duty.

I agree with you 100% here, it is just unfortunate that Army doctrine always runs so far behind current technologies. I still can't get over the fact that they still haven't fully integrated an earbud into our radio systems vs. the current handset that sets so comfortably within your helmet and ear/cheek. Things like this are what make me so happy with bureaucracies. Oh well at least the have finally updated the FM 21-20, only a few years behind the curve.

cyclonedave25 · 05-06-2008, 08:37 PM

If I was the mom that got that call, I would have been scared! Because, at the very end of the call you can hear somebody say, "Incoming, incoming, R.P.G!!!!!!!!" and then the call ends......

zumbro clones · 05-06-2008, 10:13 PM

From the popping sound, I wonder what weapon he's firing.

Phaedrus · 05-07-2008, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by zumbro clones

From the popping sound, I wonder what weapon he's firing.

Gunfire tends to overmodulate over a microphone. So you're not hearing a very good representation of the actual sound.

Cell phones on patrol aren't particularly a bad thing, as long as you turn them off before you get back to base or headquarters.

It doesn't take much for a bad guy to a) use the cell phone to locate someone. and b) turn the cell phone into a microphone that can listen in to secret briefings, etc..

But actually on operations, a cell phone isn't a great risk, and it can be a really good tool. Army communications aren't that great.

CycloneErik · 05-07-2008, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Phaedrus

Gunfire tends to overmodulate over a microphone. So you're not hearing a very good representation of the actual sound.

Cell phones on patrol aren't particularly a bad thing, as long as you turn them off before you get back to base or headquarters.

It doesn't take much for a bad guy to a) use the cell phone to locate someone. and b) turn the cell phone into a microphone that can listen in to secret briefings, etc..

But actually on operations, a cell phone isn't a great risk, and it can be a really good tool. Army communications aren't that great.

He's right. As a former Signal Corps enlisted man and officer, I'd much prefer the cell phone. It would be clearer and more reliable.