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27 October 2008
Iraqi Hospitaity
Categories:   Iraq
So today the leader of the Son's of Iraq invited our commander and several of us soldiers over to his house for dinner. It was a very nice gesture and of course we took him up on it. We all arrived at the house, removed our armor and weapons and left them outside, and sat around his house enjoying each others company. We were served lamb, rice, beans and potatoes as well as other veggies. Afterward we had chi and smokes and conversed some more. It was a very nice time and reminded us that there is still some normalcy in this crazy country.
Posted by bsorge at 12:00 AM | Link | 0 comments
25 October 2008
Goodwill Mission
Categories:   Iraq
This is a photo blog, click here to view all thumbnails. or click here to view the text of this entry.

So today we went on a SWT mission. Not sure what the acronym means but it has something to do with assessing the sewer and water infrastructure. Our LT met with the local village leaders, brought them rice and cooking oil, and clothes for the children. They talked about what the village needs and what we can do to help. We also brought our Civil Affairs guy to aid with the assistance. These meetings are a good chance for us to get into the villages and see how the locals live. I took a lot of pictures and will post them once I get to a computer where can hook the camera up.

These missions are vital to our success and eventual departure, as it shows that we truly care and want to help the people. And by providing items for the children helps as well as Iraqi's value their children very much. We are going to be doing a lot more as time goes on.

Posted by bsorge at 12:00 AM | Link | 0 comments
24 October 2008
Dog Days
or, a day off
Categories:   Iraq
So today we had the first of monthly Dog Days. Basically it is a day off for most of us. We had basketball and football tournaments between the platoons and a cookout. And all of the leadership (E-6 and above, to include officers) will be manning the towers tonight thorugh the morning, and the E-5's will be the SOG, so the troops get a night off as well. We had steak, hamburgers and hot links and it was a good day. It was also a day that we got to wear civillian clothes. Pictures to follow.
Posted by bsorge at 11:00 AM | Link | 0 comments
18 October 2008
Life is getting better
Categories:   Iraq
So we finally moved into our permanent hooches. Instead of living with 7 other guys, I only live with three others, so we are able to spread out a bit. Attached is a picture of my living area. Our washers and dryers were just hooked up. KBR has been at our base for a few days now going through EVERYTHING to make sure it is 100%, so we are a bit more comfortable now. The op-tempo is picking up now and missions are going to be more frequent. I am going to be taking more pictures and reporting more of what is happening.My Room
Posted by bsorge at 2:18 AM | Link | 0 comments
17 October 2008
I am...... Sgt French
Categories:   Iraq
So, what started off as a joke has now turned into an experiment. I found a name tape that says French. Since our name tapes are only attached via velcro, I decided to play a joke and put it on. I am going on five hours now and no one has noticed. So  now this is an experiment in observational skills. The ability for someone to pay attention to even the most minute details. This should be fun. And yeah, I am bored.
Posted by bsorge at 1:45 AM | Link | 3 comments
16 October 2008
New Schools
Categories:   Iraq
So we opened three new schools in the area. The people here are very appreciative. This is just the beginning of the good things we are doing here, and really a continuation of what the 10th Mountain Division folks that we replaced were doing. We have more humanitarian projects in the works and as we start or complete them I will surely report.
Posted by bsorge at 12:00 AM | Link | 0 comments
15 October 2008
Sandbags, lots of sandbags
Categories:   Iraq

When a unit builds a base, one of the things that they do is to provide for the security of their soldiers. When a new unit arrives, they continue on with what the previous unit has been doing. One thing that we really needed to do was finish putting sand bags around our hooches for protection against indirect fire (mortars and rockets). So we spent two entire days filling over 3000 sandbags. Attached is a picture of what I looked like when we were done.

Dirty Old Man

Posted by bsorge at 12:00 AM | Link | 3 comments
13 October 2008
Got Sand Fleas?
Categories:   Iraq

So, We have discovered that Iraq is infested with sand fleas. My last two times here I never had a problem with them, but this time around they are everywhere. We are all getting eaten alive by these things. Fortunately the medics have a lot of bug repellent that seems to work OK. Got to love this place.

Pictures will be a while. When I hook my camera to these computers, I can see my camera but not access it. I will figure it out though.

Posted by bsorge at 10:12 AM | Link | 2 comments
12 October 2008
Mission Three
What a depressing town
Categories:   Iraq
This is a photo blog, click here to view all thumbnails. or click here to view the text of this entry.

So we did our third mission called the Riyadh Walk. We drove into town, checked out the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Sons of Iraq compounds as well as meet the mayor, then walked down the market place. We then drove through the houses and I have never seen such a depressed area. These people have absolutely nothing.

In a few days we are going into town to help open the new girls school that was built with US assistance. That should be cool to watch. Tonight I should be loading pictures.

Posted by bsorge at 10:34 AM | Link | 2 comments
11 October 2008
First Missions
Categories:   Iraq
Well I completed two missions in as many days. They were very uneventful other than two mortars that were shot at us. I earned my CIB for that one. We provided security for the engineers while they build a combat outpost for the Iraqi Army. This is important since they will have a presence in an area that is not too friendly to Americans. We have some more cool missions in the works and when I get on them I will update.
Posted by bsorge at 12:09 PM | Link | 0 comments
07 October 2008
Final Destination
Categories:   Iraq
Well we finally made it to our final destination, Patrol Base Howell, named after PFC George Howell. I don't yet know the history of PFC Howell, but when I do I will put it here. Despite that fact that there is no PX, Green Bean Coffee, Burger King and the like, we actually like it here better than FOB Warrior. We have computers and phones, a gym, TV and mess facilities, and that is basically all we need. We are set up at a train station. We have rooms built with bunk beds, and plenty of wood to upgrade our digs. The entire base is very small, but it is perfect for us really. We are going to start our transition today and we look forward to getting to work and doing great things for the local people.
Posted by bsorge at 5:30 AM | Link | 0 comments
05 October 2008
Finally, Iraq
Still not at the PB though
Categories:   Iraq
This is a photo blog, click here to view all thumbnails. or click here to view the text of this entry.

Well we landed in Kirkuk about a week ago. not much to do here really except eat and spend money.  There are a lot of facilities here: Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Green Bean Coffee as well as a barber shop/hair salon, jewelry store, carpet store, a very nice gym, volley ball and basket ball court, internet cafe, MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) facility. We have done some more training, the final piece being learning how to do an air assult on a Blackhawk helicopter. Pretty fun stuff really. Not sure when we are heading to our patrol base though but I am sure it is soon. Once we are there and are working, more updates.
Posted by bsorge at 10:40 AM | Link | 0 comments
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