SOMETHING OUT OF THE THIRTIES

This reminded me of some of the old pictures I would look at at my grandparents house that were taken in the thirties. The old pickup with the dog barking, a herd of sheep, and a make shift fence, a typical rural farm scene, except for the date palms in the background.

SPRAYING THE DATE PALMS

This was one of the helocopters used to spray the date palms. A large number of the date palms are infested with the Dubas Bug. It is an aphid which destroys the trees ability to produce high quality dates. Dubas bug beware.

SALUTE TO REMEMBER

This was taken at a memorial service for one of the soldiers who gave it all. He was suppose to be my replacement but he got killed from an IED attack. I salute all who died on the battlefield in the war against terrorists and those who died in prior wars in our nation's defense.

HOME FROM PREVIOUS DEPLOYMENT

We are standing on the roof of a house the 490th occupied in the previous deployment. The area behind me was once full of water. These small houses are located south of the runway on the BIAP. Since then they have all been turned back over to the Iraqi government.

WHEAT FIELDS IN NORTHERN IRAQ

This picture was taken from a plane flying over the wheat fields in Northern Iraq. This area is mostly wheat and barley.

NEW SEASON OF DATES

This picture was taken after a rain storm, it shows the new crop of dates emerging. They should be ready for harvest by the end of September. A date tree will average between 75- 100 Kg per tree.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY FROM IRAQ

I want to wish all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day. Mother-in-Laws included. Thanks for all the times you believed in me when others did'nt. Thank you for taking the time to listen and teaching me the things I should know and most of all for your never failing love and for my wife who is the mother of my step son. I salute you all...

CLEANING THE PALACE LAKE

These workers are busy cleaning the palace lake of unwanted vegetation. Once they get a full boat load then they take it to the bank where some other workers haul the vegetation away.

POOLSIDE CALLS

Trying to make a phone call in Iraq is very challenging at times. First you have to make sure there is a signal and then make sure you have enough minutes to make the call. I purchase a phone card in $10, $20, and $30 increments. It costs about .25 to .30 cents per minute to the USA.