A new enemy

We've encountered a new, mobile enemy whose numbers out match ours millions of times over. SAND FLIES. That's right - sand fly season is here - these horrible flies swarm all over base, get into your uniform and bite you leaving what looks like a mosquito bite behind. These sand flies aren't the size of a normal fly, they look more like a nat. Measures are in place to help protect us from this enemy - our uniforms were treated before we left the states, we use bug spray with DEET, and KBR (Kellogg, Brown, and Root aka Halliburton) fogs the base every night to control the population of sand flies. All this helps but you still get bitten - current count for me right now is about 9 which is good because others in our unit have 9 bites on one arm!

BIAP

Here are some pictures from BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) taken by my friend that lives next door to me.
Here is a picture of one of Sadam's palaces, notice the moat that surrounds it.

Promotion to Sergeant

Today the Commander promoted me to Sergeant, which is a NCO or Noncommissioned Officer. With this promotion comes additional responsibility and greater expectation. The NCO Creed is the foundation for all NCOs, Here it is:


No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

Klinetobe's Baby Boy

My battle buddy (roommate) SGT Klinetobe and his wife just had a new baby. I had to schedule his leave so he could be home for the birth and we timed it just right. The baby, Adrian James Klinetobe was born on March 7, weighed 8 pounds 7 ounces and is 21" long.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Coin from Numanyiah

This is a picture of a coin that the 2nd MTR MITT team from An Numaniyah sent me. I directly provide personnel support to them.

Looking through amber lenses

No I'm not taking these pictures through a pair of amber lensed sunglasses. Over the past two days we've been having the worst sand storm to date. Sand and dust gets everywhere, ears, eyes, mouth, nose, etc. It's horrible! If you look in the second picture, you'll see a faint outline of a vehicle you would usually see clearly on a normal day.

The UR Market

Just outside of the gate, there is a secured area where colilition forces can purchase items from the local Iraqis. This place is called the UR Market, UR because we are very close to the underground City of UR (more to come on that later when I take the UR tour) . The Iraqis sell a lot of things ranging from prayer rugs, blankets, tabacco products (Hooka Pipes, Cuban Cigars), dvd movies and tv shows, and other touristy type stuff. Here are some pics of the area: