As security improves, American convoys in Iraq cautiously ease up on security measures
Sometimes, it’s the little things. In this case, it’s a significant reduction on attacks on American military convoys. Of course, when someone tells you to start acting like no one’s going to kill you, when they were doing just that a couple of months ago, it can be a bit unnerving.
CAMP TAJI, Iraq — In the first month that they were in Iraq, someone threatened, shot at or tried to blow up the soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard’s B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery 12 times. Last month, there were only three such incidents.
But confirmation that the roads have become safer came a few weeks ago when a flier went up in the 2-138’s office at this base 20 miles north of Baghdad.
“Effective immediately,” it read, “assume all civilian vehicles are friendly.”
Luckily, I didn’t have to drive in too many convoys during my tour in Iraq. However, my small team was hit by at least one IED and it was always in the back of your mind while out about. To American soldiers, any local vehicle anywhere near there own is cause for concern.
The roads are safer, (Capt. Steve) Mattingly said, but still he worries that they’re courting disaster by changing their road policies. It was easier when they could stop traffic instead of trying to judge how dangerous it is.
“I have to worry about these guys 24 hours per day, in an office rolling down the road, in a place where people want to shoot us,” Mattingly said. “You’ve got kids — and they are just kids — making life-and-death decisions. ‘Do I kill this guy?’”
(snip)
Change isn’t easy. (Staff Sgt. James) Rawlings remembers his first time on the road, the night he learned how to maneuver the truck, control traffic and scan for IEDs. Around 11 that night, the convoy passed a few Iraqi security officers talking on their cell phones. He thought he was searching for all the right signs, but by the time he heard someone yelling, “Stop, stop, stop!” in the headset, it was too late.
Rawlings saw the flash and felt the tremor as the IED exploded. The gunner leapt from the vehicle on a fruitless hunt for the triggerman. Shaken and delayed, but not injured, they continued to their next stop.
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‘“Effective immediately,” it read, “assume all civilian vehicles are friendly.”‘
Hmmm, lovely sentitments being expressed here but is this the only way to test out the new found loyalties and attitudes of the locals?