On May 9, 2005, a supply convoy left the U.S. military air base at Al Asad, Iraq.
While the vehicles were passing near the city of Hit, 170 kilometers (105 mi) northwest of Baghdad, the insurgents struck.
Insurgent propaganda footage showed burning trucks and SUV's with bodies littering the streets.
This raised the public debate in Japan to new heights whether Japanese troops should stay in Iraq or leave.
We did go back in the morning again to see if we could gather anymore intel and to set a counter ambush once we pulled out.
Later debriefings at the Distribution center established that Akihiko Saito was killed by a bullet to the back of his head while attempting[5] to fight his way out of the ambush.