RPGs Make Big Messes

So the other day we are out on some raids.  We were specifically looking for some name brand bad guys, but ended up getting some others too.  We had the IA with us, as usual.  They have full independent authority here, and they use it.  It turns out that recently the President of Iraq decreed that the property of any bad guys apprehended would be destroyed.  I think this made the IA Commander’s day.  After the first set of raids were done, and all the evidence was collected, it was the IA’s turn to get in some target practice.  We heard over the radio that the IA had whipped out some RPGs.  Next thing I know there was an enormous BOOM! and the sound of a rocket hitting its target.  The IA has RPG’ed Bad guys house!  It made quite the racket, especially in the close quarters of an Iraqi town. All the people on the street ducked and started running.  I guess they figured the war had come to their neighborhood, but it was just the IA “denying the enemy safe haven.”

Then we went off to raid another house.  This time bad guy and his friends were caught red-handed with all sorts of goodies.  The flexi-cuffs were promptly snapped into place, the paperwork filled out, and these guys were detained.  They got to stay just long enough to watch the IA burn down bad guy’s house.  My gunner remarked it smelled like dope as we were caught downwind.  I guess when you make your bricks from mud and hay, its bound to smell a little like the old hashish. 

All in all, I think most the Iraqi people around here think its about time the bad guys really started to feel the hurt. They are tired of being intimidated, hurt, and killed because of the handful of people who want to make life hell on everyone.  If you wanna make bombs (or harbor those who do) and kill innocent people, soldiers, and others then you deserve whatever gets dished out.  Before you start to say that destroying property and such is cruel, archaic, etc, remember the US has a history of the same thing.  Look at the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WW I, WW II, Vietnam, and onward and you will find many examples of “denying the enemy safe haven.”  It tends to leave a lasting impression.  They are also very careful to make the distinction between true Bad Guy and someone who was intimidated into coercion.

After we finally returned and got downtime (two days later), the LT decided to have a movie night.  I was initially none too hot on a mandatory fun night, but I think this was a much needed relief for my much beleaguered platoon.  We all met at the conference room after maintenance, CHU inspections, and all the other routine stuff we are so far behind on.  He had bought pizzas, Subways, chips/dips, and acquired lots of cold sodas (three kinds!).  I guess there are some perks to living on the FOB we live on. Everyone sat around and got fat while we watched Boondock Saints (I love this movie by the way!) on the digital projector and just relaxed.  It was good to just leave the last several weeks behind for a little bit.

Now I am off to catch up on some very much needed sleep and downtime.  My plan is to do nothing other than sit in a dark, quiet CHU as alone as possible.  Maybe I’ll watch a movie.  This has not been a good week, and I need to get some thoughts straight, refocus, and rest before I put pen to paper, so to speak.