About time for an update

So I realized I haven't put an update on here lately. It wasn't all do to being busy, that's just not the case lately. I am...but not so much that I can't type out a little bit here and there to keep folks up to date.

So generally, things have been quiet here in Dora. Quiet is a relative thing of course. Since the last update, one of our platoons had a guy shot in the head (he's fine and in Germany right now), an Iraqi LT was shot in the leg, we've had a couple vehicles blown up to the point of being deadlined, a little girl was shot a by an insurgent down the street from us (the platoon out there at the time took her to the hospital, think she ended up losing a leg..but we're the bad guys?), my medic patched up a kid that had been shot in the chest in a dispute over propane (still...we're the bad guys?), we've had CBS reporter Lara Logan here doing a story on the market (it was a 3 part series...still trying to find it, but it is out there...I've seen the video), a guy blew himself up placing an IED in the market (he didn't die...but lost a hand among other things) and numerous spray and pray shots.

And my part in most of this? I'm rarely on the patrol that this stuff happens to (except for the Lara Logan one...). It's weird, really. No real complaints. Quiet's not necessarily a bad thing in this area...and compared to what it used to be, it's amazingly quiet.

I mentioned the Iraqi LT above. We're working with the Iraqi Army now. They're in the Market every day with us. Not 24hrs like us, but they're there. Mostly competent. Generally trying to do the right thing and definitely wanting a fight. The ones that are left anyway. When the unit heard they were coming here, 2/3 of them left. They can do that apparently. I guess they heard bad things about Dora and decided they've had enough of playing army.

That microcosm of an event shows why we're still here, though. The numbers shown on TV of how many Iraqis have been trained and are "on duty" are skewed to the say least. Not to mention the competence level. They'll never be to a competence level that we in the West would consider acceptable. It's not in their culture. But we're also not training them to fight another large army that's well trained and capable. So really they just need numbers, decent training and decent equipment. All of which they're getting. The IA's (Iraqi Army) rides around in the same humvees that we do, minus all the armor upgrades we have (but it's still a great ride and 100% better than what I had the first time I was here). They have good rifles, good clothes, and what seems to be an improving logistics line. Logistics is the hardest thing for them to learn. They never had it. The long logistics lines that we take for granted are a foreign concept to most armies in the world (even to an army like China...). These guys are still barely a step above foraging...and really most of what they do could be consider foraging.

I know "The Surge" is a big deal in the news. It'll be effecting us, apparently. Exactly how right now I'm not sure. But I have no doubt it'll be a huge benefit. Mainly because of the implementation strategy they have in mind is exactly what needs to happen to effectively fight the war that we're in. What seems to be on the drawing board is exactly what SFC Perez and I had talked about when we got here and saw what was happening. You can't fight from large fortresses like we are. You HAVE to spread out and be more flexible. That's what's going to happen with this "surge". Lots of little bases around Baghdad. Makes it easier to make quick hits and raids...to more effectively eliminate the insurgents.

But I digress. For those of you watching the Super Bowl...look for one of my team leaders, SGT Lehigh. He'll be in the Baghdad Bowl aired on CBS prior to the Super Bowl. Should be playing CB...not sure for Bears or Colts (they'll be wearing those jersies). Me...I'll be hanging out at one of our new duty stations here...the Iraqi "911" center. Part of the process of integrating 24hr operations to these guys. That's another foreign concept to them. But we're helping them get together quick responder areas to send Iraqi Police, National Police, and IA. Eventually it'll include ambulance and fire trucks. Baby steps for now. But at least in the right direction. Now all we need is time.