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The video,
shot on Sept. 20, 2005 by KBR truck driver Preston Wheeler, shows what
initially appears to be a routine convoy of sixteen-wheeler trucks
delivering supplies to U.S. troops.
It later
becomes apparent that the convoy is on the wrong road because the road
map provided by KBR and the military was incorrect.
"We made a wrong turn.
Our military took us the wrong way," Wheeler tells his camera. A soldier
is heard on the radio saying, "My map is evidently wrong."
So, the
convoy was forced to turn-around and head back through the same town
that greeted the convoy with "raining rocks" only a few minutes earlier.
"We're going back through hell," Wheeler laments.
He nervously comments on
the danger that awaits him and his fellow truckers by saying, "This is
gonna be one good video right here, boy ... it's gonna be good."
After the convoy began
retracing its route to find the correct road, Wheeler's ominous
prediction of imminent danger was proven correct by erupting gunfire and
exploding bombs, proving resistance fighters prepared for the convoy's
return through the town.
Suddenly, a bomb explodes and a bullet hole is seen in Wheeler's
windshield. "God d**n, IED on the left side!" he reports to the military
on the radio, referring to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that have
claimed hundreds of American lives. Small arms fire is heard again.
"Jesus Christ!" Wheeler cries. "Help us all, Lord!"
One of the truckers on the radio can be heard saying, "I'm hit, I'm
hit!"
As gunfire pounds the convoy, a soldier is heard on the radio
confidently saying, "Keep moving guys! Get out of the kill zone!"
Wheeler proclaims "I got it on video, by God!" Again, he says, "God,
help us all, Lord!"
Moments later, Wheeler calls for help because enemy fire has forced his
truck to stall. In fact, the entire convoy is stalled and taking
pot-shots by the resistance. An IED has caused a truck to overturn ahead
of Wheeler's truck.
"I am down!" Wheeler screams into the radio. Small
arms fire continues. "Truck Five cannot move!" he says. "Please help me!
I'm taking fire!"
Realizing no help is
coming as enemy fire continues, Wheeler narrates for his camera, saying,
"You're damn right I'm scared! I'm going home when this shit's done!
When this shit's done, I'm f***ing out of here!"
As small arms fire intensifies against the truck ahead, Wheeler
witnesses the killing of a fellow driver ahead of him. He screams into
the radio, "They just killed him! Oh Jesus! Oh, my God!"
Three KBR truck drivers
were killed that day. They are Keven Dagit, 42 (in truck 3), of
Jefferson, Iowa; Christopher Lem, 40, (in truck 1) of Lyndon Station,
Wisconsin; and Sascha Grenner-Case (in truck 4) of Sierra Vista,
Arizona.
Wheeler, who lives in Arkansas, was shot and barely survived.
Two other drivers, including Terry Steward (in truck 2) of Idaho, were
also injured.
Wheeler was shot twice,
but was able to escape and upon returning home was
FIRED
by Halliburton for getting injured on the job.
Halliburton threatened
Wheeler, telling him to never mention this incident again, however they
didn't know Wheeler video taped the event.
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