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January 30, 2009
Letters From Iraq: Outside the Wire
386th Air Expeditionary Wing
My day began at 5 a.m. by attending the "guard mount" along with the other Airmen who would be conducting a patrol outside the wire. This morning a salty old Master Sergeant was in charge and methodically discussed the concerns of the day. His manner bespeaks of a veteran who has clearly performed the mission more than once and is able to convey a sense of confidence expected of one with his experience.
By Lt. Col. Greg Laffitte
887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron
Lt. Col. Greg Laffitte is serving with the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Camp Bucca, Iraq. He writes weekly commentaries about his deployment.
CAMP BUCCA, Iraq
My day began at 5 a.m. by attending the "guard mount" along with the other Airmen who would be conducting a patrol outside the wire. This morning a salty old Master Sergeant was in charge and methodically discussed the concerns of the day. His manner bespeaks of a veteran who has clearly performed the mission more than once and is able to convey a sense of confidence expected of one with his experience.
Assembled for this "o-dark-early" briefing are the troops whose ages range from 20 years up to 50. No surprises here as the 50 year old guy is yours truly. A quick scan of the audience reveals not only men but women as well. From my vantage point I see the faces of your sons and daughters poised and ready to accomplish their mission. I am proud to serve with them and realize these are America's finest.
My mission today was to provide emergency medical care in support of the Airmen patrolling sectors of the countryside. We would also provide security for a municipal meeting with local civic leaders where water supply concerns would be discussed. I was looking forward to this patrol as it would be my first time interacting with Iraqi citizens in their neighborhoods.
Once the guard mount was complete it was time to go. The convoy slowly headed out of the Forward Operating Base ensuring the 5 mph speed limit was not broken. Yes you can get a speeding ticket here and the troops don't want to have to see the "shirt" when that happens.
Our armored vehicles are heavy and have knobs and various pieces of structure that can really put a dent in your "nugget" if you hit your cranium while not wearing your helmet. Standing over six feet tall, I have to really be careful not to bang my head, especially while exiting the truck. Once strapped in you put your headset on and make sure your "comm" is good to go. It never ceases to amaze me how a group of Airmen can so quickly turn a mundane subject into a hilarious comedy. There had been some talk about stopping at a local roadside vendor and trying out the menu. As the onboard medic I voiced my concerns and within minutes the troops had the conversation "bottomed" out if you get my drift.
We arrived at our village and exited the truck. My first walk down an Iraqi street was not exactly what I had expected. Off to my left was a pile of debris where at least six puppies were nursing from their mother.
Off to my right was a medium sized dog who apparently was having a bad day and liked to show his teeth!
After walking for less than 10 minutes, I was greeted by a crowd of school-aged boys who seemed like they had finally met up with a long lost friend. I could scarcely believe the reception I was being given.
These kids were wanting to shake my hand and in broken English kept telling me, "America number one!"
We conducted our business then made our way to the municipal building where, this time, we were greeted by older Iraqi gentlemen who were as courteous as your best friend's family. I walked around the area keeping a constant look out for suspicious activity when I got hit.
The object was a soccer ball and the perpetrator was a 6-year-old boy with a passionate love of soccer. Within minutes this kid and I were kicking his soccer ball back and forth and having a good old time. Another boy whom I would have guessed to be about 14 approached me and in broken English began discussing professional wrestling. I somehow got the impression he thought I looked like some wrestler named The Undertaker whom he had seen on TV. My first up close and personal interaction with the people of Iraq was definitely a genuinely friendly exchange.
Iraq is a sovereign country as of Jan. 1, 2009. This is of enormous significance because the Iraqi government is clearly driving the bus now. American servicemen and women serving here appreciate that fact because it demonstrates how far we have come in creating stability and security in this country. The citizens of Iraq are definitely on the road to progress and are enthusiastic about an upcoming election only days away. Our role here is to defend the progress and protect against any insurgency which might attempt to disrupt that progress.
Before we departed the municipal compound, I noticed something worth mentioning in closing.
Standing to my left was an African-American Airman and to my right was a Filipino-American Airman.
Here were three ethnically diverse American servicemen united as one force protecting the rights of the Iraqi people who were also on the eve of a historic election. I think that's kind of cool.
Wild Thing's comment........
God bless our troops. They have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to have such great success. All the branches of service need to be thanked.
I pray Obama will hold off on pulling out of Iraq and at least listen to our military on how to do things. Obama in NO way is qualified to make such decisions like this.
Posted by Wild Thing at January 30, 2009 04:40 AM
Comments
Great read Chrissie...I agree...Mr Zero should make his decisions based on recomendations from the Comanders on the ground.God bless all of our men and women in uniform.
Posted by: James M at January 30, 2009 06:21 AM
"Standing to my left was an African-American Airman and to my right was a Filipino-American Airman"
It strikes me a odd that people have to point out hyphenated-Americans. By doing so it's like those two others were somehow second class Americans. I would rather he just said two other Americans were standing next to me. I don't want diversity, only Americans.
Posted by: BobF at January 30, 2009 07:30 AM
Does it matter to al-Obama if all gains in Iraq are lost? Does he care that Americans and Allies as well as the Iraqi citizens slide back into the abyss of failed history at the hands of Democrat administrations? No!!!
Interesting, now that Bush is gone that the UN just announced that 500 Million displaced Iraqi's are moving back to Iraq.
Stealing the valor of president Bush is one thing, but stealing the valor of those who accomplished it is quite another. You disgust most Americans Obama.
As for Lt. Col. Greg Laffitte, his choice of descriptors is demeaning, all his 'airmen' are Americans, not something else first Americans that hypenated American political correctness crap is divisive bullshit.
Men of my unit weren't referred to as Mexican-Americans, or in the case of the two who manned the melted down M60 under intense small arms fire until the exploding 175 ammunition forced them off their position, they were Americans, even though one was of Canadian citizenship and the other was of German citizenship, they were brothers, fellow Americans. The earned their citizenship just like many others, they'd be embarrassed to be categorized as Hypenated-Americans. Yeah Bob, it pisses me off too!!!
Shame on you Lt. Col. Greg Laffitte for using that term to exploit your political correct flourish, otherwise thank you for a caring for those under you.
Thank you U.S. Air Force and all the American Service members, men and women serving.
Posted by: Jack at January 30, 2009 10:03 AM
James M., I was not sure about posting it. I liked a lot of the letter but I was turned off by his descriptions of his men, labeling them this one is this, that one is that.
I went ahead and posted it partly because of the other things he said and also for discussion about his remarks that were out of line.
Thank you James.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 30, 2009 06:25 PM
BobF, I agree!!!!!
That part of the letter shocked me and I almost didn't post it.
The letter had some information in it I liked hearing about, things we don't hear in the news, but other then that he showed his true heart as to how he looks at people I think. Labeling them. NOT GOOD.
Thanks Bob.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 30, 2009 06:31 PM
Jack, DITTO
"As for Lt. Col. Greg Laffitte, his choice of descriptors is demeaning, all his 'airmen' are Americans, not something else first Americans that hypenated American political correctness crap is divisive bullshit."
It is a good letter of other things and when he did his descriptions of his airmen it took a downturn that actually showed a lot more about Laffitte then he realizes. Sad that he does not get it.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 30, 2009 06:35 PM
