Chaplains Journey into Babylon with I MEF Rev Dr Emilio Marrero Jr CAPTCHC USN Retired Al Hillah Babylon I MEF Movements 2003 15 Jan Staged in Kuwait 20 Mar Attack ID: 616985
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "A Quiet Reality" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
A Quiet RealityChaplain’s Journey into Babylon with I MEF
Rev. Dr. Emilio Marrero Jr.,
CAPT,CHC, USN (Retired)Slide2
Al Hillah (Babylon)
I MEF Movements 2003
15 Jan: Staged in Kuwait
20 Mar: Attack
23 Mar:
Nasiriyah
02 Apr: Outskirts of Baghdad
09 Apr: Baghdad Secured
12 Apr: BabylonSlide3
On the MoveSlide4
Sustainment & Support Operations (SASO)
Transition to SASO
Infantry & Artillery primary force
Southern Provinces
Provincial Governors
SecurityStabilizationFuel, LP Gas, WaterGov’t MinistriesSlide5
Camp BabylonI MEF HQ
MEG
FRSS
358 Civil Affairs Grp
Hussein Compound
Home of Babylon FestivalAdjacent to RuinsSlide6
Phased Encampment
Camp Babylon
Self contained
3 avenues of approach
Palace utilized for berthing
Ruins off limits to all personnelSlide7
LootersFirst Day in Babylon
Everything stripped
Looting rampant
Villagers took over ruins
Facilities burned
Enforcement dilemmaSlide8
Ancient BabylonKey Sites
Home of Hammurabi
Nebuchadnezzar’s Palaces
Ishtar Gate
Lion of Babylon
Marduk TemplesBiblical LegacyAlexandrian ColiseumSlide9
Procession Street
Original paving of Procession Street – road leads around Babylon and into Ishtar Gate dating to 658 BC Slide10
Legislative Palace
Saddam Hussein rebuilt Legislative Palace in background. Foreground shows original wall that separated Legislative Palace from Residential Palace (wide enough for chariots to ride abreast)Slide11
Ishtar Gate Foundation
Originally built by Nebuchadnezzar I. Foundation sits at original level – Nebuchadnezzar II raised elevation after flooding of Euphrates. Slide12
Lion of Babylon
Believed to predate Nebuchadnezzar II – over 2300 years old. Made of Basalt stone.Slide13
Archaeological ChargesNoted Archaeologist, John Curtis, accuses US military of destroying sites
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) July 2009 report
Charges: armor tracks on procession street, sand bags filled with relics, damage by helicopter field to base wallsSlide14Slide15
Cultural RelationsMuseum staff and I MEF staff during late afternoon shared meal.Slide16
Ezekiel’s Tomb
Jewish sector surrounding Ezekiel’s Tomb connected to local mosque. Babylonian Talmud written in Iraq.Slide17
The SoukSmall souk established outside of secured area but within confined space for troops on R&R inside of our compound.Slide18
VIP ToursProvided guided tours of area to demonstrate I MEF efforts, share Biblical history, and request funding for transition.Slide19
Saddam & Nebuchadnezzar
Mural on ceiling of Saddam bedroom in Palace depicting connection between Saddam & Nebuchadnezzar and ancient history.Slide20
Lessons LearnedCompetent Adaptation Can we train towards this?
How do we incorporate creativity?
Religious Premises: Sacred & Secular
Best Intentions aren’t always rewarded
Warrior-Humanitarian dialogueSlide21
I MEF thanked by GEN Franks
Modern warrior is not monolithic warrior of past. Modern warriors are complex, ethical and contextual beings.Slide22
A Quiet Reality
Available on AmazonSlide23
Questions ??