Website

Hello! I wanted to send a website link to you for the MNSTC-I public page. I wrote an article about one of the programs that I have been involved in during my time in Iraq. It is located at the following link:http://www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil/. There is also other information on the page about what our Command is doing with the Iraqi Military and Police forces. Thought you might enjoy reading some of the events that are ongoing.

The weather here has been wonderful for the past couple of days. Feels like spring time with cool mornings and warm days. I took pictures of the gardens yesterday and will post them later this week. The flowers are beautiful, especially the roses. Hope everyone is doing well. Take care!

Funny Story

I had a fun day earlier this week...or maybe I should say interesting. We had ordered furniture for a new computer lab at the MTDC and when they asked about using a local company I said sure since that would contribute to the local economy. I didn't know what I was getting myself into! I had to go and meet the trucks at the checkpoint (See the pictures below. I took them on the way to the Checkpoint. The road was a narrow strip with the Tigris River on both sides.)

First of all, the delivery trucks sat in line for three hours waiting to get to the checkpoint and be searched. It was quite an operation - electronic x-ray machine and bomb dogs. When we got to the checkpoint, we waited about 2 hours to get all the paperwork approved for them to enter the IZ and then when I saw the trucks I knew we were in trouble. They were flatbeds with side rails and both were stacked to the top and beyond. I don't know how they got so much stuff on that truck! One of the trucks was older and barely moving - the guy at the checkpoint told me to go ahead and get in front and move over out of the way because the truck was going to have to take a running start to get up the hill. We aren't talking a very steep hill just a little incline.

So we headed out and then the truck decided to die in the middle of Baghdad rush hour. Imagine 15 Iraqi men running around in the road, getting behind this truck and pushing it down the road. We got it over to the side and they decided to tow it. So they tied this large truck to the back of a Toyota Corolla. We took off again and made it to the school house but along the way, every time we hit a bump, boxes of paper would fall off the top so one of the Iraqis in the Toyota would hop out, run back, pick up the box and throw it on the other truck. It was like watching "Iraqi's Funniest Home Videos". I just had to laugh. But, we made it safely and only one piece of furniture got damaged. They are replacing it for us next week.

As you can tell, my days are busy. I have so many stories and pictures to share when I return. I can't wait to show them to you. Take care and have a wonderful week!


(New U.S. Embassy - largest US Embassy in the world.)









(Close up picture of the U.S. Embassy - flag flying in the middle.)









(July 14th Bridge - Who can find out why it is called the July 14th Bridge? Research Iraqi history.)






(Baghdad Hotel across the Tigris River)








(One of Saddam's former Palaces located along the Tigris)

Tennessee Visitor

Good morning all! It is Sunday and I am at the MTDC this morning. We have an Advisor Training Course in progress that will finish up today. On Tuesday of this week, we had a Tennessee visitor at Phoenix Base - US Representative Steven Cohen. I met him, along with four other fellow Tennesseans, and we had lunch together. He represents West Tennessee (Memphis area) but it was nice to hear a fellow Tennessee accent!







We have been experiencing more sand storms this week. I took a couple of pictures. What looks like fog is actually small dust particles. The sun became a little, glowing ball since their was so much dust in the air. Very unusual experience for me.



(Picture of the sun - little spot in the middle of the picture)









(The dust has been so thick that it looked like fog. You could feel it in your mouth.)



Other than the sand storms, everything is going well. I am on the countdown (approximately 60 days and counting) and looking forward to returning home. Hope everyone is having a good weekend and looking forward to Spring in Tennessee. Take care.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello All! Hope everyone is having a great Valentine's Weekend. Since school is out on Friday and Monday, I would guess that the students are enjoying it. I have had a very busy week. One of my bosses is on leave so I have a few additional duties to attend to in his absence. The picture above is of the MOD-AT section that I am assigned to at MNSTC-I. I know it is difficult to see but I wanted to give you an idea of the number of people I work with on a daily basis. (If you click on the picture, you may be able to view a larger version of it.) There are around 50 people assigned to our section now - most of them are acting as Advisors to the Government of Iraq. There are very few of us in military status. It is mostly contractors or government civilians from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Very interesting mix.

For Valentine's Day, I went to an Iraqi dinner that was hosted at the Blackhawk Conference Center on Thursday evening. They served lamb (it is cooked and served over rice as one piece of meat on a large tray) and Iraqi bread along with several delicious side dishes. I have enjoyed their food and the desserts are wonderful! Of course, anything made with lots of sugar is good:)

The weather is continuing to warm up and the days are getting longer. It feels like late March already with the warm days and cool nights. I envy the snow you all have had this winter - even though it has been cold there. I can't believe the number of snow days you have had and I missed them! Well, I guess there is always next year.

Better get back to work. Hope everyone has a great Valentine's and I will be in touch soon!

This picture was taken this week in front of the MNSTC-I sign. COL Combs is my boss (Chief of Staff for MOD-AT) and Mr. David King is his boss (Director of MOD-AT). COL Combs is US Army and Mr. King is a British Civil Servant SES 1 (same as a 1-star general).


Hello everyone! What a busy week! It is hard to believe it is February already. I understand that you all are having bad weather and that it is keeping the schools closed. I would say that the students think this is good weather since they get to use their snow days:) The weather has warmed up here over the past couple of weeks. The evenings are still cool but the days get warm. It is very warm when I have to wear my body armor which weighs 25 pounds. We are required to wear it back and forth to work and when we travel on the bus.

We had a quiet weekend here even though the first provincial elections were held in Iraq. National elections are planned for later this year. The feedback from the results has been good - very few incidences of violence. This is a great accomplishment for the Government of Iraq. I hope we are on the right track to helping them become a sovereign nation. So many of the things we take for granted are now being experienced here. They are very excited about the future of their country.

Well, I had better get back to work. I am missing everyone and look forward to returning soon. I have less than 80 days to go. Sounds like a lot of days but it will go quickly. I hope everyone is enjoying the snow and the snow days. It will be warm soon so enjoy it while you can! Take care.