His company first stopped in Kuwait for a briefing. “Getting there to Kuwait, that was one of the weirdest things,” related K‑pot, who recalled the 150‑degree day. “I remember standing there in the shade watching the thermometer break.”

But he acclimated to his new desert surroundings after his first–not to mention sleepless– night in Baghdad. And he never had to fire a shot, nor dodge one. Instead, he was able to maintain helicopters much like a NASCAR pit crew does for race cars. Sometimes the local citizens helped. He also talked to the kids and played soccer with the adults. “They kicked our butts in soccer,” K‑pot admitted.

Despite the recreational opportunities, the troops could never forget they were at war, K‑pot emphasized. One of his tactics may have prevented an accident or being the target of a grenade. Spoken like a true Valley driver, K‑pot said he switched lanes under a bridge because there was someone in front of him. As a result, he successfully dodged a large scrap of metal that he would have hit in the other lane. Thereafter, changing lanes under each bridge became a defense mechanism against attackers who could throw a grenade, hopfully causing them to miss their target.

K‑pot said U.S. soldiers’ efforts have helped Iraqi families by bringing electricity and running water to the area and opening schools. Additionally, they are training the Iraqi Defense Council to march like American soldiers and learn to protect their own citizens.

Neely also brought in Phoenix Police Detective Steve Rackley and Public Health Programs Manager David Leinenveber to briefly discuss security efforts here in the Valley. Both work with the Homeland Defense Bureau, formed in 2003 to allow the police, fire department, public health and emergency management to work together more seamlessly.

Rackley spoke about the Phoenix‑based Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center, which he called the “fusion center” for 35 local, state and federal agencies in addition to private entities. He advised residents to contact the center if they see or hear anything suspicious that they think could be terrorist related. “All of the information that comes in is evaluated to determine if it’s credible or not,” Rackley said.

Leinenveber assured residents that legitimate leads are investigated and that, even though they might not hear of an arrest following a tip, each tip is important. “It’s amazing how they do this, but they just start connecting those dots,” he said.

To further help residents, the bureau and ACTIC are currently producing a video that addresses the eight signs of possible terrorist activity. Such signs include suspicious surveillance, testing security and questionable people who don’t belong. For more information on the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center, call (602) 644‑5805 or 1‑877‑2SAVEAZ.

Reach the reporter at ambria@thedesertadvocate.com.