Tanks! Your welcome...

I love armor, nothing warms the infantryman's heart more than watching these goliaths roll down the street.

Joe Camel

Over four months here and I finally got to see a camel, he was just a baby still so no spitting, yet...

Patrol in the market

These are some of my favorite pictures from patrolling in the city. The body of this animal soon became a delictable treat!

Sometimes, you just get tired of walking...

Back in Action

After a lengthy outtage, we are finally internet capable again! YAY!

Comb the desert

So Every so often we just have to get out of the city and see what we can find, here are some more photos from the cache sweep we executed a few days ago. And yes mom, that is the Euphrates in the background.

2nd Squad

These are the meat-eaters of 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon Company K, real fire-breathers...

Mars?

This is a dust storm in Iraq, these photos have not been altered or tampered with, one was taken with on slow synchro, one with flash on auto, and one with no flash at all. By the way it 5 o'clock in the evening and the sun was still very much in the sky, it was just blotted out by a Mummy-like sand storm.

Chi Time

Sometimes when you're on roof tp security on an overwatch position you just need to take time out of your day and enjoy some hot Chi...

while on this overwatch position four about 5 hours the owner of the house brought us some refreshing hot chi and served us lunch, these people certainly aren't lacking in hospitality.

Where's the video?

Sorry, couple of blogs back I mention posting a video, but because of some technical issue with the computer I have to use I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I'm working on it.

The MOD Squad

Last night was a good night, acting on solid intelligence from a reliable source, 1st squad, my MOD squad went out and picked up a high value individual. Can't mention names but from all the feed back I have received this person was a bad dude responsible for financing terrorism in Iraq. Clockwise from the left: 2nd Lt Nesbitt, LCpl Campbell, LCpl Reid, LCpl Sells, LCpl Boone, Sgt Meily, Pfc Tetro, Pvt Smith.

EOD, boats, and a cache find

Expeditionary in nature, amphibious by doctrine....

We got good intel about a cache of weapons across the river and so into the boats we went. Above you'll see me, a picture of EOD 2 Flanigan, and the boats the Riveron used to give us a lift, plus a little video detailing what happens when you leave weapons laying around for Marines to find....

On the beat...

A Few things about patrolling.
1) Kids love us
2) They love pencils and chocolate more.
3) I have no idea how those two things became the staples of our interaction with locals.

The people here treat us with mild reverence and mostly keep out of our way, and we try to interfere with their daily lives as little as possible. We patrol now mainly as a deterent keeping any possible enemy activity suppressed by allowing them no breathing room, it's a technique but not my favorite.

The thought that counts...

Some time ago my best friend decided I didn't miss home quite enough and sent me a special treat.

Travis tried his best to get Chick-Fil-A to me since none exist in Iraq, but after realizing the transit time would most likely spoil anything he sent I received only an empty cup and bag, thanks buddy!

Takin' care of business

Average day on patrol: Interact with locals kiss hands, shake babies, no wait strike that and reverse it....














If I look like I am in pain its just because the camera caught me at the exact wrong moment.

The Header...

Those of you who have taken the time to gaze at the image which tops this page may have noticed it bears a resemblance, if only mild, to someone very special to me, that is because I designed it. I drew this image because the company was looking for a new logo and when no one else submitted anything I of course put my two cents in. Well her she is: Voodoo is Kilo's nickname and I have always thought of her as being a classy lady. Kilo Company, where the magic happens....

The evolution of the voodoo logo -

A Brand New Day

Welcome to the first edition of my new blog! This is my effort to keep friends and family informed on the happenings here in Iraq. Although I won't be able to divulge all, I will try to keep everyone up to speed.