Sunday, June 6, 2010

Assorted Pictures

Me and a bunch of Kurdish Soldiers (Peshmerga) at the checkpoint i was at for 2 days. these guys were diggin' taking pictures.


This rocket landed 100 meters from where i was standing when i was out on this checkpoint. I was on the outside of the compound helping work on a generator when it came in. It actually sounded like a whiffle ball about 2 seconds before it detonated. This type of rocket does not have a very big blast radius (1/2 meter), luckily. It has to score a direct hit to really do anything. But i heard the whiffle-ball sound and looked up right as it exploded. I don't think i ever ran for my protective gear so fast. This stuff usually happens at night, not in the middle of the day. This is what it looked like after it was pulled out of the ground.

The rocket before it was pulled out of the ground.

This picture was taken after only 15 minutes with my body armor on. It was near 110 degrees when we were out filming for that checkpoint story i posted earlier. I filmed for 15 minutes and then went back into the compound and took my gear off.

This was taken late last week when i was on the market walk with the Brigade Commander and his team of advisors and such. This was a juice stand and they made all kinds of smoothies and fruit drinks. But the whole market area was quite colorful like this. I may get some video of the market walk posted later in the week.

Various Pictures


This picture is a view of part of Baghdad. I flew over there on my way to Cobra 10 days ago.


I am not sure what this building is. But it is a lot bigger than it appears. It is probably a mosque of something of that nature.



This is a view of a trafic circle in downtown Baghdad. I think it is some of the only grass i have seen since i got here.



Me looking cool and waiting for the helicopter to refuel.



The view outside of the gunners window of the helicopter.

Cobra



I was out on this checkpoint when the rocket came in. It landed a ways away, but it was a reminder not to be complacent. I am still in a combat zone.

Arrowhead Luau


I put this video together with footage that someone else shot. I was at another base when it took place. But it was fun to put the piece together.