Under Cover of the Night
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Under Cover of the Night
with
1-17th Infantry
11 April 2010
During a mission there is no “pause” button. It’s on until it’s over. Recently, Charlie Company 1-17th Infantry conducted a mission that included visiting villages in the Shah Wali Kot district of northern Kandahar Province.
The main threats in this area are bombs and mines. Many vehicles have “mine rollers” on the front that are designed to detonate the bomb before it gets under the vehicle. The bombs often are big enough to completely obliterate any tank or armored vehicle ever built. During the mission, a mine roller on a Stryker broke, causing Charlie Company to overnight in the desert.
After finding a suitable RON (rest overnight) location, the task was security and making a plan for the night. With a full moon rising the Taliban could easily slip silently through the folds and creases of the land and strike. The Taliban likely already knew our strength. Tracks from the heavy Strykers would show our direction of travel, as would villagers along the way. Of course, if the enemy followed the tracks they would eventually lead to a hail of devastating fire. Most of the enemies are too smart for such mistakes. More likely, the enemy would try to anticipate our next move and get bombs in front of our most probable routes. They had all night. Our people up that game by pushing out snipers and observers who might be watching the Taliban—even from miles away—ready to kill them on our routes. Winning and losing deadly little skirmishes depends heavily on expertise, and luck. We and the enemy have great advantages and disadvantages.
It was dark when the above photo was taken at 9:19PM local. The moon was bright but the camera lens seemed to vacuum in the light and brightened to look like nearly daylight. (Image data: 1649Z/2119Lima 50mm f4.5 30s ISO 800.)
With security out, SFC Olaf Munch made a schedule for the sentries while the soldiers dined on MREs and unpacked sleeping bags. Lights were hardly needed. Red filters were used because red lights are more difficult to see from a distance and they preserve night vision.
Actual data for the above image includes: 1650Z/2120L 50mm f4.5 30s ISO 800. The “Z” or “Zulu” suffix denotes GMT or Greenwich Mean Time. GMT is the time at the Prime Meridian—which runs through Greenwich —and so the image was made at 4:50PM on the 24-hour clock used by the military and others. The U.S. military deals with every time zone in the world every minute of the day. I adopted the military’s good idea by setting my cameras to Zulu. Leaving the cameras on Zulu, it’s not important to remember to change the camera time or wonder if you did. The “L” or “Lima” means local time. Troops might say that “so and so” will happen at “0200 Zulu,” or maybe “0200 Lima.” Our military has myriad moving parts in different time zones and cannot have everyone operating on local clocks. The Navy would show up early, the Air Force would show up late, and the Army and Marines would crash into each other. Imagine the Air Force flying through multiple time zones to parachute supplies to a remote base. The aircraft might have come in from a thousand miles away, while Air Force HQ might be in a different time zone, and the Marine HQ in another, and the target drop zone in a different zone. So our people work off Zulu time, and everyone shows up on time. Usually.
Soldiers who had guard duty crashed quickly. Some wear boots while sleeping; others dry their feet. The military sleeping bags have enough footroom to allow for boots. The sleeping bag zippers are designed to easily rip open. Soldiers can go from sound asleep to fighting in seconds.
(1657Z/2127L 15mm f6.3 30s ISO 800)
The soldiers don’t walk much in case of land mines or IEDs. We stay within a small area, dispersed enough for safety, yet close enough to communicate.
No flash is needed. Only moonshine.
The mortar crew quietly telling jokes after the long day.
With no clouds, the earth radiates heat to outer space and the desert chills quickly, causing the mortar team to pull into sleeping bags.
The M4 rifles must deal with this dust night and day yet the rifles function well.
The Stryker could be heard as the electrically operated .50 caliber scanned for targets. The only way the enemy could attack us while maintaining a pittance of survivability was with rockets or mortars, but the moment those came in, we’d call aircraft that could arrive in minutes scanning the folds with their thermals. We also had another Stryker platoon out there in the darkness and they had a 120mm mortar—a devastating weapon with uncanny first-round accuracy. Whatever the enemy might do, they would need to do without being seen. We camped in the middle of pure battlefield without the complications of city or village fighting. If the enemy attacks tonight, their life expectancy plummets to seconds. Long before we are within range of their weapons, they are within range of sudden precision fire from ours. The enemy might be able to slip into one of the terrain folds, but there was no easy approach and the thermals on the Strykers and the night vision carried by the men made a successful, direct attack improbable. And besides, most Taliban are poor shots even in broad daylight. At nighttime they’d be lucky not to shoot each other. The enemy is good at some things, but many of us were better shots when we were 14 years old. If the enemy fired, our men would turn on the invisible lasers on their rifles, peer through night vision that made the lasers appear, and shoot them. The enemy would need Harry Potter invisibility cloaks to sneak in on us.
During times when there is a good possibility of being attacked, it’s best to not take off more than one boot at a time to let feet dry. But with such a low probability of being surprised and being surrounded by combat soldiers, it’s fine to take off both boots and keep them close.
Comments
Michael the pictures are really awesome.....i cant describe how much im enjoying them.
happy to have u there so u can keep sending us ur beautiful dispatches...this is just so cool.
America is proud of you...
to peace
SALMA
God bless.
God bless and cheers!
NO ONE else gives the true reports like you do...
However, knowing how you operate we will continue to get all the inside information come hell or high water. Most likely a little of each.
We do know where your heart will be even though your body is elsewhere.Thank you!
God Bless you and our troops.
1. Rejoice in that this is the will of God for you.
2. If #1 doesn't seem to be working, remember that all things are subject to change.
And last but not least ...
3. Don't let the idiots get you down.
Let us statesiders know if we can do anything else to support you and our troops.
You're the only one I can consistently count on for honest reports from the war--thank you. Be safe, and know you are in our thoughts and prayers each and every day.
God Bless
Nah, more likely whoever is in charge of keeping track of journalists, gets nervous when they aren't all corralled where he can keep tabs on them.
Although I'll sorely miss your embed reports, I'm sure you've got the experience, and connections, to still give us an honest picture of what's really going on.
For that I thank you... and the check will be in the mail tomorrow.
Unfortunately, there are those who do not have the same feelings as we Americans do. They don't want hero's, they don't want the information to get out as their agenda does not tolerate such information. It is a shame that these types of individuals are not found within the civilian world. You may have stumbled upon one such individual. You will be back... and am looking forward to see where you go next.
easy to understand why the US no longer wants you. You reported on the US soldier being killed on a bridge. The Higher Ups were embarrassed. or did not want the same thing to happen to them. Truth will out you, and last, and make you free. Sorry Michael. Keep up the honest reporting. God bless.
Best wishes and many thanks, always,
Ned
Sad to see you go. Bad move by the military. God bless you and the troops.
let that bridge get blown up and your voicing your opinions on that out loud. You may be right on the turn of the war. Seems Karzazi is being very weird as are our leaders so who knows when it will fall apart. No witnesses-no story to get out. This administration likes to do things in the dark.
You have built an exceptional body of work that I hope is honored one day. You are a national treasure. They have no right to take you away both from the soldiers and from us. They are doing actual harm. I hope you are getting enough financial support. I found $5 and I sent it to you. There is no better place for my contribution.
There is another thing. Your photography and your writing have advanced to the nth degree, from early on. The way this story is pictured and the way it reads is beyond exceptional. It is like a personal conversation with you, in terms that everyone can understand. And while not steeped and stilted in the jargon, your enormous talent and authenticity bring the message home very, very clearly. We, your friends, always know exactly the situation, whether in glory, or shame, joy, or pain. We know the truth. Plus, almost all of the sorry commenting that was going on has been left behind to stew in their own venom.
Best personal regards,
Richard B.
Where are the General George Pattons to lead you to victory, come hell, high water, or suppressing orders from the top of the death chain? Alas, when such men as Patton arise, they are, just as was the original, 'accidentally' killed, or, maligned by the politically powerful.
If history records with truth and integrity, Michael, you have been part of the 2nd greatest generation in American history. Second, only because of the time frame.
We'll see what happens. But whatever happens, don't stop writing.
Never can figure out who's boot your pissing in til it's too late. Especially with so many boots that need a good hosing most days..... the CIC's custom Nikes come to mind....... what da hell, take a break, you probably need one. Then maybe see if you can hook up with a grunt unit or two.
Take care Yon.
Respectfully,
SFA RVN NCO Vet.
Stay safe, Mike.
Semper Fi, and God bless.
You, sir, are a national treasure; do not grow weary in well-doing.
Damn pathetic in light of those KIAd, WIAd and billions of dollars spent.
Go easy troop.
Give 'em hell & be safe
Linda aka Pocahontas from Bema (remember you gave me that nickname because I collect combat knives LOL during your 2005 embed with Deuce Four Stryker Brigade Unit)
Give 'em hell & be safe
Liinda aka Pocahontas from Bama (remember you gave me that nickname because I collect combat knives LOL duiring your 2005 embed with Deuce Four Stryker Brigade Unit)
Were you singled out or were you included in a multiple recision of embed priveledges? The consensus opinion seems to be that you were specifically targeted. If that is the case, then it is very likely you managed to step on some general's toes. The alternative scenario is that some non-brilliant reporter pulled a Geraldo Rivera and put out a report that endangered troops and/or a mission. I have seen some reports over the past nine years that made me long for the censorship of WW2. Oh, that our press corps would exhibit the common sense, wisdom, and patriotism that you demonstrate regularly.
Perhaps your readers will feel led to write the Joint Chiefs of Staff and urge your re-instatement or re-embedment. Who knows? It may be effective
Thanks for your work Mike
I got a sense of foreboding from your change in course, going outside the wire and out of embed. I pray to God to protect you.
Be careful.
Peace out
Sorry to hear about the end of your embed; your dispatches & photos have been excellent.
During my most recent travels through RC-South I was hoping our paths would cross so I could thank you for doing what you do.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Stay safe, keep up with your prayers, keep writing. I'm sorry about the Adam Henrys.
Best regards, Peter Warner.
Agree that sleeping bag sticks out. My main military bag was stolen. During those photos, I was actually laying on a camoflaged bag that I would have used if enemy threat was high. (The Strykers with motors running stuck out more than the sleeping bag.) Got that lime bag in Nepal for a trip that I wanted to do to Everest this month. Skipped the Everest trip to be with 5/2. Could be trekking in Sagarmatha area now instead of dealing with censorship from McChrystal's people. Everest is more fun but this war is more important.
Clear that this was a General officer level decision to dis-embed me. Why? Because no General officer intervened. The McChrystal era of censorship is on. It will be/is counterproducti ve. And it will not work. Too many holes to slip through. McChrystal is good at killing people, but this war is far more complicated than simply killing people. His folks had more than half a decade to win this war -- with very agreeable ROE -- now look where we are. Clear that he cannot handle even the writers who are natural allies. McChrystal has little chance against hostile press. Bad omens all around.
It starts with censorship and ends with a President under pressure.
Michael Yon
https://www.yousendit.com/download/bFFPak96SEJkMnZ2Wmc9PQ
I cannot fault you for being fed up with the powers of bureaucracy that constantly hamper your efforts. I also cannot imagine how refreshing a change in course must feel after your many, many years in the field. More years than probably most active duty personnel can boast. However, I pray that you can still find a way to cover our brothers in arms. No one else covers the truth of these modern conflicts as well as you do, and no one seems willing to step into your shoes. Thank you for all that you do for our servicemen and women.
Over the years, you've managed to make the best out of every obstacle put in your way. You have the support of some very high ranking people. I wouldn't be at all surprised should you find yourself in another embed. In any case, you will have an opportunity to share yet another perspective on this conflict with this situation. Please keep up the good work and don't let your detractors get you down.
You may count on my continued support and I urge all reading this to give something, no matter how little.
All: Michael’s expenses are going to go up not being assigned to a unit, so it is up to us to help him stay financially viable. Sometimes it feels as though he is the only source for the truth wherever he is. It is imperative we help him stay close to the action, reasonably equipped and fed.
God speed Michael.
Our precious military is currently in the hands of an incompetent moron who is not qualified to be a dog catcher much less Commander-In Chief. We cannot rely on the lamestream media to tell the truth either as they have proven to be obfuscating agenda driven liars also!
I wish I had enough money to fund Michael fully and thereby make him a force to be reckoned with instead of the other way round:-)
Bad news is I'm starting to believe that your thoughts on McCrystal are correct. I had hope in the beginning. That is now starting to slip away.
The uneasy feeling is that my son is due to deploy there any day now. What happened to you doesn't give me the warm fuzzies. He will be in the north, which not as bad as the south or east but Afghanistan is always unpredictable.
Thanks for your efforts and I hope you can keep it up. You always seem to pretty good at doing that. Stay safe and check 6.
Thank you so very much for what you do, Michael. You really are a national treasure.
Stay safe.
Best damned embedded reporter I have ever had the benefit of reading!
Best damned war photographer I ever had the benefit of viewing!
Best damned PATRIOT these middle east wars will ever see!
Best damned ability to recount the human side of these wars!
Best damned connected reporter of these wars, i.e. Gates, Petreaus, et al!
Most honest war reporter we've all had the PRIVELEGE to read!
Come on folks, let's pony up, so Michael can figure out another way to get our news from the front lines! I think he already has it figured out, so let's help him keep on doing what he was destined to do!! This is just a stepping stone to the next chapter in the Michael Yon saga! May the lpord Bless you and Keep you and make his face shine upon you!
I wish all the Military leaders could understand the effect you have single handedly had on support for the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
I was one of those Americans who doubted the wisdom of the whole idea of the occupation, until I found your blog early on in the Iraq embed.
You showed me that the U.S. and Coalition were not merely killing bad guys, but also building schools, sanitation, power, bringing good to the people in those places.
In effect, your truthful and candid reporting was the sole reason that I now support, and stand behind our military.
And I tell everyone I come across who DOESN'T support the war to read Michael Yon.
And to all you Government Higher ups who may be reading this: How many more of me might there be out there?
Carry on my friend.
You comment that the M4 does well in sand. In an earlier post with British troops you commented that no matter how much they cleaned them they would malfunction. How would you compare the M4 with and M1A for reliability in dust?
Bill
This is. as you say, not a good sign to get the boot. How will you continue to cover the war? Can you join Canadain Forces?
best Regards,
J
Mike ... come back and run for Congress ! Or President ! Hell I would vote for you in a second ! Patreaus and Yonn ticket ? Bingo
Its a great post Mike ... I can not thank you enough for taking me on trips to the front lines to see the Warrior Class of young Americans . God bless you and please take care sir.
We have known you to be a faithful warrior. That won't change. May God protect you and give you wisdom for the days ahead.
Mr. Yon, if you are not yet familiar with Bill Mauldin's memorable "Up Front," a volume of WWII cartoons and accompanying essay on life at the front (mostly Italy), I think you would enjoy it. Moreover, I think you would be able to compare notes.
Just wanted to thank you for the great work and we're shocked to see you go!
My 19 year old son is a Soldier in the 5/2 SBCT. I have depended upon your dispatches in order to get a glimpse into the war that he is fighting. Shame on the people that have made the obtuse decision to end your embedment with these fine American Heroes. Thank you for your contributions, sincerley Mellisa.
I hope you continue your excellent reporting, and please stay safe out there. We need you.
My old son is in C company and tells me you sleep next to him from time to time. Thats a good place to be. I trust him with my life. you have many fans from here in Texas! Keep up the great reporting from where ever you can.
Allowing you to get kicked to the curb is a big mistake on McCrystal's part. The troops need more dedicated, loyal journalists like you to continue reporting the news that the leftwing MSM either slants or refuses to publish. I've read about "Karzai's 12 rules" and quickly came to the conclusion that the ROE situation, since THE ONE took office, has become an absolute Charlie Foxtrot. But Obama insists that "winning isn't necessarily a goal".
His idiotic campaign to fight “negative stereotypes of Islam” totally ignores the realities of the violent, ideological religion. I feel so sorry for the military troops still serving under this assclown. He is so f***ing disconnected from reality.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/20/us.military.bibles.burned/index.html
and reading McCrystal's Rules of Engagement, I knew this war is lost. McCrystal now spends more time shutting down fast food joints then he does prosecuting the war. Michael, come home and bring our sons and daughters home with you!
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/index.php?option=com_jomcomment&task=trackback&id=6128&opt=com_content
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