ROUTE TAMPA, IRAQ — Troops with the 505th Transportation Battalion conducting convey security operations found an object nearly two years ago that appeared to be an IED and requested an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team, but sources confirmed Monday they are beginning to wonder if the EOD team they requested will ever show up.
Unofficially coined Camp Hope, Convoy Commander Sgt. First Class Fernando Perdido has presided for 23 months and 6 days over a scene that could be taken directly from the movie Deliverance. Remaining optimistic, he reassures his troops with a steady mantra: "They should be here any time now."
Perdido, very familiar with the lengthy times associated with EOD response, laughs off any naysayer who may somehow "know" that nobody is coming. "They're probably just finishing a 'Stairway To Heaven' Solo on Guitar Hero," retorts Perdido.
Members of the battalion are adamant about not violating their 1st General Order to "Guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved." The unit insists they are there to stay until EOD arrives.
