AJC.com > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2006 > March > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGeorgia troops called to grisly scene
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Baghdad, Iraq - The waning days of combat patrols for a Gainesville-based infantry unit proved particularly grisly on Tuesday when soldiers were called to the scene of execution-style murders in western Baghdad.
Iraqi police found the bodies of 13 men - all Shiites - who had been blindfolded and shot in the back of the head, their hands bound.
The identities of the men was not known but Iraqi police told the soldiers of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment that the dead were Shiites who had been killed by Sunnis.
The bodies were found on the side of a road in a mostly Sunni neighborhood in western Baghdad. The area is wide open with few trees and buildings widely spaced.
“There had to be malicious intent,” said 1st Lt. Will Phillips, whose team was at the scene to provide security as the bodies were loaded up in pickup trucks.
“The thing that amazed me was that it happened in broad daylight,” Phillips said. “It was so open. [The killers] have gotten very bold.”
Sectarian violence has escalated in Iraq in the aftermath of the bombing of a Shiite mosque in Samarra on Feb. 22.
Elsewhere in Baghdad on Tuesday, masked gunmen kidnapped 24 Iraqis from a currency exchange and two electronic stores, the Associated Press reported.
In an effort to stave off a full-blown civil war, Iraqi political leaders are trying to demonstrate a united front and form a government representing Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. Shiite leaders walked out of negotiations on Monday but even as they returned to the table on Tuesday, the bloodshed continued.
Charlie Company soldiers, who were called into western Baghdad to beef up security, have helped round up bodies for the last few weeks. Monday, they assisted in recovering four dead Iraqi Army soldiers. One soldier commented that they were all out of body bags.
Hundreds of bodies - some mutilated and bearing the signs of torture - have been discovered in Iraqi villages and cities in the past few weeks. More than 1,000 Iraqis have been killed since the mosque bombing.
The retaliation killings of Iraqis have started to overshadow those by insurgents against U.S. forces, although Tuesday, a Charlie Company Bradley Fighting Vehicle rolled over a roadside bomb that damaged the armored vehicle beyond repair.
No one was hurt in the blast, but the incident shook up the company, which which is expected to go on its last combat patrol later this week.
Charlie Company is scheduled to return to Georgia in mid-April.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Confused
March 29, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this
What good did AJC think showing these pictures of the 48th BDE soldiers would do for their families?
By Lynn
March 29, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this
I guess they had second thoughts. The link now takes us to an ad for Wolf Camera.
Better to see the soldiers alive than dead though. I’d love to see a pic of my son.
I just love this quote coming from a Lt. no less: “There had to be malicious intent,” No kidding!! This is a war, guy! Everything is done with malicious intent.
By Lynn
March 29, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
Oh never mind, the scenes just showed up. They didn’t have second thoughts.
By jw
March 29, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
I may have seen my nephew, and it is tough, but I also know what he talked about…this group is GREAT…they have done a good job…I pray for a safe return….jw
By WOW
March 29, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this
This group of soldiers will need a lot of psychological therapy. I can’t even begin to imagine what these soldiers have seen. A lot of the soldiers are just babies..maybe 19 or 20 years old…so young to see this crulty. My prayers are not only for the soldiers but also for their families..because they too will have to live this with their soldier. Please be a strong shoulder for them!! If they feel the need to talk..let them talk..let them get it out, and hold them tight…and assure them they are now home. Love to all!!
By Chris
March 29, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this
What is the problem showing these pictures. America is such a sheltered society that when real life happens we get shocked and apauled. Get over it and be glad your not in it. Those troops are busy making sure your country doesnt end up like those ignorant waste of spaces.
By SgtMajorBuzz
March 29, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
I think it shows the reality that this unit is still elbow deep in this war and not casually “passing through” in a convoy, or “guarding” a movie theater in southern Iraq.
By How can you??
March 29, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
How can you show those pictures along w/ “patrol comes under fire”??? Do you not care what that does to loved ones? I can not believe the AJC would publish this. We have a few weeks left until they are home and our anxiety is already high. I know there will be some of you that will say I didn’t have to look but can you honestly say you wouldn’t if it was your loved one in that unit???? SHAME ON YOU AJC.
By SoldierMomm
March 29, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this
What good did AJC do? Alot. Thank you Moni for writing a story - with pictures - that portaray’s what so many of our soldiers go thru on a regular basis. If only the national news would write this kind of story. The truth is the truth, and this is the life of our soldiers and it needs to be told.
As for “confused” - I don’t understand why you would have a problem with this story and not the one about the attack on the FOB Joe - where there were American Soldiers killed. That was a good article too. The realily needs to be first and foremost in the media and thank God, some reporters can write the truth.
Thanks again to AJC and Moni and Jeremy for the wonderful articles over the last year. I understand that there is no way that the two of you could cover 4500+ soldiers of the 48th, but what you have written has kept us informed. Ya’ll have done a great Job. Thanks again. And our prayers are with all of the soldiers of the 48th. Can’t wait to see you back in the U.S. where you belong now. Thanks for your service and dedication to your country and all of the people who live here and enjoy the freedoms that you are fighting for. We Love each and every one of you.
By Susan Babot
March 29, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this
Have you no consideration for the families of these soldiers? How are these soldiers’ children and spouses and parents suppose to feel looking at these graphic pictures? We have lived with our hearts in our throats for 11 months now. Our nerves are just about shot and you want to post pictures of our loved ones in these graphic settings. Yes, we know that they are faced with these types of missions, that is their JOB, but no one should have to open a newspaper and see their loved one protecting dead, tortured bodies. And the Bradley hit by an IED…My husband’s vehicle was hit by an IED… Thank the Good Lord you weren’t around to photograph that…My children and I would not have been able to handle it. PLEASE STOP! We want to see OUR LOVED ONES, OUR HEROES, but not in photos like the ones you have been posted the last 2 days!! Susan Babot, Wife of MSG R. Babot and SPC B. Babot both Proudly Serving the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
By Christine Otis
March 29, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this
I can answer what good the pictures did for the family, I am Brian Otis’ mother. We had already talked to Brian after the attack and knew what a close call it had been. We praise God that none of the men were injured or killed. Brian, the driver, missed being hit with the shrapnel by one foot, and only God’s protection kept it from killing him and the gunner. We have been keeping him and his unit in our prayers daily and this is the fifth time he has “almost” been killed. But from his mouth this was the most unnerving so far.
As for the pictures, they are a fact, and now a record of God’s protection over Brian and his unit. Only those who have trust in the providence of God realize that these pictures are not upsetting, but a time of rejoicing. God has been gracious to our son, and those around him in many ways. We know many other families who are also upholding their loved ones in prayer in this particular unit, and can rejoice that so far God is graciously sparing our troops. I know there are those who have lost loved ones that they upheld in prayer. Our prayers are not absolute guarantees that no harm will ever come, however, the Bible does tell us that God works through means and prayer is one of these means. We do not know the sovereign will of God in matters such as this. As Brian told us before he left last year, if he is in God’s will and protection, he is as safe in Iraq as he is home in his own bed. God has spared Brian and his unit, for what reason we do not yet know. May God continue to be with him and all the other soldiers still in a very dangerous situation.
Christine Otis
By SoliderInIraq
March 30, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this
Thanks Curtis and Moni for the story and the pictures! This is war! If you are here in Iraq you know it is war everyday. If you are in the states and have a family member here you are in this war as well. Wheather you want to see the pictures or not! Everybody is living it. As for the SGM BUZZ, tell that to the guys that ride it everyday and get hit with and IED nightly in ONE SPOT, where the ABC news guy was hit.
Thanks again AJC for showing it as it is. Not the watered down version!
Solider in Iraq
By Proud Soldiers Wife
March 30, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
SoldierMomm has your soldier been in an IED attack? Have you held the hand of a wife that’s waiting to find out how her husband is going to be after an IED attack? I have. These are not pictures that these wives or families needed to see in my opinion.
Chris, I might not be there in person, but I can assure you I’m there in spirit everyday due to my best friend and soulmate is there right in the middle of it everyday. Have you been there? Do you know what the soldiers are going to go through?
As for Moni’s reporting, she always stirs up controversy with what she writes or photographs. Isn’t she the one that ran the whole 48th BDE is going to be delayed article and had everyone in an uproar? In my opinion, Jeremy is the best reporter, not only does he show the soldiers point of view but he also shelters their families back home who are on pins and needles.
By My Opinion
March 30, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this
The link does show an ad for Wolf Camera, which I find irritating; however, if you wait a few seconds the first of three photos appears.
Perhaps the AJC thought the families would like to see the assurance that while the vehicle was damaged none of their loved ones were injured and are still functioning at full power. Thank our Lord. I saw was the real reason the higher ups want those Bradley’s on duty and that the soldiers in them are much better protected than those in Humvees. Give the brass a little bit of leeway here - perhaps some master sargeant told them what should be done………
Yea - MSGs…..
Seriously, it takes all from that new recruit who can sharpen pencils today and shoot cannons tomorrow all the way to that person with stars on the collar.
Try again for the photos. Wait what seems an hour and those three pics will appear. It is really only seconds.
God, please bless our troops everywhere, especially in the war torn areas, keep them safe and bring them home. Amen
To the Warriors: Thank you for being courageous and doing the job you do. You are America’s Heros and are in our hearts, on our minds and in our prayers.
I’m gone!!!!
By Post Script
March 30, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
Hey!!!!
Go to the front page of today’s AJC and click on the piture of the two 48th Guys and look at those photos. Charlie Company is on it’s way!!!!
Of course, you will have to wait for the ad to clear.
One more day closer to Ft Stewart - ah, yes, it warms my heart!!!!!
Outta here now…..
Thank you AJC and all your correspondants and photographers - it has been a journey that continues awhile longer. Stay safe.
By SoldierMomm
March 30, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this
“SoldierMomm has your soldier been in an IED attack? Have you held the hand of a wife that’s waiting to find out how her husband is going to be after an IED attack?”
Yes my soldier has been in MANY IED attacks. And mortar attacks on his base - and yes HE WAS HURT. And you were not holding my hand. If you kept up with all posts - you would already know that my SON has been in that situation.
As for the pictures - nobody ia being forced to look at them. No - it doesn’t leave a good visual picture and it rags the nerves - but it is truth and fact and should be dealt with as such. If you and yours feel it is better not to deal with the “bad”, then that is your choice. I have been told for a year not to watch the news because I shouldn’t want to know what is REALLY happening in the lives of our soldiers. I felt that the only way that I could truely be there for my son, WAS TO KNOW THE WHOLE TRUTH. He never has to keep things from me therefore I can help him get thru those terrifying times - now - in real time. I’ll know exactly what he has been thru so that when he gets home, I can fully understand what we will all be dealing with. Sorry if you don’t agree. We all have choices as to how we handle what we are going thru - I respect yours and hope that you can respect mine.
By Momma Kat Orr
March 30, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this
Post Script — wooohooo!!!! This 48th Blog is the only part of the AJC i ever read, LOL, so i woulda never seen those pics on the “front page” of the website if you hadn’t have pointed them out! (should I say that? They might not approve my comments anymore now, LOL! j/k). Anyway, thanks for pointing us to those pics — they are AWESOME!!!! WOOHOO!!!
Momma Kat Loganville GA [YIKES!](http://crazynightinga.blogspot.com}
By Wife of CCo Soldier
March 30, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this
Maybe they are trying to get people to realize this is REAL and not a movie or a tv show where it’s just actors,noone gets hurt and everyone goes home at the end of the day. Every war will have gruesome pictures, it’s a freaking WAR! I was speaking to my husband while I was looking at the pictures. Yes my heart was racing, yes it took me looking at the pictures three times to get things to sink in. But I was talking to him and as far as I was told noone was seriously hurt. You have to take the bad with the good. Baby Noor, good story, this one, bad story…but they are still alive and coming home soon : )
By Dragon7(r)
March 30, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this
Hey Folks, War is not pretty, never has been, never will be. that is the reality of it all and in some instances the grusom sights that we as a sheltered American public have the chance to see just might prevent a war in the future, if we really knew just how bad it was, we just might not let it happen. To the Boys of Charlie Company, You Rock Guys, I am so very very proud of you. cant wait to see you at the armory.
Great Job Tony and Roy.
Frank, are you glad now that I pushed you on that PT test along time ago?
CSM(r)Patrick S McNaughton, AKA Dragon 7(r) HHC 1-121, 48th Bde, GaARNG
By PJ
March 31, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and each of us deals with the stress of our loved ones being in the thick of things in our own way. Turning on each other is not what our Soldiers want us to do. They are there fighting for Freedom for all of us. Freedom to live in peace and be able to voice your opinions. AJC is a portal for those who do want to know and see a piece of what our Soldiers deal with on a daily basis. If you don’t want to know, don’t go to the site. However for those who would rather know and pray to catch a glimpse of their loved one the AJC site may be the only way they can do that. Allot of comments are made to one another on the site that are rude and selfish. We are all in this together, how you chose to deal with it is your right. Rights that our soldiers fight for don’t turn on one another for no one person feels or deals with this the same way. To Charlie Company Thank you for everything, and to all the Families be strong play nice until God willing your Soldier comes home.
By ACO SOLDIER
March 31, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this
Too all who are sheltered… Wake up and join the rest of the world!!!! As goes the saying- “War is Ugly.” Those in denial of this fact are surely too conservative and, as I see it, NEED to be reminded of the dangers soldiers are faced with day after day. Thank you AJC for your honesty and your continued support and/or opposition to the actions of the 48thBDE. And especially MONI BASU for having the “Nerves of Steel”… TO YOU I SAY THANKS FOR ASKING ALL THE QUESTIONS WE AS SOLDIERS FIND DIFFICULT TO ASK— specifically in reference to Gen. Roadheaver. As well as for taking the extra time to truly listen, reporting the facts, the truth, the reality of our experiences, despite the horrifying realities they entailed.
It seems as though so many from home have harbored more anger than their own soldier’s and/or spouses. At least AJC has been consistent in it’s support for the 48th. It’s just too bad so many take everything so personally and turn against one another. Soldier’s live these words… “One Team, One Fight.” To the families who consistently bickered between one another— Learn this ASAP! We all work together. Together, or apart, we all have one common goal- to return quickly and safely.
Whether patrolling the streets of Bagdad or providing security for the convoys that keep YOUR soldier’s supplied, we are all on the same team! GET OVER YOURSELVES— EVERYONE HAS SHARED THE SAME EXPERIENCE THE LAST 12 MONTHS. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SAFER MISSION. THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY IS IN SHAMBLES! MORE AND MORE EACH DAY AREAS DEEMED SAFE ARE SAFE NO LONGER! This country is on the brink of civil war… Just be thankful for you loved one surviving this long! At some point you’ll all be facing harsh realities when your war torn soldier’s return and grieve of the loss of their comrades, the torment of silence in place of keeping focus, the nightmares and the emotional detachment from a brotherhood which is the only family most of us have known for 18 months. Who will you blame, then? Bet it won’t be AJC…
By Joseph Allison
April 1, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this
As a Forsenic Photographer, I must thank the AJC for having the strength to publish these photographs, I have been Required to make photographs of vehicle accidents that were more unsettling than these. As a Paratrooper, I want the guys to know I am appreciating your stand there, and that I am behind you, All The Way.