Sky's Foreign News Editor Nick Ludlam is embedded with US troops in Baghdad to analyse whether the 'surge' is working.
The downdraft and the noise made scrambling onto the Blackhawk helicopter a pretty hectic moment. An unscheduled flight, they were doing the heli-pad commander a favour touching down in the International Zone to pick us up. We'd been bumped from our original flight and he was faced with us camping in his office for days before another could be scheduled.
We had tried to play down the amount of kit we had, which for us was the bare essentials. Unfortunately it still piled up into a huge heap between the canvass bench seats. It was hard to tell what the crew were thinking behind their black eye shields as they watched us fumble around but I got the impression it wasn't too charitable.
As soon as we were in, stuff piled all over us we were off. In the short trip to the next base we passed over the dusty jumble of houses that is Baghdad then over the Tigris River and endless palm tree plantations and open farmland. It all looked beautiful and tranquil. Inside was less so as the helicopter banked steeply, the wind almost sucking our bags out the window, precautionary flares sailing ahead of us.
Camp Taji is a FOB; forward operating base. It is everything you would expect a US base in Iraq to be; massive, hot and well equipped. The first port of call was the PX, a huge supermarket where you can buy everything from running shoes and racing bikes to tactical goggles to TV's and the latest DVD's. The second port of call was the gigantic dinner hall. The size of an aircraft hanger filled and with every kind of food you could want. For me it posed the most difficult decision of the day; stir fry or home fries….
We were invited to meet the XO, Colonel Oclander. He briefed us on the battalions' history as the first 'surge' troops into Iraq. He was clearly proud of the progress his boys had made in calming the sectarian violence in their AO and of the troops in the COPS keeping the AQI on the run and training the CISG's to join the FPS's. He was also hopeful the IA and the IP would be able to take over soon. It all sounded good, I just wasn't sure what on earth he was talking about. Even the top commanders privately concede they don't always know what the acronyms stand for, just what they mean.
Our instructions from home were to get as much action as we could. But if he said what I think he said then it was looking increasingly unlikely there would be much to get.
Our next destination was COP Apache, a command outpost in the heart of a Sunni enclave of the Al Adamiyah district of Baghdad. Bordering the infamous Sadr City, they had seen some of the worst sectarian violence. It meant another helicopter pick-up.
We had a bit more time to heave our kit on this time. But just as we were moving the last bag into place I saw Stuart, our correspondent clutch his left arm, grimacing. For a second I hoped he'd just hit his funny bone but it didn't look like he was going to start laughing any time soon. When he hobbled off the chopper still protecting his arm that was hanging limply by his side I knew it was a deal-breaker. He had dislocated his shoulder. I started to unload the kit.
I knew Stuart and Garwen were old hands at this game. They'd worked in pretty much all of the most dangerous holes in the world. But it was still a shock to see Stuart bracing himself as Garwen launched at his bad shoulder. Stuart doubled up, hopping with pain. It didn't seem to work. I grabbed another bag. Then, like nothing had happened, Stuart stood up and climbed on board. He'd pushed his shoulder back into place, we were on our way.
As we lifted off, the rotor blades screaming above us, no-one could hear me shouting about procedure, hospitals and madness. Garwen was already busy filming. We were on our way to the first of our foot patrols in arguably the most dangerous streets in the world.
Sir
Your descriptive analysis surrounding the once tranquil Baghdad paradise somewhat brings home the message to all that the protector of mankind is mankind, and the saviour of mankind is mankind. Events past have not only taught world leaders a harsh lesson in “Silence” but have further re-affirmed that many a world leader has not only tarnished the good name of their fellow citizens, but banished the term religious belief to pastures new as “DJ Tiesto” goes in “Search of Sunrise”. Thankfully the world stood shoulder to shoulder with those whom have suffered the war games under such ill perceived of invasions. However, what is pertinent to prosperity and economical stability for young and old is for all religious leaders to banish extremism and sectarian violence forthwith, not only for their sake but for the sake of the book they purport to follow, in order that every walk of life can not only enjoy the splendours of stir fry but further enjoy the variety of cuisine from around the world underneath http://www.sky.com/news . I Hope the shoulder of mutton is ok Stuart!
Posted by: Khalid 6 Sep 2007 10:52:47