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Old 08-11-2004, 08:00 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Location: Fort Lewis, WA
War in Iraq - Soldier's Perspective Part 1

I've been reading here for quite a while and while I don't post much I realized that I should probably contribute back to people for all the laughs and everything that I get from here. A little about this post. I tend to ramble on a bit when I start typing so I apologize in advance for any such actions. Secondly I'm not trying to express and political views on whether the war is right or wrong. I'm simply stating on how I see it being from actually being here and interacting with people on a daily basis. Lastly if anyone has any questions or comments or anything please let me know. The internet is my only real link to people outside my unit and I'm savoring it while I have it. I am trying to find a place to host some pictures and as soon as I do I will upload some of stuff that I think is nice over here. It is not all that you hear about in the news.

* All this information has been released and anything that I think may be detrimental I won't display specifics on. If I've found it on the net I will include it here *

A little background:

I'm a SGT currently assigned to **** FSB, ** Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavarly Division based out of Ft. Hood, TX. My assigned MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) is 63T which is a Bradley mechanic but I currently fill the role of company communications rep and basic computer guy. Our unit provides all of the direct support (high level maintenance stuff) to all vehicles, weapon systems, communication assets and such assigned to 2BCT and a couple other attached units. We got the word that we would probably deploy in August of 2003. It wasn't the best time of my life. I've been in the Army for 4 years at the time and had 2 years left on my enlistment. My wife and I had just had our first child and I wasn't looking forward to spending at least a year away from him and she definetly wasnt' looking forward to raising him for that time period too.

We deployed to Kuwait during the first week of January and spent 3 weeks in Kuwait receiving our equipment and learning new convoy procedures. At the time it almost just seemed like another rotation at NTC (National Training Center). It really hadn't sunk in yet. We were issued 30 rounds of ammunition in case we got attacked in Kuwait. After all of our vehicles were ready and picked up from the port in Kuwait City we prepared to ocnvoy north to Baghdad to our new home. Being the only qualified gunner on a .50 cal MG I drew the lucky spot of being a gunner. I wasn't too happy since it meant that I had to stand up for the next 3 days with my head out of the gunner's hatch in a LMTV freezing my ass off (it gets cold in the desert!).

The first day wasn't really too bad. We made it to the border between Iraq and Kuwait and thats where it really sunk in what we were going through. The convoy ahead of us had gotten hit numerous times with SAF (Small Arms Fire) but thankfully no one was hurt. Since there was an entire brigade moving north at the same time the convoys were spaced apart at a certain interval. Anyone with half a brain knew exactly when we coming and which route we were going to take. I rolled across the border from Kuwait to Iraq at around 2am. I have never had such a profound sense of fear as such I did then. I remember frantically trying to see in all directions at once looking for something out of the ordinary. Thankfully nothing was there. It was a cold end to the second day.

The next day after we stopped at a waypoint camp that was set up where we had slept on the side of the road we really got a good luck at the countryside and the people. I was so amazed at the sheer poverty and destruction and almost run-down that Iraq was in. Everyone I saw was cheering that we were there. There was a stretch on the drive north when we were going past Nasiriyah (502nd Maint. Company fame) where the road would just be lined with kids all waving. Most of them were trying to get food but we weren't allowed to give them any. We were told that if anyone got in the way of the vehicles that we were to just run them over. They could be trying to stop the vehicles to launch an ambush. We didn't want kids coming onto the roads to try and pick up food. That had to be one of the hardest things was seeing starving children wave at me and ask food. Being a new father I could only imagine what it must be like not being able to provide the basic neccesities for my child.

When we started to roll into Baghdad it was near dawn and the city was coming alive. This was actually the most dangerous area to be in for the threat of an IED (improvised explosive device). They hid them in anything and everything. Having to be behind a locked and loaded .50 cal machine gun while trying to weave through traffic at 40 - 60 mph was definetly an unique experience. The .50 cal has no safety and I kept thinking 'Fuck what do i do if I accidentally shoot someone'. It was all that was going through my mind. Having to track peolpe with the barrel of a loaded weapon was not fun.

We ended up making it to our new home at Camp Victory in Baghdad. It is located near the old Saddam International Airport. Well now it is Baghdad International Airport. You can still see the signs where Saddam was spraypainted over. Eerie to see the whole airport deserted and to see large planes stripped of their engines and just sitting on the tarmac.

Our battalion ended up being tasked to provide force protection for our camp. This is definetly not a job that we were ever trained to do. Think of a bunch of cooks, mechanics, and fuelers providing the protection for at the time close to 3,000 people. (Now we still do it and its over 15,000 people) The first few nights we kept getting mortared and the sound of gunfire made me duck everywhere we went. Was not a sound I liked hearing at all. After about a week of being there we heard some reports on the net that there was a possibility of AIF (Anti Iraqi Forces) having obtained some cyanide and using it in attacks against us. That night we got hit by rockets. I wish I could explain the sound that a 127mm rocket makes when it is going overhead and when it explodes. I am so glad when I know that most people won't have to explain it. In the next minute after the strike came probably the worst moment of my life. Battalion called down over the net "Gas, Gas, Gas". My stomach literally dropped so fast and everyone who was in the command post started frantically scrambling for his protective gear. We are trained to be able to put it on in 12 seconds. I think it was on in less than 5 that time. You could almost see the fear emanating off of people at that time.

About 10 minutes later it was discovered a false alarm. This soon turned to be one of the highlights of my life.

The second week we were there one of our guard towers got attacked by RPG (rocket propelled grenade) and SAF. One of our SGTs was pulling guard in the tower along with 2 members of an infantry unit from 82nd Airborne. All 3 were severely wounded and ended up going home for their injuries. SGT ********* from what I here can only walk with a cane from his injuries.

A couple weeks later we learned that what they thought was RPG fire and SAF was actually a Bradley who mistakenly targeted the tower at night with their 25mm cannon and 7.62 coax machine gun. Luckily their mistake didn't kill anyone.

I'm going to end it here for tonite since I'm exhausted so far after being on duty for the last 15 hours. I'll continue later today when I wake up. Again I welcome comments and questions or whatever you want to say.
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Old 08-11-2004, 08:07 PM   #2 (permalink)
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Location: Deep South
Wow, I dont know what to say....

Thank you for sharing and thank you for your service, very good read and we are all proud of you here back home in the states.

Stay safe and keep us up to date, Once again we are very proud of you and your comrades!
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Old 08-11-2004, 08:14 PM   #3 (permalink)
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Location: University of Maryland
I can't say how much I appreciate your contribution, both to this country and to TFP. If there's anything we can do, let us know.
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Old 08-11-2004, 08:25 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Itlain - thanks for this post. It is important that people back in the States hear from individuals like you and not just impersonal media corporations. I want you to know that I appreciate and admire your service, and my thoughts are with you for a safe return when the time comes.
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Old 08-11-2004, 10:11 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Stay safe. Keep your head down. Come home soon. And, keep it comming. I'm riveted.
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Old 08-11-2004, 11:44 PM   #6 (permalink)
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Location: orange county
thanks for sharing, and stay sharp. dont think. just do.
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Old 08-11-2004, 11:55 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Wow. I was riveted, itlain.
Thank you, sir, for what you and your fellow soldiers are putting on the line for all of us.
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