JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - "You see the lights up ahead? That's Scania," said Sgt. 1st Class Elwin Farnsworth, from Hotel Company, 1-161st Infantry (Combined Arms Battalion), 81st Brigade Combat Team, to an obviously impatient and haggard crew.
The long, seven-hour drive to Scania was wearing on the Soldiers as they pulled into the gate in time to see the sun rise over the familiar T-walls that surround this fortified "truck stop."
Farnsworth, the H Co. convoy commander, known as Hustler 21, is no stranger to the war in Iraq. A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, he has seen his share of combat and has seen the evolution of this conflict for the better.
"Back in 2004, the Iraqis seemed to be totally dependant on U.S. and coalition forces, and the insurgency was out to kill the American Soldiers," said Farnsworth. "Now, you see more electricity and sewer improvements, the Iraqi police and army [seem] to be better equipped and the whole infrastructure has improved."
"Iraq has so much potential. Iraq has all of the natural resources, the historical sites, warm weather and overall good natured people. I just hope they can get it together. It's the improvements in the quality of life for the Iraqi people I see that makes me feel better and reassures me that all of our sacrifice is worth it. It makes me proud to be here," he added.
Many of the H Co. Soldiers hadn't been to Scania before and had little idea what to expect. Scania is the half-way point from Kuwait to Baghdad and a key logistical hub in theater.
This 24-hour operation in the middle of the Iraq desert is the lifeline for coalition forces. It's bustling military and contractor vehicle traffic with trucks as far as the eye could see would boggle the mind of even the most experienced logistician.
Once the vehicles were parked, the H Co. crews headed for the temporary overnight tents for a little daylight slumber and recovery for the trip home.
As dusk approached, the familiar sound of engines and the smell of pungent diesel exhaust filled the evening air. The convoy security vehicles took their places in the order of march and the waiting began.
The lead scout, Sgt. Brodie Moberly, and his crew moved to the head of the column and waited for the order to depart. Moberly, a veteran of Afghanistan and two previous tours in Iraq, volunteered for this tour.
"I saw the flier in the armory back in Montana where I'm from and my buddies and I put together a squad to join the 1-161," he said.
Moberly came off active duty and wanted to try civilian life for a change, but, after a couple years, decided to return to the Army National Guard.
"I always wanted to be a Soldier ever since I was a little kid and I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my life," he said.
Upon his arrival in Iraq, he volunteered to be the lead scout for his platoon, where he said he could have the most impact on the success of the platoon's mission.
The convoy moved out just after sunset on the long road back to Baghdad. Minutes later, a KBR driver started waving his hand and giving the thumbs down to signal that something was wrong.
The tanker truck had broken down and needed a recovery vehicle for the truck and his tank trailer. Within minutes, three convoy security vehicles arrived at the scene and took up positions to protect the KBR recovery efforts.
Not more than 25 minutes had elapsed before the convoy started pushing forward again. The training on recovery battle drills paid off. But now it was dark and the high time for improvised explosive devices was fast approaching.
"Everything looks like an IED [improvised explosive device]" said Moberly, describing the hardest part of his job. "You always have to stay in the mindset that something will happen and, it may be cliche, but it's true, complacency kills."
"In '04, it seemed the goal of the IED by the insurgency was to kill Soldiers," Farnsworth said. "Now, it seems they are designing IEDs to show the world that regardless of the superior technology of the Americans, they can still defeat our technology and really use them to make a political statement."
The IED is the primary weapon used by insurgents and is fast becoming the new weapon of the Taliban in Afghanistan because it has been so effective in Iraq.
For Hustler 21 and his crew, they'd been lucky enough to be halfway through this tour and not known the IED and its effectiveness.
However, their luck was about to run out.
Suddenly, a large explosion rocked the MRAP, then one more and then another. "IED! IED!" sounded over the radio from the trail vehicle.
The radio sprang to life with requests for situation reports and statuses of the convoy vehicles. Soon, the smell of diesel fuel filled the cab of the MRAP.
"Do you smell that?" exclaimed Pfc. Kyle Hare, the young platoon medic from Moses Lake, Wash. "I don't think it's from us."
All of the convoy vehicles reported no damage and the convoy continued back to base.
Upon arrival, however, the crew found that a tanker truck was not so lucky. The IED punched a hole in the side of it, but no one was injured.
Earlier that evening, Moberly talked about what made him favor the military over civilian life.
"In civilian life, there is nothing more to life than to serve your own needs. But life here is different," said Moberly. "It gives me a sense of something higher than myself, of being a part of something greater. Whether it's defending my county or giving the Iraqis a better life, I can say I had a hand in that and that is what makes me proud, knowing that I can look in the mirror and say to myself that I made a difference in the world."
Farnsworth, who postponed retirement to deploy, plans on returning to his construction business in Tacoma, Wash., and enjoying life with his wife Lori, and four sons, Kyle, Aaron, Vincent and Kameron. He doesn't plan to deploy again, but knows he can't let his fellow Soldiers down if the call comes.
Moberly plans on returning to his Guard unit in Billings, Mont., and joining them for their year-long deployment to Afghanistan.