it starts here

My first tour in Iraq was eventful to say the least. For the first 6months I was assigned to the BN HQ assisting the Battle CPT in the running of the TOC. Half way through my tour I way promoted and sent to work on the line as an FO. I was extatic, I was finally going to do the fun stuff, kicking in doors and shooting the bad guys.

I was integrated into W Co(not the real name of course) the day after the memorial for SSG B and SPC B had been held. I realized then that among the Blacksheep I was a blacksheep. I had only heard of the deeds of SSG B and SPC B real leaders and true brothers. People didn't talk to me much at first, they were mad as hornets at the command's decision to leave the half of the platoon that had responded to the IED site out there until recovery assets could arrive, which would be after the memorial. I don't know exactly what transpired, but I know 1SG Pancake Tittys made a hell of alot of enemies that day. I don't think it's exactly written anywhere, but usually if a squad leader was KIA then the whole platoon came out of the field for a day or two.

Things slowly returned to some degree of normalcy, if Iraq had such a thing. My first "mission" was a dismounted mission. Our PL, LT Stinky Feet was leading it, supervised by LT Soon to be gone. We were going to take enough fire power to start WWIII. MRE's were field stripped, zip cuffs were readied, and weapons were cleaned again just to make sure things went right. I diligently ran around seeking out batteries, antannas, waterproofing hand mikes and squarin my gear away for that night. I sat down and I was out like a light...

"GET THE FUCK UP BIRD!", came SSG Dick's words. I was late. No one told me the SP time so I didn't set an alarm. I had no clue what time it was, or how late I was, so I did what any logical thinking person would do...I panicked. Vest, K-pot, assault pack, rack and and and oh shit my weapon. I somehow make it out the doot in about 2minutes flat, to my surprise everyone else is late as well. Then I run through my personal checklist:

NVG-Green

Comms-Green

Weapon-RED(as in ready to kill)

The point man heads out, I assume position beside LT Stinky Feet, hoping he doesn't attract bullets being as tall as he is. We head south, towards a house suspected of sheltering the men who shot down an AH-64. We covered 3K in about 2hrs (a kilometer is equal to about .6mi) We weave in and around trees, over berms and through shit canals. When we reach the obj. I'm worn out, but alive in ways I'd never been before. The M240's set up overwatch and the assault team is in place. I call up to Whiskey main and let them know we're on site, breaching now.

Through the faint glow of the pre-dawn youu can see vengence in everyone's eyes. They're not hear to pick up some guys who shot down a Helo, they're to get vengence for SSG B and SPC B. I'm scared, how can this be the right answer. My thoughts are cleared by a big flash in the courtyard between the two shit and stick built houses. Great, my first mission and we get ambushed. [The breach man held a flash bang ready to rock it in the house when the first man in the stack charged right on in. Having no choice but to follow, the breach man hurls the flashbang into the neighboring garden] Both houses are secured and cleared. No one's hurt...except the 3 male rags in the left house, all were thrown to the floor and secured. The women and children in the other house remain unscathed.

Tactical questioning begins, none of the towels want to talk. They're pressed while the mine sweeper crew does their thing looking for burried weapons. Finally SSG Dick somewhat snaps. In the room he goes and yanks one of the hajis up and smacks him around, then drops him to the ground. Outside one of the trucks is identified as the get away truck used in the attack on the helo. SSG Dick goes to work. The truck is locked, so he unlocks the windows...all of them. The seats are cut open to look for...terrorist stuff, the wiring harness inside is shredded and the truck is deemed clear. Cement is poured in with the oil and gas to prevent it's use in fuel bombs. Whiskey main is calling and asking what we're going to do about the truck, we have no thermite(not allowed...to dangerous) but we have an antitank rocket. No rockets allowed this close to civilians...

I'm sitting on 10gallons of diesel, this fact I point out to SSG Dick. With no hesitation what-so-ever I move to his orders and hand him the fuel. The seats get a good coating of diesel, the outside is covered with fuel as well. Whiskey main calls and asks for an ETA back at Patrol Base Whiskey. 60mikes(minutes) is the reply I'm told to send up. The haji's are blindfolded and re zipcuffed. We form up and begin to head out, SSG Dick ignites the seat inside the truck.

"Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke," is how he leaves.

LT Stinky Feet tries to say something once to SSG Dick, the LT is laughed at and scorned. He will ultimatly become a bitch and the butt of most of the platoon's jokes.

The 3haji "detainees" are "escorted" back to PB Whiskey. They aren't shown the nice path either. They are walked through multiple sticker bushes, shit canals and animal pens. When they arrive at PB Whiskey they are placed inside a metal connex to await futher instructions from battalion.

My first mission and we captured 3confirmed shitbags, I've actually done something good we caught 3 American killers. They shot down a helo and killed 2 piolits. I've done a good thing and I can sleep well tonight.