Iowa Guardsmen Are Proud but Disappointed

Tour Extended by Bush Plan Is a Sacrifice Keenly Felt, Battalion Commander Says

Spec. Jesse Espinosa of the Iowa National Guard prepares the gun in the turret of his armored vehicle at a base in western Iraq. Espinosa's unit is being kept in Iraq for up to 125 more days. (By Christian Davenport -- The Washington Post)

AL ASAD, Iraq -- Army Spec. Jesse Espinosa figured he was down to just six more missions off this base west of Baghdad. Six more missions in the turret of his armored vehicle, fingertip at the trigger, performing duty so dangerous soldiers here liken it to Russian roulette: providing convoy security along supply routes in deadly Anbar province.

Six more missions, then home to his wife, three children and civilian job as a cook in Bricelyn, Minn.

But all that has to wait.

The deployment of his unit, the Iowa National Guard's 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, was recently extended for up to 125 days because of President Bush's decision to temporarily increase troop levels in Iraq. Like many of his fellow soldiers, Espinosa, 24, was upset because "almost every mission we see at least one" roadside bomb, he said. Although most times, the soldiers are able to spot them before they blow up, he said.

Now, instead of getting back by March, his homecoming will likely be July or August. And instead of six, Espinosa, has about 40 more missions to go.

The Iowa guardsmen have accepted the extended duty, while absorbing the anxieties of their families, said Lt. Col. Benjamin J. Corell, the battalion commander. "You won't find anyone ready to throw in the towel and walk away from what they're doing," he said. "They're proud of their sacrifice."

But that sacrifice is being acutely felt -- here and at home, he acknowledged. "There's a balance there that somehow we have to keep. Because we're crossing the line of what they're willing to sacrifice. And that's a concern. I'm not saying the sky is falling. But families have a big say in whether our soldiers continue their membership in the Guard."

The extension comes as military officials are adjusting the way Guard and reserve units are used. Since the Sept.11, 2001, attacks, some have been called up for multiple tours, and military officials have worried that they are being stretched too thin. Recently, the Pentagon announced that the reserve components would be called on more often to support their active-duty counterparts, but for shorter tours.

For the Iowa Guard soldiers, many of whom are on their second tour since the Iraq war began, the extension means another four months at this base west of Baghdad. It's a world away from home despite comforts that have earned it the nickname "Camp Cupcake": a recreation center with pool tables, all-you-can-eat chow halls and relatively few mortar attacks.

But it also means more trips escorting supplies along desert roads dotted with improvised explosive devices, the roadside bombs known as IEDs.

"Every time they go out, they're going to find an IED," Lt. Randy Hartley said.

Two of the battalion's soldiers were killed when their convoy came under attack in September. Their photos hang in the battalion headquarters, along with those of 11 others from the brigade who have been killed across Iraq. Five of the battalion's soldiers were wounded and flown home for treatment, said Lt. Matthew Parrino.