Full Version: Soldier's Insight
There is nothing to debate, so I put it here, but I wanted to pass along a tidbit of unclassified info from the frontlines. In the coming months we will be able to hear about more soldiers and marines experiences in Iraq, but for obvious reasons not much has yet been heard.
This was sent to me by a friend who is in Kuwait, I left out the technical mumbo jumbo that may be greek to most:
This was sent to me by a friend who is in Kuwait, I left out the technical mumbo jumbo that may be greek to most:
QUOTE
Morale is high; soldiers have gotten their battle focus straight. Soldiers did not expect the well-trained para-military troops they have been facing................
On the enemy:
Smart, Flexible, Utilizing all means at their disposal. They have moved ammo in civilian trucks, held weapons to their own people's heads, and pretended to be doctors' with asthmatic children. Pretend to surrender then open fire. Units recommend that you err on the side of precaution.
Put all civilians down before they get close to you. SEARCH EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING. Divorce the personnel from their vehicle be prepared for a car bomb.
Please pass this on to all tank/Bradley companies and anyone else who you think could benefit from these lessons learned. These fine troopers have been down the road and want follow on forces to be prepared. Not once was I asked when they would be going home. They had just come out of 7 days of continuous combat ops, gotten a good night's sleep, pulled some maintenance and are rearing to get on with the job. I did not observe any
loss of focus or shirking by the troops. As one 1SG put it "Even the meatball's seem to get their act together when the bullets fly!"
On the enemy:
Smart, Flexible, Utilizing all means at their disposal. They have moved ammo in civilian trucks, held weapons to their own people's heads, and pretended to be doctors' with asthmatic children. Pretend to surrender then open fire. Units recommend that you err on the side of precaution.
Put all civilians down before they get close to you. SEARCH EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING. Divorce the personnel from their vehicle be prepared for a car bomb.
Please pass this on to all tank/Bradley companies and anyone else who you think could benefit from these lessons learned. These fine troopers have been down the road and want follow on forces to be prepared. Not once was I asked when they would be going home. They had just come out of 7 days of continuous combat ops, gotten a good night's sleep, pulled some maintenance and are rearing to get on with the job. I did not observe any
loss of focus or shirking by the troops. As one 1SG put it "Even the meatball's seem to get their act together when the bullets fly!"
Thanks for the post. I think it's important to see a soldier's perspective of things (unclassified). I will also post anything of importance (of this topic) if I receive it, here. If you don't mind...This is mostly an army war, but you never know...The airforce might have a part.
BTW...My husband went to jump school and received those parachute wings. He went to the real jumpschool, with the army. Not the wimpy airforce academy equivalent
BTW...My husband went to jump school and received those parachute wings. He went to the real jumpschool, with the army. Not the wimpy airforce academy equivalent
Outstanding!!!!!
I used to be a Blackhat at Army Airborne School. Please extend a hearty AIRBORNE! to him from me.
Edited to add:
I love the AF, A-10's have saved my bacon before.
I used to be a Blackhat at Army Airborne School. Please extend a hearty AIRBORNE! to him from me.
Edited to add:
I love the AF, A-10's have saved my bacon before.
Thanks, DTOM. Any further dispatches will be welcome - especially as this campaign is entering a new phase. From you too, mrs p, should the occasion arise.
It's not soldier-based perspective, but here is a Link to some good info from Afghanistan if anyone is into reading this sort of stuff.
It chronicles dealing with Taliban and Al-Qaeda. It's not classified, but I don't think this stuff gets much press outside of military wonk circles.
It chronicles dealing with Taliban and Al-Qaeda. It's not classified, but I don't think this stuff gets much press outside of military wonk circles.
QUOTE(Dontreadonme @ Apr 17 2003, 08:34 PM)
It's not soldier-based perspective, but here is a Link to some good info from Afghanistan if anyone is into reading this sort of stuff.
Cool! Thanks!
Apologies for the long post, this came to me in an e-mail. I think it's an advance copy of an article. It was written by an 'embed'.
OK, so it's loaded with 'three cheers for the USA'. But I can verify the accounts of the 101st Airborne. It was my unit in Desert Storm, and I've been fortunate to speak with one of the officers who was mentioned in the article.
QUOTE
The Men Who Won The War
An 'embed' looks at our soldiers
Since returning from Iraq a short time ago I have been answering a lot
of questions about the war from friends, family, and strangers. When
they ask me how it was over there I find myself glossing over the
fighting, the heat, the sandstorms, and the flies (these last could have
taught the Iraqi army a thing or two about staying power). Instead, I
talk about the soldiers I met, and how they reflected the best of
America. A lot of people are going to tell the story of how this war was
fought; I would rather say something about the men who won the war.
War came early for the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne when an
otherwise quiet night in the Kuwaiti desert was shattered by thunderous
close-quarters grenade blasts. Sgt. Hasan Akbar, a U.S. soldier, had
thrown grenades into an officers' tent, killing two and wounding a dozen
others. Adding to the immediate confusion was the piercing scream of
SCUD alarms, which kicked in the second Akbar's grenade exploded. For a
moment, it was a scene of near panic and total chaos.
Just minutes after the explosions, a perimeter was established around
the area of the attack, medics were treating the wounded, and calls for
evacuation vehicles and helicopters were already being sent out.
Remarkably, the very people who should have been organizing all of this
were the ones lying on the stretchers, seriously wounded. It fell to
junior officers and untested sergeants to take charge and lead. Without
hesitation everyone stepped up and unfalteringly did just that. I stood
in amazement as two captains (Townlee Hendrick and Tony Jones) directed
the evacuation of the wounded, established a hasty defense, and helped
to organize a search for the culprit. They did all this despite bleeding
heavily from their wounds. For over six hours, these two men ran things
while refusing to be evacuated until they were sure all of the men in
their command were safe.
Two days later Capt. Jones left the hospital and hitchhiked back to the
unit: He had heard a rumor that it was about to move into Iraq and he
wanted to be there. As Jones -- dressed only in boots, a hospital gown,
and a flak vest -- limped toward headquarters, Col. Hodges, the 1st
Brigade's commander, announced, "I see that Captain Jones has returned
to us in full martial splendor." The colonel later said that he was
tempted to send Jones to the unit surgeon for further evaluation, but
that he didn't feel he had the right to tell another man not to fight:
Hodges himself had elected to leave two grenade fragments in his arm so
that he could return to his command as quickly as possible.
The war had not even begun and already I was aware that I had fallen in
with a special breed of men. Over the next four weeks, nothing I saw
would alter this impression. A military historian once told me that
soldiers could forgive their officers any fault save cowardice. After
the grenade attack I knew these men were not cowards, but I had yet to
learn that the brigade's leaders had made a cult of bravery. A few
examples will suffice.
While out on what he called "battlefield circulation," Col. Hodges was
surveying suspected enemy positions with one of his battalion commanders
(Lt. Col. Chris Hughes) when a soldier yelled "Incoming" to alert
everyone that mortar shells were headed our way. A few soldiers moved
closer to a wall, but Hodges and Hughes never budged and only briefly
glanced up when the rounds hit a few hundred yards away. As Hodges
completed his review and prepared to leave, another young soldier asked
him when they would get to kill whoever was firing the mortar. Hodges
smiled and said, "Don't be in a hurry to kill him. They might replace
that guy with someone who can shoot."
The next day, a convoy Col. Hodges was traveling in was ambushed by
several Iraqi paramilitary soldiers. A ferocious firefight ensued, but
Hodges never left the side of his vehicle. Puffing on a cigar as he
directed the action, Hodges remained constantly exposed to fire. When
two Kiowa helicopters swooped in to pulverize the enemy strongpoint with
rocket fire, he turned to some journalists watching the action and
quipped, "That's your tax dollars at work."
Bravery inspires men, but brains and quick thinking win wars. In one
particularly tense moment, a company of U.S. soldiers was preparing to
guard the Mosque of Ali -- one of the most sacred Muslim sites -- when
agitators in what had been a friendly crowd started shouting that they
were going to storm the mosque. In an instant, the Iraqis began to chant
and a riot seemed imminent. A couple of nervous soldiers slid their
weapons into fire mode, and I thought we were only moments away from a
slaughter. These soldiers had just fought an all-night battle. They were
exhausted, tense, and prepared to crush any riot with violence of their
own. But they were also professionals, and so, when their battalion
commander, Chris Hughes, ordered them to take a knee, point their
weapons to the ground, and start smiling, that is exactly what they did.
Calm returned. By placing his men in the most non-threatening posture
possible, Hughes had sapped the crowd of its aggression. Quick thinking
and iron discipline had reversed an ugly situation and averted
disaster.
Since then, I have often wondered how we created an army of men who
could fight with ruthless savagery all night and then respond so easily
to an order to "smile" while under impending threat. Historian Stephen
Ambrose said of the American soldier: "When soldiers from any other
army, even our allies, entered a town, the people hid in the cellars.
When Americans came in, even into German towns, it meant smiles,
chocolate bars and C-rations." Ours has always been an army like no
other, because our soldiers reflect a society unlike any other. They are
pitiless when confronted by armed enemy fighters and yet full of
compassion for civilians and even defeated enemies.
American soldiers immediately began saving Iraqi lives at the
conclusion of any fight. Medics later said that the Iraqi wounded they
treated were astounded by our compassion. They expected they would be
left to suffer or die. I witnessed Iraqi paramilitary troops using women
and children as human shields, turning grade schools into fortresses,
and defiling their own holy sites. Time and again, I saw Americans
taking unnecessary risks to clear buildings without firing or using
grenades, because it might injure civilians. I stood in awe as
19-year-olds refused to return enemy fire because it was coming from a
mosque.
It was American soldiers who handed over food to hungry Iraqis, who
gave their own medical supplies to Iraqi doctors, and who brought water
to the thirsty. It was American soldiers who went door-to-door in a slum
because a girl was rumored to have been injured in the fighting; when
they found her, they called in a helicopter to take her to an Army
hospital. It was American soldiers who wept when a three-year-old was
carried out of the rubble where she had been killed by Iraqi mortar
fire. It was American soldiers who cleaned up houses they had been
fighting over and later occupied -- they wanted the places to look at
least somewhat tidy when the residents returned.
It was these same soldiers who stormed to Baghdad in only a couple of
weeks, accepted the surrender of three Iraqi Army divisions, massacred
any Republican Guard unit that stood and fought, and disposed of a
dictator and a regime with ruthless efficiency. There is no other army
-- and there are no other soldiers -- in the world capable of such
merciless fighting and possessed of such compassion for their fellow
man. No society except America could have produced them.
Before I end this I want to point out one other quality of the American
soldier: his sense of justice. After a grueling fight, a company of
infantrymen was resting and opening their first mail delivery of the
war. One of the young soldiers had received a care package and was
sharing the home-baked cookies with his friends. A photographer with a
heavy French accent asked if he could have one. The soldier looked him
over and said there would be no cookies for Frenchmen. The photographer
then protested that he was half Italian. Without missing a beat, the
soldier broke a cookie in half and gave it to him. It was a perfect
moment and a perfect reflection of the American soldier.
An 'embed' looks at our soldiers
Since returning from Iraq a short time ago I have been answering a lot
of questions about the war from friends, family, and strangers. When
they ask me how it was over there I find myself glossing over the
fighting, the heat, the sandstorms, and the flies (these last could have
taught the Iraqi army a thing or two about staying power). Instead, I
talk about the soldiers I met, and how they reflected the best of
America. A lot of people are going to tell the story of how this war was
fought; I would rather say something about the men who won the war.
War came early for the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne when an
otherwise quiet night in the Kuwaiti desert was shattered by thunderous
close-quarters grenade blasts. Sgt. Hasan Akbar, a U.S. soldier, had
thrown grenades into an officers' tent, killing two and wounding a dozen
others. Adding to the immediate confusion was the piercing scream of
SCUD alarms, which kicked in the second Akbar's grenade exploded. For a
moment, it was a scene of near panic and total chaos.
Just minutes after the explosions, a perimeter was established around
the area of the attack, medics were treating the wounded, and calls for
evacuation vehicles and helicopters were already being sent out.
Remarkably, the very people who should have been organizing all of this
were the ones lying on the stretchers, seriously wounded. It fell to
junior officers and untested sergeants to take charge and lead. Without
hesitation everyone stepped up and unfalteringly did just that. I stood
in amazement as two captains (Townlee Hendrick and Tony Jones) directed
the evacuation of the wounded, established a hasty defense, and helped
to organize a search for the culprit. They did all this despite bleeding
heavily from their wounds. For over six hours, these two men ran things
while refusing to be evacuated until they were sure all of the men in
their command were safe.
Two days later Capt. Jones left the hospital and hitchhiked back to the
unit: He had heard a rumor that it was about to move into Iraq and he
wanted to be there. As Jones -- dressed only in boots, a hospital gown,
and a flak vest -- limped toward headquarters, Col. Hodges, the 1st
Brigade's commander, announced, "I see that Captain Jones has returned
to us in full martial splendor." The colonel later said that he was
tempted to send Jones to the unit surgeon for further evaluation, but
that he didn't feel he had the right to tell another man not to fight:
Hodges himself had elected to leave two grenade fragments in his arm so
that he could return to his command as quickly as possible.
The war had not even begun and already I was aware that I had fallen in
with a special breed of men. Over the next four weeks, nothing I saw
would alter this impression. A military historian once told me that
soldiers could forgive their officers any fault save cowardice. After
the grenade attack I knew these men were not cowards, but I had yet to
learn that the brigade's leaders had made a cult of bravery. A few
examples will suffice.
While out on what he called "battlefield circulation," Col. Hodges was
surveying suspected enemy positions with one of his battalion commanders
(Lt. Col. Chris Hughes) when a soldier yelled "Incoming" to alert
everyone that mortar shells were headed our way. A few soldiers moved
closer to a wall, but Hodges and Hughes never budged and only briefly
glanced up when the rounds hit a few hundred yards away. As Hodges
completed his review and prepared to leave, another young soldier asked
him when they would get to kill whoever was firing the mortar. Hodges
smiled and said, "Don't be in a hurry to kill him. They might replace
that guy with someone who can shoot."
The next day, a convoy Col. Hodges was traveling in was ambushed by
several Iraqi paramilitary soldiers. A ferocious firefight ensued, but
Hodges never left the side of his vehicle. Puffing on a cigar as he
directed the action, Hodges remained constantly exposed to fire. When
two Kiowa helicopters swooped in to pulverize the enemy strongpoint with
rocket fire, he turned to some journalists watching the action and
quipped, "That's your tax dollars at work."
Bravery inspires men, but brains and quick thinking win wars. In one
particularly tense moment, a company of U.S. soldiers was preparing to
guard the Mosque of Ali -- one of the most sacred Muslim sites -- when
agitators in what had been a friendly crowd started shouting that they
were going to storm the mosque. In an instant, the Iraqis began to chant
and a riot seemed imminent. A couple of nervous soldiers slid their
weapons into fire mode, and I thought we were only moments away from a
slaughter. These soldiers had just fought an all-night battle. They were
exhausted, tense, and prepared to crush any riot with violence of their
own. But they were also professionals, and so, when their battalion
commander, Chris Hughes, ordered them to take a knee, point their
weapons to the ground, and start smiling, that is exactly what they did.
Calm returned. By placing his men in the most non-threatening posture
possible, Hughes had sapped the crowd of its aggression. Quick thinking
and iron discipline had reversed an ugly situation and averted
disaster.
Since then, I have often wondered how we created an army of men who
could fight with ruthless savagery all night and then respond so easily
to an order to "smile" while under impending threat. Historian Stephen
Ambrose said of the American soldier: "When soldiers from any other
army, even our allies, entered a town, the people hid in the cellars.
When Americans came in, even into German towns, it meant smiles,
chocolate bars and C-rations." Ours has always been an army like no
other, because our soldiers reflect a society unlike any other. They are
pitiless when confronted by armed enemy fighters and yet full of
compassion for civilians and even defeated enemies.
American soldiers immediately began saving Iraqi lives at the
conclusion of any fight. Medics later said that the Iraqi wounded they
treated were astounded by our compassion. They expected they would be
left to suffer or die. I witnessed Iraqi paramilitary troops using women
and children as human shields, turning grade schools into fortresses,
and defiling their own holy sites. Time and again, I saw Americans
taking unnecessary risks to clear buildings without firing or using
grenades, because it might injure civilians. I stood in awe as
19-year-olds refused to return enemy fire because it was coming from a
mosque.
It was American soldiers who handed over food to hungry Iraqis, who
gave their own medical supplies to Iraqi doctors, and who brought water
to the thirsty. It was American soldiers who went door-to-door in a slum
because a girl was rumored to have been injured in the fighting; when
they found her, they called in a helicopter to take her to an Army
hospital. It was American soldiers who wept when a three-year-old was
carried out of the rubble where she had been killed by Iraqi mortar
fire. It was American soldiers who cleaned up houses they had been
fighting over and later occupied -- they wanted the places to look at
least somewhat tidy when the residents returned.
It was these same soldiers who stormed to Baghdad in only a couple of
weeks, accepted the surrender of three Iraqi Army divisions, massacred
any Republican Guard unit that stood and fought, and disposed of a
dictator and a regime with ruthless efficiency. There is no other army
-- and there are no other soldiers -- in the world capable of such
merciless fighting and possessed of such compassion for their fellow
man. No society except America could have produced them.
Before I end this I want to point out one other quality of the American
soldier: his sense of justice. After a grueling fight, a company of
infantrymen was resting and opening their first mail delivery of the
war. One of the young soldiers had received a care package and was
sharing the home-baked cookies with his friends. A photographer with a
heavy French accent asked if he could have one. The soldier looked him
over and said there would be no cookies for Frenchmen. The photographer
then protested that he was half Italian. Without missing a beat, the
soldier broke a cookie in half and gave it to him. It was a perfect
moment and a perfect reflection of the American soldier.
OK, so it's loaded with 'three cheers for the USA'. But I can verify the accounts of the 101st Airborne. It was my unit in Desert Storm, and I've been fortunate to speak with one of the officers who was mentioned in the article.
Thanks DTOM. That was a great letter.
If you don't mind, I will copy it and send it on its way through the AF e mail chain.
If you don't mind, I will copy it and send it on its way through the AF e mail chain.
My Cousin is on the USS Kitty Hawk & flys F-18 Hornets
The Kitty Hawk pulled into port in Japan yesterday
The Kitty Hawk pulled into port in Japan yesterday
This letter is from an Army friend, it is an interesting account of how things are going in Iraq right now.....
(Army Captain)
(Army Captain)
QUOTE
Howdy Everyone,
Well we finally made it into Iraq. I am sitting here eating a cold cup of beef soup for dinner. I just could not eat an MRE today. We are currently in the town of Ad Diawaniah; with a population of 200,000 is the largest city in South Central Iraq. So let me start where I left off from the last letter. We spent approximately 2 ½ weeks in Arifjan, Kuwait. Mainly all we did was sit around the warehouse playing cards and watching movies on the computer. Finally the population at the camp started to go down so the lines where not as long so I was actually able to partake in the good ‘ol fashion Burger King and Subway out of the make shift shops that where set up. Talk about a moneymaker. We had been living day to day out of our back packs because they did not know exactly when we where leaving so we had to keep the vehicles packed at all times. Our vehicles where packed with so much gear that we actually had to build racks for the roof of the vehicles. The racks were packed about 2 ½ feet high and in some cases higher. All we needed was the rocking chair and we could have been the Beverly Hill Billy’s. They changed our dates of departure several times and what units we would be attached to, and where we where going. We had been assigned to the 1st AD, 3rd ACR, and the 1st Marine Division. We also were going to Baghdad, and everywhere else surrounding it, all the way out to the Iranian border. Finally they settled on this place and we have been assigned to the 3rd of the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. So a few days before we where to leave I was able to convince the highers that we needed to go into town to get supplies. I guess they finally realized that how could we go out into an Iraqi town where there are still quite a few bad guys who don’t really like us all that much by ourselves if we didn’t think it was safe enough to go into Kuwait City which was a permissive environment. So anyways, I took a small group on a shopping trip into Kuwait City. The drive to and from town was quite eventful. Since I was only one of two soldiers with the “Army Non-Tactical Vehicle” license, I got to drive. In Kuwait, if you don’t drive aggressively you are going to get killed. They have a speed limit of about 90 mph but most everyone exceeded that. They would think nothing about cutting you off. Then when you get into town, you run into traffic circles. I am so glad we don’t have these in the states. You don’t really stop when you try to merge into one because the guy behind you will slam into you. Now the car on the far inside lane has the right of way so in one fail swoop, they will fly out of the center across two other lanes of traffic and exit. Oh did I mention the little S-10 pickup truck that had a full size camel in the back. Camel is bigger than the truck but somehow they squeezed that sucker in there. So anyway, we finally made it to the mall. Their malls are very similar to U.S. malls. They have most of the same big name stores that you would find back in the states. By the way, this mall was the same one that was hit by an Iraqi anti-ship missile a few weeks earlier. We shopped for supplies and had lunch overlooking the Persian Gulf. The sad part is that our Dollar is only worth 33 cents there. Two days later our gypsy convoy headed north to Iraq.
Once we crossed the berm into Iraq, everything changed. We went from a very modern society into what seemed like a place time forgot. Just on the other side of the berm we drove through the town of Safwan. The town was a complete wasteland. The citizens lived in small mud or stick houses. Garbage was everywhere. There were remains of destroyed Iraqi tanks and military equipment strewn throughout the landscape. The people where living a very, very meager life. It was very sad to see people living in such squalor. We continued Northeast most of the day until we stopped at the Tallil Airbase, where we spent the night. On the way into base, the road was lined with people trying to sell things like bayonets and Coke. It’s an uneasy feeling when someone is sticking a knife in your face trying to sell it to you. The neat thing about the airbase is that it rests in the shadows of the burial place of Abraham. The burial tomb is this massive building that kind of resembles Ft. Knox. I will try to send some pictures of it home later on. The next day we continued on to our new home. The one good thing Saddam did for this country was that the highways are very nice and they even have picnic areas about every five miles or so. I don’t know who would want to stop along the desert to have a picnic but they had a bunch of them. We passed one site where a bunch of Iraqi soldiers met their fate. The road was littered with 50 or so vehicles that where just blown to pieces. It was kind of sobering to see such a thing. Finally we made it to Ad Diawaniah. We spent the first night in a brand new medical school that we had taken over. It was kind of like the Wild West there at night. It sat in the heart of town. Sitting out by the vehicles, one could hear gunfire and see tracers flying overhead. We were told there are a lot of gangs in the area that frequently shoot it out at night. The next day they moved us to another older medical school. It is just one building. My detachment shares this building with a Marine Civil Affairs unit and a intelligence unit. The Marines have been absolutely super to us. I guess they are glad to see us because we are their relief. They get us anything we need. My hooch is in the lab. We have one toilet but we cannot put any TP in it. Kind of nasty because you have to put the used paper in a can next to you. We get showers every three days so you don’t get to funky.
Well we got right to work. Since there is no government here, we became the government. We had to fill in all the government offices that are necessary to run a city. So I became the City Manager, which means that I run the sanitation, sewage, water treatment, transportation, and other functions. Also, I am the project manager, which means I plan construction and reconstruction of certain projects within the city. The other officers have cool jobs like Deputy Mayor, Finance Minister, and School Board Superintendent. We have a huge job ahead of us. It’s just not the Officers that get the important jobs, but the enlisted as well. For example, one of our lower enlisted soldiers (a specialist) has become the Chief of Police and my Team Sergeant has become the Assistant Chief. The specialist was picked because of his background as a SWAT member of a police force near Green Bay. My team sergeant, SSG Johnson is this big Irish man who likes to fight. He is former Marine Recon and has been an instructor at the Marine Officer Infantry School where he taught fighting techniques. I also have a specialist on my team that has been given a very important job. His title is Minister of Showers for all of South Central Iraq. He is a very important man, because he is the one who is in charge of turning on the pump that fill the tanks up on the roof so we can shower on shower night. The people in town are very friendly and for the most part Pro-American. The children come running out of their homes when we come down the street just to wave or ask for candy. “Hey Mista, Chocolat?” or “Saddam Bad. Bush Good”. The conditions in town are pretty bad though. The sewage system is only running at about 20% so the rest of the waste gets pumped into the river or out into the street. Medical supplies are is short supply as well. Today, I had a father come up to the compound with his very young daughter in his arms. The child was limp like a rag doll. He said she was very sick and he had been at the hospital but there was no medicine for her and he was also very poor and the hospital would not help her because he had no money. So he came to us, but unfortunately there was nothing we could do for her because the hard truth is that if we are not prepared to handle this type of humanitarian aid yet. If we were to treat just this one little girl, our system would be over run with everyone else looking for medical help and like I said we are nowhere near prepared to do that. So the very sad fact is that this little girl will probably be dead in a few days if not hours. It was very heart breaking. Then while I was out in a nearby village, I toured a clinic there and their big problem is that they also have no medicine or supplies. There was a 2 or 3 yr old boy who had just come in with a pretty nasty cut on his chin and the doctor had to sew it up with out any anesthesia. It was going to be very painful. I thought perhaps that someway that hospitals in the states could send medicine that they where going to throw away because of it expiring would be very useful here.
Rasha will probably get a kick out of this. As she knows, I can’t stand to be late nor do I like to wait on anyone. Well over here, it seems that most people don’t have the concept of punctuality. I sat around yesterday waiting on two different guys for two meetings for 2 hours. Today, I was waiting on another guy, and after 1 ½ hrs, I got tired of waiting for him so I left. This happens to everyone here. We are very busy people and we really don’t have a lot of time to wait around because we have other places to be. Also, Iraqis don’t like to stand in line. They will swarm around you because everyone wants to know what everyone else is talking about. The kids will just mob you trying to get you to give them something.
They found a mass gravesite just 600 meters from here. It was out back of a torture chamber that they discovered. Have not been by to see it yet but I’m sure that there are going to be many more. There have been a lot of weapons caches found to, to include one in this building. It was found in the cadaver room. Yes there are bodies floating in big vats of formaldehyde. Kind of gross to see. Well anyways, there were RPGs, Machine Guns, AK-47s, mortar rounds and other stuff. That stuff was carted of for disposal.
The other day we had a man and his teenage daughter come to the gate. The complaint was that three guys kidnapped her and continued to rape her for three days before they let her go. Now in Iraq and possibly elsewhere in the Middle East, that the only way that the girl will ever get her respect back is if she marries the rapist. That blows my mind. Anyway, they planned to do a raid and get these bad guys but at the last minute, the father took a payoff from the perpetrators. So I guess money is more important that his daughter. A lot of women are treated badly here. The other day they arrested another bad guy and in the back yard they found his wife handcuffed to something. She had been handcuffed so long, that the skin had started to grow back over the handcuffs. There are some really sick people here. Also it is legal to marry 4 women here. What are they thinking? I talked to one guy the other day who has 4 wives and 32 children.
Now this city is a real mess. That’s not because of the war, but because of the looting. Very little fighting was done here but you would never know it. There is nothing left of the insides of most of the buildings. And a lot have been totally gutted and burned. Even as we fix stuff they come right in behind us and vandalize it. I wish they would understand, that the sooner we get things on their feet, the sooner we leave and they get their city back. But they have no concept of this. The police are a total joke. They are afraid to arrest someone, because they fear that someone from the perps tribe will come and kill them. They will not go out at night and do patrols because they are afraid. WHY THE HELL DID THEY SIGN UP TO BE POLICE OFFICERS? I asked one the other day if he would arrest someone he saw doing a crime, and he said “No its not my job.” After I berated him awhile he finally said he would but I know damn well he will just be like the rest. So our Chief of Police has a hell of a job ahead of him. I don’t envy him one bit.
This sure is turning out to be an eye opening experience. I know I won’t be able to look at the world in the same way again. Its amazes me that people have to live through conditions like they are here and that they have been able to survive so long.
Well that’s it for now. E-mail is very scarce around here, so I don’t know when I will get to write again. Take care everyone. Keep sending those letters because they are a little taste of home. Mail call is big time around here and we all look forward to hearing from everyone.
Well we finally made it into Iraq. I am sitting here eating a cold cup of beef soup for dinner. I just could not eat an MRE today. We are currently in the town of Ad Diawaniah; with a population of 200,000 is the largest city in South Central Iraq. So let me start where I left off from the last letter. We spent approximately 2 ½ weeks in Arifjan, Kuwait. Mainly all we did was sit around the warehouse playing cards and watching movies on the computer. Finally the population at the camp started to go down so the lines where not as long so I was actually able to partake in the good ‘ol fashion Burger King and Subway out of the make shift shops that where set up. Talk about a moneymaker. We had been living day to day out of our back packs because they did not know exactly when we where leaving so we had to keep the vehicles packed at all times. Our vehicles where packed with so much gear that we actually had to build racks for the roof of the vehicles. The racks were packed about 2 ½ feet high and in some cases higher. All we needed was the rocking chair and we could have been the Beverly Hill Billy’s. They changed our dates of departure several times and what units we would be attached to, and where we where going. We had been assigned to the 1st AD, 3rd ACR, and the 1st Marine Division. We also were going to Baghdad, and everywhere else surrounding it, all the way out to the Iranian border. Finally they settled on this place and we have been assigned to the 3rd of the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. So a few days before we where to leave I was able to convince the highers that we needed to go into town to get supplies. I guess they finally realized that how could we go out into an Iraqi town where there are still quite a few bad guys who don’t really like us all that much by ourselves if we didn’t think it was safe enough to go into Kuwait City which was a permissive environment. So anyways, I took a small group on a shopping trip into Kuwait City. The drive to and from town was quite eventful. Since I was only one of two soldiers with the “Army Non-Tactical Vehicle” license, I got to drive. In Kuwait, if you don’t drive aggressively you are going to get killed. They have a speed limit of about 90 mph but most everyone exceeded that. They would think nothing about cutting you off. Then when you get into town, you run into traffic circles. I am so glad we don’t have these in the states. You don’t really stop when you try to merge into one because the guy behind you will slam into you. Now the car on the far inside lane has the right of way so in one fail swoop, they will fly out of the center across two other lanes of traffic and exit. Oh did I mention the little S-10 pickup truck that had a full size camel in the back. Camel is bigger than the truck but somehow they squeezed that sucker in there. So anyway, we finally made it to the mall. Their malls are very similar to U.S. malls. They have most of the same big name stores that you would find back in the states. By the way, this mall was the same one that was hit by an Iraqi anti-ship missile a few weeks earlier. We shopped for supplies and had lunch overlooking the Persian Gulf. The sad part is that our Dollar is only worth 33 cents there. Two days later our gypsy convoy headed north to Iraq.
Once we crossed the berm into Iraq, everything changed. We went from a very modern society into what seemed like a place time forgot. Just on the other side of the berm we drove through the town of Safwan. The town was a complete wasteland. The citizens lived in small mud or stick houses. Garbage was everywhere. There were remains of destroyed Iraqi tanks and military equipment strewn throughout the landscape. The people where living a very, very meager life. It was very sad to see people living in such squalor. We continued Northeast most of the day until we stopped at the Tallil Airbase, where we spent the night. On the way into base, the road was lined with people trying to sell things like bayonets and Coke. It’s an uneasy feeling when someone is sticking a knife in your face trying to sell it to you. The neat thing about the airbase is that it rests in the shadows of the burial place of Abraham. The burial tomb is this massive building that kind of resembles Ft. Knox. I will try to send some pictures of it home later on. The next day we continued on to our new home. The one good thing Saddam did for this country was that the highways are very nice and they even have picnic areas about every five miles or so. I don’t know who would want to stop along the desert to have a picnic but they had a bunch of them. We passed one site where a bunch of Iraqi soldiers met their fate. The road was littered with 50 or so vehicles that where just blown to pieces. It was kind of sobering to see such a thing. Finally we made it to Ad Diawaniah. We spent the first night in a brand new medical school that we had taken over. It was kind of like the Wild West there at night. It sat in the heart of town. Sitting out by the vehicles, one could hear gunfire and see tracers flying overhead. We were told there are a lot of gangs in the area that frequently shoot it out at night. The next day they moved us to another older medical school. It is just one building. My detachment shares this building with a Marine Civil Affairs unit and a intelligence unit. The Marines have been absolutely super to us. I guess they are glad to see us because we are their relief. They get us anything we need. My hooch is in the lab. We have one toilet but we cannot put any TP in it. Kind of nasty because you have to put the used paper in a can next to you. We get showers every three days so you don’t get to funky.
Well we got right to work. Since there is no government here, we became the government. We had to fill in all the government offices that are necessary to run a city. So I became the City Manager, which means that I run the sanitation, sewage, water treatment, transportation, and other functions. Also, I am the project manager, which means I plan construction and reconstruction of certain projects within the city. The other officers have cool jobs like Deputy Mayor, Finance Minister, and School Board Superintendent. We have a huge job ahead of us. It’s just not the Officers that get the important jobs, but the enlisted as well. For example, one of our lower enlisted soldiers (a specialist) has become the Chief of Police and my Team Sergeant has become the Assistant Chief. The specialist was picked because of his background as a SWAT member of a police force near Green Bay. My team sergeant, SSG Johnson is this big Irish man who likes to fight. He is former Marine Recon and has been an instructor at the Marine Officer Infantry School where he taught fighting techniques. I also have a specialist on my team that has been given a very important job. His title is Minister of Showers for all of South Central Iraq. He is a very important man, because he is the one who is in charge of turning on the pump that fill the tanks up on the roof so we can shower on shower night. The people in town are very friendly and for the most part Pro-American. The children come running out of their homes when we come down the street just to wave or ask for candy. “Hey Mista, Chocolat?” or “Saddam Bad. Bush Good”. The conditions in town are pretty bad though. The sewage system is only running at about 20% so the rest of the waste gets pumped into the river or out into the street. Medical supplies are is short supply as well. Today, I had a father come up to the compound with his very young daughter in his arms. The child was limp like a rag doll. He said she was very sick and he had been at the hospital but there was no medicine for her and he was also very poor and the hospital would not help her because he had no money. So he came to us, but unfortunately there was nothing we could do for her because the hard truth is that if we are not prepared to handle this type of humanitarian aid yet. If we were to treat just this one little girl, our system would be over run with everyone else looking for medical help and like I said we are nowhere near prepared to do that. So the very sad fact is that this little girl will probably be dead in a few days if not hours. It was very heart breaking. Then while I was out in a nearby village, I toured a clinic there and their big problem is that they also have no medicine or supplies. There was a 2 or 3 yr old boy who had just come in with a pretty nasty cut on his chin and the doctor had to sew it up with out any anesthesia. It was going to be very painful. I thought perhaps that someway that hospitals in the states could send medicine that they where going to throw away because of it expiring would be very useful here.
Rasha will probably get a kick out of this. As she knows, I can’t stand to be late nor do I like to wait on anyone. Well over here, it seems that most people don’t have the concept of punctuality. I sat around yesterday waiting on two different guys for two meetings for 2 hours. Today, I was waiting on another guy, and after 1 ½ hrs, I got tired of waiting for him so I left. This happens to everyone here. We are very busy people and we really don’t have a lot of time to wait around because we have other places to be. Also, Iraqis don’t like to stand in line. They will swarm around you because everyone wants to know what everyone else is talking about. The kids will just mob you trying to get you to give them something.
They found a mass gravesite just 600 meters from here. It was out back of a torture chamber that they discovered. Have not been by to see it yet but I’m sure that there are going to be many more. There have been a lot of weapons caches found to, to include one in this building. It was found in the cadaver room. Yes there are bodies floating in big vats of formaldehyde. Kind of gross to see. Well anyways, there were RPGs, Machine Guns, AK-47s, mortar rounds and other stuff. That stuff was carted of for disposal.
The other day we had a man and his teenage daughter come to the gate. The complaint was that three guys kidnapped her and continued to rape her for three days before they let her go. Now in Iraq and possibly elsewhere in the Middle East, that the only way that the girl will ever get her respect back is if she marries the rapist. That blows my mind. Anyway, they planned to do a raid and get these bad guys but at the last minute, the father took a payoff from the perpetrators. So I guess money is more important that his daughter. A lot of women are treated badly here. The other day they arrested another bad guy and in the back yard they found his wife handcuffed to something. She had been handcuffed so long, that the skin had started to grow back over the handcuffs. There are some really sick people here. Also it is legal to marry 4 women here. What are they thinking? I talked to one guy the other day who has 4 wives and 32 children.
Now this city is a real mess. That’s not because of the war, but because of the looting. Very little fighting was done here but you would never know it. There is nothing left of the insides of most of the buildings. And a lot have been totally gutted and burned. Even as we fix stuff they come right in behind us and vandalize it. I wish they would understand, that the sooner we get things on their feet, the sooner we leave and they get their city back. But they have no concept of this. The police are a total joke. They are afraid to arrest someone, because they fear that someone from the perps tribe will come and kill them. They will not go out at night and do patrols because they are afraid. WHY THE HELL DID THEY SIGN UP TO BE POLICE OFFICERS? I asked one the other day if he would arrest someone he saw doing a crime, and he said “No its not my job.” After I berated him awhile he finally said he would but I know damn well he will just be like the rest. So our Chief of Police has a hell of a job ahead of him. I don’t envy him one bit.
This sure is turning out to be an eye opening experience. I know I won’t be able to look at the world in the same way again. Its amazes me that people have to live through conditions like they are here and that they have been able to survive so long.
Well that’s it for now. E-mail is very scarce around here, so I don’t know when I will get to write again. Take care everyone. Keep sending those letters because they are a little taste of home. Mail call is big time around here and we all look forward to hearing from everyone.
I haven't received any more e mails, but I wanted to suggest this site: http://www.hackworth.com/
Anyone who wishes can subscribe to Hackworth's 'Voice of the Grunt' newsletter, which offers many first hand accounts of the goings on in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of the soldiers from overseas write to him, and it offers a wealth of information to anyone interested.
Anyone who wishes can subscribe to Hackworth's 'Voice of the Grunt' newsletter, which offers many first hand accounts of the goings on in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of the soldiers from overseas write to him, and it offers a wealth of information to anyone interested.
This came from the child of a faculty member who also is a graduate of our school. He came and performed a couple of songs at an assembly this past year and spoke briefly to the student body. He is a member of the 101st Airborne engineers.
Enjoy
QUOTE
Tallafar, Iraq 6 JULY 2003
We.. we have had some good talks in the last week, and since I have no real news to share and less info about coming home I thought I would share some opinions about our current situation here. As we drive through towns here, we began to ask one another if what we are doing here will last, and more importantly is it really changing things? What we are doing here will have limited success I think. My belief is that we need to attack the core of the problem and that the simple fact is the majority of the Iraqi people are uneducated and do not know and desire freedom and democracy. As we traveled through the crowded streets of Mosul yesterday, the paradigm became clear; these people dump their garbage over the front wall of their yards. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Unfortunately not out of smell. Traffic is much the same illustration. The Iraqi people pay no attention to stret lights or lane markings. They are looking out for numero uno and so, the result is one grand mess. The US has poured millions and millions into the cleanup effort over here, but I have to wonder if these people even care. We clean up a neighborhood one day, and the next day it once again looks like the post-game baseball stadium nobody bothered to clean up. So how are we going to convince these people that democracy and the "good of all/will of the people" is the mantra to follow when they don't even want to keep their own yards clean or respect the egalitarian authority of a traffic light? I want to say the fix rests with the children and young adults. Educate the future generation; teach them democracy and see if they cannot learn to hunger for freedom. I think the next big revolution will come from Iran, and I hope it comes from the youthful students. And, in a sense, that is where it should always come from, an intelligent group with the drive capable of changing a country.
The sharp reality of this war, unlike the invasion of Germany for instance, which allowed us to rebuild an already functional economy full of industrious people, is that Iraq did not simply fall in chunks like the Berlin Wall, keeping the German leitmotif, but crumbled to a powder that no mason could use for rebuilding. I don't think anyone expected Iraq to loot itself intothe Stone Age, but it did that, with wild abandon. These people have known nothing but totalitarianism seen through the context of Sadam and the Ba'ath Party. So, of course they feel no ownership for their property or place of work or their neighbor-after all, who could be trusted, and how much of anything was truly their own? So how do you implement education courses that foster respect for your fellow man abd spark the desire for freedom? That I don't know. I don't believe our fighting and dying has been in vain over here, but I am afraid that the gains will be epochal in their pace. I do believe that we are not needed here any more. Saddam needed to go, but Iraq is a magnet for violence from which it will be very difficult to separate. They will continue to beg for food with one hand and hold a gun in the other. We have tried containment before as policy, and I will not go into that subject or my views on it now--maybe next time. I do hope that (friend, name omitted) and others like him will decide to spend their intellectual capital in making our future foreign policy. Who better to create policy than someone who has enacted and executed that policy in the wars of our country in two different third world lands? I could sit in Washingotn right now and pen dozens of insightful and fabulously progressive policies toward Iraq, but only be being here on a daily basis and seeing the people interact with us and one another could I pen a policy with an ounce of a chance at success. Real change, I have come to see, can only come from within. If the people do not desire change, do not hunger for freedom, are ignorant of such hope, then how can there be lasting change?
I leave you with the following truth: the hydro-electric pumping station I visisted two days ago supplies power to Northern Iraq and provides life-sustaining water and irrigation to hundreds of thousands of people and acres of land. However, the station only operates at about one-third its potential capacity. Why? Two reasons: first, all the equipment was made by Energoinvest, a Yugoslavian equivalent of GE. We bomber their factories into oblivion not many years ago, making it a little difficult to order replecement parts. Second, the biggest portion of the electricity was bough from Syria. Well, read the news lately-we don't like to trade with Syria, so the oil for lights trade deal is off. Meanwhile, lots of US troops are mastering Solitair and Rubick's Cubes while trying to work their way out fo a job rebuilding Iraq so they can go home and be with their families. One of their biggest goals is order to go home is restoring electricity in Iraq . . .
Well that's all the soapbox fit to stand on this week. Next time I will try for something a little more light
We.. we have had some good talks in the last week, and since I have no real news to share and less info about coming home I thought I would share some opinions about our current situation here. As we drive through towns here, we began to ask one another if what we are doing here will last, and more importantly is it really changing things? What we are doing here will have limited success I think. My belief is that we need to attack the core of the problem and that the simple fact is the majority of the Iraqi people are uneducated and do not know and desire freedom and democracy. As we traveled through the crowded streets of Mosul yesterday, the paradigm became clear; these people dump their garbage over the front wall of their yards. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Unfortunately not out of smell. Traffic is much the same illustration. The Iraqi people pay no attention to stret lights or lane markings. They are looking out for numero uno and so, the result is one grand mess. The US has poured millions and millions into the cleanup effort over here, but I have to wonder if these people even care. We clean up a neighborhood one day, and the next day it once again looks like the post-game baseball stadium nobody bothered to clean up. So how are we going to convince these people that democracy and the "good of all/will of the people" is the mantra to follow when they don't even want to keep their own yards clean or respect the egalitarian authority of a traffic light? I want to say the fix rests with the children and young adults. Educate the future generation; teach them democracy and see if they cannot learn to hunger for freedom. I think the next big revolution will come from Iran, and I hope it comes from the youthful students. And, in a sense, that is where it should always come from, an intelligent group with the drive capable of changing a country.
The sharp reality of this war, unlike the invasion of Germany for instance, which allowed us to rebuild an already functional economy full of industrious people, is that Iraq did not simply fall in chunks like the Berlin Wall, keeping the German leitmotif, but crumbled to a powder that no mason could use for rebuilding. I don't think anyone expected Iraq to loot itself intothe Stone Age, but it did that, with wild abandon. These people have known nothing but totalitarianism seen through the context of Sadam and the Ba'ath Party. So, of course they feel no ownership for their property or place of work or their neighbor-after all, who could be trusted, and how much of anything was truly their own? So how do you implement education courses that foster respect for your fellow man abd spark the desire for freedom? That I don't know. I don't believe our fighting and dying has been in vain over here, but I am afraid that the gains will be epochal in their pace. I do believe that we are not needed here any more. Saddam needed to go, but Iraq is a magnet for violence from which it will be very difficult to separate. They will continue to beg for food with one hand and hold a gun in the other. We have tried containment before as policy, and I will not go into that subject or my views on it now--maybe next time. I do hope that (friend, name omitted) and others like him will decide to spend their intellectual capital in making our future foreign policy. Who better to create policy than someone who has enacted and executed that policy in the wars of our country in two different third world lands? I could sit in Washingotn right now and pen dozens of insightful and fabulously progressive policies toward Iraq, but only be being here on a daily basis and seeing the people interact with us and one another could I pen a policy with an ounce of a chance at success. Real change, I have come to see, can only come from within. If the people do not desire change, do not hunger for freedom, are ignorant of such hope, then how can there be lasting change?
I leave you with the following truth: the hydro-electric pumping station I visisted two days ago supplies power to Northern Iraq and provides life-sustaining water and irrigation to hundreds of thousands of people and acres of land. However, the station only operates at about one-third its potential capacity. Why? Two reasons: first, all the equipment was made by Energoinvest, a Yugoslavian equivalent of GE. We bomber their factories into oblivion not many years ago, making it a little difficult to order replecement parts. Second, the biggest portion of the electricity was bough from Syria. Well, read the news lately-we don't like to trade with Syria, so the oil for lights trade deal is off. Meanwhile, lots of US troops are mastering Solitair and Rubick's Cubes while trying to work their way out fo a job rebuilding Iraq so they can go home and be with their families. One of their biggest goals is order to go home is restoring electricity in Iraq . . .
Well that's all the soapbox fit to stand on this week. Next time I will try for something a little more light
Enjoy
I was hoping that this letter would prompt some comments. 
QUOTE(Eeyore @ Jul 15 2003, 06:33 AM)
I was hoping that this letter would prompt some comments.
Sorry, Eeyore. I was thinking of PMing you personally. It's such an awful mess out there, I think people don't want to respond because it's so depressing.
We got another e-mail today. Here is the edited version
QUOTE
Dear Folks,
I am fine. How are you? How is your summer? Mine is fine. Camp sucks. I want to come home. It has been fun, but we are out of smores. Thanks for the clean undies and sheets…. Last night was fun-we played volleyball for hours and then enjoyed an ice-cold watermelon I got from the locals. Not bad with lots of salt. Today I got a satellite TV for us so we can at least get the news from CNN-there are lots of sports channels too. So we got that going for us, which is nice. Can’t thank you enough for the Caddyshack DVD-I forgot how funny it is. I think I told you guys that some jack arse broke the satellite phone. It was not one of our guys. I hope they find a replacement phone soon.
I just came back from our brigade maintenance meeting-what a waste of time. We go around and around beating horses to death left and right. Of course no one has answers. The greatest of all quotations, straight from the mouth of the Support Officer(I used to think this guy was really sharp), in response to how the Shop Office prioritizes jobs: “Well, we usually prioritize jobs according to age, though most of the time that’s not how it goes.” Ah ha…but riddle me this Basho. Can you believe that? His answer was a contradiction. Worse, I looked around the room and most of the folks were nodding like that gave them some kind of clarification. You didn’t know I
worked with philosophers did you?
So, have you seen the news and the price tag on this summer camp operation? $3.9… BILLION DOLLARS! I feel like Dr. Evil just repeating it. Can you imagine what we could do with 4 billion bucks in domestic reform projects? Can I make you understand how much 4 billion bucks could be used over here-something other than feed and water 100K troops? Politics, the economy, and foreign affairs I will never understand.
I did have a great discussion with (2nd plt leader) about all the local tribes. In his AO, there are many different ethnic groups: Turkomen, Arab, Wahabi, Azeti. Cliff reemphasized what I was talking about before with the locals not taking responsibility for their property at all. Cliff’s platoon was tasked to pay locals to pick up trash and clean up, but the locals, who need money desperately said they would rather not work to pick up trash-it would only be trashy the next day anyway. Also, the Wahabis have a little village down the road from the platoon. They have family ties to King of Saudi Arabia and get a check once a month. They still live in filth and are not anxious to begin working again. Cliff is going to give me an ancient Roman coin and swears that there are old graves in the mountains up around Sinjar with Roman Crosses on them. Pretty neat, huh? The Azetis are the friendliest, make the best workers, and are always good for a rousing discussion on mystic
al religion. I won’t even pretend to understand the religion but it has to do with an archangel and mixes all sorts of different dogma. It really is wild. I will send more on it all later. The Arabs really seem to be the only ones conducting attacks or carrying weapons. They are also very territorial and do not want to talk to any non-Arabs. The Turkomen are very nice, make good workers, though they often do not get along with the Arabs. Kurds, Azeti, Turkomen, Wahabi, Sunni, Shiia, it all sounds like Kosovo-only more exotic and confusing.
Final note- I will share with you my moment of Zen for the day: We have a kitten that lives in our room. (HIs name is ScReWbaLls and he even has a flea collar.) So I turned the fan on full blast, got out Power and the Glory, hung my dog tags off the chair arm for the kitty to play with, and then we both took a half hour nap. Not bad. Talk to you all soon,
PS - as I went to email this,I learned the Corps CDR came down today and said we may stay in this hellhole indefinitely. Nice. So we turned on the satellite TV and guess what, that’s exactly what they said, “US troops to stay in Iraq indefinitely. So, maybe it will be February. I am still a little in shock and it isn’t official yet I guess, so who knows. On the bright side, either way I will be home in September or October, either for good or for two to four weeks of “mid-tour” leave. Wow, and I was just conquering my negative attitude. So in addition to the billions of dollars spent, the Army-on this rumor alone-will probably contribute to at least 100 suicides and hundreds more ruined marriages. Sorry to end on a sour note, things really are getting a lot better around here. PLUS=I got the guitar books today and they’re great! Thank you so much. Well, I am going to run. Like I said, look on the bright side, in a month or two either way
I get to come home. Can't wait to see you all.
I am fine. How are you? How is your summer? Mine is fine. Camp sucks. I want to come home. It has been fun, but we are out of smores. Thanks for the clean undies and sheets…. Last night was fun-we played volleyball for hours and then enjoyed an ice-cold watermelon I got from the locals. Not bad with lots of salt. Today I got a satellite TV for us so we can at least get the news from CNN-there are lots of sports channels too. So we got that going for us, which is nice. Can’t thank you enough for the Caddyshack DVD-I forgot how funny it is. I think I told you guys that some jack arse broke the satellite phone. It was not one of our guys. I hope they find a replacement phone soon.
I just came back from our brigade maintenance meeting-what a waste of time. We go around and around beating horses to death left and right. Of course no one has answers. The greatest of all quotations, straight from the mouth of the Support Officer(I used to think this guy was really sharp), in response to how the Shop Office prioritizes jobs: “Well, we usually prioritize jobs according to age, though most of the time that’s not how it goes.” Ah ha…but riddle me this Basho. Can you believe that? His answer was a contradiction. Worse, I looked around the room and most of the folks were nodding like that gave them some kind of clarification. You didn’t know I
worked with philosophers did you?
So, have you seen the news and the price tag on this summer camp operation? $3.9… BILLION DOLLARS! I feel like Dr. Evil just repeating it. Can you imagine what we could do with 4 billion bucks in domestic reform projects? Can I make you understand how much 4 billion bucks could be used over here-something other than feed and water 100K troops? Politics, the economy, and foreign affairs I will never understand.
I did have a great discussion with (2nd plt leader) about all the local tribes. In his AO, there are many different ethnic groups: Turkomen, Arab, Wahabi, Azeti. Cliff reemphasized what I was talking about before with the locals not taking responsibility for their property at all. Cliff’s platoon was tasked to pay locals to pick up trash and clean up, but the locals, who need money desperately said they would rather not work to pick up trash-it would only be trashy the next day anyway. Also, the Wahabis have a little village down the road from the platoon. They have family ties to King of Saudi Arabia and get a check once a month. They still live in filth and are not anxious to begin working again. Cliff is going to give me an ancient Roman coin and swears that there are old graves in the mountains up around Sinjar with Roman Crosses on them. Pretty neat, huh? The Azetis are the friendliest, make the best workers, and are always good for a rousing discussion on mystic
al religion. I won’t even pretend to understand the religion but it has to do with an archangel and mixes all sorts of different dogma. It really is wild. I will send more on it all later. The Arabs really seem to be the only ones conducting attacks or carrying weapons. They are also very territorial and do not want to talk to any non-Arabs. The Turkomen are very nice, make good workers, though they often do not get along with the Arabs. Kurds, Azeti, Turkomen, Wahabi, Sunni, Shiia, it all sounds like Kosovo-only more exotic and confusing.
Final note- I will share with you my moment of Zen for the day: We have a kitten that lives in our room. (HIs name is ScReWbaLls and he even has a flea collar.) So I turned the fan on full blast, got out Power and the Glory, hung my dog tags off the chair arm for the kitty to play with, and then we both took a half hour nap. Not bad. Talk to you all soon,
PS - as I went to email this,I learned the Corps CDR came down today and said we may stay in this hellhole indefinitely. Nice. So we turned on the satellite TV and guess what, that’s exactly what they said, “US troops to stay in Iraq indefinitely. So, maybe it will be February. I am still a little in shock and it isn’t official yet I guess, so who knows. On the bright side, either way I will be home in September or October, either for good or for two to four weeks of “mid-tour” leave. Wow, and I was just conquering my negative attitude. So in addition to the billions of dollars spent, the Army-on this rumor alone-will probably contribute to at least 100 suicides and hundreds more ruined marriages. Sorry to end on a sour note, things really are getting a lot better around here. PLUS=I got the guitar books today and they’re great! Thank you so much. Well, I am going to run. Like I said, look on the bright side, in a month or two either way
I get to come home. Can't wait to see you all.
Thank you for posting these E-mails, Eeyore. Since I'm off the front lines teaching ROTC, insights like these help keep me in touch with what my brethren are enduring. unfortunately it reinforces my schizophrenia of wishing I was with my brothers, and glad as hell I'm not. 
This unit is in the spotlight as of the last few days. My colleague's son has had the time and ability to send a series of e-mails in the last several days. I got them all at once, so here they are.
QUOTE
Hey-you may or may not heard the news-two 3rd Brigade infantry soldiers died in attacks right down the road last night. CNN was broadcasting it this afternoon-pretty fast. So sad, but I guess it was inevitable for the violence to catch up with us here. But all the engineers are ok. So once again, we all try to deal with sensless death. Dad, your existentialist sermon made even more sense today when I read it again. I think more and more I will have to rejoice in the simple blessings of every day and carve out my own meaning from all this. At least maybe the moments of Zen will continue. This attack will be pretty hard for everyone to deal with since it comes on the eve of the one year deployment news. Even the Chaplain was down tonight in services. He talked about sumbmitting your requests to God, and that God, even if he knows what we will ask for, wants us to ask. He didn't finish though, and I wanted to say why-why does God want us to ask-He isn't needy. I think if anythin
g we petition God because if we placed our faith entirely on ourselves and one another, we cannot be guaranteed that we will not fail. But if we place our faith in things unseen, hope in God, how can we be let down? And by doing so, we ultimately become stronger and more at peace with the randomness and senslessness of it all, becuase we are not as concerned with the things of this earth. So that even when we see how fragile and quick life can be, we can still rejoice because there are those here still to tell the story and to remember. And my wish is that I can continue to see the beauty in the small things and not let this color my perspective in shades of black. We will all be more careful and on the lookout here now, but I hope we don't let this affect us too much. It does seem that we are now in a full up guerilla war, and to acknowledge these acts and bend to them only encourages them to continue. Yes, the dreaded Catch 22 of operations. Well I am going to bed-i have t
o make yet another trip to Mosul tomorrow. Well please don't worry anymore than you already have been. We've all made it this far, and I am sure God will watch over us all the way home.
g we petition God because if we placed our faith entirely on ourselves and one another, we cannot be guaranteed that we will not fail. But if we place our faith in things unseen, hope in God, how can we be let down? And by doing so, we ultimately become stronger and more at peace with the randomness and senslessness of it all, becuase we are not as concerned with the things of this earth. So that even when we see how fragile and quick life can be, we can still rejoice because there are those here still to tell the story and to remember. And my wish is that I can continue to see the beauty in the small things and not let this color my perspective in shades of black. We will all be more careful and on the lookout here now, but I hope we don't let this affect us too much. It does seem that we are now in a full up guerilla war, and to acknowledge these acts and bend to them only encourages them to continue. Yes, the dreaded Catch 22 of operations. Well I am going to bed-i have t
o make yet another trip to Mosul tomorrow. Well please don't worry anymore than you already have been. We've all made it this far, and I am sure God will watch over us all the way home.
QUOTE
Well, it was a little weird here yesterday knowing what was going down in Mosul and waiting for the news to air something. Both sons and a nephew dead. Nice. This will have a huge impact over here. NOt only will it put out a message and turn the psychological side in our favor, but I hope that it will end the majority of the organized resistance. I mean, with those two gone, who can the old Ba'ath Party lackeys look to. Wow. Well, there is always the fear of reprisals, and I am sure there will be more sporadic violence in the coming days, but I am relly excited to see how this will change things. Plus, we finished training the border guards, so there is not as big a requirement for us on the border now. Well, I will write more later, just wanted to send a quick note about all this. Morale should go up a little too-which never hurts.
QUOTE
Hey Folks, 23 JULY 2003
What’s going on with you guys? Wow, it has been a crazy few days lately. So strange knowing what is going on and watching it on CNN. I truly hope this has the positive repercussions we want. Right now it seems like all kinds of small teams are running around setting off carbombs, ambushes, etc. I think the violent reaction will keep up here for a week or so, and then I hope we see it slack off as more and more of the organizers are arrested. We should get some quality intel from the raid as well. Who knows maybe it will lead to some definitive answers about Saddam. Well, I was going to try to call tomorrow from DREAR, bc they have phone banks there for only .37 cents a minute. It will be in the middle of the night your time, but I figured you wouldn’t complain too much. Just don’t get too excited if you hear my voice in the middle of the night. BUT the roads have been closed and may continue to be as more and more ambushes occur. So we’ll see. I hope like anything that the
situation calms down and maybe we will even get the timeline sped up a little bit. I don’t really need anything I haven’t asked for or you all have not sent, I can’t tell you how much (name) and I are enjoying the guitar strings and books. The guitars sound like different instruments. There isn’t too much to report around here. CPT A has unofficially been banned from brigade meetings. Sad huh? The brigade guys only want me or (same friend) up at brigade bc the Atrain gets on there nerves so bad. Still not sure what my fate or Matty's will be in the coming months for job moves. There are so many what ifs right now, I am just going to give up and enjoy hearing the news when it gets here. I am going out to play a little volleyball now. We had cold watermelon night before last and I think i saw some cantelope at a road side stand. Yummy. Everything else is going well-(nAME) and I had the macabre task of constructing the memorial stands for the two soldiers that died-you know to put their weapon boots and kevlar on. They turned out well. Just seemed strange making them. It looks like now the roads are open so I will probably go to DREAR and try to call you guys-so dont flip out if you hear my voice-if I dont call, they probably closed the roads again. I love you all. Send more of those tuna fish snack packs if you see them again-those are really good.
What’s going on with you guys? Wow, it has been a crazy few days lately. So strange knowing what is going on and watching it on CNN. I truly hope this has the positive repercussions we want. Right now it seems like all kinds of small teams are running around setting off carbombs, ambushes, etc. I think the violent reaction will keep up here for a week or so, and then I hope we see it slack off as more and more of the organizers are arrested. We should get some quality intel from the raid as well. Who knows maybe it will lead to some definitive answers about Saddam. Well, I was going to try to call tomorrow from DREAR, bc they have phone banks there for only .37 cents a minute. It will be in the middle of the night your time, but I figured you wouldn’t complain too much. Just don’t get too excited if you hear my voice in the middle of the night. BUT the roads have been closed and may continue to be as more and more ambushes occur. So we’ll see. I hope like anything that the
situation calms down and maybe we will even get the timeline sped up a little bit. I don’t really need anything I haven’t asked for or you all have not sent, I can’t tell you how much (name) and I are enjoying the guitar strings and books. The guitars sound like different instruments. There isn’t too much to report around here. CPT A has unofficially been banned from brigade meetings. Sad huh? The brigade guys only want me or (same friend) up at brigade bc the Atrain gets on there nerves so bad. Still not sure what my fate or Matty's will be in the coming months for job moves. There are so many what ifs right now, I am just going to give up and enjoy hearing the news when it gets here. I am going out to play a little volleyball now. We had cold watermelon night before last and I think i saw some cantelope at a road side stand. Yummy. Everything else is going well-(nAME) and I had the macabre task of constructing the memorial stands for the two soldiers that died-you know to put their weapon boots and kevlar on. They turned out well. Just seemed strange making them. It looks like now the roads are open so I will probably go to DREAR and try to call you guys-so dont flip out if you hear my voice-if I dont call, they probably closed the roads again. I love you all. Send more of those tuna fish snack packs if you see them again-those are really good.
I received this letter today from a mother whose son is in Iraq. I have assisted her in helping him with a problem. She has called me at least once a week for several weeks and after we talk business she talks about her son. I have spent 30 minutes of my workday talking to her about him because it seemed to me that she needed someone to talk to.
I am sending all the information you need and my last check; I need to reorder them. But I want to start the process; the money will be in the bank on July 15. It's been really hard getting it together, but I did.
XXXX is doing OK. He is stationed at Baghdad airport. They use bottled water to shower and he asks for candy and toilet paper. The things we take for granted.
I want to thank you for every bit of help. I have done a lot of research since Dec 2000 and only you could help me. XXXX thanks you too.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
She sent me two pictures of her son in his uniform. Call me mushy, but when I opened the envelope and read this small note, I burst into tears. I'll keep the picture of her soldier with me for a while. It will serve to remind me of those who are sacrificing their lives for something we may or may not agree with. And maybe I'll remember that I once helped a soldier – a soldier who voluntarily protects my inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I am sending all the information you need and my last check; I need to reorder them. But I want to start the process; the money will be in the bank on July 15. It's been really hard getting it together, but I did.
XXXX is doing OK. He is stationed at Baghdad airport. They use bottled water to shower and he asks for candy and toilet paper. The things we take for granted.
I want to thank you for every bit of help. I have done a lot of research since Dec 2000 and only you could help me. XXXX thanks you too.
::::::::::::::::::::::::
She sent me two pictures of her son in his uniform. Call me mushy, but when I opened the envelope and read this small note, I burst into tears. I'll keep the picture of her soldier with me for a while. It will serve to remind me of those who are sacrificing their lives for something we may or may not agree with. And maybe I'll remember that I once helped a soldier – a soldier who voluntarily protects my inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I started this thread awhile back to pass along items of interest concerning the military, Iraq and the war on terror that doesn't make it to the news. Hadn't received anything in some time, but I got ahold of this today. Mustang can probably add some to this also.
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The following is an excellent summary of on-going operations in Iraq from a battalion commander's perspective.
Subject: OIF Observations from an Inf Bn Cdr in Iraq
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
1. Weapons and Munitions Availability - The amount of weapons
and ammunition readily available is astounding. Every house, every single
one of them, had multiple automatic weapons when we arrived. Arms dealers
were everywhere; dealing military weapons is easy and very profitable.
There were complete mortars of varying sizes for sale on the main road in
Ba'Qubah when we first entered the city. Raiding a weapons bazaar was, in fact, our first mission in the city and we seized over 20 mortars at a roadside stand on the city's main street.
Iraqi Nationals have looted weapons and munitions from the many
military installations throughout our area of operations, which in turn
provide a ready market for the arms dealers mentioned above. Weapons are
hidden everywhere, Date Palm orchards, irrigation canals, even in graveyards
(which would create quite a stink if Americans began searching in the graves
for weapons caches, as I am sure you can imagine). We have found women
hiding weapons underneath their black gowns, which may not seem like such a
good idea until you consider that only female soldiers can search IZ females. This presents a challenge at remote sites and checkpoints. While
we have not found WMD, we have come across lots of chemical defensive equipment, to include nerve agent antidote, MOPP suits, and masks.
2. Economy/Standard of Living - The economy/standard of living
is very depressed, while unemployment is sky high. We have killed/captured
many Iraqis we believe where paid to shoot at us in order to make a little
money. The consequence is that these folks usually don't aim very well and
shoot wildly erratic, but sometimes they get lucky. Many of these men are
reported to be drunk or under the influence of drugs during the commission
of their activities (according to HUMINT sources), however, none of the
detainees we have processed appear to be under the influence of anything
except bad judgment. A little money goes a long way here and we have been
pumping so much money into the infrastructure it is crazy. Regardless of
the money pumped into the local economy it has not yet turned the tide.
This area has suffered from 35 years of neglect, 12 years of UN sanctions,
and the results of a dictatorial leadership; you would not believe how bad
everything is.
It appears that corruption is commonplace, lots of black market
activities and political graft/bribery. We have made a concerted effort to
spend our Commander's Emergency Relief Program (CERP) and our Field
Ordering Officer (FOO) monies in our zone of operation. The local purchasing of goods and services are necessary to fill gaps in the military
Logistical system, which had a significant early impact on the local economy. Our introduction of U.S. dollars into the marketplace without a formal established conversion rate led to uncontrollable inflation and black
marketing.
3. Infrastructure - The water system is particularly bad and has
been for many years. The water does not meet U.S. standards for potability.
Most of the water treatment plants are not functioning because of damage,
neglect, or looting of machinery. The electrical grid is overloaded and
most rural areas only get electricity for a few hours each day. There has
been a huge problem with IZ nationals stealing power cables and bootlegging
electrical power. The loss of these power cables makes delivery of electricity to towns even more difficult as only rudimentary rerouting is
possible on the electrical grid. Our ability to establish basic services
will go a long ways towards stabilizing the country. Electricity has become
a key component to coalition strategy, our ability to provide electricity
will demonstrate that things are getting better for the Iraqi people.
It is very important to understand previous standards of living in
the local environment in order to establish realistic and attainable
measures of success when planning and executing infrastructure improvement
projects. Though a western-level of infrastructure may be the expectation,
it may be an unachievable goal/objective. We measure our progress in local
areas without understanding what the standard really is. For example, a
well or filter that produces potable drinking water would provide a service
never before seen in most of the areas in our zone of operation. To expect
water piped into every home is unrealistic for many years to come.
4. Local Populace Attitude - Most of the people are glad Saddam is
gone but that is about all they have in common. Political parties are
sprouting up but they really do not have set political agendas or platforms.
The Kurds are the best when it comes to political organization and this has
helped them when we form local governments. The Arabs for the most part do
not trust political parties (Ba'ath Party influence, I think) but some have
started to form there own parties; primarily as a way to get their foot in
the door concerning local politics. Most Iraqi's also feel that the Coalition is a necessary evil to prevent a civil war, but a good portion of
these folks would rather we not be here. There are small groups adamantly
opposed to our presence but most people take a "wait and see" approach to life. They are reluctant to help because they are afraid of the future,
which I think they realize will not include U.S./Coalition Forces. Many do
not want to be known as "traitors" for helping the Americans. The Iraqi people have been submitted to a dictatorship that prevented them from voicing their opinions without retribution. Unsure of the future, they
are tentative to assist either side for fear of such retribution. Rumors
spread like wild fire and are readily believed by the populace. Many are
unsure that Sadaam is gone for good. The people prefer to remain neutral,
often saying, "I saw nothing". There are still many that fear repercussions from other tribes or families if they identify someone as a
regime loyalist. The concept of the "Blood Feud" is very much alive and
well here. The police do not have much legitimacy at this point so paybacks often occur between families and tribes. Much of the cooperation
we get is, in many cases, people "fingering" someone to settle old scores
and get even with their adversaries.
Populations that have survived in a brutal regime over the past 35
years should not be expected to rush to the streets, offering unconditional
assistance. This people are survivors and very willing to play both sides
of the street as long as it is beneficial to do so. Trust must be earned
(usually in the form of financial investment and visible improvement projects in the area) before they can be expected to provide assistance or
intelligence. Apathy on the part of the general population should not be
viewed as a threat to U.S. operations, rather as an untapped resource, yet to be won over.
5. Crime/Organized Crime - Crime is rampant. Sadam released
all prisoners in Iraqi jails in what he called "the Forgiveness". This
was basically just another way he could de-stabilize the area and it also
provides Former Regime Loyalists (FRLs) with a cadre of triggermen. Organized crime families have been the target of at least one Brigade size
raid in our area of operations, which was successful in removing this network. This particular crime family dabbled in various illegal activities
and was blatant about their activities. The reader should imagine a "Pancho
Villa" type organization as opposed to a traditional Mafia type organization. There is no pretense of respectability and weapons (to include machine guns and hand grenades) were openly carried as a very visible reminder to the local population of the consequences of challenging
this criminal element. Reports that this family was engaged with direct
action operations against coalition forces were beginning to trickle in, but
the destabilizing effect that they had on the local community was sufficient
reason to remove them as a major player in this area.
It is important not to try and superimpose western thought, morals,
or codes of conduct over activities of local nationals. Virtually every
structure not guarded by privately sponsored security has been looted.
Entire buildings have virtually disappeared because the local population
will loot the very bricks used to build the structure, not to mention the
tiles, pipes, wires, windows, doors, etc. Vehicles abandoned on the side of
the road are stripped with-in minutes. The local population steals power
lines supporting the national electrical grid and then illegally taps into
the electrical system, receiving free power. This unaccounted for requirement adds strain to an already stressed power grid and compounds the
problem of getting the grid operating at near capacity levels. Locals also
"steal" water for their fields. They dig unauthorized irrigation canals that siphon water from the canals. This significantly reduces the amount of
water available at the intend locations, affecting crops further downstream,
local population water supplies, and creating artificial shortages. Farmers
found doing this believe they have a right to the water as well as anyone
else, even though they know digging illegal irrigation ditches is against
the law. With very few exceptions, there is no white or black; only shades
of gray. We are talking about poverty levels that are staggering and a
society of "haves" and "have-nots". One must remember at all times, that
almost every local national they come in contact with has a self-motivation.
6. Threat Tactics - Though not backed by a truly conventional
military force, his tactics can otherwise be accurately described as those
of a guerilla force. Small group tactics, improvised explosive devices
(IEDs), ambushes, and harassing attacks are his line of operations. His
intent is not to draw U.S. forces into a larger conflict (see #7), rather,
to instill fear and inflict casualties regularly. This may be my COE training coming out but the Threat is clearly aware that military defeat of
Coalition forces is unattainable, strategic culmination is a more readily
attainable goal and the purpose, I believe, of his attacks.
Threat tactics have evolved to fit the intent of the responsible
group and spread to like groups throughout the country. When a TTP is observed in a large population center it quickly becomes prevalent in smaller towns. The ultimate goal the Former Regime Loyalists (FRL), Badr
Corps, and criminal groups is to remove Coalition forces from the country.
Each has its own reasons for doing so; however, the methods are the same.
As mentioned before, I believe they are trying to weaken resolve and attain
early withdrawal of Coalition Forces. Success at the tactical level, in my
estimation, occurs when the Threat conducts an attack and is not killed or
captured, regardless of whether or not this attack resulted in Coalition
casualties or damage to equipment. When these groups do inflict injuries on
US forces it will be reported in the international media and is seen as a
major victory. It also has the intended effect of inspiring other group
members to conduct attacks and is an effective recruiting tool. On the
other hand, when an attacker is wounded/killed, it deters attacks for a
period of time while the group regroups and recruits new members. Initial attacks against Coalition Forces in our zone were direct fire small arms and RPG ambushes. This led to heavy Threat losses with minimal negative impact on our forces. The net effect was that the guerilla force was entering into a war of attrition with Coalition Forces. This tactic rapidly became unsupportable from a threat standpoint and attackers have begun to use tactics that allow for more standoff distance. Small arms fire accuracy is not the Threat's strong point. The threat uses AK-47s with no butt stock and often fire from the hip. They are not very good marksmanship. They need to be close to hit you. It is the same with RPGs. They need to be close to hit, especially for moving targets.
The use of command detonated IEDs has become fashionable. Wire leading
several hundred meters to a concealed position is common. This has also
resulted in heavy Threat causalities when conducted against combat arms
units and the threat has further adapted his tactics to target specific
units and unit types. See Note No. 7 for more on this TTP. Threat IEDs are
very rudimentary, but innovative. Using "daisy-chained" mortar rounds and
Artillery rounds on the high end to a shampoo bottle full of C4 on the low
end; there is quite a variety. Animal carcasses, vegetable oil cans, fire
extinguishers and a bag of garbage have all been used as IEDs. The bottom
line is we drive around potholes and any debris on the roads or the sides of
roads. Most are not very effective and some do not even ignite. They
mostly use command detonation with electrical wire running 200 to 300 meters
from the IED location to increase stand off.
Mortar fire is another tactic that rarely results in Coalition casualties but is very safe for the attackers. If you accept that success
is defined as the ability to engage and live to engage again another day;
mortars becomes the best way for the enemy to be successful. We believe the
Threat is setting up their mortars in the direct lay mode and firing within
in sight of the Forward Operating Base. They are not precise and the sheaf
is fairly dispersed, indicating that the Threat is just shooting in the
general direction of the FOB and then quickly evading. We have never had
more than one mortar engage at the same time, although I do not know if other FOBs have been engaged by multiple mortars or not. It is very difficult to counter mortar fire. The Threat normally fires three or fewer
rounds per engagement and they will engage each target only once per day,
very often skipping days between attacks. By the time the rounds begin
impacting, the attackers have begun their exfiltration. Acquisition of
firing points has been achieved with Q-36/Q-37 radar, although these radars
are not designed to acquire mortar trajectories and are normally not reliable. Crater analysis allows us to conduct pattern analysis to determine likely launch points. We can then conduct anti-mortar ambushes
with ground forces but there are more launch points than we can realistically cover.
The bottom line, however, is that it is difficult to identify the
exact firing point quickly enough to action forces before the attacker flees. It is necessary to work with local residents to identify the perpetrators and the locals are more afraid of the Threat than they are
willing to help the Coalition. It all goes back to that "wait and see"
mentality. We have, in the Brigade zone, used indirect fires to counter the
mortar threat but units must understand the constraints facing them when
they conduct this type of response. Given the proximity of non-combatants
to threat targets, counter-battery is nearly non-existent because indirect
fires are nearly impossible to clear. Further compounding this dilemma is
the fact that disposition of U.S. forces in relationship to threat targets
often prevent adequate firing solutions above 120mm mortars, minimizing the
capability of the 155mm howitzers available for fire support.
7. Why attack the lion when you can attack the sheep? Most attacks
when we first arrived in zone were conducted against my infantry patrols.
This was a very bad choice of targets and the threat paid dearly for these
attacks. Threat planners and financiers have switched tactics to attack log
convoys or other soft targets. I believe the Threat has learned to distinguish between units that will stop, establish a base of fire and then
maneuver to destroy them versus units that break contact. Our unit marking
systems aid this identification. My units are the former as the Threat has
discovered over time, and my units have repeatedly passed through areas unscathed only to have another convoy (one that adheres to the "break contact" TTP) trailing 15 minutes behind and get hit with IEDs, RPGs, and
small arms fire.
Attacks on convoys in our AO have been deterred by several TTPs.
Initially, our BFVs, scouts and other combat patrols were ambushed with
direct fire and RPGs. Despite their efforts, the threat rarely escaped
without suffering casualties. We found that if we maintain contact and
immediately attack their positions, the threat will immediately try to break
contact and runaway. He knows he cannot win toe to toe with US forces.
Unaware of our night fighting capability, they would often mistake distance
with safety, thinking we cannot see them. Many would be attackers walked
into direct fire engagements initiated by our forces as a result. Occasionally the Threat was successful in initiating ambushes or attacks but
very rarely did these cause damage to US forces personnel or equipment.
They usually did result in Threat casualties and/or detention. If a convoy
is attacked, the element must return fire, maintain contact and attack through the enemy. If not, the threat will escape and fight another day.
The threat uses hit and run tactics, but if you do not engage him he will
stay and continue to try inflict damage. If a convoy breaks contact, the
enemy will escape before a QRF can get out there.
The threat soon stopped ambushing/attacking us with small arms and
RPGs and resorted to the use of IEDs. This increased their stand off and
increased their chances of escape. Despite this, we still were able to
engage them and cause enemy casualties. They have since stopped attacking
any of our convoys, resorting instead to attacking vehicle convoys that are
not from our task force. We believe that if units look prepared (i.e.,
gunners up and scanning, crew served weapons manned and scanning, personnel
in vehicles facing out and vigilant) then they most likely they will not be
attacked.
The threat picks his targets wisely, and given the macho influence
of this region, normally attempts to avoid direct contact with prepared and
capable forces. The best deterrence to threat contact is to appear prepared
and willing to return fire and destroy the threat.
8. Strange bedfellows (opposition groups teaming up)- The adage
that my enemy's enemy is my ally is very much alive in this AO. Groups
(both political and religious) that previously opposed each other, quickly
find common ground when they share a common enemy (e.g. U.S. forces). At
the same time, one cannot assume that these types of alliances are automatic
given a common foe, as the sides can/do play each side against each other,
in an attempt to eliminate both threats simultaneously.
9. Sheiks - A balance between Sheiks (family heads), professionals (educated citizens), religious leaders (Imams), and political
party leaders is essential in establishing a functional and legitimate government. Appointed/selected positions and social perception are essential to the preservation of the Sheiks status within this society. In
addition, it is imperative to ascertain the difference between a legacy
Sheik (one who inherited the position/title through legitimate family
ascension) and "90s" Sheiks, appointed by the former regime based upon loyalty or wealth. To combat local populace apathy and vendettas, we must hold the local sheiks and people accountable for actions that occur in their towns/villages. They would much rather have us work with the Sheiks then clear every house in their village. The local villages and towns are fairly closed and are very aware of outsiders when they come in to their town. After a relationship is established with a sheik, he will often identify troublemakers and outsiders that don't belong in the area. We try to make them understand that the more peaceful the town, the more NGO's come in, the more money, the more improvement.
10. Government/limited CA - The traditional BN/TF is ill-equipped
(and manned) to conduct "nation-building" without significant augmentation
and training (e.g. establishment of government, police, judicial, and financial activities). Personal talents may mitigate this shortfall, but it
does not correct the systemic shortage of trained resources.
Tactical Human Intelligence Teams, Tactical Psyops Teams, Civil Affairs, and translators all contribute significantly to successful interaction between the local populace and Coalition Forces. These assets,
as critical as they are, do not prepare the commander for his role in assisting in the formation of local governments, entering into negotiations,
and dealing with Sheiks and other community leaders.
Translators MUST be provided early on in theater in order to facilitate
day-to-day operations. Units cannot plan-on or rely-on English-speaking
local nationals for this duty, as many locals will remain apart from U.S.
forces until the situation stabilizes.
One final thought; the biggest combat multiplier is money. Population approval and acceptance is the decisive point and while combat operations
against non-compliant forces are necessary, they should not be viewed as the
task Forces Main Effort.
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
XXXX XXXXXXX
Colonel, Infantry
TSM-CCMS, USAIC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is an excellent summary of on-going operations in Iraq from a battalion commander's perspective.
Subject: OIF Observations from an Inf Bn Cdr in Iraq
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
1. Weapons and Munitions Availability - The amount of weapons
and ammunition readily available is astounding. Every house, every single
one of them, had multiple automatic weapons when we arrived. Arms dealers
were everywhere; dealing military weapons is easy and very profitable.
There were complete mortars of varying sizes for sale on the main road in
Ba'Qubah when we first entered the city. Raiding a weapons bazaar was, in fact, our first mission in the city and we seized over 20 mortars at a roadside stand on the city's main street.
Iraqi Nationals have looted weapons and munitions from the many
military installations throughout our area of operations, which in turn
provide a ready market for the arms dealers mentioned above. Weapons are
hidden everywhere, Date Palm orchards, irrigation canals, even in graveyards
(which would create quite a stink if Americans began searching in the graves
for weapons caches, as I am sure you can imagine). We have found women
hiding weapons underneath their black gowns, which may not seem like such a
good idea until you consider that only female soldiers can search IZ females. This presents a challenge at remote sites and checkpoints. While
we have not found WMD, we have come across lots of chemical defensive equipment, to include nerve agent antidote, MOPP suits, and masks.
2. Economy/Standard of Living - The economy/standard of living
is very depressed, while unemployment is sky high. We have killed/captured
many Iraqis we believe where paid to shoot at us in order to make a little
money. The consequence is that these folks usually don't aim very well and
shoot wildly erratic, but sometimes they get lucky. Many of these men are
reported to be drunk or under the influence of drugs during the commission
of their activities (according to HUMINT sources), however, none of the
detainees we have processed appear to be under the influence of anything
except bad judgment. A little money goes a long way here and we have been
pumping so much money into the infrastructure it is crazy. Regardless of
the money pumped into the local economy it has not yet turned the tide.
This area has suffered from 35 years of neglect, 12 years of UN sanctions,
and the results of a dictatorial leadership; you would not believe how bad
everything is.
It appears that corruption is commonplace, lots of black market
activities and political graft/bribery. We have made a concerted effort to
spend our Commander's Emergency Relief Program (CERP) and our Field
Ordering Officer (FOO) monies in our zone of operation. The local purchasing of goods and services are necessary to fill gaps in the military
Logistical system, which had a significant early impact on the local economy. Our introduction of U.S. dollars into the marketplace without a formal established conversion rate led to uncontrollable inflation and black
marketing.
3. Infrastructure - The water system is particularly bad and has
been for many years. The water does not meet U.S. standards for potability.
Most of the water treatment plants are not functioning because of damage,
neglect, or looting of machinery. The electrical grid is overloaded and
most rural areas only get electricity for a few hours each day. There has
been a huge problem with IZ nationals stealing power cables and bootlegging
electrical power. The loss of these power cables makes delivery of electricity to towns even more difficult as only rudimentary rerouting is
possible on the electrical grid. Our ability to establish basic services
will go a long ways towards stabilizing the country. Electricity has become
a key component to coalition strategy, our ability to provide electricity
will demonstrate that things are getting better for the Iraqi people.
It is very important to understand previous standards of living in
the local environment in order to establish realistic and attainable
measures of success when planning and executing infrastructure improvement
projects. Though a western-level of infrastructure may be the expectation,
it may be an unachievable goal/objective. We measure our progress in local
areas without understanding what the standard really is. For example, a
well or filter that produces potable drinking water would provide a service
never before seen in most of the areas in our zone of operation. To expect
water piped into every home is unrealistic for many years to come.
4. Local Populace Attitude - Most of the people are glad Saddam is
gone but that is about all they have in common. Political parties are
sprouting up but they really do not have set political agendas or platforms.
The Kurds are the best when it comes to political organization and this has
helped them when we form local governments. The Arabs for the most part do
not trust political parties (Ba'ath Party influence, I think) but some have
started to form there own parties; primarily as a way to get their foot in
the door concerning local politics. Most Iraqi's also feel that the Coalition is a necessary evil to prevent a civil war, but a good portion of
these folks would rather we not be here. There are small groups adamantly
opposed to our presence but most people take a "wait and see" approach to life. They are reluctant to help because they are afraid of the future,
which I think they realize will not include U.S./Coalition Forces. Many do
not want to be known as "traitors" for helping the Americans. The Iraqi people have been submitted to a dictatorship that prevented them from voicing their opinions without retribution. Unsure of the future, they
are tentative to assist either side for fear of such retribution. Rumors
spread like wild fire and are readily believed by the populace. Many are
unsure that Sadaam is gone for good. The people prefer to remain neutral,
often saying, "I saw nothing". There are still many that fear repercussions from other tribes or families if they identify someone as a
regime loyalist. The concept of the "Blood Feud" is very much alive and
well here. The police do not have much legitimacy at this point so paybacks often occur between families and tribes. Much of the cooperation
we get is, in many cases, people "fingering" someone to settle old scores
and get even with their adversaries.
Populations that have survived in a brutal regime over the past 35
years should not be expected to rush to the streets, offering unconditional
assistance. This people are survivors and very willing to play both sides
of the street as long as it is beneficial to do so. Trust must be earned
(usually in the form of financial investment and visible improvement projects in the area) before they can be expected to provide assistance or
intelligence. Apathy on the part of the general population should not be
viewed as a threat to U.S. operations, rather as an untapped resource, yet to be won over.
5. Crime/Organized Crime - Crime is rampant. Sadam released
all prisoners in Iraqi jails in what he called "the Forgiveness". This
was basically just another way he could de-stabilize the area and it also
provides Former Regime Loyalists (FRLs) with a cadre of triggermen. Organized crime families have been the target of at least one Brigade size
raid in our area of operations, which was successful in removing this network. This particular crime family dabbled in various illegal activities
and was blatant about their activities. The reader should imagine a "Pancho
Villa" type organization as opposed to a traditional Mafia type organization. There is no pretense of respectability and weapons (to include machine guns and hand grenades) were openly carried as a very visible reminder to the local population of the consequences of challenging
this criminal element. Reports that this family was engaged with direct
action operations against coalition forces were beginning to trickle in, but
the destabilizing effect that they had on the local community was sufficient
reason to remove them as a major player in this area.
It is important not to try and superimpose western thought, morals,
or codes of conduct over activities of local nationals. Virtually every
structure not guarded by privately sponsored security has been looted.
Entire buildings have virtually disappeared because the local population
will loot the very bricks used to build the structure, not to mention the
tiles, pipes, wires, windows, doors, etc. Vehicles abandoned on the side of
the road are stripped with-in minutes. The local population steals power
lines supporting the national electrical grid and then illegally taps into
the electrical system, receiving free power. This unaccounted for requirement adds strain to an already stressed power grid and compounds the
problem of getting the grid operating at near capacity levels. Locals also
"steal" water for their fields. They dig unauthorized irrigation canals that siphon water from the canals. This significantly reduces the amount of
water available at the intend locations, affecting crops further downstream,
local population water supplies, and creating artificial shortages. Farmers
found doing this believe they have a right to the water as well as anyone
else, even though they know digging illegal irrigation ditches is against
the law. With very few exceptions, there is no white or black; only shades
of gray. We are talking about poverty levels that are staggering and a
society of "haves" and "have-nots". One must remember at all times, that
almost every local national they come in contact with has a self-motivation.
6. Threat Tactics - Though not backed by a truly conventional
military force, his tactics can otherwise be accurately described as those
of a guerilla force. Small group tactics, improvised explosive devices
(IEDs), ambushes, and harassing attacks are his line of operations. His
intent is not to draw U.S. forces into a larger conflict (see #7), rather,
to instill fear and inflict casualties regularly. This may be my COE training coming out but the Threat is clearly aware that military defeat of
Coalition forces is unattainable, strategic culmination is a more readily
attainable goal and the purpose, I believe, of his attacks.
Threat tactics have evolved to fit the intent of the responsible
group and spread to like groups throughout the country. When a TTP is observed in a large population center it quickly becomes prevalent in smaller towns. The ultimate goal the Former Regime Loyalists (FRL), Badr
Corps, and criminal groups is to remove Coalition forces from the country.
Each has its own reasons for doing so; however, the methods are the same.
As mentioned before, I believe they are trying to weaken resolve and attain
early withdrawal of Coalition Forces. Success at the tactical level, in my
estimation, occurs when the Threat conducts an attack and is not killed or
captured, regardless of whether or not this attack resulted in Coalition
casualties or damage to equipment. When these groups do inflict injuries on
US forces it will be reported in the international media and is seen as a
major victory. It also has the intended effect of inspiring other group
members to conduct attacks and is an effective recruiting tool. On the
other hand, when an attacker is wounded/killed, it deters attacks for a
period of time while the group regroups and recruits new members. Initial attacks against Coalition Forces in our zone were direct fire small arms and RPG ambushes. This led to heavy Threat losses with minimal negative impact on our forces. The net effect was that the guerilla force was entering into a war of attrition with Coalition Forces. This tactic rapidly became unsupportable from a threat standpoint and attackers have begun to use tactics that allow for more standoff distance. Small arms fire accuracy is not the Threat's strong point. The threat uses AK-47s with no butt stock and often fire from the hip. They are not very good marksmanship. They need to be close to hit you. It is the same with RPGs. They need to be close to hit, especially for moving targets.
The use of command detonated IEDs has become fashionable. Wire leading
several hundred meters to a concealed position is common. This has also
resulted in heavy Threat causalities when conducted against combat arms
units and the threat has further adapted his tactics to target specific
units and unit types. See Note No. 7 for more on this TTP. Threat IEDs are
very rudimentary, but innovative. Using "daisy-chained" mortar rounds and
Artillery rounds on the high end to a shampoo bottle full of C4 on the low
end; there is quite a variety. Animal carcasses, vegetable oil cans, fire
extinguishers and a bag of garbage have all been used as IEDs. The bottom
line is we drive around potholes and any debris on the roads or the sides of
roads. Most are not very effective and some do not even ignite. They
mostly use command detonation with electrical wire running 200 to 300 meters
from the IED location to increase stand off.
Mortar fire is another tactic that rarely results in Coalition casualties but is very safe for the attackers. If you accept that success
is defined as the ability to engage and live to engage again another day;
mortars becomes the best way for the enemy to be successful. We believe the
Threat is setting up their mortars in the direct lay mode and firing within
in sight of the Forward Operating Base. They are not precise and the sheaf
is fairly dispersed, indicating that the Threat is just shooting in the
general direction of the FOB and then quickly evading. We have never had
more than one mortar engage at the same time, although I do not know if other FOBs have been engaged by multiple mortars or not. It is very difficult to counter mortar fire. The Threat normally fires three or fewer
rounds per engagement and they will engage each target only once per day,
very often skipping days between attacks. By the time the rounds begin
impacting, the attackers have begun their exfiltration. Acquisition of
firing points has been achieved with Q-36/Q-37 radar, although these radars
are not designed to acquire mortar trajectories and are normally not reliable. Crater analysis allows us to conduct pattern analysis to determine likely launch points. We can then conduct anti-mortar ambushes
with ground forces but there are more launch points than we can realistically cover.
The bottom line, however, is that it is difficult to identify the
exact firing point quickly enough to action forces before the attacker flees. It is necessary to work with local residents to identify the perpetrators and the locals are more afraid of the Threat than they are
willing to help the Coalition. It all goes back to that "wait and see"
mentality. We have, in the Brigade zone, used indirect fires to counter the
mortar threat but units must understand the constraints facing them when
they conduct this type of response. Given the proximity of non-combatants
to threat targets, counter-battery is nearly non-existent because indirect
fires are nearly impossible to clear. Further compounding this dilemma is
the fact that disposition of U.S. forces in relationship to threat targets
often prevent adequate firing solutions above 120mm mortars, minimizing the
capability of the 155mm howitzers available for fire support.
7. Why attack the lion when you can attack the sheep? Most attacks
when we first arrived in zone were conducted against my infantry patrols.
This was a very bad choice of targets and the threat paid dearly for these
attacks. Threat planners and financiers have switched tactics to attack log
convoys or other soft targets. I believe the Threat has learned to distinguish between units that will stop, establish a base of fire and then
maneuver to destroy them versus units that break contact. Our unit marking
systems aid this identification. My units are the former as the Threat has
discovered over time, and my units have repeatedly passed through areas unscathed only to have another convoy (one that adheres to the "break contact" TTP) trailing 15 minutes behind and get hit with IEDs, RPGs, and
small arms fire.
Attacks on convoys in our AO have been deterred by several TTPs.
Initially, our BFVs, scouts and other combat patrols were ambushed with
direct fire and RPGs. Despite their efforts, the threat rarely escaped
without suffering casualties. We found that if we maintain contact and
immediately attack their positions, the threat will immediately try to break
contact and runaway. He knows he cannot win toe to toe with US forces.
Unaware of our night fighting capability, they would often mistake distance
with safety, thinking we cannot see them. Many would be attackers walked
into direct fire engagements initiated by our forces as a result. Occasionally the Threat was successful in initiating ambushes or attacks but
very rarely did these cause damage to US forces personnel or equipment.
They usually did result in Threat casualties and/or detention. If a convoy
is attacked, the element must return fire, maintain contact and attack through the enemy. If not, the threat will escape and fight another day.
The threat uses hit and run tactics, but if you do not engage him he will
stay and continue to try inflict damage. If a convoy breaks contact, the
enemy will escape before a QRF can get out there.
The threat soon stopped ambushing/attacking us with small arms and
RPGs and resorted to the use of IEDs. This increased their stand off and
increased their chances of escape. Despite this, we still were able to
engage them and cause enemy casualties. They have since stopped attacking
any of our convoys, resorting instead to attacking vehicle convoys that are
not from our task force. We believe that if units look prepared (i.e.,
gunners up and scanning, crew served weapons manned and scanning, personnel
in vehicles facing out and vigilant) then they most likely they will not be
attacked.
The threat picks his targets wisely, and given the macho influence
of this region, normally attempts to avoid direct contact with prepared and
capable forces. The best deterrence to threat contact is to appear prepared
and willing to return fire and destroy the threat.
8. Strange bedfellows (opposition groups teaming up)- The adage
that my enemy's enemy is my ally is very much alive in this AO. Groups
(both political and religious) that previously opposed each other, quickly
find common ground when they share a common enemy (e.g. U.S. forces). At
the same time, one cannot assume that these types of alliances are automatic
given a common foe, as the sides can/do play each side against each other,
in an attempt to eliminate both threats simultaneously.
9. Sheiks - A balance between Sheiks (family heads), professionals (educated citizens), religious leaders (Imams), and political
party leaders is essential in establishing a functional and legitimate government. Appointed/selected positions and social perception are essential to the preservation of the Sheiks status within this society. In
addition, it is imperative to ascertain the difference between a legacy
Sheik (one who inherited the position/title through legitimate family
ascension) and "90s" Sheiks, appointed by the former regime based upon loyalty or wealth. To combat local populace apathy and vendettas, we must hold the local sheiks and people accountable for actions that occur in their towns/villages. They would much rather have us work with the Sheiks then clear every house in their village. The local villages and towns are fairly closed and are very aware of outsiders when they come in to their town. After a relationship is established with a sheik, he will often identify troublemakers and outsiders that don't belong in the area. We try to make them understand that the more peaceful the town, the more NGO's come in, the more money, the more improvement.
10. Government/limited CA - The traditional BN/TF is ill-equipped
(and manned) to conduct "nation-building" without significant augmentation
and training (e.g. establishment of government, police, judicial, and financial activities). Personal talents may mitigate this shortfall, but it
does not correct the systemic shortage of trained resources.
Tactical Human Intelligence Teams, Tactical Psyops Teams, Civil Affairs, and translators all contribute significantly to successful interaction between the local populace and Coalition Forces. These assets,
as critical as they are, do not prepare the commander for his role in assisting in the formation of local governments, entering into negotiations,
and dealing with Sheiks and other community leaders.
Translators MUST be provided early on in theater in order to facilitate
day-to-day operations. Units cannot plan-on or rely-on English-speaking
local nationals for this duty, as many locals will remain apart from U.S.
forces until the situation stabilizes.
One final thought; the biggest combat multiplier is money. Population approval and acceptance is the decisive point and while combat operations
against non-compliant forces are necessary, they should not be viewed as the
task Forces Main Effort.
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
XXXX XXXXXXX
Colonel, Infantry
TSM-CCMS, USAIC
Hey, I didn't even know this thread existed!
If y'all don't mind, I think I'll start by simply cut-and-pasting a couple of old e-mails I sent regarding travels in Iraq. I'll even include a few pictures (Jaime - they're my pictures! Please don't delete!)
This is from a couple of e-mails regarding a my return to Baghdad in Oct:
Well, I've been here since the 10th, but I've pretty much stayed in the airport - CPA - Conference Center - Rasheed Hotel green zone area thus far. The ride in on the C130 was a blast - the SA7 threat has made landing procedures as much fun as a roller coaster ride.
Initial impressions? Security has definitely tightened since August. This is mostly in the way of new barriers and lots of English-Arabic warning signs. The barriers are not to be discounted - their worth was demonstrated just the other day in the bombing near the Baghdad Hotel.
Last time I stayed at the Rasheed - this time I'm staying in a two-man pre-fab trailer by the CPA. The Turks are really making a killing trade-wise here. The trailers and all accoutrements (toilets, hot water heaters, beds, blankets, etc.) are manufactured in Turkey. The vast majority of cargo trucks that I see are either from Turkish companies or have Turkish plates.
There has been a significant increase in the numbers of local nationals working for the CPA/US military. This is a good thing, as the cash flow (as usual, we pay more than the local rates) makes its way to the extended families.
It looks like I'll be making day trips in the next week to Barquba, Karbala, Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah. I've been to Sulaymaniyah before, but I'm really interested in finally seeing Kirkuk first hand - having read reams of material and heard from Kurds, Turkmen and Arabs as to their perceptions of what should be the future disposition of the city. I'm also looking forward to getting down to Karbala, with its significant history - however, its not a tourist trip, so I don't believe I'll be able to wander around looking at mosques and medresas. More to follow.
This is in the CPA HQ, in a large room adjacent to what is now the dining facility. The room is now used as the CPA Chapel - so these must be Holy Scuds...
PICTURE LINK #1
Oh, I almost forgot....the CPA dining facility now has trays. No longer must we balance our plastic plates, cups and utensils as we move through the line.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, we've actually ventured out of the Green Zone and taken a bit of a drive around the Red Zone - meaning Baghdad proper.
As expected, most people are simply trying to go about their normal business....shops and restaurants are working, men are busy cleaning the streets and making repairs on various structures around the city. Pillars supporting overpasses are being painted bright white with pictures of flowers, butterflys and Iraqi flags. A bit of PSYOP, I suppose, bright colors and cute pictures make everybody happy.
The old Ba'ath Party and military buildings that are bombed out are being left alone. Other than those that we are using for billeting and office space. This is one palace used for billeting...the lower room was destroyed by a JDAM - it was Uday's bedroom suite in this particular building. Now we have troops living on the floor above it.
PICTURE LINK #2
The majority of people who made eye contact with us smiled and waved, kids were positively excited to see us. A few guys I thought looked sullen actually lit up upon eye contact - I did not get a feeling of resentment or hostility to Americans in our wanderings about town. This despite our forcing our way through crowded traffic to get where we were going (Americans always have the right of way). But still, there was a far stronger a sense of outright hostility directed at me when I was in Saudi Arabia.
Freedom of information has certainly taken hold - internet cafes have sprung up all over town. Local newspapers of small circulation as well as party rags of all descriptions are floating all over the place.
Unfortunately, there have been multiple changes in our travel plans caused bya a combination of changing/evolving events and the pervasive admistrative disorganization which seems to be the natural state of the CPA. At this point, I don't know where the hell I'm going from one day to the next. I thought I was going to Karbala shortly.....it still remains to be seen.
Edited to remove images. I will ask Mike to upload them to our server and resize them (we must remember those on dial ups!!) - Jaime
If y'all don't mind, I think I'll start by simply cut-and-pasting a couple of old e-mails I sent regarding travels in Iraq. I'll even include a few pictures (Jaime - they're my pictures! Please don't delete!)
This is from a couple of e-mails regarding a my return to Baghdad in Oct:
Well, I've been here since the 10th, but I've pretty much stayed in the airport - CPA - Conference Center - Rasheed Hotel green zone area thus far. The ride in on the C130 was a blast - the SA7 threat has made landing procedures as much fun as a roller coaster ride.
Initial impressions? Security has definitely tightened since August. This is mostly in the way of new barriers and lots of English-Arabic warning signs. The barriers are not to be discounted - their worth was demonstrated just the other day in the bombing near the Baghdad Hotel.
Last time I stayed at the Rasheed - this time I'm staying in a two-man pre-fab trailer by the CPA. The Turks are really making a killing trade-wise here. The trailers and all accoutrements (toilets, hot water heaters, beds, blankets, etc.) are manufactured in Turkey. The vast majority of cargo trucks that I see are either from Turkish companies or have Turkish plates.
There has been a significant increase in the numbers of local nationals working for the CPA/US military. This is a good thing, as the cash flow (as usual, we pay more than the local rates) makes its way to the extended families.
It looks like I'll be making day trips in the next week to Barquba, Karbala, Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah. I've been to Sulaymaniyah before, but I'm really interested in finally seeing Kirkuk first hand - having read reams of material and heard from Kurds, Turkmen and Arabs as to their perceptions of what should be the future disposition of the city. I'm also looking forward to getting down to Karbala, with its significant history - however, its not a tourist trip, so I don't believe I'll be able to wander around looking at mosques and medresas. More to follow.
This is in the CPA HQ, in a large room adjacent to what is now the dining facility. The room is now used as the CPA Chapel - so these must be Holy Scuds...
PICTURE LINK #1
Oh, I almost forgot....the CPA dining facility now has trays. No longer must we balance our plastic plates, cups and utensils as we move through the line.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, we've actually ventured out of the Green Zone and taken a bit of a drive around the Red Zone - meaning Baghdad proper.
As expected, most people are simply trying to go about their normal business....shops and restaurants are working, men are busy cleaning the streets and making repairs on various structures around the city. Pillars supporting overpasses are being painted bright white with pictures of flowers, butterflys and Iraqi flags. A bit of PSYOP, I suppose, bright colors and cute pictures make everybody happy.
The old Ba'ath Party and military buildings that are bombed out are being left alone. Other than those that we are using for billeting and office space. This is one palace used for billeting...the lower room was destroyed by a JDAM - it was Uday's bedroom suite in this particular building. Now we have troops living on the floor above it.
PICTURE LINK #2
The majority of people who made eye contact with us smiled and waved, kids were positively excited to see us. A few guys I thought looked sullen actually lit up upon eye contact - I did not get a feeling of resentment or hostility to Americans in our wanderings about town. This despite our forcing our way through crowded traffic to get where we were going (Americans always have the right of way). But still, there was a far stronger a sense of outright hostility directed at me when I was in Saudi Arabia.
Freedom of information has certainly taken hold - internet cafes have sprung up all over town. Local newspapers of small circulation as well as party rags of all descriptions are floating all over the place.
Unfortunately, there have been multiple changes in our travel plans caused bya a combination of changing/evolving events and the pervasive admistrative disorganization which seems to be the natural state of the CPA. At this point, I don't know where the hell I'm going from one day to the next. I thought I was going to Karbala shortly.....it still remains to be seen.
Edited to remove images. I will ask Mike to upload them to our server and resize them (we must remember those on dial ups!!) - Jaime
This one is regarding a trip to the Balad/Baquba area:
Well, I just returned to Baghdad after spending a few days up in Balad. The old Iraqi military airbase at Balad is slowly evolving into a major military hub. That evolutionary process may get a kickstart as pressure increases to turn Baghdad International Airport over to commercial aviation.
PICTURE #3
Accommodations were very spartan - cots and tents weren't too bad, but we actually had to get ourselves put on an access roster in order to take a shower.
Troops are not being taken care of here. After so many months, the majority of troops at this location still do not have warm showers (we found one shower tent with hot water on the entire installation), and although there are port-a-potty's, most are still using field latrines. Every day - throughout the day - there are junior enlisted soldiers burning feces (The other word got me an automated nasty-gram
) But they are getting 3 hot meals a day. The place gets mortared fairly regularly - and IED's are not uncommon on the access roads. All in all, it was a very interesting place.
The surrounding area is rural farm country, with a few small villages. Driving through a couple'a times, most people seemed friendly, but there were a few who glared and even spat at us. One teenager mimicked tracking us with an RPG as we drove by. Bad manners.
PICTURE #4
Their farms didn't seem to be doing too badly - although it was not more than subsistence level. But goats, sheep, cows and chickens all seemed to be in short supply, given the population and nature of the area. They're not eating a lot of meat.
PICTURE #5
Crossing the Tigris, we found a market area on the other bank that was obviously established purely to take advantage of Coalition vehicle traffic. Everything from food and drinks to live songbirds, fake Rolexes and Iraqi general officer uniforms was for sale.
PICTURE #6
Baquba was a different story. They do not like us in this town. Although some kids and a few adults did give us a friendly wave or a thumbs up, the vast majority simply glared or cursed at us as we drove by. There was plenty of gesturing - but little of it was friendly.
Baquba is the capital of the Diyala governorate. There was an assassination attempt on the Iraqi governor on the 13th of October; luckily, he survived. Iraqis who work with the Coalition in this town feel very strongly that they, and their families, may be targeted by the bad guys. Lots of nervous people here - both Coalition and Iraqi.
Overall, most of the kids always acted as if they were happy to see Americans. Even in locations where the teens and adults seemed to hate us, the kids acted differently. Perhaps there is hope, even in the so-called "Sunni Triangle".
PICTURE #7
Well, no rest for the weary. We just returned this evening and tomorrow morning we head south for Najaf and points thereabouts...
Edited to link to images -J
Well, I just returned to Baghdad after spending a few days up in Balad. The old Iraqi military airbase at Balad is slowly evolving into a major military hub. That evolutionary process may get a kickstart as pressure increases to turn Baghdad International Airport over to commercial aviation.
PICTURE #3
Accommodations were very spartan - cots and tents weren't too bad, but we actually had to get ourselves put on an access roster in order to take a shower.
Troops are not being taken care of here. After so many months, the majority of troops at this location still do not have warm showers (we found one shower tent with hot water on the entire installation), and although there are port-a-potty's, most are still using field latrines. Every day - throughout the day - there are junior enlisted soldiers burning feces (The other word got me an automated nasty-gram
) But they are getting 3 hot meals a day. The place gets mortared fairly regularly - and IED's are not uncommon on the access roads. All in all, it was a very interesting place.The surrounding area is rural farm country, with a few small villages. Driving through a couple'a times, most people seemed friendly, but there were a few who glared and even spat at us. One teenager mimicked tracking us with an RPG as we drove by. Bad manners.
PICTURE #4
Their farms didn't seem to be doing too badly - although it was not more than subsistence level. But goats, sheep, cows and chickens all seemed to be in short supply, given the population and nature of the area. They're not eating a lot of meat.
PICTURE #5
Crossing the Tigris, we found a market area on the other bank that was obviously established purely to take advantage of Coalition vehicle traffic. Everything from food and drinks to live songbirds, fake Rolexes and Iraqi general officer uniforms was for sale.
PICTURE #6
Baquba was a different story. They do not like us in this town. Although some kids and a few adults did give us a friendly wave or a thumbs up, the vast majority simply glared or cursed at us as we drove by. There was plenty of gesturing - but little of it was friendly.
Baquba is the capital of the Diyala governorate. There was an assassination attempt on the Iraqi governor on the 13th of October; luckily, he survived. Iraqis who work with the Coalition in this town feel very strongly that they, and their families, may be targeted by the bad guys. Lots of nervous people here - both Coalition and Iraqi.
Overall, most of the kids always acted as if they were happy to see Americans. Even in locations where the teens and adults seemed to hate us, the kids acted differently. Perhaps there is hope, even in the so-called "Sunni Triangle".
PICTURE #7
Well, no rest for the weary. We just returned this evening and tomorrow morning we head south for Najaf and points thereabouts...
Edited to link to images -J
...and this one is from a trip to the south:
This time I had less than 48 hours between the two trips. My short stay at home base in Baghdad was enlivened by two consecutive harassing attacks on the CPA compound. It was amusing watching the sheltered crowd at the CPA running around in a panic for helmets and body armor.
The first trip took me a bit south of Baghdad into Shi’a country. We stayed at the CPA regional HQ in Hillah, and took day trips out to Najaf, Diwaniyah, and Kut. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to Karbala.
The Hillah CPA is located in a former Ba’athi resort hotel along the Shatt al-Hillah, a branch of the Euphrates. The old city supposedly was built of material taken from the ruins of ancient Babylon. We stayed in an open bay in what used to be the nightclub-bordello for Ba’athi officials on vacation.
PICTURE #8
Pictures of Grand Ayatollah Ali Hussein al-Sistani were very much in evidence on walls, windows and cars traveling through Kufa to Hillah – clear evidence of local support. In Najaf and Diwaniyah the Islamic Dawa shared billboard and poster space with Sistani. I didn’t see any overt sign or mention of Sadr and the gang. Although his father and his uncle were up on one large billboard in Najaf…
PICTURE #9
The locals were friendly throughout the entire trip, and seemed to be doing well economically. They refer to the war as The Liberation in everyday conversation – which was a very pleasant thing to here, after the visit to Baquba. Kids were exceptionally happy to see us – they were on their way to school with brand-new USAID bookbags, which they kept holding up to show us.
PICTURE #10
Najaf was a little disappointing – it seemed to be a very run down and dirty looking town. I guess I expected more, given its earlier historical position as the center of Shi’a teaching. But I should have known better, given Saddam’s thumb on the Shi’a for the past few decades.
PICTURE #11
The multinational forces are deployed down here – we ran into troops from Spain, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and the Ukraine during the course of our visit. All of’em are sloppy in their procedures. The Ukrainians were especially bad – I supposed the quality of their conscripts is worse than the others. The Spanish and El Sal troops were very evident on the local roads. But the Spaniards are arrogant and are disliked by the locals – and by most Americans who deal with them on a regular basis. We had our own little run-in with a local El Cid which was less than pleasant. The Dominicans and more El Salvadorans were in Diwaniyah – a pleasant little place, but we only spent a couple of hours there.
We also didn’t see that much of Kut – it was a quick trip in and out. That’s where the Ukrainians were, and I was less than impressed. However, they were the only troops I’ve seen use RPG screens where they bunk down. This was a road trip, so I did get to see a lot of the surrounding country. The people in the rural areas here seem to be relatively untouched by the war and occupation. They're still going about their lives much as they have for thousands of years (just now, they're pirating electricity off of the main lines and have satellite dishes on the roofs of their mud brick homes). In comparison to up around Baquba, I saw large numbers of sheep and goats, and not a few cows. The country folks in this area are definitely eating better.
PICTURE #12
Driving back, the notion of bad guys was brought back to us in a hurry when 2 HMMVW were taken out by an IED just ahead of us. This occurred on a main highway with a lot of civilian traffic in the middle of the day - but the SOB's were gone. The local civilians were very cooperative when US forces rapidly responded and brought travel in both directions to a screeching halt. No horn blowing, yelling or overt disturbance of any kind. They just sat back and waited. We took a detour.
The IEDs are usually from mortar rounds or artillery shells - up to 155mm. They're about evenly split between hard-wired and radio-controlled initiation systems, with most attacks directed at soft-skinned Hummer's. Most KIA from IED's are among support troops. The devices have been shallow-buried (kerosene used to loosen up asphalt and then put in and covered back up), surface-laid (in trash piles and in bodies of dead animals), and elevated (underpasses, trees, etc.) Luckily, nearly half fail to function.
We're getting better at dealing with them - but the bad guys have also been learning from observing our procedures. They've been laid in daisy-chain patterns with decoys in locations selected to take advantage of standard convoy procedures; IED bait-and-trap ambushes. They've also begun using collapsing-circuit initiation systems to target EOD personnel attempting to render safe the devices.
The threat is constantly evolving - it doesn't take lots of bad guys or any sort of power base or funding for them to continue hitting us in this manner. The country is awash in munitions - we lost control of many arms depots and caches - like the museums, we simply didn't have the manpower to guard them - and tens of thousands of mortar and artillery shells are available to be used in this manner. Nobody's been beaten to death with a thousand year old Assyrian statue, but the IED threat has killed far more troops than anything else since the end of major hostilities.
Edited to remove more pics.
This time I had less than 48 hours between the two trips. My short stay at home base in Baghdad was enlivened by two consecutive harassing attacks on the CPA compound. It was amusing watching the sheltered crowd at the CPA running around in a panic for helmets and body armor.
The first trip took me a bit south of Baghdad into Shi’a country. We stayed at the CPA regional HQ in Hillah, and took day trips out to Najaf, Diwaniyah, and Kut. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to Karbala.
The Hillah CPA is located in a former Ba’athi resort hotel along the Shatt al-Hillah, a branch of the Euphrates. The old city supposedly was built of material taken from the ruins of ancient Babylon. We stayed in an open bay in what used to be the nightclub-bordello for Ba’athi officials on vacation.
PICTURE #8
Pictures of Grand Ayatollah Ali Hussein al-Sistani were very much in evidence on walls, windows and cars traveling through Kufa to Hillah – clear evidence of local support. In Najaf and Diwaniyah the Islamic Dawa shared billboard and poster space with Sistani. I didn’t see any overt sign or mention of Sadr and the gang. Although his father and his uncle were up on one large billboard in Najaf…
PICTURE #9
The locals were friendly throughout the entire trip, and seemed to be doing well economically. They refer to the war as The Liberation in everyday conversation – which was a very pleasant thing to here, after the visit to Baquba. Kids were exceptionally happy to see us – they were on their way to school with brand-new USAID bookbags, which they kept holding up to show us.
PICTURE #10
Najaf was a little disappointing – it seemed to be a very run down and dirty looking town. I guess I expected more, given its earlier historical position as the center of Shi’a teaching. But I should have known better, given Saddam’s thumb on the Shi’a for the past few decades.
PICTURE #11
The multinational forces are deployed down here – we ran into troops from Spain, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and the Ukraine during the course of our visit. All of’em are sloppy in their procedures. The Ukrainians were especially bad – I supposed the quality of their conscripts is worse than the others. The Spanish and El Sal troops were very evident on the local roads. But the Spaniards are arrogant and are disliked by the locals – and by most Americans who deal with them on a regular basis. We had our own little run-in with a local El Cid which was less than pleasant. The Dominicans and more El Salvadorans were in Diwaniyah – a pleasant little place, but we only spent a couple of hours there.
We also didn’t see that much of Kut – it was a quick trip in and out. That’s where the Ukrainians were, and I was less than impressed. However, they were the only troops I’ve seen use RPG screens where they bunk down. This was a road trip, so I did get to see a lot of the surrounding country. The people in the rural areas here seem to be relatively untouched by the war and occupation. They're still going about their lives much as they have for thousands of years (just now, they're pirating electricity off of the main lines and have satellite dishes on the roofs of their mud brick homes). In comparison to up around Baquba, I saw large numbers of sheep and goats, and not a few cows. The country folks in this area are definitely eating better.
PICTURE #12
Driving back, the notion of bad guys was brought back to us in a hurry when 2 HMMVW were taken out by an IED just ahead of us. This occurred on a main highway with a lot of civilian traffic in the middle of the day - but the SOB's were gone. The local civilians were very cooperative when US forces rapidly responded and brought travel in both directions to a screeching halt. No horn blowing, yelling or overt disturbance of any kind. They just sat back and waited. We took a detour.
The IEDs are usually from mortar rounds or artillery shells - up to 155mm. They're about evenly split between hard-wired and radio-controlled initiation systems, with most attacks directed at soft-skinned Hummer's. Most KIA from IED's are among support troops. The devices have been shallow-buried (kerosene used to loosen up asphalt and then put in and covered back up), surface-laid (in trash piles and in bodies of dead animals), and elevated (underpasses, trees, etc.) Luckily, nearly half fail to function.
We're getting better at dealing with them - but the bad guys have also been learning from observing our procedures. They've been laid in daisy-chain patterns with decoys in locations selected to take advantage of standard convoy procedures; IED bait-and-trap ambushes. They've also begun using collapsing-circuit initiation systems to target EOD personnel attempting to render safe the devices.
The threat is constantly evolving - it doesn't take lots of bad guys or any sort of power base or funding for them to continue hitting us in this manner. The country is awash in munitions - we lost control of many arms depots and caches - like the museums, we simply didn't have the manpower to guard them - and tens of thousands of mortar and artillery shells are available to be used in this manner. Nobody's been beaten to death with a thousand year old Assyrian statue, but the IED threat has killed far more troops than anything else since the end of major hostilities.
Edited to remove more pics.
...and finally, one from a trip up north:
I have wanted to get back up into Iraqi Kurdistan since the first days of the war. Unfortunately I was only able to spend 3 days in Irbil and 1 in Kirkuk, with a short visit to Tikrit thrown in at the end. Irbil (the Kurds call it Hawler, pronounced how-lair) looked far better than it did in ’95 – and much better than any other Iraqi city I’ve been to thus far.
PICTURE #13
The roads were clean and in good repair, the cars on the road were relatively new, the police on the streets were doing their jobs, shops and restaurants looking long-established, universities were bustling with activity – a very normal looking city. The only out-of-place thing that caught my eye was the Turkish PMF compound – with walls 20 feet high and Turkish commandos guarding the front gate.
The Turk Peace Monitoring Force went into Irbil in ’98 to keep the peace between the two main Kurdish parties, the KDP and PUK. The two parties were fighting when I was here last, and Washington finally mediated an agreement in ’96, with the Kurds agreeing to the presence of the PMF, which turned out to be a Turkish-led force comprised mainly of Turkmen. Whoever thought that was a smart idea? Well, their compound is a fortress in the middle of the city and they have absolutely zero uniformed presence outside of it, so draw your own conclusions...
So, despite peace between the two parties and the significant changes that have taken place in Iraq in the past few months, the Turks refuse to withdraw the Special Forces troops and MiT operatives that currently make up the PMF. Several Kurds complained to me that members of the PMF were trolling the poorer districts of town paying people to have their pictures taken and sign their names to documents stating that they were ethnic Turkmen, in order to inflate the numbers for political purposes. They are not well liked is an understatement.
PICTURE #14
The local CPA is in a luxury hotel located just outside the city – the hotel was completed after the war. Not simply a hotel, a resort – with manmade waterfalls, restaurants, picnic areas, etc. Very nice – and built with smuggling dollars (uh, I meant customs fees) collected by the Barzanis from goods crossing the Turkish border. The workers at the CPA are all locals and are a great advertisement for Iraqi togetherness – although most are Kurds, you have Turkmen, Assyrians and Arabs all working together with them in a very congenial environment.
Yet Kurdish nationalism is very much in evidence. The Kurdish flag seems to be everywhere – on village name signs, flying over shops, restaurants, and pins worn by many, many people. But it is not spoken of openly. I talked with everyone I could pin down about relations between the different ethnic groups and the future status of the Kurds within Iraq – but no one bit for independence. As expected, I received many variations on a desired federal system - with most giving Switzerland as an example.
PICTURE #15
Kirkuk is built on the mound of an ancient settlement that dates back 5,000 years – its height as a city was under Assyrian rule in the 10th and 11th centuries. That time is long past - Kirkuk was the filthiest, most run-down city I’ve been to so far in Iraq. Although the Kirkuk area has historically produced nearly half of Iraq’s oil, it obviously wasn’t spent there. Also unusual was the fact that the Iraqi national flag was flying from nearly every lamppost in town. Perhaps in the most ethnically divided city in the country, flying the flag all over town is an attempt to reinforce feelings of national identity. Cleaning all the garbage off the streets would probably make people feel better.
We flew to Tikrit the day after the Blackhawk was shot down there – so the pilots were going through some impressive maneuvers as we went in to the LZ. Great fun. I think I found where a big chunk of poor miserable Kirkuk’s oil money went to…Tikrit has a huge complex of 55 palaces and associated buildings - along with a few small man-made lakes - built along the Tigris by Saddam (all after ’91, while under sanctions). The 4th Infantry Division owns the compound now, and the CPA Tikrit is located in one of the smaller buildings.
PICTURE #16
Upon arrival I found out that it was equipped with toilets made of marble and mother-of-pearl, with brass accents. Amazing - this while the infant death rate in Iraq was skyrocketing and basic infrastructure in many cities and towns was falling to pieces. Upon traveling out and about, I discovered the locals were much friendlier here than in Baquba or in the Balad area. Again the unexpected – in Saddam’s hometown. Not to say that we didn’t get our fair share of hostile glares and a few angry gestures, but definitely outweighed by friendly waves and smiles. However, I did learn that in the past few weeks, 3 local interpreters who used to work for the coalition had been fished out of the river. A mixed picture. Too bad I couldn't stay longer to get a real feel for the place.
PICTURE #17
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a related link, for those interested: 4th Infantry Division - Iraq
Edited to remove more pics...I hope this is it...
I have wanted to get back up into Iraqi Kurdistan since the first days of the war. Unfortunately I was only able to spend 3 days in Irbil and 1 in Kirkuk, with a short visit to Tikrit thrown in at the end. Irbil (the Kurds call it Hawler, pronounced how-lair) looked far better than it did in ’95 – and much better than any other Iraqi city I’ve been to thus far.
PICTURE #13
The roads were clean and in good repair, the cars on the road were relatively new, the police on the streets were doing their jobs, shops and restaurants looking long-established, universities were bustling with activity – a very normal looking city. The only out-of-place thing that caught my eye was the Turkish PMF compound – with walls 20 feet high and Turkish commandos guarding the front gate.
The Turk Peace Monitoring Force went into Irbil in ’98 to keep the peace between the two main Kurdish parties, the KDP and PUK. The two parties were fighting when I was here last, and Washington finally mediated an agreement in ’96, with the Kurds agreeing to the presence of the PMF, which turned out to be a Turkish-led force comprised mainly of Turkmen. Whoever thought that was a smart idea? Well, their compound is a fortress in the middle of the city and they have absolutely zero uniformed presence outside of it, so draw your own conclusions...
So, despite peace between the two parties and the significant changes that have taken place in Iraq in the past few months, the Turks refuse to withdraw the Special Forces troops and MiT operatives that currently make up the PMF. Several Kurds complained to me that members of the PMF were trolling the poorer districts of town paying people to have their pictures taken and sign their names to documents stating that they were ethnic Turkmen, in order to inflate the numbers for political purposes. They are not well liked is an understatement.
PICTURE #14
The local CPA is in a luxury hotel located just outside the city – the hotel was completed after the war. Not simply a hotel, a resort – with manmade waterfalls, restaurants, picnic areas, etc. Very nice – and built with smuggling dollars (uh, I meant customs fees) collected by the Barzanis from goods crossing the Turkish border. The workers at the CPA are all locals and are a great advertisement for Iraqi togetherness – although most are Kurds, you have Turkmen, Assyrians and Arabs all working together with them in a very congenial environment.
Yet Kurdish nationalism is very much in evidence. The Kurdish flag seems to be everywhere – on village name signs, flying over shops, restaurants, and pins worn by many, many people. But it is not spoken of openly. I talked with everyone I could pin down about relations between the different ethnic groups and the future status of the Kurds within Iraq – but no one bit for independence. As expected, I received many variations on a desired federal system - with most giving Switzerland as an example.
PICTURE #15
Kirkuk is built on the mound of an ancient settlement that dates back 5,000 years – its height as a city was under Assyrian rule in the 10th and 11th centuries. That time is long past - Kirkuk was the filthiest, most run-down city I’ve been to so far in Iraq. Although the Kirkuk area has historically produced nearly half of Iraq’s oil, it obviously wasn’t spent there. Also unusual was the fact that the Iraqi national flag was flying from nearly every lamppost in town. Perhaps in the most ethnically divided city in the country, flying the flag all over town is an attempt to reinforce feelings of national identity. Cleaning all the garbage off the streets would probably make people feel better.
We flew to Tikrit the day after the Blackhawk was shot down there – so the pilots were going through some impressive maneuvers as we went in to the LZ. Great fun. I think I found where a big chunk of poor miserable Kirkuk’s oil money went to…Tikrit has a huge complex of 55 palaces and associated buildings - along with a few small man-made lakes - built along the Tigris by Saddam (all after ’91, while under sanctions). The 4th Infantry Division owns the compound now, and the CPA Tikrit is located in one of the smaller buildings.
PICTURE #16
Upon arrival I found out that it was equipped with toilets made of marble and mother-of-pearl, with brass accents. Amazing - this while the infant death rate in Iraq was skyrocketing and basic infrastructure in many cities and towns was falling to pieces. Upon traveling out and about, I discovered the locals were much friendlier here than in Baquba or in the Balad area. Again the unexpected – in Saddam’s hometown. Not to say that we didn’t get our fair share of hostile glares and a few angry gestures, but definitely outweighed by friendly waves and smiles. However, I did learn that in the past few weeks, 3 local interpreters who used to work for the coalition had been fished out of the river. A mixed picture. Too bad I couldn't stay longer to get a real feel for the place.
PICTURE #17
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a related link, for those interested: 4th Infantry Division - Iraq
Edited to remove more pics...I hope this is it...
I think I'll also add to a specific piece of the AAR that Dontreadonme posted from that Infantry Colonel:
Intel collection and analysis is a problem - we definitely don't have nearly enough people with language skills and area knowledge. We don't have enough competent HUMINT, period. For a long time intel collection was skewed towards technical means, with HUMINT sidelined - both tactical and strategic. Despite the lessons of the Balkans and Afghanistan, we have yet to fix it. Those lessons are being hammered in harder every day in the much more hostile operating environment of Iraq. And though the various commanders realize they need HUMINT and linguist support, as evidenced by the Colonel's statement, most of them have no clue as to how to use it effectively.
We are planning to address the shortage of Civil Affairs and PSYOP with the upcoming transition - that is why the Reserves are being hit harder this time around. But there just isn't any more HUMINT to be had. What is available is constantly working - the troops bounce back and forth between Iraq and Afghanistan (with a few still ending up in the Balkans) and they get very little time between deployments because of operational necessity. Without a restructuring of tactical intel assets in the force, we are going to see some very big problems in the near term.
QUOTE
Tactical Human Intelligence Teams, Tactical Psyops Teams, Civil Affairs, and translators all contribute significantly to successful interaction between the local populace and Coalition Forces. These assets, as critical as they are, do not prepare the commander for his role in assisting in the formation of local governments, entering into negotiations, and dealing with Sheiks and other community leaders.
Translators MUST be provided early on in theater in order to facilitate day-to-day operations. Units cannot plan-on or rely-on English-speaking local nationals for this duty, as many locals will remain apart from U.S. forces until the situation stabilizes.
Translators MUST be provided early on in theater in order to facilitate day-to-day operations. Units cannot plan-on or rely-on English-speaking local nationals for this duty, as many locals will remain apart from U.S. forces until the situation stabilizes.
Intel collection and analysis is a problem - we definitely don't have nearly enough people with language skills and area knowledge. We don't have enough competent HUMINT, period. For a long time intel collection was skewed towards technical means, with HUMINT sidelined - both tactical and strategic. Despite the lessons of the Balkans and Afghanistan, we have yet to fix it. Those lessons are being hammered in harder every day in the much more hostile operating environment of Iraq. And though the various commanders realize they need HUMINT and linguist support, as evidenced by the Colonel's statement, most of them have no clue as to how to use it effectively.
We are planning to address the shortage of Civil Affairs and PSYOP with the upcoming transition - that is why the Reserves are being hit harder this time around. But there just isn't any more HUMINT to be had. What is available is constantly working - the troops bounce back and forth between Iraq and Afghanistan (with a few still ending up in the Balkans) and they get very little time between deployments because of operational necessity. Without a restructuring of tactical intel assets in the force, we are going to see some very big problems in the near term.
Another After Action Review, this one from Afghanistan.
Soldiers Toted Too Much Weight During Afghan Missions, Report Says
The average infantry rifleman carried about 95 pounds -- nearly twice
as much as they should have -- during short missions in Afghanistan,
according to the findings of a two-month study conducted last spring by
the Center for Army Lessons Learned.
The report, titled "The Modern Warrior's Combat Load -- Dismounted
Operations in Afghanistan," compares recent battlefield reality with a
2001 directive issued by the chief of staff of the Army that said a
soldier's combat load should not exceed 50 pounds.
The report suggests several recommendations to trim the excess baggage,
including the creation of a "weight czar," using vehicles to carry
additional equipment and continuing the development and procurement of
lighter weight, miniature equipment. It also outlines some of the
problems soldiers experienced with specific equipment such as
Interceptor Body Armor and Modular Lightweight Load Bearing Equipment
(MOLLE) rucksack (see related story).
According to CALL team leader Lt. Col. Charles Dean, the study lends a
snapshot of the load typically carried by the dismounted soldier and
provides a baseline for future research. Dean spoke during a Dec. 9
conference sponsored by the Institute for Defense and Government
Advancement.
Dean conducted the survey with the Devil Combined Arms Assessment Team,
who tracked a light infantry task force in the 82nd Airborne Division
through southern Afghanistan during April and May of 2003. The study
blamed the weight of essential equipment as what bogged down the
soldiers.
The report was requested by the U.S. Army's Soldier and Biological
Chemical Command and will be used by Program Executive Office Soldier to
guide the procurement and design of future equipment for soldiers. The
study is also being sent to light infantry brigade commanders.
Officials leading the study followed troops through the mountainous
desert terrain in temperatures ranging from 115 degrees during the day
to the upper 40s at night.
Their combat loads differed depending upon the mission. The study put
them into three categories -- the "fighting load" for hand-to-hand
combat and stealth; the "approach march load" for dynamic
operations; and the "emergency approach march load" for marches
through terrain too rugged for vehicles. The average weight carried in
the three categories was 63 pounds, 101 pounds and 132 pounds,
respectively.
Dean said those weights represented a task force that packed light,
carrying only essential equipment.
During an operation in early April, the problems with heavy loads were
evident, the report said. Although the soldiers were physically fit,
after carrying more than 101 pounds of equipment in high temperatures
and bright sunlight, each soldier drained about 234 ounces of water in
12 hours. Moving a few kilometers on relatively flat terrain was a
challenge for the troops. As a result, the report urged the Army to seek
lighter weight plates for Interceptor Body Armor, which made up 21
percent of that weight. It also trapped soldiers' sweat, causing them
to be cold when temperatures dropped at night.
In order to reduce the amount a soldier must carry, the report
recommended several courses of action:
* The Army should name a weight czar who understands "the needs and
burdens of the dismounted infantryman" and must be "empowered by
charter." The czar should be at the general officer level to have the
authority to make decisions and should have the knowledge and authority
to control the weight of all of the items being carried by soldiers --
including radio and engineering equipment, Dean said.
* Soldiers should be able to hand off equipment to nearby vehicles
during combat operations, the report said. To accomplish that goal,
humvees could begin carrying excess baggage, and officials could study
the size and weight of the load. That data could be used in the future
to develop unmanned vehicles or mules that would accompany the troops,
Dean said.
* The Army should continue to seek technological breakthroughs to
reduce the weight and comfort of equipment. Recent advancements that
have helped boost a soldier's combat power has also added weight.
Since lightweight technology is already on the market, the report
recommends using it to replace older heavier items such as binoculars.
* The Army might rethink its nighttime supply process because enemies
in Afghanistan have opted for nocturnal attacks. Accordingly, the report
suggests supply missions be conducted during the day.
Soldiers Toted Too Much Weight During Afghan Missions, Report Says
The average infantry rifleman carried about 95 pounds -- nearly twice
as much as they should have -- during short missions in Afghanistan,
according to the findings of a two-month study conducted last spring by
the Center for Army Lessons Learned.
The report, titled "The Modern Warrior's Combat Load -- Dismounted
Operations in Afghanistan," compares recent battlefield reality with a
2001 directive issued by the chief of staff of the Army that said a
soldier's combat load should not exceed 50 pounds.
The report suggests several recommendations to trim the excess baggage,
including the creation of a "weight czar," using vehicles to carry
additional equipment and continuing the development and procurement of
lighter weight, miniature equipment. It also outlines some of the
problems soldiers experienced with specific equipment such as
Interceptor Body Armor and Modular Lightweight Load Bearing Equipment
(MOLLE) rucksack (see related story).
According to CALL team leader Lt. Col. Charles Dean, the study lends a
snapshot of the load typically carried by the dismounted soldier and
provides a baseline for future research. Dean spoke during a Dec. 9
conference sponsored by the Institute for Defense and Government
Advancement.
Dean conducted the survey with the Devil Combined Arms Assessment Team,
who tracked a light infantry task force in the 82nd Airborne Division
through southern Afghanistan during April and May of 2003. The study
blamed the weight of essential equipment as what bogged down the
soldiers.
The report was requested by the U.S. Army's Soldier and Biological
Chemical Command and will be used by Program Executive Office Soldier to
guide the procurement and design of future equipment for soldiers. The
study is also being sent to light infantry brigade commanders.
Officials leading the study followed troops through the mountainous
desert terrain in temperatures ranging from 115 degrees during the day
to the upper 40s at night.
Their combat loads differed depending upon the mission. The study put
them into three categories -- the "fighting load" for hand-to-hand
combat and stealth; the "approach march load" for dynamic
operations; and the "emergency approach march load" for marches
through terrain too rugged for vehicles. The average weight carried in
the three categories was 63 pounds, 101 pounds and 132 pounds,
respectively.
Dean said those weights represented a task force that packed light,
carrying only essential equipment.
During an operation in early April, the problems with heavy loads were
evident, the report said. Although the soldiers were physically fit,
after carrying more than 101 pounds of equipment in high temperatures
and bright sunlight, each soldier drained about 234 ounces of water in
12 hours. Moving a few kilometers on relatively flat terrain was a
challenge for the troops. As a result, the report urged the Army to seek
lighter weight plates for Interceptor Body Armor, which made up 21
percent of that weight. It also trapped soldiers' sweat, causing them
to be cold when temperatures dropped at night.
In order to reduce the amount a soldier must carry, the report
recommended several courses of action:
* The Army should name a weight czar who understands "the needs and
burdens of the dismounted infantryman" and must be "empowered by
charter." The czar should be at the general officer level to have the
authority to make decisions and should have the knowledge and authority
to control the weight of all of the items being carried by soldiers --
including radio and engineering equipment, Dean said.
* Soldiers should be able to hand off equipment to nearby vehicles
during combat operations, the report said. To accomplish that goal,
humvees could begin carrying excess baggage, and officials could study
the size and weight of the load. That data could be used in the future
to develop unmanned vehicles or mules that would accompany the troops,
Dean said.
* The Army should continue to seek technological breakthroughs to
reduce the weight and comfort of equipment. Recent advancements that
have helped boost a soldier's combat power has also added weight.
Since lightweight technology is already on the market, the report
recommends using it to replace older heavier items such as binoculars.
* The Army might rethink its nighttime supply process because enemies
in Afghanistan have opted for nocturnal attacks. Accordingly, the report
suggests supply missions be conducted during the day.
Afghanistan - PRTs
Well, for starters, PRT = Provincial Reconstruction Team.
Parwan, Afghanistan
Under the operational concept, Civil Affairs teams - with medical, PSYOP and intel support - are deployed forward into the heart of each of the provinces to enact QIPs (Quick Impact Projects), i.e. repairing schools, roads, wells, etc. The PRT mission statement is "Enable the legitimacy of the Central Government of Afghanistan by facilitating provincial development, security and reconstruction IOT create enduring security and stability"
...meaning they also play a role in the DDR (Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration) Program as it affects their provinces. But that may cause serious problems. The DDR program is meant to finally disarm the various Afghan militias and reintegrate their members into civil society. Unfortunately, most of the militia commanders have no intent to give up their weapons. The DDR program itself is also severely lacking in the "reintegration" aspect. You can't expect the thugs to give up their bread and butter without a viable option for continued employment.
Worse yet, several PRTs depend heavily on AMF (Afghan Militia Forces) for external security, and some actually have them augmenting security within their compounds. It will be interesting to see what happens to that relationship when the DDR program comes to town. The whole DDR mess also ties in tightly with SSR (Security Sector Reform) - formation and deployment of the ANA (Afghan National Army) and the new Afghan police.
Gardez PRT
The PRTs and the DDR programs both sound great conceptually. However, they ain't working out so well in practice - due both to incompetent implementation and unrealistic expectations.
Taken together they form part of the larger RDZ (Regionial Development Zone) concept. On paper, each PRT is also supposed to have a USAID rep assigned to integrate the PRTs with other governmental and NGO humanitarian and reconstruction assistance operations going on in their area. So far, that has yet to happen.
In many places, the CA aspect of the PRT is compromised by co-locating it with combat units. Combat ops being launched and run out of a supposed CA compound significantly increases the potential for the PRT and CA personnel in general being targeted by the bad guys - giving real life to the fears voiced by NGOs upon hearing of the PRT plan early last year. In one location, artillery was actually engaged in fire missions from within the PRT compound. This also results in severe friction between commanders - the combat commander and the PRT commander each having completely different missions. You can only imagine how this can build in the isolated locations where these poor guys are based.
Road to Ghazni
But in the end, with all the strategic conceptualizing goin' on, Afghanistan is still run on a shoestring. And there is definitely still a hot war; although at a simmer, not a boil. Not as many troops are getting killed as in Iraq - but there's been plenty of WIA. IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) are common on the roads along the border with Pakistan, 107mm rockets regularly hit the camps and firebases (When we were at Khowst the perimeter took 21 rockets - luckily, no one was hurt). The bad guys use simple improvised launchers so they're long gone by the time our troops get there. Often, they booby-trap the launcher when they leave it, or they set up a far ambush targeting the launch site.
Here's a picture of an uparmored Hummer that ran over an anti-tank mine in Ghazni a couple of days before we arrived. The guys inside survived - only the troop in the turret had to be medevac'ed for spinal injuries when he was thrown from the vehicle.
Wrecked Hummer
Well, for starters, PRT = Provincial Reconstruction Team.
Parwan, Afghanistan
Under the operational concept, Civil Affairs teams - with medical, PSYOP and intel support - are deployed forward into the heart of each of the provinces to enact QIPs (Quick Impact Projects), i.e. repairing schools, roads, wells, etc. The PRT mission statement is "Enable the legitimacy of the Central Government of Afghanistan by facilitating provincial development, security and reconstruction IOT create enduring security and stability"
...meaning they also play a role in the DDR (Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration) Program as it affects their provinces. But that may cause serious problems. The DDR program is meant to finally disarm the various Afghan militias and reintegrate their members into civil society. Unfortunately, most of the militia commanders have no intent to give up their weapons. The DDR program itself is also severely lacking in the "reintegration" aspect. You can't expect the thugs to give up their bread and butter without a viable option for continued employment.
Worse yet, several PRTs depend heavily on AMF (Afghan Militia Forces) for external security, and some actually have them augmenting security within their compounds. It will be interesting to see what happens to that relationship when the DDR program comes to town. The whole DDR mess also ties in tightly with SSR (Security Sector Reform) - formation and deployment of the ANA (Afghan National Army) and the new Afghan police.
Gardez PRT
The PRTs and the DDR programs both sound great conceptually. However, they ain't working out so well in practice - due both to incompetent implementation and unrealistic expectations.
Taken together they form part of the larger RDZ (Regionial Development Zone) concept. On paper, each PRT is also supposed to have a USAID rep assigned to integrate the PRTs with other governmental and NGO humanitarian and reconstruction assistance operations going on in their area. So far, that has yet to happen.
In many places, the CA aspect of the PRT is compromised by co-locating it with combat units. Combat ops being launched and run out of a supposed CA compound significantly increases the potential for the PRT and CA personnel in general being targeted by the bad guys - giving real life to the fears voiced by NGOs upon hearing of the PRT plan early last year. In one location, artillery was actually engaged in fire missions from within the PRT compound. This also results in severe friction between commanders - the combat commander and the PRT commander each having completely different missions. You can only imagine how this can build in the isolated locations where these poor guys are based.
Road to Ghazni
But in the end, with all the strategic conceptualizing goin' on, Afghanistan is still run on a shoestring. And there is definitely still a hot war; although at a simmer, not a boil. Not as many troops are getting killed as in Iraq - but there's been plenty of WIA. IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) are common on the roads along the border with Pakistan, 107mm rockets regularly hit the camps and firebases (When we were at Khowst the perimeter took 21 rockets - luckily, no one was hurt). The bad guys use simple improvised launchers so they're long gone by the time our troops get there. Often, they booby-trap the launcher when they leave it, or they set up a far ambush targeting the launch site.
Here's a picture of an uparmored Hummer that ran over an anti-tank mine in Ghazni a couple of days before we arrived. The guys inside survived - only the troop in the turret had to be medevac'ed for spinal injuries when he was thrown from the vehicle.
Wrecked Hummer
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