The unexpected always happens. Always. However, I’m sure “the plan” included feeding the troops. “An army marches on its stomach,” that sort of thing.

“When we say we’re on the plan, we’re on the plan,” an administration official said. “There is no pause.”

Damned straight!!! But - - -

CENTRAL IRAQ (AFP) - Iraqi civilians fleeing heavy fighting have stunned and delighted hungry US marines in central Iraq (news - web sites) by giving them food, as guerrilla attacks continue to disrupt coalition supply lines to the rear.

“As troops munched on their feast, one medic warned the food could have been deliberately contaminated.

“He was quickly disregarded as the hungry marines forged ahead to make a fondue out of a donated tin of Australian processed cheese, but the potatoes were eaten before the cheese could melt.

"Man I never thought a boiled egg could taste so damn good," one burly marine observed.”

Bad "plan" to be "on". Never heard of this before. Even if we didn’t like it, and we didn’t, there was always something to eat when we were hungry. And to their credit, the military has some damned good MREs.

I mean a plan with includes outrunning your food supplies EVEN WHILE STALLED, not advancing, has some elements which need study. Bad time for a diet.

Arf