Embedded

  picture with Iraqi children, 146

  babystitting Iraqis, 67–68

  Badr, 189

  Baghdad: disparity between rich and poor, 13;

  flight over, 12–13;

  flight to, 9–10;

  militia checkpoint in, 203;

  political bickering, 219–20;

  violence in, 202–4, 207

  Baghdadi: candy and toys for kids, 55–56;

  conditions in, 55, 56;

  control of, 55;

  engineering company, violence against, 204–6;

  IED attack near, 155–57;

  leave run process, 52, 60;

  payday in, 85

  Bailey, Jamar, 174, 175

  Ballard, Dan, 212

  Bani Dahir, 28, 35, 36, 39–44

  banking system, 112

  Barak, 60

  Barney-style explanations, 49

  Barwana, 28;

  convoy to, 233;

  Hungry Tiger, Operation, 79–80;

  IED attack threat, 54;

  leave run process, 54, 61;

  meeting with area leaders, 218–19;

  mortar attack on, 191–93;

  payday in, 85;

  security in market, 79–80

  Bassam, General, 82

  Bayati, Ibraheem al-, 215

  beatings, 89–91, 92, 99–100

  begging problem, 60–61, 194–96, 236

  Bill (interpreter), 231–32

  Black Hawk helicopters, 12–13

  Blanchard, 127–29

  blimps, 10

  blood money, 97–99, 197–98

  bloodlust, 191–93

  Brewer, Jeff, 212

  bridge IED, 149–54, 165–66

  Bullock, Major, 22–23

  Bush, George W., 34, 78, 209

  Camp Ali: accommodations at, 29–30;

  chow hall, 30–31;

  construction at, 219–20, 235–36;

  explosion near, 239;

  explosives, 215;

  IED threat near, 232;

  layout of, 29–31;

  leave run process, 52–54, 61;

  location of, 29;

  Marine guard for, 29;

  motor transportation lot, 30;

  return to from Haditha, 148;

  runaway jundi, 209–10;

  shower area, 30; size of, 29;

  terrorists’ celebration of September 11, 119;

  wasted efforts and resources at, 235–36;

  wire fencing around, 69

  Camp Fallujah, 23–24

  Camp Taji: amenities at, 15;

  Behemoth in charge of, 15–16;

  flight to, 12–13;

  hoarding supplies, 78;

  IA camp, 15;

  janitor at, 16;

  PT gear to shower, 15–16;

  training at, 16–23

  Camp Victory: amenities at, 10;

  blimps over, 10;

  civilians in, 11;

  mortar attacks on, 11–12;

  motivation and length of time in, 11;

  people watching in, 11;

  security of, 10;

  transient tent life, 11;

  weapons carried in, 10

  Casey, George, 19

  Castro, Corporal, 211

  cell phones, 25

  Chameleons, 18, 34, 51, 59–60, 232–33

  Chessani, Jeffrey, 113–14

  Chestnutt, Jonathan “Nuts”:

  Baghdadi compound, 166;

  bridge IED, 150;

  Camp Taji, 13;

  combat patrol, 126–29, 135;

  command wire mother lode, 154;

  dead body, handling of, 102;

  Egyptian insurgents operation, 174, 175, 176;

  on Mark’s competence, 152;

  Water Treatment Facility combat control base, 122

  children: begging of, 60–61;

  candy and toys for kids, 46, 55–56;

  insurgent ambush, intelligence about, 146–47;

  Pepsi in Barwana market, 80;

  picture with Iraqi children, 146;

  visit with in Haditha, 145–47

  Chin, Rodd: advice for working with jundis, 59;

  Arab culture lesson, 47;

  Bani Dahir operations, 41, 43;

  communication problems, 59–60;

  copier, 70, 71;

  embedding with, 36;

  Kaffijiya operations, 44, 46–47;

  leave run convoy, 55, 56, 59

  civil war, 19, 224–25

  close-talkers, 21

  command post, ambulance ride to, 46–47

  command wire mother lode, 154–55;

  command-wire IEDs (CWIEDs), 49, 50, 51, 128–29

  communication: Chameleons and

  problems with, 59–60;

  Iraqi radio net, 156;

  procedures for, 18

  Conte, Matthew, 227

  contractors, oversight of, 236

  convoy operations: attacks on leave convoys, 201–2, 211–12;

  briefing about, 186–87;

  control of, 159–61, 162–67, 169;

  with new MiTT members, 231–33;

  routes for convoys, 212

  Cooling, Norman, 32–34, 89–92

  Cope, Jesse, 36

  copier, 70–71

  corruption, 23, 94–96

  counterinsurgency-control methods, 217–18

  crisis in Iraq, responsibility for, 223–25

  daisy-chained IED, 231

  dead body (angel) escort, 101–5, 191–92

  death: calculating risk of, 11–12, 58;

  cultural acceptance of, 187;

  Iraqi attitude about, 151;

  living forever and, 213;

  mortar attacks, payoff from, 12

  defensive perimeter, 143–45

  Delta Force, 17–18

  detainees: Baghdadi IED attack, 156–57;

  Barwana mortar attack, brothers suspected to, 192–93;

  intelligence from, 137–40;

  treatment of, 134–40, 156–57, 192, 236–37

  Donaldson, Staff Sergeant, 24, 120, 156

  ductus exemplo, 74–75

  Duke Nukem justice, 156

  Dulab, 6

  Dushka, 231

  earlobes, touching, 22

  Egyptian insurgents, 173–76

  electronic countermeasure (ECM) devices, 18

  Elliot, Terry, 227

  engineering company, violence against, 204–6

  enjoyable marriage, 182–83

  Espinosa, Corporal “Espi,” 126–29, 130–33

  Euphrates River, 28;

  draining of, 214;

  fishing on, 69–70, 77, 78;

  importance of, 13;

  lushness of area around, 13;

  swimming in, 30, 70

  Everson, Major General, 19

  Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD):

  bridge IED, 150, 151, 153, 166;

  explosion near Camp Ali, 239;

  IED training, 23–25;

  investigation of IED wires, 155–56

  Fallujah: Camp Fallujah, 23–24;

  IED attacks near, 202;

  leave convoys, 52

  Farooq, Colonel, 67, 201

  Faw Palace, Al, 12

  feudal societies, 198–99

  fishing on Euphrates River, 69–70, 77, 78

  freedom and democracy for Iraq, 223–25

  Full Metal Jacket, 213

  Gaines, Major: bridge IED, 150–51, 153;

  combat patrol, 126, 128, 135, 141;

  command wire mother lode, 154, 155;

  convoy through Haditha, 123;

  explosion near Camp Ali, 239;

  fishing on Euphrates River, 69–70;

  on Mark’s competence, 152;

  motorcycle crash, 123;

  revenge fire on vehicle, 191;

  toilet kit, using, 147–48;

  vehicle search in Haditha market, 108–9;

  Water Treatment Facility combat control base, 122;
>
  wounding of jundi during combat patrol, 132

  gangs, 96–97

  generator maintenance man, 129–30

  Gill, Major, 16

  glossary, 244–45

  Goble, Michael, 213–14

  God, belief in, 193–94

  Gray, Wesley (WG): anniversary of 62;

  Arabic name for, 64–65;

  mail from wife, 148;

  depression of, 215–16

  Great Britain, 223

  gunpowder residue (GPR) test, 134–35

  Haditha, 28;

  convoy travel through, 121–24;

  IED attack threat, 54;

  location of, 6, 7;

  Massacre at, 33–34, 113;

  motorcycle crash, 123–24;

  police checkpoint near, 232;

  population of, 6;

  vehicle search in market, 108–9;

  violence in, reduction of, 218;

  Water Treatment Facility combat control base, 122

  Haditha Dam, 27–28, 213–14

  Haditha FOB: accommodations at, 122;

  leave run process, 52–54, 61;

  Nimer operation, 121, 148;

  payday in, 85–87;

  size of, 122;

  space at, 119

  Haditha Police Department, 67–68

  Haditha Triad, 7;

  counterinsurgency-control methods, 217–18;

  flight over, 239;

  IED attacks in, 17;

  insurgents in, survival of, 46;

  Majid, Operation Al, 237–38;

  violence in, reduction of, 218, 237–38

  Haislip, Staff Sergeant: Barwana mortar attack, mourning of victims of, 192;

  dinner with Abass, 89;

  driving style of, 232;

  fishing on Euphrates River, 69–70;

  Nimer operation planning, 120

  Hajji Mosque, 138, 139

  Halliburton, 11

  Hameed, Horny, 183–84

  Hampton, Master Sergeant, 4

  Haqliniyah, 28, 52, 61, 85

  Hasen, Captain, 61–62, 68–69, 73–74, 83, 84, 119–20, 201–2

  Hawaii, 4

  heatstroke, 41

  helicopter crash, 213–15

  hepatitis, 21

  Hesco barriers, 28

  Hit, 6, 51

  homosexual behavior, 92–94

  Horvath, Gunnery Sergeant, 43, 44, 45, 47

  Howyi, 236

  Hungry Tiger, Operation, 78–80

  Hussein: ambulance ride to command post, 47;

  appearance of, 41–42;

  background of, 41, 42;

  combat patrol, 130–33, 140–43;

  decision to join IA, 42;

  family of, 42;

  insurgents, spotting of, 126;

  pressure washing vehicles, 68;

  women, conversations about, 42–43

  Hussein, Saddam: Faw Palace, Al, 12;

  Iraqis’ feelings about, 111–12;

  ruling strategy of, 65, 66, 188;

  throne from Arafat, 12;

  understanding of tribalism, 98–99

  Hydr, 60

  improvised explosive devices (IEDs):

  Baghdadi, attack near, 155–57;

  bridge IED, 149–54, 165–66;

  Camp Ali, threat near, 232;

  Camp Fallujah training, 23–24;

  Chameleons to prevent attacks, 18, 34, 51, 59–60, 232–33;

  command wire mother lode, 154–55;

  command wires, searching for, 128–29;

  convoy operations, 163–66;

  daisy-chained IED, 231;

  damage from, 17, 54–55;

  Fallujah, attacks near, 202;

  ignition devices, 24–25, 50–51;

  increase in attacks, 17;

  Iraqi method for gathering information about, 65–66;

  Joint IED Defeat Task Force training, 17–18;

  jundi-bots, 140; location of, intelligence about, 138–40;

  on Route Boardwalk, 128–29;

  placement of, 50, 51;

  rock formation for aiming, 154;

  threat from, 49, 51;

  triggers for, 18;

  types of, 49–51

  Imus (interpreter), 83, 86–87, 184–86, 188, 228

  infantrymen, 148

  insurgents: ambush near market,

  intelligence about, 146–47;

  driving style to avoid, 107–8;

  Dulab, attack at, 6;

  Egyptian, 173–76;

  engagement with, investigation of, 33–34;

  engineering company, violence against, 204–6;

  evacuation for medical care, 91–92;

  GPR test on, 134–35;

  Haditha convoy, attack on, 122;

  helicopter crash, responsibility for, 214–15;

  Iraqi method for managing, 65–66;

  pay for attacking Americans, 64;

  posing as U.S. Army soldiers, 205–6;

  relief in place operations, 121;

  search of home of, 164–65;

  sheikhs’ relationship with, 114, 238;

  signs of imminent attack by, 122;

  survival of in Triad, 46;

  undisciplined firepower and, 91–92;

  violence against Marines, 113–14.

  See also improvised explosive devices (IEDs)

  interpreters, 65–67, 83

  interrogation techniques, 134–40, 236–37

  Iraq: American policy in, 66–67, 78, 223–25;

  American solutions for failures in, 238–39;

  British help for, 223;

  census count, 76;

  civil war in, 19, 224–25;

  close-talkers, 21;

  democratic institutions in, 78, 238;

  escape from, 228–31;

  failures in, responsibility for, 238–39;

  freedom and democracy for, 223–25;

  hatred for Americans, 204;

  history of, 65–66;

  hoarding supplies, 78;

  homes of civilians, 119–20, 133;

  homes of Iraqis, 119–20, 133;

  hope for prosperous, 62;

  inflation in, 82;

  information gathering from civilians, 65–66;

  invasion of, mistakes made during, 111–13;

  jundi treatment of civilians, 43;

  leave convoys and civilians, 55;

  lion analogy, 224, 225;

  national rule about possession of weapons, 43–44;

  political bickering, 219–20;

  rules for approaching civilians, 43;

  security in, 78;

  success in, 218–20;

  suspicion about American policy, 66–67;

  toilet habits of Iraqis, 21;

  treacherous life in, 105;

  tribalism in, 96–99, 109, 196–99;

  violence for solving politics and

  policy, 113–14

  Iraqi and Arab culture:

  accommodating and supportive attitude and, 22, 86;

  Arab men, lecture on dealing with, 47–48;

  beatings, 89–91, 92, 99–100;

  changing, possibility of, 109, 237–39;

  death, cultural acceptance of, 187;

  family, importance of, 63;

  God, belief in, 193–94;

  infinite wealth of Americans, 60, 87, 236;

  man love, 92–94;

  relationships, importance of, 47–48, 161–62;

  string analogy, 47–48;

  time, meaninglessness of, 58;

  torture and, 134, 135–36, 138;

  training on, 21–22, 86;

  tribalism, 96–99, 109, 196–99;

  wasta, 70;

  wife beating, 89–91, 92

  Iraqi army (IA): accountability issues, 76;

  begging problem, 194–96, 236;

  bloodlust, 191–93;

  commands from Marines, 120;

  correcting Iraqis, avoidance of, 74–75, 120;

  corruption in,
23, 94–96;

  disbanding of by American forces, 61–62, 112;

  Egyptian insurgents operation, 173–76;

  food for, 76–80;

  force strength, 210, 236;

  Headquarters and Service Company, 83–85;

  hoarding supplies, 78;

  laziness of, 23, 58, 61, 74, 186–89, 218–19;

  militias, participation in, 189–90, 207;

  monarchy system, 108–9;

  old Iraqi army, motivation of, 188;

  paper records, 83–84;

  patrol operations, schedule for, 170–71;

  pride and honor service in, 115;

  progress of toward taking over security duties, 208–9;

  promotion in, 109;

  punishment system, 84–85, 108;

  rebuilding, 62;

  relationship between officers and enlisted men, 85, 107–8;

  reward system for, 74, 114–15;

  risk, acceptance of, 187;

  security posture, 142–43;

  supplies for, 73–75, 87;

  torture by, 134–40.

  See also convoy operations; jundi; leave for jundi; pay system

  Iraqi army, 1st Division, 94–95

  Iraqi army, 1st Iraqi Company, 36, 43–44, 52

  Iraqi army, 2nd Iraqi Company, 54

  Iraqi army, 3rd Iraqi Brigade, 209

  Iraqi army, 3rd Iraqi Company, 52, 166–67, 207–8, 209

  Iraqi army, 4th Iraqi Company:

  Bani Dahir operations, 36, 39–44;

  home base of, 52;

  injured and AWOL jundi, 208–9;

  Kaffijiya operations, 36, 44–47;

  leave run process, 52–54;

  misalignment of squads, 44–45;

  WG’s assignment to, 36

  Iraqi army, 4th Motor Transport Army Brigade, 20

  Iraqi army, 7th Division, 51–54, 94–95

  Iraqi Command Operations Center

  (COC): confirmation brief, 36;

  decision-making process, 32;

  function of, 169–71;

  location of, 31;

  meeting Iraqis, 31;

  mission planning briefs at, 29, 35;

  operation planning meeting, 31–32;

  S-1 (administrative section), 31, 70–71, 75–76, 81, 208;

  S-2 (intelligence section), 31;

  S-3 (operations section), 31;

  S-4 (logistics section), 31;

  S-6 (communications section), 31, 156;

  training for officers, 169

  Iraqi fire blossom, 91–92, 131, 231

  Iraqi medics, 41, 42

  Iraqi police, 6, 112

  Iridium phones, 62

  Jabber Company, 78

  Jaber, Ali, 174, 175–77

  Jackson, Corporal, 174

  Jaffer, Mulazim, 123, 127–29

  Jamal, Mulazim, 64–65

  Jellison, Corporal, 80

  Joint IED Defeat Task Force (JIEDD TF), 17–18

  jundi: accommodations for, 29–30;

  asking advice of, 113;

  civilians, treatment of by, 43;

  civilians’ opinion of, 44;

  competence of, 35;

  complaints by, 86–87;

  dead body (angel) escort, 101–5, 191–92;

  death, attitude about, 151;

  defensive perimeter around control base, 143–45;