Chapter 16
2300, 15 June 2004
Al Asad Air Base
Al Asad, Iraq
At 2300, the temperature held at 115 degrees Fahrenheit inside the concrete hanger built by Sadam Hussein to protect his Russian-made fighters. Mike Beck and the rest of the headquarter Marines sat in rows, sweating and not enjoying their introduction to Iraqi summers. By June of each year, massive hot air masses settled in over central Iraq, fending off any cool air from the north and trapping the occupants in an unmerciful mixture of 120-degree heat and 80 percent humidity.
In an effort to stay cool, most of the Marines took off their flak jackets and battle gear, and some even removed their digital blouses. Beck noticed one exception, a lieutenant colonel that he didn’t know. The nametag said “Campbell.” He kept his helme
