Wild wild west

so to prove that is really is a wild west out here, today our Iraqi unit got in a fire fight with the local police. the police have a widely known rep as being corrupt and the army has the rep of being trigger happy. Well those forces collided today in torrent of gunfire and RPG fire.... stupids. It would be like the Las Vegas Fire department and local cops getting into it over what donut tastes the best... (and Uncle Stew, i got my money on the LVFD).

AHHHHHHRRRRR- one step forward and two steps back! Cant we all just get along...?!?!?

christmas and car bombs

a couple thousand pound bomb is pretty big, enough to blow up a village and that is what it did. the day before c-mas i was on a patrol... wait, let me back up a bit more....

A couple days ago we were able to attend a ribbon cutting in a village right next to our FOB (the place we live). It was for a school that had just opened up giving the chance for hundreds of poor farming kids a chance to read and write. But it wasn't much. It was a mud pasted building with a couple chairs and a blackboard... no frills, no play ground. but it did have a barb wire and barriers all around it with small sand bag bomb shelters. the opening was a success, until the day after. In Iraq the statement rings true that no good deed goes up punished. so Christmas eve day, a lone van found its way into the sheik's (local tribal leader) village, who was in charge of setting up the school, made a stop in the middle of the small town and detonated. thousands of pounds of shrapnel blasted from the former van smashing into and destroying several of the houses, trucks, cars, goats, etc in a 200 meter radius. when we got on site there was still smoke from the explosions, and a blast crater that you could fit a school bus in. looking around you could see fragments of the suicide bomber's face and body. the Iraqi soldiers around collected the face pieces in order to try and possibly ID the guy. One of my interpreters was so disgusted with the crime that he asked if he could pee on the remains of the fragments. (bad insult).

Only a couple kids were injured, but no deaths... so the bad guys didn't totally win. But the damage was done message sent: try to rebuild, try and improve your life in any way and they die trying to destroy it.

Christmas day (or as the terrorist would say: the day the infidels celebrate their false God) also brought a bad attack of mortars and rockets to US FOBs, killing some, wounding some, but mostly doing their best to cause chaos. How would you like getting a phone call on Christmas morning to find that your son, daughter, wife, or husband has been killed a couple days before they were to come home....?

most units have a memorial to those that have paid the price of freedom here and my favorite has the phrase "All gave some, but some gave all"

I have my blessings that i am grateful for, and events like this just remind me of how precious they really are. So i hope and pray that all of us are thankful that by the grace of God, we have our lives, family, and liberty.

Freezing at 500 FT!

So i was flying around the last couple days and I dont know if i think I am tougher then i really am or just stupid, but ALWAYS pack your jacket when flying around Iraq at night in a helicopter! yeah that was me last night, with out a jacket, or a neck warmer, flying around from base to base freezing my you know what off with each beat of the chopper blade! This was the 2nd most coldest i have ever been in my life. the first was in Korea during an all night TAC (tactical alternate command center) in the middle of a valley next to the DMZ. I couldn't feel my feet below the knees or my arms below the elbow the entire night. so note to self: bundle up retard!

But on the plus side i got to see a lot of old army buddies flying around bc the military really is a small world. I long for the hot 110+ degree weather in the summer and will prob long for the cold winter when that time comes.

I know dad, I know... and yes i would like some cheese with that wine... or may you should call the wahh-ambulince... ha ha

Good Guys in Bad Times....

So its Christmas time in Iraq (and the rest of the world). It is cold here but no snow to be found. When i was on patrol the other day i was the gunner and I'll tell you, that is no fun. I was freezing on top of that 15 ft armored vehicle! we started before the sun came up and i was frozen 30 mins into it. I couldn't really feel my hands and wondered that i could even work the 50 Cal (a massive gun) with any kind of precision if the opportunity came around. bc the roads are so wreck from past IEDs the vehicle constantly rocks all around slamming you into the armor turret, so the only way to control this is by standing for the 12+ hour patrol. It was so bad the other day i looked like a battered house wife the next day.
But the random presents from thankful Americans flood the FOBs and my boss alone gets close to 6-8 packages a day... we all make fun of him bc of his vast supply of wet wipes and candy (which he doesn't need... he is getting a bit big). but there is a clear message that America does support their troops, and i guess that is the only real important gift this season for me.

I do miss the family and the fun in this season, but i love experiencing the different holidays in different countries. a holiday tradition every year here is to cut your hair. Our Iraqi unit i am working with went to an orphanage to cut the kids hair and give out gifts of food. The Haaj that was a couple weeks ago was the time when Muslims take the trip to Mecca a trip they all must do once. It was interesting to see my Interpreters (of whom i hang out a lot with) pray and fast a lot during that time of the year. We all tease each other and i helped get a better azimuth to pray to Mecca then what they were doing before (bc they always pray to Mecca, southwest from our location). Some of them are getting a visa to America soon and i told them they could stay with me until they get a good job and get their new life started. i mean anyone who runs down an ally way with a gun (having all the $$ reason and opportunity in the world to shoot you and doesn't) while shooting at a sniper who is shooting at you... earns my trust. one of them, before entering a house that we thought the sniper was in, says stop, cocks his weapon, yells "Alla awkbar" (God is Great) and goes in before you, determined to kill the terrorist and putting himself in danger before you ... he can definitely sleep on my couch if he needed. good guys in bad times. Another guy, while on leave, had a car bomb blow up at a check point he was at killing a family and several others. He reacted and got to a wounded girl who's leg was blown off and stopped the bleeding and rendered aid that we taught him and saved the girl's life. they says war can bring the worst and best in a person...

Good guys in bad times.....

"In Shallah"

"In shallah" meaning God's will or God willing. Sometimes I stop and think about the close misses we have had out here and really all I can say is "In shallah". a couple days ago a massive car bomb went off in a traffic circle that we used to go through every day. unfortunately, there we a couple US casualties, a sign marking the new strategy used by insurgents to once again aim their sights on US troops, rather then the Iraqi Army. its unfortunate, but at the same time maybe it will give us the chance to see the whites of the their eyes before we kill them. "in shallah"

With Obama's promise to bring us out of Iraq, on my level bring new challenges. The SOFA (status of forces agreement) is now a security understanding that will prove difficult for US troops to do their job. without going into detail, its like conducting covert operations by letting everyone know (even the bad guys) what you are going to do, then doing it with both hands behind your back in a big awkward chicken suit. (if you can crack that one... you know too much...)

a prediction of the future....

as my father likes to remind me, "War is 90% boredom and 10% crazy adrenaline rush...", sadly to say I have hit boredom way too often lately. Yesterday that you may have heard in the new were complex bombing in Mosul and Baghdad. most CFs were ok but messed up some local Iraqis. We are going to see this near the end, but after just hearing the new president's plan to fulfill his promise to withdraw the BCTs from Iraq, it looks like an unavoidable victory for the insurgents in Iraq. as long as they keep up bombing and attacks from time to time they will claim to be the victors that endured longer in the fight then the Americans. Iraq as we know it now will crumble due to corruption. Think about it. an army is as strong as its logistics. Iraq's logistics are corrupt from top to bottom. We leave and the corruption continues until the army is broke and shoeless. Moral is down and operations slow to a halt. with no operations the insurgency wins and takes control of local areas all the way to the tops of national government. (I'm sure plenty of politicians wont even frown at the influx of terrorist supported money. as long as their pockets are fat.)
Depending on how the propaganda is spread of the insurgent victory, terrorist cells all over the world will gain hope and strength. then it starts all over..... maybe in a different country.... maybe on our own soil?

If you read revelations (and I'm just speculating) maybe Gog and Magog are not the vast armies with countless ranks and weapons, but an idea of fear and corruption that first rot the ancient lands, then the world. hasn't this always been the way of the devil. Whisperings of dark ideas in dark rooms?

sorry to sound so negative but these are dangerous times....

a bounty on my head.

Ok- so I'm not even really sure that that is how you spell bounty, but basically people want me dead. I'm prob being a little dramatic but my head is worth $10,000! Currently the terrorists in this region have a 10,000 dollar reward for any Iraqi soldier to shoot am american. there have been couple of them already and that is the new and improved method of fighting the insurgents have come up with.... cowards. Taking advantage of the poor, weak, and starving families of the jundi (Iraqi soldiers). How can this be you say? Why would anyone in there right mind do this...? You see here, a man's worth is sometimes equated to how well a man can provide for his family. If he or his family feels he is worth more dead or in jail then alive then sometimes the family and local leaders will persuade the man to do something drastic. This is the culture. We always watch our back, but now that we are planning on living with the Iraqi unit, this may prove difficult to do 24/7. I joke with my interpreters that they can shoot me in the leg and we can split the money.... or maybe we can have every jundi shoot (not kill) every us soldier and bankrupt the terrorist...?!?

We were able to do a couple missions with the navy seals- fun stuff, real commando hanky panky. We found some bad guy toys and slapped their wrists, but there is more to find.

I can tell that my patience and temper when dealing with the other team members are getting tested. Its hard to find satisfaction in our mission with so many obstacles in the way. As a team we are good when it comes to planning and mission times, but horrible when there is nothing to do. I cant tell if I have become more annoyed, or if they have become more annoying. probably both. Its like this whole thing is some kind of new army reality TV show, where 11 strong willed dudes, with an impossible mission, in cramped quarters duke it out until there is one left. There are prob a couple generals in the Pentagon watching the cameras they put on us laughing hysterically. Bastards.

But i guess all in all i cant complain (which i just did if you weren't paying attention), there are several soldiers far less fortunate then I, fighting in far less fortunate times. I just need to remember to count my blessings...

been a while

so, yeah its been a while since i wrote last, but sometimes its hard to jump on the old computer that is not controled by the military. but as we speak, i am sitting on the west bank of the tigris river in mosul. We have a make shift base on an old sadaam river house. its pretty nice, but i got about 20 flies on me and about the throw the computer bc they DRIVE ME CRAZY! And its like these desert flies and bugs are aggressive as hell bc food and water is far and few between. We are seeing dudes bc of a mass mutiny and without going into detial, some stuff that is suposed to be right is not and people could die. The AWOL rate is rediculous with the Iraqi Army. I mean some if not most are good and brave, but MANY will turn and run if they dont like the situation, or out of pure laziness.

On a brighter (kinda) note- i offically recieved my CAB (Combat Action Badge) for some fights up in mosul. Not really a big deal, but its is just some flaire or bling for the old uniform.

I met my new counterpart with our iraqi unit, which brings me to another problem. This guy has been in the iraqi army for over 20 years but with the old regieme (you know the guys who twice fought against the US forces) Most have a smooth transition into working well with us, but some like this dude just has an old way of thinking. Not really hate or distrust with the US, but just an overall "thats not how we used to do it" kinda attitude. Its a problem bc all those commanders in key postitions are "old regieme" dudes. What we really need to do is fire all these old dudes and let the newer, modern thinking leaders take charge. not saying that is really the answer to all the preoblems but it would be a blood transfusion that this decaying country needs.

sorry a lot of complaining this time- but im about 3 months in and sometimes its just starts dragging....

A good start to a morining

So I guess Obama is our new prez. My buddy just got an email with the following:

"Do you really want a good way to start your day? Do the following:

1. Create a folder on your computer labeled as "Obama as President".
2. Then right click and delete the folder.
3. Go to your recycle bin and press to delete the folder again.
4. Then a window will come up and ask "Do you really want to get rid of Obama as President?"
5. Click yes as many times as desired, then laugh as hard as you want."

OK OK- well i guess he is my new commander and chief so Article 88 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice prevents me from saying anything bad about him so i guess that is that.

It is looking like i will be going to Defense Language school after my redeployment to learn Manderin Chinese in Monteray Cali. But it comes with a 3 year add on to my commitment in serivce. But with the economy and all i think all the training will better smooth the transition to the civ world, and hopefully back to china for business.

Im in the best shape of my life and living the dream...

a couple Q & A's

Im helping a student with a report on the effect of the war on Iraqi culture, and thought that it would be cool to share some the Q & A's that he had with all of you. So here you go....


CPT ADAIR: An overview of Iraq

Dillion here are some answers to your questions. Here is a little background on me first:
I am a member of an 11 man team called a MITT (military transition team) designed to train and advise the Iraqi army and police. I received close to 6 month training at FT. Riley KS for this assignment. I arrived in Iraq AUG 08 and am currently working in Mosul, Iraq. I mentor 2 infantry Iraqi Battalions (roughly 2000 men). My team’s duties are to assist in operations of roadside checkpoints, raid, searches, patrols, and any other combat operations. I act as the liaison between the Iraqi units and the coalition forces.

Q: Since you've been in Iraq, has the treatment of Iraqi women improved? If so, in what ways (what are they able to do now that they weren't before?)

A: Well the culture of Iraqi women is that they are held in high regard. They hold high values of chastity and morality. The saying is that in public they are not to show hardly any body part and not to look on a man and vice visa. In public they are submissive, but in the home they wear the pants. They are not suppressed as the world believes but just held to a different standard. The culture encourages the education and opinions of women, but not the trophy independent women as the western world. When meeting an Iraqi male I do not talk or gester to his wife, and really its best to just pretend she is not there.
As the military we are only allowed to search a women by a us women soldier. The best way to piss off a crowd of men is to have a male soldier search or try to talk to a women.
Women are not thought of as a lower being, but treasured. Its just different to the western world. My understanding is that they have always had the same rights and privileges of males, but are not to flaunt them in public. Because of the Saddam’s regime and the war, all human rights in Iraq has decreased, not just the women’s.

Q: Examples of ways that Iraqi people spend their day now as compared to before. Do they get out more? If so, what do they do? (the paper is kinda a before and after)

A: Well the unemployment rate is ridiculous. In Mosul, there is a 75% unemployment rate, so people are poor. Most people do not have a job and therefore walk around a hand on the streets or in their homes. Those that do work usually own a store or a small business at a market. Because of the war, the economy has suffered. Most of the factories from before the war owned by Saddam’s government are shut down. So initially that increased a loss of job and economic slump. As capitalism grows, and the county’s infrastructure increases, so will the jobs and moral of the people.

Q: Does the population have more rights, or do they now get to excercise natural rights similar to our Bill of Rights? (Religious freedom...I know Saddam persecuted the Shiites for example)

A: The people definitely have more rights now then before the war. The Shiites and Kurds were heavily persecuted before the war. People have most of the rights that we do in America. The problem is now all the different previous suppressed groups all believe they deserve a bigger piece of the country’s pie. Some do it through political means, and others like terrorists do it through acts of violence. Iraq is currently under something like Marshal Law (where the military is in control). But come 1 JAN 09 a SOFA (status of forces agreement) will probably take affect. Good, because it restores more rights to the people, but bad because it limits us as a military force to get bad guys. Look more about the SOFA online. It is much like the same agreement we have in South Korea.

Q: Generally speaking, are there any major changes to the society? (Possibly due to globalization, Americanization, or just because of they might now have resources to info. about the world.)

A: Like I said earlier, the country is always changing. Iraq is a melting pot of several different cultures and parties. As some come in to power the culture climate shifts. Most Iraqis know and want to be a part of the world community, but are still loyal to their individual tribes and heritage. As freedoms and capitalism increases, so will the society’s consciousness of the global world, and the county will be effected by that. How and when, I couldn’t tell you.

Q: How much resistance are you experiencing by the Iraqi citizens, or Do the Iraqis basically accept or appreciate the change Americans have brought to them

A: Well some just plain hate us. If fact, one of our Iraqi units that were are working with plainly said that he doesn’t like us and if local civilians weren’t being killed by the terrorists, he would join them to kill Americans. One of the biggest weapons of terrorists is the ability to spread information to the people. For instance, they put up signs all around town saying that we will rape and kill women during our searches. They will spread lies around to strike fear and hatred in the hearts and minds of the people, encouraging them to support the insurgency. It is a never ending struggle to gain the trust of the people. Most know the truth, but are scared of the repercussions if they openly support the coalition forces. Another example is our interpreters. They have to change their names and cover their faces when we are in public, because if, by chance, they are recognized they, or their families could be killed.

Q: What do you personally think is the biggest change that we've brought to Iraq...I know it's rather general, but based on what you've seen, if you could narrow it down to one thing, what would it be and why?

A: I think the biggest change is the choice to choose a better life. This war has hurt the country of Iraq, but sometimes you need to cut into the wound so it can heal right. This war is for the local Iraqi man who can exercise his right with out threat or fear, to work and support his family. For those suppressed to be repaid, and for the basic human rights we all deserve and should be able enjoy. Now I don’t know a great deal about the US governments need for oil, or the conspiracies of politicians, and really I don’t care. On my level, it is about fighting for basic freedoms that would not be available without help from outside forces that have the means and responsibility to stand up for those in need. Don’t let anyone tell you that this task is trivial and unnecessary. I believe that the US has it’s time to be involved and that time is soon up. But it was purposeful and necessary and those who doubt that need to come and see for themselves.

hit and miss....

So the last couple days have been nuts. everyday we have been shot at with IEDs going off all around us. its heating up in mosul. Since our Iraqi guys are the ones being attacked we roll out in the kill zone and help fight them off. it really does feel like the movies and all you can do is to stay calm, think, and remember your training. usually its one of our check points or smaller iraqi bases in the city that get hit by complex attacks from IEDs, small arms fire, and snipers. the problem is that they hide and blend in the locals and are hard as hell to find during and after they attack. Our team has kinda been like a QRF (quick reaction force) that goes and hunts the attackers down instead of a back seat advisor. I can say that this war is real now, attacking the will of the people of mosul to fight back. those trying to help are being hunted and murdered. we had a couple dudes getting executed right down the street from our location and we were the first on the seen. we chased a sniper for blocks after he got a couple shots at us. Its real. Our team has proven to be a show-stopper for the insurgents and run when they see us coming. It really is something from the movies. We did get a couple of bad guys and processed them but there are plenty more. Our Iraqi unit did however take a couple KIAs and WIAs and ask that you pray for them for and there families, and hope that their loss will further fuel the anti-terrorist fire.

Its like the war has weeded out all the stupid bad guys and the smart ones are left. But we'll get them.

I wrote earlier about the Kurds and the ways they protect their own. Well that is good and bad. I mean if you had Mafia down your street, sure they take care of their own, but at what price? taking matters into their own hands with disregard for the law. Its a double edged sword and we are caught in the middle. Hard to blame them, considering their past, but it still needs a great deal of work. Its all they have known and been able to trust. Thats just a little of what i can say about that.

yea- its been a crazy a week and I dont doubt its far from over. And thank God they cant shoot bc i prob wouldnt be writing this.

combat missions and Jonah

so we are finally through all the red tape and able to get out and do our jobs. lately been doing a lot of cordon and searching. basically that means that go to one of the 50 or so neighborhood and lock it down and search house by house. Been finding some interesting stuff from weapons to detainees. We got shot at the other day and it whizzed passed one of the 3 gunner we have in our convoy. So finally we saw some action. yesterday we went to one of the poorest neighborhoods in mosul and little kids swarmed around me and my guys. I was able to give a pink teddy bear to a little girl who was playing in a trash pit. it was one of those "man we are blessed moments". most of the houses don't have power and water and other basic necessities we take for granted. I'm 2 months in iraq and time is flying by.

I got to visit Jonah's tomb. if you don't know the city of mosul is the old Nineveh in the old testament. most popular by the city that Jonah refused to preach to and when he ran away he got swallowed by the whale. there was a huge mosque in his honor here and right next to it was the original walls of the city! the market surrounding those walls made it even feel like I was back in time in the days of Jonah (minus the cars and trucks). It was truly humbling to able to witness that sight, and pass through the gates that the great profit Jonah did when entering the city. however, I can empathize with his fear of standing for whats right in the then and now corrupted city of Nineveh/Mosul. Of course i have body armor, tanks, and guns... thanks God for technology...

Kurdistan

So we took a little road trip to a place called Arbil a little east of mosul deep inside Kurdistand. It was like night and day. I respect the Kurdish people bc they have united together and stood up to any terrorist group. they are harsh but effective in the protection of their people. Driving through the city, i would have guessed i was new mexico or something. people were dressed nice, building intact and functional, and even school kids running around in class uniforms. We down graded our body armor and had an amazing lunch at a local restaurant. The kurdish people bask in their rights and freedoms, deciding to live in peace rather then allowing terror to rule them. Now they still have their faults and struggles. With decades of abuse to their people from Saddam's era, they are faced with political struggles against the arab grip on the country. But sometimes I wish the arab nations would follow the kurd example by unifying and fight for whats right.

Mosul is getting hot and some call it the last stand of the insurgency over the next little bit... thanks for your prayers and thoughts for protection, bc a wild animal fights hardest when you got it in a corner.

Herding cats...

I use the term herding cats bc this last week i have had the privilege of meeting our IA unit that we will be training. They are a new battalion which obviously comes with all sorts of varied problems. this is how it breaks down. When we roll in the gate the we are swarmed by Jundi (the common soldier). you kinda feel like a movie star. one day i brought a bunch of blow pops and they all loved them. the only problem is that they think that is the standard and you will always show up with free treats. so that needs to be few and far between. The COP (the small piece of land they live on) is pathetic it is just a series of run down buildings with no doors or windows. and without going into further detail, lets just say it could pass as a refugee camp.

Most of the staff is from the old iraqi army, with various jobs and skills, but as a whole they are over worked and spread thin. another thought is that while im talking to these officers and learning about their background, i cant help to think that these were the guys we were fighting in the initial attack in 2002 and Operation Desert Storm 1990. I wonder how many soldiers or friends were killed by our forces and their real thoughts about us that they wont or cant show us. some and i guess i can say most seem to believe in the new iraq and i believe genuinely want to gain to control of their country. But others and even some in the command group have made it very obvious that they do not like us, that we have no business being there, and I quote form one influential officer "If the insurgency was targeting only american soldiers, I would join them."
WHAT?!?!?! How are you supposed to work with a person like that? We took a serious look at the situation after that and have taken appropriate measures. and just to show you the complication of the situation let me show you a couple results of those comments. he could be in league with the insurgency already and has such distain for americans that he couldn't hold back the comment. Which means we need to literally sleep with one eye open and take certain measures when working with the unit and especially those like him. We have to raise levels of security, but at the same time making them think its just business as usual. He could just be viewing his opinion with no real intent on acting on them, but honestly I think i might trust him more now then before. By sharing his true feeling i kinda respect him more. Its like in poker, if he had real intent to do harm, why would he tip his hand? secrecy and the element of surprise is are terrorists greatest weapon. This could just be an opportunity to act on the cheesy new mission of the army in iraq to "win the hearts and minds of the people". call me naive, but i think that it is. I guess it is the missionary in me to assume the best in people and always believing in the power of change. either way, our mission today is to bring them wood and other supplies to help improve their COP. its a slippery slope by even doing this bc they might always expect it and that could potentially cause even more problems of trust... like I said a slippery slope.

We had a small riot the other day, bc the jundi haven't been paid for months and are forced to eat maggot infested rice. we were at the COP and it felt like there was a civil war was about to breakout right in front of us. but to be honest, living under those conditions as a common soldier, i dont doubt that i would be joining the riot if i was in their shoes. It was then that i had another moment thanking my maker that i have the blessing that i have.

I remember that when i was a kid, my mom used to make playdoe for me for me and my brother and sisters to play with. I remember how frustrating it was to make my masterpieces when the playdoe recipe was off. If it was too runny with water, or too powdery and wouldnt stick, my perfect structures would either melt or crumble. Now I feel that same frustration, and that everyday someone keeps adding water or powder to my iraqi unit im trying to teach, advise, and mentor.

These cats are running wild in a mine field and herding them up is difficult when your holding a shotgun.

Mental Picture

I think i have described the iraqi state of mind but i answered an email the other day to a friend wanting to know the my mental picture on the situation. and this is it


"a mental pic huh....

We are, as males and kings of the jungle, to be taught not to show fear. This is magnified in the military a hundred times more. Crying is not an option.... that is for the women and gays.

well honestly i thought i would be a lot more scared then i am rolling out the gate to the combat zone. but years of personal training and your team unity is the life line and you have to trust in your self and keep your senses on high alert. i say a quick prayer before we go on these missions and then its on. I haven't fired on anyone yet and often wonder what it will feel like with my first kill. it kinda feel like a robot and ill just ID the target, point and shoot. i am willing to lay down a life if it protects me our my team, but its hard not to wonder. I have known dudes who have done that then find out it was a car full of a family or some other innocent person. I am not scared to kill but terrified that i am in a position and i shoot too fast and feel a threat that is not there accidentally killing innocent people, or not notice a threat and my team or i am killed that i could have prevented. its a fine line in between.

Its funny that when you see people on the side of the road staring at you, i always think if they are the spotter reporting to the trigger man that controls the IED ahead? Or does he hate me and that is a revengeful look telling me he is a potential threat? maybe he is waiting for us to dismount so he can detonate his suicide vest? When i meet our Iraqi counterparts that we are training, i wonder if one of them is planning our kidnapping or sizing us up to discover our vulnerabilities? If i drive down a street with no children playing, does that mean the pile of dirt ahead has an EFP or IED? It feels like a mobster movie, where everyone is smiling to your face, but stabbing you in your back. Or the like your in downtown Gaddianton Robber town like in the Book of Mormon.

I believe everything the church has taught me (even though i am lacking in areas) and pray that God helps me and inspires me to a knowledge and understanding higher then my retarded self bc lives of His children are a stake. I have been trying to get better with Him, bc i know and felt through personal experience from my mission and other times that it is really all in the Lord's hands. I can only help the iraqis build their army and train them with his help. All the influence, common sense, and military training is nothing if someone doesn't want to change or listen. I believe that God can effect these people and inspire them to let me do my job and teach them how they can become a safe country free of a terrorist threat. The other day a car bomb went off at a check point 2 mins after we left it. That was really my first "oh #$&% people are trying to kill me" experience so far and that this is just the beginning. My mental state is pretty much wrapped up as "in-shala" (Arabic for God willing). Its in his hands, if its going to happen, its going to happen. All i can do is my best. "

Its like Major General Zilmer USMC said "But professional, be polite, but have a plan to kill everybody"

Mosul... first impression

So it has been a while and will try and back track...

we arrived in mosul via c130, about an hour+ ride and not so pleasant with all your gear on. there was no in flight movie or bag of peanuts... im writting my congressman. jk

Our team that we are replacing are sooooooo ready to leave and all but a few are even helpful in the transition between teams. I took drivers training on our new MRAP which is like an armored elephant rolling down the road. FOB Diamondback is different. it actually has trees, but small. the PX is a joke and our living area is even more of one. its a dump but atleast its our dump. but we dont know bc as we speak my boss is in a meeting with the division cmdr talking about exactly what section of mosul we will advising.

Mosul- For the last 3 days we have been conduct a combat currculation of the area (which is just a fancy term for checking out da hood) Ive been front seat on these patrols. mosul is like a cross between a TJ, mexico and a busted up city in france after WW2. its is trashed. trash in the streets, houses, alleys, everywhere! cows, sheep and goats roam the city looking for trash dumps to eat out of. the building are all broken down and most are just cinder blocks placed on top of each other. about 75% of the city is unemployed so a lot of the people just roam the streets like the cattle. kids run to your truck, waving and signaling they want candy or soccer balls. some people wave and all stare at you. its hard to tell there intentions sometimes when everyone is eyeing you. sewage is flowing down streets like creeks and you even see some people washing clothes in it. I have pics and will post when i can, bc its really hard to describe the way these people live. its most dirtiest and run down place i have ever seen... and that says a lot bc i have been to a lot of 3rd world countries. as we drive, we hear things on the radio. calls in of IEDs and fire fights from other sections in the city make it real and remind you that you are not on a pleasure cruise through town.

we met a couple iraqi units at their bases and that was just a depressing as the city itself. most are walled areas with a couple of building in them. Most of these bases are overlooked by taller building around, where a sniper or RPG can easily get a couple shots off at us without ever being in danger... that is a bad thing. with all the trash inside the bases you wonder why they just dont pick it up and improve life- but i guess that why we are here. The meeting my boss is in right now will dictate where we will live, and it is a strong possibility that we will be living in these dumps, hand in hand with the iraqi counterparts we advise. The iraqi army looks motivated and try their best to impress us as we meet with them, but as we get into accessing their combat power that is when we see all the little and major holes in their operating systems. In fact, most haven't even been paid for months... how motivated would you be to do your job?

Our interpreters are pretty cool, all young guys with a sense of humor- they are going to need it with our group. its kinda hard bc you still have to be on your toes. Our iraqi units we advise, our interpreters, and any local national could have an interior motive. it really is like the mafia movies where the guy smiling at you the most, is prob the most likely guy to shot you when your not looking. A captain the other day was killed by a iraqi soldier up here. it brings a whole new meaning to keeping your friends close and your enemies closer...

Believe it or not wars are NOT won by battles, but logistics. The iraqi log is all messed up. Bribery and corruption run rampant in the chain of command. The "wasta" is basically like street credit or favors. a commander will keep half of the supplies that should go to his unit and sell it on the black market or simply hoard it so his personal wasta will go up. that is power here, how much you have, can get, and can give, mostly on the governments dime. the problem is that this is how they do business and have been doing it all along, but it hinders a functional army. all those in with decision making power to change the system have the wasta so why would they want to change it?! and at the end of the day it cheats the soldier who is going out on missions, endangering his life everyday with only 15 bullets, no armor, and a rusty AK47. Iraq in the last year has earned over 90 billion dollars in oil revenues, but the system is broke... big time...

once again... i guess thats why im here.

SSS: Sand Storms Sucks

So now im stuck a Camp Taji (north of Bagdad) and we got hit my sand storm which means no flights. which means we wait. which means im bored. the visiblity is only about 200 meters and the sky is orange. seems like the calm before the strom.

I got news from the boss that im going to be an S3 (operations officer) which with the iraq force, plan and develop missions and operations within the battle space. we also got told that our mission has change and will be advising a brand now iraqi infantry battalion called 2-62 IA (iraqi army). implied missions? we will be dealing with a new unit which is like teaching pre-schoolers algebra, but with guns. there is a funny video on youtube of an american advisor trying to teach a group of iraqi soldiers jumping jacks... its pretty funny and frustrating if your on the teaching end so lets just say we got our work cut out.

with the sand storm and low visiblity its prime time for insurgents to lay IEDs and plan. last night a couple 155 arty rounds went off with a gun ship chinnok (helicopter) because a couple guys were spotted out side the wire. prob laying fresh IEDs at major access roads. first contact ive seen since in country.

The team is getting along fine but all anxious to get finally settled in our AO. cant belive i got lucking a hooked up this group. it could be a lot worse. the team we are taking over cant stand to be in the same room with each other let alone combat missions. we all have thick skin and if we have an issue we say it, remembering that one day that person you have beef with might have the power to save your life. I thinks its all about looking at the big picture and never forgetting it. granted i have short sight just as anyone else does, but the big picture allows focus on the smaller things. like sitting too close to the screen in a movie, you need to move your head around and not look at one side to see the other. the father away you sit and the better perspective you have. am i rammbling... i think im rammbling...

The food is good here, i love middle eastern food. not much else going around... did i mention that im bored? oh well i guess it all counts toward the year.

MOSUL'S THRIVING INSURGENCY

so far im tracking that today was the 6th move since ive been in country. Ive been shuffled from kuwait to all around bagdad. just finished with the PHX academy which is basicly a condensed verision of the training at fort riley. I guess the stuff we learn about is pretty cool... but not for the 4th or 5th time in the same powerpoint class.

So the stars and stripes (an army paper) yesterdays front page said in big black letters... "MOSUL'S THRIVING INSURGENCY"... yeah and we are supposed to be there in a few days. got briefed on some upcoming missions and without saying much, just look closely to that area for updates. should be fun.

had another sand storm here and its crazy bc all you see and taste is dirt and sand. yum yum gimmi some. and and speaking of, i think my interpeter was hitting on me last nite... you know what they say here..."women is for breeding and men are for fun"..... NASTY!

Training is lame

Training, training, then more training! I want to play soldier for real!!!! tommarrow is the last day for training! then we fly up to mosul and start missions. Real missions. the ones that count. the ones you dream about.
next week we start the real fun.

dumbed down iraq background

Wow. just got some of your comments and appreciated.

In reality i was thinking how this mission is really not different then my mission. "winning the hearts and minds of the people" except i have a gun and a licence to kill. most likely one of my tasks will be a doing the job called information operations, which is kinda a non-lethal form of warfare. its a challenge, trying to change an already solidly embedded mentality of mistrust and betrayal with this country (if you look at the last 100 year history). I guess the first problem is that they have no sense of "country" the way you or i do. just clicks and tribes. it is a middle eastern melting pot. the population is mostly shia, but sunni are the majority throughout the Arab nations. the sunni was suppressed and abused by the few sunni under Saddam's rule and now want power they feel is owed to them. but the sunni are used to being the higher class and refuse to share. and the kurds to the north were abandoned by the world with no real land or pot to piss in. sprinkle that with the idea that for the last hundreds of years all they have really know is fighting..... and welcome to iraq.

Hopefully that explains some of the background and challenges my team is going to face.

oh and ominae, tell B i have plenty of sunscreen.... its called 60 pound body armor and lucky its blocks UV rays too...

counter insurgency

So im in class all over again. training on counter insurgency, Iraqi security forces training, arabic. I spend about 2-3 hours a day on the language and I am determined to get this one down. its ALOT easier then cantonese so i figure i got a chance at getting good. (plus the arabic women are hot so thats also additional motivation).
I am working out like it going out of style, and the diet is in effect. no much else to do. just sick of training and moving around every couple days. there are some major shifts going on and location/mission/IA (Iraqi Army)/etc might have some serious changes. the election might effect the mission some but we'll see....

had a long talk with an iraqi dude tonite (we practically live on top of them) about religion sects of islam and extremists. I didnt think it would but with all the shadiness going around here, its hard to let yourself trust anyone, bc you never know. I mean we have killled all the stupid ones, so the ones left are smart. its kinda hard to not to hold a prejuduce against the entire country for a few crazys, but when you add poverty, religion persuasion, government coruption, tribal loyality, extremely violent history, and a million other factors, you just dont know who will be a peaceful farmer one day and an IED planter the next. that is just a taste of the unclassified things i can share... so lets just say that is just a potato slice in my bowl of tasty yellow curry.... damn im deep.

Deployment: the start (forgot to publish this one)

So two week ago I boarding a plane going from kansas to maine to ireland and then kuwait. Not much in kuwait be desert as far as you can see with a few beatles and sand storms... not cool. Its not so hot, and when I say that, I mean unless you like feeling your brain boiling inside your own head. we went through all the same training that we did at FT Riley, ranges, convoy live fires, and mostly we just acclimated to the searing heat. we got new combat vests that are just as heavy and awkard as the old combat vest (about 40-50 pounds) and got to run around the desert playing soldier. I came up with a couple goals:

1. get better God.

2. get into the best shape of my life.

3. educate myself (seems broad but I have my areas of focus)

4. document this experience through music



After about a week of fun in kuwait we boarded a C130. the seats were roomy with AC but the on flight movie was sub-parr. Ok not really we were in full battle rattle on top of each other in what felt like a suna with a every bump having a bar shoved up my backside... good times.



Bagdad is a little cooler but dirty as hell. The palaces from sadaams rule a massive but its kinda sad how the military has reformed the green zone in to a military compound.

I have never had a blog before and I need to add this disclaimer before you read on. This is more for me then you. I will share my expericences as a deployed soldier in Mosul, Iraq. I will not share any info that can potentially compromise my mission or my fellow soldiers, however, I plan in detail to do my bet to describe my life in combat.

Oh, and I cant spell worth a damn so no back seat spellers allowed!