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DEL.ICIO.USPreparing for a long ride on a dusty road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Buehring, Kuwait — As the time for leaving Kuwait and entering Iraq approaches, soldiers are making final preparations for themselves and their equipment.
Most of the 4,400-member 48th Brigade Combat Team will travel to Baghdad by air — a 90-minute hop in the cargo hold of a C-130 Hercules transport.
The fun comes at the end of the trip with a plunging descent and corkscrew turns to avoid possible insurgent ground fire.
The rest of the brigade will head north in a weeklong series of convoys.
It’s about 400 miles from Kuwait to Baghdad by road, or roughly 15 hours driving time depending on the speed of the convoy.
Most convoys take two or three days to make the one-way trip. They refuel and spend nights at heavily defended and completely remote desert refueling stations. And they only travel by day when air support is available.
AJC photographer Curtis Compton and I are planning to go to Baghdad by road. That should make for better pictures, and I’m looking forward to getting a look at the countryside as it changes from desert, to marsh to the green farmland.
I’m not sure how much I’ll see from the thick, porthole that serves as a window on the armored vehicles the 48th Brigade is bringing, but it’s bound to be better view than from the rear of a C-130. They have no windows at all.
A soldier strongly recommended that I bring a pillow the car ride.
I told him I could stay awake for the whole trip. He gave me the look of utter exasperation I’ve become quite used to on this trip.
“You’ve obviously never ridden in a Humvee for 15 hours,” he said. “The pillow’s for your butt.”
Comments
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By Laurie Carroll
May 27, 2005 07:12 AM | Link to this
Amazing how things have changed. In Vietnam the soldiers sat on their helmets, now our guys sit on pillows. Either which way it is protection. May they all travel safely, stay safe and come home soon. If you happen by the 108th Cavalry, please tell my son Spc. Carroll that his mom loves him and misses him dearly. Laurie Carroll
By Wendy Braud
May 27, 2005 10:49 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t help but laugh at the soldier’s comment to you! I am glad that some still have their sense of humor! Sgt. Bryan Braud is my husband and I will be praying for you all! If you run into him tell him the kids and I miss him and love him!
By Jennifer
May 27, 2005 01:58 PM | Link to this
First of all, I would like to thank you, Dave and Curtis for accompanying the 48th on this deployment. You will never know what a great contribution you are making to all of us while our loved ones are away. I am praying for your safety along with the soldiers every day. I would like to especially thank you for the pictures today of the 108th. If it is at all possible, I would appreciate some pictures of their scout platoon. My soldier is 1LT Eric Thomas. Maybe you will make acquaintances on the convoy in the next week. Thank you again for all that you are doing for the soldiers and the families.
By Nicole Bell
May 28, 2005 09:18 PM | Link to this
Haha, I liked the comment too. I can imagine that it would be a long and hot ride! My husband is Sgt Gary Bell….If you see him tell him he’s missed lots and the boys and I love him very much…..
By Melissa Ingle
June 1, 2005 12:29 PM | Link to this
Thanks so much for your articles. If you see my husband Robert Ingle or his brothers Raymond and Ronald, tell them their family is proud of them and loves them.
thanks
By Larry Barker
June 4, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this
Just wanted to tell all you guys in the 48th Bde..how much I appreciate your service. My son,Sgt.Jason Barker, is there with you and with the 2/130.. after that exercise Tuesday evening of blowing up the PX…i would only hope the garrison commander will now require EVERYONE to wear thier flak jackets and helmets..on or off duty at all times…because you never know when Mr. BadGuy wants to try and take you out……it is a combat zone and this is for real..your not at the Gwinnett Mall..hopefully..lesson learned……we pray for all you guys… and that all of you stay safe and come home to your familys…and you too…JASON!!!