INDCJournal: Where in the ... (Personal Anecdotes and Impressions: PTT Embed)

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January 12, 2007

Where in the ... (Personal Anecdotes and Impressions: PTT Embed)

Posted by Bill

I've returned from downtown to Camp Fallujah, where I'll take a couple of days off from gathering material to transcribe interviews and write about the Police Transition Team's vital mission. My time with the team presented a fantastic opportunity to assess the state of Fallujah from inside the city, meet local Iraqis fighting the insurgency and see how Marines work and relax. Perhaps the hardest part of an embed here is deciding which stories to cover, as there are literally thousands of them.

While I try to synthesize a wealth of information into an accurate, contextual narrative, here are some anecdotes, random facts, amusing stories and personal reflections on the experience:

***

Morale Boosters: Morale among the Marines of the PTT is probably as good as it can be, given the difficulty and danger of their mission. The officers and senior non-coms bear much of the stress of working with the IP's and administering the outpost, while younger Marines responsible for security fight boredom and tension with work (convoys, patrols, administration, cleaning), internet, TV, care packages and dumb challenges, the latter a young male tradition that transcends time and place. Between the furor of battles, I'm fairly certain that young Roman Legionnaires challenged each other to Marshmallow Fluff eating contests (or their equivalent) in the snowy forests of Germania.

These good-natured young men reminded me of my friends in high school and college, with the wrinkle that we weren't being shot at or targeted by IED's. It's familiar yet surreal.

***

Angel of Death: I met an outgoing, enthusiastic kid from an Army PTT named Tim Israel. He told me that Iraqis have an excited reaction upon hearing his last name, as it sounds like either "Prophet" or "Angel of Death." When asked which, he jokes with the IP's (Iraqi Policemen) that it depends on whether they piss him off or not.

***

Laugh at the skittish blogger #1:

Mortars make a loud noise but are typically inaccurate, indirect threats. Insurgents rarely stay in a stationary position to fire more than one or two of them, lest American, IP or IA forces nail down their location and rain the wrath of God (or Boeing) upon their heads. That said, 120 mm mortars have a 70 meter "kill zone," and a close or direct hit from 60 - 120mm pieces can be pretty bad news for a given target.

Insurgents fired five mortars at the police station on Wednesday in an attempt to "dial in" the location. Though I've learned to ignore them when they land at a distance, a sufficiently large and close one authored a ringing crack and boom, and I instinctively skipped to put both the fellow with whom I was conversing and a sturdy pillar between the direction of the explosion and my precious behind. I didn't move fast enough, as he smiled kindly and said:

"You haven't been here too long, have you? I'm used to them. Maybe that's bad, but if they're gonna get you, they're gonna get you."

I don't know what that guy was talking about: I was just stretching my legs, man.

***

Blending in: My newly-bearded attempts to blend in with the locals paid off way better than expected: all throughout the visit, Iraqis would approach me and start speaking in Arabic, asking who I was or assuming that I was an interpretor. Communication did ensue, as many with a limited grasp of English have now learned to understand "I don't know what the **** you are saying, I'm American."

I was pretty jazzed about the successful conformity, until Marine Captain Tad Scott told me that the insurgents would probably shoot me first because I looked like a "Company man" (a CIA agent).

Nice sense of humor on those Marines. Does anyone have a razor?

***

Skittish Blogger #2: Yesterday, insurgents mortared police headquarters thrice, as well as mounted a coordinated (attempted) IED and small arms attack on another police station and some Iraqi Army posts in the city. So it was with trepidation that I very briefly walked outside without my armor to obtain the contact info of a visiting civil affairs officer in the compound.

As I walked back and neared the door to the station, I heard a "wa-WHOOMP!" right in front of me, jumped about two feet up and to the left and swore; for a split second, I assumed the worst. The sheepish laughter of a Marine and a Navy Corpsman drifted down from the roof to let me know I was alive, along with the sight of the pile of wood and cardboard they'd just dropped on the ground a few feet in front of me. They said it was unfortunate timing, and I believe them. I think.

Accidental and funny, but someone came a camel's hair away from owing me a new set of underpants.

And my underpants are expensive.

***

Handy Arabic Phrasebook:

Salaam: Hello, what's up?, literally "peace." i.e. " Salaam, nice Iraqi policeman."

Hamdillah: Thankfully, thank heavens. "It was only cardboard boxes and wood, hamdillah."

Zien: Good. "This local Fallujan food is zien, but I hope it doesn't give me the Iraqi trots."

Muzien: Not good, bad. (Running to the bathroom): "Muzien! Muzien! "

Lak-da-DAK-da-rasi, Anamoujihoodi: "Please don't cut my head off, I'm not Jewish."

That last one might seem like a handy thing to know in certain situations, but it's really useless; the radical insurgents here will cut your head off if you are man or woman, American or Iraqi, Christian, Jew or fellow Muslim. They're equal-opportunity killers.

***

Game Time:

Note:the image above does not depict the specific events described below.

Following the mortars and the attack on the other police station, I was standing on the second floor landing when loud gunfire erupted: BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Heavier and infinitely closer than the familiar crackle of a distant AK-47, it sounded like it was coming from inside the courtyard on the first floor. "Holy *@&$, the insurgents are attacking the station and are inside the compound!" was the general thought.

The laconic professionalism of the Marines disintegrated into action.

"General Quarters!"

The men around me did furious wind sprints to their weapons and armor, then moved to established defensive positions. It was a brief, impressive flurry of adrenaline and coordinated activity, soundtracked by a few more bursts of fire from just outside. But as it turns out, the rounds were coming from newer Iraqi Police (IP) recruits who'd decided to celebrate the arrival of the bodies of insurgents killed in the day's attack. They were firing their PKC's (a Russian light machine gun vaguely analogous to an American SAW) up in the air right outside the station.

The IP leadership offered an apology in the face of a steely admonition not to "do that around Marines."

I'll tell you one thing: I feel pity for anyone who tries to attack that station.

***

Persistent reminders that this isn't a game:

Another group of Marines from Weapons Company 1st BN/24th Mar probably have the toughest job in Fallujah: they patrol its mean streets and look for trouble. Several of their number have been wounded or killed, and a Marine was shot in the neck just outside police headquarters last week while conducting a mounted security patrol. He was paralyzed, but the doctors think that he'll regain use of his body after the swelling in his neck subsides.

And just because mortars are generally well-tolerated, almost ignored, doesn't mean they aren't lethal: the rounds fired off in the aforementioned attacks struck wide around the target, wounding a 12 year-old boy and killing a local welder who several Americans described as "a good guy." The boy was treated by Corpsman Doc J, who had him smiling, eating a muffin and drinking juice just minutes after the attack, despite shrapnel stealing a tangelo-sized chunk from his knee. Tough little fella.

The wounded Iraqi Police who are incessantly drug in here and saved also telegraph the danger that lives in Fallujah. Over the weekend, several policemen were driving just outside the gate when rounds struck the hood of their vehicle. They dismounted to shoot at insurgents firing from a building and one patrolman was shot through the upper chest. He dropped to the ground, stood back up and continued to engage the enemy. Soon thereafter, his buddies threw him in the truck and drove him back to the station, where Corpsmen Doc J and Doc Watson treated him. The man had trouble breathing and the bullet had probably nicked his lung, but the docs were confident he would survive.

Days later, looking at the twisted remains of dead insurgents lent stark perspective: this is what death looks like, this is how and where the fiery struggle ends. All that these people were - very much like the animated Iraqis milling about them - is gone, and only a broken husk remains. I forced myself to look at them, and despite my respect for life and the tangible gravity of the reminder about war's stakes, as well as the gruesome nature of their poses and injuries, I remained oddly unmoved. Clinical. I'm not sure what to think about that, except an apathetic "fuck 'em, they're terrorists."

Once you've heard the first-hand stories and seen what terrorist insurgents are doing to both Americans and the people in this city, you might feel that way too. I don't know.

***

And finally, Bill's new first rule of interpersonal relationships: always make friends with the 6'4" hooded man with the large machine gun.

Cobra Commander up there is an Iraqi Policeman. During the police recruiting drive, one of the Marines kept yelling at him, "Hey John Rambo! It's John Rambo!"

The Iraqi smiled and said with a thumbs up, "Bruce Lee! Bruce Lee!" Good times.

I have several pieces in the works, including a review of the PTT's overall mission, a blow-by-blow account of Wednesday's recruiting drive, and a look inside the Iraqi Police Special Missions Group, a hand-picked force of IP's who are just beginning offensive operations in Fallujah. Stay tuned.

***

Please support citizen journalism, as you are willing and able.

If you'd prefer to donate via check, please e-mail me and I'll provide you mailing instructions. Thank you for your support.

Posted by Bill at January 12, 2007 11:05 AM | TrackBack (11)

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Comments

I assume you are unarmed. Have you been in a situation where you wanted to have a weapon?

Posted by: Babs at January 12, 2007 11:04 AM

In almost all scenarios I am surrounded by Marines, which animates the old saying, if it's bad enough that you need a weapon, you've got bigger problems to worry about, and there will be plenty lying around.

That said, going downstairs with only one or two Americans and and being surrounded by Iraqis (some of whom are potentially unfriendly) can make one pine for a sidearm, at the least. But really, it's fine. Those Marines and IPLOs will chew up anyone that dares make a direct run at them.

Mortars and IED's are more arbitrary threats, but the Marines, including those young ones, handle them like professionals. I have a great deal of respect for and confidence in them.

And BTW, I don't want to exaggerate the threat from mortars - they can be scary if they land close, but by-in-large they are very inaccurate and a regular occurrence.

Posted by: Bill from INDC at January 12, 2007 11:50 AM

Excellent write up Bill. You are going to give Yon a close race in good reporting, great writing style and pictures.

Yea, about the time your ready to leave, you will have got somewhat used to the random explosions and such. But there is a difference in "used to" and disregard as the Marines and Soldiers will tell you.

If things have really "changed" in the American and Iraqi leadership and the gloves are either going to come off or at least changed into fighting gloves, this year promises to be different than the last few.

I hope that you will be able to document some of it, as the msm still only seems to run the blood and guts stories and not "the rest of the story".

Continue your mission.

Papa Ray
West Texas
USA

Posted by: Papa Ray at January 12, 2007 01:56 PM

Thanks for the reports, Bill. I got here from Hot Air, and have been glued to your narrative. It is refreshing to get a non MSM view of the situation in at least that part of Iraq.

What do the marines you are with think of the reinforcements comming?

Posted by: uberrare at January 12, 2007 01:59 PM

Bill,

Thank you for putting yourself out there to tell the story.

I'm the wife of a grunt. The media, in general, has been one of our biggest frustrations over the last few years. We've had two personal experiences with "the media", both have been distorted and without context.

I can't tell you how much it means to me to have someone tell the story honestly and in context - the good and the bad - that's all we've ever asked for.

Thank you again.

Stay safe.

Posted by: Tink at January 12, 2007 02:03 PM

Good stuff, Bill. Fascinating.

Posted by: The Commissar at January 12, 2007 02:59 PM

More.

Posted by: Donnah at January 12, 2007 04:34 PM

Delicious, bite-sized blogolicious nuggets: I love it. Thanks, Bill.

Posted by: Nancy at January 12, 2007 07:54 PM

Keep it coming Bill....watching for yours and Mike Yon's posts every day. We rely on you guys to get the real story out.

Posted by: Lori at January 12, 2007 10:27 PM

What do the marines you are with think of the reinforcements comming?

The Marines I spoke to think it's a good thing, but from what I understand it's only 4,000 in Anbar.

More significant would be a change in strategy, letting the Marines do what Marines do.

Posted by: Bill from INDC at January 12, 2007 10:56 PM

Let's hope that Maliki holds up his end of the bargain as well -- no political restrictions on military operations.

Posted by: Dubya at January 13, 2007 01:46 PM

nice. very nice. thank you.

money shot: the guy dropped to his knees, then stood back up and engaged the enemy. Classic! Iraqi bravery underlined. if that's not a F.U. to the terrorists, what is?

you would think that for all our "compassionate conservatism", we americans would understand that in a country where the cops have to wear masks so they won't be murdered off the job, in a land where we are fighting the enemy on the front line, and in a war where western civilization hangs in the balance, we could let the marines do what marines do.

Battle for Fallujah....do we talk about that here in the popular culture? where are the stories and legends of our modern day heros who fight and win or live to fight at all?

Thanks to the effort of embeds like Bill, we'll get more than a "news" story about monkey therapy that was prefaced by a clip of "friends".

oh, and Donnah, must you be so loquacious? :)

Posted by: richard at January 13, 2007 03:04 PM

My brother is a member of 1st, 24th btn. I was hoping you might have some more pictures up of his unit. If you do, and do did not have space. I would sincerely appreciate maybe sending me any leftovers that may not have "made the cut". If not, not biggie. Great writing, keep up the good work!

Posted by: mantis at January 13, 2007 04:36 PM

Hey Scoop. Thanks for the great job you did out here man. To bad you didn't get to stay any longer you could have participated in our challenges. Im glad to see your work telling OUR side of the story Bill. Its good to know that people can actually report on the good things taking place in this country. But then again not many reporters like to leave the comfort of the GREEN ZONE. Keep up the good work Bill stay safe and let America know that the Fallujah PTT team is doing good. OH-RAH!

Posted by: Lcpl Rickard MS at January 13, 2007 05:20 PM

"Once you've heard... and seen what terrorist insurgents are doing..., you might feel that way too. I don't know."

Filth is filth. Kill it. Flush it. Forget it.

Posted by: Tom Paine at January 13, 2007 05:24 PM

Thank you so much for your courage reporting from right there where out heroic military men are doing the hardest job in the world. I am just one of the many millions here at home who pray for each of you every day and wish you all a safe journey home soon.

I am so very proud to be an American and know that my country produces so many heroic men and women.
I hope the small amount I contributed will be of some help to your embed.

Posted by: Lorraine at January 13, 2007 06:13 PM

I'd be a lot prouder to be an American if the friggin' Congress would start acting like Americans instead of Bush-hating basket crabs.

Posted by: Dubya at January 13, 2007 07:06 PM

Thanks for the interesting stories. I'd like to see any 1/24 photos, too, esp. Weapons Co.

Posted by: Lori M at January 13, 2007 07:21 PM

I love your writing! Thank you.

Posted by: Agnieszka O. at January 14, 2007 12:45 AM

Warm greetings and prayers to all our brave and honorable service men and women! Thank you.. each and everyone for your service. Please know that although I have never supported the envasion of Iraq, in fact, quite to the contrary, I veehimitly apposed it. Only now are more people understanding all the "right" fears going in many of us had are bearing forward in truth. I am so sorry we, as a country, put you in this mess. (IE; destablization of the region and the historical friction of the differant muslim /secretarian conflicts within Iraq) As an american and a child of god, I respectfully ask your forgivness for anything I did, or did not do inadvertantly, or otherwise, that has gotten you in harms way and in the middle of this mess!

I nonetheless, believe that NOW we cannot leave this dibacle we found ourselves in. As well, in my heart of hearts, I truly believe that neither can we leave this region of the mid east in the condition it is now. Not believing that we should be entering into Iraq did not make me less a patriot as I know many in our country, saddly, would like to believe. Please know I have ALWAYS been so very supportive of all of you and the BRAVE efforts, dedication, and sacrafices each of you have had to put forth with combat conditions, worse and different, than perhaps anyone ever contemplated.

I just believe that we did not really understand all the complexities that we were facing in this particular battle. As well, I questioned the motivaton and urgency to Iraq being the "first" priority where we needed to begin this war on Terror, and battle with extremeists. At the time, Iran and Korea certainly felt more of a threat.

Water under the bridge I presume. Greater minds are still debating that.

Yet for now, I ask you..... How can I be of help to support and honnor your efforts as you accomplish this very dangerous task? As with you, I conceed that defeat cannot be an option. (no matter the reason we are there) ... Any ideas you have of how to speak to all The other "left leaning" would be greatly appreciated. Liberal or Conservative..We all need to come together on this one!

Also, is there perhaps anything I could do with my voice here to let our congress know what you need? Equipment? Troops? ..etc.. (I am a great letter writer. Ha!) Anyway, I can be of help and support, would be an honor

Love,safty, and deep peace to all of you. And again, thank you so very much

Terry (a left of center proud and PATRIOTIC AMERICAN liberal!)

Posted by: Terry at January 14, 2007 03:56 AM

Bill, absolutely outstanding reporting. Thank you!! And Please God, let the powers that be allow the Marines to do what Marines do.

Posted by: Maggie45 at January 14, 2007 11:03 AM

Bill - Awsome read, great job! Keep fighting the good fight. God Bless.

Terry - How can you help? Write your reps in Congress and tell them how you feel and what you expect them do to get your vote.

Most of all - Support Our Troops. As a child of God, pray for the welfare of our troops and their families back home. Also try any of the following (sorry for the sloppy cut-n-paste):

The Kim Komando Show
http://www.komando.com/tips/support-our-troops.aspx

AAFES Gift Certificates
www.aafes.com/docs/homefront.htm
The Army and Air Force Exchange Services is where most servicemen and
women do their shopping. You can purchase gift certificates for those
in Iraq and those hospitalized.

Adopt a Platoon
www.adoptaplatoon.org
Adopt a Platoon has several ongoing projects to ensure that no
soldier overseas walks away from mail call empty-handed.

AnySoldier
www.anysoldier.com
Any Soldier is a non-profit organization that helps people send care
packages to members of the armed services in Iraq.

Appreciate Our Troops
www.appreciateourtroops.org
Purchase a Support Our Troops mug and a free personalized mug will be
given to a current or former service member.

Blue Star Mothers
www.bluestarmothers.org
The Blue Star Mothers was founded by service members' moms during
World
War II. Any mother with a son or daughter in the military can join.

Books For Soldiers
www.booksforsoldiers.com/
Help the troops escape boredom by donating some books. You can also
donate DVDs and CDs requested by soldiers.

Camp Doha
www.campdoha.org/
Camp Doha provides valuable information for those about to deploy,
their friends and families and anyone who wants to support the troops.

Cell Phones for Soldiers
www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/pages/1/index.htm
Donated cell phones are recycled and turned into cash. The cash is used to purchase calling cards for soldiers in Iraq.

Defend America
www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html
Thank any service member stationed throughout the U.S. and the world
with an e-mail.

Fisher House
www.fisherhouse.org
The Fisher House Foundation donates comfort homes, built on the
grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family
members to be close to a loved one during hospitalization for an
unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

Freedom Calls
www.freedomcalls.org
The Freedom Calls Foundation is helping families videoconference with
their loved ones in Iraq. You can donate money to help keep this project
going.

Groceries for Families
www.commissaries.com/certificheck
The men and women who lay down their lives for us are terribly
underpaid. Help a family by purchasing gift certificates to the commissary.

Homes for Our Troops
www.homesforourtroops.org
Homes for Our Troops assists injured veterans and their immediate
families by building new or adapting existing homes with handicapped
accessibility.

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
www.intrepidmuseum.org/pages/intrepidfoundation
The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund provides grants to the families of
servicemen and women who died in Iraq. You can donate online, through
mail or by calling a toll-free number.

Military Moms
www.militarymoms.net
This site provides support to all of the moms out there who has a son or
daughter in the military.

MarineParents
www.marineparents.com
MarineParents is a place for parents of Marines to meet up. You'll find advice, support and information.

Operation: A Bit of Home
www.operationabitofhome.com
Operation: A Bit of Home supports over 150 different soldiers per day
by providing necessary and hard-to-get toiletries.

Operation Air Conditioner
www.operationac.com
Operation Air Conditioner provides not only air conditioners but
space heaters (the desert is cold in the winter) for soldiers in Iraq and
Afghanistan.

Operation Dear Abby
anyservicemember.navy.mil
The U.S. Navy and Dear Abby have teamed up. Their site allows you to
send e-mail messages of support to service members.

Operation Give
www.operationgive.org
Operation Give provides toys, clothing and school supplies primarily
to
the children of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Operation Gratitude
www.opgratitude.com
Operation Gratitude provides a way for you to show your respect and
appreciation for the troops. It sends care packages and letters to
troops
stationed overseas.

Operation Hero Miles
www.heromiles.org
You can donate your unused frequent flier miles to help soldiers
travel
on emergency leave. They are also used to help families fly to
hospitalized soldiers.

Operation Interdependence
www.oidelivers.org
Operation Interdependence supplies care packages to deployed
soldiers. You can help out by providing goods, coordinating efforts or donating funds.

Operation Iraqi Children
www.operationiraqichildren.org
Many soldiers are rebuilding schools in Iraq and scrounging around
for school supplies. Help by donating a school supplies kit.

Operation Kids for Troops
www.kids4troops.com
Write directly to men and women serving overseas in combat areas. Or
place the names of loved ones serving overseas on the "OKFT HeroList" to
receive encouraging mail.

Operation Uplink
www.operationuplink.org
Donate money to Operation Uplink. The money is used to purchase phone
cards so servicemen and women can call home.

Packages From Home
www.packagesfromhome.org
Packages From Home sends personal care and comfort items to U.S.
troops deployed overseas. Find out how to donate time, money or items to
this non-profit organization.

Soldiers' Angels
www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/index.php
Become some soldier's angel by adopting a service member.

Treats for Troops
www.treatsfortroops.com
Treats for Troops helps get you provide packages to your loved ones
overseas. If you don't know anyone, the Foster-A-Soldier Program
matches you with a registered soldier by branch of service, home state,
gender, or birthday - or you can choose to sponsor a group of soldiers.

US Central Command
www.centcom.mil
Find out what the Coalition is doing. U.S. Central Command features
up-to-date information on Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation
Iraqi Freedom.

USO Cares
www.usocares.org
You can sponsor care packages provided by the USO with a $25 donation.

Voice from Home
.voicesfromhome.org/home.html
Voices From Home allows military members and their families and friends to send and receive immediate voice e-mail messages in remote locations around the world.

Posted by: Mark T at January 17, 2007 12:10 PM

Terry, you got this exactly right. The time to oppose the war was before we went in. You saw the problems we might face, the difficulties, and the deaths that war always involves. That debate should have ended the moment we went in. I believe if every American had supported fully our troops, and devoted themselves to a win, we would be out of danger by now. It is obvious to me, that as support went down, the attacks went up. Our enemy could never defeat our troops, so they rely on Americans to pull them out, that is their only hope. How one can want to win political positions so badly as to harm our troops, and help the enemy, is stunning understanding of how little they care. They would rather lose a war, than lose an election. I am not saying anyone is unpatriotic, why they ignore facts is up to the individual.

Posted by: Robert at February 14, 2007 12:49 PM