Iraq mission likely a long, slow crawl

The Washington National Guard's 81st Brigade Combat Team will arrive in Iraq as the war, deep into its sixth year, appears to be at a low ebb.

Their work largely will be escorting supply convoys.

This can be mind-numbing duty, with long, slow hours of travel and little contact with the Iraqi people. Often, the only break from monotony is when things go wrong and someone tries to attack the convoys, but such incidents have plummeted during the past year.

For soldiers who pride themselves on being members of a combat brigade, there's not much excitement in this new mission.

During a month of training in July near Yakima, members of the 81st practiced driving the heavy armored Humvees and dodging simulated IEDs, fending off mock attacks and retrieving wrecked vehicles.

Using colored taped stretched out on the ground to diagram a convoy formation, they also went over the crucial rules of engagement, which guide when the soldiers should unleash lethal fire.

"So what happens if you see two guys put weapons into the trunk of a car?" asked Sgt. Tim Waters, a squad leader.

"Kill them," said a soldier.

Negative — there is no hostile intent, Waters said.

What happens if you see a guy throw a grenade from an overpass?

"Light him up," someone said.

"Right, light him up," Waters affirmed.

Hal Bernton: 206-464-2581 or hbernton@seattletimes.com