Latest Letter Dom on the Front Lines in Iraq

Radiofree West Hartford ^ | April 06, 2003 | Dom

[ddodd3329]

Hello everyone,

Well, here is the latest from your local imbedded media (me). I moved up forward to do casevac and get my helicopter aircraft commander check rides. We were first just north of the Euphrates river. This whole thing is nuts, when you are part of an invading military you do what you want, within reason. We parked our helicopters on a rest stop off ramp on of one of the main highways into Baghdad. By Thursday we were flying into Baghdad to do casevac operations. Most of the people we are pulling out are either enemy or civilians. Now try to remember when the last time an invading military force took care of the enemy and civilians? Sadly, we did pull out two more dead Marines, and a couple that were pretty banged up. But most are alive and will recover.

As our position moved forward, we approached closer and closer to Republican Guard held territory. By Wednesday, we were operating out of a school courtyard that had been previously held by the republican guard. What is happening is this, the bombers bomb an area, then the helicopter gunships run through, then the artillery and finally the tanks along with all the other vehicles. So by the time the other vehicles get their the men we are fighting have changed into civilian gear and are waving white flags and saying thank you America. An embedded CBS reporter said it best (he is riding with the lead tank), "this was the most well organized drive by shooting I have ever witnessed." The point is this - we aren't stopping at all, just rolling through kick'n ass and taking names...

[F.J. Mitchell]

BTTT!