Comments on: Private Contractors Hoard Water From US Soldiers in Iraq http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/ Patriotism that loves our country, our land, and our planet Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:35:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: PA_Iraq_Vet http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-55542 PA_Iraq_Vet Thu, 21 May 2009 11:24:01 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-55542 Total BS. I was in Iraq in 2005-2006 and never had a drinking water shortage. Pallets of bottled water were available when you needed them. The only non-potable water we were exposed to were in the latrine trailers and showers. That was ROWPU'd and we knew not to consume it. I am thankful we had KBR. They were great folks and did great work supporting us. Total BS. I was in Iraq in 2005-2006 and never had a drinking water shortage. Pallets of bottled water were available when you needed them. The only non-potable water we were exposed to were in the latrine trailers and showers. That was ROWPU'd and we knew not to consume it. I am thankful we had KBR. They were great folks and did great work supporting us.

]]> By: MarkusR http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-54708 MarkusR Fri, 15 May 2009 10:10:43 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-54708 If you think the story is fake, then take it up with the military personnel & contractors who are reporting in it. If you think the story is fake, then take it up with the military personnel & contractors who are reporting in it.

]]> By: Stewy http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-54515 Stewy Thu, 14 May 2009 05:55:42 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-54515 That story was pretty funny/entertaining. None of it is remotely true, except for the non potable shower water. It makes no sense to use drinkable water to shower, a waste. I like the facts they used to back up their allegations. Being in Iraq for 4 years i have never seen this, or heard of anything so wild. I have been deployed in the military and also as a contractor. I would like to see the author do a 2nd part of this story with proof. Oh wait she can not do that because there is none. That story was pretty funny/entertaining. None of it is remotely true, except for the non potable shower water. It makes no sense to use drinkable water to shower, a waste. I like the facts they used to back up their allegations. Being in Iraq for 4 years i have never seen this, or heard of anything so wild. I have been deployed in the military and also as a contractor. I would like to see the author do a 2nd part of this story with proof. Oh wait she can not do that because there is none.

]]> By: Masterful Mike http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-54349 Masterful Mike Wed, 13 May 2009 11:40:55 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-54349 Jennifer Lance: Next time before you report/blog a story you might want to check on a few things first. Such as contacting the US Army & US Marines public affairs branch, as well as KBR's public affairs branch. Another useful thing to do would be to try and confirm if the people you've spoken to are actually current of former members of the military, and if so did they actually serve in Iraq. Why do I say all this you might ask... because this story is ridiculous to anyone who has actually been in Iraq. A fine example in the lack of journalistic integrity, and failure to research facts that is so common now in the "internet age". I've been deployed to Iraq numberous times both as a soldier and as a private military security contractor. I've operated out of or traveled through just about every FOB/COB in Iraq, and I can say with 100% certainty "There are no drinking water shortages in Iraq... NONE!". "Eventually Robey’s commander led his troops to the Baghdad International Airport along one of the riskiest routes in Iraq to “steal” water from civilian contractors." Route Irish is one of the SAFEST routes in Iraq, it was one of the riskier routes back in 2003-2005... but those days have long since passed. Regarding stealing water from KBR: The normal "water yards" are designed and intended for the US Troops to walk/drive in and pickup bottled water, or bags of ice from the ice trailers. Each FOB/COB has a large excessive amount of water pallets in their water yards, getting clean drinking water hasn't been a hard thing to do since 2003. There are also water bottling locations such as the one at VBC where KBR purifies water, then bottles it, and then finally loads up flatbeds(large convoys of 18-wheelers) with water to deliver to FOBs/COBs without bottle water creation points. The only detail you got correct in your article was the fact that the water used for showering or washing your hands is not potable, and MAY contain pathogens. If I seem to be coming off abrasively its because I'm sick of reporters & bloggers selling lies to the American public about whats happening in Iraq. Unlike your sources for this story I can provide the information & documents to confirm my service, as well as put you in touch with the LMCC/ADOC and Army/Marine public affairs officals who will confirm that your story is BS. My email was entered into the system when I filled this out, contact me if you are interested in the truth... then update and correct this trash you wrote. Jennifer Lance: Next time before you report/blog a story you might want to check on a few things first.
Such as contacting the US Army & US Marines public affairs branch, as well as KBR’s public affairs branch.

Another useful thing to do would be to try and confirm if the people you’ve spoken to are actually current of former members of the military, and if so did they actually serve in Iraq.

Why do I say all this you might ask… because this story is ridiculous to anyone who has actually been in Iraq. A fine example in the lack of journalistic integrity, and failure to research facts that is so common now in the “internet age”.

I’ve been deployed to Iraq numberous times both as a soldier and as a private military security contractor. I’ve operated out of or traveled through just about every FOB/COB in Iraq, and I can say with 100% certainty “There are no drinking water shortages in Iraq… NONE!”.

“Eventually Robey’s commander led his troops to the Baghdad International Airport along one of the riskiest routes in Iraq to “steal” water from civilian contractors.”

Route Irish is one of the SAFEST routes in Iraq, it was one of the riskier routes back in 2003-2005… but those days have long since passed.

Regarding stealing water from KBR:
The normal “water yards” are designed and intended for the US Troops to walk/drive in and pickup bottled water, or bags of ice from the ice trailers. Each FOB/COB has a large excessive amount of water pallets in their water yards, getting clean drinking water hasn’t been a hard thing to do since 2003.
There are also water bottling locations such as the one at VBC where KBR purifies water, then bottles it, and then finally loads up flatbeds(large convoys of 18-wheelers) with water to deliver to FOBs/COBs without bottle water creation points.

The only detail you got correct in your article was the fact that the water used for showering or washing your hands is not potable, and MAY contain pathogens.

If I seem to be coming off abrasively its because I’m sick of reporters & bloggers selling lies to the American public about whats happening in Iraq.
Unlike your sources for this story I can provide the information & documents to confirm my service, as well as put you in touch with the LMCC/ADOC and Army/Marine public affairs officals who will confirm that your story is BS.

My email was entered into the system when I filled this out, contact me if you are interested in the truth… then update and correct this trash you wrote.

]]> By: KC http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-54369 KC Wed, 13 May 2009 07:29:58 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-54369 This is a bunch of bull as an Army Vet, and a Contractor in Iraq. The army of today is not the army of 6 years ago this is the laziest US Army in our countries history and the Commanders are not held accountable. It is sad to see it but most soldiers are Fobits, and Cobits, and most sleep on couches in their office while the Infantry, SF, MP's, EOD, Cav and Contractors do all the work (I know I see it every day). (Plus Cobits/Fobits get saturday's and sunday's off every week), gripe about their air conditioning not working well enough, take one sip from their water and not have the descency to throw it in the trash, Spend all day downloading Mp3's and then go back to the states and say they have PTSD because a rocket hit 10 miles accoss base and may have hurt some one. They do it to keep from deploying again while the Combat troops and Contractors have the integrity to be honest and keep doing what they do. People in the states all these stories are written by winers who did not have the initiative to walk the hundred 50 to 100 yards to get the water like the contractors and real troops do (Their commanders are jacked up, They get to decide how much water they want) (They have college degrees but do not bother to read their SOP's) If they did they would notice that the contact information says they can request more water. They write their memorandum's and their statement of work not the contractors. Then the Fobits/Cobits stack the water pallets they stole, up infront of their fire exits and plug in daisy chains so they can run their DVD players, and their MP3 players. Thank god for Combat troops and contractors. At least some one in Iraq is doing some work. The funny thing is that the burn pits have nothing to do with any contractor companies they are solely the army who hired turkish guys who care nothing about polution. But you cant sue the Army so you have to blame some one, but trust me the contractors has good lawyers and it will all come out in the end, that this was the Army's responsibility. This is a bunch of bull as an Army Vet, and a Contractor in Iraq. The army of today is not the army of 6 years ago this is the laziest US Army in our countries history and the Commanders are not held accountable. It is sad to see it but most soldiers are Fobits, and Cobits, and most sleep on couches in their office while the Infantry, SF, MP's, EOD, Cav and Contractors do all the work (I know I see it every day). (Plus Cobits/Fobits get saturday's and sunday's off every week), gripe about their air conditioning not working well enough, take one sip from their water and not have the descency to throw it in the trash, Spend all day downloading Mp3's and then go back to the states and say they have PTSD because a rocket hit 10 miles accoss base and may have hurt some one.

They do it to keep from deploying again while the Combat troops and Contractors have the integrity to be honest and keep doing what they do. People in the states all these stories are written by winers who did not have the initiative to walk the hundred 50 to 100 yards to get the water like the contractors and real troops do (Their commanders are jacked up, They get to decide how much water they want) (They have college degrees but do not bother to read their SOP's) If they did they would notice that the contact information says they can request more water. They write their memorandum's and their statement of work not the contractors.

Then the Fobits/Cobits stack the water pallets they stole, up infront of their fire exits and plug in daisy chains so they can run their DVD players, and their MP3 players. Thank god for Combat troops and contractors. At least some one in Iraq is doing some work. The funny thing is that the burn pits have nothing to do with any contractor companies they are solely the army who hired turkish guys who care nothing about polution. But you cant sue the Army so you have to blame some one, but trust me the contractors has good lawyers and it will all come out in the end, that this was the Army's responsibility.

]]> By: Disabled Veteran http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-54366 Disabled Veteran Wed, 13 May 2009 06:42:48 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-54366 The main problem is using non-military people. Armed Forces are more responsible then paid contractors anyday. In my service time, only military people could be trusted and that was over twenty years ago. As far as KRB, they have shown they are below standards on many issues, and have caused the deaths of many soldiers. Take them out of the equation and things will improve. The money they are being paid is the only reason they are there, it wouldn't surprise me to see them profiting from stolen or "misplaced" supplies. Lets waterboard them to see what they know. Dick Cheney says it is o.k. The main problem is using non-military people. Armed Forces are more responsible then paid contractors anyday. In my service time, only military people could be trusted and that was over twenty years ago.

As far as KRB, they have shown they are below standards on many issues, and have caused the deaths of many soldiers. Take them out of the equation and things will improve. The money they are being paid is the only reason they are there, it wouldn't surprise me to see them profiting from stolen or "misplaced" supplies.

Lets waterboard them to see what they know. Dick Cheney says it is o.k.

]]> By: brad johnson http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-54357 brad johnson Wed, 13 May 2009 05:18:35 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-54357 This article is nonsense. I ran convoys 3 and 1/2 years as contractor and nobody had to steal water. The stuff is stacked on pallets at many "water points" on the various bases. I used to run water from one base to another and what I used to find very annoying is all the bottles of water where someone would open one, take one swallow then leave it. I've seen thousands of bottles of water half full, 3/4ths full laying around in latrines, mwrs, on the ground, etc. I didn't care that people wasted water to go along with all the other waste, I didn't like throwing 20 straps for 18 pallets of water per trailer for 20 to 35 trailers per day in 115 degree heat in the shade when there was no shade. If the soldiers weren't getting water then the base commanders should have been made aware of it and rectified the situation. As to the polluted water being used for showering and handwashing I have my doubts as I used the same water and suffered no ill effects. In fact some Dfacs had soldiers making sure everybody washed their hands (especially tcns) so that people wouldn't get sick. There was a place to wash hands outside or inside every dfac at evert base I visited and I was at nearly 50 of them. AS a personal aside, when I was 25 years old in 1975 I picked up a copy of Vegetarian Times, the one with Men of Trees Richard StBarbe-Barker and the veg Marine captain doing feats of physical fitness. I immediately bagan a meatless diet. I did it not for health reasons, but it was the first time I had heard that it takes 10 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of meat and if this grain were made for human consumption the would be no hunger. What a bleeding heart I was. Now I know that if you filled a supertanker sized ship with grain and shipped one every day to Africa, the bureaurats and kleptocrats would steal it, sell it for pennies per bushel and buy themselves more Rolls Royces. I wouldn't even but frozen foods because of the waste of enery. I still avoid meat but mainly because I don't want carrion rotting on my insides causing a malodorous effect upon evacuation. This article is nonsense. I ran convoys 3 and 1/2 years as contractor and nobody had to steal water. The stuff is stacked on pallets at many "water points" on the various bases. I used to run water from one base to another and what I used to find very annoying is all the bottles of water where someone would open one, take one swallow then leave it. I've seen thousands of bottles of water half full, 3/4ths full laying around in latrines, mwrs, on the ground, etc. I didn't care that people wasted water to go along with all the other waste, I didn't like throwing 20 straps for 18 pallets of water per trailer for 20 to 35 trailers per day in 115 degree heat in the shade when there was no shade. If the soldiers weren't getting water then the base commanders should have been made aware of it and rectified the situation. As to the polluted water being used for showering and handwashing I have my doubts as I used the same water and suffered no ill effects. In fact some Dfacs had soldiers making sure everybody washed their hands (especially tcns) so that people wouldn't get sick. There was a place to wash hands outside or inside every dfac at evert base I visited and I was at nearly 50 of them. AS a personal aside, when I was 25 years old in 1975 I picked up a copy of Vegetarian Times, the one with Men of Trees Richard StBarbe-Barker and the veg Marine captain doing feats of physical fitness. I immediately bagan a meatless diet. I did it not for health reasons, but it was the first time I had heard that it takes 10 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of meat and if this grain were made for human consumption the would be no hunger. What a bleeding heart I was. Now I know that if you filled a supertanker sized ship with grain and shipped one every day to Africa, the bureaurats and kleptocrats would steal it, sell it for pennies per bushel and buy themselves more Rolls Royces. I wouldn't even but frozen foods because of the waste of enery. I still avoid meat but mainly because I don't want carrion rotting on my insides causing a malodorous effect upon evacuation.

]]> By: Keith Tomshe http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-54353 Keith Tomshe Wed, 13 May 2009 05:01:03 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-54353 Hi, Wanted to briefly discuss "your" article about "Contractors Hoarding Water In Iraq". As one of the folks that helped to put together the original story that KHOU in Houston put together, I would have appreciated seeing some credit given to KHOU. It is flattering that Jennifer thought enough of the story to pass it along, but not credit KHOU anywhere is really not fair. On top of that to include "Written by" after her name. Do you guys understand how much KHOU spent to put this story together and to make sure that they were as fair and ACCURATE as it could be. Additionally there is no proof that KBR was "hoarding water". That is why the media gets a bad name. Unless you have some independent proof that the were doing this you ought to change your headline. If KHOU did this, they would be sued! If your going to re-purpose a story then you have to keep it true to the original report. Please keep these thoughts in mind when you folks publish the work of others. I could go on, but I'm holding back. Hi,

Wanted to briefly discuss "your" article about "Contractors Hoarding Water In Iraq". As one of the folks that helped to put together the original story that KHOU in Houston put together, I would have appreciated seeing some credit given to KHOU. It is flattering that Jennifer thought enough of the story to pass it along, but not credit KHOU anywhere is really not fair. On top of that to include "Written by" after her name. Do you guys understand how much KHOU spent to put this story together and to make sure that they were as fair and ACCURATE as it could be.

Additionally there is no proof that KBR was "hoarding water". That is why the media gets a bad name. Unless you have some independent proof that the were doing this you ought to change your headline. If KHOU did this, they would be sued! If your going to re-purpose a story then you have to keep it true to the original report.

Please keep these thoughts in mind when you folks publish the work of others. I could go on, but I'm holding back.

]]> By: henry http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-54352 henry Wed, 13 May 2009 04:58:00 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-54352 i was a spc. in the US army i just got out yesterday for med. reasons i have seen first hand (showerd) in the dirtyest water i have ever seen in my life and had to steel water my living conditions in iraq were below army feald standerds the higher up knew and did nothing i have had to steal water and have run out of water more then once in a tank when it's 130 degres out side it's an extra 20 to 30 in the tank with no water life sucks i'm glad some ones talking about it by the way i had disintary 4 times in 4 months thanks for bringing this to the publics attantion i was a spc. in the US army i just got out yesterday for med. reasons i have seen first hand (showerd) in the dirtyest water i have ever seen in my life and had to steel water my living conditions in iraq were below army feald standerds the higher up knew and did nothing i have had to steal water and have run out of water more then once in a tank when it's 130 degres out side it's an extra 20 to 30 in the tank with no water life sucks i'm glad some ones talking about it by the way i had disintary 4 times in 4 months thanks for bringing this to the publics attantion

]]> By: kate jones http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/05/12/short-supplies-cause-us-soldiers-to-steal-water-from-private-contractors-in-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-54346 kate jones Wed, 13 May 2009 04:23:16 +0000 http://redgreenandblue.org/?p=3121#comment-54346 This is so awful! Please what can we do back home that will help the soldiers? Our new pres must know- he's a man of action right? This is so awful! Please what can we do back home that will help the soldiers? Our new pres must know- he's a man of action right?

]]>