Desert Dogs: The Marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom

By Russ Bryant and Amy Goodpaster Strebe

A photographic account that highlights the human side of war, the day-in-the-life of US Marines stationed in Iraq.

Desert Dogs includes dramatic, harrowing, and simply unbelievable images of the marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom, personal letters, and stories of coping with the pain of separation from their families and the horrors of war. Russ Bryant’s photography chronicles every aspect of the daily lives of these marines: lazy camels amble by a cargo drop; blinding sandstorms threaten to blow away tents, supplies, and marines alike; Scud missile attack sirens send marines scuttling to their bunkers; sniper fire crisscrosses marine convoys moving into Iraq; tanks and bombs topple the portraits of Saddam that seem to loom over every Iraqi village; shelled-out tanks, armored vehicles, and even busses litter the road on the way to Baghdad; medical personnel attend to fallen marines and prisoners alike; the occasional silent interlude allows time for prayer and remembrance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jun 5, 2004
• ISBN: 9781610607155

Book preview

Twenty-two-year-old Corporal Earl Rancifer from Arkansas peers out of his Humvee before crossing the United Nations checkpoint into Iraq.

DESERT DOGS

THE MARINES OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUSS BRYANT

TEXT BY AMY GOODPASTER STREBE

CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

1   Desert Landing

2   Early Warning

3   Into the Fray, Part I

4   The Receiving Ward

5   Dog Days

6   Into the Fray, Part II

7   A Time for Prayer

8   Wall Art

9   Spare Time

10  Stars and Stripes

11  The PX

12  Night Falls

Index

Dedication

To my favorite Marine—my dad.

—A.G.S.

FOREWORD

Since its humble beginning more than 228 years ago, the United States Marine Corps has distinguished itself as an elite force in peace and in war. Most recently, Marines added a new chapter to our legacy during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Desert Dogs: The Marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom provides insight into the capability of today’s Marine Corps. The photographs by Russ Bryant reflect not only equipment and places but also events. More importantly, they reflect the men and women who proudly claim the title of Marine.

From the initial deployment to Kuwait until the end of major hostilities was declared, the Marines focused on mission accomplishment. They overcame sandstorms, separation, boredom, and the challenges of accommodating embedded media while waiting for the order to move into Iraq.

Once the order came, the movement to Baghdad was swift and relentless. Marines added a new chapter to a proud history and once again proved to be America’s 911 Force.

—T.M. Rowdy Yeatts

Major, USMCR

PREFACE

BY RUSS BRYANT

I had purchased a one-way ticket to Kuwait, along with a membership with Medjet, a private company that specializes in air-evacuation of sick or injured members. That way, my wife would have some measure of peace and security in case I was wounded, or worse. After arriving in Kuwait City without knowing who to contact, I was fortunate to have a good taxi driver who spoke English and knew where all the other media and journalists were staying. Of course, it was the most expensive hotel in all of Kuwait, the Hilton on the Gulf. I found the media and other shooters, numbering about 300, at a military in-processing center called the CFLCC.

I was on a tight budget and could not afford the Hilton, so I again called for that same English-speaking taxi driver, who drove me to a hotel in the center of Kuwait City. I was one of two Westerners staying there. I had a whole floor to myself, and the staff of the hotel had us outnumbered about 15 to 1. It was nice, to say the least, not to have lines for the hotel restaurant or for the elevator.

When I went back to the CFLCC, twenty