[P-Marlowe]

That may be plausible, but there is no shortage of work in the US for people stupid enough or brave enough to climb 1000 foot towers and change lightbulbs. Those guys make at least $100 per hour. What kind of money could he make in Iraq? Unless he had a military contract he probably couldn't make more than $5 per hour. The people who changed lightbulbs on towers for Saddam weren't all killed in the war. And they would be the first in line to try to get the business after the war and they speak the local language.

Just too weird.

[eastforker]

I have a feeling that type of work was farmed out to the Russians.

[Travis McGee]

I agree with you, I was just postulating his best cover story. And it didn't wash.

[GadareneDemoniac]

Exactly what I've been thinking! I have been personally involved ( on the ground, thank Heaven ) with building and maintaining radio towers, and a hard-working, knowledgeable 26 year old can make all the money he can spend right here in the US. It does require a crew, unless you're just painting a tower or changing out a light, and even then most people have assistance on the ground to help with ropes, etc.
The father is an obvious liar - he or the brother claimed that they would ride around here in the U.S. and stop and climb towers and telephone poles. Every comm. tower I've ever seen had a big, ol' locked fence around it.
This story is fishy as all get out.
What do you think about the people who are claiming that the murdered guy wasn't actually Berg? Is it possible that our officials didn't get positive i.d. of the body when it was returned?

[TheLurkerX]

True enough. Friend of mine used to do it until his brother fell 500 ft. and died.