So my new assignment offered me a special treat during my stay in Iraq. I had always been stationed on the VBC (Victory Base Complex) which is the "Main" set of bases around BIAP (Baghdad International Airport). For me, very little travel was required, whan I arrived at the BTC I merely called my fire station and someone came to pick me up. Within 20 minutes I was back in my room at Station 2 on South Victory. Many times a helicoptor, charter plane and/or convoy is necessary to reach your base. G-6/Camp Echo requires, typically, a helicopter. That helicopter is the UH-60 Blackhawk. While I always wanted to fly in one, I had also hoped never to leave the VBC so my travel would be easy. There are many horror stories of guys that spend weeks trying to get out on R&R or EOC. My first trip proved to be difficult enough to keep us at the BTC for 8 extra days. Delays ranged from weather cancellations to lack of seats on the flights. Eventually we made it, it was a very cool ride, surprisingly smooth.........now I know how Superman feels!! ;)
Full PPE required during travel with long sleeve shirts.
A bridge over the river Euphrates...........or tigeris?? Not sure which river it is actually.
A very cool looking building, someone said it was the Iraqi version of the "Tomb of the unknown soldier"
All Helicopter flights are performed in pairs.
A surprising amount of greenery throughout our journey.
made a few stops at different bases along the way.
A few more pictures to come.......
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