Is it Safe?

24 April 2006

Is it Safe?

Is it safe here in Iraq?  Safety is relative.  There are places in the United States that I do not feel safe, but the residents of that particular place may.

There are some things to consider when you consider yourself safe; those that want to do you harm, your exposure to them, and your ability to protect yourself.

We all know the enemy here in Iraq.  He is an insurgent or a terrorist.  He does not want the U.S. in Iraq because we interfere with his attempt to formulate his ideological form of rule.  He is well-armed and determined. 

My exposure to the enemy is limited.  I live on Camp Fallujah.  It is a well-fortified base with many layers of security.  There is an extreme outer-layer composed of Marines, Soldiers, and Iraqi Army that take the fight to the enemy rather than having the enemy bring it here.  Much like we are a layer for you in the U.S.  We are taking the fight to the enemy rather than having them bring it to America, again.  These Soldiers patrol “outside the wire” day and night, killing or capturing those identified enemy personnel in order to continually disrupt their ability to group and coordinate attacks on us here, or you there.  At the wire is another layer of security.  Physical barriers and personnel man the entrances and perimeters 24/7.  The walls surrounding this camp exceed 10 feet in height and are topped with barbed wire.  Inside the camp the central portion is far removed from the perimeter such that most mortars cannot reach it; rockets may be able to hit the center, but they are very inaccurate in the manner the enemy uses them.  A lucky shot might make it in.  Even if it does, the inner portion of the compound is also cordoned by large walls and Hesco barriers throughout, so damage would be minimal from the shrapnel.

Finally, nearly every person on this camp is always armed.  I personally carry a 9mm Beretta with 30 rounds wherever I go.  Every Marine, Sailor, Soldier and most civilians are similarly armed.

So I think it is safe to say, so far, I feel safe.

Until next time

Rog

The Camp Fallujah 2 Minute Report

Hi Res
http://www.imef-fwd.usmc.mil/imef/InfolineMarines.nsf/DPSByID/0960761619E0DE4CC325715D00405AD6/$file/2%20min%20rpthi.wmv

Lo Res
http://www.imef-fwd.usmc.mil/imef/InfolineMarines.nsf/DPSByID/D1367E7A64CE9403C325715D00403322/$file/2%20min%20rptlo.wmv

More News From Iraq--A Different Side "Al-Anbar Province"

Heavy-handed assaults by the US military continue in Fallujah, where as recently as this Monday three Iraqi civilians were killed, along with 10 wounded in the Jebail district of the city.

Of the 10 wounded, three were women and two were children. According to Mustafa Karim, with an Iraqi security force in the city, "US forces fired on houses in the district following confrontations with armed groups in the vicinity." Karim added that residents of Fallujah have been demanding an easing of the tight security procedures imposed by Iraqi and US armed forces on the region since November 2004, which have obstructed the passage of civilians into and out of the region, and "Fallujah has been recently witnessing a renewed escalation of armed confrontations between US forces and armed Iraqi groups."In fact, fierce fighting in Fallujah has been ongoing since just a few months after the November 2004 US attack, which destroyed most buildings and homes in the city of 350,000 people.

But the US military doesn't want people to see that American soldiers are dying there on nearly a daily basis as of late. Rather than calling it Fallujah when soldiers die there, they prefer a sort of Bermuda Triangle approach and use "Al-Anbar Province" for the location of these deaths. Let's have a brief glance at some soldiers killed recently in "Al-Anbar Province":

• April 17, Department of Defense (DOD) announced (hyperlink 'announced' with http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/2006/nr20060417-12834.html ) the death of a Marine who "died April 14 from a non-hostile motor vehicle accident in Al-Anbar province, Iraq."
• April 16, CENTCOM announced: "Camp Fallujah, Iraq - A Marine ... died due to enemy action while operating in al Anbar Province April 15."
• April 16, Camp Fallujah, Iraq - Multi-National Forces (MNF) Iraq announced: "Three Marines ... died due to enemy action while operating in al Anbar Province April 15."
• April 15, Camp Fallujah, Iraq - MNF Iraq announced: "Two Marines died and 22 were wounded due to enemy action while operating in al Anbar Province
• April 13 ... Ten wounded Marines ... were evacuated to a medical facility at Camp Fallujah."
• April 15, DOD announced: "four Marines died April 15 when their HMMWV struck an improvised explosive device during combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq."
• April 11, DOD announced: "Lance Cpl. Juana NavarroArellano, 24 ... died April 8 from wounds received while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq."
• April 10, Camp Fallujah, Iraq - CENTCOM announced: "A soldier ... died from wounds sustained due to enemy action while operating in al Anbar Province April 8."
• April 10, Camp Fallujah, Iraq - CENTCOM announced: "Two soldiers ... died due to enemy Action while operating in al Anbar Province April 9."
• April 8, Camp Fallujah, Iraq - MNF Iraq announced: "A Marine ... died from wounds sustained due to enemy action while operating in al Anbar Province April 7."

Note the clue that several of these are issued from "Camp Fallujah, Iraq."This is hardly a complete list of US soldiers killed in Fallujah, and some of the aforementioned may not have actually been killed inside that city.

However, military announcements of the deaths of soldiers in other places mention the name of specific cities, whether they occur in Samarra or Tal Afar or elsewhere.Obviously the US military is being intentionally vague when it comes to their admittance of losing American soldiers within the city limits of Fallujah.

An email I received Monday from one of my sources in Fallujah sheds much light as to why this is the case, not only in Fallujah, but throughout Iraq.

Resistance [in Fallujah] is very active and all the destruction to the city by
American soldiers did not succeed to stop them. You know the city was totally
destroyed in the November attack and is still surrounded and closed for anyone
other than citizens of the city. What is going on now is that the Americans are
trying to conceal their failure here by not letting anybody in. There were at
least five explosions today and more than one clash between resistance fighters
and US soldiers. So all the military procedures, together with the thousands of casualties, were in vain. In short, the American Army seems to be losing control in this country and God knows what they will do in revenge. I expect the worst to come."

Six Marines, Sailor Mourned At Memorial Service in Iraq

Seven sets of dog tags, boots, rifles mounted into the ground with fixed bayonets, and Kevlar helmets were used to represent six Marines and one sailor at a memorial service April 18, 2006, at Camp Al Asad, Iraq.

All seven died when their seven-ton truck, part of a Marine combat logistics re-supply in Iraq"s Al Anbar Province, rolled over during a flash-flood April 2.

Hundreds of U.S. Marines, sailors, soldiers and civilians attended an April 18, 2006, memorial service for the seven fallen U.S. servicemembers, who died earlier this month due to a vehicle accident in western Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

Following the memorial service, Marines, many in tears, approached the seven-rifle display to pay final respects and give final, silent ‘good-byes" to friends lost. Some took photographs from afar of the memorial display, while others touched the boots or gripped the dog tags - eyes closed and heads bowed - to offer silent prayers. All seven fallen Marines and sailor were part of the Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based 1st Marine Logistics Group.

Here, Lance Cpl. Jennifer I. Morrison, a 21-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, and Marine bulk fuel specialist, grips the dog tags of Cpl. Brian R. St. Germain, one of eight U.S. servicemembers who died as a result of a vehicle accident April 2, 2006.

Lt. Col. Drew T. Doolin, commanding officer for Combat Logistics Battalion 7, speaks to hundreds of U.S. Marines, sailors, soldiers and civilians during a memorial service at Camp Al Asad, Iraq, for seven U.S. servicemen who died due to a vehicle accident earlier this month. The memorial service was held at the Marines’ base at Al Asad, Iraq, April 18, 2006, for six Marines and one sailor, all who died in Iraq’s western Al Anbar Province










Heads bowed in prayer, hundreds of U.S. Marines, sailors, soldiers and civilians attended an April 18, 2006, memorial service at Camp Al Asad, Iraq, for six Marines and one sailor who died earlier this month due to a vehicle accident in western Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Here, with their company’s red flag flapping in the breeze, Marines from Headquarters and Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 7, wait for the memorial service to begin. Of the seven deceased, three were from H&S Company.

Seven sets of dog tags, boots, rifles mounted into the ground with fixed bayonets, and Kevlar helmets were used to represent six Marines and one sailor at a memorial service April 18, 2006, at Camp Al Asad, Iraq.

All seven died when their seven-ton truck, part of a Marine combat logistics re-supply in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province, rolled over during a flash-flood April 2.Hundreds of U.S. Marines, sailors, soldiers and civilians attended an April 18, 2006, memorial service for the seven fallen U.S. servicemembers, who died earlier this month due to a vehicle accident in western Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Following the memorial service, Marines, many in tears, approached the seven-rifle display to pay final respects and give final, silent ‘good-byes’ to friends lost. Some took photographs from afar of the memorial display, while others touched the boots or gripped the dog tags – eyes closed and heads bowed – to offer silent prayers.

Laundry

21 April 2006

Hello from Fallujah,

LAUNDRY

I think laundry is often an overlooked, rote chore that most would take for granted.  There are no washing machines per se here in Iraq.  One must decide upon two choices for having their laundry done.  Gone are the days of a scrub brush in the deep sink, as laundry was once accomplished in the field.  We are much more high tech now.

The first choice is to take your mesh bag of weekly soiled clothes to the Army’s Laundering facility.  In true military fashion, your dirty skivvies are sorted, inventoried, separated, and then summarily dumped back into the mesh bag, where they are unceremoniously dumped with ten or more other mesh bags into one giant washing machine.  When done with the wash, the bags are transferred to the dryer.  From there they are sent to alphabetized bins awaiting their retrieval by their owners the next day.  This process is accomplished by no less than 15 or 20 Army soldiers.  Not that I am ungrateful or denigrating, but I would be personally disappointed to realize that my contribution to the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom was the laundry detail for a year.  I feel for those soldiers.  And I question the cleanliness of my laundry using this method. I can’t imagine how clean they can get when the clothes are bunched together in a mesh bag.  This facility was my first choice upon arrival because it was near where I live.  The clothes I got back looked smaller, like they were shrunk, but I think it was the process that simply bunched it all together giving each piece of clothing accordion wrinkles.

The second choice is the much preferred by those veterans that have been here awhile.  Kellogg-Brown & Root (KBR) is one of the main contractors for the military in Iraq and Kuwait. They provide much of the material facilities and services for us.  My understanding is that their laundry service actually washes each individual’s clothes separately and then folds them for you.  I can’t attest to this yet, having only been here a few days, but KBR will be my next choice when it is time for some clean skivvies.

So, when you next do a load of laundry, think of the poor soldiers that are trained to fight, and then sent to Iraq to wash and dry thousands of bags a month. Ah well, I appreciate them anyway, even if it isn’t glorious.

Until next time,

Rog

Test Message To All

All:
I am sending a test message to you all to make sure you receive Roger's postings on his blog. Every time a post is made you will receive an email forwarded from me. The website blogger address is as follows:

http://warblogfromiraq.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to post comments or articles. I will add each of you to the administrative function so you can post here for him to see as well.

Carol

Welcome to Camp Fallujah, Iraq

Arrived in Fallujah

 

19 April 2006

Hello from Camp Fallujah,

 

First, my e-mail address is different than previously published.  It is mulnixrl@gcemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil.

 

I finally arrived at my destination at 0200 on the 17^th of April after departing Camp Pendleton, CA on the 12^th.  My final leg from Kuwait to Fallujah included a C-130 trip into Taqaddam Air Base, Iraq, where I awaited a follow-on helo flight on a CH-53 into Fallujah.  The helo flight only took 15-20 minutes.  The aircraft only flew a couple hundred feet of the ground and the only lights were from the instruments on the dash.  The aircrew was flying on Night Vision Goggles (NVGs).  One crewman strapped himself onto the back ramp and kept a close watch for ground fire. Receiving and returning fire here is a coveted action.  It earns the Marine a Combat Action Ribbon.  It requires the individual be actually engaged in a fire fight (though it has been expanded to include victims of IEDs).  Most of us desk jockeys will never receive this award, rarely getting outside the wire.

 

I have been assigned my billeting.  I have a comfortable room that I share with one other Marine.  It comes with a 19 inch TV, DVD player, boom box, and refrigerator.  I can’t complain.  Life here isn’t so bad. The chow hall is good and so far the climate is moderate.  The high temperatures of summer haven’t hit yet.

Corrected Email Address

Roger's correct email address is:

mulnixrl@gcemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

News From Camp Fallujah, Iraq 4/15

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE - WEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ
April 15, 2006 Release A060415b

Two Marines killed, 22 wounded in al Anbar Province

CAMP FALLUJAH , Iraq – Two Marines died and 22 were wounded due to enemy action while operating in al Anbar Province April 13.

One Marine, assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, died at the scene of the attack. Another, assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5, died at a medical facility in Taqqadum.

Eight wounded Marines, all assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5, were evacuated by air to a medical facility in Balad. Two were listed in critical condition. Six were listed in stable condition.
Ten wounded Marines, all assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5, were evacuated to a medical facility at Camp Fallujah . Four were being held for observation. Six were treated and returned to duty.

Four other Marines assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5 received minor wounds.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the dead and wounded Marines,” said Marine spokesperson Lt. Col. Bryan Salas. “Our wounded Marines are receiving the best care available, and we look forward to their speedy recovery.”

The names of the deceased and wounded are being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense.

Police Station Opened
Fallujah, Iraq- A new police station opened in Fallujah Thursday. Top city officials attended the opening celebration, to include the city police chief, chief judge, and the mayor Dahri Alzobai. The stations, which has been up and running for three weeks, will serve the city's district headquarters with more than 1,500 Iraqi policmen.


Roles & Responsibilities
I MEF (or any MEF) is the largest echelon Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF). By definition, it is task-organized for a specific purpose but normally will include an aviation combat element (ACE) built around a Marine air wing (MAW), one or more ground combat elements (GCEs) up to division-sized and a force service support group (FSSG) for logistics. A MEF roughly equates to an Army corps-level combat organization.

Trip to Iraq

From Rog---

Hello All,
This post comes to you from Camp Victory, Kuwait. After a tiring 30 hour travel itenerary, I have a few hours to write while awaiting follow-on transportation into Iraq. My flight up to this point has been aboard a chartered, commercial 757 that started at March Air Force Base near Riverside, California and made stops in New Hampshire, Iceland, Frankfurt, arriving in Kuwait.

At all the U.S. stops we were greeted by various support groups that made the layover as comfortable as possble. VFWs supplied free cell phone use while American Legions, Marine Corps Leagues, and Red Cross representatives provided greetings, well wishes, donuts, coffee, magazines, and stimulating conversation. It is good to mingle with the older veterans and connect with their past. They love to relate and relive their tales from wars past. It gives a connection between the generations.

The camp here in Kuwait is one of four that have been created out of the desert for the U.S. Though hot, the temperatures are still relatively mild compared to the brutal summers where temperatures can reach 120 degrees plus. Blowing sand is constant and irritating.

My anticipation is rising, anxious to get settled in and start a new work routine. I spoke to my command this afternoon, but they couldn't chat long, they were under indirect fire attack (probably mortar or rocket) as we we talking.

The remiaining trip to my final destination could take another day or so as I await being manifested. From here in Kuwait it is a C-130 ride to Ali Air Base, then a helicopter (CH-46 or 53) ride to Camp Fallujah.

Send your thanks to the USO who provided this network link so that I could send this posting to the blog. They are always there, wherever we are.

Until next time, probably from Iraq.
Rog

Forward e-mail address

All,
Preparing to depart for Iraq somewhere between the 10th and 12th of April. I have sent my mailing address to the Blog already.

My likely e-mail address is as follows:
roger.mulnix@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

I say "likely" because I won't be sure until I get there. Once there I will e-mail the Blog and confirm. Until then you can still e-mail me at roger.mulnix@usmc.mil.

Regards,
Rog