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News From Iraq

Econ101

Well-known member
We have the best "boys" in the world working for us in Iraq. Here is some news from the field (nothing classified) on the pullout talk:


All,
This is a link. The organization is the one I'm in. Brig Gen Hoog is
my commanding general. Yes, we've talked, and I've given him input to,
the references to Kirkuk in the article. Thought you all may like to
see this. I'm in Kirkuk. I've flown the CH2000 in Basrah. Been to New
Alma Thana Air Base and flown in an Iraqi C-130. So, all the things the
article discusses are integral in what I have been doing.
God Bless you and America,
Waylan



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Shortcut to: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,102607,00.html
 

Econ101

Well-known member
Real interesting observations from the field:

Hello all, another update from Kirkuk, Iraq.



Not sure where I left off on the last one, but I’m back in Kirkuk after finishing an instructor flight syllabus on the CH2000 aircraft. Yes, if you Google it you’ll laugh at me. It’s okay. I was flying it in Iraq if that makes it look “tougher!” Since being back in Kirkuk, I’ve worked many different issues for the squadron here and have had many interesting experiences. The temperature is 100F, now. They say it will peak at ~110 in July and Aug, so it’s no nearly as bad as Basrah – where I was flying the CH2000 – where it gets to 120+ with humidity. I’ve seen some T-storms around and we got a little shower from one the other day. The storm had been building in the East all afternoon and peaked East of the base about an hour before sunset. As the dark, low frontal clouds approached, a full rainbow appeared behind them. Beautiful. The rainbow stayed while the frontal clouds moved past with their virga (rain falling from clouds that doesn’t reach the ground) falling below them like portugese man o’ war jellyfish. During the whole event the sun continued to set. Cloud tops were a brilliant white and their colors faded into gold as they neared the horizon by the setting sun. Even Iraq is God’s; how evidenced! Just thought I’d share that. It was memorable. I’ll relay a few other happenings below. I hope they don’t make this too long for you.



Two Fridays ago, the Arab day of prayer (Sabbath), I sat with my Iraqi squadron mates through much of the day. We watched the “church” in Mecca on the TV, and they explained a lot to me regarding their religion (one of the things they say we’re not supposed to talk with them about – how can you not?). Things such as: 7 is when boys begin “formal” instruction in religious matters; 12 is when corporal punishment comes into play if they’re not following their religious instruction… ; the parishioners walk around the oblisk in the middle of the mosque’s square 7 times before sitting and listening to the “sermon;” and that non-muslims are not even allowed in the city – there are signs. The most interesting thing that if found out was, according to my squadronmates in the room with me, the fundamental difference between Sunni and Shia is the same as between Catholic and Protestant, respectively. Differences in what is / makes something / someone Holy and how they worship are the main differences. The fellas here say it’s not as big a deal, their differences, as the media reports. What is the problem, they say, is the people looking for power within these groups. Those looking for power incite division and animosity towards others for personal power means. This IS evident in the media. More than one Iraqi here emphatically stated they lived in neighborhoods with all different faiths - Sunni, Shia, Christian, and even Jew - in peace without religion being an issue. This was before the insurgents, etc. began their quest for power. It was a wonderful day that was immortalized as I observed a Sunni discussing, in Arabic, religion with three Shia’s – one of which was a very religious man. He had explained the Haj (when Muslims travel to Mecca in accordance with the Koran’s direction – if able). He stated the Haj was for the heart, not the mind or body. “It is not that I had been there, although it is important, but that my heart was changed to follow Allah’s will that mattered,” he stated. We also discussed the “seed scattered on the good soil vs rocky places, etc” in terms as Jesus did. Last bit on this day - as I watched the religious “argument” go back and forth, I was sitting next to a Kurd! Yes, there I was observing a religious argument between Sunni and Shia with a Kurd as a translator! There is hope.



I was able to train a bit with the security forces squadron (SFS) here the other day. Gotta gloat – for the Marine Corps not me. The SFS brought out an AK-47 (Russian type rifle) for me and another USAF Major to familiarization fire. Since he’d shot one before, I was the first up. There was an audience, of course, to see how the Marine would do – especially one who’d never shot an AK. Well, Mr. Domingue, I popped a round right into the middle of the ammunition can approximately 100 meters away with the “Iron un-sighted in” weapon. It got attention. Was a good day for USMC marksmanship lore! The same day, I went flying, supporting the counter IED (improvised Explosive Device) operation. Was good. Other than this, I’ve been continuing work to rebuild the Iraqi Air Force – explaining this would be a short book… Still, business is good.



I’ve made many friends here in the US Air Force and Army. I’ve learned tons about my sister services through them. God is blessing me with many things in addition to these. Health is good. Motivation is still up. I see and “hear” Him daily. Although it does get “loud” out here.



I miss my family. We had a Memorial Day Service this evening to commemorate the holiday. We’ve lost 13 Army soldiers in the last 9-10 months from this base. I learned of two Marine pilots who died this weekend. I remembered my family at home in Japan without me. I remembered the thousands of other families missing their loved ones this day – some with no reunion to look forward to on Earth. It hit home. I beat back tears as “I Can Only Imagine” was sung. I couldn’t sing the first verse of God Bless America. But I did not regret my decision to come, nor the decision for us to be here. I did pray for peace.

God Willing.



Thank you for your continued prayes, emails, and thoughts.

Semper Fi,

Waylan
 

kolanuraven

Well-known member
Good info.

I get the same type of information from the troops I know in Iraq and they tell me about the same thing as you report here.

As with most places in the world....it's the ' trash' that comes in and makes trouble for everyone else in the neighborhood/area!

IF...in a perfect world..you could get out ALL the insurgentsin one week....our troops could leave Iraq the next day. But we've not a perfect world! :? :? :? :?
 

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