Shots from our recent trip to southern Iraq.
I took this one at Ali Air Base, Tallil, southern Iraq. It illustrates how diverse our coalition is. In the foreground are two Royal Australian Air Force troops talking to a U.S. Air Force Captain. The guys in the background are Italian Special Infantry--similar to the U.S. Rangers. Notice the black feathers in their helmets--the Iraqi's call them "chicken soldiers"--but not to their faces!
Waiting for the trip home! Our southern "tour" was planned for 4 1/2 days; it took six. Travel is uncertain here even in the best of circumstances. We had two helicopter flights cancelled, one car break down, and one airplane that couldn't get one of it's engines started!
Unloading a shipload of cement at the port of Um Qasr. Um Qasr is Iraq's only functioning port. We've helped get it functioning again by clearing debris from the war, dredging the harbor so larger ships can come in, and refurbishing the cranes that unload the ships.
Liquid petroleum gas processing plant near Basra, in southern Iraq. Our contractor is helping the Iraqi's Southern Oil Company get the plant on line to provide cooking fuel to Iraq's cities
I took this one at Ali Air Base, Tallil, southern Iraq. It illustrates how diverse our coalition is. In the foreground are two Royal Australian Air Force troops talking to a U.S. Air Force Captain. The guys in the background are Italian Special Infantry--similar to the U.S. Rangers. Notice the black feathers in their helmets--the Iraqi's call them "chicken soldiers"--but not to their faces!
Waiting for the trip home! Our southern "tour" was planned for 4 1/2 days; it took six. Travel is uncertain here even in the best of circumstances. We had two helicopter flights cancelled, one car break down, and one airplane that couldn't get one of it's engines started!
Unloading a shipload of cement at the port of Um Qasr. Um Qasr is Iraq's only functioning port. We've helped get it functioning again by clearing debris from the war, dredging the harbor so larger ships can come in, and refurbishing the cranes that unload the ships.
Liquid petroleum gas processing plant near Basra, in southern Iraq. Our contractor is helping the Iraqi's Southern Oil Company get the plant on line to provide cooking fuel to Iraq's cities
Flying out of Baghdad, headed south... 
A large water treatment plant. We're building them all over the country. Safe drinking water is a serious need over here. 
