Navy Flag

This is one of the lakes on Victory Base.  At the center are the remains of a Saddam era sculpture of dolphins and a giant clam shell.  It has some sort of Arabic mythical significance that I can't recall at the moment. 

NAVCENT Forward is the Navy Command in Iraq that oversees all Navy activity in the region.  Their offices are in one of the Palaces overlooking the lake. 

A while back some Sailors rowed out and planted a Navy flag on the Oyster.  Within days the Army slipped out and took it down.  Now, every week the Navy goes out and plants its flag - and a few days later the Army takes it down.  Its these sorts of inter service rivalries that keep things interesting. 

Doing Good Things & Traveling in Style

Several memorable trips this week.  One to a farm where we assisted a local cooperative build some water pumps for irrigation and purchase some sheep for widows to raise.  We took a Veterinarian with us who conducted training for the women.  I heard the training went well but all the men had to leave the room during that portion of the visit.  Discussions of breeding and birthing sheep being too sensitive a topic for proper ladies to discuss in front of men folk. 

Afterward the co-op served us a wonderful traditional Iraqi meal of lamb, chicken & rice with fresh vegetables.  It is Ramadan and a time of fasting for many Muslims so we were afraid that eating might insult them but many of them weren't fasting and joined us.  The Iraqi way of dining is buffet style with everyone standing around the table.  Leafs of flat bread are stacked around the table.  Everyone just digs in with their hands and uses the flat bread for sandwiches.  It is messy but delicious!

Another visit was to a university where we had helped build a library and donated books.  They have students studying US history but have few books in Arabic or English on the topic.  Most of the students read English but it does make it more difficult. 

The second trip was made nicer because of the comfort of the ride there and back.  Usually when we travel overland we are in military Humvees.  If you have ever been in a Humvee you know that there is not much room and they are not built for comfort.  Also, although they have AC there is a big hole in the roof for the gun turret.  When its 120 outside its pretty much that temp inside.  Two hours crammed in a hot metal box is no fun, trust me.

For the trip to the University the RSO from the Embassy provided transport and security.  This means nice, clean, up armored Suburbans with big comfy seats.  They also have a nice quiet ride so you can have a conversation with the people around you.  Nice!

Taji Heliport

118 degrees

Its 118 degrees in Baghdad today and has been for most of the week.  The joke is that it "cools off" when the temp drops below 115.  Some have said that you can't tell after it gets above 110.  But, Ill argue that you notice every point as the thermometer goes up.  121 is definitely and noticebly hotter than 120.  On the bright side the skies are a robin's egg blue and there is a breeze.  Its a hot breeze but at least the air is moving. 

The Chief moved all the desks arround in Ops this week.  Now staff face out at the center of the room rather than facing the walls.  It looks better.  Its also good for security because people cant walk up and "accidentally" see info on our SIPR & NIPR servers.  Anyone in OPS has clearance but there is "need to know."