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DEL.ICIO.USBombs can make tank fly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lutiyfiyah, Iraq — The roadside bomb was so powerful it rocked the 70-ton tank.
A mushroom cloud of smoke and sand enveloped the crew of Georgia National Guard soldiers inside.
Louie Favorite/AJC
An M-1A1 Abrams tank on a site in Lutiyfiyah that was at one time headquarters for the Medina Republican Guard.
No one was injured in the blast south of Baghdad Wednesday afternoon. And the tank suffered nothing more than some chipped paint.
But the attack underscored how insurgents are targeting tanks with roadside bombs. They haven’t killed any Georgians riding in them, but their massive bombs have disabled some of the heavily armored hulks.
On Sept. 11, a roadside bomb badly damaged one of the M-1A1 Abrams tanks of the 48th Brigade Combat Team. The explosion blew the tank at least four feet into the air and flung a 900-pound piece of its metal skirt 85 meters away. No one was seriously injured.
“I was able to get a good four-syllable curse word out before we hit the ground,” said the tank’s gunner, Sgt. Andrew Field, 33, a former Marine from Marietta.
Louie Favorite/AJC
Tanks shoot rounds at tall structures to prevent insurgents from using them to trigger IEDs.
Field and other soldiers with Georgia’s 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment patrol areas south of Baghdad in Abrams tanks. They credit the vehicles with saving their lives and deterring attacks. Some soldiers lovingly call their tanks “pigs.” One is nicknamed “Bada Bing!” Another one goes by “Allah’s Little Helper.”
Field’s tank was about 800 meters behind the one that got hit Wednesday. His driver, Spc. Jason Fritzler, 34, of Oklahoma, reacted quickly, identifying the bomb as an improvised explosive device.
“IED!” Fritzler announced over the tank’s radio system. “It hit the commander’s tank on the left side!”
Field turned his tank’s main gun to the right, searching for the triggerman. He suspected the bomb was detonated by someone hiding off the side of the road.
“He has to be here somewhere,” Field said. “He couldn’t be too far off the highway. There is no way.”
A man in an orange Mercedes truck pulled onto the shoulder beside their convoy before the explosion. So 2nd Lt. John Pinion, 23, of LaFayette, hopped out of his hatch and searched the vehicle. He found only sand in the back. The driver was briefly detained and then released.
Louie Favorite/AJC
Lt. Col. John King, who is Doraville’s police chief, helps load a HEAT (High Explosive Anti Tank) round into his tank.
Up the road, the tank that was hit put out suppressive fire with its M240 coaxial machine gun. Then the tank fired its main gun at something suspicious behind a sand berm. But no one was there.
Lt. Col. John King, the battalion commander, hopped out of the tank with his men and scrambled through some muddy canals, searching for the triggerman.
King, 42, Doraville’s police chief, suspected the bomb was a single artillery shell buried on the side of the road. He and his men searched five houses and found nothing. But they discovered something suspicious at least 500 meters from the road — a pair of black plastic sandals and some footprints in the sand.
The prints led away from the blast crater.
Comments
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By Maria
October 20, 2005 09:18 AM | Link to this
How scary! Good thing no one was injured.
By Ange
October 20, 2005 09:22 AM | Link to this
Jeremy I just wanted to say that you are the best reporter so far. You are doing a great job. Also Louie Favorite you are taking great photographs. I pray for God to be with you and all of the 48th.
By CPT James Patrick
October 20, 2005 11:11 AM | Link to this
I was also one of the crew members and was located in the loaders hatch of the M1A1 that was involved in the IED in Lutafiyah, Iraq. Thanks to Commander LT “Dusty” Pinion’s tank, we all walked away shaken but alive. I had the good fortune of being the medical officer for the 108th Armor for 5 weeks and have never encountered a more squared away group of soldiers. I would serve with them under any conditions. CPT James “DOC” Patrick
By Soldier's wife
October 20, 2005 02:29 PM | Link to this
I agree you guys are the best so far, and thank you so much for realizing that not all of the 48th Brigade is at Camp Stryker. I have a husband that is with the 108th armor, and I am so glad to hear just a little bit of what is going on down there. P.S. the pictures are wonderful as well!
By D Tucker
October 20, 2005 03:04 PM | Link to this
I also would like to commend Jeremy on the great job he is doing. My stepson serves with the 48th in a tank at Yusafiyah and we are very grateful for the excellent reports coming from the “potato factory”. We also appreciate Louie for the great pictures. Thank you to all the guys that are serving over there, and stay safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you…
By Hope Field
October 20, 2005 03:36 PM | Link to this
Thank you for visiting our guys at FOB Roe. They have worked hard the past 5 months. I have a special interest there, if you couldn’t tell by the last name. Did you take any other pictures while you were there? If you did, is it possible to get some of those? Because of your work, their job did not go unnoticed.
By Lauren
October 20, 2005 06:02 PM | Link to this
Daddy I’m really glad your okay! I can’t wait for you to come home! I love you and miss you so much!
By Jeannie
October 20, 2005 06:47 PM | Link to this
Way to go guys.. Keep up the Great work and Lt.COl.King—Bring Our Guys Home…. I am soooooo very glad that noone was hurt.. The 108th Scout’s have already lost two members and several others have been seriously Hurt.. I can’t wait till my Best Friend step’s off that plane, when you all get back, and I can then Breath Again… Missing you….
By Becky
October 20, 2005 07:35 PM | Link to this
I am Lt Pinion’s mom and I pray everyday for him and all of the soldiers. I am so proud that God is watching over them and allowing them to do their job. Thank you guys for being so brave and fighting for our freedom. Be Smart and Stay Safe. God Bless you all. Thanks CPT Patrick for the nice comments on our guys. We think they are special too!
By Janeen Fritzler
October 21, 2005 03:35 PM | Link to this
I am Spc Fritzler’s wife and am very proud to be. He’s doing a great job in Iraq along with all of the other soldiers. We pray for him every day and can’t wait till we can see him again. Honey if you see this, me and the kids love you very much and are so proud. Keep up the good job!
By Regina
October 22, 2005 11:08 PM | Link to this
To My Dear Frined SSG BBolt…..Glad To hear everyone was ok in this incident, keep up the Great Job, guys….. My Thoughts & Prayers are with you!
By Jane
October 25, 2005 11:43 AM | Link to this
John, So glad you and your men weren’t hurt in the explosions. Be careful if you can. We keep up with ya’ll in the local papers. We love you.
By Dean
October 27, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this
John, you’re the man! Keep safe over there and get all your folks home. Some of my guys will there soon too, good to know you’re clearing the way. Take care and kick a*! Your USAF Brother in Arms.
By The Rev. Dr. Rudy Moore
October 29, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this
I am so pround of John King. I wish i could have the photo for framing of his picture with the HEAT missile.