SPECIAL REPORT: TRIP TO IRAQ
How do you define an unforgettable trip?
I have just returned from a trip to Iraq where I accompanied a group of veteran organization commanders from American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, MOAA and the trip coordinator from the Pentagon. I had the privilege of representing the American GI Forum of the U. S. at the request of the National Commander. He was unable to attend, due to family sickness, I was asked if I would be able to travel to Iraq and represent the American GI Forum, I gladly accepted.
Each war is unique and the war in Iraq is no different, more so it is a modern war. WWII was a traditional war where traditional weapons were used, the Korean War with its cold weather and mountainous terrain started at the 38th parallel and ended at the 38th parallel, the Vietnam War was a humid jungle warfare where defoliant chemicals were used that caused long term health effects to our military personnel as well as civilians.
The Iraq War is a modern war where the latest state of the art technology (computers, GPS, unmanned planes, satellite surveillance etc., etc.) are made available to the military personnel in the day to day activities. The fighting force consists of an integrated military of men, women, soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen and civilians who are there exposed to daily 100 degree plus heat, defending the Iraqi people, a people they never knew. Every person plays a vital role with a mission, to fight against terrorism. Their experience will be written in their memories forever.
The veteran delegation arrived in Kuwait, via Dubai, on Friday June 19th. We were met by military escorts and transported to our hotel where we remained overnight. The next day we were transported to the military airport in Kuwait, where we boarded a C-130 cargo plane and flew to Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq. At Camp Victory we were met by our military escort, who would be with us throughout our stay in Baghdad. We were transported in black suburban SUV’s with military escorts to our hotel, a converted Sadam Husain Palace, located on a lakeside, which would be our residence during our stay in Iraq. Our business day started after breakfast at 0830 every morning. Following is our itinerary during our stay in Baghdad:
Sunday June 21st: Two of us attended catholic mass at the Camp Victory Chapel. After mass the veteran delegation was driven around the area to show us some of Sadam’s Palaces (Sadam had 150 Palaces built for him and his family) and other places of interest surrounding Camp Victory. Military personnel and civilian contractors live in trailers that are surrounded by cement barricades that are approximately 2 feet wide and 12 feet high.
Monday June 22nd: Traveled to a Palace across the lake from where we are staying named Al Faw Palace. This luxury Palace is currently being used as the command post for the Commanding General of Iraq and his staff, General Ray Odierno. After a tour of the palace we were escorted to Gen. Odierno’s office, where we met with him for 30 minutes. He briefed us on the status on the U.S. occupation in Iraq, its mission, timeline transitioning of military duties to Iraq national police and timeline of withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq as per the agreement with Iraq. He was concerned on the issue of multiple deployments and the effect on families. At the end of the meeting each one of us took a picture with the General and he presented us with a medal from the Commanding General.
After meeting the Commanding General we met with Brig. General Hummer who is the commander of the U. S Marines in Iraq and Lt. General Jim Hunt, U.S. Army. Again we were briefed on the Multi National Forces mission in Iraq and the status of training of the Iraq Forces.
Attended a ceremony for six wounded warriors that were in Iraq to visit the sites where they had been injured as part of their therapy for closure of their experience. The wounded warriors, some in active duty and some retired from service, were sponsored by a non profit organization. Those that apply to make the trip are thoroughly screened and evaluated before they are selected.
Tuesday June 23rd: Traveled by helicopter to a security command post near the city of Sadr and were joined by the wounded warriors. The briefing informed us as to the current situation in Sadr today compared to what it was 2, 3, 4, years or 18 months ago. We were briefed on the security monitoring of Sadr city by a blimp like vehicle that is suspended in the air at approximately 1000 ft or less with monitoring devices that scan the whole city of Sadr for suspicious behavior. When activity is deemed to require action, troops can be deployed to the area in a matter of minutes or appropriate action can be taken using GPS guided weapons. Monitoring of the city is done in a control room where live pictures transmitted by the surveillance cameras are being monitored in giant sized screens by U.S. military personnel.
Another monitoring devise that is used is a small airplane with a 3 foot wing span instrumented with camera and GPS control system. The plane is controlled by computer from the ground and can fly and take pictures of selected sites within the city.
Wednesday June 24th: Wednesday was our last day in Iraq, so we got up and packed our bags. We were picked up by our military escorts and driven to the Helicopter Pad to travel to the International Zone (IZ) also known as the Green Zone. We flew over Sadr City and I was surprised to see the heavy Iraq civilian traffic in the streets. Upon arrival at the IZ we were picked up by our security detail and driven in our assigned security vehicles to our next meeting at NATO Headquarters. Our route to the NATO compound took us on the street where we drove under the Cross Sword Memorial which I had seen on TV several times. We were escorted to the UK NATO compound where we were briefed on the duties of the UK NATO Forces in the training of the Iraq National Police. After an hour briefing we were then escorted to the Italian NATO compound where we were briefed on the Italian NATO Forces duties which are also training Iraq National Police.
The operation by the UK and Italian NATO Forces is a joint campaign plan to train military and national police to carry out missions to clear neighborhoods and deny insurgents safe heavens, prevent Al Qaeda and foreign fighter flow into cities, clear and hold key urban areas, and prevent Iranian influence flow. A training demonstration of Iraq national police, by the Italian Cabarini elite forces, was presented which included firing of weapons at the firing range at body silhouettes , riot control, VIP security escort, patrol counter attack response, and entering and searching building to clear of insurgents.
After leaving the NATO compound we were boarded the Helicopters and were flown to Camp Victory airport where we had late lunch. After lunch we were escorted to the runway where a C-130 Cargo plane was waiting for us to fly us to Kuwait and start back on our long journey home by way of Dubai.
SUMMARY
Briefings by Commanding General Ray Odierno, other Generals, key officers, and NATO personnel, indicates that the Coalition training of Iraq military and police, which also includes human rights procedures, has been very successful and as of this writing, city control of Iraq cities is being turned over to Iraq control. However, U.S. military personnel will be side by side with the Iraq military as observers and advisors. The U.S. goals for Iraq are; an Iraq that is sovereign, stable and self-reliant, an Iraq government that is just, representative and accountable, an Iraq that contributes to the peace and security of the region. Today, the message is that the operation is on schedule according to the timeline and agreement with Iraq
The violence that is being caused by insurgents has turned the Iraq people against the insurgents to the point that now people are vigilant of those causing the violence and reporting them to the authorities
The U.S. military troops that I came in contact with had a high level of morale but seemed to be bored due to lack of activity. Their equipment from clothing, technical equipment, transportation, weapons, etc. is the latest and best equipment available. Housing and food are adequate. Housekeeping, laundry and food dispensing is done by private contractors.
I feel honored to have represented the American GI Forum on this mission and I want to thank the National Commander, Tony Morales for giving me this opportunity. An unforgettable trip it was.