TIGERLAND TAXI EXPRESS

Tigerland has its own version of a taxi. It comes with up armor, tinted windows, blast doors, bullet proof glass, an air conditioner, radio with all the local fills and its own security system. The Mayor of Tigerland wants you to feel safe while riding in one of its taxis...

TIGERLAND SERVICES

As I explored Tigerland I found all kinds of places. There is an internet service, a shopping center, a phone center, and many other things. They even have signs that show a person where things are located. I like living in TIGERLAND...

WHO YA GONNA CALL

My first night in Tigerland was a memorable one. As I was going home I saw this hugh fire, which from a distant looked like my house was on fire. As I neared the scene I was relieved that the house was not mine. No one was hurt. The fire started from an electrical short...

Iraqi Eagle

Here is what the Iraqi Eagle looks like. This is the symbol for their government. It is usally on official documents, letterheads from the government.

LETTERS OF SUPPORT

This picture is taken to say thanks for all the support from the American people back home. These are letters sent from the Costa Mesa area in California. We appreciate you guys for sending us letters to cheer us up...

GET IT IN WRITING

This Iraqi Farmer would not let me leave until he had a reciept for the loaned equipt-ment we picked up. So I wrote out a reciept and took a picture. This incident reminded me of the times when the crop adjuster's apprasial was different than how the farmer remembered it. "Get it in writing"...

WORKING TOGETHER

In the Gulf War I fought against these guys, now we fight together against the terrorists. I have a lot of respect for the New Iraqi Army. These guys are alright...

BREAKFAST IN TAJI

I had to get up early and drive to Taji to eat with these guys as Taji is north of Baghdad a few miles. The food was very good almost like eating at Dennys minus the waitress...

DAWN OF A NEW ERA

This is the traditional sun which symbolizes the rise or dawn of a new day/ era as the Baath Party used it. The middle symbol represents the Baath Party. Translation of the bottom words are: Unity, Freedom, Socialism. The words on the side are: One Arab Nation with an eternal message...

THE BIRD MAN

This statue represents Abbas bin Firnas, who in 875 is said to put on a robe of feathers and tried to fly. The story on the street is that he jumped out the window and flew to the ground where he met to his death. He was also a great inventor and this statue is attribute to him...

STILL WORKING IN BAGHDAD

One of the old 490th soldiers who extended and hired on as civilian contracter. It was good to see Paul. He says hello. He gave me a grand tour of the Convention Center as he now runs the place. Next time your in town drop by and say hello...

A GREAT HEARTED MARTYR

This is a death notice. It is usually posted at place of work or home. Translation: In The Name of God, most gracious, most Merciful. For any destiny is written "God is Greater & Sincere". Iraqi convention center office annonce the death of Hazim Abdul Salam Abul Majeed Alzaidi. Through the cowardly action of terrorists (VBEID) on July 14th 2005.

DUST IN THE WIND

This is what its like walking to work on a bad day. It is a blistering hot fine blowing dust that may last for a few hours or days. This storm was a bad one. My lungs hurt when I breath, it's so bad. Maybe they will let me go home on a medical discharge...

CORN FIELDS IN IRAQ

Here is some corn growing in one of the small farms around Baghdad. Notice the rows are all straight? The farmer has a row of okra growing between the corn...

BLACK IS BACK

Here is one of the 490th soldiers covering my butt while I am looking at the farmers farm. It is good to know the guy watching your back... My wife told me I was not allowed to be the gunner this time around...

AN IRAQI FARM GIRL

If you ever wondered how farm girls stay in shape then now you know their secret. I think the women work harder than the men in this culture. Notice the cattle following the girl, they know where their bread and butter is...

MEETING WITH THE LOCAL FARMER

We are sitting on the Farmers front porch discussing the weather and family and in general the future of farming. Kinda like sitting at the local CO-OP or coffee shop back home. They served us a glass of water and some grapes and some hot tea...

ON A CLEAR DAY

When the weather is nice early in the morning or between sand storms I can see the a Palace in the distant. This is where my higher command works. It is one of the many palaces (21) in all that Saddam built...

SHOWING OFF WEAPONS

You can say its a guy thing, a soldier thing or maybe even a cool thing, but there is something about holding a loaded weapon and showing it off for all to see. Age or nationalities do not apply. Give a guy/soldier any weapon and they will always pose for a picture....

TEA TIME IN IRAQ

One of the customs I enjoy when visting with the Iraqi people is that they will offer you hot tea to drink. This is a good sign and I most always accept. The tea is always served in a little cup or small glass. Of course coming from West Texas we love our tea too except we like it with lots of ice and in a big glass...

MilBlogs

You may have noticed the MilBlogs banner in the lower right. This is a webring of other soldiers that are currently serving. Show your support by clicking and visiting their sites. Use either the Prev/Random/Next links listed under the banner.

There will be another MilBlogs Banner (may not look the same) where you may visit the next site in the ring.

Thanks to everyone for visiting and showing your support.

HEARD IT ON THE GRAPE VINE

As you may or not know there are many grape vineyards in and around Baghdad. The grapes are then sold to the local markets. The grapes from this vineyard are of an ancient seed planted back in the golden years of the Babylonians...

IT'S DE'JA' VU FOR THE 490th CA

Back again after one year of rest the 490th CA again returns to duty in Iraq. For those who went before its De'ja' vu...

CAMP LIBERTY FIRE TRUCK

This picture is dedicated to the fearless firefighters at Goodfellow Air Base. I know you are all putting in a request to spend some time in Iraq... Darrin S. this picture is to motivate you to be all you can be...

SHAME DOG

Sometimes soldiers do dumb things and need to be disciplined occasionally. This soldier's punishment is to stand in the corner for one hour to remind him that he should report to duty on time, since his combat buddy had to stand for an extra hour before he was relieved.

SAYING GOODBYE AT THE HELO PAD

Here some of my fellow soldiers from the 490th who were on their way to Taji which is north of Baghdad. We all posed for the picture before we said goodbye...

SANDSTORM AGAIN

The weather report missed this one. They called for a clear day and as you can see it turned out to be a sand storm with poor visability... The hill in the background was made when Saddam dug out the ground to make his lakes around the Palace, he used the dirt to make the hill, maybe next time he should call the "GROUNDS KEEPER" for a landscape job...

HOTEL CALIFORNIA (IRAQI STYLE)

Driving down a dark desert highway, a cool breeze in the air, the smell of Date Palms still fresh everywhere. I looked up and what did I see, it was a Mosque at the BIAP...for all to see. "Welcome to the Hotel CAlfornia" Such a lovely place... Anyway it reminded me of the Eagles song "Hotel California"...

THE ARMORED SECURITY VEHICLE

In case you have never seen one of these this is the ASV. It is used by the MP's. Being a former Chemical recon soldier I must admit the ASV looks intimidating but I like the the FOX better...

COCA COLA IN ARABRIC

How do you say coca cola in Arabic? Yes it is true you can get a coke in Iraq. The going price ranges from .50 to 1.50. It all depends on the situtation. If it is very hot and supplies limited and you are in a small village where electricity is on and off and the coke is cold, you pay high price. If you are at PX you pay low price. Simple economics apply here...

HAPPY 4TH JULY

Keeping with the American tradition I am encouraging everyone to celebrate our independence by eating BBQ and poping lots of fireworks. I thank all of you for your support. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE! Have a HAPPY 4TH JULY!

PALACE TREASURE

I finally found a treasure. This is a golden vase with arabric written on the side. I t was given to Saddam as a gift from a rich sheik who was from the land of Marshes ( Basara area), which is the place Moses was found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Thats all I know of the story...

WHEELING & DEALING IN IRAQ

Since the venders won't take checks we must pay in cash. I felt like I was doing a drug deal or something. I am making a final payment on some equiptment we bought to help the Iraqi Farmers. Hmm... maybe they will let me sell them crop insurance. A drought every year...

OUTSIDE THE EMBASSY

This is one of the views outside of the Embassy. This is the view of part of the north wing. There is a water fountain with no water in it. I suppose has been turned off for some reason. It is very beautiful when they have it turned on...

STYLISH HAIRCUT

Before my meeting with VIP's, I wanted to look my best and after given many directions and a long walk through the Palace I finally found a place to get my hair cut. I told him to cut with a number one on top and skin on the side then put a midnight fade to blend it in. I'm Styling now....

ANOTHER HALLWAY

Just when I thought I knew where I was there would be another hallway and my curiosity would get the best of me, so here I am exploring more of the Palace. Perhaps I would find a new treasure around the corner who knows and who cares, this is fun...

IINSIDE THE EMBASSY

I got lost for almost an hour looking at all the rooms in the Palace/Embassy. There are many things to see. All the floors and walls are marble. Here I am admiring this inlaid marble design. I'm thinking this would look cool in my house. What do you think Suzie?

SECRET MEETING ROOM

Here I am sitting at the head of the table in one of the meeting rooms where tha future of Iraq is discussed. Because the meeting was classified I can't dicuss much except there is a plan...

WAITING IN THE EMBASSY

Seeing someone in the Embassy is tough unless you are a VIP. Of course waiting is not so bad when you can sit in nice chairs like these. This was one of Saddam's former palaces. Just think many a shiek sat in this chair waiting to see Saddam...

GLOBAL SECURITY SERVICES

If you are tierd of your current job and looking for a change of atmosphere. You can hire on at Global Security Services where you can stand around with a automatic weapon, look cool, and take picures with the American soldiers and you do not have to speak english, just know basic arm and hand signals, like "Stop or Halt" ect...