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Interview With U.S. Pilots

Aired April 09, 2003 - 13:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: For the U.S. infantry troops that led the armored charge into Baghdad, the next step for them is spreading out and then watching out for these hidden threats that we keep talking to you about. As he has been from the beginning, our Walt Rogers is with the 3-7th Cavalry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALT RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Within the next 24 hours, The United States Army and Marines are expected to double the amount of real estate they now control in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. There are indications of another brigade of U.S. Army forces moving into the city as well as linkups between the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and the U.S. Marines already in Baghdad.

Having said that overnight, a U.S. Army officer told us -- of senior rank -- that it appears that the majority of Iraqi forces in Baghdad have given up. That does not mean they've surrendered. It does mean, however, they've deserted and gone to ground.

There are intelligence reports suggesting there are some Fedayeen units now which have embedded themselves -- integrated themselves -- into civilian neighborhoods around Baghdad, and it's anticipated there will still be attempts by these Fedayeen and paramilitary groups to ambush any U.S. forces coming into the city -- the aim being, of course, on the part of the remaining Iraqis, to draw American blood.

Having said that, there is also an intelligence report out that suggests the Iraqis are going to be using emergency vehicles -- ambulances and fire engines -- as suicide vehicles to attack U.S. military convoys in Baghdad.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, with the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry on the southern outskirts of Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WOODRUFF: That report filed from Walt Rodgers just a short time ago.

And we want to go quickly to one of our other reporters, but before we do we want to tell you President Bush -- we're learning from our White House correspondents -- watched on television this morning as that statue of Saddam Hussein was about to come down in central Baghdad. We're told the president watched some television coverage, then had to go into a meeting, came out later after the statue was on the ground and commented, "They got it down." He, apparently, continued to watch with great interest -- the White House says -- for a few minutes. His reaction was what was expressed -- they said -- earlier this morning by the White House press secretary, that is, "This remains a time of the utmost caution and the power of freedom." Again, these words coming to us from our White House correspondent.

Joining us now on the telephone is our Gary Tuchman, who's been reporting from an -- I'm sorry, he is not on the phone. We're going to see Gary by video phone. He's at an air base near the Iraqi border.

Gary, bring us the latest from where you are.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Judy, it is a telephone of sorts -- just with video attached to it so we do come to you live via video phone.

We want to tell you -- for the first time, we are seeing a marked decrease in the number of sorties from this air base, down 30 percent from the peak of this war. There is still 24-hour air cover over Baghdad but fewer planes are going there and far fewer bombs and missiles because of the coalition troops on the ground.

With us now, two pilots just back from Baghdad within the last hour -- just flew a mission over there. Lieutenant Colonel Mike Webb (ph) next to me. Lieutenant Colonel Mike Walders (ph) next to him. They have gone on 22 combat missions together during this war -- separate planes on the A-10 behind us right there. That's the plane parked in the apron. They follow each other as they fly their mission.

First of all, Lieutenant Colonel, tell me what the scene was like over Baghdad just now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just left Baghdad about an hour and a half ago just as the sun was setting. We were over the northeast sector on the Marine side, and we were talking to ground controllers who trust our work quite a bit with urban purser (ph) support. And as we were leaving, they were having a block party.

There was Marines on the ground with Bradleys, Humvees, and about 800 Iraqi citizens celebrating the defeat of Saddam.

TUCHMAN: What were they saying to you on the radio?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They just said that they were celebrating and rejoicing for the freedom that they were experiencing.

TUCHMAN: Colonel, let me ask you. How did that feel when you heard that on the radio?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we were very pleased. Most of the missions we've been on we've had to destroy targets, and this is one time where all we did was just watch and now protect over our troops that were there and make sure that nobody was coming in that they couldn't see. So we were just checking out the area around them to make sure that no one was coming in to attack.

TUCHMAN: Emotionally, how do you feel right now? You've flown scores of missions, risked your life. How are you feeling at this point? You've seen some of the TV coverage. You've seen it in person over Baghdad.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very pleased. We don't really want to go out and kill people if we don't have to so, right now, we're feeling pretty happy about the fact that this is winding down. We're all ready to go back and be with our children and our family.

TUCHMAN: I have a question for you, Colonel. Are you flying less missions now -- fewer sorties?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are flying a few less sorties. We are definitely dropping less munitions in and around the Baghdad area. But the American people should remember that it's not over yet. We've won the war. We just need to win the peace now.

TUCHMAN: Lieutenant Colonels, thank you very much for joining us.

We do want to update our viewers about a couple of other things going on. The search continues for two F-15E Schwike (ph) Eagle pilots. These U.S. pilots have been missing since Sunday morning. It's not clear if their plane went down from Iraqi fire, an accident, a pilot error, but the search continues in northern Iraq for those two pilots.

Then there was an A-10 from here that went down yesterday morning. The plane was shot down by Iraqi fire. However, the pilot dejected safely. He is still recovering at this particular base. His identity is still not being released but we are told he is in good condition with just injuries to his feet. His feet hit the plane as he was dejecting from the plane, and then he was rescued by U.S. Army troops on the ground.

Judy, back to you.

WOODRUFF: Thanks, Gary.

Two things we noted what the pilot said. Number one -- that this war is not over yet. And number two -- they are anxious to get back to their families.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired April 9, 2003 - 13:21   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: For the U.S. infantry troops that led the armored charge into Baghdad, the next step for them is spreading out and then watching out for these hidden threats that we keep talking to you about. As he has been from the beginning, our Walt Rogers is with the 3-7th Cavalry.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALT RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Within the next 24 hours, The United States Army and Marines are expected to double the amount of real estate they now control in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. There are indications of another brigade of U.S. Army forces moving into the city as well as linkups between the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and the U.S. Marines already in Baghdad.

Having said that overnight, a U.S. Army officer told us -- of senior rank -- that it appears that the majority of Iraqi forces in Baghdad have given up. That does not mean they've surrendered. It does mean, however, they've deserted and gone to ground.

There are intelligence reports suggesting there are some Fedayeen units now which have embedded themselves -- integrated themselves -- into civilian neighborhoods around Baghdad, and it's anticipated there will still be attempts by these Fedayeen and paramilitary groups to ambush any U.S. forces coming into the city -- the aim being, of course, on the part of the remaining Iraqis, to draw American blood.

Having said that, there is also an intelligence report out that suggests the Iraqis are going to be using emergency vehicles -- ambulances and fire engines -- as suicide vehicles to attack U.S. military convoys in Baghdad.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, with the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry on the southern outskirts of Baghdad.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WOODRUFF: That report filed from Walt Rodgers just a short time ago.

And we want to go quickly to one of our other reporters, but before we do we want to tell you President Bush -- we're learning from our White House correspondents -- watched on television this morning as that statue of Saddam Hussein was about to come down in central Baghdad. We're told the president watched some television coverage, then had to go into a meeting, came out later after the statue was on the ground and commented, "They got it down." He, apparently, continued to watch with great interest -- the White House says -- for a few minutes. His reaction was what was expressed -- they said -- earlier this morning by the White House press secretary, that is, "This remains a time of the utmost caution and the power of freedom." Again, these words coming to us from our White House correspondent.

Joining us now on the telephone is our Gary Tuchman, who's been reporting from an -- I'm sorry, he is not on the phone. We're going to see Gary by video phone. He's at an air base near the Iraqi border.

Gary, bring us the latest from where you are.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Judy, it is a telephone of sorts -- just with video attached to it so we do come to you live via video phone.

We want to tell you -- for the first time, we are seeing a marked decrease in the number of sorties from this air base, down 30 percent from the peak of this war. There is still 24-hour air cover over Baghdad but fewer planes are going there and far fewer bombs and missiles because of the coalition troops on the ground.

With us now, two pilots just back from Baghdad within the last hour -- just flew a mission over there. Lieutenant Colonel Mike Webb (ph) next to me. Lieutenant Colonel Mike Walders (ph) next to him. They have gone on 22 combat missions together during this war -- separate planes on the A-10 behind us right there. That's the plane parked in the apron. They follow each other as they fly their mission.

First of all, Lieutenant Colonel, tell me what the scene was like over Baghdad just now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We just left Baghdad about an hour and a half ago just as the sun was setting. We were over the northeast sector on the Marine side, and we were talking to ground controllers who trust our work quite a bit with urban purser (ph) support. And as we were leaving, they were having a block party.

There was Marines on the ground with Bradleys, Humvees, and about 800 Iraqi citizens celebrating the defeat of Saddam.

TUCHMAN: What were they saying to you on the radio?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They just said that they were celebrating and rejoicing for the freedom that they were experiencing.

TUCHMAN: Colonel, let me ask you. How did that feel when you heard that on the radio?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we were very pleased. Most of the missions we've been on we've had to destroy targets, and this is one time where all we did was just watch and now protect over our troops that were there and make sure that nobody was coming in that they couldn't see. So we were just checking out the area around them to make sure that no one was coming in to attack.

TUCHMAN: Emotionally, how do you feel right now? You've flown scores of missions, risked your life. How are you feeling at this point? You've seen some of the TV coverage. You've seen it in person over Baghdad.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Very pleased. We don't really want to go out and kill people if we don't have to so, right now, we're feeling pretty happy about the fact that this is winding down. We're all ready to go back and be with our children and our family.

TUCHMAN: I have a question for you, Colonel. Are you flying less missions now -- fewer sorties?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are flying a few less sorties. We are definitely dropping less munitions in and around the Baghdad area. But the American people should remember that it's not over yet. We've won the war. We just need to win the peace now.

TUCHMAN: Lieutenant Colonels, thank you very much for joining us.

We do want to update our viewers about a couple of other things going on. The search continues for two F-15E Schwike (ph) Eagle pilots. These U.S. pilots have been missing since Sunday morning. It's not clear if their plane went down from Iraqi fire, an accident, a pilot error, but the search continues in northern Iraq for those two pilots.

Then there was an A-10 from here that went down yesterday morning. The plane was shot down by Iraqi fire. However, the pilot dejected safely. He is still recovering at this particular base. His identity is still not being released but we are told he is in good condition with just injuries to his feet. His feet hit the plane as he was dejecting from the plane, and then he was rescued by U.S. Army troops on the ground.

Judy, back to you.

WOODRUFF: Thanks, Gary.

Two things we noted what the pilot said. Number one -- that this war is not over yet. And number two -- they are anxious to get back to their families.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com