"The Dusty Roads"
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Posted:Aug 31, 2007 4:43 am
Last Updated:Sep 4, 2007 2:15 am 2668 Views
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Simply put, just imagine yourself riding down a road and being blown up by a roadside bomb.
Just take a few minutes and roll that over in your mind.
Thought about it???
A thought, here, that is always in the back of your mind. In this confrontation the majority of all combat deaths are caused by them, 66% at last count. They are easy to construct, easy to hide and very, very, effective.
Road Side Bombs or IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) usually combine the effects of blast, fragmentation as well as armour penetration, through the use of shaped charge liners or camouflaged explosives. There are certainly enough explosives lying around or stashed away some estimates have been as high as 20 million of them scattered all about the country. Many have been removed but there are still lots of them out there being, used, found or turned over every day.
It’s not going to happen to us, we say, but, the thought continues to eat away and nags at the very root of your inner self. These weapons are probably the single most worry for any patrol or convoy on the roads.
You hardly think about it being you, usually, it’s your friends or colleagues that get it. Your mind revolves around thinking about treating them or managing the tactical situation after it happens, not about injuries to yourself. You always suppress the thoughts of personal injury. But, the clear fact that it can happen to you is presented on a daily basis in the news, and in the casualty quotas.
If someone were to ask me what I was most afraid of it would be these weapons. They are indiscriminate in many situations and kill both the combatants and innocent civilians.
These devices are remote controlled, triggered by infra-red, pressure bars or trip wires or remote control, are aimed to delay, or disrupt forces in their movement into a secured area. These IEDs are aimed at the softer sides of unprotected vehicles and armoured vehicles, and can be effective even from a distance of several meters.
IEDs can also be grouped by "daisy chains" inflicting maximum damage on convoys or patrols consisting of several vehicles. Using time delay activation, programmed to hit the rescue teams that rush to the scene is a frequent IED tactic. A common tactic aims at stopping the softer vehicle in a convoy or group, which can then be targeted by heavier charges employed by special teams covered by small arms fire, or RPG.
Total protection of vehicles against IED is virtually impossible, due to the illusive nature of the threat. Attempts to overcome this deficiency frequently led to "overkill" solutions, resulting in creation of super heavy monsters, which by limiting their mobility, became even more vulnerable to heavier fire.
The most effective countermeasures against IED is a balanced combination between physical protection and tactical conduct of operation. This becomes extremely difficult during prolonged peacekeeping security and stabilization operations under asymmetric warfare conditions, in which regular forces must quickly adapt their tactical drill procedures to unfamiliar combat situations. Troops operating in such high-risk environment must be able to improvise their tactics to counter the evolving threats facing them.
We do our best when on the roads to look out for possible places where they are hidden or placed. Sometimes they are placed right in the roads, surface laid as they are called other times they are hidden in dead animals or even are used to booby trap human remains. You have to avoid every hole, every thing in the road, or at the side of the road becomes a possible IED. It makes for a stressful and literally dangerous ride.
Yes we are adapting and to a greater degree are successful in removing them as a threat. Heavy armoured vehicles are being designed and deployed for the specific purpose of defeating them. There are teams out on the routes everyday clearing them, our hero’s, dedicated to one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. I salute and respect them for putting their lives in danger on a daily basis.
Because of these weapons our tactics have changed the history of their use extends back a hundred years, or, so, but no where ever have they been so effectively used.
Hopefully, we will develop a system that will counter this treat but until that happens we must adapt and modify to counter these awesome killing devices.
Mirin123
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Semper Fidelis
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Posted:Sep 7, 2007 8:01 am
Last Updated:Sep 7, 2007 8:02 am 2827 Views
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Semper Fi, as most often said, Latin, meaning "Always Faithful"
It's the US Marine Corps' Motto.
I like the US Marines, they are cool. They are clean cut, curtious and friendly, professional and do some very funny things sometimes. Never ceases to amaze me at their sense of respect for others.
Yesterday we lost 4 more, nearby, killed by a vehicle borne Imporvised Expolosive Device (VBIED).
They were manning a haisty vehicle check point something it really takes courage to do and something I certainly wouldn't want to do.
I couldn't help but wonder if I knew any of them, if I had met them on the road or seen them doing their duty as I so often do or had I sat with them in the Dining Facility or been on the range with them.
Don't know for sure, but, I do wonder.
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More on Light
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Posted:Feb 9, 2008 1:46 pm
Last Updated:Mar 13, 2008 1:51 am 3041 Views
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For years I used only the automatic settings on my cameras. Mostly because, yes, you guessed it I didn't take the time to read the manual.
The most important thing you can do when you get any new device is take the time to learn about what it can do and how to prevent making mistakes.
I know it's hard for us men to do but we can and when really forced we sometimes do. You women know how we are. Speaking of you women when it comes to techinical things I've often saw you doing some really unsual things. Potterspal put up a perfect example the other day.. What a real parking lot that was.
Seriously, I know the technical jargon can sometimes be overwelming but you will be pleasantly suprised with how much easier it will be in the long run.
Todays Tips
Learn to shoot Manually for those of you who have this setting. The light will be more natural because the digitals and regular cameras can only do so much on automatic.
Yesterday I told you to shoot your pictures in the morning or at dusk because the light is less harsh. Another thing is if you shoot pictures during the day shoot in the shade.
Don't forget to adjust your cameras light settings. In otherwords if you are shooting in Daylight choose the Daylight setting. If you are shooting in the Shade choose the Shade setting. Get my driff?
Lastly, use a tripod.. in low light settings and with most everything to get sharper images. Some tripods are inexpensive so you don't have to spend a lot of money on them in general unless you seriously get into taking photos.
One more thing, I was telling Lydia the other day that I had no real experience with taking pictures of people. I have always preferred taking photos of Landscapes, Buildings and things in general.She gave me some encouragement and I worked up a little courage and guess what I found out.
Taking pictures of people is almost like carrying around a puppy. You get a lot of attention and you meet all kinds of people.
Mirin123
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Thinking Back
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Posted:Oct 19, 2007 3:45 am
Last Updated:Nov 6, 2007 1:23 pm 3253 Views
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"Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war." Ernest Miller Hemmingway
The past few days have been really hectic. We have travelled from the mid north, to central, to the Syrian border, back to mid north, and back to central, and back to mid north, back to the Syrian border, back in the mid north and now another month!
I’ve seen a lot of different things and talked with many of my old friends. As I was talking with them, along the way, it really struck me how many nationalities of people I have met while working here.
Excluding all of the US 50 states, mostly there are the folks from the UK. Now, that country or group of countries is a diversity in it’s own self. You have, the Welsh, the Northern Irish, the Scottish, the Geordies (Newcastlians), the Cornish, the Scousers (Liverpudlians), the Londoners (especially Cockney) and of course the “Posh” all with an accent and dialect of their own. They always make fun of mine but if they really have to look at themselves.
Then enters the SA’s or ZA’s, the Boer, the Capetowners, the Durbans, the Pretorians and the Zulu; followed by the Aussies, the New Zealanders, the Dutch, the Germans, the French, the Egyptians, the Filipinos, the Nepalese, the Lebanese, the Turks, the Rhodesians (yes, some still consider themselves so), the Hungarians, the Croatians, the Italians, the Spanish, the Columbians, the Ugandans, and of course the Iraqi’s (Sunni, Shiite, Kurdish, and Christians).
My experiences here have been so different and various it’s difficult looking back to remember all of the things that I did and the places I went to. I haven’t been to every place here but I’ve been to every modern city and town, from the north to the south and from the east to the west. I was in the oldest inhabited city in the world, Arbil or Irbil, and drove down every major highway.
I was able to walk the halls of Saddam Hussein’s Presidential Palace and stood in the same square where his statue was pulled down at the beginning of his downfall. Saw his ’s lions and know their story and where they are today. That was a good story but FF wouldn’t let me post it seems as though animal abuse is a forbidden topic. I was here when they captured, Saddam, watched as the country celebrated and as they took him to trial and was here when he received his punishment.
Spent a few days and nights in some of the old Bath Party facilities and motored through most every street in Baghdad. I stayed in two of the best hotels, the Sheridan and the Palestine, at Scania’s way station; in many of the so called accommodation units, on the side of the road, in tents and in the out of doors under the desert sky.
I’ve can, now, recognize almost every countries war machines and know how to tactically operate in a dynamic ever changing battlefield; learned to operate weapons systems that most people can only play with in computer games. I know how to navigate effectively with modern GPS’s, a compass and map, dead reckon by the seat of my pants and can communicate using a variety of different radios, satellite systems, telephones, computers; in various languages, emails, with flags and sometimes even with good old sign language.
Was able to walk straight into the Duty Free Shop at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) when there was no security and buy what I wanted and walk out without every having ticket. Stood on the side of route Irish and watched as “Air Force One” landed at the BIAP bringing “President Bush” to speak with the soldiers and here when he landed at Al Asad to speak with “The Awakening” tribal leaders.
I stood by horrified as I saw the after effects of a VBIED for the first time. When another VBIED killed my friends and colleagues and that event was paraded, like a trophy kill, on TV, by Al Qaeda; I had real hatred enter my life. I had to learn to control hate and rid myself of it. I was changed here went through some bad times and as many good times and I think I have become a better person for it.
"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity." General Dwight D. Eisenhower
My colleagues taught me about Rugby, Football (Soccer to you Americans) and Cricket. Three sports I had no idea about and now I have a working understanding of how they are played and who’s in the running for the championships. Well, all except Football which has so many divisions that I just picked a couple teams to follow. It must be a full time occupation to keep up with them all. Tomorrow England will play South Africa in Rugby. I’m a South African fan the only time I was for England was when they played the French.
I watched a man spinning lambs wool into yarn and making tea on a fire. Experienced the cultivation and harvest of dates and was amazed at how they irrigate the fields. I smiled at the school going to and from school and was happy to see this begin again. Watched has they fought us, then us and each other and now seeing them realize that all that was all just a waste.
One of the most challenging things was learning to drive where there are no rules except the rules of the day. Rules that can change on a moments notice and where “anything goes” is the name of the game. I can drive now with a confidence that if I need to adapt to the conditions I most certainly know that I can.
We were part of rebuilding the electrical grid, working on 21 different substations and building and re-building 4 major power plants. We were involved in re-establishing the oil pumping stations, a natural gas storage facility and water pumping stations. We even were part of getting the Hiditha Dam back in order.
And, for the past year we have been convoying supplies and equipment and moving engineers around who are building and re-building police stations and Iraqi Army camps. This is where I learned the most about the countries people and their way of life. Up until this year there was little contact with them but in doing this I was able to see a lot of the real desert places and the oasis’s and the people who live there.
Seen and spoken to so many people and heard as many different ideas about what should have and can be done about this situation. Here I learned about the land of “Babel” any of you who have been here know exactly what I mean; all of those different conversations, people, and ideas lean meaning to the old biblical story.
Something I didn’t get to do, was to, swim in the Tigris and the Euphrates nor did I get to see the ancient city of Babylon. I did though follow the Tigris and Euphrates and they are very beautiful rivers and there are beautiful places all along their banks. It would be nice to take a boat trip up both rivers. Maybe I can come back sometime later and do those very things
My friends made here are my friends for life. They would have died for me and I for them. Nothing could have been better than to have been here with them nor could I have been on a better path then with these chosen few. We have had some of the funniest, happiest, saddest and most intense situations. It was a special time in my life and will never be forgotten.
“War is hell but actual combat is a mother f…..”, Colonel Dave Hackworth
It holds true with what many have experienced in this God awful situation. Now, I have another month
Mirin123
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Surprise
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Posted:Oct 15, 2007 8:28 am
Last Updated:Feb 21, 2008 4:56 pm 3029 Views
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After what happened to Jiffyblue...I started thinking I better learn more about how this site works..
And, Surprise!!!!! I found something I didn't know existed "Where you have been Quoted"
Now, I have to go back and look at all those comments I had no idea that were there.
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Thinking
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Posted:Oct 12, 2007 11:31 am
Last Updated:Oct 15, 2007 8:00 am 2444 Views
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"I can't see you so I have to look inside you."
Mirin123
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"War Is Not Glorious, But, Glorious Things Happen In War"
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Posted:Sep 1, 2007 6:26 am
Last Updated:Sep 4, 2007 2:15 am 2871 Views
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Minimum number of Iraqi Casualties 71017
Maximum number of Iraqi Casualties 77555
I missed this the other day and found a site I think that tries to accurately present the figures. One see’s from the onset the enormous difference between Coalition Casualties and Iraqi Civilian Casualties (See Another Hot Day). The Iraqi people have certainly paid a high price.
.......
The IRAQ BODY COUNT Database
(downloaded directly from the site)
This is an ongoing human security project which maintains and updates the world’s
only independent and comprehensive public database of media-reported civilian deaths in Iraq that have resulted from the 2003 military intervention by the USA and its allies.
The count includes civilian deaths caused by coalition military action and by military or paramilitary responses to the coalition presence (e.g. insurgent and terrorist attacks). It also includes excess civilian deaths caused by criminal action resulting from the breakdown in law and order which followed the coalition invasion.
Results and totals are continually updated and made immediately available here and on various IBC web counters which may be freely displayed on any website or homepage, where they are automatically updated without further intervention. Casualty figures are derived from a comprehensive survey of online media reports from recognized sources.
Where these sources report differing figures, the range (a minimum and a maximum) are given. This method is also used to deal with any residual uncertainty about the civilian or non-combatant status of the dead. All results are independently reviewed and error-checked by at least three members of the Iraq Body Count project team before publication.
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As I said previously what I’m trying to do is present a even and as accurate as possible picture of what is going on here. Many times it will be my own opinion but at times from reputable resources on the net such as above.
You don’t have to read my blog it’s up to you and it’s your decision. I welcome a good discussion and I’m willing to listen.
Note : There are those who wish to create an even more hostile situation for all of us here. To those of you I wish to say your opinion is greatly appreciated but please don’t make senseless stupid comments. Like one I saw today “Read the Bible not the Koran”.
It was full of rude smiley faces depicting the Bible as good and the Koran as bad. These are not worth arguing because they are from people who have small minds and little to say.
If you really want to argue it out, do so, but, keep those kinds of useless comments for yourself. Get to the root of how you really feel and maybe people can understand you, make adjustments to thier way of thinking or give consideration, at least, to your feelings.
My objective is to open up minds to the reality of the situation. I’m not a journalist and one would certainly be able to eat me alive in a wordy conversation, so, bear with me in my grammatical misgivings.
I do want things to get better and in the end make a difference for everyone concerned. So, roll these figures over in your mind and think about what was said. They contain not only the deaths caused by Coalition actions but also the deaths caused by the break down of law and order and “criminal actions”.
I recently had to go to a Coroners Inquiry into the death of one of my good friends here. That inquiry was convened to establish his cause of death.
My friend died as the result of an Explosive Forced Projectile type of roadside bomb. It was very interesting to me that the final cause of death was listed as “Criminal Death As A Result of an Explosive Device”.
Even though this a war, one must always keep in the back of their mind that there are criminals here, cruel, vile and evil. People who commit crimes against innocent people. Be they on the right or left there are always criminals in war.
It makes me wonder how many of these deaths are caused by the "Criminals" and not the combatants.
Judging by what I see there are far more innocent casulties than combatant casulaties.
Make your own conclusions.
Mirin123
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Ah! Corpus Christi
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Posted:Aug 31, 2007 12:16 pm
Last Updated:May 24, 2024 7:26 am 3114 Views
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driving out of the desert
stars were caressing mother earth’s prickly coat
the moon surrounded us with her shinning fleece
coyote’s sang their lonesome song of solitude
coolly and pleasantly,the road stretched forth
a distant glimmer displayed the point of god’s blessing
Ah! Corpus Christi
the palms were alive, waving, bowing;
eloquently expressing a dazzling welcome
boats drifted whimsicaly in the harbor
gentle winds blew through the masts
the halyards chimed a musical enchantment
seagulls drifted, spying, patiently waiting
rhythmic waves buffeted the white sands
salsa and celebration were in the streets
drawn into the kaleidoscopic mixture of people
we melted into each other
Ah! Corpus Christi
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Awake There's Thunder
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Posted:Aug 30, 2007 1:09 pm
Last Updated:Sep 6, 2007 12:53 pm 3149 Views
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Awake There’s Thunder
Cries of Despair
Life’s Sustenance Flows in the Streets
Confusion, Anger, Hatred
Awake There’s Thunder
Acrid Smells Of Burned Powder
Sirens, People Pushing, Threatening
Smoke Fills the Air
Awake There’s Thunder
Save the Injured
A Father’s Worst Nightmare
Life’s Cruelty Revealed
Awake There’s Thunder
Why, Why, Why, They Say
Bodies Go By
Endless, Senseless, Mindless
Awake There’s Thunder
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Can you Imagine?
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Posted:Aug 30, 2007 3:58 am
Last Updated:Sep 4, 2007 2:18 am 2730 Views
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We’re setting in a ¾” thick steel box, surrounded by 110 degrees, and the sun bearing down without the littlest bit of air passing over us.
It reminds me of Paul Neumans’ movie, “Cool Hand Luke”. You know where he’s stuck in the metal building for days on end for his indiscretions as far as escape were concerned.
The metal gets so hot that even the least bit you wear on your body can burn you. Once my watch got so hot it produced a perfect 1st degree burn around my arm. I couldn’t wear it for the following 2 days.
When first arriving here you see people wearing long sleeves and the characteristic head coverings of the desert people. You shrug it off and wonder why someone would be so stupid. People are seen laying under trucks, beside walls, anywhere there is shade you will see the congregations. It gives the appearance of laziness and a sloth like society.
Water becomes a focus in your life. Drink, drink, drink, you tell yourself, it becomes as necessary as breathing. You feel it the minute your body sweats out the water. You become sluggish and irritable and if not careful dizzy and weak. Wonder goes through your mind when you don’t need to relieve yourself or when you do it’s orange, dark, scant and the sudden reality of the necessity of drinking hits you.
Salts leave rings on your clothing. There in the west, you, spend all kinds of money to prevent yourself from sweating. Here you quickly learn that if you don’t sweat you are in trouble, serious trouble. The heat the relentless heat of this desolate place is a killer. Sweating cools the body and is a welcome relief from the heat. If you don’t sweat your body will not cool and you will be consumed by the heat.
Quickly you learn you must be on guard and respect the old ways. As hard as it may seem, in the heat of the day without shade and the glorious luxury of western air conditioners, you find yourself under a truck doing the only thing reasonable. Everyone tries all kinds of methods to get relief from it, from, freezing bandanas to spraying misted water on themselves but the most important thing of all is to consume the water and keep your own natural air conditioner operating properly.
You learn the movements of the sun. You know when the shade is best and when it’s the least. As for changes in temperature you feel every degree as it climbs and every degree when it falls. Sometimes there’s as much difference as 20 degrees between it’s peak and the welcomed coolness of the night.
When you move around in armoured vehicles it’s not only the heat. There’s noise, dust, fumes, and the constant hot wind like a hot air dryer blowing in your face, all become a constant aggravation. You have to wear gloves and try to never touch the exposed metal.
As for your box it protects you from something even more deadly. It’s necessary and without it you will surely be food and quickly eaten. Yes, some are lucky to have the a/c but to often the heat overcomes the best of systems. You have to have the metal but at a high cost if you don’t practice good common sense.
Ammo becomes a real concern. The temperatures are so high that images of it going off in your face begin to creep into you mind? Surely that will not happen, you tell yourself, but, you know that with this kind of heat anything can happen. With the heat you have to take all kinds of precautions. Vehicles have to be in the best of shape, no costs spared to keep them there.
Your personal gear sometimes weighing up to 60 pounds or more weighs you down. There’s water, body armour, weapons, ammo, flashlights, GPS, radio, asp, extra batteries, emergency locating devices, smoke, knife and many other small items that all add to the weight, and the heat..
All the time in the back of your mind you know the enemy has the advantage. This is his home; this is where he grew up, he knows the terrain, he knows how to survive.
You wonder, can I match his skills?
How long can I truly survive without my western niceties to protect me from the bare facts of this barren and harsh place?
Then you know the logic of adaptation.
Mirin123
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