The bottom of my shoe to you

In this part of the world showing someone the bottom of your shoes is an insult. You have to be careful how you sit in public. If you cross your legs you should not show you shoe sole to anyone. So when the Iraqi journalist threw the shoe at Bush is was sort of a big insult in a middle eastern way. It has also made the shoe thrower a hero and celebrity in the Muslim world.

The people of Iraq are going to be voting on the new security agreement at the end of January. So hopefully that will go through. There is already talk of troops staying in the cities past the agreed on date of June 30th. They say its to advise and train the Iraqi police. I don't think the people above are going to like that very much and could possibly vote down the security agreement now known as SOFA in January. There are political changes on the horizon for Iraq and the next few months will tell if the new government can handle it.

Human-trafficking at Camp Victory

These are worker from different places in Asia. They came because they paid someone who promised them work and they have no return ticket. They are called TCNs and that stands for Third Country nationals. These are the people that man the Chow hall and clean the bathrooms. The army doesn't man the chow hall here. There is regular army working in the chow hall but they mostly manage it. This picture is of some TCNs who came to work and found that there was no work available. They were staying by the Baghdad airport in a army warehouse. You see these guys on base and they are mostly very nice to everyone. They don't wear IDs they don't eat in the mess hall. I wonder if they even have passports. They come because they can't make money in their country so they come to the Middle East to do the work that no one wants to do. Click-on this link go to the News Story. The company that hired them is called KBR and they are a spin off company of Halliburton which is Dick Cheney's Company. There are many deals made under the table in Iraq. They call them drug deals here, although they don't have anything to do with drugs.

Muqtada Sadr

This is Muqtada Sadr he is a anti-American cleric in Iraq. He is suspected in last weeks Rocket attacks in the Green zone and Camp Liberty. He violently opposes the US Iraq security agreement. He has his own militia and was the reason for the violence last spring. He is in Iran for religious instruction to become a senior cleric. He is in Iran because he is backed by Iran. The rockets launched were Iranian made. This link will take you to the LA Times article.

Beware of Sexual Assult

This warning is in all the bathrooms and shower trailers. I hear people talk about it at the office. I over heard a rumor that some contractor was caring a big knife because he heard some guy got raped. I think there is little to worry about here. I could be wrong, but I feel safe and I work nights.

I think the sign is funny because it says to carry a flashlight. I don't think that is going to stop anything. The buddy system seems a little suspect to. Hey roommate, can you go to the bathroom with me? Hey roommate can you go to the shower with me? I think they would just say no. I am doing OK, I hope everyone has a nice Thanksgiving.

Camp Slayer

This was one of Saddam's Palaces that was hit by a JDAM missile. The video below is narrated by a soldier surveying the place. I have seen this palace and it totaled.




Palaces at Camp Slayer on the man made lake. This is a boat house and the Perfume Palace is in the background.






Palace on the Iraqi Survey Group's compound, (now called Camp Slayer) next to BIAP, in Baghdad. Almost completed when it caught a JDAM in its belly. Yet another amazing example of just how much Oil for Food program cash Saddam siphoned off for his own pleasure. Keep in mind that there are about 50 of these palaces throughout Iraq, all built with these funds..

Please do not place urine bottles in this trash can

This trash can is outside my hooch at Camp Victory. If I can't put my urine bottles in here, where do I put them? I guess the bathrooms around here are just too far for some. This welcomed me when I got back to Camp Victory.

Well they say the Iraqi's want us to pull back from the cities by June 2009.

Iraqi us security agreement


The text of the agreement

So Victory Camp is the central command for US forces. Do you think we should be building a new central command since we are moving in 7 months? Well we haven't started yet. Hey, should we stop building everything up at Camp Victory, well not yet its too early. They are building new steel electric poles all over the base right now. It should be quite a show here the next six months. They are talking about pulling everyone back to SOBs which are Sustained Operating Bases. I think its Balad, Tallil, and I don't know what the other two are. I would think one would be around Victory somewhere. I guess we need to give back Al Faw palace and a few others. The inside plumping in the palace does not work anyway.

This is the new MRAP

This is the new MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) the army is driving and it is huge. Pronounced emrap. The flag looking thing on the front is a warlock and when in use it's all the way down and sticking out in the front of the vehicle. Its a radio jammer to stop the insurgents from using electronics to set off an IED. Most of the guys I talk to say they drive as fast as possible and in the middle of the rode. I am doing fine at Camp victory and I am starting to get used to my 12 hour night shift. I am getting whiter and whiter everyday. I am going to look like a cave fish the next time y'all see me. Send me all your deer hunting stories, so I can at least get in a little deer hunting.

Well I am back at Victory Camp I got called back to so we can cover 24/7. I am on the watch floor tonight working the midnight shift. Which puts me back on ya'lls schedule so expects some calls from me. I had allot of fun a Tallil. One night there was a firewall problem and the guys from the TCF came to my hooch at 2:00 am and told me I needed to come in. So, I getup and go outside and my truck is boot jacked. I guess the MPs did not like where we parked it. Then the topper was it's blowing a Gale outside and I have to go to the bus stop. I think that week seemed like a one long day. I caught a c-130 back to Victory and try to start working that night which did not work so well. The food is much better here, the first night back was steak and crab legs. I am trying to adjusted to my new schedule working 12 hours at night is hard to get used to. I slept until 1:pm today and I will have problems staying awake tonight. This is what traveling in a C-130 is like. Except out here everyone has to wear their Body armor, kevlar helmet and have their weapons. The secret is to be the last one on the plane, so you can get the jump seats on the end and stretch out you legs.

Camp Dracula

This T-wall is outside the Romanian's camp. There is allot of banner type art on the T-walls in Tallil. The weather felt cooler today, it was getting up to a 100 degrees last week. We are having a USO show later this month, a couple of comedians. I added some pictures of Tallil to the Picture Place

Just click on the Picture Place above and it will take you to the pictures. Goodnight all, and thanks for all the birthday wishes

Tallil Trailer Park

I had my first day off in Tallil today, I sleep for the most part. I took some picture of Hooch and a concrete hangar that surrounds the place. The picture has the temple of Ur in the far background. The trailer in front, is the laundry that shirts disappear in. I found out yesterday the Temple tours are going to start again. I went over to the chapel today to try and get on the list. I posted a few photos today the Picture Place. Just click on the folder Tallil and you will be magically take into the Tallil pictures. I am going to take some more pictures over the next couple of days.

Tallil and I finally have internet

This the Zigurrat which is right outside of Tallil / Adder airbase. It is the supposed birth place of Father Abraham. The Zigurrat is off limits to all Tallil personel. I heard there was some defacement to the monument. I guess everyone wants to write joe's been here and crap like that. I will try to get over there. but we will have to see.It is hotter and dustier in southern Iraq. There are many army soldiers and there is a Air Force Base here too. The Romanians have a base here too, its called Fort Dracula. I will sent some pictures. I had some shirts stolen from the laundry. I then started taking to the laundry drop and they lost my pants. I going to be down to my underware soon. I guess thats life in the big city. I have to watch my laundry closer.

Getting ready for TDY next week

This is a cool picture of the inside of a C-17. I flew in one of these from Ali Al Salem Kuwait to BIAP (Baghdad airport). These are a little nicer than the older C-130s. I found this picture on a Navy site. I did not take pictures the last time I flew. So next week I fly out to my new assignment in Tallil or FOB Echo. This is a link to a website that explains all the Military Bases in Iraq. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/iraq-alpha.htm A FOB in just another name for a Base (Forward Operating Base) Here is are some good maps of FOBs in Iraq. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/iraq-maps.htm So this week is about getting ready to leave on the 25th.

It has been a might dusty the last couple of days. It makes my hair stiff, but helps cover my bald spot. My hair color is brown without using hair coloring. All the flights out of BIAP are grounded Fixed winged and Helicopter. I think the dust has pasted though, you could see the moon tonight. I am out y'all. More to come.

The Heat in Baghdad

It has been cooler lately, only a 109 or so and it feels cool to me. It has not been 120 plus this week. Someone at Fort Benning GA (CRC) where I had to train before I came out to Iraq, described the heat of summer. He said take an oven and crank it up to 500 degress and then get a fan and put it in front of the oven. Then put your face down in front of the fan and that is what the heat is like in Iraq. The heat is kind of like that, the dry heat hitting your face feels like it's burning and of course you are hot all over. I can see why people wear scarfs over their face. I am doing better and think I am getting more aclimated to the weather; it takes awhile though. This a picure of the inside of Al Faw palace.

A needed day off

I had the day off from work today. Not that there is much to do, but being new helps. There is really no way to go outside the wire. The only way out is through the Baghdad International Air Port better known as BIAP. I took some picture of just my surroundings today. Click on this link to see more pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/aubuchonz/CampVictory# This is my trailer, better known as my hooch. I share one of these rooms with Matt my roommate. Today I slept in and went and got coffee at the Green Bean. I did my workout looked at the shops and got my laundry. We get free laundry service at Victory. It will most likely not be as nice at Tallil but similar. Most people try to get into a routine with their days to make the time go by faster. I am still trying to find my routine and get used to everything. A standard work day is 12 hours long and 6 days a week. The work helps the time go by. I have been working out in the gym every other day. The people here say you can go two ways. You can either bench press 250 lbs when leave or you can weigh 250 lbs when you leave. I think I will try to keep working out.

Life at Camp Victory

Camp Victory is built around Al Faw palace one of Saddam's old digs. There are US Government offices there now. It is beautiful inside all marble and inside toilets. The only inside toilets at Camp Victory I know about. The palace is the landmark and everything is in walking distance and every one walks everywhere. I have some blisters on my foot to prove it.
I found out that I am to go down south to Tallil on the 25th to cover for someone going on leave. I am to stay there afterwards to help Ron install some hardware in Bucca. Tallil is close to the temple of UR where they say Abraham was born. Father Abraham is the Father of Judaism, Christian and Muslims faiths.

I am sorry, I have neglected the blog. I have busy trying to learn a new job. I guess like most jobs its kind of over welming at first. I get my first day off on Friday and I will post more then and take some more pictures.

Camp Victory

I finally made it to Camp Victory Baghdad. I caught a mil-air flight the next morning at 5:30 AM. I watched the Mizzou /Illini game at 4 in the morning. That was fun for me. I think Chase Daniels needs someone that can catch the ball, but hey they won. I have a trailer in a place called Dodge City North. This is a picture of where I live. There are 20' blast walls that sorrounding the trailers, so there are trailers inside these T-walls. The rest on Camp Victory has the same 20' T-walls around the other buildings too. It easy to get lost when all you see is T-walls. There are two chow halls the Coalition DFAC and the Sports Oasis. The food is good and allot of it. My next adventure is to find the gym.

Ali Al Salem Air Base

Rick called this morning about 6:45 and told me to get my bags together. He told me we were going to try to go to Ali today for Military Air transport to Baghdad. It seems my old orders are good enough until September 1 . So here I am in the outrageous heat, it must have been 120 today. This picture is the transit tents at ali. They have 8 bunk beds to a tent. It was kind of dusty inside, but a place to crash while waiting for your flight. I hope to get out tonight after Midnight to Baghdad. Wish me luck because I will need it to get out of here tonight.

Yet another day in the Kuwaiti sun

We did a little site seeing today. The DRS guys took us by the Kuwaiti towers for some Jet Sking. It was nice and hot, the sand was nuclear. I saw lots of bait fish and mullet cruising around. Check out my pictures I have a hard life in Kuwait. Today, I thought it was my last day in Kuwait City and I was off to Ali Al Salem. Well, it seems I don't have the new type of orders and the military is requiring them starting today. So no love for me and going to Baghdad. If this keeps up I will have to rename my blog. I emailed my PM today about my situation. I asked to fly commercial to Baghdad and they said to talk to Rick. Breakfast tomorrow at 0700 and we will see what tomorrow brings.

What was lost in now found

Well,my luggage showed up today. Rick took me over to the Kuwait airport's cargo dock and low and behold my luggage was there. That was early in the morning and then we went to shopping for Rick's fiances family gift. We went to the Friday market over by Lu Lu's Hyper Market. Its was a huge outdoor flea market and it was Kuwaiti hot. They also have a livestock selling area and we checked that out for awhile. Then it was back to the DRS apartments and time for a pool break. I am going onto my next adventure, which is Ali Al Salem airbase and getting a military air flight to Baghdad. Once you get to Ali Al Salem you turn in your passport to be stamped out of the country. Of course, this is Kuwait so u wait for up the 48 hours for that. I am hoping I won't be there that long. While you wait you get a cot at transit tent which from what I hear is filthy dirty. One of the guys here said to go to the PX and buy some linen to throw over the dirt. Well tomorrow we get to do some site seeing before going to Ali.

Ground Hog Day

This is just another ground hog day still awaiting luggage in Kuwait.

Houston we have a problem

Well today I received one bag and it is my clothes bag. The bag that is still missing is my Kevlar, body armor and my boots. I am to call at 5:00 PM and see if my other bag is on the next flight. Well I called Kuwaiti Air and they don't know where my bag is. Tomorrow is groundhog day and we do it all over again. I think I will go to the Kuwait airline office and see if anyone there can help. Note to self "Don't Fly Kuwaiti Air"

The DRS apartments are full tonight with everyone leaving at 800 in the morning to go to Ali Al Salem airbase.

I have a Baggage problem

Well I went to the Kuwait Airport today at 15:00 to try and get my luggage. I have a luggage report on my missing bags. Kuwait airlines says my bags are coming in on the 7:45 flight from JFK. At 9:00 they said they have one bag and I can claim it at cargo on Monday morning between 9 and 10. So tomorrow's adventure is claiming my one bag and I am hoping its my clothes and such. If not I am going shopping tomorrow. What ever money Intecon saved on me going Kuwait Airlines they will lose now with me being in Kuwait for three days.

Flight into Kuwait

I decided to start a blog about my year working in Iraq. I left CRC Fort Benning on August 22nd and drove to Atlanta and flew to JFK in New York. Well, our plane was late leaving Atlanta and once arriving in JFK I was running around trying to find Kuwait Airlines. Kuwait airlines don’t really give seats or gate information; you get to figure it out when you get there. My ticket from Delta said seat assigned at gate, which was not correct. You have to go to another terminal go to the ticket counter and get a paper ticket. Then it’s back though security and to the gate. I make the flight in a lather and counted my blessings. I get on the Plane and I am next to the window. A man sitting in my row asks me if I could swap seats with a aisle seat in the front next to the bulkhead. I agreed and sat in the baby row, the bulkhead is used for baby beds in flight. I had babies on both sides but I could stretch my feet out in the aisle. I was happy to get this seat. I put on my noise reducing head phones and mp3 and slept. I arrived at 4:00 pm Kuwait time and no surprise my luggage did not make it. I filled out the missing luggage report and Andy from DRS picked me up and took me to the DRS apartments. The DRS apartments are very nice. The DRS guys took me to a Lebanese Restaurant and we heard stories of the Jersey shore all night. Andy says he knows my friend Doug Verduin from Jersey. Today’s adventure is getting my luggage from the Kuwait Airport. Check out the rest of my pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/aubuchonz I am out ya'll.