TwinMom7
Proud Mom of a United States Marine
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2000
Marines Edgy as Convoy Advances into Iraq
WAR ON IRAQ: DESERT DISPATCH
By FRED DODD
SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ -- South Bend Marines pushed into southern Iraq on Sunday, most in a grueling 16-hour, 19-vehicle convoy that traveled a little more than 100 miles.
Marines were on edge during the trip and prepared for the worst after being warned of local pockets of Iraqi resistance. But they saw little of anything but sand and destroyed Iraqi tanks and personnel carriers.
In fact, they saw more camels than people, and the few Iraqis who lived along the route -- somehow surviving in a virtual wasteland -- smiled and waved at the Marines. Children and parents would all walk out near the vehicles to catch a glimpse of the Americans. A few Marines tossed items from their Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to the children.
The convoy traveled slowly in what was often deep sand. The South Bend reservists are combat engineers and carry heavy equipment such as bulldozers and backhoes on semi-truck trailers. This trip, they also hauled massive mine sweepers.
Twice, the convoy had to stop when semi-trucks with trailers, leased from Kuwait by the U.S. government -- reportedly at extravagant prices -- broke down, forcing the Marines to abandon the vehicles and their contents and to arrange to have someone else pick up their equipment.
Each time the convoy stopped, Marines leapt from the backs of cargo trucks to create a defensive perimeter around the vehicles. But the only resistance they met was when a herd of camels decided to lounge on the dirt trail just inside the border. A handful of tent dwellings dotted the route.
All along the route, the convoy passed and was passed by other convoys of various sizes. As Engineer Company B approached its destination, it drove by hundreds and hundreds -- maybe even thousands -- of heavy trucks loaded with ammunition, MREs and other supplies, giving Marines an idea of how massive the support effort is.
"It was amazing," said Sgt. Keith Waltz, 27, of LaPorte. "It really shows what a good job we're doing of supplying the units."
Finally, in the early morning hours, the convoy pulled to a halt at its destination entrance point, only to sit for several more hours waiting to be guided to its assigned area. Marines waited in the backs of trucks and on the ground next to the vehicles. Sleeping bags weren't within reach, so the chilly night temperatures made comfortable sleep virtually impossible.
"We tried to sleep in the back of the Humvee, but all you heard was chattering teeth," said Lance Cpl. Joshua Fine, a University of Notre Dame law student who lives in Mishawaka.
"It was the worst ride of my life," said Sgt. Ryan Jones, 24, of Hartford City, Ind. "But what do you expect? It's a war."
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So, girls - last week I worried he was in Iraq...this week I know he's there.
WAR ON IRAQ: DESERT DISPATCH
By FRED DODD
SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ -- South Bend Marines pushed into southern Iraq on Sunday, most in a grueling 16-hour, 19-vehicle convoy that traveled a little more than 100 miles.
Marines were on edge during the trip and prepared for the worst after being warned of local pockets of Iraqi resistance. But they saw little of anything but sand and destroyed Iraqi tanks and personnel carriers.
In fact, they saw more camels than people, and the few Iraqis who lived along the route -- somehow surviving in a virtual wasteland -- smiled and waved at the Marines. Children and parents would all walk out near the vehicles to catch a glimpse of the Americans. A few Marines tossed items from their Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to the children.
The convoy traveled slowly in what was often deep sand. The South Bend reservists are combat engineers and carry heavy equipment such as bulldozers and backhoes on semi-truck trailers. This trip, they also hauled massive mine sweepers.
Twice, the convoy had to stop when semi-trucks with trailers, leased from Kuwait by the U.S. government -- reportedly at extravagant prices -- broke down, forcing the Marines to abandon the vehicles and their contents and to arrange to have someone else pick up their equipment.
Each time the convoy stopped, Marines leapt from the backs of cargo trucks to create a defensive perimeter around the vehicles. But the only resistance they met was when a herd of camels decided to lounge on the dirt trail just inside the border. A handful of tent dwellings dotted the route.
All along the route, the convoy passed and was passed by other convoys of various sizes. As Engineer Company B approached its destination, it drove by hundreds and hundreds -- maybe even thousands -- of heavy trucks loaded with ammunition, MREs and other supplies, giving Marines an idea of how massive the support effort is.
"It was amazing," said Sgt. Keith Waltz, 27, of LaPorte. "It really shows what a good job we're doing of supplying the units."
Finally, in the early morning hours, the convoy pulled to a halt at its destination entrance point, only to sit for several more hours waiting to be guided to its assigned area. Marines waited in the backs of trucks and on the ground next to the vehicles. Sleeping bags weren't within reach, so the chilly night temperatures made comfortable sleep virtually impossible.
"We tried to sleep in the back of the Humvee, but all you heard was chattering teeth," said Lance Cpl. Joshua Fine, a University of Notre Dame law student who lives in Mishawaka.
"It was the worst ride of my life," said Sgt. Ryan Jones, 24, of Hartford City, Ind. "But what do you expect? It's a war."
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So, girls - last week I worried he was in Iraq...this week I know he's there.
