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DEL.ICIO.USRelay points can be lonely outposts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Moni Basu/AJC
Spc. Nathan Rosser, 24, pumps fuel from a truck at Relay Point 10 in southern Iraq.
When the 48th Brigade Combat Team moved out of Camp Striker near the Baghdad airport last October, soldiers of the 148th Support Battalion found themselves scattered all over Iraq.
They are the truck drivers, mechanics, fuelers, ammunition haulers, medics and cooks — the soldiers who support combat units in the field. Some of them were sent to relay points — known as RPs — that dot the desolate landscape in southern Iraq.
Just off what the U.S. military calls Main Supply Route Tampa, the miniature bases assist the convoys that travel this main north-south road between Kuwait and Baghdad. Soldiers stop to refuel, fix vehicles that break down or to seek safe haven within the walls of giant Hescos, mesh bags filled with dirt and sand that form the perimeters of the RPs.
These bases are worlds unto their own; the soldiers live somewhat isolated from the rest of their companies on outposts that do not offer the conveniences of 21st century war.
At Relay Point 10, somewhere between Nasiriyah and Basrah, a solitary Georgia flag flutters above the ground at the main watchtower. The 22 soldiers of the 148th occupy trailer space and cook their own food with groceries and supplies trucked in from Tallil Air Base, about an hour north of here.
Battalion soldiers from Tallil regularly convoy in with water tanks, food and other necessities to sustain the rustic camps. There’s no PX, and dining or recreation facilities here. All the eye can see beyond the sand berms are the deserts of southern Iraq and miles of highway. There is often nothing surrounding these pockets of military life.
“It’s a little boring. When you’re here, you’re here,” said Spc. Nathan Rosser, 24, who works in a Wal-Mart return center in Macon.
But sometimes, the soldiers said, they like the fact they are far from the hustle and bustle. And it can be liberating being away from the watchful eye of the brigade’s command, they joked.
There’s not much to do but “it’s not really that bad,” Rosser said.
Comments
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By Dawn Williams
January 27, 2006 05:29 AM | Link to this
wow i never even thought about that! Way to g guys be blessed and hurry home soon yu are missed
By Laura Wallace
January 27, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this
My son is stationed at one of these bases. I have had to mail him many supplies that he would normally be able to purchase at the PX.
One of the the things he asked me to send recently was fixings to make chili, as he and his unit were craving some. He said that they are able to get the meat, but are unable to get any of the other ingredients, or spices. I sent him pre-packaged chili mixes and canned tomato paste. If anyone is looking at things to send to these soldiers in care packages, please consider things like this, since these soldiers are having to cook their own meals. I’m sure they would appreciate it. My son agrees with spc. Rosser that it can be boring at times, but my son is using his time for reflection of his life, and making plans for his future.
By Kat Orr
January 27, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
Laura ~ thanks…will keep that in mind! One of my adopted soldiers asked me to send him Rice Krispies, too… hehehe…i sent a HUGE box full of cereal AND rice krispy treats, haha!
I guess the bottom line is..what we may think of as ‘mundane’ or ‘ordinary’ is oftentimes like GOLD to them! When I make up care packages for my soldiers, I think, “How can i bring ‘home’ to them?” hehehe..lately, another one of my soldiers jokingly said, “Hey, send me some North Ga snow!” hahaa…so i did…well, sort of, it hasn’t actually snowed yet, haha… i went to walmart and got a small bag of fake snow flurries… cut out a bunch of paper snowflakes…. got an empty 20 oz plastic coke bottle, rinsed it out real good, put some water in it, just a little bit, and wrote, “North Georgia Snow” on the outside, hehehee…. Yes, it’s INCREDIBLY CORNY AND CHEESY…but he loved it!!!!!!!!!! haha… Anyway, the point is… even simple (or somewhat silly, as my ‘snow idea’ above) things can do wonders for them!!!!!
By Daniel Bunn
January 28, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
My nephew, Sgt Jason Leasher is also stationed at one of these “exciting” stations. Big change from Mahmudiyah! Gosh, it seems like feast or famine over there. For months, Jay was being shot at and blasted by IEDs (and returning similar). Now, it’s the sound of the wind. See you in May, Mister———unless the other side wises up earlier and goes back to their day jobs.
By angie
January 29, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this
My husband is stationed at one of the RPs also. He agrees about not having the hustle and bustle. I was told that the Rps are not as dangerous. Though they are not exactly in the middle of Tallil, their job is a very important one. Thank you for not forgetting the soldiers at the RPs. May they all return safe and very soon.
By Dvonne
February 1, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Thanks for this article even though my husband is stationed in Talil I had no idea about the guys stationed at the RP’s. I have several co-workers and friends who would like to send care packages to the men who are stationed at one of the RPs. What is the mailing address for the RP?
Thanks,
By Soldier Mom
February 2, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
Go to Anysoldier.com, Treatanysoldier.com, Soldier’sangels.com. These sites have lists of soldiers that have requested packages. You might be able to get a specific address for an RP there. Most of the RP soldiers have specfic base or FOB addresses with the RP number at the end of the address. Hope this helps
By "Momma" Kat Orr
February 2, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this
Other great sites to “adopt” soldiers through are:
www.angelsncamouflage.org www.webofsupport.com
and
www.adoptaplatoon.org.
I’m HEAVILY involved with all three… been with two since August of 05 and one for almost six years! :-) I “got” my adopted 48th soldier & platoon from Angels ‘n Camouflage. :-)
By Trish
February 4, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
We at Angels ‘n Camouflage have supported the 48th since DAY ONE - and proudly we do this!! Look forward to you all coming home - Family and Friends Miss You Greatly!! God bless and give you safe journeys home - SOON!! www.angelsncamouflage.org (Where ‘spoiling’ our Veterans and Troops is FUN!!
By Kat in GA
February 4, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
And a GREAT BIG AMEN to what Trish said! i’m so happy to be part of Angels n Camo and super proud of my 48th BCT Heroes!!!! Y’all rock! :-)
And yep ditto also to what trish said ~SPOILING our veterans and troops IS FUN!!!!!!!