We Got Him! A Memoir of the Hunt and Capture of Saddam Hussein by LTC Steve Russell

LTC (Retired) Steve Russell has written a book that captures the intensity of the firefights, the emotional hardship of dealing with losing soldiers in battle and his pride in those soldiers who served under him and beside him during his deployment to Iraq.  His faith in God, his faith in his soldiers and their training bring them through difficult times and you as a reader are right there beside them.

During this deployment, the LTC was actively hunting down Saddam Hussein.  In the months leading up to Saddam's capture you see how the insurgents are dealt with, giving them no moral victories in which to rejoice over!

One particular attitude that was expressed several times in the book really stuck with me. 

"With casualties and equipment secure, we quickly recovered everything from the scene.  My men knew I wanted no damaged vehicles to linger after an attack.  Insurgents would never dance on American equipment.  Ever.  We would kill anyone who tried.  I would not tolerate a burning hulk from my command on display before a gloating enemy or illustrating some disingenuous, concerned commentary from an evening news reporter."

Russell manages to turn the attitudes of the press around in his favor as they embed with him.  I asked him how this came about.

I had learned in Kosovo and Afghanistan that the key was relationships with the press. I had learned the hard way but in those earlier days found that reporters like Ann Garrels and Dana Priest could be fair if given the right exposure. The press is automatically suspicious and assume that they are only being shown what you want them to see.

I looked at the press as neutral ground that was up for grabs by either the enemy or us. Every time I gave an interview I had a couple of things in the back of my mind: what will Bubba sipping a Budweiser back in Bowlegs, Oklahoma think about whether we will win and how can I make sure the enemy sees our confidence to know we were coming after him.

I developed very close relationships with many of those that spent time with us and once they learned to trust me to give them good info and take them places, they literally began to report the news rather than make it. Brian Bennett, Kim Dozier and Greg Palkott were ones that did a superb job of this, not to mention the rotating AP, AFP and EPA reporters that covered us throughout. The key was that we kept our best ops secret while conveying to the enemy that they were next. When the press covered our successful raids, it literally took the enemy down a notch and made them more cautious. When we took it on the chin, we had to show that we were still there and were not going away.

The press also recognized that we were more than just talk. They sensed that we were on to something and hung in there with us. It paid off for them as well. They also respected the delicate balance on covering our ops by carefully concealing the special operations teams even though they would be right there with us. They knew the rules about that. No pics, no interviews. But the mere fact that we were working so close together lent credence to the importance of what we all were doing.

We learn about the different "layers" involved in those who are protecting Saddam.  The first layer and smallest was "Saddam's Special Bodyguard".  Then came "The Forty" and finally a third layer known as "Saddam's Special Soldier Units."  Raids were made at night against these groups and also those who landed on the "Black List" the infamous "deck of cards."  Patrols were carried out daily, in vehicles and on foot.  They literally took back Tikrit from the insurgents.

Others who have reviewed this book describe it as "gripping" which I would say is an understatement.  I really detest knowing how a book ends before I finish it, yet not with this book!  I found myself looking back to the beginning to check the date that Saddam was captured.  Are we almost there yet?  How many more months, weeks and finally days before I find out just how they get him!!  I could NOT put this book down!