Anyhoo, life is going well in Iraq. At the moment I am on one of the "up-swings." Typically life in Iraq can be broken down into four categories:
1.) The Up-Swing:[b] This can be described as any period when things are going well. Usually after I get packages from home, the missions have been going successfully, I've been able to talk to my wife on the phone frequently... basically when I a feel positive about being here.
[b]2.) The Down-Swing: Just the opposite of the up-swing. The missions have been brutal, I haven't talked to my wife for awhile, the heat is getting to me, and the situation seems bleek.
3.) Sheer Boredom: There are moments when you seriously think time is standing still. Usually this occurs when you are tasked with doing some other sh*tbag's job, because for reason he can't do it today. Usually this might be sitting in a guard tower, or standing at a freakin' gate. I don't smoke. Practically everyone smokes. But when I am in these situations, I have the huge urge to smoke. I think it has to do with just wanting SOMETHING to do.
4.) Sheer Terror: Luckily this is the most rare out of the four categories. But it's definitely the lease enjoyable. And it also typically involves someone trying to kill you. It's an odd sensation... knowing someone is actively attempting to snuff you out.
Yeah so right now I am definitely on the up-swing. I haven't been tasked out across the damn countryside, so that means I've been sleeping in my bed most nights. The missions have been relaxed from the insane tempo we had a month ago. And Atrude777 suggested I get a webcam for my wife and I - which I can't believe I hadn't thought of already. What a kick-ass way to talk to her.
The 2006 election ballots just arrived last week. A ton of us did our civic duty and voted. The insane heat is starting to subside... the other night I actually put on my cold weather pants/shirt. We got a new batch of WO1s and 2nd LTs. I was a little surprised they sent them so late during our deployment. In a way, it totally pisses me off. When I was in college and in the national guard, I BEGGED my unit to send to Iraq. "Sorry Specialist, you're place is in college. It ain't gonna happen." While my unit was sitting in the Kuwaiti desert waiting to push into Iraq... I was sitting in economic classes. But now they'll send anyone who requests it. "Wanna go to Iraq? See strange places? Meet strange people? Live in 150 degree heat and endure hell on earth? Well son, you've come to the right person!". So anyway, I was robbed of my war... now I'm stuck with being part of the clean up. Imagine being the soldier that showed up in Normandy on June 7th. Sure you're one of THEM... but you'll never be able to say you stormed the beaches. Sucks.
Here is the flightline as the sun rises to the east. It's still cold out.
A typical random mortar crater. The insurgents typically lob a few poorly aimed mortars in our direction, and then run. But we've gotten pretty good at immediately triangulating the location of the fire and sending someone to go take them out.
A large explosion on the horizon. Most likely EOD doing their 'thang:
This was me on short final coming in over the river:
I just love this photo. It really makes me pissed that I couldn't be apart of OIF 1. You know a lot of people make fun of the "Mission Accomplished" speech, but they really need to simply shut up. Because what these guys did, what nothing short of amazing. They took a force 1/2 the size of what they were expecting, pushed north to Baghdad in record time, and encountered a TOUGH enemy. They didn't simply accomplish the mission - they kicked the mission's ass!
Another photo that I really love. It sort of immensity of the situation. Young men and women, who grew up in relative comfort and safety, and brought half-way around the world, thrown in the middle of an alien culture and expected to be protect those who can't protect themselves.
Some tanks guarding the entrance to one of the many allied HQs in Iraq:
So what do you get when you try and drive a car full of explosives through the main gate? Well Mr Iraqi, you get a special prize! You get a 120mm tank shell shot at you. Congrats and enjoy!
Hmm... a good picture of my neck!
I am actually holding the camera. That's my helicopter in the back:
My crew chief took this photo. That's me on the left. Personally I enjoy flying left seat over the right. Although we typically alternate between the two frequently... when I am given I choice I'll take the left side any day.
The outer rims of the cities are usually extremely poor and lack proper plumbing, electricity and basic civil services:
My crew chief manning the M240B:
I really like this photo because it shows all of the equipment I wear. First I have my flight suit. I have two types of flightsuits. One is a single piece jumpsuit that I typically wear on colder days. And the other one is a two piece uniform very similar to my desert combat uniform, which I wear on hotter days because it breaths better. I also wear my desert boots. A good set of gloves (I buy most of my gear from Black Hawk online gear supplier). I have my helmet with the face mask. The mask helps keep sand from getting in my face, nose and mouth. I carry my sidearm in either a shoulder harness or I will wear it strapped to my leg. Depends on my mood. I also wear my flight vest. This has a ton of survival equipment in it. Lastly, when I am flying I have a kneeboard which I keep all of my important papers/mission documents on for easy access. In this photo I am wearing the two piece flight suit
This is a photo of me wearing the single piece flight jumpsuit:
Check out this Polish MI-24 Hind (notice the MI-8 Hips in the background):
Here's the Hind flying along:
It doesn't taste like ketchup:
It doesn't taste like oreos:
It doesn't taste like Pepsi:
It doesn't taste like food! (It's an MRE)
Check out this desert fox. We call him Rommel. (Yeah yeah, I know... we're not very creative)
On days like this, you're so bored, walking into a spinning rotor blade doesn't sound crazy. At least it will give you something to talk about!
Check out the MiG29:
Shhhh... don't tell my wife I am looking at this:
Sure someone you say us soldiers are nothing but Kool-Aid drinkers. You don't know what you're talking about!
Being bored:
You know, we land at these refuel points that are sometimes in the middle of nowhere. And these Bedouins walk out of from the desert and try and sell us stuff. Usually it's total junk, but they're nice people and we give them food and water if we have it.
And Iraqi... dump truck? Wow.
Live rounds, folks. This isn't a joke:
Walking out to the helicopter:
Check out this traffic jam:
Looking out my front window:
Here's a more random photo. This little boy is leaving the funeral of his father who died in Iraq.
If there is one thing I love about Iraq, it's the sunsets.
The sun sets in the west. And west is were home is.
-UH60
Yeah... I definitely married above me
When I am on duty at night, I typically wear my winter hat and gloves.
Great shots UH! Thanks for sharing them! I love the last one. The image of the boy mourning his father is really moving and sad. I can only pray images like that will not be repeated.
It's great to know what's going on from someone that is in Iraq. Now stay safe and don't get injured. 
