This email from JEff arrived on Sunday morning:


I know you guys like it when I e-mail but or CO keeps finding more shit for us to do. We are starting to get really busy.

We went on a 4 hour patrol this morning and we have another from tonight. Then we are going on a raid to try and (****I edited out the names of these people) , or however you spell there names.

The CO also added this gate guard to our tasks so that’s what I was doing yesterday. And the day before that I had KP, witch means doing dishes for the chow hall. It turned out Thursday and Friday is the Iraqi dishwashers days off so I got f#$%@d. Normally the guys on kp just stand around and keep the fridges full of soda. Not me I washed dishes for 12 hours with a break to eat and that was it.

But tomorrow my squad doesn’t have anything to do except fireguard at night. The finance people are coming during lunch tomorrow so I am going to take $100 out of my check to get some shit I need. Sgt willies said we can take a humvee to the px.

There is always a line for the computers here and it takes about an hour of standing in line to get on one. So when are real busy its hard to find time because as you now I like to get my sleep. A little sleep makes 4 hours of walking around with all your shit on allot easier.

On our patrol this morning we found some tunnel systems but did not have time to go to very deep into them because we got called to go clear a bomb shelter. We found a bunch of important documents and books plus to big map rooms with markings all over them. I guess there is allot of good info on them that we will be able to use. We also realized that every one of the apartments that we patrol past has one of these shelters under it so I guess over the next few weeks we will have to clear them all.

B Co. (where Perkins and Harris are) has been getting into constant fire fights. I think our CO. is trying to get battalion to let us go help them out but no word on if we will yet.

Oh yea you asked what QRF stands for. It means we are a Quick Reaction Force. Basically we are on call and have to sit in our room and wait for a mission. We cant go anywhere except the bathroom and we have to stay in our DCUs and keep or boots on. We were on QRF yesterday morning and I got woken up to put my boots on then go back to bed. I was pissed.

I dont really get any good sleep here because someone is always waking me up for something stupid like that. Usually I can sleep for about 2 hours before I get woken up. So just about the time I really start actually sleeping I have to get up. I forgot what a good nights sleep feels like.
Jeff

Jeff,

I just got back last month from being in Iraq for a year. I'm 11B, with the stryker BDE (3 BDE, 2 ID 5/20 INF) out of Ft. Lewis. I'm sure you mentioned it but I don't have tons of time to look around at the site, but where are you (Iraq, Afganistan? are you active duty or national guard? What is your MOS? How long have you been away?) I'm sure opsec keeps you from saying too much but just wondering. Anyhow man, keep up the fight, I know how it is sucking for you. Hopefully you PLT and squad are some good guys and your missions go well. say hi to hadji for me (556 preferably 762) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-Chet

Chet - Jeff is an 11 bravo (for those that dont know this is front line infantry) with the 82nd airborne - 3/325th AIR in Green Zone in Iraq. He has been in the GZ two weeks today - he landed in Iraq on December 7th after a 5 day notice of deployment.

Jeff,
My name is Staff Sergeant Duhon, I went to Iraq with your sister regiment 505th PIR. We got back this last May. I am currently stationed at Jump school (Benning, but I'm sure your familiar with that place <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ). I hate being away from the line so much that I'm in the process of re-enlisting to go back to the eighty-duece, as a matter of fact, my CO is making calls for me to go to 325 (or as you may have learned 32-jive <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ). I'v been there being new to the Army your general private paranoia is going to do good for you, LOL. I seen many firefights over there some good for us, some not so good (catch the drift) but don't get caught short, it really won't set in until you see your first casualty where you are, thats normal, but then your going to think, OH shit! this is real and even as the badass 11bravo paratrooper you can be touched by the enemy, I said all that really to get to this, they will always come when your relaxed, when your looking for them, it's quiet, when your going home from looking for them and everyone has that this mission sucked and we didn't "get none" thats about the second when all hell will break loose, stay on your toes, and no matter the attitude around you, "YOU" always remain ready. When I get back to division I will more than likely be in 32jive so I'll look for you. If I get lucky I'll become your squad leader and instead of KP details and grass cutting, you can decoy my Malinois <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Take care man, and email me if you need anything, cjduhon@msn.com I know what it's like to have to use shirts for toilet paper,LMAO. ~SSG DUHON

PS: I FOUND OUT ED FRAWLEY HAD A SON IN JUMP SCHOOL THE DAY AFTER YOU GRADUATED, GUESS YOU GOT LUCKY <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Another letter from Jeff in Baghdad.


Hey Dad

The raids were not difficult. I sat on the corner of a building pulling security well 3rd platoon went up and kicked in the doors. They got one of the guys (a body guard to Udai and Kusai Hussien) but the other room was vacant.

They had dogs there. I am not sure what for I am assuming bomb dogs. I dont know if they were MP's or black water people, or another company like them. I was thinking that would be a cool job. They rolled up in a white suburban got out did there search and left. None of the gay bullshit we have to put up with. That made me think they might have been civilian contractors. Maybe when I am out of the army I can come home train with you and then go do that. Who knows - we'll see, that would be fun.

Perkins is in A Co. and Harris is in B Co. Perkins is living in some big base with 2 other battalions. Harris is out there in the shit though. I cant think of the name of the street right now but it starts with an H. I am sure its been on the news. It has been in the army news paper a few times sinse we've been here. It’s the street where 2 or 3 election employs got gunned down and executed in the street.

They also have kids throwing grenades at them. Before the 1st Cav just jumped back in there Bradley’s. So these kids were a little surprised when they had paratroopers chase them down beat the shit out of them and arrest them. They will think twice about throwing grenades at Americans again. Harris’s Co has also been getting into fire fights and actually getting kills. I guess there CO shot a couple guys the other day.

I just got done sitting at a checkpoint for 6 hours. To get to our check point they come in from the red zone go through a checkpoint, then through a compound, then to go into the green zone they come through us. Most of the guys we check are officers, SF, and CIA guys in armored SUV convoys. Every once in a while an Iraqi cop drives through. basically all we do is talk with the Iraqi cops that work there with us. But they dont speak any English so its kind of hard. They give us food and tea though, and its actually really good food.

Well I have to go I am going go take a cold shower it will be the 2nd shower I have taken sense the day we left Ft Bragg 2 1/2 weeks ago.


Jeff

These letters read more like the old letters home from VietNam then you'd believe.
I'm getting nostalgic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It's good to hear that Jeff is doing good. Funny as it sounds, whenever I read news about stuff in Iraq, he's the first one who pops into mind and I hope all is well with him.

There's probably alot of people I know who are over in Iraq right now--Jeff is kind of like my link to my old friends.

Stay on your toes tuefel hunden. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />