Comments on: Close Call

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 09:18:18 +0000

EOD Hush hush? Please. Every frigging unit in Iraq thinks what they do is hush hush.

By: joe schmo

joe schmo — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 12:34:39 +0000

Why not create hot air ballons or Blimps armed with infrared and all types of realtime area scanning that can stay stationary along the Iraq border indefinitely able to be refueled. Also in Afganistan the same could be applied in the mountainous regions where the terrorist are hiding. Or in the US along the border to prevent drugs and illegal aliens from entering the US. It would be a very economical way of providing security.

By: LT Chris Kehl

LT Chris Kehl — Mon, 26 Dec 2005 14:57:01 +0000

All,
I was HHC Xo for 108th when Johnnie 5 worked w/our Mortars (EOD Escort) in Muhamidiyah Iraq. He, SFC Herndon, SPC James and Crazy SSG Peche were the quirky smile on every soldier’s face in TF 108th. A secret weapon both in and out of the fight. The EOD fight is not one easily discussed in the open. Lots of hush hush things, but let’s just say these guys aren’t as simple as “bombsquad” or UXO guys like they were in Bosnia. As the new Mortar PL for 108th, 8 of us drove back from Central Iraq to BDaddy because the memory of the man was worth the risk.
For the EOD community, I will be at Eglin next year for annual services. I might not be EOD family, but I lost a long-lost cousin that day too.
CHRISTOPHER C KEHL JR.
1LT, AR, Ga ARNG
Mortar Platoon Leader — PUNISHER6
HHC, 1/108th AR
CSC Scania, Iraq
“To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence. “
Sun Tzu

By: John S

John S — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 21:25:58 +0000

Johnnie not only served his country doing what he absolutely loved, but he was also served his community back in Clarksville as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. He will be truely missed.

By: Detn8ur

Detn8ur — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 14:43:29 +0000

As a retired Master EOD Technician I too am deeply saddened by the loss of SSG Johnnie Mason.
Someone mentioned nerves of steel. In an insurgent war of IED’s, these fine young men and women present nothing less. But more importantly it is their COURAGE.… I cannot remember the quoter, but someone was once ask to define courage and the response says it all.
“Courage! Those are the ones who are scared, but go anyway!“
GOD Bless them ALL!

By: salmonking

salmonking — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 21:09:31 +0000

SSG Mason was responding to an IED on 19 DEC 05 near Al Mahmudiyah Iraq, His Immediate action saved the lives of four soldiers. Rest in peace John.

By: Tim B.

Tim B. — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 16:00:38 +0000

I just read today that Johnnie Mason was killed in Iraq. No details were given but it was said to have been work related.

By: sammy

sammy — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 00:04:40 +0000

I recently learned form my nephew who is a US infantry captain in Iraq protecting convoys that the humveys are equiped with devices that can detonate the IED from a distance automatically. The problem is that when the device is turned on it also interferrs with convoy communications.
does anyone know of any solution to this problem?

By: toni

toni — Sat, 12 Nov 2005 19:43:45 +0000

I am just amazed at what these guys do. They must have nerves of steel!

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 07 Nov 2005 13:58:43 +0000

@Wes: like enough, the bomber had rigged a compromise device as well as the phone so that it would go off if tampered with.
Anyway, I’m more surprised nobody thought to react to “The 717ths commanding officer, Capt. Greg Hirschey, had to deliver a shipment of robots to one of his bomb squads in the town of Mahmudiya..” with a quick THESE AREN’T THE ROBOTS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!