Baby Steps

     The Iraqi Police (IP) forces have come a long way in the last year; I doubt our predecessors would recognize them these days.  When we arrived most of the IPs stayed hunkered down in their police stations, content to restrict their patrols to the roads circling their stations.  As they gained confidence the areas they patrolled slowly expanded and a few months after we arrived their heavily armed patrols were flitting through areas that had been a virtual no mans land.  Their expansion into new and dangerous areas wasn’t easy, and they suffered no small number of casualties in the process.  But with our Battalions patrols backing them up when they were heavily engaged their confidence skyrocketed, and they went from being the hunted to being the hunters.     

     Despite their considerable progress there are still some sectors of Baghdad that are so rife with danger they are assiduously avoided by the IP patrols.  One of those areas is the sector of Southern Baghdad my company patrols each and every day.  It’s not that the IPs aren’t doing their job, our area is only a fraction of the area that they are responsible for patrolling, and truth be told it is far less populated then the neighborhoods to our North.  But that being said I’m sure the fearsome reputation of our Area of Operations (AO) didn’t help much either.     

     When we first arrived in our new sector the IPs assured us that they conducted daily patrol through the area, but after a few weeks it became clear that we had vastly different ideas about what comprised a daily patrol.  To remedy the problem we started building a stronger relationship with the IPs, and over the ensuing days and weeks their attitude started to slowly change.  After a few weeks there were several members of their strike teams who were more then happy to conduct joint patrols, and eventually that teamwork started paying rich dividends.     

     Before I go on I should explain a little about the AIF, because without describing our enemy the IPs reticence won’t make a lot of sense.  A good starting point to understanding the AIF in our sector is to dump all your preconceptions… because chances are they are dead wrong.  After watching countless televised clips of AIF attacks you might think the average AIF fighter is a ferocious, shadowy figure cloaked in menace and seething with hatred for the United States.  The truth is far less flattering.  The AIF forces are indiscernible from the average Iraqi, on more then one occasion we have had to pick up individuals who had offered us tea during one of our daily patrols.  Instead of hiding in some shadowy spiderhole they hide in plain sight.  Their defining characteristic isn’t courage, it is deception.  They operate a little like a school yard bully, when we aren’t around they threaten their communities with death to ensure they aren’t compromised, then when we arrive they smile and wave as we pass by.      

     When the IPs conduct raids the trapped AIF fighters occasionally stand and fight, but even when they don’t many IPs are concerned for the safety of their families.  Before some raids they can be seen masking their identity with thick woolen ski masks - you can judge just how dangerous their target is by how many of their officers decide to “mask up”.     

     While the AIF occasionally takes their chances by standing and fighting the IP raids they never seem to contest US raids.  By this stage in the war they know that they can’t win a fight with US forces, and they don’t even try to put up resistance.  Because the AIF lives in mortal fear of a US raid the IPs are more then happy to conduct joint operations with our forces, they know that the mere presence of our forces is enough to cow the most stubborn AIF fighter into submission.     

     Tonight, during one of our routine joint patrols the Iraqi officer riding in my HMMWV started to fidget and look decidedly uncomfortable.  After working with the IPs I’ve learned to use their unconscious body language as an impromptu diving rod for AIF activity.  And at that moment it was obvious that something, or someone was nearby.  As my soldiers pulled up a security perimeter I started to slowly wheedle the information out of the IP.  After a few minutes of question and answer the story started to unfold, apparently several hundred meters away there was a home that harbored a particularly lethal gentleman affiliated with Al Qaeda in Iraq.  The mere mention of Al Qaeda immediately piqued my interest, and the proximity to several recent IEDs sealed the issue… our patrol had a new mission.  The IP and his comrades looked decidedly uncomfortable at the prospect of bringing in this particular fighter, but when I pulled out several black ski masks out of the trunk their distress vanished.  As they pulled the woolen caps over their faces they seemed renewed, and for a second I silently laughed at the sudden transformation.  In that moment, in that darkened patch of road, they looked for all the world like some B-Movie superhero putting on their crime fighting outfit.      

     Once they were all clad in the ebon masks the IPs were eager to take point and lead us towards the suspected safehouse.  We shuttled through the underbrush in a low and stealthy column, and once we the vegetation started to thin up we gathered together in a small hollow and called forward the HMMWVS.  The vehicles crept into overwatch positions, while the gunners slewed their turrets towards the target buildings.  Once they were in place the IPs stood up, and prepared to charge the target building.  As they stood up some of their nervous energy seemed to dissipate, but once they watched American soldiers stand up behind them ready to follow their confidence seemed to magically congeal.  Without a second glance they hurtled towards the house at a dead sprint, and we followed a handful of steps behind them.      

     I won’t get into the tactical details of the next few seconds; passing along that type of information could be calamitous to our mission and make life easier on the AIF.  What I will mention is one particular memory that was burned into my mind in those first few seconds.  A memory of the AIF leader seeing the American forces enter behind the IPs and squeal like a little girl… then proceed to urinate on his dishdash.     

     A careful search of the home provided more then enough evidence to verify the IPs intelligence, and once the search was complete we escorted the IPs back to their police station.  As they walked into the station the IPs strutted like peacocks, proudly displaying the captured AIF fighters the way a fisherman might display a trophy bass.  We remained several paces behind the IPs, and watched their antics with great amusement.  Our translator quietly passed along their story as they passed it along to the other police officers, and I was mildly surprised at how much the story had already evolved.  Despite their inflated claims I was happy to let the IPs take all the credit, if nothing else it would help build their confidence in their own abilities.  We spent a few minutes confirming the slightly swollen accounts of bravery, and then we said our goodbyes and started on our long dusty ride home.  As we drove back to the FOB I kept thinking of the complete and utter fear that seemed to ooze out of the self proclaimed Al Qaeda member… and I laughed when I remembered his soaked dishdash.    I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at Al Qaeda the same.          

Comments

[ghd mk4 pink]

That's right, when the scum come up against true men they wallow in fear and soil themselves. What do you expect from cowards who hide in the shadows.

[CJ]

Happy belated Thanksgiving, T6! Hope it was a quiet day for all of you. Thank you for all you do--all the sacrifices you make. I'm also glad to see that you can still find the humor in things. =) Keep strong. We love you all!!

['Lissa]

It is absolutely amazing how one person, or group of people, simply by their presence, can instill so much confidence in one grown man, while at the very same time cause so much fear that another grown man looses control of his bodily functions!!!!! LOL The look on his face must have been priceless!! You are truely amazing T6 and the IPs are so lucky to have you! Carry on your mission Sir and know that prayers are being sent your way.

[MissBirdlegs in AL]

Had to laugh at this one, T6 - Hope y'all know how prominently you'll figure in lots of Thanksgiving Celebrations around our great country today. God Bless, and Happy Thanksgiving! Best, Katy

[Donna, Los Osos, CA]

You guys rock! Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Got a place set at our table today for the military. Have to ditto everyones comments...you are an excellent writer. Thanks for all you do! We are grateful. P.S. Used to go hiking in the hills behind La Verne when I was in high school. Pretty place. God bless you.

[David]

A post! Now I can rest a little easier my friend and now I can even go back and actually read it. Glad you are well, if its possible, Happy Thanksgiving and Thank you for all you are doing.

[MBDonaldson]

It amazes me how our national media and some leaders (political bull crap) like to put what we're doing in Iraq in such a bad light. You paint a different story that I’m much more inclined to believe. Keep up the good work Thunder6. Happy Thanksgiving! Keep the faith!

[Huntress]

Without the media shedding the spotlite on them and providing them with a large pulpit in which to spread their message of hate....the cowards of Al Queda are merely thugs with guns...schoolyard bullies who threaten Iraqi's but when confronted by our troups shit in their pants! Its great to hear our the IP's are feeling more empowered. With all the Bullcrap debating in DC about "pulling our troups out" this story lends credence to why at this moment in time, we cannot consider abandoning the Iraqis. Slowly steadily our goals are being achieved, we are killing or capturing terrorists and those who lend them support, democracy is in place, a constitution has been ratified, and another election to form a more permanent government is around the corner, just as planned. In one year Iraq has come much farther than America did in her formative years. But like a parent that would never walk away from their young child, leaving him/her to fend for him/herself, how can we in all decency and good consciousness, leave the Iraqi's, in this newly reborn Iraq, before they are better able to provide fend for themselves. They are making great strides under the leadership of our troups but patience and persistance is required, by ALL of us.

[Guy]

T6...What a great account. Never mind what the press says. You guys are winning. I am so grateful that we, as Americans, have men and women such as yourself and those you serve with,that are willing to defend our nation against those that seek to destroy us.

[Beth* A.]

Happy Thanksgiving to you from the stateside,T6! Sure hope there is some turkey and trimmings with it for you ALL at some point today! (There darn well should be!) If it's just another day, at least bask in the knowledge that you all figure prominently in what we are truly thankful for this holiday, and the whole year round. You guys (and gals)are the very best!!! Proud of you, CPT, and wishing you and yours, family and buddies, continuous blessings this Thanksgiving and always...Cheers from here!!!

[crobnson]

You guys are doing an awesome job training the Iraqi's! Happy Thanksgiving T6.

[Gypsy]

What an encouraging post Sir, the confidence building is so integral to the mission. Happy Thanksgiving T6, you and your Men will be remembered at the dinner table tomorrow, as will all our Military in far away places. Stay safe.

[ET USN 71-78]

I appreciated the levity you were able to include while relating such a serious event. Sure puts al Qaeda in a better perspective, too. I'm glad you are able to witness the gradual improvement in IP capability. You are doing a wonderful job. Be encouraged.

[Beth Powers-Lamm]

It is encouraging to hear that the Iraqis are in fact beginning to take responsibility for their own safety and security. I was not surprised to learn that the big-bad terrorist would lose it when confronted by the Iraqis backed up by the Americans. Only cowards send young men and women to certain death by encouraging them to strap bombs to their young bodies to blow up innocents. Glad to know the terrorist is in the hands of the Iraqis who I suspect will deal with him in a MOST appropriate manner. We can only hope.

[Lenny]

That's right, when the scum come up against true men they wallow in fear and soil themselves. What do you expect from cowards who hide in the shadows. It's good to hear the Iraqi forces are becoming more adept and that their confidence is blooming. The more motivated will always win in the end. A blessing on you all for such dangerous,and ever vigilant work. The future holds promise. Stay safe, friend.

[John]

Keep up the good work. We support you. Also, I think you guys write like pros as well. Were you English teacher back home?