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DEL.ICIO.USIt took a week just to get to the war
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Baghdad, Iraq — Covering the war in Iraq is a challenging assignment for journalists. But first, you have to get to the war.
And that, as I discovered on this, my fourth trip to Iraq in three years, can be almost as challenging.
After a 20-hour flight from Atlanta to Kuwait City via Frankfurt, I arrived at my hotel almost at midnight Dec. 11.
The military encourages reporters who are going to embed with military units to travel through Kuwait, where we board C-130 transport planes into Baghdad. I spent a day in Kuwait sorting out passport and visa issues and made the hour-long journey by bus to Ali Al Salem Air Base at 1:30 a.m. Dec. 13. The sun was rising by the time our bags were finally loaded up onto the palette.
It was breakfast time but for only those with military or contractor credentials. Passport holders (this reporter included) had to wait at the wooden picnic bench near the luggage staging area. Luckily, a good-hearted bus driver brought me a gravy-slathered omelet and a passion fruit drink from the chow hall.
No times for military flights are ever announced because of security concerns; we are simply given a code name for the flight - our flight was Chrome 15 - so that “folks up north” can come to the airport to pick you up. In my case, it didn’t matter. No one would be waiting for me at Baghdad airport, commonly known as BIAP.
Chrome 15 finally took off at about 9:30 in the morning. Almost two hours later, I was on the ground in Baghdad, lugging all my gear - computer, satellite phone, battery chargers, notebooks and enough clothes and supplies for two months - through dust and gravel to the covered waiting area on the military side of BIAP.
I had been ordered by the military to make my way to the International Zone, the heavily fortified area of central Baghdad formerly known as the Green Zone, to obtain press credentials that would theoretically allow me to move freely on military bases.
I tried to call a company called Catfish Air that has the power to manifest passengers on helicopters to the IZ. After three tries in vain (the woman on the other end either put me on terminal hold or hung up on me), I gave up and waited another hour to catch a shuttle bus to nearby Camp Striker, a military base that houses transients.
This was familiar territory for me. A chunk of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team had been stationed here last summer. I had called Tent 5-35 home for almost three months.
Upon arrival, employees of Kellogg Brown & Root, an arm of the Halliburton Company that runs the camp, issued me a room that was basically a shipping container with a bed. I dumped my belongings there and several hours later was back waiting at the KBR office for a ride on the Rhino, a large armored bus. In the thick of night, the Rhino traveled from Striker through western Baghdad and into the IZ, arriving at 3:30 a.m.
There, we did as we had been ordered to do at Striker. Help unload baggage, a process that exhausted every last bit of energy in me. Where was a high-powered, calorie-filled Hooah Bar when you needed one?
About 45 minutes later, a soldier from the Combined Press Information Center (CPIC) came to pick me up. I was the sole remaining passenger at the Rhino stop by that point. It was late. It was dark. Thoughts of bad things happening had floated in and out of my head.
The CPIC soldier directed me to a loft space with several Army cots. I had never been happier to see one of those aluminum and green canvas folding contraptions.
About 10 a.m. I was taken to the credentialing officer. It took all of 6 minutes and 32 seconds for my credential to be renewed. I asked for a six-month renewal since I plan to return to Iraq in the spring. But that was not possible. Ninety days is all I would get. I would have to go through this rigamarole again.
Next stop: a session with several senators and the U.S. ambassador that ate up a good bit of the afternoon. I made my way to the IZ helipad, where I hoped to catch a chopper back to Striker at 6 p.m.
After several delays, the two Blackhawk helicopters finally landed at 9 p.m. The passengers were told to strap themselves in. I was dreaming of ahot shower and the little bed in the connex at Striker.
But that turned out to be many, many hours away.
Citing weather conditions, the crew ordered the passengers to be off-loaded. I went back to the Rhino pound to see if I could catch the armored bus back to Striker after midnight. But no one was available to manifest me. I had just about burst into tears when a kind-hearted soldier from the helipad returned to tell me that a Chinook helicopter was on its way to BIAP. He whisked me back to the helipad in his golf cart.
I could feel the draw of that bed again once I buckled myself in the seat.
We landed at Camp Falcon, where we sat on the tarmac for what seemed like an eternity. By the time I got into my bed at Striker that night, I had been traveling for more than six days. And yet, I had not reported one word for a story on the 48th Brigade.
“For what?” I asked myself. For a credential whose credibility is questioned by gate guards all over Iraq.
I can hardly complain given the hardships soldiers in Iraq endure. But for journalists, the clock is ticking. The pressure is on to begin filing stories.
I planned to hook up with a Georgia unit at Camp Liberty - Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. I had been warned by military officials that I could not begin to interview soldiers until I was with my embed unit, no matter how much good news they had to offer.
Because the 48th Brigade is now dispersed across Iraq, embedded journalists must inform not the unit with which they are embedding of his or her intentions but also every military unit that has any sort of authority over the 48th. In my case, I was ordered to inform at least four different public affairs officers of my plans.
That was done easily enough through e-mails.
Early Friday morning, I was ready to be picked up by Charlie Company soldiers. My colleague, AJC photographer Curtis Compton, who was already with the unit, called around 11. “There’s a problem,” he said. Some officials in the 10th Mountain Division were not aware of my arrival; the message had not filtered down. I would have to wait until it was cleared.
I finally made it to Charlie Company by dinner time. Seven days had elapsed since I left Atlanta. I still hadn’t reported anything on the 48th Brigade.
I understand there are serious security issues at play in Iraq, but why make it so difficult for embedded journalists to get to the soldiers they want to cover? Military officials often complain the media report only the negative from Iraq. But how are we to report the full story when it is so tough to even get to it?
Worse still, this kind of arduous process may actually deter journalists from embedding with military units at all. One American journalist I met in Kuwait told me he had second thoughts about doing this again. The process had plain worn him out even before he got to the real action.
I, too, am exhausted just thinking about having to go through all this again.
Oh and that CPIC credential? It couldn’t even get me through the door of the chow hall at Camp Striker.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Sheila Stevens
December 20, 2005 05:53 PM | Link to this
You heard the old sayin “HURRY UP AND WAIT” Welcome to their world..I feel sorry for you, but the time it takes to get clearance for you or anyone else if worth the wait..We can not be too careless or haste to allow anyone to get close to our military without proper clearance and following protocol..Even for the press..We must be willing to endure anything for our soldiers…OUR SOLIERS..endure everyday so that the Iraqi people might be free and still allow the freedom of the press to continue..just not on your time but theirs.. I count on the press everyday to give me a sign or word that my son is still alive and safe, but I would rather you be delayed slightly to assure the safety of my child. One step missed could cause a soldier to lose his life..The next time you have to wait.. If they let you through without proper clearance then that means someone else in the future might be able to get through..I’m greatful for the security for our soldiers..Their worth it and MORE…..
By jersey in iraq
December 20, 2005 06:03 PM | Link to this
well now that you’re over here, you can start writing how the soldiers are mistreating prisoners and shooting innocent people? Oh,oh dont forget the pics of some poor GI who happens to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time! come on now! you gotta give all the support to the terrorists that cut our heads off with dull knives. they need all the sympathy they can get!
By Burt Alford
December 20, 2005 07:03 PM | Link to this
It would have been nice if this reporter had written more about the troups instead of complaining about the hassle he had to go through. My brothier Brother is in that unit. These guys are getting shot at every day and and dont know it it will be their last. I think your troubles were minimal compared to our families fighting for our country.
By heroes wife
December 20, 2005 08:31 PM | Link to this
Moni- Are we supposed to feel sorry for you as we are wrapping presents for the children of the REAL heroes and families of the KIA’s left behind? Give me a break! Remember its the soldier that gave you the PRIVILEDGE to report your so called unbiased journalism. If you can’t handle it-go home.
By CJ
December 20, 2005 08:34 PM | Link to this
Did you not realize you were traveling during the Iraqi elections? I think the military had a little more on their minds than collecting reporters. You’re off to a great start with the negativity.
By wife of a hero
December 20, 2005 08:35 PM | Link to this
Are we supposed to feel sorry for you Ms. Basu? You obviously have not learned anything about character and pride since your first visit with the heroes. Maybe the 101st doesn’t want you taking their comments out of context like you have in the past to a friend of mine.
By Because....
December 21, 2005 12:21 AM | Link to this
First and foremost, your not a soldier. Your not priority ONE. Your somewhere down the list past needed “supplies”. Embed’s are great, but you are going to have to work for the story. So yes, that means grueling hours of paperwork, and traveling, and lots of what the Military likes to call “hurry up and wait”. That is your story. Your experience with the infamous Military Mantra of “hurry-up and wait”. Congratulations, you have just done what soldier’s do their whole careers. Having you as an embed means some soldier’s will be removed from their original postions and duties, to protect YOU instead. This is a lot of paperwork shuffling for the Military as well. What if they threw your name in a hat, and said “oh good grief, and female reporter who looks a slight bit local, and an unfamiliar name. Who wants to take on this challenge of safety and security while insurgents are everywhere with no front lines defined?” Think about it, an insurgent scout is sent to check out the local squads in a unit. They see a dark female with a squad. Instantly they know “weakness”. Perhaps you were unaware, but American Soldiers are different than insurgents and terrorists. Male American Soldier’s “lose it” a little when a female is injured. Terrorists DO NOT. Terrorsist do not care if a female is hurt or injured or lays bleeding and dying. American Soldier’s DO CARE. Again, a weak spot. Hopefully they will just keep you in the Green Zone, and you can report on what the Generals and other higher’s are doing.
By Debby
December 21, 2005 01:33 AM | Link to this
may God bless you along the way and keep u safe
By sapper soldier
December 21, 2005 04:25 AM | Link to this
Now just hang out over here for a continuous year away from family and friends, patrol every day in all matter of conditions, get blown up dozens of times, hear the “popcorn” shots of enemy fire ricocheting off of your vehicle, have 2 RPGs narrowly miss you and your friends’ HMMWV, and sleep in an old dusty tent with 20 other people every night… and you’ll be almost there!
By Comment
December 21, 2005 09:47 AM | Link to this
One question to Moni - do ALL journalists have this much trouble getting to their assigned unit? I hope it isn’t just a select few. However, I do understand security but surely the security can be granted or denied the same as for military and civilian government personnel and DOD contractors. It could be easier. Good luck next time, MOni. Thanks for all. And greetings to Mr. Compton. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, whatever you call them. A good New year, too.
By Judy
December 21, 2005 09:57 PM | Link to this
Welcome to the military, Moni. You’ve just tasted what the soldiers trying to get home for Christmas, or the delivery of a new baby, or a special family occasion have to go through. Just imagine how your would feel, sitting around waiting if you knew you were missing the birth of your first child!!! Maybe if you talk about it enough, it will make a difference - eventually……
Good luck!
By Military Supporter
December 23, 2005 07:23 PM | Link to this
I bet Moni knows she isn’t a soldier the same as we know. I also bet she knows she isn’t essential supplies. Well, if not she does now. I bet she also knows she and other embedded reporters are lowest on the totem pole - that’s as it should be. They don’t fight the war. She has been there before and her credentials should have been in order. That should not have been the snafu but she sure has to wait her turn and I hope all the other reporters and photographers have to wait the same turn. Their being there has been approved by the government and the DOD so they should have their clearance and their papers should be in order. I’m not for nor against their presence. I leave that up to the military members who are there and know first hand if what is being reported is accurate and proper. I just think things should run smoothly because they are well organized. Unless what is done is being done to support our troops and keep them as safe as possible then I stand against it because I stand for our troops. Thank you every person who is wearing the American uniform -I cheer for you - I pray for your safety and speedy return home - I hurt when a death or injury occurs and I cry in absencia with your family and friends. Without you and the ones before you, this country would not be. Years ago I, too, swore to defend America against all enemies foreign and domestic and would still do whatever I would be called upon to do. This is my homeland.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight. God bless you in a region where our Lord Jesus once walked.