"Hurry up and wait!" is a term we have learned to understand very literally.
(SALEM, Ore.) - We've been doing everything possible to prepare for our coverage of Oregon Guard soldiers in Iraq that was due to begin this week, but now our reporter, Tim King, has been placed in a holding pattern due to an unforeseen snag with regard to a federal government form that apparently was missed.
This is a temporary delay, of up to 30 days.
Otherwise, the plans are all in order, and Tim's overseas embed with the Oregon Guard has been fully approved with the commands in both Kuwait and Iraq, with travel orders waiting his arrival.
The problem that prevents Tim's departure this week for Kuwait, and ultimately Iraq, involves a government form that has to be filled out to enter Kuwait called an "in-country theater clearance."
"We were hoping nothing would pop up at the last minute that we had neglected to do. Unfortunately, here it is!" said Bonnie King, Salem-News.com Publisher.
"We want to make sure every 'T' is crossed though, so we'll just persevere and get Tim there ASAP. He may also be required to take a course in "Terrorist Training" with the U.S. government. When he went to cover the war in Afghanistan, training was waived as he is a former U.S. Marine, but he may have to complete the training before visiting Iraq."
"Tim's reports mean some of the only up close and personal video news coverage the Oregon soldiers in a number of units based in Iraq would receive during their time there. We hope Tim can still get in within the next 30 days after meeting the additional needs of the government."
Our coverage in Afghanistan last winter lasted for two months and was seen by Internet visitors all over the world and also on the Portland, Oregon FOX station's 10:00 News through Tim's news reports and in two half hour documentaries that aired after Tim's return.
The Oregon Guard has also extended another opportunity for Tim to go with them to Iraq in August. That particular deployment would be a movement of several Oregon National Guard soldiers and Tim would accompany them into Iraq after undergoing 6 days of training at an Army base in Georgia.
Tim's coverage of Oregon Guard activities in Afghanistan was well-received as fair and positive, and concentrated on the mission of the soldiers and their day to day life.
We are genuinely sorry for this delay and we look forward to getting Tim into place and of course we will update you on when the coverage will begin, here.
Salem-News.com Iraq Coverage Put in Holding PatternSalem-News.com