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While CSM Mellinger has been walking the line he and his soldiers have been hit numerous times. Despite the danger of being with him, CSM Mellinger is the single best source of information from Iraq that I have found. He’s looked behind practically every stone and tree in that country, and his boss runs the war in Iraq. He has access to everything, everybody, everywhere. Access to every corporal and every general, whether that person be Iraqi, British, Australian or American.
And I want good journalists to go, too. Not a journalist who will reflexively flag wave, or troop bash, but one with a record of balance and honest coverage, such as TIME Magazine’s Alex Perry.
But I don’t want them to die. This is the most dangerous war for journalists in history. I have quietly helped others get into the war to report, but now I am making a public announcement. I have the best body armor money can buy. I have the same helmet that Marines wear. I have state-of-the-art night vision gear. Any serious—really serious—writer or photographer from an accredited organization can borrow my gear so long as that organization agrees to pay for it if you lose it, or get blown to pieces.
I ask a few things in return:
1) You stay at least one month with real combat soldiers or Marines, and you really go into combat with them. (You will see combat. This is not a maybe.)
2) You go out with Iraqi forces for at least one week. Dangerous, but we need to know how they are doing, good and bad.
3) You travel to the Kurdish region for at least one week. This will be fun and safe. The Kurds will treat you like a king.
4) You tell us what you see on my Frontline Forum.
This means at least six weeks in Iraq, and at least one month in combat. I would also suggest that you to ride with CSM Mellinger. I call him “The University of Iraq.” He’s a bit mean and crusty, but he’ll look out for you and give good advice on how to stay alive. He can give you the keys to Iraq and you’ll be on your own, free to snoop, like I did for nearly a year. I am happy to give some survival advice regarding gear and so forth before you go.
So there it is. For a serious—really serious—writer or photographer, I am offering to loan more than $10,000 worth of my equipment: Body armor, helmet, night vision gear.
Go for it.
Please write: “Going to Iraq” in the subject line to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and tell me who you are, who you work for. Inquiries are confidential.
Please support this mission by making a direct contribution. Without your support, the mission will end. Thank you for helping me tell the full story of the struggle for Iraq and Afghanistan.
