Alex Dang: Hello from the front lines of Iraq
As the Army Reserve's 736th Transportation Company, home-based in Bakersfield, dodged bullets and bombs in Iraq last year, Sgt. 1st Class Alex Dang sent the following letter to friends.
Dang and the other members of The Road Warriors returned last weekend to the U.S., "out-processed" at Fort Bliss, Texas, in preparation for their return to Bakersfield. Unit members began arriving Thursday. The unit left Bakersfield on Jan. 4, 2004.
The 736th is a transportation unit responsible for transporting everything that a trucker in the U.S. might move supplies, fuel, voting booths, etc. It was estimated that the unit would complete 200 missions (round trips) and log more than a million miles during the company's tour in Iraq.
Dang's letter to Bakersfield described the danger, fatigue and tedium of the 736th assignment in Iraq. Most missions were performed under extreme conditions severe weather, lack of marked roads, road hazards, including wandering camels, and weapons fire from insurgents. Despite the dangers, the unit reported very few injuries.
The soldier Dang wrote about is Sgt. 1st Class James Medrano of Wasco. Dang and Medrano have served together as Army reservists for about 25 years.
Alex Dang: Hello from Iraq
It was 8:30 p.m. Iraq time (9:30 a.m. Bakersfield time) when I started this letter.
Medrano had gotten back from his team mission to Duke, Echo and Charlie 17 hours on the road, no breaks, run, run, run.
The man climbs out of his chariot, drags his gear (armor vest, ammo vest, three days of clothing, personal hygiene stuff and bag for sleeping) into the tent.
The look "I'm beat" is written all over his face. Medrano has been existing on Beanie Weenies, Vienna sausage, water and Gatorade. He hopes to find ice for his men at every stop.
He's easy going, quiet, but heard. He is respected and held in high esteem by the officers over him. His call sign is "Cowboy."
You just don't get this kind of adventure. You gotta be here to experience the thrill the ride on the iron box. The chariot ride across the broken roads of Iraq literally knocks the wind out of you.
One look at Medrano's camelback will tell the story. The tough material is ripped and torn by the chaffing ride. Bare metal against the manmade material protecting a soldier's back.
The 110-degree dry heat is worse when the vehicle you're in is traveling at 50 to 60 miles an hour. You're in a convection oven.
Your M-16 is hot to touch. Not from shooting it, but from the sun baking it. It's tough. Soldiers like Medrano face the elements and enemy each and every day of their tour in the sand box.
The above story is the same for every soldier in the steel chariots. They hang on for dear life.
When Medrano got back, he cleaned up, got comfortable, laid down after dinner and was asleep by 6:45 p.m. The TOC (from the tactical operations center) came in and woke him up at 11 p.m. to tell him he has a mission the next morning.
He's got it tough. They all do.
