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DEL.ICIO.USTelevision brightens spartan quarters
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Forward Operating Base Row, Iraq � They patrol one of the most hostile regions of Iraq and must endure some of the most primitive living conditions of any American soldiers in this war-torn country.
But thanks to some clever bureaucratic maneuvering, soldiers who so far have been given the worst of everything scored one luxury â€â€? a 42-inch plasma TV, which they weren’t supposed to get.
But 1st Sgt. Delston Branch, a normally upright member of the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment’s Bravo Company, was able to convince staff officers that the $4,000 TV had been promised to his soldiers.
“I told them that the sergeant major gave us the TV,” said Branch, a Georgia State Patrol trooper in Washington County in civilian life. “Then I saw the sergeant major and told him we ought to have it, and he went along.”
A few days later, the battalion operations center where the TV would have been placed burned.
At Row, the TV holds an altarlike position at the center of the base’s main building â€â€? one of the few with an intact roof.
The TV has an audience nearly around the clock, and most soldiers watch from five overstuffed leather chairs on a raised wooden platform.
When a particularly popular movie is playing, up to five more soldiers sit on the platform itself â€â€? a configuration they mockingly call “stadium seating.” On a recent afternoon, soldiers saw a triple feature â€â€? “Spiderman II,” “Van Helsing” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” â€â€? between combat patrols through a restive Sunni area south of Baghdad.
Hostile area
The soldiers here are allowed just one shower every three days and 20 minutes of weekly telephone calls at a base so vulnerable to rockets, mortars and small arms fire that they wear helmets and body armor any time they step outside. But they say they’re making the best of the bad circumstances and actually prefer their situation to more comfortable, yet mundane, living conditions at larger, more established bases.
“The thing we like about this place is that there’s no busywork,” said Staff Sgt. James Dunkle, 37, of Phenix City, a member of Alabama Army National Guard’s 167th Infantry Regiment. “We do our missions, and then we come back and relax. The things we do serve a purpose.”
The infantry soldiers from Alabama and the Georgia Abrams tank operators based here also train and perform daily missions with Iraqi army soldiers at an adjoining military compound. They operate road checkpoints and conduct raids throughout a mostly rural area lined by canals, palm trees and farm fields.
The bucolic setting is deceptive, though.
The soldiers have encountered multiple roadside bombs and they get shot at and mortared regularly.
Instead of complaining about their austere conditions and exhausting schedule, they seem to take pride in having it tougher than anyone else in the 48th Brigade Combat Team.
“Two days before we left Kuwait we found out we were coming here,” said Sgt. Jeremy Birchfield, 27, of Leeds, Ala. “It might have been nice to live in one of the bigger FOBs but this is where I’d rather be. I came here to fight a war and there’s no doubt living here that we’re in a war.”
Unlike some of the larger, more established U.S. bases where soldiers eat catered meals, work out in air-conditioned weight rooms and sleep in one- or two-person trailers, soldiers here sleep on cots in dusty, bombedout buildings with no plumbing.
Their cafeteria is a small, plywood-enclosed room that reeks of foul drainage water.
There’s only one sink and it has no faucet or running water.
The tile floor is broken in so many places that it’s more concrete than tile.
But they have a seemingly inexhaustible supply of DVDs � and the best TV in the region. Do they ever argue about what to watch?
“No way,” said 1st Lt. Leo Deason, 39, a firefighter from Trussville, Ala. “Whoever shows enough initiative to get up out of their chair and put a DVD in can watch whatever they want.”
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Comments
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By Chris
July 6, 2005 03:24 PM | Link to this
I know this is an Atlanta-based news group, but it sure is nice to see an article that included some of our ‘Bama troops from the 167th. I hope they enjoy that plasma tv. I applaud the reporters for the great job they’re doing in bringing us the daily updates on our family members deployed in Iraq. I would just like to tell SSG Jeremy Birchfield and PFC Thomas Clark that we miss you guys. I can’t wait to here the stories you will have to tell when you’re home. I’m sure you’ll have 1 or 2. Keep up the good work over there and we’ll keep the support coming over here. See you guys soon.
Chris
By T Clark
July 6, 2005 05:43 PM | Link to this
After reading todays comments from Sgt. Birchfield I just wanted to say how proud I am of him. I know he would rather be there because he has always stated that he believed that being a good soldier is a calling,and I know that he really does believe in such things as duty, honor,and freedom. I would also like to say how proud I am of my son who is also serving there.I know before he had left he had gotten quiet I asked him if all was well and he stated yes sir this is something that I believe in and feel that I should do. So he to believes in such things also. We should all be proud of the 48th and all the sacrifices they have to endure.
By Sonya Farrell
July 6, 2005 07:24 PM | Link to this
1st Sgt. Branch, I live in Rayle and my husband is part of the HHC 2-121. Just wanted to let you know that- you, the 48th and all the troops are in my prayers everyday. May God keep his hand upon you and keep you safe. Sonya
By connie
July 6, 2005 07:39 PM | Link to this
it is very nice to see a story from the guys from alabama we would like to see more.we miss you all very much .satch we cant wait for you to come home. hope you keep your stuff more organized and get to post on time there lol.
By Jennifer Whitlock
July 6, 2005 09:21 PM | Link to this
I’m so glad they have a tv. I know my husband will like that when he has the opportunity to watch it. Be safe guys we love you and are here waiting for ya’ll to come home. I love you Sgt. Whitlock
By R.C
July 6, 2005 09:37 PM | Link to this
I too am very happy to see something written about our Alabama troops. My brother and 25 or so men from Cullman Al. are with the 48th. We are so proud and honored to say they are a part of us. To all the men and women fighting for the rights and freedoms we enjoy everyday,our prayers are with you all. Thanks AJC and keep the Alabama reports coming!!!
By Chris
July 7, 2005 03:57 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with T Clark (hey, Peachtree neighbor). I have talked SGT Birchfield several times myself and I know he is speaking what he really feels. Our soldiers sacrifice enough by leaving behind wives, husbands, and children to do what they believe is their job, let alone put themselves in harms way to do it. Our military today is a volunteer military so they all know the risks they take in joining up. Our fathers, grandfathers, and even great grandfathers did not have that choice in their day due to the draft. Our soldier know they weren’t sent over there to take a vacation. We need to quit “complaining” for them. Instead, we need to continue to show them our support and gratitude for the difficult work they are doing.
Chris
By Ed Clark
July 7, 2005 11:27 PM | Link to this
Way to go First Sgt. Branch! Thanks for showing initiative on behalf of our guys. PFC T. Clark and S Sgt. Burchfield, I am so doggone proud of you guys I could bust. April says you can already see some positive results from your time there. I know you will get the job done with character! Know guys, that we pray for you several times a day. We pray for you by name and for all your brothers and sisters in arms. Remember your training; what you’ve learned since you’ve been there; and, come home to us when the mission is complete…Safe, Sound and SOON. We love you guys!
By Elizabeth
July 8, 2005 09:21 AM | Link to this
Thank you so much for reporting on the boys at Row. Spc. Chris Gerhard is there and as long as he has electricity for his xbox and movies he is good to go! However, you have to love the way our soldiers try to protect us. He told me he was in a good area and not seeing any action..hmm..I kinda stopped believing that when he called saying he had a war wound! But they are making the best of it, and doing what they need to do. Hurry home sweetie! I love you!
By Sandy Wahl
July 8, 2005 10:33 AM | Link to this
To all the guys in Birchfield”s unit we at home (Alabama for sure!) appreciate everything you are doing and the sacrifices you are making. Chris and Nathan, what a go, scoring a TV!!!!!
By Eric
July 8, 2005 12:04 PM | Link to this
Far out, happy to hear you fellas “aquired” a TV. From what I hear, entertainment is kind of sparse at Row. Hey Birch, Lopez, Nate, Howard and Satch, I’ll send you guys some movies in the next package to keep you occupied and you can share with the rest of the guys. Hopefully my 1st two packages are almost there. Ya’ll take it easy and holla at me when you get a chance. Thanks again to the AJC for giving the “4th Alabama” some publicity.
By Bonnie Branch
July 8, 2005 11:10 PM | Link to this
We are so proud of you 1SG Branch!! We are praying for you and all the guys that are with you. Tell SSG Graves that we said hello and that Washington is fine. Stay safe and don’t break the plasma! We love you and miss you more every day!
By murray
July 11, 2005 08:55 PM | Link to this
I want to thank all of you that have been so kind in your comments about the soldiers. I am a military wife and I know how difficult it is for my husband to deal with the things that he sees. It is very encouraging to know that there are people out there who love and support what the soldiers are doing. To adk, I love you so much and I am so proud of you. Please know that you are my everything and that everyone here is praying for you. Hold your head high, and keep your mind on the mission.