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DEL.ICIO.USForward base grim, ‘tolerable’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Forward Operating Base Joe — Perhaps it was best that soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment’s Charlie Company arrived here at night.
In the light of day, the former potato factory known as FOB Joe barely looks habitable. The factory has been bombed and looted. With no plumbing, the Iraqi soldiers posted here used some of the buildings as outhouses.
The cantankerous Egyptian-made generator works only occasionally. And residents of the nearby town of Yusufiyah often glare with ill-disguised contempt as soldiers drive by in armed convoys.
“The conditions here are grim but tolerable,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Brown, 42, a millwright from Trion. “We’ve got some electricians and mechanics in our unit, and we’re already planning ways to make things better.”
Charlie Company, with about 90 soldiers, and the 108th’s similar-sized Bravo Company have taken up residence at two satellite forward operating bases south of Baghdad where living conditions are more austere than the comfortable confines of larger, more established military facilities.
The 108th’s soldiers will patrol the restive Sunni towns that U.S. officials say have been used as staging areas for insurgent mortar and rocket attacks and a manufacturing center for deadly mines, roadside and car bombs.
Unlike many soldiers in Iraq who dine on catered meals, live in air-conditioned trailers, have unlimited shower use and constant telephone and Internet access, members of Bravo and Charlie companies eat pre-packaged meals, get to shower only every three days and sleep in a windowless former vegetable storage room.
Lt. Col. John King, commander of the 108th, visited Joe last week and said the place has some good points.
The building has a large, concrete apron, which is a big plus for soldiers who operate 70-ton tanks and other heavy equipment. The sleeping quarters are well-insulated and stay relatively cool, and the building has electrical wiring and water that can be purified for showers and drinking.
These soldiers from the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team plan to use Joe and another facility known as FOB Row to push the American military presence into lawless areas, where they hope to bring some security and political stability.
The base used to be known as St. Joe, but the “saint” was ordered removed from it and St. Michael because of concern for Muslim sensitivities.
“There hasn’t been a significant military presence here yet,” said King, 41, Doraville’s police chief in civilian life. “There’s no formal government here or local police. We’re it.”
King plans to start practicing “random acts of kindness” to help win over the Iraqis.
Right now, however, he’s sending some diesel mechanics, bringing in portable generators and installing telephone lines to improve the daily lives of the soldiers who have taken up residence here.
King says he plans to shut another military facility and consolidate the equipment at Joe. The other satellite operating base is in a former school, and King wants to return the ramshackle three-story building to its previous use.
“It’ll be great to return it to the community and let them turn it into a school again,” he said. “Over time, those kinds of changes can really make a difference in people’s lives.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By ruth
June 15, 2005 08:41 AM | Link to this
It’s not just absurd that some soldiers in the 48th dine on catered meals. It’s a DISGRACE that the 108th’s Charlie and Bravo companies are having to live in such austere conditions while others have many of the comforts of home. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that most of the soldiers have what they need, I have friends included in that group…but people how would you feel if it was your soldier who didn’t have enough to eat, who has to go days without a shower, who has only a bottle of water a day, who is on duty 15 hours a day, who has to go days with no communication home, and everytime you read FOB Joe or Row it’s followed by the words “in the triangle of death”? We should all be outraged that out of the 4000 troops in the brigade, 200 were singled out to live in these deplorable conditions. This war was supposed to be over a long time ago, it should not be necessary to take a handful of men and make them live like this.
By Tom Pomian
June 15, 2005 08:50 AM | Link to this
Good luck and Godspeed to the 48th, especially TJ, Jeff, William and all the other boys.
Love The Pomian’s
By Jimpa
June 15, 2005 09:13 AM | Link to this
As someone who has been to Iraq twice and a former member of the 108th, I appreciate the work they are doing there.
I want to make sure everyone realizes that an FOB is very different than a rear operating base. If you are on the front lines these conditions are very common. Sorry, guys but life isn’t never going to be the same. Our soldiers suffer the very same hardships when they are in training at the National Trainging Center before going to Iraq. Thank God for their work and sacrifice, but life will never be fair. Just think of all the higher ups or other soldiers who see their family everyday here. Even me. Sacrifice is never fair and soldiers accomplish there mission, but always *itch when doing. At least that was my experience over the last 14 years.
God bless our troops!
By Jimpa
June 15, 2005 09:25 AM | Link to this
Ruth,
FOB are never fun places. It’s really not fair to compare or even expect the same living conditions. When combat soldiers train for the deployment at the National Trainging Center in Calif.they experience these same hardships, so it nothing they are not used to. I guess it doesn’t seem fair, but it the reality that professional soldiers understand even through they complain.
God Bless our Troops “Rangers Lead the Way”
By Robert Hobbs
June 15, 2005 09:30 AM | Link to this
Hi to all the gang in the 248th MICO. I hear your doing a good job under trying conditions. Stay both positive and safe. Wish I was there with you.
Major Hobbs
By DEW
June 15, 2005 09:30 AM | Link to this
This is not the humane way anyone should be treated. Soldiers are not only living in unbearable conditions, they are not getting mail, time down to rest or the raise they were promised so long ago before they were mobolized. Soldiers are expected to honor, respect and die for our rights and freedoms, it’s time they in-turn got fair treatment in return. When will the Nation/Washington wake-up and take care of their own..this is discrimination at it’s BEST!
By Maria
June 15, 2005 10:03 AM | Link to this
Good luck John, the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) is a good idea. Will be forwarding some packages of RAKs to you all. Maria and the kids
By Stacey White
June 15, 2005 12:05 PM | Link to this
Ii think y’all need to change the name of this blog from “The 48th Goes to War” to “The 108th Goes to War”, as the latter is a far more accurate description of the stories & photos featured here.
By Valerie Collins
June 15, 2005 12:38 PM | Link to this
SSG Steven Collins, Be Safe, God Bless, Your Family in Pennsylvania Love and Miss you
By Mike Butt
June 15, 2005 12:52 PM | Link to this
Best of luck to the SOLDIERS of ‘Georgia’s Own’ 48th BDE. Use your training and follow your leaders to accomplish the mission and return home safely. Regardless of the whiners and naysayers, you are doing work that is important to your country’s safety, security, and future. Drive on!
By Tomoko
June 15, 2005 01:36 PM | Link to this
I agree 100% with Ruth. My husband and his brother are at Joe. I know they are there. It’s terrible that they have to live in a place like that. I hope the general of 48th is going to help to make his soldier’s living condition better. I hope they don’t have to be at Joe for whole year.
By Elizabeth McDonald
June 15, 2005 02:10 PM | Link to this
Thank you so much for your articles. My boyfriend, Spc. Chris Gerhard, is at one of those bases. Not real sure which one, but I was able to talk to him last week and he explained that they have no phones and that he is really busy and he will try to email again soon. Your article really just brings home the fact of the conditions and reminds us here that just because we havent heard anything doesnt mean anything is wrong. I know he is frustrated with the conditions because they are the exact opposite of what they were told they would have. Hopefully they will get phones to our soliders soon. Thanks so much for the update we truly cherish it!
By Allen
June 15, 2005 03:43 PM | Link to this
Living conditions in every war throughout history have been awful. It is a fact of life in combat. Sometimes you are not going to be very comfortable. I am a veteran and speak from experience that in training, you live in some nasty places for weeks at a time. I guarantee you that the soldiers there are sucking it up and doing the jobs they were sent to do. It is the citizens here that armchair quarterback what is acceptable and what isn’t. War is dirty all the way around, even when it comes to living conditions.
By Lisa
June 15, 2005 07:07 PM | Link to this
I think it is a crying shame that our men are having to live at a place like Joe’s. Tomoko is my sister-in-law, my husband and his brother are there like she said, however I think General Roheiver should have to live just like our soldiers sleep without A/C and shower avery 3 days. It really seperates the men from the boys. If he had to live like that maybe Joe’s would be fixed a little quicker. It breaks my heart to know that some of our soldiers are living like homeless people and others are staying in Saddam & his families palaces. Keep up the good work men. We love you. To my husband, I hope your cards reach you before your Birthday & Fathers Day. We love you, Lisa, T.J., Kinlie & Courtney.
By Debra
June 15, 2005 09:29 PM | Link to this
I want to wish my brother-in-law (SGT.Franklin Roaderick) And all ther other Dads A Happy fathers Days. We love you Frank And our prayers are with all of you. Oh , And you Mother in law sends her best to everyone also, And as for your wife and my little sis, Hang in there, you are being brave also. love and prayers. Phillip, Debbie, Josh, Jason,Nanny
By Jennifer
June 15, 2005 10:47 PM | Link to this
Yes, it is sad that the soldiers are living in these conditions. Even more unjust that the conditions would be considered inhumane and unacceptable for convicted child molesters, rapists and murderers. Where are our priorities?
By April Nicklay
June 15, 2005 11:26 PM | Link to this
The messages and images from some of the fathers of the 48th are truely priceless. My husband will become a father for the first time in less than 2 weeks.He does not complain much but I know it is killing him not being here, as it is me. Once again, thank you Hirschman and Compton for all that you are doing for our soldiers. God Bless.
By Paige Ellard
June 16, 2005 12:01 AM | Link to this
Just wanted to say that the life of a soldier is not an easy life to live. FOB’s are never going to be a nice place to reside… but our guys have to make the best of it. I hate that my husband, Spc. Ellard has no way to contact me or his daughter. Hopefully, all that will change over time… they can’t be out there for a year without telephones! Just want to send all my love to my brave husband… I love you. Also a hello to the ‘guys’ (Josh, Nick, Dustin, and Todd)
By Pam Mansfield
June 16, 2005 06:47 AM | Link to this
THIS IS TO MY SON SPC BUDDY MANSFIELD IN THE 48thBDE, AT FORT STRYKER, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW WE LOVE AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH, I WANT TO SAY HAPPY FATHERS DAY, NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER111 WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR EMAILS AND CALLS EVEN THOUGH THEY DON’T COME TO OFTEN. WERE PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR CO. AND ALL THE GUYS OVER THERE HELPING TO MAKE OUR LIVES SAFER.
LOVE MOM AND DAD, AND FAMILY
By Emily
June 16, 2005 09:18 AM | Link to this
To Buddy and his family…We miss you too and glad to finally get some news as to where you are - thank you Pam. Nick says hello and more than likely he and Dusty will see you soon. Take care of yourself and Happy Father’s Day! Love, Em (Kranites’ girl)
By Wendy Deane Richards
June 16, 2005 01:29 PM | Link to this
Sgt. Timothy Deane
We are so proud of you…Love you More. YOU are one of the best…always knew it! Mom
By Wendy Deane Richards
June 16, 2005 01:51 PM | Link to this
As uncomfortable as this place maybe..I know OUR men and women there are well trained and will do the job they need to do. My son is one of them there also. God Bless them all, and keep them safe. We need to Thank the Vietnam veterans for all our men and women now have..They had days on end in the jungle with no phone, no computers, no mail, no tents, no showers, NO Nothing. Our country learned a very big lessons from them. May God bless all the Vets of all wars.
By Kelly
June 16, 2005 06:31 PM | Link to this
This goes out to Spc.Link, the boys and I Love You and Miss You very much, please be safe and we will see you soon. Love always Kelly,Austen,Brent
By Sousan
June 16, 2005 07:44 PM | Link to this
JUST WANTED TO WISH A HAPPY 1ST FATHER’S DAY TO MY SON JESSE JOHNSON IN THE 48TH. UNFORTUNATELY HE WON’T BE SPENDING HIS FIRST FATHER’S DAY WITH HIS NEW DAUGHTER. STAY SAFE AND HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK HERE SOON, SO YOU CAN COME TO CALIFORNIA AND VISIT US. ALL OF YOU KEEP YOUR HEADS DOWN AND RETURN TO YOUR EVER GRATEFUL COUNTRY.
By Mary Peppers
June 17, 2005 11:49 AM | Link to this
Todd Freeman ….We are so proud of you Thanks to You and all the servicemen…WE DO HAVE FREEDOM unlike people over there.We all need to be thankful for what we have ..it could be taken from us…THANK YOU and YOUR UNIT AGAIN.All of you are really missed but remember you will be home before you know it.STAY SAFE MY NEPHEW HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON…..GOD BLESS…MERZ
By Gail Carroll
June 19, 2005 04:20 PM | Link to this
To our son Sgt.Jeff Carroll We love and miss you so very much! We are proud of you and all the troops there with you. Stay safe and you are in all our prayers every day! God Bless you! Mom
By Brian
June 19, 2005 07:49 PM | Link to this
I am at FOB ROW right now. Yes it is not the best place in the world but it is home for now. We are all making the best of it. We make due with what we have. We have food, water and get to take showers every other day, if not every day. It is not the best place to live, but it keeps the weather off of us and provides cover for us. We take care of each other and trust each other to look out for one another. Every soldier here at ROW and JOE understand there are better places to be, but we are here and we have a job to do. And we are doing our jobs. I will let the soldiers know about this website and hopefully we can all read what you all write to us. We appreciate you all.
By CHANDRA
June 20, 2005 04:14 PM | Link to this
I WANT TO WISH TRAVIS FALTON,COREY LOVE,CARLOS GAINES,LATORIK WYNN,SAXIO STROGGER A HAPPY LATE FATHER’S DAY AND BE SAFE AND KEEP YALL HEAD UP MUCH LOVE
By CHANDRA
June 20, 2005 04:17 PM | Link to this
GOD BLESS SCOOP, SAXIO, COREY, BIGBOI, CARLOS, T-MAC, SCOOP AND EVERYONE WHO IS IN IRAQ BE SAFE OVER THERE
By Alesia O'Keefe
June 20, 2005 09:38 PM | Link to this
I for one am PROUD that my husband is serving at Mike. I am proud of our other soldiers in the 108th at Row and Joe. They are trusted enough to man the front lines. When they get home they will have extra bragging rights because they were not soldiers living within the vicinity of a PX the size of Super Wal-Mart. They will struggle for everything they have and I know they will make it home. These soldiers will be able to be proud of everything they did and know that nothing came easy. It makes me proud. This is war, folks. It ain’t pretty. Get over it. My husband has left his 5 kids and me to go over there and help. He went so that someone else’s Daddy would be able to go home. He is sacrificing his time and his life right now to keep us all safe. Quit complaining and be proud of the fact that they are serving with honor. This is only the beginning. Things are only going to get rougher. Take comfort in the fact that they are healthy and DO have the necessities. All the things we take for granted here are the things we think they should have there. Figure out what’s important, is it a warm cozy shower, or life and liberty. I love you John. I think about you every day. We miss you like crazy and admire you for all that you are doing.
By Pop Stipe
June 21, 2005 07:53 AM | Link to this
Amen, Alisia — You are right on target, and thank you and everyone else on the home front for your services here. I’ve been on the front, and I know how important it is to know that my family is in good hands and doing well. It let me focus full-time on my mission there. Bless you and all the others who are keeping the home fires bright and burning!
By John
June 21, 2005 08:35 AM | Link to this
Alesia,
Get over it. I’ve been there, done that. I would love to know where the Super Wal-Mart is at, I missed that on my tour. As we say in the Army, 5 kids equal welfare for you. Get a job and your husband would not have to go to Iraq.
By Stephanie Godbee
June 21, 2005 11:44 AM | Link to this
I am unhappy with the situation also, however I hope our soldiers are not reading all of these comments. This is no way for us to support our men. All of our complaining and whining is no good for them. Do it someplace where they can not see it. And for God’s sake please don’t do it when you actually get to talk to them or email them. It causes undo stress on them and they need to concentrate on the mission. We should all be thankful that we have any communication at all other than letters. Think about your fathers and grandfathers who had none of this technology. How would we have survived during Vietnam or Korea? We are fortunate to have at least one phone conversation today! It is hard on all of us, but I truly believe we need to stop all the crying and be more supportive of our men. Do what I do, cry alone away from the kids and never let my husband know how badly I am struggling. They need us to be strong for them so thay don’t worry about things being taken care of at home.
By Tim
June 21, 2005 11:56 AM | Link to this
John, What tour are you talking about? The tour of Mayfield dairies? For someone to have served in the Army you are being very insensitive. What do you mean by 5 kids equal welfare? This guy has left his family and kids to go serve …
By WR
June 21, 2005 12:31 PM | Link to this
After reading these comments I am compelled to comment - yes, this is war and it ain’t pretty. Take a look at history, people, like WWI and WWII, Korea and Vietnam - our soldiers are provided for better now and those of us who can remember waiting for word from our loved ones who were in those war zones are happy to be able to hear from our soldiers via e-mail and phone calls. Soldiers have a hard life - harder during war so accept the fact that being able to shower every three or four days, shave, eetc., is a luxury compared to our soldiers who had to ‘shower’ using their helmets in previous wars. Separation is hard on those left behind. Military spouses are a special breed, oterwise they, like some here, only complain and many leave. Get out and do something constructive to support them from here. I did and would again if I were physically able. Real soldiers understand conditions and they are better at complaining than you are - it is part of their profession - but they do it to each other. I pray for all our military worldwide but especially those in harm’s way. And certainly for my grandson. Thanks to everyone of them. Also, remember these are volunteers not like those of previous wars - we had the draft then. They are all brave people with a purpose. God bless them all and keep them as safe as possible. God bless the USA and please, give these whiners a boot to get real.
By Dena
June 21, 2005 01:16 PM | Link to this
Sgt. McArthur Underwood Jr….We are so proud of you. May God Bless you and all the men. I pray everynight to bring the men home safely. Take care of yourself stay alert…We Miss Ya! Maybe this will reach you for your B’Day…Happy Birthday!!! Dena,Mesha & Megan We Love you Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By FRANCES
June 21, 2005 07:49 PM | Link to this
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARTICLES ABOUT IRAQ. MY SON CPL. ERIC SMITH WITH THE 108TH CAV IS ALSO THERE. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF HIM AND HIS UNIT. IF YOU SEE HIM PLEASE TELL HIM WE LOVE HIM VERY MUCH. PEOPLE PLEASE QUIT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OVER THERE. MY SON IS VERY PRECIOUS TO US AND HE MIGHT SEE ALL OF YOUR E-MAILS, WHICH DOES A GRAVE DISSERVICE TO OUR LOVED ONES. REMEMBER ALL OF THE VETERANS THAT HAD TO SUFFER FOR OUR FREEDOM, JUST AS OUR MEN AND WOMEN ARE DOING FOR THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ. MY SON SAID THEY HAVE A MISSION OVER THERE AND THEY ARE ACCOMPLISHING IT A LITTLE AT A TIME. ERIC STAY SAFE, KEEP A WATCHFUL EYE OUT AT ALL TIMES. WE PRAY FOR YOU AND ALL OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN CONTINUOUSLY. LOVE MOM!!
By stephanie godbee
June 22, 2005 08:42 AM | Link to this
thank you WR and Frances. It breaks my heart to see all the complaining where our men can see it. Also to those women who call or email their husbands after they have been in harm’s way for only a month and tell them you are leaving them is an utter disgrace. You are all cowards. And now have endangered many more men by breaking down one man.