In the early morning hours of March 27, 2003 Pvt. Douglas Newberry, boarded a troop plane in Italy heading for Basur in northern Iraq.
‘We jumped from our plane at 1,500 feet at night’I waited four seconds and my parachute opened,? said Newberry. ‘I landed in about three feet of mud with 130 pounds of gear. It was freezing’I was scared.?
Newberry, the son of Brandon Township residents Charles and Darlene Newberry, returned home in March after more than a year stint in the U.S. Army.
The 2002 Brandon High School graduate was part of the first strikes in Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 27, 2003. On March 28, U.S.-led ground forces crossed the borders into Iraq heading toward Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.
Having enlisted on July 14, 2002, Newberry was stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga. where he was trained as a paratrooper, gunner and Humvee operator before deployment to Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy where the 173rd Airborne Brigade is stationed. The 173rd Airborne made the only combat parachute jump in the Vietnam conflict on Feb. 22 1967, Operation Junction City.
‘The US bombing was constant,? said Newberry. ‘That’s what kept three divisions (about 12,000) of Iraqi Republican Guards at bay’otherwise they’d overrun us and the airport.?
Each day the harsh desert temperatures would range from below freezing to more than 100 degrees. Newberry said that for the first month in Basur he lived in fox holes not far from where he first landed. The troops later moved to portable barracks near the airport they had secured.
After about a month Newberry and the 11th Bravo Infantry moved about 300 kilometers (186 miles) to Karkuk, the fourth largest city in Iraq. Their mission, says Newberry, was to defend and establish control of oil fields located near the city.
While in Karkuk, Newberry’s troops took over another airport and helped established a base for the U.S. Air Force. Members of the elite Republican Guard, says Newberry, were everywhere in the city. However, it was difficult to determine just who they were as the often blended into the neighborhoods.
‘We went on patrols through the city of Karkuk just to our south,? said Newberry. ‘We faced death everyday. I signed up for infantry. That’s what you face everyday’I survived one day at a time, you just can’t plan for the future.?
While most missions were at night using special night-vision goggles, the 11th Bravo went door to door at night.
‘The children in the streets were the hardest to contend with, many were made orphans from the daily battles’they’d be walking along and find one of their relatives dead in the streets.?
After Saddam was captured gunfire erupted in celebration which added to the danger.
‘People would shoot their guns up in the air and not realize where that bullet would come down; one landed near me.?
On Feb. 28, 2004, Newberry was reassigned to Kuwait, then Italy, before coming home for 21 days in March.
Newberry was reassigned and will return to duty April 5, 2003.
‘I noticed a lot of American flags when I first arrived (home),? said Newberry. ‘We need that kind of support from the American people’it’s vital to all troops.?
Newberry says letters, packages or any messages of encouragement from home are important, especially for those troops who have no families back home. Sending Tabasco and drink mixes are much needed to help spice up both water and rations, added Newberry.
‘We need to know everyone is behind us. It’s our reason for fighting.?
While Douglas? father Charles Newberry is concerned for the safety of his son, he’s very proud of his accomplishments.
‘His integrity and loyalty to our county is outstanding,? said Charles.
‘He’s the perfect soldier.?
Regarding Douglas’s reassignment Charles was reassured by his son, ‘Look dad,? said Douglas, ‘It’s a job I’ve got to do’I’ll be safe’I’ll be coming home to see you soon.?