Long day’s journey in Iraq’s desert

MSNBC ^ | 10-23-2003 | Kevin Sites

[Cacique]

 

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Long day’s journey in Iraq’s desert
Combat engineers switch gears from civil projects to raids
A U.S. combat engineer prepares to destroy these Russian-made SA2 surface-to-air missiles in the desert near Baji.

By Kevin Sites NBC NEWS

BAJI, Iraq, Oct. 22 —  The combat engineers of Battalion 299 Charlie Company were doing what they like doing best: blowing things up.

       ON SATURDAY, east of the Iraqi town of Baji — a town north of Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit — the cache was a bunch of Russian-made SA2 surface-to-air missiles strewn across the desert like pixie stix.
       The 299’s commanding officer, Lt. Colonel Mark Huron, said the mission, though typical, was an important one as the missiles contain certain components that, “if they fall into the wrong hands could be fashioned into an I.E.D.”
       That’s Army lingo for improvised explosive device — the deadly weapon of choice by insurgent forces that have been attacking U.S. troops every few days since President Bush declared the end of major combat on May 1. More than 100 soldiers have died in Iraq since then, many the victim of the hard-to-detect I.E.D.s.

[Cacique]

Considering the source not a bad piece at all. I didn't see anyone lese posting it, so I did.

[Cacique]

Got ping lists?

[HiJinx]

Haven't read the full article yet, but it starts out well.

[HiJinx]

Ok, now I have read a lot of the article and this is just absolutely great! Linda, you gotta see this!

Their portfolio is as broad and diverse as Leonardo DaVinci’s—and like the renaissance genius, they use both sides of their brains — creative and logical to accomplish their mission.

Grunts got brains! Go figure! (Click the link to read about the ambush and raid!!!)

[Cacique]

One of the men captured after the attack on the U.S. soldiers is brought to the house to identify what he says are his accomplices.

[kayak]

I wonder if Kevin Sites is free-lancing or is an officially "embedded" reporter. Does anyone know if there are still "embeds" in Iraq. If not, there ought to be because for the most part they did a really great job of reporting ..... and this is of that quality.

[kayak]

I just found the answer to my own question by reading the blog linked at the end of the article. Mr. Sites is freelancing but is on assignment for MSNBC. They have consented to his posting material on his blog though they have first refusal on using it before he posts it. It's interesting that when he was on assignment for CNN they asked him to quit posting any materials to the blog, whereas MSNBC even includes a link to the personal site.

[Cacique]

I hadn't noticed that. It's good that you pointed that out. It appears that the blog is even better reading.

Kevin Sites' Blog

[dennisw]

He's got his shi'ite together/

[Mo1]

.

[Flyer]

Does anyone know if there are still "embeds" in Iraq. If not, there ought to be

I heard yesterday - I think from Tony Snow, filling in for Rush - that some embeds might be reappearing. Yes, it would be a good thing.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Coop]

I heard yesterday - I think from Tony Snow, filling in for Rush - that some embeds might be reappearing.

Interesting, and good news indeed!

[Old Sarge]

Contented sigh, as my "Good News From The War" meter gets off "E"...

[AngryJawa]

“the bang is great, but the shockwave is where it’s at.

Someone (me) has a new tagline...

[Valin]

A U.S. combat engineer prepares to destroy these Russian-made SA2 surface-to-air missiles in the desert near Baji.

It blowed up...blowed up real good!



well someone had to say it.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you. Great article!

ON SATURDAY, east of the Iraqi town of Baji — a town north of Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit — the cache was a bunch of Russian-made SA2 surface-to-air missiles strewn across the desert like pixie stix.

The 299’s commanding officer, Lt. Colonel Mark Huron, said the mission, though typical, was an important one as the missiles contain certain components that, “if they fall into the wrong hands could be fashioned into an I.E.D.”

~~~
Good guys staying ahead of the bad guys, ping!

See also:

8 Photos Prove Iraq Violated U.N. Weapons Ban  ~ NewsMax | 10/23/03 | Charles R. Smith
~~~

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[MEG33]

Hooray for our good guys!