News 3 Special Assignment: Iraq

Posted: 12:32 pm CST February 2, 2004

Anchorman John Karcher and Photojournalist John Wacker spent eight days in Iraq. They kept a daily online journal on Channel 3000 and sent back digital photos. Now, their packages are airing on News 3 all this week. You can send them a message, using our online forum here.

If there is one thing Baghdad and it's 5 million residents need now it is security and safer streets.

Making that happen are your neighbors, the 158 members of the 32nd Military Police unit of the Army National Guard.

They have been in Iraq since last spring working every day to make life better for citizens -- and working under extreme danger every day.

"I spent eight days with the MPs, and I'm proud to tell their story," Karcher said.

The 6,500-mile journey took them from Madison to Detroit, then to Amsterdam. After an eight-hour layover, they had a six-hour flight to Kuwait where they met the military and were off to Baghdad.

After 40 hours of travel, they were met by three humvees and heavily armed troops from the 32nd MP unit. Welcome to the war zone.

They, they had a dangerous 25-minute ride to the compound. They prepared for enemy potshots along the way. The MP's lives are on the line every second they travel.

They arrived at the bombed-out former palace of Saddam Hussein's right-hand man -- now "Mustang Base." The troops unloaded, and Karcher and Wacker felt safer.

Mustang base is filled with palm trees, fruit tree groves and a heated pool. Before the bombs, it was beautiful. Izzat Ibrahim Al-Douri, the king of clubs and still on the loose, lived a life of luxury with his wives and servants.

Now, it's home to Madison area troops -- complete with cockroaches and rodents crawling on them at night.

"I'm not exactly sure what our count is, but it's like 15, 16 rats we've caught in here," said SPC Danielle Robinson of the barracks.

Karcher and Wacker met the troops the first night at a company meeting. They shared cigars, cheese and coffee from local merchants. Karcher brought them a message from Gov. Jim Doyle.

"On behalf of the people of Wisconsin, I thank each and every one of you for the courage you are showing in service of our country," CPT Scott Harold Southworth read the letter aloud.

For some, their service began the day the jets hit the Twin Towers. They wear the 9-11 bracelets.

"The threat of terrorism .. I didn't want my loved ones to fight it at home. I wanted to fight it here," said SPC Fred Carson of Middleton.

Iraq people told Karcher and Wacker they appreciate what the troops are trying to do.

"I can't live with the period of Saddam Hussein," said Fateh Sadiq, a new Iraqi police officer. "They prevent us from technology, prevent us from traveling, prevent us from express(ing) our opinion. We are (now) filled with democracy and freedom in Iraq.

The MPs are providing a new way in this war torn city of millions. Terrorists from elsewhere make it miserable and deadly for the unit.

Injured by exploding bombs and gunfire, more than 20 have received purple hearts. Your "weekend warriors," who signed up for a little extra cash or tuition reimbursement are now risking their lives.

"There are no 'weekend warriors' here,'" Southworth said. "We are us are Army soldiers. We've got landscapers, home builders, fire fighters, police officers, sheriff deputies, medical professionals, legal professionals -- a huge cross section of Wisconsin."

Your sons, your daughters, husbands, wives are all growing very eager to get home. Yet in tremendous spirit as they rebuild the Iraqi police force and provide security throughout the city -- and risk their lives doing it.

"The stress that we go through back in Dane County is nothing like the level I have to go through here," said Ssg. Brad Lawler. "It's a cake walk back home compared to this. I don't have to worry about people blowing me up back in Dane County."