Post by bigdawgs on Sept 11, 2021 8:49:33 GMT -5
Whats on your mind Bob??? Actually a lot. Twenty years ago today I was newly arrived in Seckenheim, Germany as the Commander of Army Materiel Command Europe. My Deputy had a root canal that morning and about 1400 he called me and told me to turn on AFN. Twenty seconds after getting those first pictures, the second plane hit. From that point on, through the rest of my final 2 years and 10 months of active service, we were either in a prepare to deploy or a deployed status in Iraq.
I remember trying to get on to Patrick Henry Village that night since those were my temporary living facilities. Three hours with cars backed on to the Autobahn. Could not get a call through to the states for hours. Next morning would be the first of daily meetings at Campbell Barracks, home to the US Army in Europe since 1945. Germans had piled flowers and candles by the thousands around the front gates of the installation. German radio stations played somber music for days.
For the next 16 months we would plan to provide limited support to our mission in Afghanistan, while planning more in depth for supporting our eventual mistaken mission in Iraq. From sending folks to Turkey to plan for movement of the 4th Infantry Division through than country, into the Harbor Gate and into Iraq, to eventually supporting USAREUR ground forces with Logistics Assistance Representatives to helping the 173d Airborne Brigade in its mission to Irbil in Northern Iraq, it was a roller coaster time.
I deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in April 03 to establish an ad hoc support unit known as AMC Forward, Iraq. The civilians and Soldiers created a critical support piece for our ground forces in Iraq. Our Log Assistance Reps (LAR) worked hand in hand with units to solve critical issues like Abrams/Bradley Track, Heavy Equipment Tractor (HET) tires ...merci France and Michelin, and probably most critically, Q36/Q37 counter battery repair parts.
We would receive mortar fire about every evening after Independence Day that summer. And while it was erratic it could cause severe casualties, like our Brigade surgeon who was medivaced to Landstuhl early on. I, like so many others, lost friends. CW4 Bruce Smith and 1Lt Brian Slavenas flew me all around Iraq and perished trying to save lives when their CH47 was shot down carrying the first troops headed back to the States on R&R in November. I felt for all of our troops, but had a special place in my heart for those truck drivers who had to negotiate a supply line from Kuwait to Mosul, which was longer than from Cherbourg to Berlin. It was full of danger with few escorting troops thanks to Mr. Rumsfeld.
My time in Iraq was painful, but rewarding. So many great and courageous Americans I was honored to served with. I also had many wonderful Iraqis working for our organization and helped us get established. I departed in early December to begin the process of retirement.
9-11 changed all of us. It changed me. I am sure it probably changed all of you too. Today, I remember all of those innocent people who gave their lives at the Twin Towers, on the banks of the Potomac and in the air over Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
I remember trying to get on to Patrick Henry Village that night since those were my temporary living facilities. Three hours with cars backed on to the Autobahn. Could not get a call through to the states for hours. Next morning would be the first of daily meetings at Campbell Barracks, home to the US Army in Europe since 1945. Germans had piled flowers and candles by the thousands around the front gates of the installation. German radio stations played somber music for days.
For the next 16 months we would plan to provide limited support to our mission in Afghanistan, while planning more in depth for supporting our eventual mistaken mission in Iraq. From sending folks to Turkey to plan for movement of the 4th Infantry Division through than country, into the Harbor Gate and into Iraq, to eventually supporting USAREUR ground forces with Logistics Assistance Representatives to helping the 173d Airborne Brigade in its mission to Irbil in Northern Iraq, it was a roller coaster time.
I deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in April 03 to establish an ad hoc support unit known as AMC Forward, Iraq. The civilians and Soldiers created a critical support piece for our ground forces in Iraq. Our Log Assistance Reps (LAR) worked hand in hand with units to solve critical issues like Abrams/Bradley Track, Heavy Equipment Tractor (HET) tires ...merci France and Michelin, and probably most critically, Q36/Q37 counter battery repair parts.
We would receive mortar fire about every evening after Independence Day that summer. And while it was erratic it could cause severe casualties, like our Brigade surgeon who was medivaced to Landstuhl early on. I, like so many others, lost friends. CW4 Bruce Smith and 1Lt Brian Slavenas flew me all around Iraq and perished trying to save lives when their CH47 was shot down carrying the first troops headed back to the States on R&R in November. I felt for all of our troops, but had a special place in my heart for those truck drivers who had to negotiate a supply line from Kuwait to Mosul, which was longer than from Cherbourg to Berlin. It was full of danger with few escorting troops thanks to Mr. Rumsfeld.
My time in Iraq was painful, but rewarding. So many great and courageous Americans I was honored to served with. I also had many wonderful Iraqis working for our organization and helped us get established. I departed in early December to begin the process of retirement.
9-11 changed all of us. It changed me. I am sure it probably changed all of you too. Today, I remember all of those innocent people who gave their lives at the Twin Towers, on the banks of the Potomac and in the air over Shanksville, Pennsylvania.