Car Bomb - Mosul
The line of Strykers moves down the wide four lane highway, Soldiers in the air hatches scan the cityscape to either side. The one hundred and ten degree heat of early fall sends shimmering heat rising off the surface of the dark road bed. Civilians in cars and trucks share the road with the Soldiers as they go about their daily business. The Strykers are patrolling the streets of Mosul, Iraq - Saturday, October 2nd.
The men are vigilant. They watch for any sign of hostile activity. Any indication that someone is up to no good. Their "enemy" is not afraid to sacrifice themselves and have no regard for the lives of the innocent civilians around them. The low median strip provides only minimal protection from cars careening down the road going the opposite direction. And the wide road bed allows traffic to pass from the rear on either side of the Strykers.
A fast approaching compact pickup catches the attention of the Soldiers in the air hatches of one of the Strykers. It's coming down the ramp onto the highway from a side street. The pickup reaches the bottom of the ramp and is along side one of the Strykers in an instant. Then it pulls in between two of the Strykers and explodes. No, not just explodes, it disintegrates in a blinding flash and an ear-shattering roar. The blast is felt more than heard inside the other Strykers up and down the line as the shock wave reaches out and rocks them.
The Stryker nearest the blast absorbs most of the destructive force but two exposed in the hatches are wounded. The vehicle is pitted and scarred by the blast. The detonation leaves a five foot hole in the pavement. Strykers behind and ahead of the explosion suffer damage as well. Thick black smoke rolls up into the mid day sky as what's left of the car burns like a blast furnace. Even the road bed begins to evaporate and burn away in the intense heat. Charred car parts litter the highway. The pickup exploded so close to the Stryker that the blast force went up into the sky and away from other men standing in the hatches which probably saved their lives.
The Americans move quickly. They secure the area, keeping civilians at a safe distance. They provide medical assistance for their wounded. And they prepare to tow the damaged Stryker home.
The men move with practiced precision and speed. The wounded are brought through the rear hatch of his Stryker. The ramp comes up and several of the Strykers now race back to the FOB at top speed - nearly 70 mph.
He tells us about the car bomb just twelve hours after it had happened. He's more than a little surprised that his mother and I already know about the incident, thanks to the Fox News Network. And another thanks to the Reuters News photographer who was on the scene and took a picture...
The war in Iraq. Up close and way too personal.
The men are vigilant. They watch for any sign of hostile activity. Any indication that someone is up to no good. Their "enemy" is not afraid to sacrifice themselves and have no regard for the lives of the innocent civilians around them. The low median strip provides only minimal protection from cars careening down the road going the opposite direction. And the wide road bed allows traffic to pass from the rear on either side of the Strykers.
A fast approaching compact pickup catches the attention of the Soldiers in the air hatches of one of the Strykers. It's coming down the ramp onto the highway from a side street. The pickup reaches the bottom of the ramp and is along side one of the Strykers in an instant. Then it pulls in between two of the Strykers and explodes. No, not just explodes, it disintegrates in a blinding flash and an ear-shattering roar. The blast is felt more than heard inside the other Strykers up and down the line as the shock wave reaches out and rocks them.
The Stryker nearest the blast absorbs most of the destructive force but two exposed in the hatches are wounded. The vehicle is pitted and scarred by the blast. The detonation leaves a five foot hole in the pavement. Strykers behind and ahead of the explosion suffer damage as well. Thick black smoke rolls up into the mid day sky as what's left of the car burns like a blast furnace. Even the road bed begins to evaporate and burn away in the intense heat. Charred car parts litter the highway. The pickup exploded so close to the Stryker that the blast force went up into the sky and away from other men standing in the hatches which probably saved their lives.
The Americans move quickly. They secure the area, keeping civilians at a safe distance. They provide medical assistance for their wounded. And they prepare to tow the damaged Stryker home.
The men move with practiced precision and speed. The wounded are brought through the rear hatch of his Stryker. The ramp comes up and several of the Strykers now race back to the FOB at top speed - nearly 70 mph.
He tells us about the car bomb just twelve hours after it had happened. He's more than a little surprised that his mother and I already know about the incident, thanks to the Fox News Network. And another thanks to the Reuters News photographer who was on the scene and took a picture...
The war in Iraq. Up close and way too personal.
posted by deesci | 8:05 PM
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