| STRAIGHT NEWS FROM IRAQ: Edd Hendee, of KSEV in Houston is embedded with Marine units in Iraq and is filing amazing reports about the progress of our troops on the ground.
By: Edd Hendee
Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005
I don’t want to go home.
There is a strong pull to stay with these guys._ Now I can understand why the man next to me re-enlisted after finishing his duty with this Marine unit._ Over breakfast Anthony told me of his family: he has a wife and 2 young children._ He had started a building business as he finished his reserve duty and every indication was that his future was as a civilian._ He had put in his time._ But within days the 1/23 Marine Reserve unit was called up to go to Iraq._ The men he had drilled and trained with for years were going into battle._ Anthony re-enlisted in the Marine Corps._
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His wife had a very hard time with that and it’s the only tough part of this deployment for him._ He misses his kids, understands he made an economic sacrifice, but trying to explain it to his wife was hard._ I could see her side of that discussion a few days ago._ Now I see his side too._ I spoke to my wife tonight on Sat phone – those calls have been our special time together._ Two weeks are insignificant compared to these guys 7 months – but it’s still a separation and it’s hard._ Tonight after she read the journal about the casualties – she said she understood._ I married a saint.
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Leaving the dam was emotional – but the convoy would be the only one I could make for 4 or 5 days._ The airspace in Iraq will be locked down for the election so there is ONE helo I can catch to Baghdad and it leaves from Al Asad tonight._ So I throw my gear in the back of the 7 ton and climb in the back right seat of the humvee._
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The convoy operations are fascinating to watch – they brief up like it’s a battle mission._ They roll in synchronized speeds and separations._ There is constant communication with rehearsed positions and formations._ Twice we stop “herringbone” (vehicles off road alternate left and right side) for security checks._ There are two places for very heightened security and the gunners are in constant communication with the vehicle commander._
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The driver is told to pass a “crater” on the roadway on the right side – that area has been cleared._ The vehicles drive in each others tracks so to reduce any chance of mine detonation outside of the original vehicles path._ There is an obvious relief from the Marines when the convoy enters Al Asad’s secure perimeter and they “go condition 4” on their weapons – unloading and clearing._ Helmets come off and smiles come back on.
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Al Assad looks like an oasis after that trip._ I visited with Col. Miller in his office on my return as he wanted to hear the details I had on the raid by watching the video._ His copy was on its way over later._ The PAO office of Capt. Parmer and Staff Sgt. Cress is my temporary office and after approval I send the journal page of the last 2 days to Houston where it’s posted on LoneStarTimes.com._
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The radio show today was held in the chow hall and it was very difficult to describe the last days._ I did the best I could and tried to give a complete story not only of the Marines casualties but the victories of the 10 KIA’s, top 2 bad guys out of action, additional high value target captured, and more intelligence taken in as well._
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Why do the media not report that? _I video taped the live ABC news report from the dam – no mention of the Marines victories – only the losses._
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In addition I told our listeners of the stories of Fallujah where the insurgents committed cold blooded murder on the civilians and blamed it on the Marines._
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Col. Miller had told me of one thug with an AK47 was shooting while holding a child in front of him as a shield._ The Marines took care of that one in a typically effective way – 2 snipers put this plan together in seconds – the first shot the wall next to him which startled him and he dropped the child._ The second sniper put a round between his eyes._ Marines love good shooting as they are all riflemen.
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More stories from a tank commander who told of the insurgent thugs putting a small child in the back of a booby trapped car._ The cries of the child did attract the Marines but they efficiently cleared the vehicle and were protected when it was set off and vaporized the “bait”._ The Marines were unhurt._
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The nature of this enemy has been revealed to me by countless first hand accounts from Marines who were there._ You would have to TRY not to report those facts for them to be omitted; I’ll leave you to your own conclusion._ When I left Houston with a message from Joe Reynolds for the 1/23 Marines he said, “Good luck….and good hunting.”_ Joe has been there and understands the mission._ We have begun to understand the enemy.
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Late that night I caught the “Jailbird 35” CH46 from Baghdad to Ramadi to another place to a fuel stop to 3 camps around Baghdad._ They are loud, vibrating, cold, and windy as heck, and a blast to ride on!_
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The back hatch is only partly closed and I was right at a window so I get a good view of the other CH 46 in formation lights out on a clear night with a full moon._ We take off from Ramadi and again I notice the gunner take a much more active position on his 50 cal – condition one and braced to fire as we clear the area on a hard left banking turn. A minute later he relaxes._
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Getting on and off a chopper with 2 rotors turning is an experience and I_ looked back at the last stop at the choppers as they lifted off on more missions flown at night with no lights – flying with night vision goggles._ These guys are good._ I get to a cot in some building in Camp Victory at 0230 – just another day hopping around Iraq.
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