2009 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives

Superman in Iraq

January 2, 2009: Superheroes in Iraq

Times Online has published a blog by a reporter who visited the 1-244 Assault Helicopter Battalion, currently located in Iraq, who have Superman and other superhero icons representing the various company groups.

    There was no sense of any special powers as I clamboured onboard one of the aircraft and it took off. Even as we cruised over fields and small villages, bouncing slightly in the wind, there was no hint of superhuman-ness.

    It was only when we touched down at an even bigger base that the truth emerged: I was being carted around by a crew of Supermen.

    Literally.

    The Louisiana-based 1-244 Assault Helicopter Battalion is made up of superheroes.

    A-Company, which I was with, is named after Superman, while B-Company is Batman. I am not too sure which comic book hero is associated with C-Company, but D-Company is dedicated to Ironman.

    Specialist Cordell Mallory, 24, a gunner on my helicopter, has been a 'Superman' for six months.

    "It feels awesome," he said. Asked where his red cape was, however, Specialist Mallory admitted: "I left it back home."

    The 'S' logo scrawled across the real Superman's chest is emblazoned on walls around A-Company's headquarters at the Balad military base.

    There is also an action picture of Clark Kent in his Superman garb painted on a concrete slab outside a large dining hall.

You can read the full report at the Times Online website.



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