thedrifter
04-06-03, 06:49 AM
By ALEXANDRA ZAVIS, Associated Press Writer
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BAGHDAD, Iraq - Marine casualty and evacuation helicopters ranged across a panorama of destruction south of Baghdad on Saturday and carried a wounded Marine, injured children and at least one Iraqi fighter disguised as a civilian to medical care.
The pilots of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 flew over crumpled bodies, charred tanks, collapsed buildings and a burning date forest on repeated missions to the outskirts of Baghdad. They took the war wounded to emergency medical centers to the south.
One helicopter carried a 5-year-old boy whose face had been blown away by shrapnel. His father, who had been wounded in the shoulder, held the IV as the Marines loaded them both on the helicopter.
On another run, six Iraqis were loaded on board. A Marine cut open the clothes of one Iraqi. Underneath his outer clothing was a military uniform.
At the medical center, that Iraqi was made to squat on the ground, naked, while the other five wounded, all civilians, were processed. Wary of possible suicide attacks, U.S. forces searched all Iraqis — even the wounded.
Toward the end of the day, the helicopter picked up a Marine who had been on a reconnaissance mission. He had taken four shots, one to the shoulder, one to the leg and two in the other leg.
Despite his injuries, the Marine was talking and very energetic.
Unlike the Marines on the ground, helicopter pilots do not sleep in the dirt. They go back to base, where they sleep on the cots meant for the dead and wounded.
Mindful of the discomfort of their comrades on the ground, the squadron's pilots and crew, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and also known as the Purple Foxes, each chipped in $10 to $20 to buy cigarettes, candy and sodas for the Marines in the ground force.
On Saturday morning, at an airfield about 10 miles south of Baghdad, they unloaded the goodies, which were promptly stuffed into a Humvee to be taken to Marines at forward positions.
"We get to go back and have a shower and hot chow. These guys are stuck out here," said Sgt. Chip Jacoby, 23, of MacDoel, Calif.
As they flew over Highway 6, the scene below was not totally dismal. Many vehicles, including a tractor, flew white flags, some made from towels or T-shirts. Many people waved.
"Either they are happy to see us or they don't want to get lit up," said Capt. Andrew Lamont, 31, from Eureka, Cal., using a slang term for fired on.
Civilian vehicles, piled high with belongings, headed south away from the fighting. When the drivers heard the artillery, they tried to drive faster and get away.
Convoys of U.S. tanks and armored personnel carriers pushed north all day along the same road toward the Iraqi capital.
When night fell, the pilots stayed alert, the crew and medics ready for another flight. The work of the 364th was not yet done.
Sempers,
Roger
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BAGHDAD, Iraq - Marine casualty and evacuation helicopters ranged across a panorama of destruction south of Baghdad on Saturday and carried a wounded Marine, injured children and at least one Iraqi fighter disguised as a civilian to medical care.
The pilots of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 flew over crumpled bodies, charred tanks, collapsed buildings and a burning date forest on repeated missions to the outskirts of Baghdad. They took the war wounded to emergency medical centers to the south.
One helicopter carried a 5-year-old boy whose face had been blown away by shrapnel. His father, who had been wounded in the shoulder, held the IV as the Marines loaded them both on the helicopter.
On another run, six Iraqis were loaded on board. A Marine cut open the clothes of one Iraqi. Underneath his outer clothing was a military uniform.
At the medical center, that Iraqi was made to squat on the ground, naked, while the other five wounded, all civilians, were processed. Wary of possible suicide attacks, U.S. forces searched all Iraqis — even the wounded.
Toward the end of the day, the helicopter picked up a Marine who had been on a reconnaissance mission. He had taken four shots, one to the shoulder, one to the leg and two in the other leg.
Despite his injuries, the Marine was talking and very energetic.
Unlike the Marines on the ground, helicopter pilots do not sleep in the dirt. They go back to base, where they sleep on the cots meant for the dead and wounded.
Mindful of the discomfort of their comrades on the ground, the squadron's pilots and crew, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and also known as the Purple Foxes, each chipped in $10 to $20 to buy cigarettes, candy and sodas for the Marines in the ground force.
On Saturday morning, at an airfield about 10 miles south of Baghdad, they unloaded the goodies, which were promptly stuffed into a Humvee to be taken to Marines at forward positions.
"We get to go back and have a shower and hot chow. These guys are stuck out here," said Sgt. Chip Jacoby, 23, of MacDoel, Calif.
As they flew over Highway 6, the scene below was not totally dismal. Many vehicles, including a tractor, flew white flags, some made from towels or T-shirts. Many people waved.
"Either they are happy to see us or they don't want to get lit up," said Capt. Andrew Lamont, 31, from Eureka, Cal., using a slang term for fired on.
Civilian vehicles, piled high with belongings, headed south away from the fighting. When the drivers heard the artillery, they tried to drive faster and get away.
Convoys of U.S. tanks and armored personnel carriers pushed north all day along the same road toward the Iraqi capital.
When night fell, the pilots stayed alert, the crew and medics ready for another flight. The work of the 364th was not yet done.
Sempers,
Roger