The last few days I have been flying around southern Iraq doing inventories. We flew in a fixed wing (airplane) from Basrah to Bagdad on Saturday. Did some inventories here, met my higher headquarters (I CORP), and met other people and contractors that I’ll be dealing with. Everyone seemed great and I look forward to working with them for the rest of my time here. Monday we went back to the airport and flew in a Rotary wing (Black hawk) down to Camp Echo, stopping at four other bases on our way down. Long flight, the actual total flight time was about 4 – 4 ½ hours. Did my inventories, spent the night and flew back in a Black hawk. I’m in Bagdad now waiting for a flight back to Basrah. I have some more traveling to do in the next few weeks. Pictures from the Helicopter trip will be posted to the blog soon. I'm not sure when I'll post next due to connectivity at Basrah.
This picture was also taken from the palace. There are several things I want to point out in this picture. This is one of the four man made lakes that are inside the wall. Bottom right is a picture of his helicopter landing pad that is totally surrounded by water. And yes, if you’re thinking to yourself is that a palm tree on the helicopter landing pad? Now the tour guide did not come out and say it, but I was left with the impression that there might be a tunnel involved. Center of the picture is a building that one of the guys called the diving house. Whether that’s true or not, I can’t tell you. However if your look close just to the right of the building and a little behind is one of two partially submerged houseboats. Somewhere I will have to find the picture of the lift bridge that was built for the houseboat to go from lake to lake. 
This picture is also taken from the palace at what is cleverly called the Flint stone play house. Rumors here have it that he never allowed his kids to watch American TV. The only exception was the Cartoon “The Flintstones”. He built the Flint stone play area across the water from the palace. This picture truly does not do the multi leveled play area justice. I would guess that this picture represents about a ¼ of the actual size of this play area. There are crooked doors, stone steps, ramps, rock slabs, and fake rocks making this look authentic. 
The next two pictures are of our first sandstorm. The brown picture is during the sandstorm in Kuwait that I took from the steps of our Oasis (Portable Latrines). The second one is from the same steps, same direction about 24 hours later. When the storm started we were in the mess hall when it suddenly got dark outside. Being “sand storm virgins” we waited in the mess hall for the storm to let up before we ventured outside. 
I mean what better way to wait out a storm than all you can eat chicken. For those of you not aware, me and chicken at the mess halls are fast becoming friends. The only chicken I haven’t had yet is Chicken pot pie. (Please don’t tell the cooks here I said that) Oh well that’s enough complaining about mess hall chicken. Lucky for us after the storm our third time deployed to Iraq (MAJ Walock) then explained why he rolled up his sleeping bag every morning. I really wish he had told us before the storm, not as I was shaking the sand out of my sleeping bag? Lesson learned I guess, although it seemed like I was reminded of the sand every time I got in my sleeping bag the next few nights.
This is a picture of a small portable palace for the distinguished visitors. Actually I took this picture from the roof of the palace while I was on the tour. I just wanted to show you that no matter how big your palace is you have to have one of these on hand when you invite the Americans to your house to play.
Last but not least this is the palace that was under construction when the war broke out here. The tour guide told us that each time a victory was won a palace was built. In his eyes he won the first Gulf war and this was to be his trophy. I have more pictures but this one is the one that shows what could have been. You’re looking at about 4 stories and again about a 1/3 of the actual size of the palace. Inside the main level us darn Americans are using it for storage. There was an actual American owned semi truck parked inside. This should give you an idea of how tall the floors are. The tour guide said the buildings were built to give the shock factor to most visitors. If you took the time to look closely you'll see where he saved money by cutting corners. Notice it’s not actually built of concrete blocks; instead it’s covered with cement tiles hooked to metal grid underneath. One of the chandeliers that we found laying in the ruble was made out of aluminum sprayed with gold paint. Some (not all) of the Minnesota boys in my office are coming from Kuwait to Basrah soon. It’s going to be nice having them here; the 4 guys currently here in my section are looking forward to the whole team finally getting here. The rest of our section should be here in the next couple of weeks. The Active duty guys we are replacing are excited to go home; at the same time they are doing a great job of setting us up for success. My hat is off to the guys from the 10th Mountain, they truly are professional.
I have a lot going on right now with us taking over here and standing up Camp Basrah. I just wanted to take a quick moment to share a snapshot of my deployed life with you. You guys are the reason why I’m able to do my job knowing that you are waiting for me when I get home! Susan, thanks for your continued support I know this isn't easy for you. To everyone else please take care of my family, and keep my soldiers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
That is all,
Dave
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