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American Morning
Look at Reaction Among Men and Women of America's Armed Forces to President's Remarks
Aired January 30, 2002 - 08:10 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.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: On to Afghanistan now and the front line in the war against terror -- at least the front line for now. Martin Savidge joins us from Kandahar, along with some of the troops that the president referred to last night in his State of the Union address. Marty, good to see you. What was the reaction among the men and women of America's armed forces to the commander in chief's remarks last evening?
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Well the reaction from the forces they are always in support of the commander in chief. Jack, one thing I've got to point out to you here. We are virtually in a news black hole here, us and the troops. So none of them had the opportunity to sit down to listen to the president's words. They have not even had an opportunity to see a newspaper in several weeks here. So any indication that was coming from the president is sort of passed from mouth to mouth along the line.
Let me tell you a little bit about where we are in our never- ending quest to try to show you different elements and aspects of the Kandahar Airport here and the U.S. military operation. Brings us to this rather quiet, sequestered, lonely spot at the edge of the airport. You can see from up here, you've got a great view. This used to be the headquarters for the Soviets and their helicopter squadrons. The remnants of the helicopter squadrons spread out before your feet there. They've seen better days from the tough times they've had here.
This is also known now officially as the Hilton. Not necessarily the Hilton hotel, it is done as sort of a play on words because it is to be considered one of the best spots in all of the base. It is also home to the scouts, the 101st Airborne sniper team. Say hello, everyone, to Jake Anderson, and on his other side there is Vinnie Adler (ph). And they are the snipers of the 101st -- Jake, tell us a bit about what it is you do.
JAKE ANDERSON: Right now, all we really do is pull security, mainly observe and report what we see. That's about it.
SAVIDGE: But you are the shooter, right?
ANDERSON: That's right.
SAVIDGE: Show us some of what you've got here. What's the hardware that you use and describe it to us if you would.
ANDERSON: This is an M-24, it's basically a 308 Remington 700. It's got an M-3 alpha, 10 power (UNINTELLIGIBLE). It holds -- it's (UNINTELLIGIBLE); it holds six rounds, five in the internal magazine and one in the chamber (UNINTELLIGIBLE). A real reliable weapon.
SAVIDGE: Ever fire on anyone in anger?
ANDERSON: No. In anger? No.
SAVIDGE: Have you ever had to fire it on anyone period?
ANDERSON: Period? No, no.
SAVIDGE: What if that time came?
ANDERSON: I hope I will -- I will do the right thing.
SAVIDGE: What's the technique for a sniper? Do you have to be relaxed? How do you do that and what is the whole process?
ANDERSON: As far as being relaxed, breathing is important. Control your breathing, take the shot in the lull between breaths. And, basically, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) focus on your point of -- point of aim and be relaxed.
SAVIDGE: Let me bring in the other element of the team, and that is Vinnie Adler there. Vinnie, tell us exactly, what is your role here? You're sort of the partners -- you two guys have been together for some time now.
VINNIE ADLER: Right, I'm the spotter. I just help observe acquired targets, give them corrections, windage (ph), elevation range. If there's a correction that needs to be made, then I help them out with that.
SAVIDGE: What have you been seeing out here at night?
ADLER: Just a few guys collecting firewood and some camels, dogs, kids, that's about the gist of it.
SAVIDGE: Let me ask you this. Last night, the president in his State of the Union address was talking about the war against terrorism possibly moving on. Leaving Afghanistan, perhaps Iraq, perhaps Yemen, perhaps Somalia. As soldiers that would do the fighting, what would your thoughts be?
ANDERSON: Yeah, that sounds good. Let's go.
SAVIDGE: You're all for it, Vinnie?
ADLER: Yeah, I'm ready to do the job that needs to be done. So whatever the president wants us to do.
SAVIDGE: Well, there you have it, Jack. Not only coming from those in the front line, but those that have a very different job. The role of a sniper is a very personal one when going up against the enemy that may come across their crosshairs -- Jack.
CAFFERTY: That's great stuff. Marty Savidge, live at Kandahar. Those two young guys and the men and women like them are the reason that the terrorists will never win -- ever.
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