Convoy Trip in Iraq Mixes Fear, Boredom

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - Being a little bit scared is good. Many Marines say it keeps them sharp during a war in which combat comes in spurts, separated by lengthy bouts of boredom.

A fair amount of fear was in the air as a convoy of six Humvees made the 40-mile journey from Baghdad to Camp Fallujah.

"The IEDs," said Sgt. Andrew Wharton, referring to roadside bombs known in the military as improvised explosive devices. "That's what you've got to be worried about."

"I try not to think about that stuff," he said. "You just try to keep your mind on what you're doing."

Leaning out of the driver's seat of a heavily armored Humvee, Wharton poured coffee he had …