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Doug Grindle ReportingTonight we begin a week long series on Utah National Guard soldiers serving in Iraq.
The soldiers of the 222nd field artillery battalion, called the triple deuce, are serving at a forward operating base in Ramadi, Iraq, one of the worst places in Iraq for insurgent activity. Our correspondent Doug Grindle reports on the dangers faced by Utah guardsmen on the firing line.
Over 400 Utah National Guardsmen are serving at Camp Ramadi, outside of Ramadi, Iraq. They man the watchtowers and look out over the city. The soldiers here receive frequent incoming fore, whether from mortars or small arms.
Spc. Clifton Bishop, Cedar City UT: "The one problem, the main thing is indirect fire mortar rockets. There is sporadic small arms fire, but they do like to fight. Right here people like to do drive-bys."
The soldiers man observation posts around the camp to discourage and rebel any attacks. The problem is a considerable one. The city of Ramadi lies only 300 to 500 meters away form the base's fence. Soldiers in the guard towers have to keep a close eye on any activity in the houses.
Spc. Jared Lowry, Beaver, UT: "This is 5K region is not too hot. Tameen, over there, is hotter. Here there are pot shots, that's it."
Soldiers say after a while they get used to being under fire.
Spc. Jared Lowry, Beaver, UT: "When we got here it was pretty intense. Your heart was racing. Now it's not bad, you get used to it."
But the soldiers also fight back. The triple deuce is a field artillery unit and if the base is hit or if a unit outside the base is under fire, the Utah soldiers can use their big guns to fire back.
Ssg. Lance Jensen, Glenwood, UT: "We protect people on the base and outside the base. Without us they'd be pinned down by sniper ambush. With our fire they can back off out of danger zone."
