Tuesday, August 18, 2009

River City


Forward Operating Base: Now Zad
Northern Helmand Province
Afghanistan


At all bases the Marines operate in there is an expression they use “River City” to describe what happens when a Marine is killed or injured. All contact with the outside world ceases to be available all phone lines and Internet connections are cut until the next of kin are notified.

At Forward Operating Base Now Zad, it is almost the norm, rather than the exception. Life continues for the Marines, another day passes and it is one day closer to going home. The majority of the Marines I talked with “going home,” meant safe and still intact, whilst they all grieve for fallen comrades there is also an acceptance that what they do entails risk.

Whilst they may be Rambo one minute, the next minute reflection replaces reality. When we arrived at Now Zad, 2/3 Marines Golf Company had already lost 2 Marines and a further 7 had been wounded in action, including 3 double amputations. All had been killed or injured as a result of IED’s. Any foot patrol was forbidden as the risk was to high to quote Captain Martin of Golf Company, “We will not walk in the area”.



Now Zad is a ghost town, not a soul lives there, or has done for the past couple of years, where once approx 15,000 Afghans once lived, not a soul is there. The British and Estonians have held ground there and the Marines are now on their third rotation there. With a casual ease Marines would point to a spot 100 yards away and say there is a high possibility that the Taliban are there now and watching us. What separates the two is often just a minefield of IED’s. They are so randomly set and spread out that even the Taliban to a degree now will not enter certain areas.

And so in temperatures that destroy any remaining part of your soul, a stand off exists in Now Zad. As if it was the 1st World War, a no mans land of death separates the adversaries. The only thing that moves between the two sides apart from bullets, mortars and rockets are the wasps. For some reason Now Zad has a plague of them. Any water or liquid and you are surrounded by them, and for someone like me who has a certified terror of bee’s let alone wasps, this was no happy place.

Showers and the basic laundry facility was closed between 11am and 2 pm, not to conserve water but to minimize wasp attacks. Hesco barriers and concrete walls may stop Taliban attacks but not wasps.

Unlike large bases back at Leatherneck and Bastion or even in the capital Kabul, FOB Now Zad has no luxuries, most rooms are plywood boxes with no air conditioning, and the temperature inside the rooms can easily reach 42 degrees Celsius close to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no dining facilty for meals apart from some netting on poles, two meals a day are served out of trays, miss the meal time and it is MRE’s. I saw the trays of food just lying around in the dust like discarded waste next to a dumpster, no doubt tomorrows meal.

Water is measured in degrees of bath water, and tepid is something you actually crave. There were fridges around, but they were closely guarded secrets and rarely if ever would anyone ever offer Greg and I a cold drink, they were just too precious, I did not begrudge them this as it made me realize how hard it actually is for them. And how pathetically easy Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen have it at the bigger bases, where 24 hour meals are available and signs on the fridges ask you to limit yourself to two cold cans of soda a meal, but no one ever counts.



And yet not one Marine at FOB Now Zad wanted to be anywhere else but there, at the frontline in the fight against the Taliban. In adversity they become a true “Band of Brothers”, and to be honest you never hear a word of despair or frustration from them.

The only thing they do not like is “River City” because it means one of there own has fallen.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

They are definitely not there.. to have a career..
With death all around them...it proves life's so dear
And still they go for us to fight in our place
To keep us secure here ..we'll call it "Home Base"
And in these times of trouble... I'll say to your face
If you can't see the difference ..you are a disgrace..
The reality is as Mal brings clearly to light
Not all men are equal among men who fight
Some are pure darkness.. pure evil I dare say
While some shine with light..through the heat of the day..
One fights to opress men...one guides through the night
To say men are all equal...you know that's not right
This choice I can tell you is not hard for me
Tis with this band of brothers...my heart yearns to be
Thanks Mal and Greg... for the tough job you do
May all who love freedom...come rally round you.
You're appreciated you see...more than you can know
You have our good wishes...where ever you go...
And watch every step that you take on your way
your pictures and words....you have so much to say
For these young lions so selfless...brave and true
With no hesitation ...defend me and you.
Freedom's not free... nor does it come cheap
To believe this is true...does not take such a leap
Freedom's bought with the blood... of honorable men
A truth that's been proven again and again...again and again...
You are appreciated Mal and Greg
Thank you...
a&n

Anonymous said...

I got the call from a cell phone today...from my husband saying he was in River city!He couldnt speak long and I didnt know what he was trying to say. Could barley hear him. He told me he loved me and the kids and never to forget that! We lost the call and for hours it haunted me...why did I know this place? Id heard it before....The briefings!!! When I figured it all out...I was happy he was alive,said that one or more of his own were not! Now I wait to find out who! Prayers for our Marines and there families.... A Spartan wife

Anonymous said...

...Still they wait...in River City....while we pray...stay safe...my friend....SSTA

Anonymous said...

They are in river city right now

Anonymous said...

My husband recently told me he was going to river city. I had no clue what that was until read about it. My heart sank as i have been reading more about it and tears brought to my eyes. They are so brave and i have not heard any complaining from my husband at all. I know several Marines have passed away in his unit and company fighting for our freedom here at home and my heart goes out to the familys they are all heroes. My husband is an amazing husband and father and i pray all the time for him and all the Marines for a safe return home.

Unknown said...

I never knew what "River City" was until I read about it. I was in denial when I thought my stepson was relatively safe over there compared to some. Until I got word from him that he just got back from "River City". After reading about it,I just feel relived now everytime he returns back to Camp Leatherneck. And I pray for those families who lost their loved ones. I also pray for all of our military for a safe return home....I thank them all for their service and for the freedom they provide for our great country.

marine mom said...

I did not know what "river city" was until I recently was notified I may not hear from my loved one for a while due to being there. I read up and I have the utmost appreciation for our troops. please let the war end to all protecting us god bless. Please my son stay safe I pray for you and all others daily. love marine mom.