Comments on: Combat vs. Construction

By: Preston

Preston — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:23:29 +0000

I’m thankful that we have so many great people over there in Iraq! As someone who has been working within the construction industry for a long time, it is easy to realize the value of proper building codes and structural safety.

By: adrian bryant

adrian bryant — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:17:15 +0000

is it hard whaen you guys are at cobat and thank you for battling for us

By: armygirlfriend Val

armygirlfriend Val — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 04:47:36 +0000

IS this just a place to make comments or does anyone know how I can get in touch with someone at Al Taqaddum? I am in need of trying to find my soldier who is based there right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Email me?: mlff96@yahoo.com

By: chris newman sr

chris newman sr — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:01:23 +0000

i currently have a son attached to the 74th in iraq he calls or emails most every day he doesnt tell us were hes working or doing but my wife and i know when we dont here from him for a couple of days that he off base working we now no news is good news but its hard until you here that voice again you just sit by the phone untill your prays are answered.

By: William Bolha

William Bolha — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 18:26:22 +0000

Thank God for Mr. Axe showing the other side of the war — The Seabees building for military and the people of Iraq. We need to hear good news of men trying to protect and do good for human beings! You never hear of the Seabees doing their humanity deeds for the common people of this war torn area. We only hear of the death and misfortunes of WAR, whats wrong with the news media, hungary for Death and blood!God Bless them for their duty to country and people of all backgrounds! I am a son-of-a WW2 Seabee, William Bolha

By: max

max — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 12:02:52 +0000

Thanks, I didn’t mean to insinuate that anyone was making things up. I only did a year in Iraq, ending in the fall, from my experience and talking to friends I still have in Baghdad the situation is different from your experience.

By: David Axe

David Axe — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 06:22:26 +0000

Hello from Ramadi!
A distinction needs to be made between the areas of Iraq controlled by the U.S. military and the rest of the country. Inside the U.S. miliatry’s steel cordon, things are pretty safe.
But outside, security is worsening. I’m not making this up.
Of course, there are regional differences, even differences between neighborhoods in single towns. But overall, it’s harder to work outside the wire in 2006 than it was just two years ago. This applies to anyone — civilian or military — trying to do reconstruction and humanitarian work.
Cheers.

By: Noah Shachtman

Noah Shachtman — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 00:22:00 +0000

Max:
I don’t make a habit of arguing with readers, and I’m not going to start now. But I’d like to understand your point of view. Are you saying that because *one* reporter told you something silly (and, yeah, I saw Irish get pretty tame, too) that all reporters (including Mr. Axe from South Carolina) are somehow biased? Or am I misunderstanding you?
Also, you’re saying you “lost faith” after my initial impressions of Camp Victory. I just went back and re-read that post. It’s about my surprise at finding the digs to be so nice. What “interpretation” lost you?
nms

By: max

max — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 22:17:14 +0000

Noah, this thing drives me nuts-I watched places like Route Irish go from the wild wild west to romper room-yet still I was told by a New York journalist that the situation had “fallen apart”. David may not be lazy, but some times you guys floor me with interpretations of things. I lost faith in you guys after “Camp Normal”.
I stand with my argument-all evidence points to a security situation that is NOT deteriorating.

By: Noah Shachtman

Noah Shachtman — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 15:23:59 +0000

Max:
I’d be *very* careful about calling David Axe “lazy.” He’s been to Iraq many, many times over the past few years. He knows what the situation is like on the ground. And he is not some knee-jerk military-hater.
nms