Ain't no cure for the summertime blues

July was a good month overall. It went by fast because we were busy, and that is a good thing.

On 1 JUL, we entered into a new era here and the Iraqis were given full control of their country. Now they get the chance to demonstrate their ability to take care of themselves. As most of the combat troops move out of the cities and into the rural areas, units were redesignated as "advisory" in nature, and therefore remain in the urban areas to assist the Iraqis, as well as coalition units.

This first month was full of confusion as to what our roles will be, and when/if the Iraqis are willing and/or able to step up and take responsibility. It's too early to tell if they are making progress, but the timetable has been set for our withdrawal. There is a considerable amount of aprehension about their ability to do the job, but at the end of the day, it's their country, and it is time for us to step back and watch. Stay tuned....

The workhorse of the military over here...the HMMWV 1151, aka "Hum Vee". These vehicles have performed wonderfully given the circumstances and the alterations that had to be made to these things. It is a great platform from which to conduct combat operations, as well as general transportation.

Playin' a little "round ball" on a dusty, warm, July day.

Just a shot of a contractor explaining to me what they are working on. "Dude...alright already. It's hot out here". The smart guys are sitting in the shade behind him.


Our tactical operations center (TOC) from the top of the MoI Building.

Yet another birthday that I missed. This one was my daughter's 11th. This is the best I could offer to my daughter this year. Sorry my angel!

This was probably the highlight of my tour so far. Suprisingly, I was promoted from CPT (captain) to MAJ (major). Whatever else happens to me in my career, I will always be able to say that I was promoted in a combat zone. To us "war fighters" that's a nice thing to be able to say. The downside was that my family was unable to see it happen.

In this shot, my boss was saying a few opening remarks about the work I've done, the sacrifices me and my family have made, and the future expectations of a field grade officer. Blah, blah, blah; just pin me and pay me!

This is me reciting my Oath.

My first moments as a US Army Major. Those that know me well are probably just as suprised as I was!

Hey, I'm on TV

This is my first attempt at placing a video on this blog. If it works, I'll try to include more.

Me and a guy from my group are walking off the installation. He has a special camera that mounts to his body armor, but he can't tell if it's working, so he asks me to take a look. I guess it was working...

Baghdad at night...soldier's delight

Believe it or not, the city of Baghdad doesn't look that much different than a lot of urban areas in the states. The main difference is that there are cement walls (T-walls) all over the place; something not seen back home. But sometimes, at night, if you squint just right, it almost looks...normal? Below are a few shots at night.

The moon and the palm trees.

Convoy returning to our installation as seen from the back of an MRAP.

This is the "street" I live on and the courtyard outside our office.

Baghdad at night.

Weary warriors returning "home".

More moon and more palm tree.

We've Got Some Wheels

The main mode of transportation over here is the greatness of the MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected).

It provides the best protection against the bad guys. Above is a picture of one of ours in the parking lot.

Here's the inside of the MRAP. I hope there's nothing "secret" about this picture. Once you've looked at it, please forget you've seen it. Thanks.

They even let ME drive from time to time. We were only driving on the FOB, so I wasn't required to wear my body armor and helmet.

Here's another shot of our MRAPs in a convoy.

I can't remember what the vehicles are called, but they are generally used by MP (Military Police).

And the workhorse of the Army...the HMMWV (high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle).

More shots of the HMMWV.

Another shot of me driving an MRAP.

Here's a close-up of one of the many variants of the MRAP.

And here's a shot of me riding in the back. This is where you sit when they won't let you drive.

It's All About Me

Here's a shot of me (of course) in front the Crossed Swords in Baghdad.

Very soon, the Iraqi Government is going to remove these Crossed Swords. Rumor has it that the hands on the swords were made from the molds of Saddam Hussein's hands. They have already begun the process of taking them down. Saddam's hands were bigger that I thought. No wonder he had to be removed from power!

Here's a shot (again...of me) at the "Welcome Sign" to our FOB. That's it; nothing more to say about this picture.

And once again, a picture of me (do you see a pattern?) with a coin from my unit back home. Prior to my departure, my boss, LTC Bryant, presented me with this coin and asked me to keep it with me during my deployment and to send a picture back with me holding it. This coin represents all my fellow soldiers from HHC 300th Sustainment Brigade, Grand Prairie TX.

Random shots of the FOB. Here's a view of our Mayor's Cell area where our office (Force Protection) is also located.

Evening at FOB Shield.

Random palm tree on the FOB. My wife loves palm trees, so this picture is just for her.

Fire outside our FOB started by some explosives. Nice.

Night dust storm on FOB Shield.