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thedrifter
03-16-03, 10:05 AM
From the Front Lines: Embeds Learn to Live With Sand & Dust
Barbara Ferguson, Arab News Correspondent



AT AN AIR BASE NEAR IRAQ, 16 March 2003 — Recently embedded journalists with the Marine Corps are beginning to settle into a routine, although life as an embed can hardly be called routine.

Some embeds have been in three camps since being embedded. Originally sent north, they lived like their Marines: Slept on the ground, lived without hot food or coffee, ate MREs (meals ready to eat) three times a day; no running water, no electricity, nothing. A few journalists joked that for the first time in their lives, they wore the same clothes three days in a row. Marines responded that soon no one notices the dirt — everyone smells the same.

The unit at this camp calls itself the “tip of the spear” when it comes to combat. Which is interesting for those media types who want to write war stories, but not for those more interested in what makes the backbone of the Marines Corps. Fortunately, the colonel there agreed to send some media down south, rather than throwing them out of the embed program. But he requested the embeds return, “when the humanitarian efforts begin.”

From up north the journalists were sent down to Camp Commando, half way between the northern front and the air base where they are currently embedded. Camp Commando was a bit more luxurious, with port-o-johns, limited running water and three hot meals a day.

From there, the embeds were brought down to this air base (embeds are restricted for security reasons from being specific). This is the Ritz, compared to what the majority of Marines in the country are dealing with. Embedded journalists sleep in a tent with nine other Marine officers, and have a cot to put their sleeping bags on. Most tents even have electricity. But when the sandstorms blow, everyone wakes up under a blanket of sand.

Sleep around here is scarce. At this air force base, the pilots seem to be constantly taking off or landing. They also seem to get a kick out of “strafing” the tents at all hours of night. Word has it here that the Air Force is unhappy with the Marines, who brought several thousand men onto their previously cushy territory. The creature comforts here are unusual for Marines. There’s a library, a gym, hot water, “comfort trailers” with shower stalls and “porcelain” toilets. A great luxury, compared to what the majority of Marines here on the ground are experiencing.

All the Marines in Kuwait are currently at “MOPP 0,” which means gas masks must be constantly attached to one’s side. Most wear it wrapped around the waist, with another strap wrapped around the thigh, to stabilize it when one walks — or runs. Initially awkward, it gradually becomes part of the body. One even learns to sleep with an arm looped through the carry strap.

Media embeds have been told that if and/or when war begins, all personnel will live in their gas masks, and will also have to put on NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) suits, which are lined with charcoal. One hears these thick suits have improved considerably since the earlier Gulf War. Still, this is the desert, and the sand is constantly gritty in the mouth, eyes and ears. It permeates every pore of the body, and one’s hair is thickly matted with it.

Arab News has been embedded in a Marine engineer and support command. An additional plus is that the unit’s colonel has made every effort to show off their capabilities.

The colonel has asked Arab News to brief his unit about Islam, and the Arab world. Many Marines seem to have a very limited understanding about Islam as well as the customs and traditions of the Gulf. Several have expressed surprise, for example, to find that Jesus plays an important role in both Islam and the Qur’an. They did not know that Muslims believe that Jesus is one of the most important prophets and they also give special honor to Mary, his mother. In the mess hall, many of the young servicemen and women bow their heads in prayer before starting their meals. Marines are tough, but also have a strong spiritual side.

One of the great difficulties for the embeds is dealing with the media blackouts. There is little news of what is going on “outside.” Embeds have already been restricted regarding e-mail and web use here, due to new security restrictions. Embeds bypass this either by using their own satellite systems, or in the case of Arab News, an infrared system between computer and cell phone. For this reason it is hot news to learn that today a shipment of pantyhose is due to arrive. This is extremely important — not for the women but for the computers. Stretched over a laptop’s keyboard, the fine mesh will help keep out the sand and dust.

Sempers,

Roger

firstsgtmike
03-16-03, 10:52 AM
If they want to report on Marines, let them live like the Marines they are reporting on, NOT as an outsider looking in.

"Excuse me, Mr. Reporter, as an outsider looking in, what do you think of the human race?"