Troops in Iraq Shocked by Jackson's Death

Thousands of miles from home, US soldiers and fans of Michael Jackson stationed north of Baghdad expressed shock Friday over the death of the pop legend.

In a massive dining room on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, a short distance from the city of Baquba, soldiers ate their lunch with their eyes fixed on televisions, all of which were set to news channels.

Some of the troops stopped in their tracks, dining trays in hand, as they watched the latest updates: "Death of a music superstar," one channel noted, while another's headline was "The King of Pop is Dead".

"He was a top-notch artist, an entertainer, in my opinion," 51-year-old Derril Jackson from Alabama told AFP. "He was very talented. I grew up listening to his music.

"We are both born in the same year, 1958," he said, before adding: "I'm a Jackson too, but when I go, people won't miss me as they will miss him."

He then noted: "His time had come."

Private 1st Class Theresa Jones, a self-described "big Michael Jackson fan," said she "just saw it now on the TV. I couldn't believe it."

"I was born listening to Michael Jackson," the bespectacled 24-year-old remarked.

"It's sad, he was a musical icon. He did a lot for the music industry and to try to change the world."

Jackson had dark periods in his life -- notably a startling physical transformation and multiple allegations of child abuse -- but Jones said she would choose to remember him in a more positive light.

"He made some mistakes; he had a hard time, but ... he will leave a big legacy behind him," the Texas native said.

Nearby, Charles Johnson, M-16 rifle slung over his shoulder and sunglasses perched on his nose, offered that he "especially liked 'Billie Jean' and 'Beat It'" and was sad to have heard of Jackson's death.

"He did some great music," the 23-year-old private 1st class from New Jersey said. "He'll remain an icon ... I was in shock when I heard."

Several on FOB Warhorse were less interested in the news of Jackson's death.

Tony Wilson, 25, remarked that the only thing he was thinking about was "getting home."

Jeremy Pitcher, a 26-year-old sergeant, chimed in, noting: "Who cares? He was a musician."

"There are so many other things people don't care about. There is an Iranian revolution right now and people care about Michael Jackson!"