NET Special Follows Nebraska Troops In Iraq

If you missed the original broadcast of "On The Frontline: Nebraskans at War in Iraq,” there are still a couple opportunities to catch this compelling program that shows the behind-the-scenes activity of a Nebraska Army National Guard unit in Ramadi, Iraq.

The documentary by reporter Mike Tobias and photojournalist Ray Meints will be show on NET2 (Cox Channel 16) Wednesday, April 25 at 9:30 p.m. CDT on NET1, and again on Sunday, April 29 at 7 p.m. CDT, and Tuesday, May 1 at 9 p.m. on NET2. Tobias is a former KOLN/KGIN reporter while Meints previously worked at WOWT.

In 2005, the pair traveled with 63 soldiers from Troop A of the 1-167 Calvary of the Nebraska Army National Guard unit to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., in the Mojave Desert. There, they prepared for Middle East deployment.

Once in Iraq, the unit's soldiers shot video and photos that are used to tell of the security they provided for brigade commanders, protection for explosive experts dealing with roadside bombs and service as first responders to bombings and other incidents. Through it all, they felt the threat of roadside bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and sniper attacks.

"'On the Frontline' is a very intimate look at modern war and warriors,” Tobias said. “It brings viewers inside the minds and hearts of these soldiers, both on the battlefield in Iraq and as they deal with very serious issues after they return home.”

Though the 1-167 unit is based in Hastings, Neb., the soldiers have connections to cities and towns across the state, including Central City, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha. For some of the soldiers, this marked the third overseas deployment since 2001.

The special also takes a look at how the civilian and family lives of the soldiers were changed by the 18 months of training and active duty assignments. They returned home with honors, as well as physical and emotional scars.

"I saw things that day that I pray that nobody ever, ever has to see," Staff Sgt. Chad Rowe of Lincoln tells Tobias.

This was Tobias’ second trip to a war-torn part of the world. In 2003, he traveled to Bosnia to report on soldiers from the 1-167th Cavalry who were part of the NATO peacekeeping mission.

Excerpts from the program can be seen on YouTube.com, as well as on NET’s website.