inwithclint

"I'm leaving on a jet plane"

2009-08-08T08:27:00.002+03:00

All,

This will be my last blog while in Iraq. Our replacement team just arrive this week and they are already eager to take over... more power to them, bc they can have it. I feel a lot like coming home from a mission, but not so socially disorientated. I'm still my old Clint self, but I will always be grateful for the things i have seen, heard, and experience. I felt like I grew up a little here. As a great relief to my parents, i have decided that i want to get married, start a family, and settle down a bit. As many of you know, I will be heading to Monterey CA to study Chinese for the military lasting around 2 years. the job Im gunning for a Chinese Foreign Affairs officer, working as a liaison between the Chinese and US government. For the first time i feel like i have a solid future. I wouldn't trade my time here for the world... ok I'd prob give it up for a buck 99 and a microwave, bc i just remembered all the nasty sandstorms, heat, and disappointments.

I feel like i have some stories to tell my grand kids and something for my family to be proud of. If/when i go to Afghanistan, i'll be better prepared. I'll be ready, I'll be prepared, and I'll be willing to serve my country when it calls for it.

Hit by an IED in Mosul

2009-06-25T19:45:00.001+03:00

something crazy happened to me today. we were in mosul about to head to this iraqi base and my team got hit by an IED. it wasnt a big one and everyone is ok, but shook us up a bit. It hit right in front of my vehicle spraying the veh in front of me. and we saw the guy who detonated it running so we opened fire- but couldnt confirm if we got him. it was just like the movies, but A LOT LOUDER in real life. I remember i could feel the impact of the blast and some of the gunners on top of veh got damage to their ears and possible concussion. but all in all, we are good... except for my PTSD that i have now... jk. but seriously thank the Lord that the terrorist dude was too dumb to pack more TNT in that bomb, and that his timing was slightly off on detonation. we got lucky bc it could have been way worse, bc really the most dangerous thing is to have a small bomb like that go off and then while you are focused on that explosion, a car bomb comes at you from behind. THAT is what i was scared of, and as the last veh in the team, and after getting out of the "kill zone"i made sure my gunner was ok and then told him to watch for ANY car near and if light them up if he sees anything. luckly, nothing came.

infact that was just a horrible neighborhood bc and hour after that a car bomb went off and small arms fire after that, who knows that car bomb could have been for us and the retarded guy messed up the timing- who knows but we are cool- except that we got to go on this retarded mission tom in a bad news town. whatever- its going to be crazy as all the CFs are getting out of the cities and the iraqis are starting to take over. infact, all the terrorist are prob video tapping these attacks and claim that they are pushing out the infidels!... what a bunch of crap...

anyway- Just a bad day in mosul.

My Welcome home and those that fell

2009-05-10T10:52:00.004+03:00

If any of you have experienced server turbulence on a flight you might be able to relate. So on the combat flight from Baghdad to Mosul, the pilot is required to do something called a combat landing. So right when you feel the C-130 (which is just a school bus with wings- with all your battle rattle on and cramped up like sardines) start to descend you know its coming, but this one was crazy. the plane will (on purpose) take a dive, shift from left to right and basically fly around like cracked out moth. well the first dive felt like a free fall ride like at 6 flags and lasted about 15 secs. the crazy part was that i heard a big bang right before the pilot initiated the fall so i was thinking that we got shot and that we were GOING DOWN! i remember the guy across from me was freaking out and as we were hovering in mid-air, he was trying to grab anything he could, including my leg. I guess i was freaked out, but what could i do at that point but laugh at the guy across from me (which i did). after we leveled out again, i asked if he needed to change his pants. it was funny.

So i got back to my duty location and sat down my gear and my team said mount up, bc we were going out to conduct some raids. but let me back up...

You may have heard (mom i know you did) about some killings that happened in my area. what happened is that in a base that we go to all the time an iraqi soldier entered a US area and just started shooting killing 2 and wounding many. Now i heard about this when i was grounded in Baghdad with the platoon leader of the guys who got attacked. he was freaking out and blamed himself. And i can tell you that the scariest thing is not to personally get killed or hurt, but actually it is NOT being there when your men or battle buddy does. that's really what i was worried about the most (and especially bc i knew about all the craziness that happening to our team right before i left) before i left on leave. But i consoled him at the time saying that it wasn't his guys and that the area was big with a lot of forces around, and really anything i could say to keep the guy calm. Bc at the time, we only had limited info. But it was his guys and i feel for him.

So right when i got back, my team told me that the Iraqis needed help to role up the key planners and bad guys in that area. Now it seems that it was just one guy that shot those men.... WRONG, think of all of these terrorist acts as an iceberg, where you only see the action take place or tip of the berg, but like ALL operations its way bigger then what you just see.

(Sorry to be so vague, but its for a reason) Knowing what happened and after looking at the Intel i was MORE THAN HAPPY to go get these guys. so hours after i got back into my AO, I was in the back of an Iraqi truck conducting raids on some of the key targets in that area. It was crazy bc this was by far the most dangerous thing i have done yet in this country and i was doing it right when i came back from leave!?!? I mean when i was in Europe, i kinda even forgot i was in the army and Iraq seemed like a distant memory. but i was shoved right back into the mess.

I was working with a commando team and they were all cool, but tired bc they hadn't slept for almost 2 days. so they were a little cranky and ready to kill someone. We hit houses and building all day all over this town, looking everywhere for these criminals. as an example of the stress involved, we hit this one house and rolled a guy who knew our targets and we had to "force" him to show us where the guy was hiding. While that was going on a drunk neighbor started shouting threats to the commandos. Well they were not having any of that. and before my interpreter could tell me what was going on, the commandos jumped the guy's fence and cocking there weapons and wrestling this drunk dude to the ground and searching his house. Now, you need to realize that this entire area are known insurgent supporters and basically the terrorist key leader neighborhood, NOT just a walk around meeting people and asking questions. I mean the area had its own little terrorist army hidden within the local populous. so any threat was taken seriously and squashed on site. Another example is that we went into a house of iraqi police man who knew and had the ID card of this guy we were looking for. We questioned him for a while and quickly found out that his loyalties were not with his country, but the hidden insurgents in the town. THAT is how corrupt this place is; even the good guys are covering for the bad guys. So we tied him up, blind folded him and threw him in the back of a truck for hours traveling all around town, then at the end of the day dropped him off in a field somewhere- serves him right. should have cooperated.

I can only equate the mission as something you would see in the movies and i got to kick doors and detain our targets. Raids are fun and a def adrenaline rush. So this was an all day thing and even into to the night, and i am more then happy to report that we got our guys. so rare is it that a unit has the privilege of getting those directly responsible for attacking and killing them. Usually the guy, after he attacks you, fades into the background and doenst re-appear for while until he does it again- at least the smart ones. but we got all of them and mom that is your Mothers Day present. You can sleep well tonight.

Exusted and sleep deprived, we turned the guys into the Iraqis and my only prayer is that they do the right thing and take all the evidence and guy to get tried and locked away. after all we can only do so much bc of the SOFA. but i think (mostly bc of our high interest in the case) they are seeing justice.

The next day i went to memorial of the 2 soldiers that were KIA. It was truly a sobering experience and will never forget it. i knew one of the guys after working with him on other missions. The CAV (the unit they belonged to) gave a professional and heartfelt service and his battle buddies were able to say goodbye is there way after (seeing them laughing, drinking redbull, and eat pizza in the PX area). The thing i found surprising is that the word got out that our team rolled up those guys and we received many thanks and appreciation for the actions we did the day prior. It was nice to do my part to honor those have paid the ultimate price of freedom.

the pic attached is when we were turning these guys in to the iraqis. "Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do, what you gonna do when i come for you...!"

Leave

2009-05-08T22:00:00.002+03:00

Sooooo- im back now in the desert and it is def hotter then when i left it. my time away from this ordeal was refreshing and badly needed.

When i got to Kuwait i was told to change into civilain clothes and that was strange to be in pants again. I flew out of kuwait airport and took pics so my dad could see the difference of that back in 1992 when he fought his way into that same city. the flights i took had less and less military personnel until it was just me in alone in Amsterdam.

The next day my buddy flew in and it was on. we rented bikes and rode all over that city seeing the van gough museum, Rembrandt, and just reveling in the fact that i wasnt in iraq. the canals were amazing and we took a river tour all round the town with all the beautiful architecture all over the city. in iraq i have been hitting the gym and dieting pretty hard, but there i ate and ate and ate until i couldn't eat anymore... then i had dessert! the food was awesome. of course i felt naked without my 9mm pistol that i ALWAYS have on me here, but prob that i didnt have it.

It was kinda weird being around so many civilians and especially the chicks... but dont worry i was able to talk to many beautiful babies:) I tried my best not to talk shop, and in fact my cover story was that i was an English teacher from monterey CA. not far from the truth but you cant be too careful of bad guys. but when i was comfortable i told my story to those who were interested. One night i met a chick from Afghanistan and after a while i told her what i really did. we talked for hours about the situation in the middle east. she admitted that her family moved to the Netherlands bc the Taliban threatened her family when she was young. she had only heard bad things about the US in her country but after a heartfelt talk about my frustrations and intents with the war she started to understand what we were trying to do here. I shared some of my near misses and stories of corruption, murder, and death.... but that might have been a bit too much bc her friend that was with her started crying (bc she had a boyfriend coming here next month). well i tried to console her but then the Afghan chick started crying.... well after seeing that my job was done (by ruining their night) i quickly said that i was lying and that i really was janitor in Detroit and i didn't know anything... its sick but i kinda thought it was funny. chicks are so emotional.

Then it was off to the mini cruise from amsterdam to new castle, England. the cruise was awesome and the ocean view and breeze felt good on the soul. new castle was a trip and i couldn't stop mocking the English accent. i ate my weight in fish and chips. I knew nothing about new castle, but we were on a quest to find the "castle" part of new castle. it took some doing and after asking a bunch of the locals (which nobody knew of a castle) but we found it and stormed the gate and ran to the top and claimed the castle ours. (but prob the worst day to forget a camera).

my buddy was running low on $$ and so we took the mini cruise back to amsterdam with a plan to go to Spain. on the way back though i met a couple of girls who worked on the ship and after a while they invited me to the VIP lounge and they showered my with questions of the war and my experience. then the captain of the ship came in and kicked me out.... hater!

bc of low fundage my buddy didnt want to go Barcelona- fag. so we stayed in the dam and prob was a good decision bc it was queens day weekend. the streets were flooded with so many festivals and people from everywhere. it was the time that queen came to stay in her palace in amsterdam and tradition was that the people are to come out on the streets and celebrate. there was traditional music, reggae, jazz, and all sorts of out door concerts. was soooo incredible. but all too soon i found myself on a plane ride back to kuwait and eventually the dust storm hell hole of mosul iraq.

was def an experience to remember and so was the welcome home i got... more to follow

im out!

2009-04-10T21:57:00.002+03:00

well im off to europe in a couple days for some well deserved RnR. Im meeting a buddy out there and then plan to go to a couple different cities like amsterdam, paris, rome, prauge, who knows... cant wait

i was nervous bc yesterday i had my last patrol through mosul and fearing Murphy's law, i grateful to report that nothing happened then, but unfortunately in the same exact place where we were stopped at, a huge car bomb went off with several KIA and WIA. happy it wasn't me, but remorseful for though who did get hit. the bad news is that when i get back from leave, we have to go to mosul a lot more to meet with some iraqi dudes up there so :(

but all is fair in love and war.. unless they use suicide bomber- then they are just retarded.

talk to you all later skaters.....

toe to toe with the Godfather

2009-03-31T21:59:00.002+03:00

so i have told you about the iraqi army working like the mafia- well this was the first time i ever felt real danger from them, or should i say him... the Godfather.

in order to practice good operational security, i'll leave out some details, but here was the situation.

there i was, talking with the only honest officer in our iraqi unit. he was overly nervous that day like any minute he would find out that he was going to be squashed out by the godfather, or worst, his family. we were mid-conversation about our plan to get him out of the impossible situation he was in, which was, in laymans terms, get dirty, or get dying. the problem was that he was an honest man, he did not partake nor approve of the crimes that went on in the unit. he was 10xs the officer in both brains and courage then the godfather, who bought his way up to his position by shaddy deals and dark promises.

As we were talking about these things a knock came to the door and the godfather came in with a scowl on his face. he asked me what we were talking about and i made up something about training or something. but what i really wanted to say was that he was a crook. a cheater and he should be ashamed of his command, and that he belong in jail, or better off, dead (and i would be willing to act on the latter- if only he gave me a real reason) well he asked me to step in the hall and his personal protective guard (all 3 of them) all stepped closer toward me. My spider sense went off and i gripped my 9mm pistol and my mind went into a Jason bourne type thought of who i would shoot first, exit stratagies, etc... (ok im not bourne, but i was ready to rumble). he looked at me and i had to stare back at him, mostly bc if he wanted to have it out, i was ready. but he wanted me to come to his office and i declined saying that i had to get back to my HQ and that they were expecting me. he kept staring at me like he was trying to read my mind... "you got nothing", i thought, but most importantly i was trying to deflect his supision and anger from my counterpart, the honest officer. I think i successfully negotiation this task by talking about the newest fine looking women i spotted on the American side of the base. a crass move i know, but nothing can distract the guy like talk of the opposite sex. after an episode of light banter, and after the pressure was off my counterpart, i made my exit.

a little background of why this would take place:

our iraqi unit that we are (which is rather large) is filled to the teeth with known corrupt leaders, and for months they have become more prideful, defiant, and reckless with their real intentions. at least before, they would fake the funk to maintain the fasawd of cooperation with coalition forces and the freedom/stability of Iraq. but its gotten more and more dangerous and i'll tell you why...

the American people wanted a withdrawal date of troops in iraq from Washington- well fine and thats just dandy for the american people, BUT THAT DECISION IS PUTTING SOLDIERS AT RISK! I dont blame the pres and by my oath as an officer submit to his orders and decisions. But just trying to inform you of why that is a bad move for the guy on the ground (me and my brother cyle) and tactically unsound.

Just think about it, if i was an insurgent, with my main goal being to create a society of unrest, why would i fight the guys with bigger guns and better trained (not to mention better looking:)) soldiers when i could just wait, scheme, and plan my mouse attack after the cats have left.

but why do they want unrest?!?!? why dont they want the american values of peace, freedom, and the presute of happiness?? its all about vengeance, power, and money. whoever holds the most money, has the most power, and therefore can wage the most vengeance for how they were wronged when they were marginalized.... WTF right!

the sunnis are pissed bc they are out of power and their before abused pet, the shia are now holding the majority in the gov positions, and are taking revenge on the sunni "bastards" that abused them for so long under sadaam's rule. well the sunnis, now powerless want back their precious power and now finding themselves in an unforgiving situation, find that if they can prove to the people that the shia are doing a bad job being in charge, that people will demand them to take back control and establish their party as the power in iraq. and im not even talking about the kurds yet, who hate both of them and just want their own county.

now i need to be fair and say that i am only really talking about a small small percentage of the population of iraq. most iraqis really are peace loving, brotherly loving, Muslims desiring the freedom of that we offer. but the few ruin it for the whole.

2009-03-23T21:53:00.005+03:00

The IA Mafia

2009-03-14T18:57:00.002+03:00

Just extremely frustrated lately....

I work with the Iraqi Army (IA) Mafia. Literally, these guys are crooks. i met with a higher ranking officer today and he gave me an inside knowledge of the inner working of this army, government, country.
Not to be specific, but money and power are the only thing that drives the hearts and minds of those in power. now I'm not naive to the problems in our own country, but they are NOTHING compared the struggles a common good standing, good hearted man in Iraq faces. Corruption is at ALL echelons.....

and that is all i can go with this, but just know that it is my heart is sad, my mind is tired. I'm banging my head against this bloody wall built by the devil. and without a SERIOUS events in order to change the mind of those in power, my best advice to those Iraqis with the ability to leave this country.... is to leave and hopefully God will see it within His wisdom to do what needs to be done.

Not to say that the fight by US troops is in vain... but somewhere in turning over the country to the Iraqis, the noble fight is lost and hope diminished.

Sorry, just one of those days. Now i can understand the struggles of the ancient prophets of old in the Book of Mormon.

Iraqi and egos

2009-03-01T20:25:00.003+03:00

So lately i have been working a lot with my Iraqi counterpart plan a couple non-lethal operations... its easy to load up and go get some bad guys, but to plan up close with the iraqis is simply frustrating. some of their ideals and methods of conducting planning, and even their rank-power structure is enough to drive any American mad.

For instance, the brigade commander is so egocentric that i have seen him sit in his chair, reach for a pen to sign something, find that it is just inches out of his reach, so he presses a button by his chair, moments later a soldier comes in and reports and he says that he needs that pen. The soldier then goes over to the get the pen and hands it to the commander, again, only inches away. The commander will sign it, then presses the button again to replace the pen. AND HE WILL DO THIS 6-7 TIMES A MEETING!!

I, like most of you all, could probably show him EXACTLY what he could do with his pen.

Sorry- just had to vent....

a hell hath no scorn...

2009-02-19T19:44:00.002+03:00

I was asleep for about 2 hours when i got the call- mission, report to the TOC (Tactical Operation Center). at 0015 hours in the middle of the night it takes you a while to get your chi going...

We got an intel report that i thought was rather shady, but after your 2 cents of objection/input, orders are orders... so we linked up with our Iraqi counterparts for the operation. after hearing the operations brief i felt even less "warm and fuzzy" about the mission... whatever- i could always use a little adrenaline rush.

I was team leader of a search team, teamed up with a commando iraqi squad, the iraqi LT was cool and a real professional, a nice change, and focusing on our mission of counter insurgency- being curtious and kind, but careful.

The mission- find a pissed off chick with a vest that goes boom... thats about as much as i can tell you but I can say that waking up families in the middle of the night is not a smart thing to do....

I got to vent to you, and i dont want to say that IT WAS POINTLESS!!!!!!, put us in danger on a mission that could only yield a 1 in a 1,000 chance of finding anything. but i go where I'm ordered.. despite my team chief retard decisions. It sucks that i can better paint the picture, but thanks for hearing the frustration.

One situation- actually pretty funny:
We entered one house and I told the female searcher (you have to have a female soldier search the females unless you what a revolt on your hands) to stay right behind me. She was pretty new, but did well, and hugged my 6 o'clock. anyway, when got into a house and we separate the males and females, but as we were about to search this one lady, she started screaming "Alla Akbar!!!!!!!" I dont know if you have seen many videos of the terrorist attacking us, but right before they push the detonator they always say "Alla Akbar" (God is Great). so we got this lady screaming this in the middle of her living room, and knowing what we were looking for.... my interpreter looked to me and said "oh S*&T its her!!!" I felt my blood get cold, and waited for the blast..... but it didnt happen.... it turned out that she was crazy and her husband explained that she was nuts and apologised. So on that note, I cleaned the poop out of my pants (jk) and we went on to the next house.

anyway- that is whats pop'n in my neck of the woods. If you are feeling patriotic and want to see a couple movies that can paint a pretty go picture of what is going on over here, check out "the Lucky ones" and "Hurt Locker" sorry, not sure about the rating. Of course there are Hollywood errors and drama, but it hits some real scenarios that we see a lot.

A Bitter-Sweet Day

2009-02-09T19:33:00.003+03:00

Today was a big day. It was the first day that we put a massive dent in the war. cant go into much details, but lets just say that money feeds the beast and our team took away the pantery. It really was a day of mixed emotions. I sway that bc no later where we about to celibrate our victory back on the FOB when we heard the LTC was killed along with his entire security detail up in Mosul. Mom/Dad if you hear something on the news, be asured its not me, but we do mourn the loss of a leader. It can do a lot to the moral of a unit when their commander taken. what a shame. Cyle- my heart goes out to the loss of the CAV. He was a good man.

So it was a slap in the face and a shock back to reality from the thoughts of invisiblity. Driving around all suped up in our armor it is easy to feel like superman. To feel like you can stop bullets and have a personal forcefield around you is a common feeling. It does prove something I say over here, that if its your time, its your time. now days it is nearly impossible to see the IEDs and threats outside the wire.

It was a bitter sweet day. One step forward, and a step back.

half way mark....

2009-02-08T18:42:00.005+03:00

Here are some pics from c-mas and my turbin that was given to me by my interpeters. The other one is when we went to the range with our iraqi counterparts. I shot one of their shot guns. The big statue is in Kurdistan in the city of Erbil. It always amazes me how we can go out street shopping in a combat zone.

The SOI or sons of iraq is a group of concerned citizens in groups of villages. So all of you that think that local iraqi dudes arent doing anything... well your still right. usually the motivation behind signing up for this duty is bc it pays better and more regular then setting up IEDs and a hell of a lot better then a sucide carbomb or vest. but the US Army is done paying them off and the iraqi army has promised to pick up the bill. Good right? Maybe. I have already told you of wasta system and most iraqi army commanders are ok with is payment transfer bc the then have another source of income to skim off of. Well, my job is to not let that happen. In-Shalla...

Have a couple of big missions coming up, should shake things up around here and add a couple of nails to the terrorist's coffen. Wish us luck.

I remember then last couple months of my mission and trying hard to not become "trunky" or think of what i would do when i return to the states. Well as i offically reach my half mark as of 2 days ago, all i have is leave in 2 months, then 2 months after that... so monterey cali i come......

Successful Elections?

2009-02-01T12:28:00.002+03:00

Successful elections?

Well after an all day voting event I am happy to report that the elections went rather smoothly. I was located in the 7th BDE IA headquarters, acting as a liaison between coalition and Iraqi units in the south Nineveh providence. At first, when the polls opened their were some rumors of areas that security were denying voters. but it turned out to be a miscommunication. Throughout the day with minimal SIGACTS (term used to explain any IEDs/Car bombs/ect. in the area), it was deemed a success.

so why is there a question mark? Well what this means is that Iraqi security forces or the ISF have been able to prove that despite the faults, corruption, and overall weakness of the military system in their country, they were able to come together and execute a successful operation. The turn out of all parties of voters, Sunni, Shia, Kurd, marked the victory of freedom in this country. threats to vote by terrorist organizations were small and unheard. As far as my job here is concerned, we are a mission complete. the rest is just a draw down of forces.
But the question still remains, are the leaders that are put in office able to support the country's desire to be free from terror and a long insurgency? who knows the real intent of politicians...? It's in the hands of hero's within the ranks of the citizens of Iraq. The country must improve from the inside out, not by the hand of a forgein government or military. Our piece is done.

My buddy and i were discussing this very point yesterday during the elections and he said, "Clint, you and I weren't here when the war started, but we are here today when the war no longer needs us." I agreed.

Now there is still an insurgency and a successful election will be avenged by those who hate the glory of freedom. Vigilance to the end. That is the key.

elections in iraq

2009-01-30T16:21:00.002+03:00

As you all might know, the elections are 31 JAN 09 (tomorrow). Well either way its good to get it all over with, then on to the next big mission. but just so all of you know, regardless of who gets elected, Sunni, Shea, Kurd, or mix of them all, if all parties vote, we will have done our job. Allowing the people to even have the right to vote is a mission complete. Last elections many parties, namely Sunni, boycotted and many others were threatened not to support the elections by voting. If the people are able to contribute to the establishment of the government, regardless of creed, religion, or status, the elections have been a success.

In the south Nineveh area there are several security issues and some believe it is the last hold of terrorism in the country. pray for those in command to make the right decisions. to make choices that are best for the nation and not for self greed and hate. This is my prayer and what i work for while serving in Iraq. to do my best to make bad men good and good men better.

wrong place to break down...

2009-01-22T10:29:00.002+03:00

Ok - I forgot to tell you about the second wrong place, wrong time event.

We were driving a 3 vehicle convoy through mosul, i was commander of the lead vehicle when i determined that it was in our best interest to cut through the city and change up our route. This is tactic used commonly as a way to throw off insurgents from patterns, limiting their ability to predict your movement and denying them the ability to fix you in time and space. anyway. We were in an area where an over-pass had been bombed and the only way was to go up the embankment on the right. however, when we got to the road, i saw a huge hole in the pavement and called it out. right after that, i got a call saying that the rear truck slid off the muddy bank and was at a 45 degree tilt. The M-RAP (the vehicles we drive) are top heavy due to armor and a 45 tilt was close to a roll over. we haulted and pulled front security, while the middle truck attempted to pull out the stuck veh. next thing i knew we got a call that the middle truck fell in the big hole that i called out. so 2 trucks down.

I dismounted along with a will yun in order to assess the damage. the middle veh snapped the air brake valve and couldn't move and the rear truck was stuck. luckily an MP unit came up helped assess the damage and assist in security.

Let me tell you a little about the location we were stuck in. the intersection gets a carbomb about every day. there are hide out all along the towering building for snipers. that area is a HIGH threat location. So as we were dismounted we were on the look out for charge veh with a deadly payload. as we were hooking up the middle truck to one of the MP's trucks we started taking AK-47 fire from some building that where across a field. we all took cover, but since no one saw exactly where it was coming from. The rules are that you need PID (positive ID) of a target before firing. well after a while it stopped and we continued to pull out the middle veh. we got it out and just then a ford truck of iraqi police came flying throw our area shooting rounds in the air. not knowing if they were shooting at anything- we took cover and and ready to shot. well, come to find out they just picked up a guy with a suicide vest on, threw him on the back of the truck (vest still on) and drove him throw our area. that was sooooooo stupid bc usually even if the guy's self detonator is take off or secured, there is all most likely a guys watching with a cell phone det, if the guys chickens out or something.

With all this going on we all got back into the trucks and waited for recovery help from the closest FOB. about an hour later they showed up and we got the rear veh out and towed the middle veh on base.

I dont know how more to tell you that we were sitting ducks and i know that God looks out for those in need.

wrong time and wrong place

2009-01-22T08:40:00.002+03:00

well I'm still alive, but after the last couple days, i don't know if i should be. This is an example of the wrong time and wrong place.

Like i mentioned in my last entry, we attended a 4 star generals funeral. well after a little research i found out that this general who was killed was the iraq ground forces commander for the 1991 gulf war when Iraq invaded Kuwait. he was also commander when US invaded iraq 2002. so after, not 1, but 2 military defeats from the US, you can imagine his disdain for US forces. however since the gov change in iraq he was a force for regime change, but still never liked or trusted the americans. so looking back on this i started to realize the dirty looks that we got as we were at the funeral. for coalition forces to show up at his funeral was an insult to his family. The iraq brigade we work with intel officer said that since he was known to be close to US force, he would not attend bc of an attempt on his life. there was intel of carbombs, suicide vests, and sniper there and we would have sitting ducks. this is like a group of bloods gang members going to crips funeral. NOT cool. so that just goes to show that a little intel before the mission crucial. When finding out about it, i told my boss point blank that i didn't like it. we knew nothing going in, except that out iraq counterparts invited us. That is SOOO stupid. we have no idea what our iraq counterparts intentions are in that kind of situation. they could have been setting us up for murder. especialy with a bounty of $10,000 per US soldier killed!!!

I knew it was messed up and next time i will have to refuse orders. my boss means well, but is sometimes tactically retarded!!!

bombs and Obama

2009-01-19T09:50:00.002+03:00

the elections are heating up here in the Nineveh area. This should be a historical vote for Iraq, and will possibly drastically change the nations views and politics. there are some good guys and bad guys running for office and after the end of this month we will know where this war stands in the eyes of the government.

Terrorist activity is believed to peak during the elections with all sorts of new ways to spread the message of terror and instability in the region. In fact, just last night a 4 star general with a extremely influential family was killed when a suicide bomber sneaked in to his home and ka-boom!

So this morning when i popped on the morning (your night before) news and hearing the widely known sware in for Obama, i started thinking. Hearing how, for better or worst, his election is mending the loose threads of our society, and uniting the political parties, make me feel grateful. Grateful for the blessing of unity and cooperation in times of trouble. seeing this country torn into pieces, each party thinking they are right. killing and bombing until there is nothing left. I thank God that America has the honor and decency to "for the sake of the nation" forgive trespasses, extinguish the fire of hate, and love thy brother.

So any man (whether i voted for him or not) that this nation can hold as a symbol of peace and healing, i am OK with and accept him as my commander and chief. (not that i really had a choice)

Starting 2009 with a BANG....

2009-01-02T09:43:00.003+03:00

No seriously there was a couple big bangs at the stroke of mid-night. I was in my room with some friends counting it down when... 4....3....2....1.... HAPPY NEW (Bang!!!!!!!!) year?!?! we all look at each other and knew it was close, at least within half a Km. we all ran outside to the bomb shelter when another one went off. then after a couple silent seconds, we all screamed Happy New Years again laughing. so this year really did start off with a bang. I figure it was either in-coming of mortar rounds, or the EOD (bomb guys) having fun on new years (but they usually warn us for a controlled blast.)

but anyways happy new years to all you back in the land of freedom.

Wild wild west

2008-12-27T15:16:00.002+03:00

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

2008-12-26T14:35:00.003+03:00

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!

2008-12-19T14:43:00.002+03:00

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....

2008-12-17T13:51:00.004+03:00

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"

2008-12-07T09:20:00.003+03:00

"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....

2008-12-02T08:44:00.002+03:00

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.

2008-11-28T15:22:00.002+03:00

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

2008-11-20T13:27:00.002+03:00

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

2008-11-07T14:07:00.002+03:00

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

2008-11-01T13:50:00.002+03:00

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....

2008-10-30T10:34:00.002+03:00

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

2008-10-23T07:55:00.004+03:00

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

2008-10-14T11:39:00.003+03:00

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...

2008-10-11T08:40:00.002+03:00

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

2008-10-02T14:21:00.004+03:00

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

2008-09-29T11:46:00.003+03:00

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

2008-09-17T14:58:00.002+03:00

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

2008-09-14T20:16:00.003+03:00

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

2008-09-13T10:29:00.000+03:00

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

2008-09-09T11:33:00.000+03:00

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

2008-09-08T20:31:00.000+03:00

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)

2008-09-06T13:22:00.000+03:00

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.

2008-09-06T12:59:00.000+03:00

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!