The past few missions I have gone on have been pretty exciting and interesting to say the least. We went on one mission maybe a week or so ago and were at this secure compound close to one of the rivers, which one I dont remember, and an IED went off about 1000 meters away. We could hear the explosion and it took out a random civilian car and injured 2 people. The quick reaction force from the FOB responded out there and helped handle the situation. We just went about our business no problem at all. A few days later we got hit with indirect fire again, like I described in a previous post, but like always they were inaccurate and ineffective. The rockets didnt even make it to any of the areas that soldiers are at and some were shot out of midair by the IRAMs. Speaking of the IRAM system, when they do the test fires to make sure they are functioning correctly, they are so loud and obnoxious you can hear them from all over the base. I guess I would rather deal with the noise than not have them work, right?
The last mission we went on took us to the Police Headquarters. It was really interesting because we are trying to get them situated like an American police unit would be. The PRT has brought in computers and all kinds of technology for them to use that it was very interesting to see. They are in the early stages of applying ballistics technology to link weapons to crimes, dna technology is being studies jointly with the professors at the university, and they finally have software to start fingerprinting not only all the inmates they already have in custody but also all the other citizens. Whats weird is that when two people have the same name, they refer to them based on their parents names as a means of individualization. It was neat to see those tools being established and the satisfaction of the PRT members that they are making a difference. While we were there the 3 soldiers and myself that were the security detail had a lot of fun. When the PRT go into a meeting of some sort, in this instance with a police general, the other 2 stand outside and guard the door. Well a soldier and I stood outside for about an hour and a half and tried communicating with the Iraqi Police guards the whole time. It was hilarious. It could have been a scene from a comedy movie where people try to talk to each other in 2 very different languages and have no idea what on another is saying except for the hand and arm signals we passed and could barely make sense of. We all were laughing at each other and trying to talk. I took a bunch of pictures and after I would take one they all wanted to see what it looked like and for me to take more. They also want me to print them and bring some back so they can have them. My soldier uses dip which is a form of chewing tobacco. He went to put some in his mouth and then convinced one of the Iraqis to try it. That was hilarious because the guy had no idea what he was doing and he had it all in his teeth and everything. All the Iraqis were laughing at him until he finally spit it out. After that, I convinced one of the guys to trade patches with me so I gave him a 4ID patch for his Ministry of Interior patch. We had a good time.
The best part about all of the Iraqi soldiers is their strong desire to be just like us. Whenever we go somewhere it is each to see how they are trying to be like the American soldiers that had been there before. The gear they wear and buy is to copy what we look like. US soldiers all wear knee-pads but most of the time they are annoying and uncomfortable so they fall down to our shins. When the Iraqis see this they go out and buy knee-pads and wear them around their shins. They think they are shin guards and thats what they are for because they see ours like that. Some of them wear armor and they go out and buy pouches to put on their vest to look like us, but they have nothing in the pouches they just want to wear pouches. They all wear boots that are tan and they tuck in their laces because they see that is what we wear and what we do. It really is interesting how much they just want to try and live up to us and what we do professionally. That is one of the most interesting things I have learned. The Iraqi Army soldiers especially want to be just like us. The Lieutenant wants to talk to me, and only me. He wants the same respect that my guys give me, and he gets it because that is the only way to officially be able to train them the way they need to learn in order for them to take over and us to leave. So far it has been a very enlightening experience being here.
Of course, pictures to follow:
Hi there Aaron -
ReplyDeleteIt is Monday night here in NYC. I guess you just posted that new comment. Hopefully you did it before too late, Iraq time. We do not like you staying up to the middle of the night to keep us informed. We are very glad you are getting your missions done efficiently and are having some fun with your Iraqi counterparts. I cannot imagine how hot it must be outdoors with all that gear. I can understand why your men want to get inside and freeze -- didn't know you had such good AC, even though too cold for you. This past Sunday we had Meme, Don, and families over for the afternoon. Bob and Ronnie could not make it due to an Abby event. Jordan had fun playing with Julian and Jeremy - a board game + Wii + XBox Modern Warfare. Julian has almost graduated, taking a few more courses. Jeremy finished Freshman year, and is now 2-6 inches taller than all the rest of us. We are glad you are getting the time to write and post phots. Take care. Love, Steve, Debbie, Jordan
Hey,
ReplyDeleteSo the first part of your post was alarming with the rounds headed your way and I was taken back. I am happy you are ok. I might be better off not knowing these things, because now I am going to worry. The other stories about the Iraqis wanted to be like you guys is cute though. I love the pics.
Love always,
Abby
hearing about these rockets makes us all so nervous- your claim that they are always faulty still leaves us craving more reassurance. but you manage to insert levity into your stories so we finish w/ a smile on our faces- we love the pix. i know that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so it is a tribute that the iraquis want to be like you- especially the officer. has tomake you feel good. weather heating up here but will cool down before the holiday weekend- you know that you will be honored memorial day. keep the posts coming!! love aunt nancy and uncle edward
ReplyDeleteHi Aaron, the titles to your posts are great. First John Denver and now Willie Nelson. We did not know that you appreciated the older folks' music that much! This is one of your best posts, and reads like an episode from "Mash". Your descriptions and pictures clearly depict a dangerous war zone, but one in which lots of nation building, personal relationships, and laughs occur. Is that a 50 cal pointing out of the HUMMWV? You are correct; we cannot imagine what it must feel like to watch your platoon and that line of HUMMWVs rolling down the road. The picture of you and the Ministry of Interior fellow, arm against arm with traded patches, is wonderful. It is also great to learn what this PRT mission is actually accomplishing; we hope the fingerprinting and other technology allow the IP to catch all the bad guys soon! It is encouraging to hear that the Iraqi soldiers want to be like the Americans. With your platoon and you, they have excellent role models: we see and feel how you care about your men, relate to the Iraqis and what they are going through, how your men respect you. And there is the picture of you in your HUMMWV, all business: "I have a mission to complete, and men to protect." We love and pray for you. Dad
ReplyDeleteHi Tati, this is take two of my post as my computer is acting funny and throwing up problems - here goes: it is good to see you are finding value in your work and the work of your men, both in the learning and progress of the Iraqi security but in the comaraderie of you and your men with the Iraqi counterparts. Most of us don't know what a FOB is that dealt with the area of damage, so maybe you could explain that to us all next time or in a comment since most of us read all the comments too! Clearly all the years of being on teams, leading teams, and being a take charge guy but not an in your face one has taught you all the best of what to do and how to behave in the situations you are confronting. PC over, now the motherly me: do you carry Purell to keep your hands clean? At Aliza's graduation from RWJ Medical School last night one of the student speakers making amusing comments spoke about the prolifertion of Purell dispensers and their value particularly around pediatrics - he was pretty amusing at times. The Olives sent out a package to you yesterday and they all send their love.
ReplyDeleteMom loves you www!
Hello Aaron
ReplyDeleteWe are all so proud of you and the good work you are doing with so much enthusiasm ad so much sense of humor. I had a lot of fun reading about how the would -be Iraqui policemen want to imitate you, and their leader only wants to speak to you..
Are you still visiting the falafel boutique? That seems to be an international, or at least all mid-eastern delicacy. Don't eat too many of them, though, as they are heavily fried in oil!
Steve told you about last Sunday at his house, while your parents went to attend Abby's graduation. Please give her our congratulations too. She is a lovely person, and I am very fond of her.
The pictures you are taking are very unusual.
In Agadir, Morocco, there are argan trees (they produce a fruit which give a very good and expensive cooking oil). Goats love to climb the trees and eat the fruit. I guess they have better taste than the cows that eat garbage! But then again, famished ones cannot be choosers!
Ed and I love to read your blogs. Thanks for all the time you spend writing them.
Love, Meme and Ed