Jane Cook - Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan

Dear Lord, help me never forget that every human being is made in your image. Thank you for the assurance that you are the ultimate judgment of every soul.

“The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” (Obadiah 1:15)

Prior to seeing Saddam, I wondered how I would feel since he was one of the most notorious dictators in our time; it was a curious thing to ponder. When I actually saw him I went into what I think of as “doctor mode.” It almost surprised me to feel pretty much as I always do when I see a new patient for the first time. I treated him as any patient, my duty was to listen and assist in any way I could. One specific time when I did a thyroid exam, it really occurred to me that what I was doing was pretty incredible.

I do the exam standing behind the patient and palpate the thyroid with both hands encircling the patient’s neck so I thought, I wonder how many people have ever had their hands around his neck and lived to tell about it! I recall also thinking when I saw him that his change in status was pretty incredible (dictator to prisoner); going from a position of absolute power and incredible wealth to being a caged human. I worked in one of his palaces and saw some of his other palaces so I had an idea of his wealth.

We spoke some, but primarily through an interpreter and always about strictly clinical matters. He did cooperate with my exams, however there was a period when I was performing the cranial nerve exam where I had him puff out his cheeks, grimace, etc. It seemed he thought that I was perhaps trying to make him appear silly or something because he gave me a kind of stern look like Why are you asking me to do this. I explained to his interpreter and Saddam then looked at me, smiled, placed his hand over his chest and extended his arm as to gesture “go ahead.”

“Father, draw me close and allow me to be someone that fears you, and takes great delight in your commands. I have seen that the wicked man wastes away and his longings have come to nothing. I pray that I would seek out compassion and righteousness and conduct my affairs with justice.”

Read Psalm 112

I initially flew into Baghdad from Ali AL Salem Air Base in Kuwait. I recall the ride out to the plane and boarding and having feelings of “well, this is finally it; all these years of army training and now doing the real thing, going into a combat zone.” It was a somber and reflective time on the flight into Iraq. I remember hoping that everything would be fine on the flight.

One of the pilots of the C-130 asked if I wanted to fly up front in the cockpit. I remember looking down from high above Iraq thinking how bleak the desert looked and why humans ever inhabited this part of the world. Once we got close to Baghdad, the pilots put on their body armor and directed me to do the same. One of the crew was looking out the windows for surface to air missiles, and the plane went into a combat flight mode and dropped like a rock out of the sky. The descent was pretty rapid and in a tight banking maneuver that generated some significant force. I tried to take some pictures but it was difficult due to the gravitational force of the maneuvers. Seemed a bit like a roller coaster ride.

In my role, flying was required for longer distances. Once, flying back to Iraq from a conference in Kuwait, our C-130 was locked on and fired at from the ground. There were explosions and sparks; it looked like fireworks. I could see light briefly from the windows out each side of the aircraft as the flares were deployed. Thankfully, not every flight was as memorable as that one was.

Dear God, please fill me today with your Spirit. In place of fear, please give me your courage and love.

“My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” (Haggai 2:5)

I was impressed by the selfless service of those I served with. They put their lives on the line and remained dedicated to each other and the mission even if there were political decisions behind the mission they did not necessarily support. The self-sacrifice and service was present at many levels. It was inspiring to see selflessness in the face of hardship and physical danger. Firefighters and law enforcement live in a service role and understand the strength and honor that comes from service and sacrifice, but the average citizen misses the benefits of service for the most part.

I believe any time that we participate in some act of selfless service we draw closer to God’s plan and experience his strength while working through adversity. This is most true for those at home. Our families were the true unsung heroes. They were not afforded the recognition but paid the same price. They often do not choose the sacrifice but bear the burden of both the loved one in harm’s way and the weight of keeping the family and home running in our absence. With the uncertainty of not knowing when or if their loved one would return, I believe they showed as much strength and courage as anyone deployed.

I emailed my wife a couple of times a week and called home usually once a week to speak to her and my daughter. I also usually called my parents a couple of times a month. People did reach out to help my wife doing various things around the house and helping out with our daughter. I was struck by the warm outreach of family and friends with whom we had not previously had much contact; their letters, gift packages and other kind gestures comforted me and left a lasting impression upon me. I recall thinking if we each reached out to an acquaintance with the same kind of kindness, what a better world we would live in.

Thank you, Lord, that Jesus was willing to give his life as a ransom for many. By shedding his blood, our sins were forgiven. By his wounds, we were healed. By his resurrection, we have the assurance of eternal life.

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43–45)

“Mark target.” The comment came over the internal communication system from the other crew chief. We were always scanning the environment for threats, and he found something. It was a large weapon with two barrels hidden beneath the palms. Though only a glimpse, it was enough for him to identify what appeared to be an antiaircraft gun. With those words the pilot pressed a key and recorded the GPS location of the gun emplacement. We continued on our mission, and the location was relayed to higher headquarters. An unmanned aerial vehicle was dispatched to the location to reconnoiter and verify. The call came back to the helicopter about twenty minutes later that indeed it was an AA gun emplacement and though unmanned appeared to be operational.

It was destroyed, but it highlighted how vulnerable you can be if you’re not aware of the situation or circumstance you are in. The helicopter had flown right over it. We were all scanning, yet only one in the helicopter saw it.