On Patrol in Baghdad; Update: Photos posted at Michelle’s site
posted at 10:16 pm on January 10, 2007 by Bryan
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Michelle and I are embedded with a unit in Baghdad that’s responsible for the “standing up” part of the US plan to get Iraq ready to become master of its own destiny. This unit trains Iraqi army and police, which are co-located on the base here, while it also sees to the security and humanitarian needs of the community surrounding the post. The US Army troops here have a complex and daunting mission that stretches and stresses them to the limit, but they are performing the mission with a gallantry and devotion that would make all Americans proud if you could see it for yourself. We hope to bring a flavor of it to Hot Air in the coming days so that you can see a small part of it for yourselves.
In our short time here we have talked with privates, NCOs and officers across a spectrum of duties and assignments on several bases performing a range of missions, and while that certainly doesn’t make us newly minted experts on the situation here it has given us a broader perspective on the war here and how it is truly progressing. Several themes have emerged that, while they may not represent the absolute story on given issues, certainly point to a general consensus on the status of the war among those who are here on the front lines fighting it. Our troops are motivated and dedicated like no other group of people I have ever seen. More than any politician, journalist or blogger, our troops understand the history and cultural forces swirling in Iraq that make it such an incredibly challenging environment. They are bringing that knowledge to the struggle every day, and while their efforts may not always result in perfect outcomes, no one should doubt their devotion to winning the war here in all of its dimensions.
Without hesitation, I can say that this fight is the most intricate and complicated mission our military has ever faced. Our troops are daily engaging in missions that their military training never prepared them for, but they are performing those missions with amazing thought and skill. When you add in the external forces at play, whether they’re stateside politics or the mix of enemies on Iraq’s doorsteps and operating on its streets, the mission in Iraq becomes a Gordian knot of military, political and humanitarian issues that overlap to the point that failure in any one will precipitate failure in all of them. So far, we’re failing in several but not to the point that the situation can’t be rescued. The failures are, in my opinion, almost entirely products of Washington politics and decision-making. Washington has yet to make the war in Iraq a truly national effort, and has not yet brought to bear the full range of American resources it will take to give us a chance of success here.
While we’ve been here we have also spoken with a range of local folks, from sheiks to slum dwellers, and gotten their views on America, the “new Iraq,” and the conduct and progress of the war and we will bring you those views in the coming days as well. We brought along our video camera, so we will have episodes of Vent produced on the streets of Baghdad.
We’re safe, we’re well and we’re going out on patrol again later this morning. We’ll meet local leaders and visit sites that have been in the news recently. And we’ll bring you whatever we find out. Michelle will have some photos from our first patrols posted at her blog later on.
Update (AP): The boss’s photos are up.
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Awesome post.
I will be looking forward to more, also to reaction “over there” to Presidents speech.
Take care, guys.
hillbillyjim on January 10, 2007 at 10:22 PM
I’m glad that you’re there getting the real side of the story that the MSM ignores. I’ve heard this from my husband on each trip there. Take care, God Bless and have a great time.
Catie96706 on January 10, 2007 at 10:27 PM
Great to know you landed. Thank you and God bless. We are all excited for and with you guys. Looking foreward to your reporting.
Buck Turgidson on January 10, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Very much looking forward to a first-hand perspective…would really like to get a local feel there as to the progress being made…
Best to ya both…
JetBoy on January 10, 2007 at 10:28 PM
You guys have no idea how jealous I am. I am seriously considering doing a job switch so I can go back. Just so I can support the troops in a way more meaningful than how I am.
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on January 10, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Thanks Bryan, your bravery is no less than that of the fighting men by your side. Looking forward to your perspective on problems and progress in the surreal world of combatants and pedestrians.
fogw on January 10, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Thanks, Bryan and Michelle et al. Stay safe.
Rhetorical question: Is there any feeling quite like being surrounded by the courage, dedication, and professionalism of a military unit performing its mission? Hell no, of course not, nothing even comes close.
ReubenJCogburn on January 10, 2007 at 10:38 PM
Glad to know you’re both safe. Continue to be…
Ugly on January 10, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Always keep a watchful eye,dont pet the dogs,and tell the troops we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.I am so looking forward to vents from Baghdad.God speed.
spazzmomma on January 10, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Good report, I look forward to many more while you are in Iraq. See if you can interview Jamil Hussein, if you can find him.
d1carter on January 10, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Michelle and Bryan good luck ! De-Jamilize the war for us will ya !
William Amos on January 10, 2007 at 10:48 PM
Your work is just as important as those in uniform. Thank you for sacrificing time from your loved ones and stay safe.
infidel on January 10, 2007 at 10:48 PM
Please keep these kind of reports coming. Our military is performing magnificently in Iraq. Some of us know because we have loved ones serving there. You would not know from the mainstream media. But the people need to know.
Phil Byler on January 10, 2007 at 10:48 PM
Michelle and Bryan,
when you catch them alone, please ask the troops how many really wanted to have breakfast with Mr. Kerry.
Hug them all for me. You are surrounded by the crème de la crème among us!
Thank you both for your courage,
Entelechy on January 10, 2007 at 11:00 PM
Thanks for this great effort, stay safe out there!
WisCon on January 10, 2007 at 11:02 PM
Wow! I am really looking foward to Michelle and Bryan’s reporting and commentary.
Please be careful, safe, and Godspeed!
omegaram on January 10, 2007 at 11:02 PM
Good hunting. Go get’em!!!
Yakko77 on January 10, 2007 at 11:07 PM
I have asked about the Kerry incident in the DEFAC, and have talked to a couple of eyewitnesses. I’ll that report later on. You’ll all find it entertaining.
Bryan on January 10, 2007 at 11:11 PM
Godspeed. If I understand military speak, it sounded to me like Bush implied in his speech tonight that the rules of engagement would be altered so that we could win. If that comes to fruition, things will escalate quickly. If that comes to fruition, we can put down the
insurgentsterrorists holding Baghdad and Anbar hostage. We should all be praying every day for wisdom for our leaders, courage to put country ahead of politics, and a hedge of protection specifically around our loved one, his/her unit, and all of our troops.JustTruth101 on January 10, 2007 at 11:12 PM
Bryan
If you can fit it in the schedule, how about a blip on the orphans and how they are being attented to - or not.
News2Use on January 10, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Great News–Stay safe/return ASAP.
PAPA BEAR on January 10, 2007 at 11:18 PM
Superb dispatch, Bryan. Eagerly looking forward to many more from the intrepid Hot Airheads. Congrats on your arrival and best wishes for a safe and fruitful stay.
flip on January 10, 2007 at 11:22 PM
God Speed and Thank You!!
186k on January 10, 2007 at 11:22 PM
So…how’s the food?
Have you tried any traditional dishes yet?
Continued safety and superb reporting -
I support the efforts!
Tru2my2 on January 10, 2007 at 11:29 PM
Thanks for being there and bringing us a different perspective than we usually get - you know what I’m talking about. Say hi to the troops and let them know we love them and pray for their continued safety and success.
thedecider on January 10, 2007 at 11:44 PM
I bet they are not eating alone at a table in the mess hall :P
StuLongIsland on January 10, 2007 at 11:44 PM
May your road be level, the wind at your back. Godspeed. Tell the troops they are much appreciated back home. I wish everybody there the best of successes. You all stay safe, please.
sharinlite on January 10, 2007 at 11:55 PM
Good luck, keep safe, and thanks.
Dusty on January 11, 2007 at 12:19 AM
Good luck - travel safe…. Thanks for what you do.
middleroad on January 11, 2007 at 12:23 AM
Good luck and may God bless and watch over you both. Thank you for what you have done and will do. Let the troops know we support and pray for them.
Emmett J. on January 11, 2007 at 12:28 AM
I said a little prayer for your safety. I’m proud of you. Can’t wait to see what you come back with.
jjjen on January 11, 2007 at 12:37 AM
It’s awful humbling being around those soldiers, isn’t it?
Please be sure to thank them from the bottom of our hearts. They are truly special
Glad you’re there, thanks for the report, looking forward to more.
Godspeed
Chuck on January 11, 2007 at 12:51 AM
Where’s the paypal button? I think it should be where Olderturds ad used to be. I want to donate more to the trip, and I think others would too. Or am I missing it? (not that’s ever happened before)
R D on January 11, 2007 at 1:11 AM
Great job, Michell and Bryan!! Look forward to more from Iraq.
Leave it to the Beltway.
Rick on January 11, 2007 at 1:30 AM
Wow! Pictures from Iraq that show hope, and a promise of unbiased reporting from Michelle and Bryan when they return.
One request Hot Air folk, please post their news and commentary, or let us know when they will be on. Posting would be better.
I am really looking forward to Michelle and Bryan’s reporting and commentary.
omegaram on January 11, 2007 at 1:55 AM
Finally - reporting the truth from Iraq instead of spin and lies. I can the see MSM already, hysterically doing whatever it can to suppress the spread of Michelle and Bryan’s reports. We’ll make sure the world knows.
Halley on January 11, 2007 at 2:17 AM
Great job…looking forward to pictures of Jamil Hussein!
Stay safe!
flipflop on January 11, 2007 at 4:51 AM
We are all Praying “hard” for our success in Iraq, our troops and your safe return.
Zorro on January 11, 2007 at 6:50 AM
Amen. I’m looking forward to hearing what you guys find over there, and I hope the powers that be are paying attention. Stay safe. Godspeed.
Pablo on January 11, 2007 at 7:21 AM
God Bless the two of you!
Mortis on January 11, 2007 at 7:25 AM
Never before have I felt such intense anticipation awaiting a report from Iraq. I truly feel it will be the first time I will hear the absolute, unvarnished truth, and I’m stuck in a virtual pacing mode.
Thank you so much for doing this. God bless you and God bless our brave and loyal troops.
IrishEi on January 11, 2007 at 7:54 AM
Stay safe.
We pray for Iraq and for our troops.
CrimsonFisted on January 11, 2007 at 8:54 AM
PLEASE watch your backs…all we can do from here is pray.
Sufficient armor, though.
seejanemom on January 11, 2007 at 9:21 AM
I’m tired of this mindless right-wing extremist propaganda! I know these positive things aren’t happening because I don’t ever see it on the networks during the evening news or on CNN while I’m watching it 24 hours a day. If it were, I know they’d show it because they’re non-biased and politically neutral.
Sorry, I accidently drank a cafe latte from Starbucks this morning. I guess it made me stop thinking for a second.
—————-Sarcasm off ——————
armyvet on January 11, 2007 at 9:35 AM
And on that note, Thanks for the pics. They are great and reminds me of all the good reasons I was in the military. The great guys I served with and the good things we did.
I have to say, I really don’t miss the desert though!
Stay safe and tell the guys (and gals) we’re thinking of them and praying for them.
We know why they are they, we believe in the mission…and we support them!
armyvet on January 11, 2007 at 9:37 AM
I went to Michelle’s site and looked at the photos. My eyes welled up when I came to the picture of the kids. Nancy and the rest of whining, chicken shit, yellow belly, sissy liberals need to go take a look. If it is all about the kids like y’all are always saying it is only certain children? Does your compassion stop at our borders? Go look at the faces of those kids and for one ever loving coherent moment in your otherwise tin foil, conspiracy theory, blame Bush minds stop and realize what will truly happen if we leave.
The problems in Iraq are largely Iraqi, not American, but as long as we are there and we have the power and ability to make a difference we need to do it. Sure we need to kick the Iraqi leaders in the butt and they need to stand up. It is time to protray the Iraqi leaders as the spineless men they are. Respect and honor, such as it may be, means a lot in the Muslim world. We really have done a pitiful job in the PR portion of this campaign, but it is time to quit being nice, quit using so much of our western thinking on these folks and start communicating in a way they understand.
LakeRuins on January 11, 2007 at 9:44 AM
Thanks to Michelle and Bryan for stepping up to do this. I’ll definitely be praying for your safety over there. My Tae Kwon Do instructor,who is a retired police officer, left for Iraq yesterday to help train the Iraqi police force. It’s the second time he’s been there. Pray for him too.
vcferlita on January 11, 2007 at 9:54 AM
Pulitzer prize for photo of little boy with Old Glory.
hillbillyjim on January 11, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Thanks for the update, Bryan.
Have been thinking and praying for a safe trip for you both.
Can’t wait to hear and see more!
gatewaypundit on January 11, 2007 at 10:11 AM
From Michelle’s update,
Your initial report on the plight of the Iraqi people and their appreciation of our military’s sacrifice for their country rings true with my son’s take, who spent much of his time in Baghdad and a few months in Basra. His stories were shared with my family, and now yours can be shared with the HotAir family and hopefully millions of others.
Here’s hoping someone at Fox News is paying close attention to your up close and personal reporting from Iraq, picks up on it, provides airtime for it and perhaps a few live interviews.
Michelle and Bryan, one question for you. Is there a functioning postal system in Iraq, and if so, can you get a mailing address for one or several postal locations in or around Baghdad? These people need to know that much of the Americn public feels their pain and is pulling for their successful transition to a democracy. I doubt if they see it on their news, so what better way than for each of us to tell them personally in our own thoughts and words.
If you can get a postal address, as opposed to the time consuming and Herculean task of gathering up many more home addresses, we can send letters of support to the local authorities, who could post them on the walls of their offices. I think we could send enough letters of encouragement to cover a football field and give the Iragi people more reason to be optimistic about their future while providing some insight into the real conscience of their American friends.
Stay safe.
Regards,
fogw on January 11, 2007 at 10:42 AM
So do the sale goat big macs at the Kuwait Mcdonalds? IS that rain water or sewage in the streets in the pictures? I hope rain! So many questions. Are the Iraqi women as pretty as my Army buddy told me? Or at least are their eyes as pretty? :)
Drtuddle on January 11, 2007 at 11:07 AM
I’ll second Catie’s comments above.
As the wife of a grunt, thank you for telling their story - the story that we never see in the media.
No sugarcoating, just the truth in context. That’s all we have ever asked for.
Thank you Bryan and Michelle. Stay safe, you are both in my prayers.
Tink on January 11, 2007 at 11:11 AM
Looking forward to the truth “from the steets”. We will get that from you guys. Always great to hear the stories about our brave military, but am really looking forward to reports of what is really happening in the Iraq communities. Are we doing the right thing, what more do we need to do?
Looking forward to your safe return.
right2bright on January 11, 2007 at 11:28 AM
The kids remind me of the Afghan children I ran into in the camps, 89. Always amazes me, the look of hope in their eyes. Priceless in the reminders of a possitive future.
Did Michele make it with on the slum trip?
We just lost another Saint Paul, Red Bull soldier. Since the Iraq I don’t recall any of our local news stations once covering an award given to our troops or casualties on the enemy’s side. But then again this is the same MSM Twin City twits that are quick to attend any CAIR meeting in town.
Thanks for your effort, please stay safe and God Bless!
Timber Wolf on January 11, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Great photos! I appreciate what you and Bryan are doing. Stay safe.
Catie96706 on January 11, 2007 at 12:01 PM
Wonderful! Can’t wait for all the super material you all are going to bring out.
Imagine - this is what the MSM has been terrified of - simple, fair and balanced reporting. Why on earth would anyone be afraid of such a simple thing? (no answer required).
naliaka on January 11, 2007 at 12:28 PM
God Bless and Keep you Both!
……..and to Mr. Kennedy (aka. “the swimmer”)
Stick that in your Chappaquiddick!
PinkyBigglesworth on January 11, 2007 at 1:05 PM
God bless. Stay safe, keep your head down.
Everybody, take a close look at picture #5. Despite sectarian death squads, civil war and a fledgling new democracy, Iraqis still have satellite TV!!!!!
Iraqis agree, you can’t miss an episode of The Gilmore Girls!
budorob on January 11, 2007 at 1:10 PM
watch out for those sand worms..er uh I mean Sand Fleas. :)
Good reporting you guys….. god bless….
johnnyU on January 11, 2007 at 2:49 PM
I bet our guys over there see Michelle and time slows down, voices become a background noise, a light seems to shine down on her from Heaven and all he hears is a chorus of singing angels.
“Soldier? … SOLDIER!”
“Huh? What? (snaps out of it) Oh, yeah, um, we’ve killed several jihadis today and …”
I’m sure our pretty little Michelle has that effect on men, but they also love her for her unbending support! God bless you Michelle and thank you for your service!
Tony737 on January 11, 2007 at 3:03 PM
now if you guys need a remote little studio (better than the one Osama has) just let a guy know…..
johnnyU on January 11, 2007 at 3:16 PM
Bryan, Michelle, thank you.
The photos and captions on Michelle’s site are worth many thousands of words each. I can’t wait to see the more complete reports to come.
Now if only some of these truths could be stuffed down the throats of the MSM and gotten through to the public who doesn’t yet embrace the New Media.
Freelancer on January 11, 2007 at 3:19 PM
That’s Admiral Kennedy of the USS Chappaquiddick.
And for heavan’s sake, Michelle and Bryan take great care.
David on January 11, 2007 at 5:45 PM
Way to leave us hanging Bryan!
Thanks for going to bring us the truth. Much appreciation to the troops from all of us.
wytammic on January 11, 2007 at 6:50 PM
Tony Snow says Michelle is in Iraq.
News2Use on January 11, 2007 at 7:46 PM
The kids remind me of the Afghan children I ran into in the camps, 89. Always amazes me, the look of hope in their eyes. Priceless in the reminders of a positive future Timber Wolf on January 11, 2007 at 11:55 AM
I noticed “THE LOOK” too. These kids are the future of Iraq.My prayer is that some day a leader will emerge from these huddled masses. Thats why it is so important to support the flegling Iraqi government until one does, by whatever means neccessary. I have seen “THE LOOK” in Pres. Bush’s eyes too!
sonnyspats1 on January 11, 2007 at 9:13 PM
Bless you.
CBarker on January 11, 2007 at 9:28 PM
This report has shocked me to my core. It is so alien to me to acutally hear something positive from Iraq. I’ve been so cynical about the MSM that I hadn’t realised until just now how much I’d absorbed their view of the Iraq war and internalised it. Keep doing what you’re doing. I’ll pray for you both.
aengus on January 11, 2007 at 10:01 PM
Michelle and Bryan:
Give the troops me and my family’s best wishes! My youngest boy will be in Sadr City by August and my middle boy will be in the Persian Gulf in a couple weeks. Tell the troops they are on their way to give them the support they deserve and maybe give them a break so they can get home for a couple of weeks.
To ALL of you whom have and are in harms way….
Be safe, GOOD LUCK, and GODS SPEED!
csdeven on January 12, 2007 at 8:37 AM
I keep getting the feeling I am listening to Hannity when he has a guest coming on and he pulls that, “they will be on in a few minutes, or right after this break” and it goes on and on till the end of the show.
I am eargerly waiting for your reporting. It is going to be the first I can really depend on and believe.
right2bright on January 12, 2007 at 9:32 AM
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