Chasing Phantoms Across Afghanistan
The Untold War
Chasing Phantoms Across Afghanistan
By David Zucchino
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Sunday 29 December 2002
[My favorite part is extracted below. -Thomas]
Missing was the power-steering pump for the disabled Humvee.
Over the radio, they were told that their request for the pump had been denied because the Humvee could be driven without it. The men were incredulous. Trying to drive icy mountain switchbacks at high altitudes without power steering or power brakes would be suicidal.
Again, they were running up against ground truth.
“They have no idea what the conditions are really like,” Dan said. He paused and added: “Hell, we didn’t know how difficult the conditions were till we got out here.”
Finally, Dave, the captain, decided to repair the Humvee himself. Using parachute cord, he managed to connect engine fans to cool the engine and pump power-steering fluid.