Jim Spiri in Iraq

Right now, it's midnight-30 in the morning. I arrived
here via helicopter about an hour ago. I was met by
1st Sgt. McKinney, who gave me a quick tour of the
place and showed me my room. It's a small camp here,
called Heider, and the conditions at first glance
remind me a bit of FOB Reaper in Anbar, yet not quite
as rough, but close. I'm traveling very light, only
a camera bag and change of clothes. Will only be here
a few days. Carrying bags is such a hassle, so I
eliminated just about everything, and left it behind
in Mosul. The first thing I realized when I got here
was that I should have brought my sleeping bag. The
only time I did not bring it, is the only time I
needed it. Go figure....

I had arranged to do this leg of the journey because I
had heard there are actually US border patrol agents
here assisting the Iraqis in border control. Now, I
grew up on the border area near Juarez and have
traveled the border from Brownville,TX all the way to
San Diego, CA. I spent many years watching the green
and white vans back in the day, picking up illegal
aliens, sometimes right in the middle of the same
chili field I'd be picking green chili in. So, when I
heard that border patrol agents were here, I just
figured I had to come see how they do it. Especially
since the whole border situation back home is front
and center these days. The irony of it all, seemed to
have my name written all over it and I was not going
to have come this far without going the extra distance
to come see this area.

Coordinating the journey here took place last week,
and I had been pretty much prepared. I actually got
laundry done, got to sleep in a little, went to an
awards ceremony today where soldiers from 2/7 received
among other awards, purple hearts. It was a sight to
see the entire battalion gathered together and watch
as soldier after soldier received recognition for
their service in country. After that was over, I went
to evening chow and was joined by Sgt. DeCarlo, who
has become a good friend to me. He's quite a young
warrior, and I talk often with him about the soldier's
life. After chow, I ended up back at my hooch, and
prepared for my evening departure from Mosul to the
Syrian border.

The folks at 2/7 got me a ride over to the airfield,
and it was much appreciated. I was dropped off at the
flight line and I pretty much knew the ropes from this
point. After all, I worked flight lines for a long,
long time. From this point on, I would be handled by
civilian contractors until the UH60 arrived to pick me
up. This part is always such a challenge for me. I
try my best to not let my blood pressure increase.
But sometimes, it just happens.

I have handled passengers for a great deal of my adult
life, and most recently, in this theatre. I know how
to treat people. All it takes is to have a passion
for the mission. After disturbing the first KBR
worker from her "quiet" time, I was given the
direction to, "go away and come back later" attitude.
I was prepared for that, I'm always early.

I came back at the prescribed time, and went through
the hoops of another KBR worker, who, I was amazed was
actually able to get out of his chair, and tell an
Army soldier to take care of me.

I was so happy to see the soldier. He took good care
of me. He had no idea what I was thinking. It just
happens that way lately. What I experience ends up
getting pounded away on some keyboard in Iraq. By the
time the helicopter arrived, I was ready. Roll call,
for all three of the passengers was done. We headed
to the flight line, rotors buzzing, and I made the
fatal mistake of asking for ear plugs from the KBR
worker. She immediately told me that I should have
asked earlier. I said to her, 'WHAT DID YOU SAY, I
CAN'T HEAR A THING?" And so the story goes.

Once on the aircraft and back under the control of the
Army, things went well again. The crew chief buckled
us all in, thankfully, because the seat belt
configuration on the Blackhawks I'm sure was designed
by the same guy that made that darn Rubix cube, you
know, the one nobody ever solves. The three of us
were buckled in, and for the first time in my
experience in Blackhawk helicopters, the ride was not
crowded. It was really nice. The sliding door
windows had been removed, the stars were out and aside
from my eardrums throbbing, it was a great ride. I
was headed to the border with Syria.

As we banked here, and banked there, made a couple of
stops, and continued on, I kept looking up at the
night sky. The stars were spectacular. There were
millions and millions of them. I kept thinking about
the promise to Abraham and his seed. Shortly
thereafter, we arrived at COP (combat outpost) Heider.

In speaking with 1st Sgt. McKinney, I was shown how
close the border is. We smiled, and he knew I was
enjoying the fact that I had made it here. So for the
next three days, I will be here, seeing what there is
to see, and living it a little on the rough side, like
everyone else has to do here. The mosquitoes are bad,
the accommodations are sufficient, and the people are
mellow. I like it. It's night time. The daytime, will
bring heat. And lots of it. Keep ya'all posted...!

Jim Spiri
Along the Syrian-Iraqi border
COP Heider, Iraq.
jimspiri@yahoo.com