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Combat truckers: A writer's journal -- Day 5: Bonds are Formed

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This is the fifth day in a six-day journal following Airmen and Soldier truckers as they transport cargo across Iraq during the transition. -Editor.

Airmen of the 70th and 424th Medium Truck Detachment are on the roads in Iraq every day, hauling cargo and other items out of the country in support of the December 31st deadline for U.S. Forces to be out of Iraq.

Only a handful of months ago, these Airmen where driving an aircrew bus or the big white bus that takes Airmen from the base exchange to the chow hall -- today they're commanding convoys, driving cargo trucks out of Iraq.

The members of this convoy are a diverse bunch. Airmen on this mission are from the 70th MTD and are on their second or third deployment to the same location, carrying out the same mission. Their partners for this mission are Soldiers of B Troop, 1-94 Cav., Pine City, Minn. Army National Guard. The Soldiers will be providing security for the convoy in the form of mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles that are heavily armed.


Day 5: Bonds are Formed

As the convoy hits the road again, many members are looking forward to their first hot meal of the day and eating something other than a Pop Tart -- the popular standard issued snack.

Once out the gate, travel is relatively painless with the exception of a few dozen Iraqi checkpoints, which forces the convoy to slow down then speed up like an accordion.

After arrival at FOB Kalsu, everyone gets to the tents around the same time -- a first for the convoy.

Tired, troops throw their bags on the cots and get ready for bed. Soldiers are mixed in with Airmen. The cots are so close together, you can barely fit a tennis shoe between them. Perez chooses the first cot near the front, like a mother bear protecting her cubs.

After five nights together, this convoy of Airmen and Soldiers are operating together like one team. "When we get back, I want to figure out a way for us to work exclusively with this group," said Sielski to a few of his Soldiers during dinner (which is breakfast time for most.) "These guys have their (stuff) together."

Day 1: Hi, Nice to Meet You
Day 2: Yeah, I'm on Fire
Day 3: An Added Threat
Day 4: Not a Typical Alarm Clock
Day 5: Bonds are Formed
Day 6: A Team Born in Six Nights