The Words of the Harding Family |
These insurgents were not your regular drive by Ramadi kids. They were falling back under cover of supporting arms - in this case mortars and a few RPK's. My adrenaline was flowing as we cautiously blitzed forward popping corners and keeping the gun truck with the Ma Deuce facing front our most likely friction point.
Several AK's were unleashing destruction to the South on my sister platoon Whiskey Five. I was faced with a narrow alley that went across a big main street with many shops and vendors sort of like an Arabic version of downtown USA. My fire team was running the rails and bounding with Reaper One's fire team. We were all mixed up now. I had Pepe from my team and Masters from Reaper 4. Temple, Laura were holding the alley's north and south so under the cover of the.50 cal my trio moved East. Something was exploding just around the corner. We were going to catch these guys or they were going to ambush us.
The Lieutenant called a halt as the platoon was spread out in Urban Ramadi sprawl over 200 meters, with the Reaper One Gun truck to the East along with my point group. I looked for a good place to bound across the big street. Pepe I thought would cover north and Masters could watch to the south - that's when the RPG guy popped out of a side alley about 120 meters East just across that big danger zone. Whoosh! The rocket flew straight at us. I am going to die...
My name is Staff Sergeant Justin M. Harding. Blessed in 1992. Have severed several tours overseas and have recently put up a Military Prayer Minister chat room with this amazing site. My opening goal is to start a nationwide prayer ministry for our children serving in the military. To join this group, go to "BFA Groups" and select "Military Prayer Ministry"!