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« "No comment." September 18, 2007
Random Pictures, Two
Posted by Bill The "Twin Towers Mosque" lights up in preparation for Ramadan as electricity becomes available in the city. Military Transition Team Captain Theodore "Teddy" J. Folsome was tired but dryly funny, with a nametag that read "Elvis Presley." When a passing Lt. Colonel chaplain saw it and asked him how "that all [came] about," he responded: "Well sir, I'd have to say it all started in 1977. My friend Jimmy and I were out riding bikes when a car pulled up and his mom yelled, 'Jimmy, get in the car! The King is dead.' He dropped his bike and left me alone on the side of the road. So I went home and did some research to find out what all the fuss was about. And the hooks were in." A local gas station. Fuel is doubly important in Fallujah, as it drives generators that supplement city power in addition to vehicles. Unfortunately, fuel shipments are often compromised by drivers either getting hijacked or stopping on the side of the road to sell portions of the cargo to black market profiteers. Given the risk of driving the tankers, this corruption is considered a premium for undertaking such a dangerous job. A Marine stands watch. Scarred City: residual damage from shrapnel, RPGs, small arms and other tools of war are almost everywhere in Fallujah. One marine remarked that the unrestrictive rules of engagement during al-Fajr (the second invasion of the city) were "like setting a fat kid loose in a candy store." Looking at violence fossilized in walls always makes me consider what these weapons do to flesh. Immediately opposite the above damage ... ... was a scribbled reminder to maintain perspective. Marine Miltary Transition Team 6 SSgt Ricardo Feliciano entertains SSgt Gabriel Zapata with an impression. Artillery rounds of various shapes and sizes are stored after being confiscated by the Iraqi Police. Iraq is awash in munitions that are used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as for their original purpose. The Jolan Precinct sits on the northwestern edge of Fallujah. Long considered a difficult neighborhood, Jolan is where Abu Musab al Zarqawi was headquartered and has hosted some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Police officers (IPs) hang out at the Jolan Precinct. 2/6 Marines sit at a combat outpost. Calling typical accomodations "spartan" is an understatement. Marble Topped Stairs: The Iraqi Police have confiscated a beautiful abandoned house to use as the Andalus Precinct headquarters. More Andalus Precinct: As kitchens go, this is the best I've seen in the city. MLK Jr: A wry screen-saver on a computer at Fallujah Police Headquarters. A corner of the Nazaal Precinct. Marines with the 5/10 CAG take a breather. Provincial Security Force (PSF) candidates march towards a graduation ceremony. The PSF is mostly comprised of tribesmen who police the areas outside of the major population centers in Anbar Province. Some criticize that arming PSF is "empowering militias," but the criticism is only valid to the extent "militia" is considered a dirty word. As with many things, the devil is in the details, notably the degree to which PSFs work with the Iraqi Army and Police, their effectiveness and their allegiance to the Iraqi government. Reflections: A soldier scans mirrors for threats on the RINO bus as it takes me to Camp Victory in Baghdad. A bit later, while waiting in a parking lot, I heard the sounds of ambush: a large volume of small arms fire, return fire, and a large IED explosion outside the base. SSgt Lucius "Big Sexy" Francis (left) jokes with Major Joel "P-Funk" Poudrier. Both are members of Military Transition Team 6 (MTT), which advises the 3-2-1 Iraqi Army. I embedded with MTT 6 in January and several members were subsequently injured by a Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED) loaded with chlorine gas in March. Poudrier was the most seriously wounded and was medevac'ed to the states, having suffered a traumatic brain injury and chlorine gas inhalation. He recovered and insisted on redeploying with his unit a couple of months ago, despite having the option to stay home. A Marine carries sandbags to fortify an observation post at the Jolan Precinct. Whither USMC?: Perhaps the most disturbing thing I saw in Iraq was this DVD of Saved by the Bell Season 5 owned by young Marines stationed in downtown Fallujah. No Mere Pawns: Marines with the 5/10 CAG's security element pass the time by playing chess. I joked that "some of the Army guys I know told me that Marines couldn't read, much less play chess." One response: "Oh, &%@* them." SSgt Francis fires off "hammer pair" drills near Camp Fallujah. On this embed I needed to be at a firing range to hear any considerable volume of small arms fire in Fallujah. President Bush meets with bloggers in the Roosevelt Room of the White House and via video conference from Baghdad. At this moment, I believe he was telling Bill Roggio and I that it was "nice of you to dress up for us." Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian courtesy of the White House. Photogenic: This cheerful young man strikes a casual pose in Andalus. ***** Please consider a tax deductible donation to support independent journalism. UPDATE: Sector on Jolan fixed. Posted by Bill at September 18, 2007 07:08 AM | TrackBack (0) Trackback PingsTrackBack URL for this entry: CommentsFallujah looks surprisingly not flattened. Who knew? We've come a damned long way from where we once were there. Great stuff, Bill. Thank you. Posted by: Pablo at September 18, 2007 02:12 PM Saved By The Bell?? The horror. My God, the horror. Posted by: TallDave at September 18, 2007 02:50 PM Great Pics! Naturally- None seen too often if At ALL by our Great Support The Troops Media! (Not!) Funny Too?-That considering all the Anti-War, (Anti-Soap,Anti-Bath,) Oil for Blood Crowd Rheteric-you'd think we see more Pics of Our Troops - I mean-isn't THAT why we are really there in the first place!? Hahahaha! Guess THOSE Pics are being hidden from the press along with the ones Bush is hiding that show 9/11 was an "Inside Job"! God BLESS Our Troops & PATRIOTIC Embeds! DA, Manhatten, NY OHH-RAH! Posted by: Darth Airborne at September 18, 2007 03:16 PM Awesome again! Love the round popping out of the rifle. I got one during combat but you've got to find the combat first! Posted by: Michael Fumento at September 18, 2007 03:20 PM Impressive stories; beautiful pictures. Love the Elvis story. Give that soldier an Emmy!!!! Posted by: bubbe at September 18, 2007 10:35 PM I believe Jolan is in the north of Fallujah, no? Posted by: Aaron at September 18, 2007 11:17 PM Correct, NW sector. Sounds odd, as I can visualize it on a map, but for some reason I keep referencing that side of the city as the "bottom", where the Marines came in during al Fajr. Posted by: Bill from INDC at September 19, 2007 12:37 AM Heh. Hear the one about the 9 Marines sitting in a lounge bar with 10 untouched beer? Then the 10th comes in, and sets up a beautifully framed completed 10-piece jigsaw. All shout, "Hoo-aah", and drink up. Barkeep asks, and is told, "The package said 1-2 years, but us 10 leathernecks got it done in just 51 days!" ;) Posted by: Brian H at September 19, 2007 02:52 AM Maybe they're using the "Saved By The Bell" cover for porn? It would be less embarrassing. Posted by: AE at September 19, 2007 11:49 AM very nice Bill Posted by: Jane at September 19, 2007 04:55 PM Though the King is dead, Elvis is saved by the bell. Thanks for sharing so much! Posted by: Lorin Friesen at September 22, 2007 06:20 AM Great photo! You don't find too many of Fallujah these days. Posted by: Shawn at October 4, 2007 09:04 PM |
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