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W. Thomas Smith: on patrol in Al Qaim
. . . AQI is trying to move back into the Al Qaim region which the Marines have so effectively killed or beaten out. According to intelligence, AQI is planning something big here in the coming days. Bohm is trying to disrupt that effort by keeping the tempo hot against them. The terrorists are operating in isolated groups out in the open flats just beyond Karabilah (some are believed to be in the city) and other tiny impoverished towns and villages here on the Syrian border. Foreign fighters are also crossing the border along with the nearly impossible to control smuggling trade of cigarettes, goats, and gasoline.Bohm tells me, What we see as smuggling, these people see as business. This morning, after about three hours sleep, we saddled up for another patrol: Making our presence known, visiting a couple houses, passing out candy to the boys and girls. Barking dogs followed us everywhere, and as we moved down narrow streets and alleyways, a few Iraqis peered at us from partially opened doors. Three times, we passed sheperds with their baaaing flocks. In all cases, there were small boys with them who seemed fascinated to be standing so close to the big, heavily armed, profusely sweating Marines as our patrol passed. And they were thrilled when one or more Marines reached into their cargo pockets and pulled out small bags of Skittles, Charms, Sweet Tarts, and various hard candies (M&Ms and other chocolates wouldnt survive this heat). At one house, our Navy Corpsman, Dave Doc K Kukreja, gave some pain medicine to an elderly woman who is gravely ill with cancer. Working through an Iraqi terp, Doc also tried to explain issues to and comfort her family. . . . Posted by: Mike 2007-08-01 |
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