30. Within 18 Miles of Baghdad

Written: April 3-4, 2003

Thursday, April 3rd
Woke up arpund 9:00zulu. It was unbearably hot and I was sweating. Our tent was buttoned up and it was very hot. I went outside and opened the outer flaps then came in and opened the inner ones. The tent cooled slightly. We went outside into the sun where it was hot but there was a slow breeze which attempted to keep us cool.

Wore my WileyX sunglasses. They came in the mail shipment that we picked up yesterday so that was nice to finally get them after 2 months of waiting. Everyone was excited to get them as well.

Today was a reset day where we did not have to pull duty. Everyone got a chance to relax and catch up on some laundry and tent cleaning.

Took pictures of one of our Apaches that had a hard landing last night after the mission. No one was hurt, but the Apache is grounded until the tail strut gets fixed. It collapsed on landing.

Chris Montiero came over and told me that a pigeon waltzed into their tent next door. I grabbed Fred’s camera and took pictures of it. Robinson grabbed it and we tied a note to his leg that said, “GAS GAS GAS.” We thought it was funny--some what of a strike at the reliability of our modern day communications. We took the bird to CPT Hester to show him. He got a laugh out of it.

Watched CNN and Fox News in 3-158th’s tent. They got a satellite set up today. The news said that we were within 18 miles of Baghdad and closing on Saddam International Airport. When we watched the news later they reported that there were explosions on the airport. The lights are out in Baghdad but no other news.

Watched, “Gladiator” then typed in my journal and went to bed at 10:00 zulu which is pretty early compared to when we have been going to bed.

The temperatures are supposed to be rising over the next few days: 99degrees then 104 degrees. The lows are supposed to be in the 50’s but it doesn’t seem that cool outside tonight. Soon it will be nearly impossible to sleep.

Friday, April 4th
Received a mission change to support the exploitation of an Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) for tomorrow. Spent the day working on a plan then went to bed for the early flight. We will leave right at first light so we can make the most of the daylight.