Balls Forward: On Patrol in Iraq With the Army's 101st Airborne (VIDEO)

"Overall what we're doing is trying to accomplish a mission and return home safe."

(Albu Siker, IRAQ) - My first day on patrol in Iraq. These soldiers from the Army's 101st Airborne are from the 2nd Batallion, 320th Artillery. Their group is known as the Balls of the Eagle. It sounds boastful, but after a few hours in the countryside of Iraq, the name made sense.

The soldiers form a cohesive group that takes their role in this war very seriously. Today's mission was to leave the confines of the air base at Balad, and move into an area known as Albu Siker. Sgt Major Robert Levis is a career soldier who directs the operations here.

"You know these young Americans that sign up for the military today, they already know they're going to war, they know they are going to be separated from their family, it just amazes me. Not only do they do one tour; they re-enlist and come back. They keep doing it, there are soldiers who have been deployed over 40 months already."

Along with the extended tours some of these soldiers have taken, is an improved degree of technology with a newer military combat transport vehicle called the MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected).

Jose Mayorgaruana is a soldier with the 101st, "HUMVEE's sit a little lower, but you actually feel better in this environment, knowing that it's a little bit bigger, and how it's shaped. You know what I mean, when an IED or an explosive actually goes off, how it deflects it. It was made in a specific way."

Especially when moving across a combat zone, Bryan White of Long Island, New York says the MRAP proves size really does count, "Well personally I think it is a good tool to have; it is bigger, I think it is more protective than a regular HUMVEE. You know it is bigger, so you can actually take three of these and carry more than taking three or four HUMVEE's."

These troops say the improved technology increases their chances of returning home to their families in one piece.

Mayorgaruana adds that the new vehicles really raise the safety level, "From what I can see, coming from an enlisted soldier's perspective, soldiers, overall what we're doing, it is in the big scale of what we are doing, trying to accomplish a mission and return home safe.'

Along with vehicle technology and safety, is the importance of each soldier's personal security when they venture outside of their vehicle. As a 101st sergeant, Moses Garcia has a higher level of responsibility to ensure the safety of the younger soldiers.

"We have 360 security, so I'll cover this sector right here. My other soldiers will cover the sector behind me, and so forth and so forth, so we all cover each other's back, make sure there is no threat coming towards us, and escalate force accordingly."

One of the high tech tools helping my coverage of the war in Iraq is the VIO-POV helmet camera. It is the Cadillac of helmet cams and manufactured with what seem to be, military precision. The unit is simple to operate, and another example of emerging technology that is in large part, evolving from the war theaters. An impressive number of these cameras have already been purchased by the US military.

The MRAP transport vehicle is just one of the tools now in the hands of our servicemembers engaged in the fighting overseas. The view from the 50 caliber machine gun turret gives you an idea of what these soldiers see in Iraq on a daily basis.

Anything that leads to more lives being saved could only be considered a positive advancement.

Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Silver Spoke Award by the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (2011), Excellence in Journalism Award by the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (2010), Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), First-place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Tim has several years of experience in network affiliate news TV stations, having worked as a reporter and photographer at NBC, ABC and FOX stations in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Tim was a member of the National Press Photographer's Association for several years and is a current member of the Orange County Press Club.

Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. As News Editor, Tim among other things, is responsible for publishing the original content of 82 Salem-News.com writers. He reminds viewers that emails are easily missed and urges those trying to reach him, to please send a second email if the first goes unanswered. You can write to Tim at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

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Kyle September 11, 2008 5:15 pm (Pacific time)

Balls-y!! thats more like it. nice to see real footage for a change. i hope you talk to my brother. He's one of those jarheads over there, hope he's saving you from too much time with the army!

Henry Ruark September 8, 2008 8:24 am (Pacific time)

To all: Rapid review of that shelf on cognitive advances shows two, at ends. SO here are TWO basic refs. I found, one early and one late: Oxford Companion To The Mind;800pp. fine compilation; Richard Gregory, Editor; 1987. Emotional Intelligence: Why it matters more than IQ; Daniel Goleman; Bantam Books; ISBN 0-553-37506-7 "See also" many by Noam Chomski,tough but basic-work. But of course this is for those who seek to learn and share, rather than beat on tattered/torn political persiflage...

Henry Ruark September 8, 2008 7:24 am (Pacific time)

D. et al: Your key phrase is:"To view the below video (see link) one does not need an advanced degree in any of the behavioral sciences." SO you reveal characteristic attack of your kind on any advanced knowledge we may have accumulated --precisely as Bush did with intel, and by working on "gut instinct". Tht's one reason it took so long for the world to move from Enlightenment to modern knowledge and method. It is that attitude which prolongs the unmerciful, the ruthless, the "WIN ANYHOW !" Neandethal death-drive display some few still show. 21st Century life-demands make it essential we use what we've learned over all those centuries --and that starts with relationships, which are the heart of cognitive science these days. To deny that is to descend constantly lower...wrong way, as in last eight years, as 90 percent of U.S. now states re Bush-cabal pattern. SEE link, but then also evaluate with own open mind, and in light of what we've learned by any means. Emotional intelligence is at least as essential, these 21st Century days, as pure --or impure !-- feeling/alone. Your participation richly appreciated here, sir.

Delaware September 7, 2008 6:00 pm (Pacific time)

I strongly recommend the video of Obama speaking at the below link. Regardless of one's opinion of the website where this link is, it shows exactly how Obama's cognitive process works when he has no teleprompter. There are many more of these videos, but when you watch it you will understand: To view the below video (see link) one does not need an advanced degree in any of the behavioral sciences. Just the ability to go to the link and make an "my own eyes" observation is enough. You'll be glad you did, for it is in Obama's own words, unedited. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2076094/posts

Henry Ruark September 7, 2008 11:52 am (Pacific time)

To all: "Rest of story" re my own cogniive-science experience: Took place with two persons, one was McCrone, scientist who showed Shroud of Turin stains were not Christ's blood, but of earthly origin. Other person, unnames here purposely, was one who guided McCrone in that study and then the report. This publicly published, and with ID to Editor will send documentation; shared here simply to demonstrated credibility, missing in some others with fly-on-wall b/b feeling/tone comments.

Henry Ruark September 6, 2008 7:47 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Del wrote:"...it shows exactly how Obama's cognitive process works" relating to a visual link. Unless and until he proves up his abilities and training as a cognitive scientist, he is putting out more than he can handle. Having worked with several cognitive scientists on real problems, in my admittedly "checkered" career, and having spent 3 yrs with a practicing psychotherapist dealing with children (to the great amusement of my friends !), I can speak to the impossibility of any such evaluation from a single or even a series of such situations --without that special training and experience. SO, Del, this time let me lay on you title of a past Op Ed in similar circumstance" "You Lie In Your Teeth,SIR !" It simply cannot be done so easily. What you express, unless you hold scientific degree in this area, is simply more of the same b/b-feeling... IF you ID-self to Editor, will be glad to document this via direct dialog.

ken ramey September 6, 2008 2:13 pm (Pacific time)

Great report Tim. I look forward to reading more. Stay well. You are in good comapany. Ken

sts September 6, 2008 12:36 pm (Pacific time)

uh oh..stephen is back :-) ok, here goes. Please dont hate me, I just call em as I see them, and I do try to do massive research (on both sides) before writing. The elite, that run this country, (not the president) innundated the public school system, hollywood (movies), and video games a very long time ago. They brainwashed the kids to further their agenda. Sorry..I know this sucks. About 2 years ago, when I started learning this stuff, especially 911, I was sick for at least a week. I threw up several times a day for the first couple of days. I drank enough to raise the stocks on henry weinhard... Im better now, but I am trying to get the message out there. And yes, it is probably too late, and I am wasting my time. I know this. But for some reason, still keep doing it. This all started almost 100 years ago, and their plans are not nice. Rothchilds, Rockefellers etc. They own most of the media, they run the school curriculum, and they obviously own congress and the president. Google "endgame"..another great documentary. Mark Dice is sending the documentary "loose change" to the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cant remember first name, but Ronald Reagans son's radio show, well, he said, the people who question 911 should be killed. dont blindfold them, just get them on their knees and shoot them. He said he would even supply the bullets. NOTHING happened to him for saying these things. A death threat, and nothing happened. He even told others to kill people like me. Is THIS the freedom we are fighting for in Iraq? to KILL people who use their 1st ammendment right peacefully? I complained to the FCC, and just got a reply in the mail. Nothing will happen, but I will continue to speak out on as many forums as I can connect to. Thousands of soldiers are waking up to the truth. Also, google "metacafe, iraqi soldier speaks about 911" It is an AMAZING eye opener, and what thousands of soldiers are saying.

sts September 6, 2008 12:07 pm (Pacific time)

please google "fabled enemies" on google. A free 102 minute documentary in regards to 911. please forward this to others. thank you for your time. People need to know why we are in Iraq.

Del. September 6, 2008 11:33 am (Pacific time)

Henry Ruark September 6, 2008 7:35 am (Pacific time)

Sorry to see Tim's fine story of record politicized by those who cannot restrain from such perverse public action, always without either ID or documentation. Mine was sincerely meant, in re Bush II continued "compassionate conservatism" re veterans and their benefits we all owe them in depth. Distortion re personal feeling on past history seems to me out of line here, but not surprising from D-V. For mine own record, doubt if you have any doubts...!!

DEL. September 6, 2008 6:59 am (Pacific time)

You mean the way LBJ showed leadership in Vietnam? Or Clinton did in Somalia? Or in Bosnia? The majority of congress voted to engage Iraq along with 17 UN resolutions. In fact there is a congressional record going back to the late 1990's with senators like Kennedy and Kerry warning about Iraq's WMD's. Who was president then? Thanks for the report Tim, and here's hoping you report feedback on just how the majority of INFANTRY personnel feel about our mission in Iraq, which puts light on the subjective uninformed.

Henry Ruark September 5, 2008 10:16 am (Pacific time)

Great report, Tim !
Makes point by honest, open objective reporting on much better, safer tech and wise preparation, emphasizing fact soldiers went to war without what was absolutely demanded from any really sensitive "leadership" supporting troops per longtime American custom.

EazyMoney September 5, 2008 8:48 am (Pacific time)

Ah Yes.. Balls of the Eagle. I spent 4 years at Ft Campbell, and lived next door to a forward observer for the 320th. They are a great unit... for a bunch of cannon cockers. ; ) Seriously, they are a good bunch, and its great you can spend some time with those guys. Should be a great experience. Keep an eye out and your head down, stay safe and keep the news coming in... EZ

Anonymous September 4, 2008 6:28 pm (Pacific time)

Tim am glad you are getting the opportunity to spend some time with regular forces and travel around a bit. These fulltime infantry troops can provide good longitudinal perspectives, generally. We are there and light is emanating from that dark tunnel.

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Balls Forward: On Patrol in Iraq With the Army's 101st Airborne (VIDEO)

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