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| Iraq |
| The Leader of the Army of Steve -- Aug through Christmas happenings |
| 2003-12-27 |
| This is a lengthy read. Almost all the daily happenings, including the capture of Suddam. Really lets us know, what these guys are up against over there. 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, Tikrit Iraq – December 25th 2003 ‘Regulars, By God!’ ‘Deeds, not Words.’ LTC Steven D. Russell Merry Christmas. A chill is in the air now—mixed with the pall of wood smoke hanging over the city. Occasional rains attempt to cleanse the dusty, filthy environment without success. We were once bathed from head to toe with sweat, but now cover ourselves with items to keep warm or dry. The temperatures here have cooled, but the situation seems to change as often as the weather. The environment in Tikrit at this writing is simmering—not a boil, but simmering. How do we sum the events of the last several months since I last wrote? How do we convey the elation of success and the grief of loss? We may never be able to do so for those that are not here. I will try to capture in a small sense our operations since August 24th, so forgive me for the very long letter. I write a little each day from notes but have not been able to catch up as we have necessarily been very busy. Since today is Christmas, I wanted to take advantage of the break. Take the time to read it! (After the football games, of course) |
| Posted by:Sherry |
#14 RTWT everyone! We have learned a tremendous amount about how the press operates since we have been here. [Our normal embedded press] are largely very professional, are not afraid of risks, and they file accurate stories for the most part. ... We have also learned that the editors of their news organizations may never pick up the many good things that they file. A sense of frustration develops even among them when a story they worked gets bumped for the splash headline of ‘Another Soldier killed in Iraq Today.’something alert RB'ers have suspected all along. |
| Posted by: Glenn (not Reynolds) 2003-12-27 10:44:07 PM |
| #13 They had an entire operation going with 57mm anti-aircraft shells. First, they removed the rounds from the boxes. Next they took a hammer and cracked the rounds’ seal with the brass case—an indicator of their intelligence. Of course all of this works best while smoking. JESUS QUACK! And these idiots think they can win against an ANGRY America? They're killing THEMSELVES, no need for US to fire on them! The only way we're gonna lose this war is if we lose heart. If we CHOOSE to give up, of our own free will. Other than that, these Gomers make Jim Nabors' character look like a friggin' genius! I've seen six-year-olds with more common sense. Ed Becerra |
| Posted by: Ed Becerra 2003-12-27 7:21:20 PM |
| #12 Frank G -- thanks for the compliment -- I don't post often... just when I find something about the Army of Steve. He's become such a hero around here! I live just south of Ft Hood -- and sat at a railroad track one day - watching a looonnng train loaded with tanks, trucks, trailers, you name it, it was on that train, headed south to the coast -- Yea, the stuff the 4ID are currently using. With tears, I vowed to follow their fight, as lots of these folks have been customers of mine... and found Rantburg in the process. |
| Posted by: Sherry 2003-12-27 7:18:49 PM |
| #11 Great quote in case some of you didnt read the whole thing: We had oft been criticized in our efforts to win hearts and minds. But how can you win a black heart and a closed mind? The people we were dealing with could not be swayed. Handing out lollipops meant nothing to them. They understood power and respected that. Anything else would be a chance to strike back at us. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2003-12-27 6:53:14 PM |
| #10 Finished it. Great post, Sherry, thanks for sending it our way. Matt, Shipman... thanks. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2003-12-27 6:41:38 PM |
| #9 The more I read, the more I think the solution is to cordon Tikrit and Qwya, foce an evacuation, relocating them to disparate areas. Then pull a C-130 over and drop a MOAB on each. Obliterate the places. Flat. Then drop ICM and mine the area. Cordoned off for at least a year. Put the evacuees up in several palces well away from their tribes, powerbase and weapons. Send them to the salt marshes and the Sunnis in the south. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2003-12-27 6:39:57 PM |
| #8 I have a little info group that I e mail the interesting stuff to several times a week. LTC Steve's letter just left. His writing is matter-of-fact but riveting. There is just so much packed into his paragraphs. His descriptions of the intel, the background scenes, the actions take life in his writing. Phil_b, you are right. I see a book in his future. He has the prose and he has the content and depth. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-12-27 6:16:28 PM |
| #7 Sherry? First post? Good work! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-12-27 5:53:00 PM |
| #6 Fascinating stuff! Highly recommended! I hope Captn Steve puts together a book. It would sell very well. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2003-12-27 5:48:57 PM |
| #5 This is just an incredibly great post. AP, you're right, where do we find people like this? |
| Posted by: Matt 2003-12-27 5:38:25 PM |
| #4 Great Post. I expect Col. Steve has a few books in him. Men spat and narrowed their eyes in sideward glances. Uppity. They were getting uppity. Fine. I would solve this right now. I already had three casualties this day. I did not want anymore I got a few extra candles Dave. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2003-12-27 5:29:22 PM |
| #3 Good luck, Dave, and all the Irish blessings I know. |
| Posted by: Matt 2003-12-27 5:21:25 PM |
| #2 I'm about halfway through it right now. It's rocky going, especially reading about the attacks and roadside bombings, because I said goodbye to my son just an hour ago: he's on his way to Fort Dix, NJ, then Kuwait, then on to Iraq. I have a hunch I'm gonna be doing a LOT of praying over the next year or two. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2003-12-27 4:21:47 PM |
| #1 Great Post! Thanks very much. Where do we get such men and women of dedication? Hats off to the Army of Steves™. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-12-27 3:38:32 PM |