Reader: From Iraq: Defending Abu Ghraib
My name is Sgt. Baxter Stegall. I'm currently stationed in Iraq, with a Field Artillery unit of the Virginia Army National Guard. My wife recently sent me the newest issue of Four Wheeler. I tore into it with my usual fervor, looking for any interesting articles, ads, or tips I could use on any of my 4x4s (including an '04 KJ, '81 CJ-5, '80 CJ-7, '49 CJ-2A, and '88 Toyota pickup). Your magazine, along with many others from the Primedia Group, including 4WOR, 4WD&SU, Diesel Power, Off-Road, and Jp, have helped keep me sane while dealing with the sand and sun!
While looking through the November '05 issue, I came across the article on M1114s ("Number 1 ... With a Bullet"), and seeing the intro spread of the Crossed Swords, instantly thought, "Hey! I've been there!" As I continued reading, I recognized many places I've seen in the country, but was surprised to see the entrance gates to my assigned base, the notorious Abu Ghraib. I noted that Jerry Garrett mentioned the attack on this base in his story, and thought I'd elaborate a bit more.
On the evening of 2 April 2005, FOB Abu Ghraib came under attack by 45 to 60 armed insurgents, who attempted to use small arms, mortars, rockets, and car bombs to breach the walls of the base. They were repelled, and the U.S. forces stationed here withstood what has been termed the largest direct assault on a U.S. military base since Vietnam. (The attack didn't receive much press, because unfortunately the next day Pope John Paul II passed away.) I wanted to take a minute to commend those who won the battle. The real credit belongs to the brave men of 2/8 Marines and 3/10 Marines, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. These riflemen and fellow artillerymen were assigned as the perimeter security detail for our base, and they fought like savage animals to protect us all that night. Some of them were wounded, but none of them were killed. I can't say the same about the fate of our attackers. I accompanied some of these Marines on a patrol to eliminate remaining resistance just outside the gate pictured, and these Marines were truly top-drawer. I never found out how many of them were commended for their valor, but I guarantee you, they deserve every medal they get. I hope you can use your media influence to publicize their courageous actions, as the battle seems to have escaped the mainstream spotlight.
I thought I'd include a picture of an H2 [or what's left of one.-Ed.] near our FOB. It's not a great picture, but then again, it's not easy to shoot snapshots with digital cameras out of a machine gun turret at 60 mph. I'm not sure what happened to the vehicle, but thought you'd like to see that not all H2s are in the hands of soccer moms, and that at least one of these vehicles has lived up to its combat roots. Again, thanks for the great article on the troops over here, and for your continued support. My guys will be home soon, but I'll be sure to leave some of your magazines laying around for the next group to enjoy.
Thanks for your support, America!
SGT Baxter Stegal
Squad Leader
2d Sqd, 1st Plt
Det 1, B 2-111 FA
VaARNG
FOB Abu Ghraib
Editor: Duly noted, and much appreciated. A box of Four Wheeler license plates and other goodies is on its way to you and your guys at Abu Ghraib. Here's hoping we see you all Stateside soon.
Reader: Every month you test many new vehicles, and every year you put all the manufacturers up against each other. Here's a new twist: Instead of testing one vehicle from each manufacturer, why not all of them? I don't mean different kinds of trucks from the same manufacturer.
For example: Why not test a bunch of Toyota Tacomas? For instance, a stock four-cylinder; a stock six-cylinder; a TRD Off-Road package; a TRD Sport package; and so forth. I know it depends on which truck(s) the manufacturer sends you, but if you asked them for all the different models, they might send a few.
It would be nice to see how the differently equipped trucks do against each other. Maybe the four-cylinder has enough power on the highway; maybe the TRD Sport goes anywhere the TRD Off-Road goes; maybe the gas mileage between trucks is a really big difference, or maybe not so much.
Forrest Williams
via the Internet
Editor: It's a great suggestion, and if we had the resources to pull it off, we'd probably give it a whack. But as it is, it's tough enough rounding up enough staffers and freelancers for our Four Wheeler of the Year test once a year, let alone on a regular basis. We do like the idea of comparo-testing some vehicles that compete in the same class, though, and we'll be looking to organize a test or two like that during the year.
Reader: I recently purchased an '05 Dodge Power Wagon. I cannot get the front and rear wheels to lock in 4-Hi, but I can get them to lock when I am in 4-Lo. Is this normal?
Rodvia
the Internet
Editor: Yes. For reasons related to warranty and liability, the OE lockers only engage in low-range. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon's factory lockers work the same way. We're working on a low-buck fix for this-stay tuned.
Reader: Does anyone make a 6-inch lift for a '98 Ford Ranger 4x4?
Kyle Carpenter
via the Internet
Editor: Ranger ace Sean Holman replies: RCD Suspension makes the best drop-bracket kit available (5 inches), because it eliminates the torsion bars and replaces them with Bilstein coilover shocks. However, you might have to swap from a pulse-vacuum hub front axle to a live frontend by swapping in live-style brakes, wheel bearings, and axles for use with the RCD spindle, because the PVH version of the lift isn't out yet, as far as I know.
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