TALLIL, Iraq---While politicians in Washington D.C. argue about the war in Iraq, Nevada's 593rd MTC National Guard unit works overtime to make sure supplies are distributed by convoy across the war torn nation of Iraq.
The 593rd arrived in Iraq last fall.
“Being over here is alright,” said Sgt. Arland Stalker, 46. “We are over here for a job. It's what we train to do.”
Stalker works as a trucker in Sandy Valley when not deployed. “The way I look at it, it's the same,” he said, adding “Everybody knows there are insurgents.”
The extreme heat of Iraq has yet to come. Tallil is still wet. The fine desert has formed puddles of mud and water. Most walks end up with inches of mud caked to the soldier's boots. Trenches with water are dug between housing areas to drain the excess water.
“It's not as bad as people think,” Specialist Jenna Snyder, 20, a 2004 graduate of Foothills High School. “It's improved from prior deployments; it's not horrible.”
Snyder is a Motor Transport Operator. She often drives trucks like the Light Mobility Tactical Vehicle (LNTV) on convoy missions.
“It's stressful,” she said. The high emotions of looking for threats on convoys makes it hard to relax after a days work, she said.
“It can be calm sometimes,” said Specialist Dustin Halper, 25. “It depends where you are at.”
These Nevadans routinely convoy to the far corners of Iraq. Through the calm and dangerous parts, from Baghdad to Mosul, they keep the supply lines open for the rest of military in Iraq.
The debate in Washington over the war in Iraq has not gone unnoticed by soldiers.
“I don't think that anyone is interested in what we are doing here,” said Specialist Gary Schall, 40, from Henderson. Schall admits that people do send packages and cards over holidays like Christmas.
“The rest of the time the only people interested are politicians,” he said. “Half of them want us to stay, the other half want us to come home.”
“My wife doesn't even watch the news any more, there is so much crap.”
Time off is rare for all the soldiers in the 593rd. Iraq contains many historical sites. Tallil is no exception. From the motor pool where the 593rd parks their vehicles for maintenance the Ziggurat of Ur is visible just outside the fence. The pyramid-like structure is over four thousand years old. Abraham and his family lived in Ur before they moved to Canaan, according to Genesis 11:31.
The Chaplin offers tours twice a week, but few of the 593rd have had time to take the tour.
From Left to Right:
Sgt. Arland Stalker, 46, Specialist Jenna Snyder, 20, Private Nathan, 23 Fischer, Specialist Gary Schall, 40 are all truck drivers for the Nevada National Guard. They stand in front of a Light Mobility Tactical Vehicle (LNTV) used in their convoys.
Sgt. Arland Stalker, 46, has served over 18 years in the military. Has three boys, 2 girls and eight grandchildren. Because of his previous experience, Stalker said he is able to help a lot of the younger soldiers when they have problems with a truck or trailer.
“Hopefully, we are having an impact on on the civilians here, showing them there is a better way of life,” he said. Stalker looks forward to his return to Nevada so he can “spoil his grandchildren.”
Pvt. Nathan Fischer, 23, attended Chaparral High School and joined the National Guard two years ago. He volunteered for this deployment to Iraq, retraining to be a truck driver. His goal after Iraq is to attend Embry-Riddle at Nellis Air Force Base and become a pilot. When back in Las Vegas, Fischer said his favorite place to hang out is Hooters Casino. He works as a ramp agent, loading luggage at the airport when not deployed.
Specialist Gary Schall, 40, works at Lowes as a manager in Henderson, where he lives. Schall said he served in the Navy previously. “I've been on all seven continents,” he said, even Antarctica. “I'd rather be in cold than hot.” Schall is married with stepchildren. He is thinking about extending and staying in Iraq when the rest of the 593rd return home.
Specialist Jenna Snyder, 20, works as Motor Transport Operator. She just returned to Iraq from leave.“Leave was great,” she said. “The worst part was coming back.”
Snyder said she plans on becoming an officer. “I've always wanted to be in the military,” she said. “The National Guard had the best benefits.”
Specialist Dustin Halper, 25, attended Mojave High School. He joined the National Guard a year and a half ago. “It was the only option I had left,” he said. “My life was going down hill. It's straighted up my life and given me goals.” Halper is married with a son. He said his favorite place back home is where ever his wife is—she is a bartender.
