Convoy Security Missions

Well, the missions were a complete success. I had a wonderful experience working along side my buddies I used to train with back home. I felt like I was at home too. We didn't see much action, but I'll tell you a little about the mission and the few things that did go on.
I was the last vehicle in the convoy, making sure that all the trucks stayed in the convoy, and also made sure no traffic got into our convoy. It is important for this vehicle to be alert. Many convoys have had VBIED's (Vehicle Bourne Improvised Explosive Devices) drive up to the rear of the convoy and take out the last few trucks. Baghdad was on a curfew, so there was no traffic out while we were on the roads. I was the driver, and in my vehicle I had my TC (truck commander), and a gunner in the turret. There is a picture of him standing on the vehicle above.
Along with us, were TCN (Third Country Nationals) trucks. These are driven by civilians. They get paid to drive the trucks, and many of them are eager to get out on these missions because they get paid well. One of my responsibilities on these missions was to inspect the TCN trucks before rolling out. I had to make sure they had tow-bars, and a windshield they could see out of. We also had to check for leaking tires. Also, any trash on the trucks, we made them take off and throw away. We were particularly concerned with water bottles, because they have been used for IED's in the past. The reason for these inspections is to eliminate any trucks that may cause us to be stranded out in the middle of nowhere because of a break-down. I eliminated one truck because the windshield was all cracked. The driver was furious with me, and I had to call SGT Scott over to assist me with him. It is extremey frustrating to deal with an angry Iraqi who can only speak Arabic. After a few minutes, we finally got him to calm down, and he move his truck out of the convoy.
On the way down to Baghdad, we were stopped for some reason or another at an IA (Iraqi Army) checkpoint. Once we came to a stop, the TCN drivers started to jump out of their trucks. At first I was really worried, but then I soon realized that they were just trying to stretch and pee. SGT Scott had me turn on my cop lights and speed up to them. He yelled at them to get them back in their trucks. Once SGT Scott jumped out and chewed them out, the rest just decided to stay in their trucks.
When returning to base, another gunner for one of the guntrucks in our convoy said he saw five flashes come from one of the routes we had taken earlier. After we got back to base, we were told it was a daisy-chain. A daisy-chain is a line of IED's used to take out a large section of a convoy. This particular one had five IED's chained together. It gave everyone a weird feeling, knowing that we were on that road earlier in the night. Overall, I had a good time working with these soldiers, and I had lots of fun while on the missions.