Warham
02-24-2005, 10:15 PM
Letter from Iraq: 'Great things are happening here'
Hesperian Sgt. T.J. Goodman comments on the war's successes
By BEAU YARBROUGH/Staff Writer
T. J. Goodman is seven and a half thousand miles from home. The Hesperia High School 2000 graduate is now a sergeant with the United States Marine Corps as part of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron Three (MWHS-3) based out of Miramar, California.
He described his current deployment in a letter to the Hesperia Star last week.
“I am forward deployed to Al Asad, IZ; which is located approximately 75 miles northwest of Fallujah. I am the Air Analyst Watch Chief for the G-2 (Intelligence Shop) of 3MAW. Basically, my job is to study and know the enemy and their capabilities and conduct trend and pattern analysis to figure out how and when the enemy is going to attack. Since I work with aircraft, my job is to help the pilots to know where to and not to fly and what types of equipment the enemy will use to engage the aircraft in an attempt to shoot them down. I help to keep the Commanding General abreast of the enemy situation and where good locations are to put bombs on target.”
Although no one would say life in a war zone is easy or comfortable, the Marines of 3MAW live well, relatively speaking.
“We have it pretty nice here as far as living quarters go. We live in what we call ‘cans’ because they are just like small tin sardine cans. They are pretty nice and a lot better than just tent over sand.
The ‘cans’ are like storage containers with bunk beds in them. I live in a double-wide ‘can’ which can have eight people living in there at once. Fortunately for me though, I only have four people in my room and they are all Marines that I work with.
Working the night shift
“I work the night shift out here, which is about the equivalent of a daytime shift in the states. We work 12-hour days with our hours going from 7 to 7. Most generally though, its about a 13 to 14 hour day with arriving early to conduct a turnover with my dayshift counterpart and staying late to make sure that everything is done and taken care of completely before I leave.
“During the downtime I enjoy playing games on X-Box or my laptop. Reading books is another great thing I’ve taken advantage of with more than 10 books read since I’ve been out here. The only real downtime around here is whenever I am not at work. So, there is generally about 10-12 hours of downtime, which a lot of that gets taken up by sleep.”
It’s said that an army travels on its stomach, and for U.S. forces in Iraq, food typically comes from impressive dining facilities, although it helps to have a taste for chicken.
“The food here is pretty good. We have a great dining facility (chow hall) and the food is good too. Chicken is served a lot though, just varies in forms of fried, BBQ, New York buffalo style, or baked.”
Being a resident of Hesperia helped prepare Goodman for the climate in Iraq.
“The weather is actually really interesting here. A lot of people see Iraq as one big hot desert. It is too ... during the summer time. When it gets into the winter months, it gets freezing cold. There were a days where the high temperature was in the single digits. Not fun. This desert is like the Hesperian desert, just extreme in temperatures on both ends of the spectrum.”
Goodman has had limited, but positive, interactions with Iraqis since arriving in the country.
“I have some contact with the Iraqi population, but it’s fairly limited. The locals that I do talk to though really appreciate the things that we are doing within the country and are happy at the number of jobs that we have brought to them. Those that I talk to are good people and just want to work hard and provide for their families. They are really family oriented.”
That isn’t always the picture portrayed in the media, and Goodman agrees with those who have returned from Iraq and said the media’s depiction of the war is off.
“Those that have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan are exactly right about the media [getting it wrong]. Being an intelligence analyst, staying on top of the news is part of my job description. The media tends to focus on the bad things that go on and take rumors and twist them to make things seem even worse then what they really are.
“Do great American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines get wounded and die out here? Yes! But the thing that people seem to forget is that this is war.
“During the presidential debates, the Democrats would always ask, ‘Would you want to send your children out to Iraq to serve in this war?’ The thing is, we are all adults and all voluntarily sign on the dotted line and swear under oath that we will serve and protect our great nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And that’s what we plan to do.
“The media needs to realize that a lot of great things are happening here and the insurgents are weakening. Schools are being built and children are learning and eager for more knowledge; hospitals are being built with good healthcare and qualified doctors; domestic services (i.e. water, electricity, heat, etc.) are being serviced and running at rates and in ways that most Iraqi’s have never seen. Great things are developing in this country and its going to take some time. Things aren’t going to just change at the snap of a finger ... it takes time.
Afghanistan took two years
“Look at Afghanistan, it took over 2 years from when we first went in there for their to be their first democratic elections and people turned out in record numbers. Here in Iraq, we’ve done it in almost half the time with more record numbers. What people at home need to know is that there are a lot of great plans in the process for this country and great things will come about ... it’s just going to take time. There will be casualties, but the home front needs to support those that are serving and welcome them home and thank them for their services ... don’t let this be another Vietnam!”
The most tangible way to show support for those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, of course, is the care package, and Goodman has some definite opinions on what works and what doesn’t.
Care packages
“Care packages are a great thing to boost morale for all troops. My unit was really fortunate and we received a lot of care packages ... especially during the holidays. The best thing that a lot of people can do if they wish to send items is get in touch with companies that send packages on regular basis. We Care Packages is a great service that is made up of volunteers that collect items to send to troops overseas. Great things to send are ramen noodles, [Kraft] EasyMac, and oatmeal ... anything that can be easily made with either hot water or a microwave. Hygiene gear is really great as well. Toothbrushes are changed out anytime we get sick, so we go through those rather quickly.
Baby wipes are good [and] used often, especially if we don’t have water to shower with.”
But home still has some things that no care package can replace.
“To everyone at home, thank you for all your love and support and I will be home soon. To my son, Ashton, I love you so much and I can’t wait to get home and hold you.”
For more information on contributing to care packages for service personnel overseas, visit adoptaplatoon.org, anysoldier.com, operationac.com, opgratitude.com, heromiles.org, operationmilitarypride.org, operationuplink.org, usocares.org, supportustroops.com or treatsfortroops.com
Are you a Hesperian serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, or do you know a Hesperian who is? We would like to talk to you about your experiences overseas. Please e-mail the Hesperia Star at beau@hesperiastar.com or editor@hesperiastar.com Please use your .mil e-mail address for your first e-mail to the paper.
Beau Yarbrough can be reached at beau@hesperiastar.com or 956-7108.
Hesperian Sgt. T.J. Goodman comments on the war's successes
By BEAU YARBROUGH/Staff Writer
T. J. Goodman is seven and a half thousand miles from home. The Hesperia High School 2000 graduate is now a sergeant with the United States Marine Corps as part of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron Three (MWHS-3) based out of Miramar, California.
He described his current deployment in a letter to the Hesperia Star last week.
“I am forward deployed to Al Asad, IZ; which is located approximately 75 miles northwest of Fallujah. I am the Air Analyst Watch Chief for the G-2 (Intelligence Shop) of 3MAW. Basically, my job is to study and know the enemy and their capabilities and conduct trend and pattern analysis to figure out how and when the enemy is going to attack. Since I work with aircraft, my job is to help the pilots to know where to and not to fly and what types of equipment the enemy will use to engage the aircraft in an attempt to shoot them down. I help to keep the Commanding General abreast of the enemy situation and where good locations are to put bombs on target.”
Although no one would say life in a war zone is easy or comfortable, the Marines of 3MAW live well, relatively speaking.
“We have it pretty nice here as far as living quarters go. We live in what we call ‘cans’ because they are just like small tin sardine cans. They are pretty nice and a lot better than just tent over sand.
The ‘cans’ are like storage containers with bunk beds in them. I live in a double-wide ‘can’ which can have eight people living in there at once. Fortunately for me though, I only have four people in my room and they are all Marines that I work with.
Working the night shift
“I work the night shift out here, which is about the equivalent of a daytime shift in the states. We work 12-hour days with our hours going from 7 to 7. Most generally though, its about a 13 to 14 hour day with arriving early to conduct a turnover with my dayshift counterpart and staying late to make sure that everything is done and taken care of completely before I leave.
“During the downtime I enjoy playing games on X-Box or my laptop. Reading books is another great thing I’ve taken advantage of with more than 10 books read since I’ve been out here. The only real downtime around here is whenever I am not at work. So, there is generally about 10-12 hours of downtime, which a lot of that gets taken up by sleep.”
It’s said that an army travels on its stomach, and for U.S. forces in Iraq, food typically comes from impressive dining facilities, although it helps to have a taste for chicken.
“The food here is pretty good. We have a great dining facility (chow hall) and the food is good too. Chicken is served a lot though, just varies in forms of fried, BBQ, New York buffalo style, or baked.”
Being a resident of Hesperia helped prepare Goodman for the climate in Iraq.
“The weather is actually really interesting here. A lot of people see Iraq as one big hot desert. It is too ... during the summer time. When it gets into the winter months, it gets freezing cold. There were a days where the high temperature was in the single digits. Not fun. This desert is like the Hesperian desert, just extreme in temperatures on both ends of the spectrum.”
Goodman has had limited, but positive, interactions with Iraqis since arriving in the country.
“I have some contact with the Iraqi population, but it’s fairly limited. The locals that I do talk to though really appreciate the things that we are doing within the country and are happy at the number of jobs that we have brought to them. Those that I talk to are good people and just want to work hard and provide for their families. They are really family oriented.”
That isn’t always the picture portrayed in the media, and Goodman agrees with those who have returned from Iraq and said the media’s depiction of the war is off.
“Those that have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan are exactly right about the media [getting it wrong]. Being an intelligence analyst, staying on top of the news is part of my job description. The media tends to focus on the bad things that go on and take rumors and twist them to make things seem even worse then what they really are.
“Do great American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines get wounded and die out here? Yes! But the thing that people seem to forget is that this is war.
“During the presidential debates, the Democrats would always ask, ‘Would you want to send your children out to Iraq to serve in this war?’ The thing is, we are all adults and all voluntarily sign on the dotted line and swear under oath that we will serve and protect our great nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And that’s what we plan to do.
“The media needs to realize that a lot of great things are happening here and the insurgents are weakening. Schools are being built and children are learning and eager for more knowledge; hospitals are being built with good healthcare and qualified doctors; domestic services (i.e. water, electricity, heat, etc.) are being serviced and running at rates and in ways that most Iraqi’s have never seen. Great things are developing in this country and its going to take some time. Things aren’t going to just change at the snap of a finger ... it takes time.
Afghanistan took two years
“Look at Afghanistan, it took over 2 years from when we first went in there for their to be their first democratic elections and people turned out in record numbers. Here in Iraq, we’ve done it in almost half the time with more record numbers. What people at home need to know is that there are a lot of great plans in the process for this country and great things will come about ... it’s just going to take time. There will be casualties, but the home front needs to support those that are serving and welcome them home and thank them for their services ... don’t let this be another Vietnam!”
The most tangible way to show support for those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, of course, is the care package, and Goodman has some definite opinions on what works and what doesn’t.
Care packages
“Care packages are a great thing to boost morale for all troops. My unit was really fortunate and we received a lot of care packages ... especially during the holidays. The best thing that a lot of people can do if they wish to send items is get in touch with companies that send packages on regular basis. We Care Packages is a great service that is made up of volunteers that collect items to send to troops overseas. Great things to send are ramen noodles, [Kraft] EasyMac, and oatmeal ... anything that can be easily made with either hot water or a microwave. Hygiene gear is really great as well. Toothbrushes are changed out anytime we get sick, so we go through those rather quickly.
Baby wipes are good [and] used often, especially if we don’t have water to shower with.”
But home still has some things that no care package can replace.
“To everyone at home, thank you for all your love and support and I will be home soon. To my son, Ashton, I love you so much and I can’t wait to get home and hold you.”
For more information on contributing to care packages for service personnel overseas, visit adoptaplatoon.org, anysoldier.com, operationac.com, opgratitude.com, heromiles.org, operationmilitarypride.org, operationuplink.org, usocares.org, supportustroops.com or treatsfortroops.com
Are you a Hesperian serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, or do you know a Hesperian who is? We would like to talk to you about your experiences overseas. Please e-mail the Hesperia Star at beau@hesperiastar.com or editor@hesperiastar.com Please use your .mil e-mail address for your first e-mail to the paper.
Beau Yarbrough can be reached at beau@hesperiastar.com or 956-7108.