Scorch Marks

     This morning Killer Company was sitting down for a round table meeting when the flat, low crunch of a distant explosion rumbled over the command post. The ugly sound stripped the air of any sonic rival - leaving a grim stillness in its wake. There followed a pregnant pause, as if some stranger had intruded into a private conversation between friends and suddenly silenced the group. The conversation finally sputtered back to life like a doddering car lurching into gear. And not a word was spoken about our ill favored guest.

      But just a few kilometers away, on the molten rivers of asphalt that bisect our Battalions AO there was no ignoring that crushing wave of concussion. To the soldiers of our sister company the bone cracking sound wasn’t simply an uninvited guest – it was a murderous intruder bent on rending muscle and bone. But I am getting a little ahead of myself, let me start at the beginning.

     This morning about the same time my company was gathering in the CP (command post) our brothers in arms, Demon Company, was setting up blocking positions around an IED. As the EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) worked to disable the IED the Demon soldiers manning the positions kept a watchful eye on the area.  Their mission was to provide security for the EOD team and to keep curious Iraqis from wandering into the kill zone.

     Blocking positions aren’t exciting missions, they are as monotonous as they are important. The danger with these positions is fighting complacency; it takes a great deal of discipline to remain in one place watching a patch of real estate while you melt under thick layers of body armor. But the Demons aren’t a complacent bunch, and when a car whirled around a corner and started to accelerate towards their position they proved just how alert they really were.

     The moment the car turned its nose towards the patrol and started to pick up speed the troops recognized that this wasn’t a confused driver trying to find a shortcut to work. This was a VBIED.  Weapons slewed into position and as the car continued to pick up speed the soldiers engaged with their rifles. A split second later the harsh crack of rifle fire was eclipsed by the unholy thump of a heavy machine gun engaging the target. The windshield blossomed into a spider web of broken glass, and the driver slumped over from the impact of a dozen rounds. Unfortunately there was no stopping the ironclad laws of inertia, the vehicle continued to lurch forward until it fluoresced into a shrieking high explosive fireball. The hard wave of concussion slammed into the troops like a sledgehammer, a welter of metal and meat following an instant behind. The vehicles engine block rocketed forward and slammed into the armored HMMWV, glancing off the thick steel with a metallic hiss. The soldiers who had dismounted the vehicle managed to take a knee a split second before the powerful explosion, leaving them mercifully free of almost all of the screeching fragments.

     We didn’t know it at the time, but the sound we heard in the CP wasn’t a mournful cry - it was the sound of victory. Thanks to the alert soldiers in Demon Company the only life that ended that day was the suicide bombers. All that will mark the bombers bitter existence is a scorch mark on a worthless piece of road. A scorch mark that will forever recount his dismal failure.

Comments

[Maggie]

Like 2slick says, you're some writer, man. Thank you for all you and your brothers do.

[David]

Sir, Again, your focus has changed but not your abilities. Another job well done. David M

[Mrs. Schmitt]

{{{ hugs to you }}} for all your doing over there!! Question: are you in the most dangerous part of Iraq? Or are you in a safer part?

[CJ]

Thank God! May He continue to protect and give vigilance. We love you guys!

[Jeremiah]

I'm very glad you're all safe. I've been reading through military blogs today. You may be interested in my blog on insurgency warfare and the war in Iraq, the WOT and other things. I've got a rather long article on there about platter charges. http://organicwarfare.blogspot.com

[MissBirdlegs in AL]

So good to hear! Good for Demon Company! Stay safe!

[tmg]

Amen. Each "sound of victory" answers a prayer. God Bless.

[Opforsoldier]

Glad to hear that my brothers are safe and sound tonight and that there is one less bad guy.

[apostleJohn]

Thanks for all you posts -- you are giving lots of greeat insights.

[Chevy Rose]

I think paved over VBIEDs, would be a good reminder that Evil does belong underground. May God continue blessing you, America, and the new Iraq.

[jamie]

Darn, I was kind of wishing that there were some skid marks involved with this story, because isn't that what you call those brown stains in underwear, seems much more appropriate. May you guys continue to have much success in your missions, and may God continue to watch over you.

[Edward]

And that is how all such murderous arhabi should end. Kudos to Demon Company for staying alert while covering those incredible EOD men. Apropos Michael Yon's latest report, every patrol should have at least one IP in attendance. When arhabi are captured, they may then be given the choice of spilling all and going to air-conditioned Abu Ghraib, or being turned over to the IP.

[tnunn]

May God keep all of you safe.