 Bonales shooting an AK-47.  The Chaplain and other shooters. |
This morning, we would be going "outside the wire" to FOBs Mawtini and O'Riley. At Mawtini we would try to help the IA with their rifle marksmanship, and O'Riley to check out our soon-to-be-new residence, goodbye easy life on LSA Anaconda.
As we were prepping to leave, the chaplain came into our room, this was about 7 a.m. He had been out jogging and knew some of "his" men were nearby, so decided to pay a visit. We are from the 100th Battalion of the 442nd Infantry and have been assinged to the 29th HHC for training of the IA. My roomates are from American Samoa as is the chaplain, so we're "his." The chaplain from the 442nd is as kind and gentle a man as I've ever met, and carries himself with a sense of serenity that I expect from a man of God. When my Grandmother passed in January, while I was preparing to come here at Ft. Polk, La., he came to my aid and provided a great deal of comfort, so I was quite pleased to see him this morning. He chatted for awhile then asked us if we would join him in a prayer. We did. As the five of us stood in a circle with heads bowed, he asked the lord to provide us with wisdom, strength and courage. I felt at peace after his kind words and will be always be grateful to have such a man as my chaplain.
The convoy out to Mawtini went smooth as always, and as always, the children lined the road to watch the Americans roll by. It always makes me feel pretty good to see them out there, although just once I'd like to pull over, stop and share food and candy, maybe someday soon.
When we got to the IA base we put up targets and watched the IA sergeants teach their men the basics of shooting the AK-47. The classes seemed to be on target, (pun intended) but we soon found out were not. As we tried time after time to get them to fire three rounds close together nothing seemed to work. We did have an interpreter with us, but could not tell for sure if the message was getting through. It sure didn't seem like it from looking at the lack of hits on the targets.
I tried earlier to explain the dynamics of round trajectory to the interpreter but he kept saying "the wind makes the bullet move," maybe slightly at times but not at a range of 20 meters, and today there was no wind, period. The IA kept changing their range indicators even though we had them set at 200 meters. The arc of the round is the same at those ranges and the process we were trying to teach was called "Zeroing," this just ensures one can hit what they're aiming at, but one must get three rounds close together first. Out of 12 shooters only one managed to get it done.
The soldier I was trying to help was a jolly fellow with a beautiful family, two daughters and a son. He shared his pictures with me. I liked this gesture, but am troubled with the knowledge that those kids father can't hit the broadside of a barn from 10 feet. His life depends on that weapon and his ability to use it. As I tried to coach him, he let out a hearty laugh and said "A li Baba, tat ta tat ta tat tat," then made jumping motions and feigned falling to the ground. The message intended was - just fire a multitude of rounds at the bad guy and sooner or later, he's going down. My reply to his "Night at the Improve" was "Mu Zeno, my friend." No good. I then took my turn at improve and raised my arms as if holding a rifle and very loudly said "KAYO" and dropped to the ground and did a quick kicking chicken, got to my feet and showed him one finger and said "Wa hid A li Baba, Wa hid KAYO, zeno." My intentions were - one shot, one kill, good.
Well, Rome wasn't built in a day, and the IA needs a lot of work and all we can do here is not get frustrated because we all wanted them ready yesterday. After they shot, we all got online and just ripped the tar right off the targets and were nailing everything we aimed at. The IA looked pretty scared and probably are glad that we're on the same side now, and maybe even pity ol Ali Baba. By the way, that is what the Iraqis say to tell us someone is bad, bad enough to kill.
So the word is Wakuf or patience
Again, I always like to read your comments, Elias. (I assume you can read mine).
I have very definite opinions about the Iraq situation because I lived in the Middle East (Cyprus) for four years when I was young; also I have traveled about in the region. I have found that people everywhere are basically 'good'. In general, we all want the same things---to be allowed 'to do our own thing'----in peace. Easy to say but hard to achieve.
You are obviously a man of great compassion; you have a 'good' attitude; I think if Americans abroad were all like you everyone would be better off.
I hope you stay safe. I wish you well---and, please continue with your fascinating blogs about your sojourn in Iraq.
Peggy