Officially inside Baghddad Iraq, I must be totally honest here. That was a sobering thought. Getting off the plane, having NO idea what to expect. Fortunaly, it was alot like Kuwait, at least at first. It was dark when we got off the plane, one thing I noticed instantly was how dark the city was. Many of the buildings do not have, or do not use power.
Our group was shuttled quickly from the LZ to a breifing room and had our credentials and such checked out, and then into the welcome zone. Soldiers check in here and form up to go to their various bases.
I cannot tell you how quickly I realised that I was totally and completly. Lost.... It was not "press friendly" in the least. So, I started asking around, but quickly gave up on the media guys instructions to "find a chopper ride" to the LZ inside the International Zone. So I hopped on a bus with a group of soldiers to Camp Striker, where I could wait for the armored "Rhino" to give me a ride to the US Embassy in Baghdad. (This is why it helps to research the crap out of a place before you get there) While waiting for a bus, a very young and nervous looking PFC (Private First Class) told me "uh, dude, your helmet is way crooked." I told him it was the new style, and that it made me look dapper. I don't think he thought it was funny. Oh well.
At this point I havent shaved, bathed, or even seen a mirror in four days. I'm sure I smell like a bag of shame.
The bus ride is short, as we pull up to Camp Striker, the first thing I notice is a barrage of what they call "t-walls" I know now, that I'll see about a gazillion of these before my trip is done. But these were pretty much the first I'd seen. I make my way into the "Striker Stables" A hotel of sorts for soldiers on their way to various parts of the country. I get manifested, and again, I wait. For 7 hours.
It was a good wait though. Boring as Hell. But good. It helped to kind of wade my way into the fact that I was actually IN Iraq. Not much there but dirt and rocks. Not a sound to be heard, other than Blackhawks flying overhead. Striker Stables is literally lined with Liter sized water bottles, and MRE's, as well as a collection of books, magazines and games sent over in care packages. If you have ever wondered, if those collections of books and DVDs and such are going to a good cause, let me assure you, they definatly are. Corssword puzzles seem to be the favorite.
The TV is on the AFN network, broadcasting a simulcast of both Fox News, and MSNBC. (there are several channels you can choose on the AFN TV). There are signs everywhere stating that there is no sleeping in the common area. If you want to sleep at Striker you can billet yourself a tent at no cost. I chose to hang out and make sure to not miss my ride. After a quick call home to my wife on the satalite phone, a watch some news, walk down to the PX for a Diet Coke and some Burger King, and then take a nap on a T-Wall outside. You would think it would be somewhat disconcerting sleeping outdoors in Iraq. I have no clue why, but I was totally fine with it. Maybe it's the fact that at this point Im at less than 6 hours sleep in four days. Afterwards I go in and make friends with a Specialist Hernandez. He's a really cool medic about my same age, and very outgoing. He's on his way to Taji to finish the last 8 months of his deployment.
The Rhino arrives in the EAAAAARLY AM hours, getting on the Rhino it's clear that you are now in a war zone. A no nonsense contractor instructs on various procedures on what to do if we get hit, designates Spec Hernandez as our group combat medic, and tells us to turn off any and all devices, as they mayy set off IED's. The windows of the armored rhino are all blocked with news paper, and is escorted by the truck with our gear and a combat convoy of MRAP vehicles. (the things that will replace Humvees).
When we get to the wire, and enter the red zone everybody in the Rhino seems a little tense, but not overly so. Hernandez passes the time by talking about his family in Arizona, and asking questions about Las Vegas.
I get to the Embassy, and have the guys at the CPIC (combined press information center) come pick me up in an armored humvee. I was told I'd be out of the CPIC first thing in the morning.
Boy howdy. was THAT ever wrong. I ended up staying there (here...) for the next three days.
More about that, as well as my first daytime look at Baghdad coming soon!
-JON TO THE SMITH
Our group was shuttled quickly from the LZ to a breifing room and had our credentials and such checked out, and then into the welcome zone. Soldiers check in here and form up to go to their various bases.
I cannot tell you how quickly I realised that I was totally and completly. Lost.... It was not "press friendly" in the least. So, I started asking around, but quickly gave up on the media guys instructions to "find a chopper ride" to the LZ inside the International Zone. So I hopped on a bus with a group of soldiers to Camp Striker, where I could wait for the armored "Rhino" to give me a ride to the US Embassy in Baghdad. (This is why it helps to research the crap out of a place before you get there) While waiting for a bus, a very young and nervous looking PFC (Private First Class) told me "uh, dude, your helmet is way crooked." I told him it was the new style, and that it made me look dapper. I don't think he thought it was funny. Oh well.
At this point I havent shaved, bathed, or even seen a mirror in four days. I'm sure I smell like a bag of shame.
The bus ride is short, as we pull up to Camp Striker, the first thing I notice is a barrage of what they call "t-walls" I know now, that I'll see about a gazillion of these before my trip is done. But these were pretty much the first I'd seen. I make my way into the "Striker Stables" A hotel of sorts for soldiers on their way to various parts of the country. I get manifested, and again, I wait. For 7 hours.
It was a good wait though. Boring as Hell. But good. It helped to kind of wade my way into the fact that I was actually IN Iraq. Not much there but dirt and rocks. Not a sound to be heard, other than Blackhawks flying overhead. Striker Stables is literally lined with Liter sized water bottles, and MRE's, as well as a collection of books, magazines and games sent over in care packages. If you have ever wondered, if those collections of books and DVDs and such are going to a good cause, let me assure you, they definatly are. Corssword puzzles seem to be the favorite.
The TV is on the AFN network, broadcasting a simulcast of both Fox News, and MSNBC. (there are several channels you can choose on the AFN TV). There are signs everywhere stating that there is no sleeping in the common area. If you want to sleep at Striker you can billet yourself a tent at no cost. I chose to hang out and make sure to not miss my ride. After a quick call home to my wife on the satalite phone, a watch some news, walk down to the PX for a Diet Coke and some Burger King, and then take a nap on a T-Wall outside. You would think it would be somewhat disconcerting sleeping outdoors in Iraq. I have no clue why, but I was totally fine with it. Maybe it's the fact that at this point Im at less than 6 hours sleep in four days. Afterwards I go in and make friends with a Specialist Hernandez. He's a really cool medic about my same age, and very outgoing. He's on his way to Taji to finish the last 8 months of his deployment.
The Rhino arrives in the EAAAAARLY AM hours, getting on the Rhino it's clear that you are now in a war zone. A no nonsense contractor instructs on various procedures on what to do if we get hit, designates Spec Hernandez as our group combat medic, and tells us to turn off any and all devices, as they mayy set off IED's. The windows of the armored rhino are all blocked with news paper, and is escorted by the truck with our gear and a combat convoy of MRAP vehicles. (the things that will replace Humvees).
When we get to the wire, and enter the red zone everybody in the Rhino seems a little tense, but not overly so. Hernandez passes the time by talking about his family in Arizona, and asking questions about Las Vegas.
I get to the Embassy, and have the guys at the CPIC (combined press information center) come pick me up in an armored humvee. I was told I'd be out of the CPIC first thing in the morning.
Boy howdy. was THAT ever wrong. I ended up staying there (here...) for the next three days.
More about that, as well as my first daytime look at Baghdad coming soon!
-JON TO THE SMITH
1 comment:
Wow...thanks for the insight into your trip and the conditions there. Doesn't sound like much of a vacation, just a life changing experience.
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