A Day Trip

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Sitting in the belly of a C-130, when the Air Force Load master dons his helmet and body armor, its a good sign that you're getting close. You pull on your vest, snap your chin strap, and have just a wee, fleeting thought of someone having gotten a hold of a Stinger, Red-eye, or SA-7 Grail.
The pilot starts his "jinking" maneuvers, radical movements and changes in speed, anything to avoid making the lumbering , propeller driven cargo bird an easy target. As evasive flying goes, this was pretty tame, either that, or when I used to jump out of these things the Air Force guys just liked to see if they could make Rangers vomit. Nothing happens! And it rarely does, you would think that if Baghdad was "that bad", there wouldn't be round the clock flights landing here. We set down a little rough, and I was reminded of what it's like to land in a "Herc". It feels like you've landed on the planes belly and are skidding down the runway on you ass.
Yes, I'm in Baghdad. I've made this trip ahead of my embed unit so that I can receive my credentials from the Combined Press Information Center (CPIC). Arriving at my temporary quarters around 0400, I get situated and catch a few hours of much needed sleep, the first on an actual mattress in about a week. I hope I don't lose the sleep callousness I was beginning to re-build with Alpha Company, this is part of why the Infantry is a young man's game.

Finally, solid inter-net access and connection! I will take this opportunity to get some work done, i.e. posting pictures to WPN and DPP (links at right), and of course, to post here. For the families of the men of the 2/504th, I should be returning to the unit soon, and will keep you updated. More from Baghdad shortly.

A Straight Shooter

Sometimes you see someone at their job, and you're thankful that person is there. That's the feeling I came away with this morning after sitting in on a breakfast question and answer session at Ft. Bragg.
General Richard Cody, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, sat down with a few dozen Officers and NCO's at a post dining facility (DFAC). The General spoke in a down-to-earth, soldierly manner to men who have a personal knowledge of this war. He told them the reasons certain things were being done, and why specific policies were made at higher levels. He spoke of his feelings on those things, and what he expected of the men seated around him. In addition, he told the men of things that he wanted to implement in order to help soldiers, and make the burden on them and their families easier to bare. I won't go into detail, because when a four-star says "it stays in this room", well, it stays in that room.
I can give you my personal observations though, which is what this blog was intended to do. That said, this is the type of man that you would want your sons and daughters to serve under. Intelligent, professional, caring, dedicated, and above all, concerned with the welfare of the soldiers of the U.S. Army. I wish the regular media would do candid interviews with leaders such as General Cody, it might change some attitudes on the handling of this war.
When breakfast was over, the General shook each soldiers hand, gave them a commemorative coin, and wished them luck.

Down to the Airfield

As you went about your daily life yesterday, a group of young American soldiers prepared to head to war to ensure the safety and security of this country and it's people......you.

Many of them have been to war before, in Afghanistan or Iraq, some several times, and in both places. These are the faces of the men that make the sacrifices, and have this as their daily lives.

Throughout the day long process of drawing weapons, closing out barracks, and loading bags and baggage, the men of Alpha Company seemed upbeat, and some were actually excited. One Paratroopers tattoo read "Kill Switch" with the switch set in the on position.

As with all military operations, there is wait-time. The Paratroopers passed this time eating that last fast food meal for a while, tossing a football around, or catching some sleep in the hot North Carolina sun. Boxes of ice cream sandwiches were brought out and passed around. The old soldier stand-by, cigarettes, came out, as well as some new forms of relaxation, game-boys and iPods. The young men of today's Army enjoy the same technical toys that the kids in college do, the difference is that they are headed to something far more real than a video game.

Packed on buses, the soldiers are taken to the airfield for their "weigh-in". A semi-truck scale serves to weigh the men and their gear, and yes, the civilian employees make these men, headed to war, put their carry-on bags into wooden boxes to ensure they will fit in the overhead compartments.

The last stop before a year long odyssey is the hanger at "green ramp". Here last details are taken care of. Married soldiers fill out paperwork to ensure their families get the proper pay and benefits while they are deployed.

Gathering the men together, the 2/504th's battalion Chaplain, 1LT. Jeff Smith offers a blessing for the safety of the men. He reminds them that it has fallen unto them to bear the burden of this war, something that is known very well here.

Finally, the last meal on American soil for quite some time. The men are informed that there will be no meal in-flight, so eat accordingly. The fare is standard Army chow on styrofoam plates.

Next stop.........for operational security, I will not divulge certain information until it has been cleared with the unit. Please don't ask where they are or other specifics. As happens in the military, my departure has been postponed for a short while. In the mean time, I will be posting from, and shooting at Ft. Bragg until my flight leaves.

"Runnin' with the Devil"

The sun just on the rise, AC/DC blaring from the PA system, and the "White Devil" Paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (2/504 PIR) drawn up for a 4.6 mile run. They got under way as Limp Bizkit's "Break Shit" filled the muggy morning air........great way to start a morning!
Lt. Col. Mark Stock led his men up and down Ardennes Ave. as cadence were sung by each company, and the speakers along the route sounded with the 82nd Airborne Chorus's own version of old stand-by running songs. I went along with them for a while, gear and all, looking for a suitable back-drop to frame a good shot.
The Battalion finished the run, pulling into formation to the sounds of "Born in the USA" rolling across the field and echoing off the barracks.
LTC Stock then addressed his men about their upcoming mission and what was expected of them. He is all business as he reminds his men that no man gets left behind.

The "White Devils" are ready.

Working Late

Long day yesterday, finally got my photos uploaded and hit the rack about 2330 (11:30pm). Went for a ride in an up-armored humvee with Paratroopers who needed to become familiar with the handling characteristics, and capabilities of the vehicle so they know what it can do in a tight spot.

For those of you who have never been in the military, you may be surprised at the amount of preparation soldiers go through before heading off somewhere. I think people have the idea that an Infantryman is someone who carries a rifle and a ruck and pounds the ground into submission with his boots. Nothing could be further from the truth! When you consider the number of varied skills these soldiers must be proficient at, it is truly amazing. We'll cover this a little more later today, I'm headed out to catch the units physical training.