Hello All,
Immediately after we crossed the berm there was a HUGE anti-tank ditch, maybe 30 feet deep and 40 feet wide. It is designed to force tanks to use the highways to maneuver and creates a ‘kill box’ where Iraqi tanks and Anti-Armor could engage and bottleneck our troops. Not a bad idea if we didn’t have bridging equipment that allowed us to roll right over the ditch and aircraft that destroyed Iraqi Armor at will. I’ll give the plan a D+ but only that high because the idea came from the Russians during WWII.
Next came the human detritus left after an advancing Army. There were loads of people along the road. Some were standing and waving, others were cursing and there was a Company of children alongside the road begging. For anything. They were dirty and little and cute and made me think of Jake and how lucky he is to be at home. But then I thought about their parents letting them get so close to a road filled with semi-trucks and huge military vehicles that could crush their little bodies beyond recognition. The kids were within 10 feet of traffic, and added another element to my worries for the trip. I was already trying to watch the roadside for ambush and IED’s, the overpasses for jerks dropping rocks and bombs, civilian traffic to the front and the rear for drive-by shooting threats and now I had to worry about little kids. Great. There are some people in this world that are just wired wrong… and those were their kids.
The beggars and civilians tapered off as we traveled north, and the countryside turned from the khaki sand of northern Kuwait into small patches of green farmland here and there. They looked like small family farms and there were women and children working in them. Every other field was surrounded be a fence which, from a distance, looked to be made from branches of trees. Due to the lack of trees, anywhere in the region, I doubt that to be the case. Due to security reasons and mission I wasn’t able to stop and investigate but I’ll bet that someone reading this internet page already knows and can share with the rest of us.
Farmland ended abruptly as the terrain was consumed with large berms of sand marking the defensive perimeter of the Iraqi Army. On the west side of the road they were arranged in concentric circles around a central hilltop and to the east they stretched on for miles into the horizon. These earthen berms did little to stop the advance of coalition forces proving the maxim, “Mountains and seas can be overcome, so can any obstacle built by man.” Maybe I should make that grade a D-.
The defensive lines went on for a few miles, and there were some HUGE concrete slabs alongside the road in the breakdown lane. Perhaps the diameter of an above ground swimming pool and twice as high. I can only imagine that they were designed to stop traffic along the highway, or at least slow down a blitzkrieg like the advance to Baghdad.
More farmland appeared and more Iraqi’s working it. There were some children along the road waving and smiling. I’d like to think that they are oblivious to everything that happened and see us as liberators of their country, but I doubt it. Too many of their parents were probably killed or jaded or just plain frustrated with having a foreign Army on their soil. I really can’t blame them. I’d be pissed off if another country occupied mine as well. The road stretched on and on like that until our exit. Defensive perimeters and farmland overtaking each other, mile after mile as a madman tried to hold onto power. I wonder how many families were displaced for Saddams misguided defensive plan? He might be thinking right now that UN inspectors are not that bad after all. Dolt.
When we finally got to Tallil Air Base, without incident (thank God), it was time for chow, and something cold too sounded good to help ease back the tension of the trip. My buddy Mac looked over and asked, "What do you think of Iraq?"
Looking down at the talcum power-like dust and then at the bombed out buildings around us, I replied honestly. "I think it sucks."
I'm giving Saddam an F. Him standing up against the US Army was a lot like me fighting Mike Tyson. Stupid. Not kinda stupid, it's like the retarted stupid of a raving lunatic who thinks he can fly because glitter looks like magic fairy dust. Some kids don't learn the first time that the burner on the stove is hot, and then there are kids that shouldn't have kids of their own. Wanna guess which one is Saddam?
This had better be worth it.
I love you all,
Will
PS - I'm on a time limit for internet access, and the bad part is that I can't write on a PC in headquarters and transfer it over via floppy. They've taped off the floppy drives in an effort to stop viruses running around here. I'm not sure but it seems a little futile to me, but then again, so does the idea of bringing democracy to a repressed people.
Keep the faith man, if it wasn't for you so many people wouldn't have any opportunity in life. If you and the Coalition helped even a few people improve their lives and be able to dream of a better world you did a service that you will never fully comprehend. You gave them a hope that they never had. When someone is given hope for something that they never dreamed was possible it leaves a lifelong impression on them. Even if their dreams never fully materialize, the dream may live in their kids. All people need sometimes is a litle hope and if they haven't come out on top early on from the outcome of the action, maybe they'll have at least a little more food in their bellies, a little more of a chance in life. I know what it's like to have no hope. I've been there.
Posted by: Captain Scarecrow on October 12, 2003 06:37 PMHi Will,
I couldn't have said it better than Captain Scarecrow. I strongly believe that the Iraqi people are better off now, even with all the hardships, than they were under Saddam Hussein.
Hope is so very important. Never underestimate hope. Even when dreams and goals seem impossible, hope is the thread that keeps things together.
I can't word this as well as Captain Scarecrow, or most of your other faithful readers, but the gist of it is that you guys are over there for a vital reason. I don't give a flying fig what people are saying over whether any WMD have been found or were even there to begin with, the bottom line is that Iraq needed to be liberated. Saddam Hussein is like the nasty neighborhood bully that thinks he can do whatever he wants and to hell with everyone else except himself. Bullies need to be stopped, and that's what you guys have done, and are working on getting the neighborhood back in order, so that the Iraqis don't have to be so terrified anymore. It will take time, and not always go totally smoothly, but then again, what does?
Our wonderful country does these things, because it seems like nobody else has the guts to do it. And you guys are the heart of the entire operation. Many people are praying and thinking of your sacrifices. I and many others will never take what you guys are doing for granted.
Keep your chin up, and keep the faith. Please keep aware of your surroundings, like I see you are, from the words on your most recent post. Hang in there, and stay safe.
Hey Will,
Glad to hear you got to Tallil safely. My son took the journey in May, and is also in Tallil with the 110th Maintenance Co out of Massachusetts. I know it's a big base but he reassures me it is the safest place to be within the country. The biggest problem is that it's like your being sandblasted in 130 degrees when the wind blows! Take care, and keep us up to date with all the ups and downs of military life.
Posted by: Diane on October 12, 2003 09:11 PMDearest Will-
A long day's journey, eh? I hear cumulative fatigue, weariness and and irksome sense of "Are we there yet? Can we just get this motherf-in show on the motherf-in road already because I have a life I'd like to get back to if y'all don't mind?"
Or maybe those are just my own thoughts rattlin' round in my head as I fiendishly smoke yet another Parliament (now they have) ULTRA Lights and try and come up with some genius plan to extricate U.S. from the QUICKSAND.
Some mighty Moses type act like a parting or re-directing the current of the Tigris or something Major - some big Full Monty type statement that makes shock n awe look like sign language by comparison.
Im thinking that if your haz mat chem crew can clean up a sticky, gooey, slimey mess surely y'all can rig something up as well cantcha?
Maybe yer unit ought to set to task on building the mother of all burning bushes or something. Or some wacky as chitty-chittywhizbang taken right out of the Koran that could double for the mouthpiece of one called All*h.
Your crew could rig up that chitty-chittywhizbang a la the Great OZ and have it give orders a la the Great All*h and maybe that would be just the shiznit the fubarred snafu calls for.
You copying all this? Roger out.
Szaffie
Posted by: SzaffireBlue on October 13, 2003 05:24 AMUnfortunately, change is scary. I bet a lot of the Iraqis weren't happy with Saddam in power, but at least familiar with it. Now there are Americans in their country who are scared of Iraqis because a few crazies keep attacking them and so the good Iraqis are scared of being mistaken for their terrorist neighbors, and their limbs are amputated, relatives killed, houses bombed, buildings blown apart, and even though Saddam made it happen by building military sites next to residential ones, unfortunately a lot of Iraqis are going to blame their new problems on the Americans and forget about the old problems. It's just the way people work. If they're not grateful, oh well. Their loss. You know Saddam had to go and that's what matters.
Posted by: Erin on October 13, 2003 09:44 AMHey Will,
maybe you happen to know
Robert J. Julian (SPC (TC), 79th MP Co.) ?
Layta,
KayDee
Help, help, I'm being repressed. Sorry, had to throw that one in there.
Will - keep your head down now that you are in the forbidden zone.
We are in a state of mourning here as the football team lost to Mizzou for the first time in 24 years. Skipper and Gilligan had a lot to say on that one.
Still thinking of ya, still missing ya and still proud as hell to know ya. Keep up the good work!
Very proud of you! Captain Scarecrow has it quite right. Keep up the good work, I'll keep praying for your safe return.
God Bless Our Troops!!!
Posted by: Mary on October 15, 2003 09:14 AMAt least you know that you are trying to make a better life for those kids to grow up in. Hope that some day they will realize it and try in return help some one else, as you have them. I know it must be hard to pass them by and not give them something. Are you guys all still getting care packages? Let us know what you need!
Take Care!
Hello Will,
We are lucky to be born in a free country,without war ,poverty.It is very sad know that little kids are left themselves.It is absurd to think that nobody worry their,but that life there is in this country.Where all was incapable maybe the real fact in that Saddam is a memory.We would like that the run at the power end.Lookunf the children left themselves,some of them cry for a few chow,others run of the projectile...Considered that the history make us,in the next future we would like read on the history's book thet all this there isn't,that the world is changed remember us that all this is event very distant time.Live and leave to live,this is our saying.Maybe a day it'll be like this.
With love to you and your troops.
Hey Will,
I had been reading your posts for awhile and lost the site address when I was on maternity leave. I got behind on all the happenings, but wanted to say thank you for giving everyone a little insight into what you all go through on a daily basis while there.
My dad is a retired Air Force MSGT, he was never in a war zone or close while in active duty. However, I have many high school buddies that are now active in the "sandbox". The worst is that I have lost contact with many of them over the years and just heard through the grapevine that they are in a branch of the military. I know of one for sure that is actively there. I guess in a way your blog helps me stay in touch.
Also wanted to say don't worry about the your little nephew, he'll pull through. With all the love your family shows I know he'll make it. Not only that but he was born on my birthday and as strong a person I have turned out to be, he'll be fine.
Make it home safely for all of those who don't.
Godspeed.
Forgot to make mention that you also originate close enough to my home that it makes that connection a little closer. I am from South Dakota. If you run into any fellow "Five State Area Troops", let them all know we are thinking of them and appreciate all that they are doing to keep our freedom!
Posted by: Air Force Brat on October 17, 2003 03:51 PMHey Will
Don't lose faith now. As much as the news media would have us believe otherwise, we have helped a nation be free. There will always be problems inherent with a nation becoming free after being repressed for so long but FREEDOM is FREEDOM. That is a gift you and your fellow servicemen and women gave to the Iraqi people. Don't lose sight of what a precious gift that is.
Be safe Will - follow your instincts. May God keep you safe.
You may come from a country without WAR, but you guys sure do manage to dish a lot of it out.
As to the D- score, I give the US forces an F, for copying the Nazi Blitzkreig as used against Poland at the begining of WW2, that was illegal too!
I feel sorry for you poor bastards being there because of your government, seems that all the bulshit they spouted still hasn't come true.
I seem to remember them going on about how the Iraqi people would welcome the 'coalition of the willing' with open arms, and instead we now have over 100 US servicemen killed. All this from a 'War' that is supposedly over?
Someday the politicians will learn to look after their own instead of intruding in other peoples lives.
Don't get shot!
Posted by: Gryph on October 19, 2003 11:44 AMHey Will, I have been following your journey for a long time and just wanted to say... keep your ass low and come home soon.
Posted by: Carol on October 20, 2003 08:38 AMJoin the Linux community.
Posted by: Nathaniel on July 6, 2004 02:09 PM
Will is a pretty good writer and this is the collection of his writings. It'll be interesting to hear updates from a soldier's point of view, so I'll be posting them for all to read.
Take care Will