Trucking in Iraq

Trucking in Iraq for a Six Figure Salary

Ambushed Convoy Caught on Video by Arkansas KBR Contract Driver

From the RD News Desk

Thinking about a little fun and adventure? Trucking in Iraq has become a bit more hazardous than what's being reported on the evening news. Of course that's why Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) is paying the big bucks.

In one truck driver recruitment ad placed by KBR's web-recruiter , it reads; "It should be understood that employment may be located in potentially dangerous areas, including combat or war zones. This might involve the possibility of suffering harm by dangerous forces or friendly fire. These dangers are inherent to working conditions in a dangerous environment".

If you haven't seen much action on this issue, "Haliburton Watch" reported some time back what had occurred to a KBR convoy that was being protected by the US Military. The original 14 minute video is a bit lengthy but worth watching in full. It was originally only available in Real Player format, but has found it's way on to YouTube and GoogleVideo in a reduced version.

About the video...

KBR truck driver Preston Wheeler of Arkansas, recorded what initially appeared to be a routine convoy of trucks delivering supplies to U.S. troops. The convoy drove thru Iraqi villages along the highway and children began throwing rocks at the trucks. KBR drivers can be heard communicating with each other. The following is a narration of what can be heard on the video...

"KBR just took two rocks [on the] right side, no glass broke," one driver reported.

"It's raining rocks," another driver exclaims.

Wheeler, the trucker videotaping the ride, hits a power line above the road. "I took out some of their power lines," he says for the camera. "It'll give them something to fix, won't it?" he asks.

It later becomes apparent that the convoy is on the wrong road because the road map provided by KBR and the military was incorrect.

"We made a wrong turn. Our military took us the wrong way," Wheeler tells his camera. A soldier is heard on the radio saying, "My map is evidently wrong." So, the convoy was forced to turn-around and head back through the same town that greeted the convoy with "raining rocks" only a few minutes earlier. "We're going back through hell," Wheeler laments. He nervously comments on the danger that awaits him and his fellow truckers by saying, "This is gonna be one good video right here, boy ... it's gonna be good."

Watch the 14 minute video by clicking this link. (RealPlayer version 10 format.)

After the convoy began retracing its route to find the correct road, Wheeler's prediction of imminent danger was proven correct by erupting gunfire and exploding bombs.

Suddenly, a bomb explodes and a bullet hole is seen in Wheeler's windshield. "God damn, IED on the left side!" he reports to the military on the radio, referring to improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Small arms fire is heard again. "Jesus Christ!" Wheeler cries. "Help us all, Lord!"

One of the truckers on the radio can be heard saying, "I'm hit, I'm hit!"

As gunfire pounds the convoy, a soldier is heard on the radio confidently saying, "Keep moving guys! Get out of the kill zone!"

Moments later, Wheeler calls for help because enemy fire has forced his truck to stall. In fact, the entire convoy is stalled and taking pot-shots by the enemy. An IED has caused a truck to overturn ahead of Wheeler's truck. "I am down!" Wheeler screams into the radio. Small arms fire continues. "Truck Five cannot move!" he says. "Please help me! I'm taking fire!"

As the military regroups, he angrily screams into the radio for help: "I'm fixing to get killed, God dammit! I cannot move! Truck Five cannot move! Copy? I am getting shot! Someone get their ass back here now, please!"

Other drivers in the crippled convoy can be heard on the radio imploring the military for help and screaming "Gun truck! Gun truck! Gun truck!".

"Sir, I have no gun back here and ... I am by myself," Wheeler, hoping the military will hear his plea, reports into the radio. (KBR employees are forbidden to carry weapons.)

Realizing no help is coming as enemy fire continues, Wheeler narrates for his camera, saying, "You're damn right I'm scared! I'm going home when this shit's done! When this shit's done, I'm fucking out of here!"

As small arms fire intensifies against the truck ahead, Wheeler witnesses the killing of a fellow driver ahead of him. He screams into the radio, "They just killed him! Oh Jesus! Oh, my God!"

The video ends.

HaliburtonWatch.Org reported three KBR truck drivers were killed that day. They are Keven Dagit, 42 (in truck 3), of Jefferson, Iowa; Christopher Lem, 40, (in truck 1) of Lyndon Station, Wisconsin; and Sascha Grenner-Case (in truck 4) of Sierra Vista, Arizona. Wheeler, who lives in Arkansas, was shot and barely survived. Two other drivers, including Terry Steward (in truck 2) of Idaho, were also injured.

Watch the 14 minute video by clicking this link. (RealPlayer version 10 format.)