Local soldier killed in Iraq
Web-posted 1/10/2004
The last time Felix Johnson talked to his son he was teasing him about breaking his ankle by falling down some steps.

319th returns home
Web-posted 9/6/2003
The soldiers of the 319th Transportation Company lined up in formation at their Augusta headquarters Friday - this time as Iraq war veterans.

Faith provided light in dark times
Web-posted 9/6/2003
Capt. Mohandas Martin talked about a higher power protecting his soldiers when he addressed them at Friday's homecoming ceremony, and he wasn't talking about the Marines.

Unit returns from duty
Web-posted 8/23/2003
FORT STEWART, Ga. - For nine months, Spc. Tracy Murray dreamed about the day he'd see his family again, and when it came Saturday, that was just how the day unfolded - like a dream.

319th troops are coming home
Web-posted 8/20/2003
The announcement was made during the 319th Transportation Company's morning formation Wednesday in Kuwait. Soon after, phones started ringing on this side of the world.

Burns wants explanation for 319th's long stay
Web-posted 7/21/2003
U.S. Rep. Max Burns wants someone at the Pentagon to tell him why the 319th Transportation Company hasn't come home yet.

Reserves wanting to leave Mideast
Web-posted 7/11/2003
First, they heard it would be May. Then they heard June. Then they thought they had a departure date of July 20. Now, members of the 319th Transportation Company fear they could be in the Middle East as late as September.

Memorial Day bittersweet for 319th Transportation Company families
Web-posted 5/25/2003
While in Kuwait and Iraq, Spc. Tracy Murray has missed almost a third of his daughter's life and the beginning of his son's life. The mechanic from the Army Reserve's 319th Transportation Company and his wife, Khristy, have two children - daughter Tianna, 19 months, and son Christopher, who was born April 20. Spc. Murray didn't learn of his son's birth until April 21, when he called his wife to check on her. Her mother answered the phone and said she was in the hospital.

Reservist packs with care
Web-posted 4/27/2003
Sgt. Kathleen Taylor normally unpacks medical and dental supplies at the Army Reserve Center on Wrightsboro Road - day in, day out. But on top of that, she has been packing - helping pack and ship care packages from home for not only the 319th Transportation Company, but also other service members of different units.

Troops feel at home with pets
Web-posted 4/19/2003
CAMP CHESTY, Iraq - With all the dogs running around Iraq, Marine Maj. Sherri Annan said, it was only a matter of time before she took one in.

Soldier captures state's attention
Web-posted 4/19/2003
ATLANTA - Chris Carter didn't singlehandedly fight America's war with Iraq. News accounts of the Army Ranger captain from Watkinsville, Ga., just made it seem that way.

319th members dream of homecoming
Web-posted 4/15/2003
With the war in Iraq winding down, the pace of work hasn't changed for the truck drivers, but the comfort level has.

Fuel supply lines often hold front-line dangers
Web-posted 4/12/2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Two Humvees pulled up beside a fuel truck parked on the street outside a crumbling complex of abandoned buildings and warehouses, which Marines from a supply company had converted overnight into a fortress and a gas station.

Marines stay wary despite Iraqi friendliness
Web-posted 4/10/2003
BAGHDAD, Iraq - The cardboard signs read, "Spring Break 2003." It's a popular joke among young Marines throughout the war - the signs decorate the grilles of numerous Marine supply trucks.

Reporter sees Iraqi joy
Web-posted 4/10/2003
The following is an interview that took place between Johnny Edwards and Augusta Chronicle City Editor Steve Crawford on Wednesday morning:

319th unit takes cover from snipers in new camp
Web-posted 4/7/2003
CAMP CHESTY, Iraq - The 319th Transportation Company's remaining fleet delivered nearly 150,000 gallons of fuel Monday to a Marine camp south of Baghdad, then spent the night at the camp to avoid passing through any Iraqi villages at night.

Increasing heat testing 319th
Web-posted 4/6/2003
REFUELING POINT ANDERSON, Iraq - As American forces worked to take Baghdad on Saturday, the 319th Transportation Company's fleet was at the fuel depot in central Iraq that is as close to the front lines as the company has been.

Barnwell soldier is killed
Web-posted 4/6/2003
BARNWELL, S.C. - The waiting came to an end Saturday for the family of Sgt. George E. Buggs.

319th's latest problem is litter
Web-posted 4/5/2003
CAMP VIPER, Iraq - Troops moving through Iraq are leaving behind a not-so-pretty touch of home.

Relatives box items for soldiers of 319th
Web-posted 4/5/2003
Kathy Temple of Aiken kept a picture of her 22-year-old son Trent taped to her shirt during a gathering Friday of family members of the 319th Transport Company, now in Iraq.

Prepackaged meals keep soldiers full, not satisfied
Web-posted 4/4/2003
CAMP VIPER, Iraq - Spc. Michael Green, 46, is an Army cook trained to prepare large amounts of food for large numbers of soldiers on a 24-hour basis.

Members of 319th fight disease
Web-posted 4/2/2003
CAMP VIPER, Iraq - With the weather warming, American troops have another indigenous enemy to contend with in Iraq - bugs.

Families gather items for soldiers
Web-posted 4/2/2003
Family members of the Army Reserve 319th Transportation Company will gather Friday night to put together care packages to send to their loved ones in Iraq.

Soldiers keep singing, keep rolling
Web-posted 4/1/2003
CENTRAL IRAQ - Pfc. John Michael Brown turned the tanker truck off the dirt road and began steering seven tons of metal, tires and petroleum down a steep incline.

Tanker truck wrecks hurt 3 soldiers in 319th
Web-posted 3/29/2003
CENTRAL IRAQ - Two tanker trucks crashed Saturday night as a convoy moved through darkness and dust, injuring three 319th Transportation Company soldiers, who were flown from the area by medical helicopters.

Enemy attack erupts around 319th convoy
Web-posted 3/28/2003
CAMP VIPER, Iraq - During a fuel hauling mission that lasted nearly four days, 319th Transportation Company trucks took enemy fire in an ambush attempt, and at one point were in the midst of a firefight at a depot close to the front lines.

Long hours, fears of ambush keep 319th on edge
Web-posted 3/26/2003
CAMP VIPER, Iraq - The majority of the 319th Transportation Company's truck drivers have been on the road for more than 60 hours straight, delivering much-needed fuel to Marines advancing toward Baghdad.

Sandstorm offers gritty taste of desert life
Web-posted 3/26/2003
CAMP VIPER, Iraq - The sandstorm started at about 9 a.m. Tuesday and refused to let up.

Road to Camp Viper was rough on 319th
Web-posted 3/24/2003
CAMP VIPER, Iraq - With truck tires and helicopter blades kicking up sand, Camp Viper is seemingly in a never-ending dust storm.

319th sets up camp amid carnage from '91
Web-posted 3/23/2003
CAMP VIPER, Iraq - Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Fields parked his Humvee on a strip of asphalt and sat waiting for two Marine Chinook helicopters to move out ahead of him.