This Reuters article regarding recent developments in Fallujah is fairly non-descript. Except this paragraph, which contains information which seems out of place:

Amid warnings from the U.N.'s Iraq envoy of bloody consequences should talks fail in Falluja, an AC-130 gunship, first used in Vietnam, had blasted Golan overnight. [ Emphasis Added ]

The AC-130 is an incredible weapon in both precision and firepower. It also causes the kind of psychological impact that only 'silent death from above' can bring. (You can see it in action here, but be warned...people die in this video.)

It was first used in Vietnam, but there is other information about this weapons platform which readers might find more relevant to the context of the attack.

For example, which version of the 130 is in service in Iraq - the AC-130H (Spectre) or the AC-130U (Spooky)? Or perhaps that the Gatling Gun on the AC-130U can fire 1,800 rounds per minute. (Yes...you read that correctly. Thirty 25mm rounds per second.) Or even the fact that AC-130s have been used in Iraq before - as part of Operation Desert Storm.

Instead, readers are treated to this subtle attempt to link the current situation in Iraq to Vietnam. Why stop there? Why not exploit every similarity until the entire nation understands that Iraq = Vietnam = Quagmire!

Today, U.S. Marines exchanged fire with Iraqi "freedom fighters" using their M-16 Assault Rifles, the same weapon used in Vietnam. Some of the "freedom fighters" were struck with bullets, also used in the Vietnam conflict. Following the firefight, the uniformed soldiers (also worn in Vietnam) climbed into their vehicles (yep, those too) and drove off down the road (also used in Vietnam).

reuters> ln -s vietnam iraq