Flag flying is discouraged on the FOB out of respect for Iraq's sovereignty. However, on July 4th, an Iraqi who earned his US citizenship and now works as an interpreter planted this flag. An ad hoc crowd of soldiers cheered him on. (Click photo to enlarge).

The local butcher shop.(Click photo to enlarge).

Our convoy passes through an IP checkpoint (Iraqi Police).

Circle of Swords. Much of the government spending over the last 30 years went to magnificent displays like this...unfortunately that left more important things like electrical infrastructure go neglected. (Click to enlarge).

Maybe history is circular. Maybe one day we'll be able to tear down these walls too.

City council building in Daquq -- a sub district of Kirkuk Province located in Southern Kirkuk near Diyala Province.

Canvassing the construction of homes for returning displaced persons. This issue is extremely sensitive, highly political and of questionable legality. The purpose of this visit was to gather facts.

Toby is on full auto.

Desert foxes are abundant around these parts, as are jack rabbits, which are perhaps as big as the foxes. (Click photo to enlarge).

SFC Gaynor goes easy on the Chai.

(Click photo to enlarge).

Green Zone, Baghdad. (Click photo to enlarge).

Green Zone, Baghdad.

Green Zone, Baghdad.

Green Zone, Baghdad.

\

Green Zone, Baghdad.

This rule clearly doesn't apply to military personnel. The consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited for military personnel in theater. The last beer I had was in the airport in Bangor, Maine on April 27, 2006. What I would do for a good margarita...

 

A series of photos of Baghdad from the deck of a Blackhawk helicopter.

This might as well be Dallas, TX.

Street side shops, Kirkuk, Iraq.

(Click photo to enlarge).

Main gate to the KGB. (Click photo to enlarge).

A local mosque.

Entrance to Kirkuk Regional Airport, which is now FOB Warrior, or the KRAB for Kirkuk Regional Airbase. (Click photo to enlarge).

(Click photo to enlarge).

MOOOOOve! Caution, cows crossing. (Click photo to enlarge).

Children, dirt poor, scramble for shell casings to sell when we are finished with training on the range which is located just outside the FOB. These kids aren't any older than my nieces or nephews.

They are so desperate, at one point a boy of perhaps 14, started viciously beating a girl about the same age to prevent her from competing for the brass. Right, wrong or indifferent, another captain closest to the incident quickly intervened.

Some houses in Kirkuk are mansions.

Staff Sergeant Gray.

Sergeant First Class Gaynor. Gray and Gaynor are together so often, we've taken to calling them both "Sergeant GRaynor."

Thinking outside the bun.

A combination of economics -- shortage of refined oil products, government subsidizations, and security issues -- have given rise to the a black market.

The wait for fuel at legal distribution points can be hours, if you are lucky.

It's a universal truth: little boys can't help but love soldiers. (Click photo to enlarge).

Symbolic, perhaps. (Click photo to enlarge).

MAJ Timothy Povich. Mr. CERP. (Commander's Emergency Relief Program).

On the right, the legendary sire, "Bear." Iraqis hate dogs, and rumor is Bear has been shot by the IPs twice, but he's still making puppies. Lots of them. The good thing about Bear is he doesn't let anyone near our trucks when they are parked for the day.

Mama Bear.

Specialist -- now Sergeant -- Pagaduan sips Chia.

Columbus Gaynor gives Madden Football lessons on R&R. Free napkins at half-time.

Dr. Sam. An Iraqi-New Zealander and agricultural expert.

USAID rep, Jay Cosgrave compares paperbacks with my boss, MAJ Ron Richards, a state highway patrolman from Minnesota.

Kirkuk's Public Works Department mows and fertilizes at the same time.

(Click to enlarge).