Hunting Down Saddam (2 page)

—John F. Kennedy

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With the capture of Saddam Hussein on December 13, 2003, my publisher, St. Martin's Press, and I agreed that this book had to be published much earlier than originally scheduled. This forced my writing partner and me to work nonstop to meet our new deadlines. Consequently, it is not by lack of deeds or valor that many of the units and soldiers who have fought bravely in Iraq are not mentioned specifically in this book. Others, particularly in certain areas of Special Operations, have remained anonymous by their own choosing. Moreover, some dates and place-names have been changed due to Special Operations Security. Nevertheless, we have tried to convey not the entire picture of the war in Iraq, but the parts of it that related to the search and capture of Saddam Hussein, his sons, the fall of Hussein's regime, and a personal portrait of the units that participated in these events.

I want to be sure that my project coordinator and writing partner be duly recognized as the force behind much of the hard work that goes into creating a finished, accurate, and most importantly, engaging and interesting account, which has become the book you are about to read. Chris Thompson was my coauthor and project coordinator on
The Hunt for Bin Laden,
and I could not have trusted anyone else to coordinate the mammoth effort in bringing
Hunting Down Saddam
to fruition.

While I was in Iraq in October and November, visiting bases and interviewing troops, Chris was preparing the material I had previously gathered from earlier in the war. Over the summer I had visited various military posts in the United States, interviewing soldiers returning from Iraq. I was able to get essential material and firsthand accounts from soldiers at Fort Carson, Colorado, home of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Fort Bragg, North Carolina, home of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Special Warfare Center; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, home of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

From these visits, copious notes, maps, photos, and audiotapes were gathered. Chris had the daunting task of writing, transcribing, and verifying the accounts of the war's beginning. When I returned from Iraq in November, the final pieces of the book were fitting together. Or so we thought. Less than a month later, Saddam was found cowering in his “spider hole.” The discovery changed our deadline drastically, and the book had its dramatic ending.

But now we had the enormous task of transcribing the new set of interviews that were conducted after the capture of Saddam Hussein. Fortunately, Joyce Thomas took over much of the transcribing, and Chris's assistant, E. M. Dubois, helped work on last-minute details and the all-important task of stress management during the manuscript's final days.

I must acknowledge the assistance I received from my good friend Russell Cummings, a former Green Beret himself, who accompanied me to Iraq and was by my side through sandstorms, helicopter trips across enemy territory, insurgent attacks on the compounds we were staying in, and late-night missions. He was able to keep me connected through the computer, no matter if we were staying the night in one of Saddam's palaces, a converted shipping container, or a makeshift hotel room. Russ was both a medic and a trained sniper in the Special Forces; I couldn't have asked for a better companion. His talents did not go unnoticed in Iraq, as he was offered a job with KBR (Kellogg, Brown & Root). Russ is now back in Iraq, working security for KBR.

I am also indebted to my extraordinarily competent literary agent, Sorche Fairbank. This was our fifth—and best—project together. She is an agent who pays attention to fine detail and has won the confidence of many publishers.

Over forty years ago, in my West Indies hangout, I met a lovely English girl of sixteen. I happened to be thirty-five years old at the time. She was a great companion and a fine water-skier. Her name was Helen Kirkman. Except for a meeting in South Africa, Helen's life remained a mystery to me until last year, when fate brought us together once again. She arrived in the United States forty-two years after we first met and immediately became a major part of my life and a great friend to my Green Beret friends around the country. Before I toured the nation promoting my last book,
The Hunt for Bin Laden,
Helen used her contacts in the business world to help find a British publisher (Pan Macmillan) for the book. Helen's support continued and
Saddam
became the product of our mutual efforts in the literary field.

“It takes a village” has been used in describing efforts as diverse as raising a child, branding a product, fighting a fire, and even throwing a tailgate party. I'd like to add producing this book to the mix. The list of people to whom I became indebted for their assistance could not be written in its entirety, for the list is quite extensive. Nevertheless, I will attempt to name some of them.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press—especially, Sally Richardson and George Witte for believing in the importance of this book. Diane Higgins, my wonderful editor and guiding hand, deserves much credit and thanks, as does Nichole Argyres, who saw to it that deadlines were met without compromising quality. Thanks, also, to the staff who rallied at St. Martin's to make this book happen, working long evenings and over holiday weekends. My gratitude to Amelie Littell, David Stanford Burr, Jeffrey Capshew, Karen Gillis, Eric Gladstone, Susan Joseph, John Murphy, Joseph Rinaldi, Heather Saunders, and James Sinclair. This is my third book effort with Diane and crew. The ongoing energy and dedication of the staff of St. Martin's Press is worthy of much praise and admiration.

Many thanks are due to FOX Television News, whose fourth-floor headquarters at the Sheraton Hotel where I was staying became an oasis for us while in Baghdad. On my seventy-eighth birthday, the people of FOX News threw a party for me, complete with a bottle of scotch, which slipped down my throat like nectar of the gods. Their own Dana Lewis, whose diary of action with the Screaming Eagles forms an intrinsic part of
Hunting Down Saddam,
deserves great mention for both his contributions and his last-minute, exclusive details regarding Saddam's capture. Dana rode all the way into Baghdad with the 101st Airborne Division; his candid accounts reflect the many faces of war and the emotions that accompany them.

The eighth floor of the Sheraton was home to KBR, whose assistance was invaluable. KBR hosted me in different areas of Iraq and saw to it that I had safe transport during my various interviews. John Jones, Mark Vargas, and the rest of the KBR crew in Iraq, I cannot thank you enough.

Mark Vargas deserves extra mention. A retired Special Forces Command Sergeant Major (CSM), Mark had a unique civilian and military vantage point during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. As KBR's security manager in Tikrit, he worked side by side with the 4th Infantry Division in what is thought of as the most volatile region in Iraq. He also worked with Iraqi contractors and Iraqi trainees for the new police and security forces. I've known and known of Mark for more than twenty years, and couldn't have chosen a better person to write the foreword to
Hunting Down Saddam.
And I might add, a fortuitous choice it was, as the group of soldiers he worked with on a daily basis were the ones who found and captured Saddam, the only proper ending for this book.

Thanks to MG David Petraeus, commander of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), who gave me an interesting briefing on Mosul and the problems he and his troops were experiencing at the time. He provided an overview of the actions of his group, from the time they crossed over into Iraq from Kuwait until the time they took over Mosul from the Green Berets who had liberated the city.

And thanks to COL “Smokin' Joe” Anderson, commander of the Strike Brigade of the 101st. He deserves great recognition for his part in the demise of Saddam's sons and for his contributions and expertise regarding this historic U.S. Army division.

Heartfelt thanks to LTC Steve Russell and the men of the 1-22 Infantry, 4th ID. When I was leaving FOB Ironhorse in Tikrit, LTC Russell pressed a disc in my hand. He had kept copies of detailed letters he'd sent home, chronicling the war through his and his soldiers' eyes. His letters were an extraordinarily personal glimpse into the war. Understanding the immense value of his words, LTC Russell granted permission to include his letters in the book.

Thanks to Colonel Bob Morris, without whom I would not have been able to make the trip into Iraq, nor have obtained important information on Operation RED DAWN in time. When I learned the Special Forces couldn't sponsor my trip to Iraq on account of my having Parkinson's disease, my longtime friend COL Morris was the man I turned to. Within twenty-four hours, he had arranged full accreditation, visas, and charter airline reservations, and his Partner's International Organization hosted me. Moreover, he quickly arranged my interviews with the 101st Airborne, the 82nd Airborne, and the 4th ID in Iraq. After the capture of Saddam, COL Morris stepped in once again and helped to arrange interviews with the soldiers from the 4th ID, whose accounts of Operation RED DAWN are a vital part of this book. Thanks also go to Captain Allen Roper in Iraq for organizing the Operation RED DAWN telephone interviews, and personally transcribing some.

I would also like to thank Andrew McAleer, a longtime friend, top-notch lawyer, and fellow author who gave up his weekend to notarize documents for my accreditation, without which I would have been stuck.

There are many men in the Special Forces community who also deserve mention and thanks for their invaluable aid—everything from first-rate information to their advice and support during the writing phase. In no particular order, I thank Major (MAJ) Steve Stone (Special Forces, Retired) and the Brothers at the Chapter 38 Team House—their communications network and countless assistance were invaluable. Colonel Michael S. Repass, commander of the 10th Group—an old friend who arranged interviews with members of the 10th Group and 3rd Group stationed there. MAJ Doug Hall—the 10th Group PAO (Public Affairs Officer) who graciously hosted me at Fort Carson, Colorado, and served as a reader and fact checker on an earlier draft of the book. Likewise MAJ Howard, 10th Group, who also provided the excellent briefing on the Special Forces efforts at the beginning of the war. Captain Sean Williams, MAJ Howard's aide at Fort Carson, was a great help while I was there in June 2003. And Sergeant Major (SGM) Tim Strong, who provided much of the layout of the Special Forces mission in northern Iraq. Thanks go as well to LTC Christopher Haas, 5th Group, who described in detail the endeavors of his Special Forces soldiers—from the moment they crossed the berm until the time they converted from warriors to nation builders.

Gratitude is also in order for LTC Angus Taverner, Media Operations Officer for the Ministry of Defence, for his assistance regarding Her Majesty's forces, Lynn and Rachel Thompson, Brigadier General (BG) David P. Burford, Peter Lofgren, Sergeant Major (Retired) William Boggs, Gean Duran (for the “Ace in the Hole”), Sini McKeon, Major General Ken Bowra, and “Wild Bill” Garrison, and all of the PAOs in Iraq who provided escort duty and sightseeing services while I was in the war zone. All of you helped in many important ways to make this book project a reality—from start to finish.

Last, but certainly not least, I must thank my surgeon Dr. Michael Reinhorn and the doctors and staff at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts, who saved my life in mid-January, just as we finished the last page of this book. I'd been in a bit of pain for several days, but passed it off as “book indigestion.” I was determined we'd meet our deadline. But by that Sunday morning, I was doubled over. After a series of X rays in the emergency room, I was told I had an intestinal blockage and could return home to take a large dose of castor oil. Two hours later there was frantic pounding at my door. A doctor friend, Charlie Maliss, shouted that I must get to the hospital, NOW! My white blood cell count reflected a critical stage of infection. The new diagnosis was a badly infected gall bladder. When my friend Paul Tessier, MD (Special Forces, Retired), heard the news, he immediately drove to the hospital from Maine to be at my side, where he stayed until my discharge. For his wise counsel and steady humor, I am much appreciative. My daughter Margo also dropped everything, including her own sick child, to be with me.

Gallons of antibiotics and the removal of one gangrenous gall bladder later, I am grateful to be able to thank them all.

PROLOGUE

A Special Forces funeral always brings me to tears, and this was no exception. I was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), who had been deployed in Iraq since they left Afghanistan in May of 2002, and who were the first to go into Iraq before the war was officially declared.

We were here to honor and pay our respects to two Special Forces soldiers who had been killed in a predawn firefight in the Iraqi town of Ramadi, about seventy miles from Baghdad. Seven others from the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group were wounded in the raid.

The Special Forces motto,
De Oppresso Liber,
or “To Liberate the Oppressed,” was embodied in the deeds of these two fine soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice: freeing people from tyranny and oppression—first from the Taliban, and now from Saddam Hussein, and at the expense of their own lives.

Sergeant Major Kenneth W. Barriger was asked to take the roll call of the team of Green Berets to which the fallen soldiers belonged.

As he read off their names one by one, the men attending the funeral of their lost friends replied: “Here, Sergeant Major.”

Finally, the sergeant major called the name of Sergeant First Class William Bennett, but there was no reply from the team.

Once again, Sergeant Major Barriger called out “Sergeant First Class Bill Bennett.”

Again—no answer.

After a long silence, the sergeant major called out the name of another member of the team.