French Foreign Legion Combat Jump in Timbuktu!

 @KineticFury As you already saw mine aren't too hot this morning - or maybe it's just me.  I do hope the did the same for the big drop in Timbuktu.  Awesome site with that many jumpers.

 @Old PH2  @OndroRajkovic The first link in my orig post pulls over 50 maps.  One must copy and past the whole link to get that page.

https://www.google.com/search?q=topo+mali+maps&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=uhB&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Lz0QUYO6D6v4igLMh4DYAQ&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1068&bih=606

 @Old PH2  @OndroRajkovic Great, I pulled that up ok but the jpgs, they all give me errors.  I wonder if I need Java since I disabled or uninstalled mine the the virus vulnerability - even the newest update.  I might try another browser.

 @Txazz  @Old PH2  @OndroRajkovic That series I linked to, if you download the page and zoom in you can see that the J2 and K1 and K2 maps show most of Mali.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/onc/

 @Old PH2  @OndroRajkovic I just went to the site and found these Mali maps however is not the jpg you found.  I'll keep looking for that one.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/mali.html

ps: I see from my orignal post I did have some of these in the last link - the topos

 @Old PH2  @OndroRajkovic It doesn't like me this morning but, will try again later and see if I can pull that one in.  Reminds me of the story of the poor maps they had invading Grenada.

Yes, I saw some good ones by the French Military but, they did cost $$ or prolly francs.  lol

 @Txazz  @OndroRajkovic I was going to suggest the ones from UT that Perry Castaneda library source is awesome, but most maps are a little old.  Here's one that shows Timbuktu and the area surrounding the Niger river up to Gao, note how much of the map denotes that the topography is "a best guess?" These are maps similar to what is used by the aviation community and they are rather light on Topographic detail.   There are more up to date sources but they require a fee.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/onc/txu-pclmaps-oclc-8322829_j_2.jpg

 @OndroRajkovic Will give you the link and I think you'll find what you need here.  https://www.google.com/search?q=topo+mali+maps&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=uhB&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Lz0QUYO6D6v4igLMh4DYAQ&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1068&bih=606

this one you can click on and it changes colors

http://www.mapsorama.com/topographical-map-of-mali/

Map with all cities

http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Mali

these next ones are more detailed than I need:

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/mali.html

 @Txazz If you manage to find some more detailed maps of Mali, can you share them with me? I'd greatly appreciated it.

The basic rule for IED (as we know it from AFG and IQ) is that they are succesfull only when used in areas where the movement is chanelled into narrow corridor where you place the IED. That way it is almost guaranteed that someone or something will initiate it. The Afghan-style IEDs are pretty focused weapon intended to cause as much damage with minimal requirement (material as well as tactical). I don't expect them in Mali for some time because there are only few focused corridors for troop movements and no rebel group has the means to create IED version of conventional minefield. So, if some of the groups is determined to start using the IEDs it will place them into points where the coalition forces can't use alternate routes - bridges, mountain roads (in the vicinity of southern border with Burkina Faso) or flood barriers in the inner delta of Niger near Mopti.

 @OndroRajkovic We do have some great maps but, no topos.  I'll find one of Mali.  Since I have your attention maybe you could tell me more about IEDs.  I thought they just planted them along side the roads in A-stan, and were detonated by heavy traffic.  So, you are saying out on the desert roads IEDs would not work or as well (you mentioned choke points).  I would think the sand could blow and bury them deep anyway.

@Txazz

About the IEDs - the mania that was caused by the IED-related losses in IQ and AFG is, IMHO, over. Those two battlefields were quite unique in terms of infrastructure and terrain but if you look on the map of Mali (or any other neighbouring country for that matter) you'll see that it's quite different. In Mali there are only few areas that could be used for IED attacks - the green zone around Niger river and key bridges over Niger. These are natural choke points through where any ground traffic must pass.

But so far we have witnessed pretty coordinated air-ground campaign where air assets (both fighters and choppers) engaged any larger group of Islamist fighters and the remains were mopped up by following ground units. This was another key element in preventing the use of IEDs.

About coffee - day without coffee is like something without something ;-)

 @OndroRajkovic thanks, for your IED comments and I don't know why I typed Polish as I could clearly see it was Czech.  This has been one of those days and clearly time for another cuppa coffee.