The Cellar
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
Show 60 post(s) from this thread on one page

The Cellar (http://cellar.org/index.php)
-   Current Events (http://cellar.org/forumdisplay.php?f=4)
-   -   Letters from Baghdad (http://cellar.org/showthread.php?t=14828)

Bullitt 12-06-2007 02:21 PM
edited. Good point, thanks.

tw 12-06-2007 07:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bullitt (Post 413790)
We have made a long-term moral, financial, and military commitment to the Iraqis and we are not going to renege on that commitment, regardless of the political rhetoric in Washington DC or on the campaign trail.
Replace the word 'Iraq' with 'Vietnam'. Same letter was sent 30+ years ago when that government also would not stand up and resolve the fundamental problem.

As Petraeus has today prefaced his comments, we are not winning. We are making possible a solution. America cannot create that solution. And currently the Iraqi government has done nothing to make a solution possible.

The same letters from Nam proclaimed all the good things we were doing. But we were now solving the problem. Does not matter how many schools get built if the powers that be don't want to solve the only problem. A problem that created a civil war - in both countries. No American flag waving even implies a solution.

yesman065 12-09-2007 12:15 PM
(Post 1 of 3) This was actually a forwarded document that I am not sure how to post, nor sure if I should - - - copy and pasted text follows.

*Yesman,
One of my daily reports here I get in Iraqi. More and more woman are now
coming at Coalition forces as suicide bombers!

CDR "Girl Friend Free In Iraqi" USN

Quote:
UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO
THE S.C.O.R.P.I.O.N.
DAILY WESTERN MEDIA ANALYSIS
SUICIDE ATTACKS KILL AT LEAST 26 7 DECEMBER 2007
Iraq Fact: Billy Joel’s new single, “December in Fallujah,” premiered December 4 on iTunes. Cass Dillon, a relatively new singer-songwriter, sings the music. On his website, Joel, who famously addressed the Vietnam War in “Goodnight Saigon,” said his new song is inspired by letters he received from soldiers who took solace in his music in Iraq. Proceeds from the song will be donated to Home for Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that builds specially adapted homes for severely disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.


I. MOC Flashpoints
SUICIDE ATTACKS KILL AT LEAST 26
On Friday, the most prominent Iraq-related story in the Western press involved two suicide bombings in Diyala Province that left at least 26 people dead. According to news agencies, one of the two bombings was perpetrated by a woman, who was “wearing a vest packed with explosives...” The Associated Press cited an Iraqi official who claimed the woman “was seeking revenge for her two sons who were killed fighting for Al Qaeda.” Reuters provided a slightly different account, citing a “security source” that said the bomber “had three children who had been killed by Iraqi forces.” She reportedly targeted a building used by members of the 1920 Revolution Brigades, a group that Reuters noted, “were once one of the main groups of Sunni Arab insurgents fighting U.S. forces and the Shiite-led government...” However, in recent months, members have reportedly begun working alongside security forces against Al Qaeda. Most news sources did not express uncertainty about the bomber’s gender in their reports, but the NY Times, in its coverage, cited a police official who said that it “was not clear whether the bomber was a man or a woman because two heads were found alongside shredded bodies near the bombing site.” This attack killed 10 and wounded 27 people, according to police reports. In a second incident, also in Diyala, a car bomb killed seven Iraqi troops and three members of a local neighborhood patrol.
Several news sources reporting on the bombings today noted that the security crackdown has squeezed Al Qaeda militants out of their former strongholds in Baghdad and Anbar Provinces and caused them to shift north to Diyala [see cited NY Times article in December 6 SCORPION]. BBC correspondent Crispin Thorold in Baghdad noted that “Diyala has been the focus of some of the fiercest clashes in Iraq in recent months. Insurgents displaced from their former strongholds in Anbar province and parts of Baghdad are now thought to be in Diyala.” The NY Times, in its assessment, added, “A police official there said he expected attacks in Diyala to increase because local security forces were weak and Sunni extremists had established strong footholds across the province.”
Although militants are said to have shifted north in Iraq, an article in today’s Guardian Unlimited reported that the number of foreign jihadists entering Iraq has “fallen by nearly half in recent months as a result of tougher action by the country’s neighbors and the rejection of the ‘Al Qaeda-brand’ by ordinary Iraqis...” The newspaper interviewed the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus on Thursday, who said that, “There is still a lot of hard work to be done.” On the decline of foreign militants entering the country, he stated, “It's a result of source country
operations, the actions by certain countries, the issue of fatwas [such as in Saudi Arabia] condemning extremism, which have been hugely important in the effort.” Gen. Petraeus also credited Syria with “staunching” the flow by taking “more aggressive action against some foreign fighter facilities there.”

yesman065 12-09-2007 12:17 PM
(Post 2 of 3)
Quote:
II. Commentary
THE SURGE IS A SIDESHOW
On Friday, the UK newspaper, the Guardian, released a commentary by op-ed columnist Jonathan Steele, who commented on the progress of the U.S.-led “surge” in Iraq. He wrote, “If the gladdest tidings of this pre-Christmas season have been the U.S. intelligence community's brilliant move to undermine a Bush attack on Iran by revealing there is no Iranian nuclear weapons program, the worst news concerns U.S. policy on Iraq.” He added, “And it is not just the U.S. announcement of plans to get the Iraqi government to agree to permanent U.S. military bases and an open-ended occupation, thereby confirming what most analysts had long assumed was the Republicans' intention.” More alarming, says Steele, was the Democratic Party’s reaction and “indeed[,] that of the U.S. media,” Steele noted, adding that the announcement produced “no burst of headlines or commentaries, even though it rides roughshod over most Americans’ wishes.” He cited a recent Pew Research poll conducted two weeks ago that found that 54% of Americans wanted troops home “as soon as possible.”
Despite such statistics, Democratic presidential hopefuls “barely murmured,” argued Steele. He contended that “[t]he passion for a clear timetable of an early U.S. troop pullout that was raging in large sections of the Democratic party last spring, in the weeks after it regained control of the House and Senate, has fizzled out.” According to Steele, whatever effect the President’s “surge” strategy had in Iraq, “it has clearly worked in Washington.” Anti-war Democrats are in retreat, and the “Bush strategy of entrenching the Iraq occupation still further and handing the mess to his successor is proceeding virtually unopposed.”
Steele cited a recent article in Foreign Affairs by Hillary Clinton, who pledged to maintain U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely to train and equip Iraqi forces, “as well as keeping ‘specialized units’ to protect the trainers and confront Al Qaeda.” Barack Obama, Steele noted, “told the New York Times last month that he would need 16 months after taking office to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq, and would retain a residual force on an open-ended basis ‘to counter terrorism.’” Although his position might be marginally better than Clinton’s, “neither candidate is willing to propose a total U.S. troop withdrawal, as the U.S. agreed in Vietnam in 1973 when it finally resolved to end its disastrous involvement there.” This new “softness” by the Democrats, Steele wrote, “flows in part from the reduction in U.S. combat deaths.” There is a perception, he added, that “the back of the Iraqi resistance has been broken. Now the Iraqi government is trumpeting the fact that thousands of Iraqi refugees are coming home as further proof of a turning security tide.”
However, the columnist asserted that none of these indicators are “firm.”. He noted, “The figures for returning refugees are contested, with the Iraqi government counting anyone who crosses into Iraq even though many had only gone abroad on short visits and were never refugees. Many genuine refugees leave Syria in desperation because their money or visas have run out, not because they feel safe in going back.” Steele spoke with families returning home from Damascus last week, and noted that the found only Shiites.” An Iraqi Sunni told him later, “Of course Sunnis are afraid to
go. The buses are provided by the Shiite-led Iraqi government and Iraqi police will check them at the border.” Steele added that this comment “underlined the continuing depth of sectarian suspicions. Sunnis assume the Iraqi police, who are mainly Shiites, are either in league with Shiite militias and death squads or will behave just as badly.”
The sectarian concern is also evident in the Awakening movement. Steele wrote, “Although Sunni tribal leaders are taking U.S. arms and cash, ostensibly to confront Al Qaeda, they see value in getting organized to protect their suburbs from Shiite raids. The Americans may be temporarily helping to reduce violence, but their tactics help to build up Sunni militias for possible attacks on Shiites in the future.” Steel opined that, “[o]nce again the Americans are looking for a military solution to what is essentially a political problem.” Without national reconciliation, the underlying issues remain unresolved. Moreover, the Iraqi resistance is “undimmed,” he added. Steele wrote, that he was “told by a senior resistance spokesman in Damascus” that “many nationalist groups have reduced their attacks in western Baghdad and parts of Anbar province while regrouping and retraining.”
Bottom line: Steele provided a harsh critique of the progress of the surge in Iraq, and argued that “reconciliation which attempts to exclude people who have sacrificed so much in the struggle against foreign occupation [Iraqi resistance leaders] has no chance of succeeding.” The pre-condition to a successful reconciliation process would involve a “clear declaration by Washington that it is going altogether, with no bases or ‘residual forces’ left behind.” Only then, he concluded, will Iraqis come to the negotiating table seriously, and work out a future that does not leave an “elephant in the room.”

yesman065 12-09-2007 12:18 PM
(Post 3 of 3)
Quote:
III. Evening News
Once again, there was no Iraq-related coverage on this evening’s ABC World News with Charles Gibson. However, NBC Nightly News did contain a segment on the improved security situation southeast of Baghdad. First, Williams noted the bombings that killed 25 people today in Diyala province. (see MOC Flashpoints) The report indicated that in the town of al-Haswa southeast of Baghdad, there is “peace finally,” and the area is “one of the many places where we can see the situation improve drastically.” NBC News went on a walking tour with Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, the regional U.S. commander, who felt more optimistic about the security situation in al-Haswa, and said that, “For you and I to walk through the streets and take the time to talk to people is something that couldn’t have happened two months ago.” Before, the Shiite militia loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr attacked U.S. troops on a daily basis. However, the recent fighting and Sadr’s call for a ceasefire have brought relative calm to the town. Now, Iraqis want jobs, and want their youth to work. With 80% unemployment, some are worried that insurgents will entice their youth to work for them, and are asserting that jobs create security. MG Lynch emphasized that the Iraqi government must come forward and help or such demands will fall on the shoulders of Capt. Walker, who is described as the symbolic “new mayor of al-Haswa.”
SCORPION, or Strategic Communications Overview Report of Press, Information, Operations & News is produced daily by the Strategic Effects Communications Division Media Operations Center. Emphasizing broadcast media, the SCORPION aims to provide MNF-I the most current situational awareness of Western reporting on Iraq. It is not intended for use or distribution outside Iraq. Email the SCORPION Team to receive the S.C.O.R.P.I.O.N.

Undertoad 12-09-2007 01:18 PM
PDF from yesman

yesman065 12-19-2007 10:41 PM
Dec 18, 2007 11:18 PM
Connie (Rice) - pic was attached - stopped by and asked me when "your dad" is coming to take over the refinery and make more gas. I had to tell her that he has some lame ass excuse about going skiing and such. She was disappointed and will take the message back to George.

One good thing here, is my Hooch mate, Nigel, (Australian) keeps telling me all of his hunting stories of when he goes out in the outback. I always have to end his stories with, "Nigel, that is great, but just to let you know that hunting method in illegal in America and you would greatly exceed your hunting limits"

CDR "Christmas" USN
"Boy, is Connie upset in Baghdad"

classicman 12-23-2007 02:52 PM
I'd love to know what those hunting methods are - Any ideas, anyone?

xoxoxoBruce 12-23-2007 03:32 PM
Dynamite.

yesman065 12-23-2007 10:05 PM
temperary tourist!
 
Dec 23, 2007 8:00 AM
Got some time off here in Iraq...became a temperary tourist!

Well we had some time off here in Baghdad so I went out with a couple of others here to the "Iraqi Tomb of the Unknown Solider." I got a couple of pictures, It is under going some renovation for it was stripped in the war and Iraq is now trying to restore it. It is getting cold here in Baghdad so got to get the fleece on and stay warmer. Hope everybody is warm and enjoying your holidays in America! Now which store did you go to get all of the fish for the holiday! Make sure you s how them to "your dad" so he does not forget what he is going for when he is in his boat!

Merry Christmas

CDR "Tourist" USN
"Checking things out in Baghdad"

xoxoxoBruce 12-23-2007 10:13 PM
Hey, Merry Christmas. Keep warm... and your head down.

yesman065 01-10-2008 11:49 AM
1 Attachment(s)
Jan 2, 2008 2:23 AM
Stuck in Baghdad...start of a new year!

New Years was pretty quite. I spent about 45 minutes, on New Years Eve, standing/squatting in a bunker for the Iraqis were all out shooting weapons for thirty minutes. I could see a lot of tracer rounds going right over my bunker and hearing a lot of heavy machine gun firing in and outside the compound. A car bomb went off also, but no reports of anybody getting killed. I hope all was nice and quite at your house for New Years Eve!

Well we had to move some people around here in Baghdad on 1 Jan 2008, got off to a slow start. One of the convoy drivers drove off the road in the stagging area and got stuck. Well at least he did not have to shovel himself out of snow.

Sat, 5 Jan 2008 3:30 am
Subject: Watch out for women in Iraq!

More and more of these suicide bombers are coming out here in Iraq.
Women are very very active in this type of work. I wonder if you think about that when you are in the grocery store? Now this could be a whole new level of stress for me when I go out to get food to stock my refrigerator when I come home for leave in the next week or so. "Grocery Store Stress!"

CDR "Midnight Grocery Shopper!" USN

xoxoxoBruce 01-10-2008 01:44 PM
I dunno, I've seen some pretty scary characters in Pathmark after midnight.
Or was that the mirror behind the meat counter?

classicman 01-10-2008 03:17 PM
How the hell do you get a friggin tank stuck in the mud????

glatt 01-10-2008 03:21 PM
Maybe the tank is doing the pulling.

xoxoxoBruce 01-10-2008 03:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by classicman (Post 423278)
How the hell do you get a friggin tank stuck in the mud????
High centered, no traction = stuck.

TheMercenary 01-10-2008 08:47 PM
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:
Originally Posted by classicman (Post 423278)
How the hell do you get a friggin tank stuck in the mud????
I have seen it happen. That is why you need one of these:

regular.joe 01-10-2008 09:03 PM
Merc...that looks like an '88 in both pics.

TheMercenary 01-11-2008 07:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by regular.joe (Post 423371)
Merc...that looks like an '88 in both pics.
Tank recovery vehicle.

TheMercenary 01-11-2008 09:12 AM
It is snowing in Bagdad for the first time in decades. Does that blow out the theory of global warming?

Btw, they are getting ready to give total control of Anbar to the Iraqi military.

Happy Monkey 01-11-2008 03:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMercenary (Post 423526)
It is snowing in Bagdad for the first time in decades. Does that blow out the theory of global warming?
No, global warming screws with the wind currents, and local effects are unpredictable.

But the snow in Baghdad story is very nice. A little sad, as well, as the power of snow to create delight and wonder is always fleeting.

yesman065 02-08-2008 11:13 AM
Well I had a good time talking with you at Stanley's Tavern. Sorry I missed your M & D on their way back to the east coast. I hear they are having all kinds of snow out west. They should be buried in powder.

It is now starting to reach 70 degrees in the day and low of mid 40's at night. Nigel is now getting out more in the morning since it is
warming up, as least he is not complaining as much any more! Well we are all bracing for more of the suicide attacks that seem to be coming at us here in Baghdad. Al-Qaeda used 2 "mentally" ill women for their attacks in Baghdad and killed 90 people. We have known for some time that they are now training young children to come in and attack. Well it looks like they are already out here so it is going to get really ugly here in Baghdad. We are doing what we can to try and prevent these attacks. Its like living in another world looking at a young boy and wondering about him, and don't let him get close to you! It is very strange here in Baghdad.

Well you take care and stay out of that yellow snow

CDR Baghdad USN
"Avoiding Malls in Baghdad"

yesman065 02-14-2008 12:02 PM
Yesterday, my Aussie hooch mate, had a couple of his men out on
the wire on the green zone driving along on the perimeter and it seems
they were driving along in their armored humvee and just
"gazing" out across the wire, drove up to the check point and
stopped. The Aussies were talking to each other about how funny it is for the Iraqis to be ridding around on motor scooters, well as they
watched an Iraqi on a motor scooter approached the check point. He
stopped and tossed 2 hand grenades at the Aussies in their humvee and then the Iraqi turned around and got away. No one was killed or injured, some damage to the vehicle.

Now He has to sort it out with his men on what they were really doing and why they didn't shoot at the fleeing Iraqi. It is almost like some kind of "reality lawyer show". It would be funny if it was not for the fact that this is Iraq.

Oh well this is Iraq and it is what it is!

"In the Outback of Baghdad"

xoxoxoBruce 02-14-2008 10:22 PM
No relaxing allowed, they'll never be safe there, no matter how quiet it gets

yesman065 02-24-2008 12:55 AM
1 Attachment(s)
Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 1:23 AM

This is one of the sand storms that the FOB's (Forward Operating Bases) outside of Baghdad had to deal with last week.
We had a bad storm for 2 days last week, no air operation unless it was an emergency, (air strikes or medivacs), it got a bit weaker when it got into Baghdad but still bad. I think I would rather sit it out at Stanley's tavern having a cold beer, how about you? I know "Crash" wants to go out into it, but he can do that by himself.

CDR Rayfer USN
"Riding out the storm in Baghdad"

richlevy 02-24-2008 08:15 AM
Wow that looks intense. I would be spitting sand for a week after something like that.

Are you talking about Stanley's Tavern in Wilmington, DE? I haven't been there in years.

I'm still having a hard time understanding what Navy personnel are doing at an FOB. I know that a lot of the aircraft are Navy, but doesn't the Air Force manage land bases?

xoxoxoBruce 02-24-2008 09:03 AM
I know the Navy and Marines have a lot of medical units working the war zones.

richlevy 02-24-2008 09:32 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce (Post 434608)
I know the Navy and Marines have a lot of medical units working the war zones.
One of my son's friends just joined the Navy. Last I heard he was still in basic training.

TheMercenary 02-27-2008 05:39 AM
Good update

http://www.michaeltotten.com/archive...in-the-des.php

xoxoxoBruce 02-27-2008 10:45 AM
Thanks, Merc.

yesman065 02-29-2008 07:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by richlevy (Post 434603)
Are you talking about Stanley's Tavern in Wilmington, DE? I haven't been there in years.
Absolutely, grew up goin there - Its one of his favorite places. Nothin like your local watering hole to really make you feel at home, ya know.
Quote:
I'm still having a hard time understanding what Navy personnel are doing at an FOB. I know that a lot of the aircraft are Navy, but doesn't the Air Force manage land bases?
They are doing all kinds of things, planning , logistics, training.... you name it. The stories he told me were amazing, insightful, frightening, sad and shocking. Hold on to yer hats - thats all I'm sayin'.

TheMercenary 02-29-2008 08:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by yesman065 (Post 435932)
They are doing all kinds of things, planning , logistics, training.... you name it. The stories he told me were amazing, insightful, frightening, sad and shocking. Hold on to yer hats - thats all I'm sayin'.
Many are FAC's, Logistics guys, and some are NAVSPECWARFARE. Anything that is considered Joint is going to have reps from all the services including OGA's. Everyone wants a piece of the action. It what people train their whole lives to do.

Griff 03-02-2008 10:40 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMercenary (Post 435474)
That IED explosion is immense.

TheMercenary 03-10-2008 06:52 PM
Yon nails another one. This guy should get an award.

http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/guitar-heros.htm

yesman065 03-17-2008 07:24 AM
Sun, Mar 9, 2008 at 2:19 AM

I have been on the "road" a lot here in the last couple of weeks. I
know you are having bad weather, sorry but we have no snow here just
sand, IED's, EFP's and a lot of crazy people with guns running around
here in Baghdad doing bad things. Some how, being back in the states
shoveling snow just doesn't seem that bad at all! I now have time to
send out some pictures from Iraq. Enjoy, relax, sit down in your
favorite chair and have a nice cold one for me!

CDR USN
"Logging air miles in Iraq"

yesman065 03-17-2008 07:27 AM
Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 12:49 PM

Well I hope you were able to enjoy the "March Madness" over the weekend. I had to go out and about over Baghdad to a FOB, (Forward Operating Base) for a mission. It looks nice but we have to fly low and quick, (we prefer to fly at night, but did not have time to do that on this trip) At this low of an altitude you got to remember, "If you can see them they can see you, so you got to be ready for you never know who you might come across up on a roof top!". I wonder if Santa Clause has to deal with this kind of issue. I'm sure he does alright once he blacks out Rudolph's nose !

CDR USN
"Just a hop, skip and jump across Baghdad"

yesman065 03-17-2008 07:38 AM
I know at times it can be a bit of a challenge when you have to drive home from work. You think about taking short cuts to avoid traffic and get home quicker. Well here in Baghdad there are some short cuts you just do not want to take. Good thing we don't have a couple of inches of snow to deal with. How good is "Crash" driving at night?

< Sorry, Cellar not allowing image upload>

yesman065 03-17-2008 07:43 AM
Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 1:25 AM

I had to roll into Bayji, on Sunday, in the new "MWRAPS" that the army has. They are really nice! They can pretty much stop bullets, grenade, IED's and the RPG's. Not good against the EFP's (Explosive Formed Projectiles that shoot a 10,000 degree slug of molted metal coming at a velocity of 3,000 feet per second.) Now those EFP's are really nasty! You need to get one of these for "your sister" as her family vehicle, she can drive off road and go pretty much any where and beside, she really would not have to worry about being towed away for commercial tow trucks can not move them, especially when you lock up the transmission! Also it would be very hard for those stationary intersection camera's, to get a good picture of the driver due to the heavy blast glass installed! Crash would not have a problem pulling his boat out of the water with this beast! And best of all each one comes with your own personal portable anti-tank missile, you just got to try and avoid road rage when driving one!

CDR USN
"Out for a Sunday drive in Iraq!"

yesman065 03-17-2008 07:46 AM
Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 2:21 AM

Well I had to go out again over the wire and deep into the "red zone". I was up in the rail yard of Bayji Iraq on Sunday. This was the second
busiest yard in Iraq, after Baghdad. I went to get a look at what was
there and working along with IRR, (Iraqi Republic Railroad) personnel to evaluate and try to get those facilities running as much as we can. It was a interesting place for you have criminals, squatters and organized crime working out of it. We were able to get the Iraqi Army to help us set up security and start to take it back and properly secure it. It got a bit spooky at times when driving through "Sopranoville", the town of Bayji, to get to the railyard with all of those people looking at us. I know a lot of them were having very unpleasant thoughts about us, but that is OK for this is Iraq and..... "it is all good!" Well you just got to tighten up your body armor and hold your M-16/A4 close and just keep going, "rolling through Bayji". It was advised we stay mixed in with the rail cars or in among the buildings due to snipers. It made for a very very interesting and long day. Another day out and about in Iraq!

...Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!


CDR USN
"International Railroad Consultant"

TheMercenary 03-22-2008 06:02 PM
A good article from the NYT.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/wo...hp&oref=slogin

yesman065 03-24-2008 07:33 AM
date: Sun, Mar 23, 2008 at 1:17 AM
subject Easter Egg Hunt in Baghdad....I don't think so!
mailed-by iraq.centcom.mil


I hope you and your family had a really good time doing the Easter Egg hunt. Well here today at first light the insurgent started a rocket
attack on us here in the Green Zone. It got a bit intense for they seem to be able to shoot in a tight pattern with their rockets. We had some damage. A couple of buildings got hit and it started a mild fire. They managed to get the fire out in about 3 hours, as of now it seems that no one was killed. I don't think the Easter bunny will be stopping by my hooch here in Baghdad. I did not find any hidden Easter Eggs in my bunker this morning either, but "it is all good" for this is Baghdad Iraq!

Hope you are able to relax and enjoy your Easter meal, at a nice table, and just enjoy life!

CDR USN
"Still looking for that Bunny"

yesman065 03-25-2008 07:33 AM
date Tue, Mar 25, 2008 at 3:42 AM
subject A rough Easter Sunday!....an all day event!
mailed-by iraq.centcom.mil

Well Easter Sunday started off at first light with a rocket attack here
in the Green Zone. They came really close to me and my area, I spent @ a hour in my bunker hearing the rockers pound the complex. It was a bit spooky for I could hear the rockets striking in groups of 2-3 in one area and than more off to another area and striking again in groups of 2-3. The patterns were all pretty tight and they were definitely going after a specific target. Well during the day we had 4 separate attacks.

Starting at 06:00 am and the last one was at 8:00 pm. I was in my bunker for 3 of them and the other one I was at the embassy for the attack. In the end, there were 2 American soldiers wounded, several vehicles destroyed, couple building hits and a petroleum fire started. It was pretty intense! I started out in the morning with myself and one other solider going to the bunker, by the last rocket attack, 8:00 pm, I was in my bunker and now there are 16 other soldiers who now come to my bunker. Well we do not turn any fellow soldiers away no matter how many show up, so we all make room for whoever needs to get in. I guess I am getting popular!

On the down side, I saw the next morning that we had a few people who got really rattled and seem to be "shell shocked". We try to talk to them and let them know that these types of attacks happen for you are in a war zone in down town Baghdad surrounded on all sides by @ 8 million Iraqi who wish you harm and really do not like you and you have to just deal with it! You got to take precautions in your movements in the area and increase your situational awareness, (SA), of what is going on around you at all times! All of these people are pretty new here and have many more months to go so you try to get them to relax or else they will burn out!

One of the fellows was talking to one of his men and giving him the
"Baghdad spin"......You can not take killing or getting killed personally for it is an everyday thing in here Baghdad..you need to take precautions for yourself and your buddy, but when it is your time to go, it is time to go...this is Baghdad..."it is all good". (a very different perspective on things!!! a strange view of things in the Army, but this is Baghdad.)

Well it made for a long busy Easter, no bunny showed up and we had no egg hunt. I hope yours was a lot better!

CDR USN
"Bummed....no egg hunt!"

yesman065 03-28-2008 07:26 AM
Baghdad Iraq...it is raining rockets!
 
date Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 4:06 AM
subject Baghdad Iraq...it is raining rockets!

Well it has been really busy here in Baghdad since Easter. We have been under rocket attack every day, except Tuesday the 24, by the insurgents. Unfortunately we had 2 Americans killed here so far. We have had @ 10 people injured. When you get "injured" from a 107 mm or a 122 mm rocket you need more than a band aide and you just don't get up and walk off. The stress is showing on some of the state department employees and some of the contractors. I guess they never thought they could get shot/rocketed at while working in a "War Zone", the money is great, but you got to also be prepared to take the risk. We had a few who quit and are waiting to go home (that is something that I guess they can do).

I have spent a lot of time on the dirt floor of my bunker, not a good
camping trip! The attacks start at @ 05:30 am and are scattered
throughout the day until 8 pm so it makes for a long day. Of course we also have all of the constraints such as more body armor, limited
movement, lock downs and all that other good stuff. Well it is spring in America so everybody needs to get outside and take a nice walk or run and enjoy the green grass! You don't need to get in the dirt!

CDR "Bunker Rat!" USN

yesman065 04-05-2008 10:06 AM
date Sat, Apr 5, 2008 at 4:08 AM
subject Are you ready to run at midnight?
mailed-by iraq.centcom.mil

Quote:
Well it looks like the shelling has slowed down a bit so I moved back
to the hooch for a decent night sleep. Nigel came back with me from out of the Palace/Embassy harden shelter, (the homeless/boys town shelter I call it) Well we got our hooch set back up for when you go to sleep at night. You got to make sure your are "Ready to Run!" Well I had to set things back up, have the soft shoes on the floor next to the bed ready to slip on, side arm in my holster hanging on the bed with all spare magazines attached. I keep the M-16/A4, (when I have it) inside my wall locker with several spare magazines attached. We do not keep the weapons locked and loaded in the hooch for safety, but we can very quickly get them locked and loaded. Keep the body armor and helmet in a chair next to the foot of the bed in the ready position so you can load it on. You just don't "slip" into the 45 pound of Kevlar so you got to get it on and then grab the rest of your stuff and head out to the bunker. Well we had to do it last night/early this morning and all went well in my hooch, no accidents or incidents. Unfortunately some other person in another hooch ended up breaking his leg pretty bad trying to get to his bunker.

So now that "Crash" is getting ready to come over here to Baghdad and help us out, he may need to practice so he can do the "Hooch Scoot" when he has too. Well you need to put a broom and a couple cans of canned vegetables under your bed, ( to simulate his M-16/A4 and ammunition magazines) and a 40 pound bag of potatoes next to the bed, (to simulate the body armor). What you have to do is wake up at 1 am, sit up in bed clap your hands and yell "incoming". "Crash should jump up right out of bed, put his shoes on, reach under the bed and get the broom and the cans run over and pick up the potato sack and head down stairs out the garage and see if he can crawl up one of the parked cars. If he can do that in 90 seconds or less he is ready to come on over here to Baghdad and live in a "hooch". Now remember he should show up here with that good shovel and metal pail so he can help do some upgrades, if needed to his bunker. Well let me know how he is doing in his Baghdad deployment training!

CDR "Beat feet to the Bunker" USN
There's an alternate reality for ya - huh? When is this insanity going to end?

Take care of yourself buddy - come home in one, live piece please. I'm prayin for you.

Sundae 04-05-2008 11:11 AM
Yesman - can you pass onto your buddy just how many people read his "letters" and think of him every time Iraq is on the news? I found myself arguing a point in the pub the other night, using the classic "I know someone" defence. But damnit - I feel like I do know him! We don't have the same demonstrative pride in our armed forces as the US, but the personal angle of the "letters" does make me realise how hard the forces work, and why Americans support their troops so well.

Oh and thanks to you too - a viewpoint I would never have found myself.

lushchocolateswirl 04-13-2008 12:30 AM
Say hello from me yesman.

yesman065 04-21-2008 01:24 PM
Another day in Baghdad
 
date Mon, Apr 21, 2008 at 1:27 PM
subject Another day in Baghdad
mailed-by iraq.centcom.mil


Well we had a couple of days of sandstorms here in Baghdad and they have finally lifted today. You would go outside in the middle of the day and it was nothing but a brown haze, you though it was around 10 pm. You could spot the sun as a brighter brown spot in the sky. The dust was a very fine brown chalk and it ended up getting everywhere. We had to suspend air operation, (Helo), and air surveillance. It was prime time for the insurgents and Al-Queda to move around in Sadr City and resupply and rearm. On Sunday afternoon we got a bit of a temporary break in the sandstorm and we got a little clear break in the weather.

On Sunday Secretary to State Condoleeza Rice was in Baghdad and stopped off at the Embassy here in Baghdad. She was talking to all and trying to help motivate the state department people to keep going on and deal with the "hard and dangerous" assignment they have in Baghdad. Well we had to shut down part of Baghdad so she could move around. Well it did not take much time for the insurgents and Al-Queda to figure out what was going on. They also watch TV and knew she was in the middle east so they put it together and they went out of their way to welcome her to Baghdad We had 4 separate rocket attacks here in the compound. One of the attacks got in really close. It seemed 3 people were out side the embassy building and a 107 mm rocket came in and air burst right on top of them. No one was killed but they all were wounded pretty bad. I spent a good amount of time in my bunker due to the timing of the rockets coming in. I hope you were able to enjoy Sunday and watch the Pope on TV.


CDR "No cable in my bunker" USN

TheMercenary 04-21-2008 06:58 PM
I don't see Condi Rice having the public speaking skills with the ability to motivate people in that environment.

yesman065 05-01-2008 02:14 PM
date: Wed, Apr 30, 2008 at 12:40 PM
subject: Another drive in the red zone of Baghdad
mailed-by: iraq.centcom.mil

Well we still have to roll out around in the red zone here in Baghdad and go and visit places. I was out and about last month heading out over to the airport for some meetings. It is just not the same as getting in the car and heading out to get a pizza and have a cold beverage. I wish it was at times!
We continue to get rocket attacked several times each day, it seems we are losing one solider and having two others injured each day we get attacked here in the Green Zone. You try and guess when you think the incoming rockets are coming and move/work around that.

I was in my bunker last night/early this morning with 10 other people. Monday we got caught up in a pretty intense rocket attack. I was in my bunker with others and one of them was 2 Star Army General who got caught outside and he ran into the bunker with us. We were stuck there for about an hour. We could here the "zip" of incoming rockets really loud, we had 1 rocket impact about 20 yards from the bunker and it blew up rocks and strap metal and it landed all around the bunker and we could smell the gun powder burning around the bunker. It was a bit spooky, but that is life during wartime.

CDR "Road rage.....what road rage!" USN

xoxoxoBruce 05-01-2008 11:32 PM
I refuse to believe, with all the technology we have in the air, they can't pinpoint those rocket launches.:eyebrow:

Undertoad 05-02-2008 05:50 PM
They definitely can - Michael Yon mentioned it in one of his dispatches.

tw 05-02-2008 07:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Undertoad (Post 450616)
They definitely can - Michael Yon mentioned it in one of his dispatches.
Pinpointing a launch is completely different from responding to that launch. Problem is not tracking incoming ordinance. Problem is getting that information to someone who can respond to it.

Even the safest place in Iraq – the Green Zone – remains far more dangerous than it was when “Mission Accomplished” was declared five years and one day ago. In an attempt to diminish those attacks, we decided to invade and wall southern Sahdr City. To mask that reality, first, we sent in our surrogate army – the Iraqis. Second, we pretend this invasion and wall are only for security of Sahdr City residents. We cannot even be honest about the purpose of that wall.

First, the Iraqis (as in Basra) conduct operations with the same vigor that S Vietnamese soldiers did. Some units get all the attention while the desertion and refusal by so many rarely gets reported. Americans are quietly replacing Iraqis in that invasion - that does not exist because the surge was so successful.

Second, the wall in southern Sahdr City is only to protect the Green Zone because Americans are so dislikes that even the Green Zone is still attacked often. We ignore that reality, in part, because routine attacks are no longer news.

What is the purpose of war? A political solution. In Nam, we confused tactical victories with the actual purpose of war. For example, if we responded to those rocket launches aggressively, then we only lose – make more enemies – make the strategic objective less possible – play into the hands of the various civil war armies. If we admit why southern Sahdr City is being invaded, then we admit no strategic objectives are being achieved. Tactical victories say so little about achieving the purpose of war - the strategic objective.

If a political settlement was ongoing or even possible, then the invasion of southern Sahdr City would not be necessary AND the Iraqi Army would operate without American troops to prod them on.

The fact that every Green Zone still comes under attack regularly says we are still looking for light at the end of the tunnel – we are winning just like in Nam.

tw 05-04-2008 01:54 AM
Latest news applies: From the NY Times of 4 May 2008:
Quote:
Missiles Strike Sadr City, Damaging Hospital
The missiles that hit close to the Sadr General Hospital were American. After a night of clashes in the neighborhood, the Americans fired at least three “precision-guided munitions” at the small building next door to the hospital. Neighbors said the building was used as a place of prayer for pilgrims, hospital employees and neighborhood residents, but the military identified it as a command center for the Shiite militias that it is battling. ...

Sometimes it feels as if nothing is what it seems. Iraqi ambulances have been used to ferry weapons, and homes are used as safe houses for militia fighters. Men in the vests of municipal road workers sometimes toil at burying improvised explosive devices while Iraqi and American forces have holed up in schools and Education Ministry buildings.
Of course. The people are not working for the invader. Welcome to a country in civil war, similar to Nam, or Somolia. Does anybody see light at the end of the tunnel? Did someone misplaced it - George?

TheMercenary 05-04-2008 11:43 AM
"Sometimes it feels as if nothing is what it seems. Iraqi ambulances have been used to ferry weapons, and homes are used as safe houses for militia fighters. Men in the vests of municipal road workers sometimes toil at burying improvised explosive devices while Iraqi and American forces have holed up in schools and Education Ministry buildings."

It is what it is...

TheMercenary 05-04-2008 01:53 PM
Iraqis begin to 'despise' the Mahdi Army in Baghdad's Rusafa district
By Bill ArdolinoMay 3, 2008 11:57 AM

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archiv...pise_the_m.php

yesman065 05-15-2008 07:18 AM
2 Attachment(s)
Well with the increase in shelling here one needs to get creative in
establishing a fortified sleeping area. Here is one of the latest that
we have come up with, the coffin bed. You build up a wall several blocks thick, (if you have extra blocks), close around your sleeping area than you put several reinforce supports across the top with a board over where you lie down and than pile up sand bags on top of it. Well if the rocket or mortar comes in through the hooch it has to land right next to you, within a few inches to give you "the full effect". It gives a whole new meaning to "you can sleep when you are dead".

It is not like at the house with the King-size bed, watching TV with the
Phone and remote next to you! Once you are in for the night you better be prepared to sleep all night, "popping up" or "jumping up" in the middle of the night is not a good idea! It could be very painful.

Now you better get "Crash" out in the garage and have him build himself one of these "beds". When he gets over here he will have to do it for himself so it would be good to already have the experience of building one!

"Trying to powernap when I can"

xoxoxoBruce 05-15-2008 04:01 PM
I noticed the lock on the bed... to lock up the camera?

Urbane Guerrilla 05-16-2008 11:21 PM
Tw never did approve of ever actually fighting against fascists, communists, or any totalitarian abuse or abusers.

yesman065 05-26-2008 06:44 PM
Quote:
Well we had the official farewell with Major General Zamzow
so it is all over with. I got to pack up my sea bag and get ready to head home.
The war is over for me. I will be leaving this week. I got the chance to
head down to Kuwait a few days early and just rest up. I will do that,
for Kuwait does not get mortar or rocket attacks on them. So I will
go camping in Kuwait for a week and than begin the journey back to
the states and get back to a normal life. So how are you doing at
your beach hooch?

CDR "Coming Home" USN
Being dull and boring sounds good!

xoxoxoBruce 05-26-2008 09:00 PM
Hooray!... and thank you. :notworthy


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:00 AM.
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
Show 60 post(s) from this thread on one page

Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.