I returned to Baghdad two days ago, with my nerves stretched thin and six days out of a shower--b ut no worse for the wear. Three weeks before, I'd officially unembedded with the U.S. military and taken a 'unilateral' trip up the Euphrates, deep into Anbar Province. Marine Corps...
Posted January 11, 2009 | 05:55:33 (EST)
The Syrian Desert is cold in December. I knew from similar country in Southern California and Nevada it would be like this. But I wasn't prepared for the extent of it, or the duration. Daytime warms up, probably into the 60s, but nights dip to (what feels like) sub-freezing...
Posted January 2, 2009 | 08:14:29 (EST)
If you had to put a face on the American everyman, Joe Cavins' mug would probably fit the bill. Cavins is a 27-year-old Sergeant in the Marine Corps, working on his third deployment in Iraq. His goal is to accomplish five tours--a plan of attack that is either pathological,...
Posted December 27, 2008 | 12:49:47 (EST)
The QRF team is composed of 12 Marines and a medic. It is on call at all times. Its members don't shower and when they sleep, they sleep in their clothes. They are in continuous radio contact and when a call comes in, the goal is to be saddled...
Posted February 11, 2009 | 15:54:54 (EST)