Like all Americans, Lee Turner is horrified and concerned when he hears the news of how American soldiers are being treated in the hand of their Iraqi captors. As Operation Iraqi Freedom intensified in recent days, the world was shocked at the gruesome pictures shown of captured American personnel who, some speculate, were murdered. Others remain in captivity, as well.

Turner, 44, of Waukesha, said the soldiers are relying on their training and likely thinking of home during their imprisonment. Turner, a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran, flew post-combat missions over the southern Iraq no-fly zone in 1995 and 1998. As part of his preparation, Turner underwent the Survival Invasion Resistance and Escape training course to understand how to react if he ever fell into enemy hands and cope with a scenario that for most is beyond a nightmare.

"They basically told you how to handle things if you were found in enemy territory, how to avoid capture,if possible, and if you were captured, how to cope with that," Turner said. "You kind of see some of this on the news. Certainly you want to provide as little information as you can. Every person kind of has their own breaking point so they try to get you to understand where that breaking point is.

"You try to resist giving information or helping the enemy until you reach a breaking point, then provide some information, if you had, then stop providing it again." Turner said soldiers thought about things like home and being with their families "so you have a place to go if you are ever held in captivity."

Turner flew patrol missions over Iraq's southern no-fly zone and never had to use any weapons and never was fired upon. Occasionally Turner would pick up radar, but his missions were usually to photograph surface installations, buildings and antennas.

Turner said it is tough knowing that coalition forces had to return to Iraq, but he points out that the mission of the first Gulf War was accomplished- the liberation of Kuwait. The early days of this conflict resembled that of Desert Storm. But Turner said the difference now is that the war is one where Iraqi troops are trying to blend in with civilians and bring the fight into the cities, where the first was open desert and tank-to-tank battles.

"The first thought that comes to mind is I hope they are able to complete the mission quickly," Tuner said. "For the last few days, especially over the weekend, I think for most people the reality of it has hit home. It would be nice to have a nice clean antiseptic war but I don't think there is such a thing."

Turner said he, too, is concerned about the possible use of chemical weapons against coalition forces. "I think the potential is definitely there," he said. "That's what this is all about. A lot of people debated a long time whether there were chemical weapons or not. I have strong faith in the government that they wouldn't be doing this unless they had information that in fact Iraq had chemical and biological weapons."

Turner said technology is easing the separation troops feel when away from their families. When he first deployed in 1981 aboard Navy ships, the only means of communication was by letter, which would take weeks to get delivered. But when Turner flew missions in 1995, there was e-mail access and phone calling cards. By 1998, e-mails could be sent and received virtually overnight, he said. That helped Turner stay in frequent contact with his wife, Jolene, and daughters Allie and Maddie. Now Turner also has a son, Sam, and in this Iraqi conflict, he can stay at home with his family, knowing what the troops face and hoping his children will not have to do the same.