 
Combat Zone Tourist: My 13 Months of Emails from the Sandbox

By Mike Belter

Copyright 2016 Mike Belter

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### FORWARD

In early March 2004, I received a sealed manila envelope in the mail from the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis. I opened it, and was surprised to see I had received orders to be involuntarily called up for active duty with the V Corps. The V Corps was a major Army headquarters located in Frankfort, Germany. While I did not like the idea of being called up, at least I was heading to the land of good food and beer.

The next day, I called St. Louis to ask some questions about my orders. I quickly found out that V Corps was now in Baghdad, Iraq, and I would be on active duty for a year in that country. I was to report to Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas, in the middle of May to be mobilized, the military word for transitioning from a part-time reservist into an active duty Soldier.

I graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1978 and spent eleven years on active duty as an Army Officer; living at various military posts in Mannheim, Germany, Warrington, England, Fort Harrison, Indiana, and Fort Monroe, Virginia. After leaving active duty in 1989, I got a job with the electric utility in Tulsa and have worked at subsidiaries of the same company ever since. In 2000, our Southwestern electric utility merged with a Midwest electric utility (American Electric Power Company), and my wife and I moved to the Midwest.

Upon leaving active duty in 1989, I transferred to the Army Reserves, and while in Oklahoma, I served with the 45th Infantry Brigade of the Oklahoma Army National Guard. I did this to continue my service and hopefully be able to earn reserve retirement pay at age sixty. Since 1989, I had been assigned to several units, including a brief call-up during Desert Shield in 1990 to Norfolk Naval Base. In 2004, I was assigned to the Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

I went home on that second day and told my wife the bad news. After twenty-six years in the active and reserve Army, I was going to war. I was 48 years old. After almost thirty-one years after raising my hand and swearing an oath to serve this country, I was called to go into a combat zone. One minor good thing, my mobilization orders said I could bring my privately owned vehicle to my new duty station in Baghdad. Yea, sure!! It would have been cool riding around Iraq in a 1971 MG Midget.

I supported the 2003 Iraqi War, mostly based upon the evidence that the Secretary of State presented to the world at the United Nations. I watched every night during the invasion, and saw the world's premier military, with its allies, defeat an enemy that had weapons of mass destruction and had previously used them against Iran and the Kurds. I was proud of them, and reflective of my small role I played in the late 1980s in combat developments of these weapons and support systems. I was saddened by any loss of life, especially any innocent civilians caught in the cross-hairs of a brutal dictatorship and our forces. I was shocked by the sudden fall of the Iraqi government, but not surprised, and proud that the United States accepted the responsibility and led efforts to restore Iraq.

When no weapons of mass destruction were found, despite the former Iraqi leaders willing to risk war for this (what kind of leaders would fight against Americans knowing they did not have these weapons? - I still say that the military and civilian leaders under this dictator more feared him and likely reported the fantasy of having these – because why risk going to war if you had none of these?), I was literally stunned. That we would go to war on such intelligence was an embarrassment. That our American leaders gave up on talking to people – diplomacy, and resorted to the military option. So my mind changed on support for going to war – but that was Monday morning quarterbacking and back seat driving, and Humpty Dumpty had already fallen and eggs were broken. Despite all that, my support for my brothers and sisters in arms never wavered. Despite my age and minor physical issues, I chose to serve.

Well the next two months went by quickly. I made arrangements at work to be gone for a year, with my boss and senior management being very supportive. I was lucky to be a part of a great company, which also paid me the difference between my civilian job and my active duty pay for up to two years while I was mobilized.

I also contacted the folks in Iraq to see what I was going to do there. After a few emails and phone calls, I made contact with the Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and Army Major I would be replacing in the Green Zone in Baghdad. They explained I would be a Liaison Officer in the Comptroller (C-8) organization of the Combined Joint Task Force Seven (see Military Lingo). The two officers were looking forward to my arrival. They initially thought I would be there in late April or early May, but then I sent them a copy of my mobilization orders where I would report to Fort Bliss on May 23rd, which meant I would arrive no earlier than Memorial Day. They also told me that V Corps, which staffed the Combined Joint Task Force Seven, had rotated out and been replaced by the III Corps from Fort Hood. I would soon get an amendment of my mobilization orders re-assigning me to the III Corps.

I had not spent any time as a Comptroller in active, reserve, or guard units. I had received training back in 1978 as a young Lieutenant as a Finance Corps officer. I earned my Master of Business Administration degree from Syracuse University, the same college that the Army had their Comptrollership Course at. So I contacted the Finance School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to see what I could do to prepare for my wartime job. I made contact with the Finance School Commandant, a Notre Dame 1978 graduate and my Finance basic course classmate, who was now in Iraq. He had me take the online Army correspondence course on Comptrollership to reacquaint myself with these operations.

I also contacted the mobilization center at Fort Bliss to figure out all the things I should bring and what I would be doing there for a week or so before deploying to Iraq. I decided to get a few things, like a pair of the desert camouflage uniforms and a footlocker to secure valuables. I also purchased a slightly rugged laptop to take with me.

I left work about two weeks prior to my reporting date, and my wife and I took a vacation to Bermuda. Then I was off on the flight to El Paso via Chicago O'Hare and Dallas Fort-Worth airports. I was given a first class seat on the flight from Dallas by American Airlines. Upon arrival, I grabbed my stuff, rented a car, and drove off to Fort Bliss.

I don't know when it came to me to record my thoughts and activities while I was mobilized. Maybe it occurred during all those hurry up and wait situations while at the mobilization center. Anyway, the thought took hold and I started to write up a short report after each day. I was able to do daily reports for about almost two months after mobilizing.

In my exchange of emails to and from friends back at work, they began to ask me questions as to what I was doing in Iraq. I decided then to start emailing a weekly report each Sunday evening. Other friends contacted me and I added them to my email address listing. My weekly email distribution list grew and grew, to over 150 individuals.

What I did not know at the time, was that one fellow employee with our Corporate Communications department at work would then post my email on the company's internal web site, and it was being read weekly by dozens of other folks.

Someone suggested I should publish this collection of weekly reports, probably with some commentary on what was going on at the time. After coming home, I did save the reports into a document file, but decided I had enough of Iraq by then. They sat there for over ten years, until now.

I have now decided to now tell my story, and initially I thought it might make more sense to not tell it in chronological order, but by talking about the activities and events by the different subjects that I had grouped them in. But that did not seem to work very well. I finally felt that it would make more sense to tell it as it happened. Hopefully, this will make a lot of sense to the reader, and help to tell my story, of my thirteen months of boots on the ground in the Iraq.

I will try to separate out the emails I sent home each week from my commentary in this book. I hope it works in the various eBook formats. I was inclined to edit the emails, to at least fix the misspellings that I wrote – but it felt right to just leave them as they originally were written when I hit the Send button, for good, bad, and ugly. Mrs. Covington, my high school English teacher, will probably shutter when she hears that. But my thoughts in emails from Iraq are just like the letters Soldiers wrote home in all America's wars, so why should I change what I thought at the time. The only exception was to edit out names of persons, to protect their privacy, and to change military acronyms to English. I did change a few words that mean different things than what I wanted to say in the email, to avoid confusion.

Why Combat Zone Tourist? It came about one afternoon after working out in the Green Zone gym. Walking back to my trailer, my legs were stiff. I remembered something that Joe P, one of my physical education instructors at West Point had once said, to skip in order to loosen up one's legs. So I started skipping, and went along the side road, turning left onto the back alley behind the Republican Palace, and ran into one of our Marine Colonels. Not literally, but I promptly stopped skipping and rendered him a greeting (no saluting in the Green Zone). He started laughing, and said, "Mike, you are having too much fun here, you are like a Combat Zone Tourist." I chuckled, and went back to skipping, heading to my trailer to get a hot shower and probably an afternoon nap.

In 2016 as I prepared to finalize my story, it was long after the last American troops had left Iraq in December 2011, leaving behind the Marines who guard the American Embassy and others involved in military assistance operations. But now, for over a year, the United States has returned to Iraq (and Syria) to fight ISIS/ISIL/DAESH. My thoughts are with those who continue to serve in the military and in combat zones.

### MILITARY LINGO

One of the things I was quickly reminded by folks reading my weekly emails is my use of terms or abbreviations that I would use, but which my civilian audience found difficulty in understanding. And since I recently read that only about 1% of all Americans now have a family member who has served in the military, it has become even more important to say things in plain English. So here was my feeble attempt to explain the military, or specifically, Army organizations.

Some background on how the military is organized here. Here is a little explanation oriented to ground forces in the Army (the Marines follow the same pattern):

5-6 Soldiers make up a fire team or crew, usually headed by a Sergeant or Corporal.

2-3 crews/fire teams make up a squad, headed by a Staff Sergeant.

3-5 squads make up a platoon, headed by a Lieutenant and Sergeant First Class.

3-5 platoons make up a company, troop or battery, headed by a Captain or Major and First Sergeant.

3-5 companies/troops/batteries make up a battalion or squadron, headed by a Lieutenant Colonel and Command Sergeant Major. The United States Army tries to tie all infantry, cavalry, armored, and artillery battalions to historical regiments, by designating each battalion like 4-64 Armored, meaning the fourth battalion of the 64th Armored Regiment, which provided security in the Green Zone in 2005. Confusing, I know, as the other three battalions may be with the same division, in another area of the world, or no longer existing.

3-5 battalions/squadrons make up a brigade, regiment, or group, headed by a Colonel and Command Sergeant Major if part of a division. If the brigade is separate, it may be headed by a Brigadier General (one-star). In the two World Wars, 3-5 battalions made up a regiment, and 3-5 regiments made up a brigade.

3-6 brigades make up a division, headed by a Major General (two-stars) and Command Sergeant Major. Separate battalions can also be directly assigned to a division.

3-6 divisions make up a corps, headed by a Lieutenant General (three-stars) and Command Sergeant Major. Separate brigades, regiments, and groups can be also directly assigned to a corps.

Above a corps, there may be organizations headed by a General (four-stars) or a lower-ranking General Officer. In previous wars, they were called Armies and Army Groups; in more modern times they are Commands either by a geographical region or for a special purpose, like Special Operations.

There is typically a defined table of organization and equipment for military units and a prescribed chain of command from higher to lower units. Thus, commanders of sub-units are organic to a higher-level unit. For most combat and support operations, units may be reassigned temporarily as attached or in direct/general support to a higher unit - and these units are then called either company teams or battalion/brigade/division/corps task forces. An example would be a brigade commander pulling two tank companies from one battalion and attaching them to an infantry battalion, which then becomes a battalion task force (and likely detaching an infantry company or two to another battalion task force).

For offensive and defensive operations in Iraq after 2003, most of the combat involved fire teams, squads, platoons, and companies. And a great number of attacks occurred when one was moving from one place to another, either moving personnel or supplies, which could involve any military unit or civilian agencies. The company, battalion, and brigade headquarters controlled and managed the movement and operations of their combat or support units. These were the places where the rubber met the road.

In addition to the commander and senior enlisted Soldier at companies and higher-level military organizations, military units have a staff of officers and sergeants to assist the commander that have specific administrative, logistical, and operational responsibilities. At higher-level units, the staff also digests and filters information from multiple sources and provides the commander with needed information to make decisions.

The staffs at battalion and brigade are managed by an Executive Officer who reports to the commanding officer and is nominally the second in command. These staffs are designated with an "S" prefix; and typically organized in four or five sections - S-1 (personnel/adjutant), S-2 (intelligence), S-3 (operations & plans), S-4 (logistics or supply), and sometimes S-5 (civil military operations or civil affairs). At these units, there might be other staff members, like the chaplain, inspector general, judge advocate general (a lawyer), budget/resource management/comptroller, signal, engineer, training, or a liaison officer from an attached combat or support unit.

The staff sections are led by one officer (typically called the Chief or the S-#, with junior officers, non-commissioned officers (Sergeants) and enlisted personnel doing various functions to support the Chief and ultimately the commanding officer. The S-3 is typically of the same rank as the Executive Officer and is third in command, and considered the senior member of the staff officers. The other sections may be headed by officers of the same, one, or several levels junior in rank; and during combat, sometimes a senior Sergeant.

The staff structure repeats itself in divisions and corps with more defined staff sections. These are typically designated with a "G" prefix, and typically organized up to nine numbered sections - G-1 (personnel), G-2 (intelligence & security), G-3 (operations), G-4 (logistics), G-5 (plans), G-6 (signal, communications, and/or information technology), G-7 (engineers), G-8 (comptrollership or resource management), and G-9 (civil military operations or civil affairs). Likewise, there may be other staff sections, though they are not typically designated with a number. These staffs are led by the Chief of Staff, who is usually one or two grades below the commanding general and deputy commanders.

If the military unit contains two or more services (Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines), then it is considered a joint command and the staffs are designated with a "J" prefix. If the military unit contains military forces from two or more countries, then it is considered a combined or coalition command, and the staffs are designated with a "C" prefix. Sometimes staff sections will be known by different numbers depending upon the command arrangements and predominance of one country versus others. For Iraq, the staff sections followed American or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards, with some Americans coming from the states as "G" staffs, and transitioning to "J" joint and/or "C" combined staffs, or using all three prefixes interchangeably.

Due to advances in technology, fire power, communications, mobility, and other factors, smaller military units were doing more and covering more ground, than units could do in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or Desert Storm. While a division previously would occupy this much space or be able to deliver this much firepower, a battalion or a company might be doing this job now. In Iraq, you saw the emergence of the Brigade Combat Team as the core element or building block to modern land warfare. This enabled the military planners in late 2002 and early 2003 to have a much smaller military force to invade Iraq then what many would have expected otherwise. It took about 380,000 to invade Iraq, while it took over 957,000 to recapture Kuwait and invade southern Iraq in 1991.

I had several jobs while I was deployed to Iraq, and I will explain those positions in turn. But first, let me set up the way American land forces were organized in Iraq during the 2004-2005 time periods.

The initial combat forces that invaded Iraq occupied key cities and key positions throughout the country for several months. Then, when the international community realized that the government of Iraq fell apart, the United Nations by resolution organized a Coalitional Provisional Authority (CPA) to temporarily run the country for a short period. It ran Iraq from late April 2003 thru the end of June 2004, when it turned over governmental functions to the interim government of Iraq.

The military after the 2003 invasion initially re-organized into a three-stars task force headquarters (Combined Joint Task Force Seven) commanding several geographically-based divisions and smaller military units from over thirty countries. The American V Corps headquarters staff with officers and non-commissioned officers from coalition forces and other services staffed this headquarters. The primarily mission was to hunt down remaining Iraqi key civilians and military units, search for weapons of mass destruction, and support the Coalitional Provisional Authority.

With the insurgency growing in the spring of 2004, it was decided to stand up a four-star headquarters to work with the Coalitional Provisional Authority, a newly opened United States Embassy, the provisional Iraqi government, and the various coalition governments; and perform more strategic military functions. This headquarters was called the Multi-National Force - Iraq. It was a subordinate headquarters reporting to the United States Central Command, which was the joint command responsible for much of the Middle East. So when I arrived in early June 2004, you had the Multi-National Force - Iraq headquarters with about 25% of its personnel filled, with most of the remaining staff arriving over the summer through September.

Coalition Joint Task Force Seven became a more traditional corps headquarters, managing the day to day activities of divisions and brigades against the insurgency. In February 2004, the III Corps headquarters from Fort Hood, Texas, began replacing V Corps. In May 2004, it became the Multi-National Corps – Iraq (the Corps) and reported to Multi-National Force - Iraq (the Force). XVIII Airborne Corps from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, began replacing the III Corps staff in early 2005. At the time I was leaving Iraq, the V Corps was making plans to replace the XVIII Airborne Corps at the end of 2005.

Both Multi-National Force - Iraq and Multi-National Corps - Iraq, though mostly American military, had dozens of officers and sergeants from the coalition countries, plus individual replacements like me. As I said, the Force headquarters was supposed to be strategic, but because almost all its staff officers personal experience was tactical, they sometimes micro-managed the Corps and the subordinate commands.

During my time in Iraq, Multi-National Corps - Iraq ran the war through its six subordinate commands, all called Multi-National Forces or Divisions. The Corps headquarters was organized into various C staff sections, as described above. The C-3 (Operations) section was the largest, with about five sub-sections run by full-bird Colonels. The C-5 (Plans) section operated a number of cross-teams from all the other staff sections. There was a Field Artillery Brigadier General who operated Joint Fires and sometimes had the C-3 and C-5 sections directly reporting to him. Joint Fires eventually formed a team consisting of C-7 (Engineers), C-8 (Comptroller), C-9 (Civil Affairs), and C-3 for reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.

Here is a rough description of these sub-ordinate commands and their areas of responsibility.

In southern Iraq, Multi-National Division - South East was a British division with units from Italy, Denmark, Japan, Australia and Spain. South of Bagdad was Multi-National Division - Central South, a Polish division with units from Ukraine, Honduras, El Salvador, and eastern European countries.

In Bagdad, you had Multi-National Division - Central, an American Army division with five or six brigades. Northeast of Bagdad was Multi-National Division - North Central, another American Army division. In Mosul, the American Army division was replaced with an Army brigade in early 2004, making it Multi-National Brigade - North. Out west of Bagdad, Multi-National Force - West consisted of the three-stars led Marine Expeditionary Force, which had about five Marine regiments (called Marine Expeditionary Units) and one or two Army brigade combat teams assigned.

Geographical zones of responsibility and brigade combat team assignments sometimes shifted, as insurgents found that they could more freely operate near the boundaries. The commanding general of the Multi-National Corps - Iraq would then realign boundaries and reassign that area to one of his Multi-National Divisions; and also reassign one or more brigade combat teams to that area, as was done in late 2004 in the area south of Baghdad.

During most of my tour, there were about five Army National Guard Brigades on active duty and assigned to the Multi-National Division commands. Also, Multi-National Division - North Central was commanded by the 42nd Infantry Division headquarters from the New York Army National Guard.

Supporting the coalition Army and Marine units were aviation units from the land components, as well as coalition Air Force and Navy units based in Iraq or nearby. Supporting all of these military forces were coalition support and services units, providing communications, information technology, engineering, food services, facilities & equipment, transportation, police, intelligence, personnel management and financial management. Typically, the tooth to tail ratio, or the ratio of combat forces to support forces, was from one combat Soldier to five to ten support Soldiers.

Because of the downsizing that occurred in the American Army in the early 1990's, there were not enough support units to build, maintain, and run the camps, so these were contracted to the Kellogg, Brown, & Root Company, as contractors, to provide life support services. Coalitional Provisional Authority, then the coalition Embassies, required protection, usually from private security firms. Foreign contractors also obtained security and protection from these private security firms.

There was another headquarters commanded by a Lieutenant General that was responsible for equipping and training of the Iraqi military and police, called Multi-National Transitional Security Command - Iraq. Its headquarters was in the Green Zone and it reported to the General who commanded Multi-National Force - Iraq. There was also a Colonel-led Joint Area Support Group - Central that reported to Multi-National Force \- Iraq and operated the Green Zone for the coalition. You had various Special Operations groups and a couple Air Force bases in country. You also had a Corps of Engineers Division in the Green Zone and regional district offices, responsible for much of the Iraqi reconstruction efforts.

The coalition military was about 200,000 strong during my tour in Iraq, with about 150,000 Americans. I spent most of my time in Bagdad, working resource management or comptroller issues with Multi-National Force - Iraq, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, subordinate units of the corps, Joint Area Support Group - Central, the Coalitional Provisional Authority, the Iraqi government, the United States Embassy, the embassies of the other coalition governments, special operations groups, Corps of Engineers, and a few other groups. There were Air Force Engineers and Navy Seabees around, but they mostly worked at the air bases or for the Marines. Because I was a Comptroller, I also dealt with all the various Commands and agencies back in the States, as they funded the operations and programs in Iraq.

The brigade combat teams focused on tactical operations, divisions and corps headquarters were responsible for the operational end of the war and insurgency operations, while Multi-National Force - Iraq headquarters focused on strategy. The bulk of Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq was training and re-training Iraqi military and police, plus equipping these forces and building bases and border posts.

### THE CHAOS OF WAR

A relative of mine who served in Europe during World War II told me that his wartime service was extremely confusing, with being told to do different things sometimes at the same time, a lot of hurry up and wait, and always being hungry and tired. But he would also say that somewhere, somehow, thousands of us got the job done, marched in the right directions, attacked at the right time, and won the war. I have heard hundreds of times from veterans that war is hell. I decided early on that I was going to get through it, and try to take all the ups and downs with a smile on my face. If it was going to be my last day on earth, I was going to enjoy it and not let anything worry me. Don't worry, be happy. It's only Iraq.

When I arrived in Iraq, I felt that the United States Army had only just arrived, maybe a week or two before I did. Everyone was staying in mostly temporary facilities, tents for sleeping, makeshift buildings for offices, intermediate electric power and running water, sometimes cold showers, etc. I asked questions, like did you folks just move into this office over the last two weeks? And I got the same answer - they had been there for a while. The Army makes do with whatever it is dealt with, and lives with it. Had I only been assigned to an Air Force base, now that would have been priceless?

My first experience in the Army living with what it had was when I went to Korea in 1984 and went to the headquarters camp of the 2nd Infantry Division. The camp looked like the unit had just arrived there, with a collection of temporary housing, office buildings, and tents. And we had been there since the mid-1950s. I did see a new camp that was being built; I think called Red Cloud, with all newly constructed concrete buildings and paved roads. But for the most part, the facilities were barely adequate.

So upon arrival in Iraq at Camp Victory, I saw some of the same living conditions I saw in Korea twenty years before, but I also quickly saw that they were constructing not one but two huge trailer parks to serve as sleeping quarters and a fine new gym (which was still under construction 13 months later when I left). It was good to see all the construction work, as it indicated that someone had realized that we were going to be here for a while, so a few things were being done.

But initial perceptions can be deceiving. Camp Victory was far from rustic. It was located on a hunting preserve used by one of Saddam's sons, so it was full of large and small palaces and hunting lodges, rumored to have built by East German contractors, quite cheaply. The preserve was probably built to host several dozen people, not the thousands that would be located at a corps headquarters and adjacent camps that hosted much of the Bagdad division and several other military organizations.

At the time of my arrival, there was one large trailer park at Camp Victory, and two more under construction. Meanwhile, arriving personnel slept in medium sized tents, with showers and latrines in other tents with wooden floors. There was a medium sized dining facility, with a much larger one under construction. There was plenty of food and lots of variety, but that dining hall was crowded. There was a small Post Exchange at Camp Victory (like a 7-11), and a much larger Wal-Mart style and sized Post Exchange located at Camp Liberty, about three miles away. That Post Exchange also had a Burger King. It also had a barber and beauty shops, plus several other shops that sold European cars for delivery stateside, cell phones and calling cards, flowers and plants, and other goods plus a tailor. Plus it has an internet café and phone trailers. Outside the Post Exchange was a large tent containing approved Iraqi vendors selling rugs, cell phones and calling cards, CDs of music, DVD movies and television series, gifts, electronic equipment, furniture, paintings, jewelry, and other items. Around both camps may be smaller Iraqi vendors selling CDs, DVDs or satellite dishes out of shipping containers or small tents. Camp Victory had a laundry service that you could drop off clothes and pick-up them up in three days. There are officers designated as Mayors for the camps in the Camp Victory complex, and they put out base policies, like speed limits and saluting policies (you saluted outside at Camp Victory, but not outside in the Green Zone). So life was not bad at Camp Victory and the other nearby camps.

For most of my time in Iraq, Camp Victory complex hosted about 7,000 American and coalition military, plus a trailer area for hundreds of contractors working for Kellogg, Brown, & Root, mostly from the Philippines, Pakistan, and India. This contracting company ran all the logistics in Iraq and on most camps and bases, such as dining facilities, billeting, laundry, power, etc.

Outside the large camps were forward operating bases and smaller outposts that had much limited facilities. If you had a battalion-sized unit there, you might have a small dining facility, but often the food would be delivered once or twice a day from a larger camp. Often these forward operating bases were located at small Iraqi palaces or government buildings, so offices or other rooms were turned into barracks and sleeping areas. Troops at forward operating bases went outside the wire to conduct combat operations against insurgents, protect conveys, and a range of other functions, usually six or seven days a week. Many commanders instituted a day off each week, to allow for recovery, rest, and the occasional trip to the big Post Exchange at Camp Liberty and a better meal.

The Green Zone was located in the downtown area of Baghdad along the Tigris River in about a 15 square kilometer area. The river offers one boundary while several apartment buildings of twenty or so stories look down into the Green Zone from the western side. It was Saddam's center of government, and there were many large and small palaces there, plus mansions and villas for the high-ranking government and military officials, and dozens of other buildings. Some of these had large swimming pools, gardens, and parks. I understand that entry prior to the war was tightly controlled; it was definitely a place for the Iraqi elites. Foreign embassies also were located in the Green Zone, as were a number of Iraqi government ministries. Located there were several significant memorials to the Iran-Iraq War, plus a large convention center and at least one large hotel building.

Some of these buildings were used by the military during the 2003 war, and they were flattened or severely damaged by air and missile attacks, and were still a pile of rubble when I was there. There were apartment buildings that I think were used by lower-ranking officials and their families - by 2004 they had been taken over by close to over 5,000 Iraqi civilians from outside the Green Zone or Baghdad.

The dominant building in the Green Zone was the Republican Palace, which was about 500 meters long, 150 meters wide at places, and really was a combination of three or five separate buildings. Before the war, it was occupied by one person, Saddam, and his servants, and apparently one functioning bathroom and several large bathtubs. The coalition military and civilian forces quickly occupied this palace, slept in the larger halls, and began to set up offices. Some walls were painted over, while others remained as they were.

By my arrival in June 2004, you had several thousand working in the Republican Palace each day, Coalitional Provisional Authority civilians, Multi-National Force - Iraq military personnel, some Iraqi civilians, and contractors. The eastern and western ends were dominated by coalition activities and small offices, with the middle being where more public meetings occurred. One large room was turned into a dining facility, there was a small barber shop, and another room was an operations center (Commander's Situation Room) seating almost 100 military. One small room was turned into a chapel. About half of the facility was only one floor, with the middle having a second floor mostly with offices and a basement area turned into offices and a small movie theater. It was a maze to a degree, and it took several weeks before I found where things were completely.

Directly behind and outside the Republican Palace were several small buildings where the post office, laundry (drop-off and pick-up), billeting (assigned folks to sleeping tents and trailers), and the small company headquarters that we were all assigned to. Behind the Palace was a large swimming pool with a high dive, and then past a little garden area with ferret cats were the first set of about 100 sleeping trailers, about 40 feet long, each sleeping four in two rooms with a bathroom and shower in the middle. On one side were a few small villas that senior leaders lived in, plus some special purpose units. On the other side, the gym was there and a very large trailer park was under construction that would allow for trailers for 3,000 military and coalition civilians, plus selected contractors. There was a large park in the front of the Palace, and across the road were a small Post Exchange and a handful of shops, plus a parking lot filled mostly with SUVs. From there, the rest of the Green Zone spiraled from there, a coalition combat hospital, a tent-filled shopping mart, several Iraqi restaurants, smaller military forward operating bases, a few Iraqi ministries, embassies, and other buildings. It was estimated that there were about 12,000 people that lived in the Green Zone. It was joked that it was the world's largest gated community.

### MOBILIZATION

I left Columbus on May 23, 2004, Sunday morning, for an American Airlines flight to Chicago O'Hara, Dallas-Fort Worth, and then on to El Paso. The airline upgraded me on the Dallas leg to first class because I was in desert camouflage uniform, which was really nice of them. Upon arrival at El Paso, I rented a car and drove onto Fort Bliss.

The Continental United States Replacement Center battalion had us in-process on Sunday afternoon, it only took about two hours, and then I checked into the Inn at Fort Bliss, what goes for a hotel on post. The room is nice, air conditioned (it is in the 90's), with two twin beds, refrigerator, microwave, and iron. I was back at Replacement Center at 6:30 pm for the evening briefing by the Battalion Commander and Command Sergeant Major, giving us an overview of the week. I was back at the Inn by 9 pm, and tossed and turned trying to get to sleep, as the room temperature went up and down.

Monday began at 4:15 am, thanks to having my watch alarm and the radio clock go off. First formation was 5 am, and we went to breakfast. There are 130 of us mobilizing this week, with only about 40 military and the rest civilians or contactors. They have us divided into two companies. They encouraged us to eat a hearty breakfast, which most of us did. Back in the briefing room at 6 am, and through 8:30 we received instructions on completing about three dozen forms needed for processing.

My group first went to medical processing, and that included a review of vision, shots, medical records, and history. My immunizations were quite out of date, so I got seven vaccinations, including one for anthrax and one for smallpox. The anthrax one hurt like hell and it's the first of six or eight shots. Yuck. The doctor was concerned about my elbow, and medically flagged me at this point. He wanted to order me immediately home, but calm heads at Replacement Center prevailed. I was pulled from the regular mobilization process and will have an orthopedic surgeon evaluate me sometime during the week. That means that I will either leave for home on Thursday or Friday, get reassigned to a stateside location, or will be cleared for Iraq. They transferred me to their headquarters company, and I will work on getting an appointment at the Medical Center tomorrow.

I met a number of senior officers being deployed. The doctors are being deployed for 90 or 120 days, and I have not met anyone who is not a volunteer. I am wondering why I seem to be the only one being involuntary mobilized. I suspect that someone must have requested me, something that I will find out when and if I get to Iraq.

I am a little mad at the medical processing. It was only a review of the paper records, and my immediate requests for a physical or orthopedic evaluation were initially denied. They wanted me to return home, and sit and wait until Human Resources Command in St Louis makes up their mind. The civilian medical liaison contacted Human Resources Command and had much fun with their nonsense and the order to send me back to my home unit (what home unit?). Thanks to the decision of the Replacement Center Battalion Commander (a South Carolina reservist), I will be medically reviewed and evaluated at Fort Bliss. At least that is fair. Of course, I could have just said, it's been fun, and left the Replacement Center and headed home. But my suspicions are that that would screw up my military retirement benefits. So I await my medical review. We will see over the next few days. But it will cost me an extra week at the Replacement Center. There are a few others held over to the next week for various reasons.

I had difficulty getting to the dining facility on Tuesday morning for breakfast; the installation blocks most of the roads due to units doing physical fitness runs. After I returned to the Replacement Center, I contacted the Orthopedics Clinic, which said I needed a referral via the troop medical clinic. I went over to the troop medical clinic and saw a contract physician. She understood what I wanted – get a consult from her to see someone in Orthopedics.

The big hero is an Army Reserve Major, who had spent ten months in Tikrit, Iraq. He gave me an examination, and wrote up the profile on both my elbow and ankle. His civilian boss agreed. I am just waiting on their Colonel to approve it, and then I can then take it to the Soldier Readiness Point for their approval. The Replacement Center company commander (a Captain) was quite happy, but unfortunately I lost processing time with dental, first aid, equipment issue, and other stuff on Tuesday. This caused me to become a Holdover for the next Replacement Center cycle next week. However, the Captain did suggest that I attend all training on Thursday, and anything else I can do. He also agreed to let me see the cycle off Friday, as you get to know some of the folks while doing all this mobilization processing.

I got to speak to the Battalion Commander, a Lieutenant Colonel, and complimented him on the Sunday briefing, the Replacement Center processes, and his personnel's conduct. I gave him a status on my profile change. I also volunteered to assist him in any matter that he might utilize a senior staff officer to do (I had found out his Operations Officer was on leave.). He just told me to take it easy, and offered me a weekend pass if I wanted it (it was Memorial Day weekend). I told him I would look at airline reservations and get back to him.

I got my new identification card; it's now called a Common Access Card, its white, looks kind of like an American Electric Power Company identification card. The system was down almost all day; I kept going over there until the system was up around 2:30 pm.

I went to the Post Exchange and bought some mailing boxes. I decided that I would mail my excess items to myself next week to Iraq, as they would only allow you to fill three duffel bags, and the equipment issued would take up two. So tonight I packed up seven boxes of stuff. I decided the comforter, pillow, and first aid kit would go with me, at least for now. One issue remaining will be whether I have to get a ruck. I previously bought a black backpack, so I am hoping that Replacement Center will buy off on not issuing one. By the way, Replacement Center issued four desert camouflage uniforms to folks instead of the two that was on their website.

I am watching _NCIS_ and the final episode of _24_ tonight. I hope I will get to see _Enterprise_ 's final episode tomorrow night. I plan to go to the dental clinic, and spend many hours waiting to get any fillings filled.

I started Wednesday morning by visiting the Soldier Readiness Point and having the medical commander review the draft profile document. They predicted that I would not receive approval of the profile from higher command.

I then went over to the dental clinic to get that done. They did the x-rays and determined that I needed a filling. They scheduled an appointment for Thursday afternoon, but said I could come back in the afternoon and be a stand by. I did wait, and they performed the procedure and made a soft protector to prevent me from grinding my teeth in my sleep. Sly did a great job of getting all my dental processing done.

I then went over to the troop medical clinic to see what the status of the profile document was. Their doctor told me to go over the Medical Center as they would not be sending it back to the troop medical clinic. I drove over there, and found that the profile document had been sent to the Medical Center deputy commander for signature, and would be available tomorrow.

I spent the entire Thursday morning in mobilization briefings (stress, anger management, suicide prevention, red cross, subversion and espionage directed the Army, laws of warfare, rules of engagement, public affairs, and enemy tactics). The briefings lasted until noon, and it was followed by lunch (meals ready to eat) and an after action review.

I then went over to the Medical Center, but found the Medical Review group office closed due to safety training. I then visited the command group to see if the deputy had signed the profile. The bad news – they don't have any evidence that it has hit his office. I then went to the troop medical clinic to discuss this with their Lieutenant Colonel. I will go to the Medical Center directly on Tuesday.

The Replacement Center Battalion Commander agreed to give me a weekend pass starting at close of business on Friday until Monday night (Memorial Day). I filled out the Leave form and gave it to the company commander and then booked the flight home, gladly paying the high air fare.

Several of us went to the German Air Force club Thursday evening. The German Air Force sends its air defense troops to Fort Bliss for training, and they set up their own restaurant, complete with German beer and menu items. I will have to return there next week.

Friday morning was flight day for that week's group going to Kuwait and Iraq. It primarily consisted of laying out the baggage (three duffel bags), searches by dogs for illegal items, and processing for overseas flight to the post air field. After the group boarded their plane, I left post and went to the El Paso Airport to catch my flight.

On Monday, May 31st, I arrived back at Fort Bliss around 4:30 pm. I stopped by and found the stores that sewed on patches and sold pistol holsters. I attended the welcome briefing and then re-processed into the Replacement Center that evening.

Tuesday started at 5 am with first formation and breakfast. I then attended First Aid training that lasted about 90 minutes. I then obtained my signed profile from the Medical Center, and received Soldier Readiness Point medical approval and clearance by noon. That left me with not much to do that afternoon until last formation and dinner.

Wednesday started at 5 am and ended around 6 pm. We had first formation and breakfast, and then our platoon went over to the Central Issue Facility. This is the place that issues, exchanges, and receives all types of Army equipment (canteens, sleeping bags, pistol, uniforms, etc.). I filled out three duffel bags worth of equipment. After receiving the equipment issue, we then had Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical training and fitting of our gas masks. My evening consisted of sorting of the equipment (like separating the winter equipment and a frame and pack that I probably will never use) and preparing my equipment (helmet, pistol belt, etc.) for weapons training tomorrow.

Thursday, June 3rd, began again at 5 am, with first formation and breakfast, followed by issuance of pistols by the armory. They gave me a brand new 9mm pistol. We then traveled to the rifle range, a trip of over 50 minutes into New Mexico. We received excellent training on the care and feeding of our girlfriend (my pistol) for two hours. Then we moved out to the range. I fired and qualified on the first firing order (I hit 21 out of 30 targets, sharpshooter – I usually fire expert but I had two malfunctions on the first two tables and did not shoot at eight targets – I raised my hand on the first malfunction like we did in the Guard, but they expected one to clear it and keep shooting, no alibi's were allowed). It took some folks four or five times before they qualified. One nurse failed on eight attempts. We were told that our group would not leave the range until everyone living qualified. On the nurse's ninth try at about 7 pm, since we had extra ammo, I asked a Navy Academy Lieutenant to stand at the point on the left side of the nurse (a Major) and I fired on her right side. Navy fired a round in his target, then in hers. So did me. Navy and I fired more than 4-5 shots into her targets and she qualified.

There was a Lieutenant Colonel named Patrick who was the chief medical officer of his state's Army National Guard. Patrick and I then went to the German Air Force Community Club for their German buffet after a long day at the range. Sometime on Thursday we found out that our flight to Kuwait would not fly out until Sunday night, rather than the normal Friday.

On Friday, the Inn at Fort Bliss could not extend my room through the weekend. However, they moved me to the Distinguished Officer Quarters at Pace Hall, a place where General Officers stay. After packing my bags, I then moved over to Pace Hall and had my interview by Anthony Brooks of _National Public Radio_ for thirty minutes. He asked several questions about me being an individual reservist who was involuntary mobilized.

Patrick also moved into the Distinguished Officer Quarters when he found out that Replacement Center planned to move folks into a tent city on Saturday night to make room for the next rotation. Patrick borrowed my rental car while I was being interviewed by the _National Public Radio_ reporter, and he had to wait until a room came open. After he came back, we went into the Replacement Center to get our uniforms, then off post to GI Supply to get our rank, branch, and airborne badges sewed on, as the Replacement Center only sewed on the name and United States Army patches. We arrived at 5:30 pm, and left there about 8:30 pm as a lot of our group was there. Patrick and I then went to find a Mexican restaurant in downtown El Paso that was recommended to him. The restaurant was closed at 6 pm, but next store was an Italian restaurant. We ate there and had an excellent meal.

Saturday was a down day also. I got up early and found a post office outlet to mail the seven boxes to myself in Iraq. I then went to K-Mart and the Base Exchange to pick up some things. Patrick and I went to the Mexican restaurant for lunch, and it was excellent and quite filling. We then went to Franklin Mountain where the state park has a tram that goes up to the top of the mountain. It rises about 1,000 feet above El Paso. You can see out to at least 30 miles (on good days 70 miles – but there was too much haze). We spent about 90 minutes up there, taking a number of pictures.

I did my laundry in the evening, and finished packing up the third duffle bag. All three bags are quite tight; it was a struggle to close them. I then moved them to the rental car as we had baggage call tomorrow morning. I dropped off the rental car after I left my bags at the Replacement Center. President Reagan passed away at the age of 93 that afternoon after his long illness.

From here until July 2005, I then emailed (mostly) weekly reports. Emails will begin and end, or continue, with the sentence beginning with ##. I will insert comments to further explain what I wrote with the paragraph beginning with the word COMMENT. I also provide information after each email report about Iraq War deaths by date.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 0: 5 June 2004

As of Saturday night, I am still at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. Due to some changes in individual processing and training, been here for two weeks. We are supposed to fly out sometime in the next 72 hours for Kuwait. Can't be more specific, operations security issues with number of passengers and our flight schedule.

Have taken some pictures of training that I plan to send to Roger. My Acrobat is acting up, so I have not been able to put them to a pdf file. Will send soon!

I was lucky, was able to take a pass back home over Memorial Day. I caught a flight to Las Vegas, and then the red eye home. Surprised my wife at 7:30 am on Saturday, she did not know I was coming - heck, I was not sure until late Friday afternoon if I was going to get the pass. Needless to say, a National Guardsman (who is a doctor) and I beat everyone in land navigation course - so he went home too.

The temperatures this week here have been 95-102, but with low humidity, it is not too bad. We got all our equipment, which had to be put into three duffle bags with our personal clothing. Surprising, the three bags are all packed and ready for the flight. The good news is that they let us take a computer bag plus a carryon, so I am using my LL Bean bag for the laptop.

It looks like I will not go to the Republican Palace in the Green Zone, but be located at Camp Victory, which is about twelve kilometers from the Airport. That is where the command post is moving to due to June 30 change over. I will be working with an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel stationed at Wright Paterson Air Force Base, Dayton, who is an Ohio State grad and from our hometown. Small world! You can imagine what we will be doing this fall as we try to pick up football games.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - While I was at Fort Bliss, I received an email from the Air Force Lieutenant Colonel in the Green Zone that our boss, the Corps C-8 (a Colonel), had decided that I would not be assigned to the Green Zone where my predecessor had spent his almost ninety days at, but would be assigned to another job at our office at Camp Victory. What I would find out was that the Corps C-8 was fighting with the new Multi-National Force - Iraq C headquarters staff as to who would do what where. This would continue throughout my five months in the Green Zone.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 0: 5 June 2004

My wife and I had a great time in Bermuda.

Anthony Brooks of _National Public Radio_ interviewed me on Friday about reservists being mobilized. I will be interested in hearing how the 30 minutes gets reduced down to 30 seconds, but I was allowed to mention American Electric Power Company as my employer. I have no idea when it's going to be broadcast, either for All Things Considered or the morning program.

I heard that they named the operating company presidents from Mike. Also heard thru West Point channels that a graduate who worked at ConEd was taking over the Ohio Power Company. The name was garbled, so I am not sure who got it. Probably ought to look at the American Electric Power Company.com website. I have no access to our company internal website though.

Take care and be safe,

## (end of weekly email)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

Our flight to Kuwait left on Monday, June 7, from Biggs Air Field, El Paso, Texas. It was a 737 that seemed to fly directly over American Electric Power Company service territory, over Abilene, Lawton, Tulsa, and Fort Wayne and landed four hours later at Fort Drum, New York. We picked up Soldiers of the advanced party of a division moving to Iraq. They fed us T-bone steaks before we left two hours later. We arrived five hours later at a United States Naval Air Station in Iceland. The sun was just below the horizon, but it was only 45 degrees and still light. From there, five hours to Bucharest, Romania, one of our new North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners. Then four hours to Kuwait, we flew over Turkey and Iraq (we thought that was funny). Arrived about 2 pm local time on Tuesday, June 8.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - We had formation at 9:45 pm Sunday evening, and then we laid out our three duffle bags. The military police brought two dogs to check for drugs and ammunition. I then worked the baggage detail for our flight, even though senior officers usually did not, but it set a good example. We have 50 folks on our flight. Our detail beat the other two trucks loading the truck (we moved our truck back after loading half of the bags).

COMMENT – The Replacement Center then moved everyone (except those in the Distinguished Officer Quarters) to the Biggs Airfield to sleep in a large tent. Patrick and I went to the 906 dining facility where we met a Colonel who was also held back last week. He is going to Multi-National Corps - Iraq also to do Force Protection. Back at the Distinguished Officer Quarters, I washed some clothes, and packed my carry-on bags. I talked to the kids, my mom, and my wife last night.

COMMENT - I got up at 4:30 am Monday morning, as a Colonel had a van to pick him up at 5 am. The Replacement Center never did send the van over, so we walked over to their building. We were issued our weapons and got on the bus to go over to Biggs Field. At Biggs Field, we put our carry-on bags in a row to be inspected by the dogs again. We then had breakfast, not a very good one. Then our baggage detail spent about 15 minutes loading all the bags on the plane.

COMMENT - A Major General, Fort Bliss' commanding general, gave us a sendoff speech. Our plane was a 737, and was under contract from the Air Force to fly us across the Atlantic to Kuwait. We took off at 9 am and flew from El Paso over Oklahoma and Lake Michigan to Fort Drum, New York. At Fort Drum, we picked up 30 Soldiers from the advance party of the 2nd Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division. At Fort Drum, they fed us a lunch of T-bone steaks. We arrived around 3 pm, and took off about 5 pm eastern daylight time. During the two hour delay, I was able to call my wife twice.

COMMENT - One of the benefits of working the baggage detail both weeks (and having a high rank) was that Patrick and I were given business class seats in front. The seats lay flat. During the second leg, I gave up my seat for the last two hours so that someone in the back could enjoy the large seat. During the flight, I realized that this was the 26th anniversary of my United States Military Academy Class of 1978 graduation.

COMMENT - From Fort Drum, we flew to Iceland and landed at a United States Naval Air Station. We arrived at 9 pm eastern daylight time, or about 11 pm local time. They put us into a terminal, and I was able to call my wife during the hour wait. The sun had gone down below the horizon, but it was still light out, and the temperature was around the 45 degrees. We took off in an hour.

COMMENT - From Iceland, we flew to Romania, landing at the Bucharest International Airport. The Romanians had recently joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. They picked us up in a bus, and then put us in a guarded waiting area that was too small and only had three bathrooms. It was about 9 am local time, and the local manager told me that I could not take pictures. We were happy to get on the bus and out of there. Interesting, when our plane pulled up to the terminal, there was a Syrian Airlines next to us, and they quickly left after seeing us get on the bus.

### ARRIVAL IN THE SAND BOX

COMMENT - From Romania, we then flew over Turkey and Iraq, to Kuwait International Airport, arriving about 2 pm local time, June 8th, which is one hour earlier than Iraq. It was hot, but a strong wind wiped off our sweat as we quickly unloaded the plane. They then transported us from the airport to Camp Wolverine, adjacent to the airport, which is under the Coalition Joint Land Component Commander, the commanding general of Third Army, the land component commander of the United States Central Command.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

Kuwait was 112 degrees with a 40 knot wind blowing off the sweat. We unloaded our bags from the plane and the truck, sat in some presentations about threat conditions in Kuwait (terrorists), got our flack jackets, and 15 rounds of ammunition (9 mm pistol). The dining facility had everything you could imagine, but after sitting in a plane for 22 hours, most of us just had a sandwich and tried to sleep. I think I fell asleep about 2 am, and at 3 am, the second flight arrived and turned on all the lights in the tent. We were glad to see them, but kinda unhappy they woke us up. Walked down to the 24 hour Base Exchange, sat and watched 30 minutes of the movie _Analyze_. This at the outdoor theater, and went back for a couple hours of sleep.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – The United States Army used Kuwait as its entry point for its personnel and equipment to enter Iraq. There were several logistical bases and camps located in this country. One group would unload cargo ships for units rotating in and out of Iraq for shipment to and from the states. Camp Wolverine, and later Camp Doha, was used to process personnel and equipment into Iraq. Based upon Department of Defense directives, Kuwait was a combat zone, so arriving there made one eligible for income tax exempt status. So the camps processed personnel with units and as individuals. Talking to folks who rotated in and out with their units, this seemed to take a couple weeks, mainly because of the vehicles and weapon systems being unloaded from ships. For us individual replacements, it was a matter of hours or a day or so to get us in and out the door, using Air Force cargo planes. Also being processed were United States Navy personnel volunteering for Iraq, and occasionally a lost Marine or Airman.

COMMENT - We then unloaded the truck and received a theater briefing. We then met our liaison officer from the United States Central Command (me) and III Corp Artillery (Patrick). They immediately gave us a military phone system number that we could use to call the states, and then call the AT&T 800 calling card number at stateside rates. From there, I went to the passenger tent and got on the wait list for a Baghdad flight, with Patrick flying to his base in south central Iraq. They then assigned us to sleeping tent D-4, where we put our duffel bags on a vacant Army canvas cot. Patrick and I then went to the dining facility. There was lots of food there, and lots of choices, with televisions turned to _CNN_ or _ESPN_. Patrick and I then were issued our flak jackets and ammunition.

COMMENT - About 8 pm, there was a show time for a flight to Baghdad. I did not answer my name, as I realized that the flight would get to the Baghdad International Air Field after convoy movement time, and the folks in Iraq said that I would have to remain overnight there at the airport. Most of our flight jumped at the chance to get out of Kuwait, though I could see no reason to hurry. The tent emptied out after they left.

COMMENT - I went to bed about 11 pm on Tuesday night, June 8th, and tossed and turned not falling asleep. About 3 am, the second flight from the Replacement Center at Fort Bliss arrived, and the folks assigned to our tent came in, immediately turning on the lights. I think I had just fallen asleep. I got up, and walked around Camp Wolverine for about an hour, visiting the Cyber Café (where I had five minutes to look at emails), the Post Exchange, and the outdoor movie theater. I then went to bed, and woke up about 5 am Wednesday morning to check the flight schedules. There was going to be only one flight to Baghdad today, with show time at 1:35 pm. I woke Patrick up to see if he wanted to have breakfast, but he wanted to sleep. I then went to the dining facility, and met the nurses from the second flight. They were really confused about what they were supposed to do. I tried to help.

COMMENT - I went back to sleep until 11:30 am, and woke up Patrick. We went to the dining facility for lunch, and sat with another group of confused medical personnel. They still did not know what to do, and had not got their flak jackets or ammunition. As we got back to our tent, we ran into the Colonel that Patrick is going to replace. They went off to talk about things. Patrick would be flying into Iraq on another flight.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

Wednesday, found out that the first flight to Baghdad was around 1:30 pm, and ended up catching up on jet lag by sleeping most of the morning. We flew in a C-130 flight into Baghdad International, arriving about 6:30 pm local. My Corps C-8 office sent a convoy of a Humvee and a SUV to pick me up, and we rode for about twenty minutes to Camp Victory. Met most of the folks in our C-8 office, had chow, went to billeting and was assigned a tent, and tried to sleep thru the night.

Tent has 8 of us in it, two Brits, 1 Marines, 2 Navy, and 2 Navy. Next day (Thursday), in processed into Camp Victory, and for the next two days got acquainted with Corps C-8 office operations, the folks, and finding out where things are located.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - At the show time at 1:35 pm, they called my name, and I put my four duffle bags on the pallet. Our liaison officer, a Major, had told me that I better catch this flight, as I might be stuck in Kuwait for up to ten days as they are moving to another camp very soon. They told us to wait in the D-1 tent as the plane could arrive early. I tried their military phone system line to let my Corps C-8 folks at Camp Victory know when I was expected in Baghdad but their phone was out. So I went over to the liaison officer's tent to call. I was gone maybe ten minutes, and the Colonel there knew where I had gone. When I came back, the tent was empty. I asked the Air Force personnel what happened, and they said I missed the flight. I asked if they could drive me out onto the flight line, but they could not find their keys to their vehicle. At the last minute, the III Corps Artillery liaison officer drove me out to the flight line and I got immediately on the loaded C-130 aircraft like I was a VIP.

COMMENT - We flew about 90 minutes, and during the last ten minutes we flew in an evasive manner up and down, sharp turns, very fun. Some of the young folks were throwing up. It was like a carnival ride and I was laughing. There was a very smooth landing and I congratulated the pilots afterwards, a Major and a Captain. We 32 passengers had arrived in Baghdad International Air Field, Iraq, around 6:30 pm, June 9th. We were officially in the Sand Box.

COMMENT - I called the Corps C-8 office at Camp Victory and they said they would be out to get me. They got there in about 30 minutes, and we put on flak jackets and helmets to drive back to Camp Victory. From there, I got to meet the Deputy C-8, a Colonel, and our non-commissioned officer-in-charge, a Staff Sergeant. Also, most of the folks were still working in the office and I got to meet a number of the officers and non-commissioned officers. The boss was absent, having already left for the day. There were two Marines, two Sailors, two Civilians from Fort Hood, half the office was from the Air Force, and the rest were Soldiers. No coalition personnel were assigned to Corps C-8 office, so we were an All-American operation.

COMMENT – The Staff Sergeant then took me to the dining facility for dinner, and then we went to billeting, where I was assigned to a medium-sized sleeping tent, number 62. If I am going to work at Camp Victory, where the Corps C-8 is in Building 2, then I would be assigned in July to the new trailers that are being built This tent has eight folks assigned to it, two British officers, a Navy Lieutenant, a Navy Chief Warrant Officer, two Air Force Majors, and one Marine Corps Captain, all working for Multi-National Corps - Iraq. I found out that the other services were rotating personnel at 90, 120, or 180 day intervals, rather than the one year tours that the Army was doing. It took a few minutes to find a vacant cot, as the empty ones were used as shelves for everyone's gear. The tent had its own air conditioner, and it was set around 70 degrees and the fans were noisy. Also, there were two sets of switches for overhead lights, which my tent mates said stayed off from 10 pm to 5 am and to use flashlights at night. I did not sleep well, going to bed about 11 pm and waking up at 2 am early Thursday morning as several snored loudly. I finally fell asleep, slept through my 6:30 alarm, and woke up at 7 am. I still had plenty of time for a shower and got to work before the 8:30 am, official start time for the Corps C-8 office.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

At El Paso, they issued us about 2.5 duffle bags of equipment. Most of the stuff that is bulky is winter gear (ready to deploy to Korea) and Chemical Warfare suits. On Friday in Iraq, I got another duffle bag of NEW equipment, included Air Force desert boots and Marine Corps winter boots, plus new and improved winter underwear (the folks here swear it gets cold in February). The temperature at Camp Victory was a steady 100-105 by 8 am. Not much humidity, but I am sweating a lot.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - I immediately met the Corps C-8, an Army Colonel, an active duty Finance Corps officer a few years older than me. They had a staff meeting at 8:30 am, and I started to meet the senior staff. The meeting included about 12 out of the 24 personnel who work in the Corps C-8 office. While it was still confusing, most of what they talked about was common stuff that a stateside comptroller's office would be dealing with, who gets funded for what. I could tell that the Corps C-8 kept a tight rein on everything, as most of the conversations were one-on-one between the staff member with the Colonel, with very little interaction among team members. I also noticed only one activity being discussed concerning the combat operations, something called Commander's Emergency Response Program, and nothing about the Green Zone was ever mentioned.

COMMENT - After the staff meeting, the Staff Sergeant then took me to in-processing. We went to the Al Faw Palace (also known as the Water Palace), where many Corps staff sections were housed and Multi-National Corps - Iraq is officially headquartered. I got my security badge, signed into C-1 (personnel), signed up for computer access, and then we left for III Corps processing (company personnel stuff, mail, finance, and 15 more rounds of ammunition). I arranged with Supply to get a new flak jacket, as the one I had was not right and missing pieces.

COMMENT – Returning to the C-8 office, our Deputy C-8 (a Finance Corps Army Reserve Colonel), signed me on the security web site, and I read the latest situational briefings and other informational items. Combined Joint Task Force - Seven was no longer, replaced by Multi National Force - Iraq (four stars) and Multi National Corps Iraq (three-stars). They called these organizations the Force and the Corps. Cute! I also walked around the different C-8 sections, and got to speak briefly with the Corps C-8 to discuss what I might be doing here.

COMMENT – The Corps C-8, my new boss, wants me to get to the Green Zone and get a data dump from the Lieutenant Colonel (Jim), the Air Force officer who I had been in email contact with prior to arriving. Jim was leaving on June 25. And since the Army Major in the Green Zone had already left, it was really critical to capture the institutional knowledge and meet the folks on the ground downtown. The Corps C-8 figures that I will not have to be downtown permanently (though the folks at C-8 are betting I will be assigned there permanently into the black hole that they see the Green Zone as). The Corps C-8 wants me to replace another Army Lieutenant Colonel (Greg) in the C-8 Planning and Policy section, and wants me to document C-8 operations, establish planning stuff, and coordinate with the other C sections in the corps. This will be my job if I do not have to stay in the Green Zone. What I did not know at the time was the Corps C-8 was fighting a bureaucratic battle with the start-up of the Force headquarters, as there was only one C-8 function in the old Combined Joint Task Force - Seven organization, and the Force had plans to form its own C-8 organization, so the two groups were fighting over what each would be responsible for.

COMMENT - Greg is an active duty Adjutant General officer, who came over with a group of Third Army senior officers who live together in a villa around one of the lakes here at Camp Victory. They are quite a crowd, I am being introduced to them a few at a time. This is a nice network. Greg was working for my new boss in the Corps C-8 office, but had been recently assigned as the first officer of the Force C-8 office. We went to the small Post Exchange on Camp Victory to find a small flashlight and footlocker (I got the former). Lieutenant Colonel Doug, the Contracting Officer and part of the Third Army network, drove me over the new big Post Exchange. No footlockers there either. He seems OK, though he is only here for 120 days from the Air Force.

COMMENT – On Friday morning, I still woke up around 1:30 am, and went down to the latrines, probably due to the time change and air travel effects. I then fell asleep and woke to the alarm at 6:30 am. I took a shower and got dressed. I had put on my pistol holster that hung from the belt down by the pants pocket and my pistol. I had left it in my tent locked in my duffel bag on Thursday, and only one person pointed out that one was supposed to wear it at all times except showering, sleeping, and working out (though some argued one should be wearing firearms for the latter two). I then went to breakfast, and arrived at the Corp C-8 office around 8 am.

COMMENT - I went over to the Water Palace to get my passwords for the three communications systems (unclassified, coalition, and classified), but because the form was not checked off and initialed by the Deputy C-8, I had to make another trip. I saw two Replacement Center folks, including a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, who needed to speak to someone about a pay problem. I hooked him up with my Marine Corps tent mate to see what they needed to do. The C-8 Sergeant responsible for information technology then got me a laptop and I signed on to the two secure systems. Later on, I got the laptop and a cleared desk in Major O's office. I got into my Army Knowledge Online and Prodigy emails, and read the transcript of the _National Public Radio_ interview that ran on _All Things Considered_ on Tuesday. After lunch, I went to the Rapid Force Initiative building and they issued two new boots, new underwear, and more winter gear. They also fitted me for a new helmet. So far, I had been re-issued much of the equipment that the Replacement Center gave me. I then spent much of the afternoon putting the insect treatment on three newly issued uniforms. I then came back to Corps C-8 office, and the Deputy C-8 was looking for me. The Corps C-1 section was going down to the Green Zone and had an empty seat for tomorrow morning. My boss said to pack for two weeks. I called Jim to tell him I was coming down tomorrow. After dinner, I then packed my backpack and laptop bag for my short stay in the Green Zone.

### GREEN ZONE

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

On Friday, I packed up a backpack and my LL Bean bag with laptop, with flack jacket, loaded weapon, and helmet; we had a convoy of two SUVs to the 20 minute trip downtown to the Palace. I was quite happy to sit in the back, watching the left side for any trouble, while they drove at 80-90 mph thru rush hour traffic. We only had one idiot pull up beside us, but the Sergeant in the first SUV pointed his M-4 at him, and he veered away. We arrived safely at the Palace.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Saturday, June 12th, we left from Camp Victory at 9 am in two civilian SUVs. The route is an interstate highway within the city with lots of traffic. Our drivers were going about 90 miles per hour and traffic was moving out of our way. We had one foolish onlooker vehicle that backed away when an M-4 weapon was pointed at him. We arrived safely at the Green Zone checkpoint in about 20 minutes and parked at a large parking lot about a quarter of a mile in front of the Republican Palace. I walked up to the Palace gates to get in; using my Corps and military identification cards (I had my American passport just in case).

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

Again, in processed into the Coalition Headquarters here. The Republican Palace is one huge building, very pretty, but with hardly any electrical outlets and about three bathrooms. I have no idea how many folks work here during the day, maybe more than 1RP (American Electric Power Company's headquarters building, that has more than 2,000 employees work there). There are troops from the UK, Australia, Korea, Nepal, Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania (sp), New Zealand, Canada, Jordan, Norway, etc. Plus lots of Iraqis working on their new government. There seems to be a lot of Ohio State graduates around here. Plus a fair share of folks who are from Oklahoma.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - Lieutenant Colonel Jim is the remaining C-8 Liaison Officer in the Green Zone, with the departure of an Army Major a few weeks ago. Jim is on a three month tour that ends on June 28th. Jim took me around the Palace, that consisted of a little of in-processing and a little of meeting folks. I got issued a Green Zone identification card.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

After getting acquitted on Saturday with the layout of the Palace (we coordinate with five major groups, of course, they are at opposite ends of the building, which seems to stretch 500 meters long). Most of the work is face to face, with emails and telephones used for the folks out in the field.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - One of the offices we work with are Advisors to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance. Another is Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, which mentors the Iraqi Security Forces. Another is the Program Management Office, which is managing the $18 billion Iraqi Reconstruction Fund. And finally, there is the Coalition Provisional Authority Comptroller (CPA C-8) office. The CPA C-8 office is run by an Air Force Colonel (Don) from Wright Patterson and originally from Oklahoma. His office has received lots of snacks and candy from the states, so it is a good place to stop in. The CPA C-8 and I struck it off fine. I think Don had arrived about a month ago for a 90 day tour. Another officer I met is an Army Colonel (Bob), who was my Finance Basic Course classmate in 1978. He was supposed to go home by now. He is currently the Commandant of the Finance School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Bob is responsible for the Program Management Office's financial affairs (PMO J-8).

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

The Palace has a 24 hour Gym and a large outdoor Swimming Pool. Also have an outdoor theater, and the basement has an indoor theater with really big seats. Free movies every night! The dining facility is good, not as good as Camp Victory's or Kuwait, and serves meals four times a day. I ate one meal with an Iraqi Air Force Colonel who flies helicopters, very interesting. I think that most Iraqis are looking forward to July 1 starting their new government.

American military are prohibited from use of alcohol in country, though our Coalition partners and the embassy folks and other civilians are not restricted. We celebrated with the Brits the Queen's Birthday on Saturday night, and Monday night they celebrated with us the United States Army's Birthday (crab legs, steak, etc.). They celebrated more. In between, we have had rockets fired into the compound area (have my first war trophy) and we heard the big car bombing yesterday which was several miles away.

The building has 2 foot concrete walls, so we feel quite safe inside. Awaiting a trailer assignment, so currently sleeping a very air conditioned tent with about 100 others. We have a shower trailer, and a separate toilet trailer behind the tent. Most of the compound has paved or cement walkways, but they have a habit of raising stones at the weirdest places. Surprisingly, I have not tripped on anything, though I almost missed a step going down to the shelter after the last attack.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Jim took me to billeting and they gave me a blanket and sheets. I was assigned to a large circus-like sleeping tent near the Republican Palace's front gate. The walk to the shower and toilet tents was not too bad, just in the back of our sleeping tent. There were three other large tents for sleeping, as they had run out of trailers. You think it would be noisy with 100 men and women in a lighted and air conditioned tent, but I fell asleep rather quickly on my Army cot.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

We have a morning meeting very similar to the Generation 7:40 am meeting. The slides look like the monthly Business Planning meeting. They count electricity by number of hours on per day per location - bottom line, there is not enough supply for the demand, plus the fuel situation and transmission system is not in great shape.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Sunday morning, we began the day with a BUA (Battle Update Assessment) in the Commander's Situation Room, which is a classified briefing for the Force commanding general. It is usually at 6:30 am, but sometimes it slides to 7 am, and on Friday it is at 9 am. The briefing officers, with few exceptions, read every word on their slides. The slides have misspellings, and usually reflect poor craft, being too busy or wordy. Oh well. After the Battle Update Assessment, we have a short post-BUA meeting with key staff officers. Jim introduced me to the rest of the staff. We are not sure what the purpose of the post-BUA meeting is. Jim says it used to be with all the Colonels for each C staff section, but it's gone downhill since the Force Chief of Staff stopped chairing the meeting.

COMMENT – There is an Army Reserve Major from Maryland named Bruce who is part of a Military Police unit that was deployed here. Bruce, Jim, and I usually go to meals together. After breakfast and getting logged on to the three computer systems, Jim and I went back to the Palace dining facility to sit at the tables and go over more of the C-8 Liaison Officer activities. While sitting next to a window, we heard a loud boom that shook the building. The boom was a rocket that hit the roof between the Commander's Situation Room and the dining facility. Another rocket fired was a dud (it did not go off). Needless to say, there was much confusion, a woman screaming, and Marines running through the hallways. We went down to the basement until the all clear. The folks in the Commander's Situation Room said the walls shook, but there was no damage there. Jim and I were about 50 meters from the point where the rocket struck. Later on, I told folks about the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 (I was less than two miles away when that bomb went off and it blew my vehicle across four lanes of the interstate), and they decided that they should stay away from me (laughing).

COMMENT - The British were celebrating the Queen's Birthday by the large swimming pool behind the Republican Palace. We declined to partake in alcohol, due to General Order 1 which prohibits American Armed Forces in theater from drinking. However, the Coalitional Provisional Authority staffs (including military) are not included in this order and drank all evening.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

This afternoon, we will have a Project Management Review Committee type meeting to review infrastructure projects, about $200 million worth. They call it Project Review Committee, but it's the same thing. One budget ends on June 30th, so you have lots of folks trying to spend money on good things before the deadline.

Meanwhile, I am working to ensure all the thousands of Iraqi Security Forces (anyone with a gun) get paid on or before June 30th. Some folks in the Republican Palace want to play political games, CYA stuff, not my problem, etc. But I got my first tasking order out on Monday afternoon, and only 2 out of 11 commands not respond by this morning.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - The most pending issue for me is the monthly payroll for the Iraqi Security Forces. The Army Major C-8 Liaison Officer had transferred this operation to a Navy Lieutenant Commander (David) in Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq before he left, but this process got dropped through the cracks by the Naval Academy graduate. So I began work on this activity on Saturday, June 12th, reading all the emails, policies, and procedures. This was more Finance Corps work then Comptrollership, and something I had done a lot of early in my Army career.

COMMENT - After the rocket attack on June 13th, I continued to work on the Iraqi Security Forces payroll issue. Before breakfast, I had written a draft to our Major Subordinate Commands of the Corps to get their cash estimates in quickly. My boss, the Corps C-8, thought my draft was too simple, but I replied by email that we needed to get this out quickly. I finally got the email out to the Major Subordinate Commands about 3 pm.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 1: 15 June 2004

As you might tell, it's a slow time right now, until the Project Review Committee meeting later today. I look up at the Control Panel in the Commander's Situation Room and see its 5:50 am eastern daylight time (its 1:50 pm here). Our bubble chart (yes, we have one) has all green across the seven indicators. There are usually only about a handful of attacks on Coalition forces out of several thousand patrols or convoys per day.

Oh well, have to go. One of the Marine Captains is calling from Karbala (Ohio State 1995) about some funding issues. Got to go! Be safe there.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 1 Memorials)

8-Jun-04 - Captain Humayun S. M. Khan, 27, of Bristow, Virginia, died June 8 in Baquabah, Iraq, after a vehicle packed with an improvised explosive device drove into the gate of his compound while he was inspecting Soldiers on guard duty. Khan was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 201st Forward Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, in Vilseck, Germany.

8-Jun-04 - Iraqi Dalaf Sabhan al-Nasiri al-Tikriti, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah.

8-Jun-04 - Iraqi Juma Hussan, adult, male, killed in War Horse base, Baqubah.

8-Jun-04 - Latvian Army First Lieutenant Olafs Baumanis, 35, of Valmiera, Latvia, killed by hostile fire - mortar attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq.

8-Jun-04 - Polish Army Chief Corporal Tomasz Krygiel, 27, of Zieleniew, Kutno District, Poland, killed by hostile fire - mortar attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 12 Mechanized Brigade, 12 Mechanized Division from Szczecin, Poland.

8-Jun-04 - Polish Army Private 1st Class Andrzej Zielke, 26, of Prochnik, Poland, killed by hostile fire - mortar attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 16 Zulawski Engineer Battalion, 16 Pomorska Mechanized Division from Elblag, Poland.

8-Jun-04 - Slovakian Army Sergeant First Class Peter Dinga, 37, of Velky Krtis, Slovakia, killed by hostile fire - mortar attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq.

8-Jun-04 - Slovakian Army Sergeant Miroslav Frkan, 26, of Martin, Slovakia, killed by hostile fire - mortar attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq.

8-Jun-04 - Slovakian Army Sergeant Vladimir Simonides, 33, of Budis, Slovakia, killed by hostile fire - mortar attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq.

9-Jun-04 - Private First Class Thomas D. Caughman, 20, of Lexington, South Carolina, died June 9, in Baghdad, Iraq when his up-armored high-mobility-multi-purpose wheeled vehicle was struck by rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire. Caughman was assigned to the Army Reserve's Company C, 391st Engineer Battalion, in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

10-Jun-04 - Iraqi Janan Joseph, adult, male, killed in Al-Mansour, Baghdad.

11-Jun-04 - Iraqi Ali Haydar Qader Bayaty, adult, male, killed in Al Dura, Baghdad.

11-Jun-04 - Lebanese Contractor named Alyan, Hussein Ali was killed today due to Kidnap/murder at Iraq. Was a Construction worker for an unknown employer.

12-Jun-04 - Iraqi Abdel Karim Jassem, adult, male, killed in Al-Qaim, near Syrian border.

12-Jun-04 - Iraqi Bassam Salih Kubba, 60, male, killed in Adhamiyah district, Baghdad.

12-Jun-04 - Iraqi Dalil Jabir, 52, male, killed in Kirkuk.

12-Jun-04 - Iraqi daughter of Ahmed Fadhil Mikailif, 3, female, killed in District 77, central Baghdad.

12-Jun-04 - Iraqi daughter of Ahmed Fadhil Mikailif, baby, female, killed in District 77, central Baghdad.

12-Jun-04 - Iraqi Iyad Khursheed Abdel al-Razzak, 37, male, killed in Kirkuk.

12-Jun-04 - Iraqi Jawad Kassem Hamadi, adult, male, killed in Al-Qaim, near Syrian border.

12-Jun-04 - Iraqi wife of Ahmed Fadhil Mikailif, adult, female, killed in District 77, central Baghdad.

13-Jun-04 - American Contractor named Fyfe, Shaun was killed today due to Natural causes at Iraq. Was a Construction worker for employer Environmental Chemical Corp International.

13-Jun-04 - Iraqi Ali Haidar Mohammed, adult, male, killed in main road in Kufa.

13-Jun-04 - Iraqi Kamal al-Jarah, 63, male, killed in Ghazaliya district, western Baghdad.

13-Jun-04 - Iraqi Raja Mohammed Ali, adult, female, killed in road 7 km north of Baqubah.

13-Jun-04 - Iraqi Rashid Mohammed, adult, male, killed in near Kirkuk.

13-Jun-04 - Iraqi Sabri al-Bayati, adult, male, killed in 'just outside' Baghdad University campus.

13-Jun-04 - Iraqi Samah Hussein, child, male, killed in Rustamiyah, Baghdad.

13-Jun-04 - Iraqi Shujaa Adbullah, 48, unknown, killed in Orouba neighborhood, east of Kirkuk.

13-Jun-04 - Specialist Eric S. McKinley, 24, of Corvallis, Oregon, died June 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his vehicle was attacked by small arms fire and an improvised explosive device. McKinley was assigned to the Army Reserve's Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, in Corvallis, Oregon.

14-Jun-04 - American Contractor named Hoke II, Bill was killed today due to Car Bomb at Baghdad (Al Tahrir Square). Was a Power industry worker for employer Granite Services, Inc. (subsidiary of General Electric).

14-Jun-04 - American Contractor named Sprague III, Rex G. was killed today due to Convoy attack at Baghdad (road to Int'l Airport). Was a Security contractor for employer Titan National Security Solutions.

14-Jun-04 - British Contractor named Butler, Keith was killed today due to Car Bomb at Baghdad (Al Tahrir Square). Was a Security contractor for employer Olive Security.

14-Jun-04 - British Contractor named Poole, John was killed today due to Car Bomb at Baghdad (Al Tahrir Square). Was a Security contractor for employer Olive Security.

14-Jun-04 - Filipino Contractor named Flores, Raul was killed today due to Car Bomb at Baghdad (Al Tahrir Square). Was a power industry engineer for employer Granite Services, Inc. (subsidiary of General Electric).

14-Jun-04 - French Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Car Bomb at Baghdad (Al Tahrir Square). Was a Power industry technician for employer Granite Services, Inc. (subsidiary of General Electric).

14-Jun-04 - Private First Class Shawn M. Atkins, 20, of Parker, Colorado, died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, as a result of a non-combat injury. Atkins was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 4th Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, in Hanau, Germany.

15-Jun-04 - Iraqi Colonel Saad Mahdi Sadkhan, adult, male, killed in Street 79, Doura Mikanik Area 836, south Baghdad.

15-Jun-04 - Iraqi Kadhi Agmi Mohamed, adult, male, killed in Sadat al-Henda, near Hillah.

## (end of Week 1 Memorials)

COMMENT – The sources of these Memorials were the Iraq Body Count, the ICasualties, the Aid Worker Security, the PatronUSAnalytical, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Guardian newspaper in England websites; a 2007 Freedom of Information release by the United States Department of Defense to _USA Today_ on insurgent casualties, and the United States Department of Defense casualty news releases.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

Sorry for the delay in writing this, but I had to travel back to Camp Victory near the airport to see my boss and discuss plans for the next 2-3 weeks.

I continue to work with the Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (who is an Ohio State University graduate) as he nears the end of his 90 day tour in Iraq. He will get to fly back home by this weekend if all goes well. He is so short, that all we see of him is his boots and a voice when he walks into the Commander's Situation Room. He has all his bags packed, ready to move out at a moment's notice. I pray he will make it safely back to his home to his wife and children.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - Wednesday, June 16th, it was a rather quiet day. I bought a shoulder harness for my pistol at the Iraqi shop next to the Green Zone Post Exchange. I worked out in the gym and rode three miles on the cycle.

COMMENT – On Thursday, Jim and I walked down to the local Finance Detachment in the Green Zone. An Army Captain (Crystal) is the detachment commander. She showed us their building, which is called the Finance House, which they live and work in and share with Contracting. They have one floor just for officers, weight room on the roof; a kitchen and dining room, and a large break room. Quite a nice set up. The building was supposed to be home to Saddam's body guards and doubles. Crystal emailed me a lay down of Army Finance units in Iraq with points of contact and telephone numbers, which was better than the one I received from her Finance Command.

COMMENT - I found out about a weekly meeting at 9:30 am on Saturday, June 19th, by the Assistant Chief of Staff (a Colonel) which was a more thorough staff meeting. The major issue discussed today was that a number of folks have no roommates in their trailer (as they had not cleared billeting when they left the Green Zone), and me and hundreds of others are sleeping in the tents. Jim and I suggested to the Colonel a simple 24-hour technique (give everyone a day to go by billeting to confirm their trailer number), but he told me that they are going door to door inspecting every trailer. I wished them good luck.

COMMENT - Since they are going to lock down the Green Zone around June 28th due to the transition to the Iraqi government, I suggested that Jim move out to Camp Victory around June 25th as it would be easier for him to get to the Baghdad International Air Field from there. He then found out that they are flying him out around June 25th with many of the Coalitional Provisional Authority folks. We are now calling that flight the "Flight of Shame" due to the poor reputation that the Coalitional Provisional Authority civilians have with the military here.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

We finally have a new priest here, an Air Force Chaplain originally from India. He told us on Sunday that two weeks ago he said Mass in an Alaskan village, and it was snowing. Quite a change in two weeks (it was about 112 yesterday).

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - I am number two on the field grade officer's waiting list for a trailer, and they think in a few days I will get one. I then went to Catholic Mass. We have a new Air Force priest originally from India and stationed out of Alaska. I sat next to the new Public Affairs Officer; a Navy Rear Admiral (Lower Half or one-star for pay, but they let him wear two-stars) who I thought was a West Point graduate. He seemed nice. Many of the folks attending the service were from the various Green Zone C-8 or Finance offices.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

It was a little cooler today (105 degrees) and it was quite refreshing to be that cool. Truthfully!

We safely made the run from the downtown Green Zone to the Camp Victory, near the airport, and I looked over at the speedometer, and it showed 90 mph. He was going a bit too slow. But no problems and they made it back safely. Because of my Colonel's schedule, I brought an overnight bag and will have a sleep over here before heading back to the Republican Palace in the Green Zone tomorrow sometime.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – This Monday (June 21st) started normally, but then my boss, the Corps C-8, asked me to come out to Camp Victory to bring some records from the Polish Forces and another box for an Army Major, plus discuss the future of the C-8 Liaison Officer position in the Green Zone. I made the fearful trip just after lunch time (I only had time for a bag of Cheetos for lunch as I waited to hitch-hike) by successfully catching a convoy down Route Irish (the name of the route from the Green Zone to Camp Victory and the Baghdad International Air Field). Upon arrival, the Corps C-8 was off to a meeting somewhere, so I went looking for my desk. The Army Major had moved her office to the auditing room, and no one knew where my laptop went. Oh well. I found a spare computer, logged on the three systems, and tried to forward my Camp Victory emails to the Coalitional Provisional Authority email addresses, with no success.

COMMENT – The Corps C-8 and I finally had a lengthy talk (from his perspective, probably around 20 minutes). I was asked to get to Camp Victory quickly and then had to wait half a day to see him. We talked about the various needs in the Green Zone, including the fact that the Force commanding general's staff in the Green Zone has a need to talk constantly to a C-8 staff officer about financial resources, as money drives a lot of things around here. The Corps C-8 reluctantly agreed to assign me in the Green Zone for at least another three weeks, mainly due to the transition lockdown period; and the possibility of me joining the Force C-8 office. Other possibilities are to become the Force Deputy C-8 wherever their office would be (either Camp Victory or Green Zone), C-8 for the Multi-National Security Transition Command \- Iraq group in the Green Zone, or coming back to Camp Victory as Plans/Operations officer in Corps C-8 office. We will see. Personally, I am quite happy to be in the Green Zone at this moment.

COMMENT – I went back to my Camp Victory (sleeping) Tent 62, and found that the eight filled cots had grown to 14. My stuff was all there, thanks to the Navy officers keeping an eye out for it. I packed up my personal items, in preparation for going back to the Green Zone tomorrow. The Corps C-8 joined me at dinner at the Camp Victory dining facility, which had a lot more choice than the Green Zone dining facility. Later, I went back to the Corps C-8 office in Building 2, and did emails out of Yahoo. I had no access to my Coalitional Provisional Authority emails. Around 7 pm, I decided to go visit an Army Major, who I had been talking and emailing to on the Iraqi Security Forces payroll issues. I called his number, and a Captain answered and said that the Major had gone to chow and would be back in 15 minutes. I left for the C-3 shop in the Water Palace, and found the Captain sitting all alone. It turned out that the Major had left four days ago to some Iraqi Security Forces base and the Captain did not know when he was returning. I asked the Captain if he was tired. I went back to the Corps C-8 office and wrote my weekly email.

COMMENT – Woke up about 6 am Tuesday morning (June 22nd), a little stiff on the canvas cot, walked down to the shower tent, got dressed, and went to breakfast at the Camp Victory dining facility. I did not pack up my stuff, as I was afraid I would be making a lot of noise for my sleeping tent mates. I went into the Corps C-8 office, and I did some more Yahoo emails, replying to any emails from stateside. I still cannot access my Coalitional Provisional Authority emails. I called the Lieutenant Colonel who is the Corps Secretary of the General Staff (Jim) to see when a ride back to Green Zone would occur. There would not be any convoys this morning.

COMMENT – At 8:30 am, I attended the Corps C-8's staff meeting. About 8:45, a Navy Lieutenant Commander piped up, suddenly remembering to tell me that I needed to be at the Camp Victory Water Palace at 9 am for pickup for a ride to the Green Zone. Our office's Staff Sergeant drove me over to Tent 62, and as he helped carry my packed duffel bags as I packed the remaining ones. We drove over to the Water Palace, and made it to the convoy rally point by 8:55 am.

COMMENT – I waited until 9:45, when one of drivers for a General asked me what I was waiting for. He called the Corps Secretary of the General Staff, and found that there were no rides to the Green Zone this morning. I called the Corps C-8 office, and asked for them to send a vehicle over here to pick me and my bags up and bring me back to the C-8 office. Our Staff Sergeant came and picked me up, and I left my bags in the SUV. I took the key to the SUV, making sure that it did not disappear if a ride to the Green Zone shows up. I then called Jim (the Secretary of the General Staff), and found out that they may not have a ride this afternoon. I went to lunch with three officers in the Corps C-8 office, the Air Force Major, the Navy Lieutenant Commander, and the Army Lieutenant. After lunch, I then found out from Bob that they would have a ride pick me up at 2 pm. The drivers finally came by at 2:45 pm, and we made that dreadful trip down Route Irish again, safely. I got back, and Jim was very busy today dealing with the need for new flags and other emblems. I moved my four duffel bags back into Tent 6. Later that afternoon, I found out that I might get a trailer tomorrow. I worked in the Commander's Situation Room until about midnight, and went quickly to sleep on my cot in Tent 6, with 99 friends.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

No indirect fires (rockets or mortars) hit our compound this week, but we heard the big car bomb about two kilometers away and usually hear 2-3 mortars landing each day, probably 2-5 kilometers away. One guy keeps firing around 8 am; we think he is commuting to work or something.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Tuesday, June 15th, at 12:30 am (yes, just after midnight), the loudspeakers in the Green Zone went off signaling an attack. I had been fast asleep in the large sleeping tent with 100 friends. We initially got under the cots in the tent, realized that that would not give anyone any protection, and then everyone got dressed and went elsewhere. I went into the Republican Palace to the Commander's Situation Room and checked emails. At 5:45 am, I heard several mortars, but they sounded far away. Later, I found that the loudspeakers should not have gone off, as the attack was outside of the Green Zone.

COMMENT – On Friday, June 18th, I heard about five mortar rounds hit around 6 am. They sounded far away, so I went to take a shower. Turns out they were outside the Green Zone. It was a real quiet day on Fridays, as the Coalitional Provisional Authority offices are all closed. The military in the Force offices were all working, mostly in the Commander's Situation Room. There were few folks around for lunch, but by dinner, many of the hung over Coalitional Provisional Authority folks were there. I did not work out today.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

Been working several actions to ensure that Iraqi Security Forces (there about six types) will get paid this month. I found out in the past, the commanders might take 50-75% of the payroll for their own personal use, doling out what remains to their troops. Coalition finance personnel have conducted much training in our techniques, and their troops are mostly getting fully paid each month, to their surprise.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Monday, June 14th, I am still getting acquainted with all the folks. I discussed several concerns with the Navy Lieutenant Commander on the Iraqi Security Forces payroll issue. All but two of the Major Subordinate Commands have responded to my request. A Marine Captain from Ohio State (small world) called from Multi-National Division - Central South to give me his payroll numbers. I spent most of the day trying to contact the Multi-National Division - South East folks, the division led by the British. I found out that we do not have good communications with them. Finally figured out that they could receive emails through the Coalition communication system, and they could call us through the American Liaison Officer there (what a cushy job). I also wrote up my first week in Iraq report back to Brad at American Electric Power Company. My wife said that John, my former boss at American Electric Power Company, called her in the morning about it. I also received several emails from American Electric Power Company folks.

COMMENT – On Tuesday, I got to speak to a British Major, a Paymaster, down in Basra. She asked me to change the funds requested for the Iraqi payroll, and Brendan of the Coalitional Provisional Authority Ministry of Finance let me adjust the excel spreadsheet. I attended the Project Review Committee later in the day, a meeting to review proposed expenditures of Iraqi money by the Coalitional Provisional Authority. The lady from the British Department for International Development agency was quite high strung, but a lot of her questions made sense. I worked out in the gym, walking two miles on the treadmill.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

Got to go over to the Iraqi Convention Center with a Major who is trying to track down the families of detainees who may have claims against the Coalition. Many of the families bring their kids to the office, and the joint Iraqi/American folks give out much candy there. My wife is going to send me some candy (that I don't like) that does not melt so that I can give out when I see children.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Thursday, June 17th, Jim and I accompanied Bruce in a SUV over the Convention Center (still in the Green Zone) where Bruce works at the Iraqi Assistance Center. This is where Iraqis can come to find the location and status of detainees, make claims for property lost, etc. There are about five Iraqi women working there and an old Army Reserve Major (way older than me). Jim and I took pictures of each standing behind the podium used for the press conferences. We did visit the Al Rasheed Hotel that is next store to the Convention Center. It appears that Army folks are staying there in the rooms (interesting) as well as reporters. We decided not to go the Steel Dragon dining facility (a forward operating base in the Green Zone), reported to be the best in the Green Zone. Something for later, I guess. We made it back safely to the Republican Palace parking lot (probably about three kilometers from the convention center), as Bruce had not driven for several months. The Coalitional Provisional Authority folks always have a big party on Thursday nights, as they don't work on Fridays. However, we do, but the Battle Update Assessment is at 9 am, so we can sleep in late. I was quite tired, so I just went to the gym, rode four miles, and went to bed.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

I ate dinner with an Iraqi Air Force Colonel, who flies helicopters. He hopes to get to Alabama soon to the where the Army does training, and fly our Blackhawks. He is currently rated to fly almost every Soviet helicopter.

Yesterday, we had guests from the Polish Army who came in to turn in receipts for reconstruction projects. They brought quite a number of folks in three helicopters, including their deputy commanding general, who I got to greet at the Landing Zone. Unfortunately, I could not remember any Polish phrases that my wife has tried to teach me, but they spoke very good English. After the general went to the Republican Palace, we took the rest to the Finance House. They quickly had a snack at their kitchen, went to work quickly. I found out that they wanted to go visit our Post Exchange, which they thought was like a Wal-Mart compared to their facilities. I understand that they spent a lot of money there.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Saturday, June 19th, I found out that one of the Lieutenants at the Corps C-8 office at Camp Victory was coming to the Green Zone on Sunday to pick up a Danish officer from Multi-National Division - South East and take him to the Finance House to close out his Commander's Emergency Response Program funds. She also needs some documents from him. Jim and I decided to do this for her, saving her from making the deadly trip, and send the stuff on the near-daily shuttle run between the Green Zone and Camp Victory. Meanwhile, I directed a Captain at the Corps C-8 office at Camp Victory to go to my sleeping Tent 62 there, pack up my stuff under the cot, and put my duffel bags on one of the daily shuttles, as I was concerned that my stuff might disappear, and there were some things I needed here in the Green Zone. Unknown to me, my boss, the Corps C-8, countermanded my order. I cycled six miles at the gym and swam three laps in the Republican Palace pool. I am going to ask my wife to send me some goggles for swimming, as I am not sure what is in the water.

COMMENT – Sunday, Jim and I got a vehicle, and went to Landing Zone Washington to pick up the Danish officer. We arrived and met the Captain from the Finance House, who was picking up a Polish Army Lieutenant Colonel, their C-8. We quickly figured out that the Lieutenant at the Corps C-8 office had mixed up the person we were to meet. The Polish Liaison Officer also pulled up driving a Humvee. There were three different groups to pick up one person, or so we thought. We arrived prior to their 9 am arrival, and waited. We watched many Blackhawk helicopters deliver several division commanders (two-stars) to what we figured out was a major meeting at the Republican Palace. We also watched one two-star not get picked up by anyone, and he and his aide walked the length of the entire Landing Zone towards the Republican Palace, about a couple kilometers away.

COMMENT - The Polish folks arrived at 10 am, with their deputy commanding general (one-star) who I got to welcome; plus their C-8 Lieutenant Colonel and about seven other Polish Soldiers, plus others. The Finance Captain took the General to the Republican Palace, and we loaded up the other folks in our truck and the Humvee, and went to the Finance House. The Poles were there to clear out their accounts for humanitarian projects, plus get to the Post Exchange. Jim and I took one Polish Soldier to the Republican Palace to deliver some paperwork to the CPA C-8 office. The folks there in CPA C-8 were not in a good mood for some reason.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

I went to an Iraqi bank at the Al Rasheed Hotel yesterday, which is near the Finance House. Jim wanted to get Iraqi dinar notes. It cost $31 to get a 25,000 ID; 10,000 ID; 5,000 ID; 1,000 ID; and a 250 ID notes. That is an exchange rate of about 1,330 ID for a dollar.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Sunday, Bruce and I then took the Polish Soldier back to the Finance House, and we went to Steel Dragon dining facility for lunch. It had real vanilla ice cream, but was it was warm and crowded. And it had cold Diet Cokes. When Bruce and I were walking back towards the forward operating base's external gate (they require everyone not assigned there to park outside of the fence), an Iraqi civilian truck turned the wrong way and failed to stop near the gate. We started to draw our weapons, but the Iraqi stopped and backed up. I then drove Bruce to the Convention Center, and I went over to the Al Rasheed Hotel. Jim wanted to get all the new Iraqi dinars notes at their bank in the hotel. It cost $31 to get 41,250 dinars in five different denominational notes. Bruce was tied up for two hours with the Iraqi Assistance Center folks. We then went a little exploring in the Green Zone and found a lot of roads blocked off. We arrived back at the Palace safely.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

Got to sit in what might be the final Project Review Committee. One proposal prompted about a fifteen minute discussion between the Ministers of Planning, Finance, and Interior, all in Arabic about one of the proposals. The Coalition Provisional Authority has been spending Iraqi funds (from the Oil for Food program, plus excess revenues from oil sales) for reconstruction activities.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Sunday, June 20th, Jim is now full throttle in getting ready to leave, so I am taking on more and more. I went up to Ministry of Finance office about 8:15 pm and talked with Jackie about transition issues and the need for a Fragmentary Order on the handling of Commander's Emergency Response Program using money from the Development Fund for Iraq. Commander's Emergency Response Program is a program that the Major Subordinate Commands can use for small projects (for less than $500,000) to aid in reconstruction activities. Development Fund for Iraq is Iraqi money from the Oil for Food program. Development Fund for Iraq ends on June 30th and all money not obligated will then go to the Iraqi Interim Government for their exclusive control. Needless to say, I will be very busy on this issue over the coming days. It is Father's Day, so I plan to call Dad and Frank (that will be a surprise) before turning in. The phone lines are real busy, so I only get to call my wife. I did get an email from my son.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 2: 21 June 2004

I am proud to say that electric generation now exceeds the maximum produced during the Saddam years. Unfortunately, too many cities and towns get too few hours per day. The Coalition is affected too; quite often we do not have power for parts of the day. Folks are working to improve Fuel Supply, O&M at each plant, the transmission grid, and substations. I heard if we have any crazy electrical engineers that want to come over, they pay well, and they need them. So far, I have not been working in that area, but we hear progress in each morning daily briefing.

One of the big issues around the Palace is the tour length. The United States Air Force is sending their folks over for 90 or 120 day tours. Same for the United States Navy. The United States Marine Corps sends its units over for 7 months and individuals for 6 months. The Army currently has units at 15 months (1st Armored Division from Germany) and individuals for 1 year tour. Met a Judge Advocate General (lawyer) officer who came over for 30 days temporary duty, and now will be here for one year.

After dropping off the Poles at the landing zone to fly back to their unit, I came back to the Republican Palace and saw this guy unloading cameras and other equipment from a truck. A famous reporter was trying to carry a large footlocker up the steps, so I let a hand. Geraldo Rivera and I got to chat for about five minutes while we unloaded his truck. Later on, said hello to Christiane Amanpour from _CNN_ (she asked me where an office was). I don't know why all the reporters were around the Palace, who knows.

Many late nights here, and got several emails from folks after the last edition of War and Peace. I hope everyone at American Electric Power Company goes home each night safely. Take care, and I will write next week, which will be very very interesting as the transition occurs.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 2 Memorials)

16-Jun-04 - Iraqi Ghazi Talabani, 54, male, killed in Kirkuk.

16-Jun-04 - Three Soldiers died on June 16 in Balad, Iraq, during a mortar attack when mortar rounds hit their camp. Killed were Major Paul R. Syverson III, 32, of Lake Zurich, Illinois, Specialist Jeremy M. Dimaranan, 29, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Sergeant Arthur S. Mastrapa, 35, of Apopka, Florida. Syverson was assigned to the Army's 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Dimaranan was assigned to the Army Reserve's 302nd Transportation Company, 172nd Combat Support Group, from Fort Eustis, Virginia. Mastrapa was assigned to the Army Reserve's 351 Military Police Company, 95th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade, Ocala, Florida.

17-Jun-04 - American Contractor named Zbryski, Walter J. was killed today due to improvised explosive device at Iraq (Iraq (Unknown)). Was a Truck Driver for employer Kellogg, Brown, & Root.

17-Jun-04 - Hungarian Army Second Lieutenant Richard Nagy, 27, of Szolnok, Hungary, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 1-3 Mechanized Infantry Platoon, 4th Rapid Reaction Company, 1st Light Mixed Regiment, from Szolnok, Hungary.

17-Jun-04 - Iraqi Raymond Farouq Shimun, male, killed in near Mosul.

17-Jun-04 - Iraqi Riyadh, son of Abdul Munim Ali Hamood, 22, male, killed in outside ICDC base, near former Muthenna airport, Baghdad.

17-Jun-04 - Turkish Contractor named Demir, Faysal was killed today due to Friendly fire at Baghdad. Was a Truck Driver for employer Turkish manufacturer of prefab housing.

18-Jun-04 - Private First Class Jason N. Lynch, 21, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, died June 18 in Buhriz, Iraq, of small arms fire wounds he received as his unit was engaging the enemy. Lynch was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, in Bamberg, Germany.

18-Jun-04 - Specialist Thai Vue, 22, of Willows, California died on June 18 in Baghdad, Iraq during a mortar attack. Vue was assigned to the 127th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, V Corps, in Hanau, Germany.

19-Jun-04 - Iraqi Syad Yonis Alawi Abbas, 33, male, killed in Kirkuk.

19-Jun-04 - Private First Class Sean Horn, 19, of Orange, California, died June 19, due to a non-hostile incident at Camp Taqaddum, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in Camp Pendleton, California.

19-Jun-04 - Portuguese Contractor named Carlos, Roberto was killed today due to improvised explosive device at Basra (3 km. south of). Was a Telecommunications worker for employer Al-Atheer (a telecommunications company).

20-Jun-04 - Iraqi Shaykh Majid Hamid al-Yusuf, adult, male, killed in Al-Fadl area, central Baghdad.

20-Jun-04 - Staff Sergeant Marvin Best, 33, of Prosser, Washington, died June 20 due to hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Twentynine Palms, California.

21-Jun-04 - Iraqi Sanan Sadoon Kasim Salman, adult, male, killed in east Baghdad.

21-Jun-04 - Lance Corporal Juan Lopez, 22, of Whitfield, Georgia, died June 21 from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

21-Jun-04 - Lance Corporal Pedro Contreras, 27, of Harris, Texas, died June 21, from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

21-Jun-04 - Staff Sergeant Gregory V. Pennington, 36, of Glade Spring, Virginia, died June 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his camp came under mortar attack. Pennington was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

21-Jun-04 - Two Marines, Lance Corporal Deshon E. Otey, 24, of Hardin, Kentucky and Corporal Tommy L. Parker Jr. 21, of Cleburne, Arkansas died June 21 from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

## (end of Week 2 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 3: 28 June 2004

Today is Iraqi Independence Day. The Coalition Provisional Authority turned over the reins to the Iraqi Government this morning. I'm sure you all woke up surprised to the news.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Monday, June 28th, was a big surprise to most everyone, as the United States turned over the government to the Iraqis. It was supposed to occur on June 30th, but there were fears that insurgents would try to disrupt the turnover. So the higher ups decided to do it two days early. The head of the Coalitional Provisional Authority, left that morning on a plane for parts unknown. The Colonel running the CPA C-8 office was so happy. That triggered many Coalitional Provisional Authority folks to start to leave.

COMMENT – It was clear that the military had little respect for the Ambassador – I heard remarks made about his directives made in mid-2003 to dissolve the Iraqi Army (a million men suddenly unemployed, with guns) and to fire all civilian government employees who were members of the Baathist Party (therefore paralyzing any functioning government services and turning them over to amateurs). I had only one interaction with the Ambassador in my 17 days with the Coalitional Provisional Authority, as he strolled down the hallway one day flanked by four civilian guards, with the guards literally pushing folks against the wall, including me, who was in uniform and armed. My hand by instinct moved to my holster and the guard said "Don't" and I replied "I am an Army Officer and get your hands off of me," which he then did and moved down the hallway. In less than three weeks, I had had my fill with several of the Coalitional Provisional Authority civilians, most of which were about 25, fresh out of business or law schools, one of whom told me that he really enjoyed screwing around with another country's economy for the last six months.

COMMENT – The biggest work issue was that Development Fund for Iraq Commander's Emergency Response Program ended that evening – so there were lots of communications throughout Iraq to tell them that spending of Iraqi funds ended tonight, not two days from now. There were lots of meetings today, making it one of my busiest days. I did not get to work out. Meanwhile, I responded harshly in an email to the Ministry of Finance and CPA C-8 parties, as one of the Brendan's lied twice and tried to accuse Jim (who had left country). I slept in the theater last night because of the ongoing mortar or rocket attacks, probably in celebration of the new Iraqi Independence Day.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 3: 28 June 2004

This week, we saw what we hope is a significant change. The terrorists/insurgents last Thursday (June 24th) killed around 100 Iraqis in bombings and other attacks on police stations and other public places. The reaction during Friday sermons and prayers was one that condemned these activities. The guerrilla warfare might be losing some or most of its support.

Today, they rename our area the International Zone, formerly called the Green Zone by Saddam (not sure why).

Sadly, we lost three folks in the Baghdad area. One cyclist was riding his bike, and a mortar round fell directly on him. Another person was killed in another mortar attack. And a Department of Defense civilian was killed by the only bullet that hit an Australian plane on take-off. He or she was going home.

We remain quite safe most of the day; Saddam built a great big bunker here. Two feet of concrete on the walls! Inside, flying glass and slick floors remain our only threat. Plus most of the stairs lack handrails.

Speaking of slick floors, our janitors are constantly buffing the floors. Two nights ago, I suggested we think cold and have a skating race. So off we had pairs mimicking ice skating down the hallway. Unfortunately, all the Colonels who watched did not send anyone to the psycho ward. We keep trying to get out of here, but it's Catch 22.

Besides the work, my big event was receiving the keys to a Trailer room on Wednesday. It was a great day, moving my bags from Tent 6 to Trailer KK. My roommate is a United States Marine Colonel originally from Springfield, Ohio. Our room is about nine feet by 12; we have two beds; two wardrobe closets, a refrigerator, and a color TV with 22 channels. When we have electricity, which has been out most of the time recently. We can't complain, the beds are comfortable, we work most of the day in a very air conditioned Palace, and we have a shower, toilet, and sink in the middle of the trailer. We are in KK Left, and a married couple who are lawyers live in the Right room. Christie's husband is the slob of the trailer; the Colonel and I are providing marriage counseling. But their tour of duty is up in a few days.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Wednesday, June 23rd, after the daily morning Battle Update Assessment, post-BUA meeting, and breakfast, I got my key to Trailer KK Left. I went over to the trailer, and found that my new roommate, Marine Corps Colonel (Bob), was living in both sides of the room. The two beds were even made up. I brought Jim to the trailer, and showed it to him, who was amazed. I later saw the Colonel in the Commander's Situation Room, introduced myself, and asked which side of the room he was living in. He asked if I snored. He did not look happy (I think he was one of those in a trailer for some time without a roommate). Around lunchtime, I saw him in the hallway, and he said he had cleared my side. I went and looked after lunch, and he had done so. I then spent the afternoon moving my four duffel bags and one foot locker to the trailer from sleeping Tent 6. I moved my clothing bag first, and unpacked my clothes into the wardrobe closet. It was wonderful. The room has a TV with 22 channels and a refrigerator. I was able to put the four duffels under the bed, and left the foot locker as a seat/end table.

COMMENT – While making one of the trips between tent and trailer, the door of the KK Right room was wide open, with the two beds pushed together. A few hours before, Bruce at lunch had been joking about ways to screw up your roommate, such as pushing the beds together, snuggling with him at night, etc. So what was racing through my mind? I was not sure. As I put the key into the lock of the KK Left room, a female voice called, "Hi Sir, how are you doing today?" Now my thoughts were really racing! I could hear her brushing her teeth. She popped her head out of the bathroom, a rather cute redhead. We introduced ourselves, her name being Christie. She roomed with her husband, Chris. That explained the beds together. It will be an interesting trailer. I finished unpacking and rearranging my portion of my room. Between trips between the Tent and Trailer, I would stop in the Commander's Situation Room and check things, and cool down, because carrying my stuff in the heat from around the Republican Palace was not fun. I did a few things in the Commander's Situation Room, answered a few emails. I also sent some clothes to the laundry. I also got my uniforms pressed, which seemed to be the preference of the Force Chief of Staff.

COMMENT – While working the Facilities Protection Service (guards) issue, I sent an email to a Master Sergeant at 11 am, saying that I would call him at 3 pm. I got an email from him at noon with lots of excuses. When I called at 3 pm, he had gone on two weeks leave. Brain dead is the word around here.

COMMENT – At 8 pm, I went to the theater and saw _A Girl with the Pearl Earring_. I liked it. Afterwards, I went back to the Commander's Situation Room. About 10 pm, I received a call from Joe D from what I thought he said was OST with a request. It was a bad connection, and I asked him to send me an email as to what he wanted, since the telephone line was so full of static. After I hung the phone up, Jim told me that he was from Office of the Secretary of Defense. A few minutes later, I did get an email from a civilian in Washington named Joe, with his request. I called the Corps C-8 at Camp Victory, not expecting him to answer, but he did. I told him about the call and the email, and he actually laughed about it, and agreed with me that we would not wake anyone up tonight over this request.

COMMENT – I went back to the trailer, and the dresser light for my roommate was on. He was not there, so I brushed my teeth and turned the TV on, unpacking a couple of the boxes I mailed to myself. All seven boxes that I mailed from Fort Bliss arrived over the last week. My roommate came in. He is originally from the Springfield, Ohio area. He works for Regional Operations, and has been in country since February 2004. I think the Marines are on seven month tours, so he should be leaving around August. He told me that the initial operations in the I Marine Expeditionary Force area during February and March were hairy. He then took a shower, and I watched British Broadcasting Corporation News Service and quickly fell asleep.

COMMENT – I woke up Friday morning with the idea of putting something under the bed legs to increase the height, and I would be able to push the foot locker under the bed. I looked around for the appropriate item, and finally have settled on four bricks I found alongside the walkway to the gym. I cycled three miles on the random setting, going up and down for 15 minutes. Just to get back into the swing.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 3: 28 June 2004

United States Military are prohibited from consuming alcohol in Iraq, but the other coalition military and the State Department and other (non-Iraqi) civilians are not so restricted. So no beer in our refrigerator, just juice, milk, and soda.

We got a new Dining Facility Manager this week, and she instituted a radical change in handling soft drinks. They are now served ice cold, with ice if you want it. Unfortunately, there is now a shortage of all diet drinks, and Coke Light (Arabic version of Diet Coke) has been rarely seen, though I obtained two cans tonight. And so cold that my hand was freezing by the time I got back to my desk.

The weather, according to the Iraqis, is rather moderate. Normally a high of about 115 in the afternoon. We had a cool spell for a couple of days, only about 105. It really did feel cooler.

One of my West Point classmates (a Brigadier General) arrived this week, and took over Corps of Engineers Division here in Baghdad Green Zone. The Force commanding general complimented the outgoing General Officer with the Engineer Division's accomplishments since February 2004: installed 14 gas generators; 5,400 kilometers of transmission lines; 22,000 kilometers of distribution lines; 1,300 towers (including those blown up); built 100 new schools; reopened the railroads; built new sewage and water systems; and other reconstruction activities. Four of my classmates showed up for the change of command ceremony, I had not seen there of them for over twenty years.

Over the last few weeks, I have had the pleasure to work with many Iraqis who are the real heroes here. They are like the signers of the Declaration of Independence, if the British had captured them they would have surely hung until dead. These folks are putting together a new government, a new economy, new education systems, etc. They are pouring tons of money into basic infrastructure (roads, sewage, water, electricity), especially outside of Baghdad. Many of them work in the Republican Palace, or in buildings in the International Zone. Then they go home each night, into what we refer to the Red Zone (loaded weapons, helmet and flack jacket worn, escorted vehicles). They do not have weapons. They believe in a new Iraq that will unite all the different folks here. These folks are truly brave.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I spent Thursday morning (June 24th) dealing with orphaned Facilities Protection Service (guards) and Commander's Emergency Response Program issues. I went to the Ministry of Finance office two times today; saw the two Brendan's and good old Jackie. I got Jackie back by talking to her, and not letting her say anything. She had done that to me last Sunday night, so I was pulling her leg. One of the Brendan's thought it was so funny. In the CPA C-8 shop, a Lieutenant was still working on resolving the differences between Corps C-8's and CPA C-8's Commander's Emergency Response Program numbers. The CPA C-8 (a Colonel) finally said for two of his folks to show him their numbers and then he and I would discuss. Stopped by later and he had not seen the numbers – something for tomorrow.

COMMENT – Later on Thursday, Jim, Bruce, and I went to the Convention Center; Bruce said he needed five minutes at the Iraqi Assistance Center, while Jim and I wanted to get to the bank. Unfortunately, it was closed, and will not be open on Friday. I did buy some of the old currency, stamps, and coins that I can send to my wife. I unpacked all of my boxes today.

COMMENT – I spent Friday getting Jim ready to leave. He became real nervous. We went to the Post Exchange in gym clothes and he bought some souvenirs and I bought a transformer and power strip, plus a round mat for the bathroom in my new trailer, since the wet floor was slippery. Jim and I then went to the Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors' dining facility for lunch, and then went to the River Wall to see the opening. We found it, and Jim wanted to walk the 250 meters to the river bank, but it is wide open with no cover. I looked at the buildings across the river, and suggested we don't walk out to the river. I got to speak to my old West Point roommate (Steve), a Colonel, this evening by phone. Steve is with the Signal Command in Mannheim; and his office is at Funari Barracks where I was stationed back in 1979. Steve asked me to pass on a message to another West Pointer who is here in the Green Zone.

COMMENT – I again spent Saturday (June 26th) getting Jim out of here. We waited from 3 pm for two and half hours before they left for the staging area. He felt that the flight was really not going to leave that night. He later found out that it was going to leave around 4:30 am on Sunday.

COMMENT – Sunday, June 27th, was my first day alone as the C-8 Liaison Officer here at the Palace. My new roommate Bob found out he is going to Fallujah around July 5th. Good news and bad news. I started doing a daily report by email each evening to the Corps C-8. So I won't bore you with details on work. I found out from the CPA C-8 that Jim's flight left at 2:30 am. The CPA C-8 saw Jim off at the airport; he was at the airport because the flight had brought into Iraq millions of dollars cash. Learn something new every day! George W had an emergency meeting this afternoon about the Commander's Emergency Response Program funding issues. I went to Mass this afternoon, and got to pass on Steve's message to a West Point Brigadier General. I got to work out, continuing to cycle six or so miles each day.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 3: 28 June 2004

Now that I have a room, and if we have some electricity to charge my laptop, I plan to start sending pictures next week.

Be safe at American Electric Power Company.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 3 Memorials)

22-Jun-04 - British Contractor named Davies, Julian was killed today due to Convoy Attack at Mosul. Was a Security contractor for employer Global Risk Strategies Limited.

22-Jun-04 - Iraqi Layla Abdullah Saeed, 60, female, killed in Kuwait district, Mosul.

22-Jun-04 - Iraqi Abu Fares, adult, male, killed in Fallujah.

22-Jun-04 - Iraqi Janet Audisho, 38, female, killed in Kut al-Hajaj district, Basra.

22-Jun-04 - Iraqi Moneer Yahya Ali Al-Khairo, 70, male, killed in Kuwait district, Mosul.

22-Jun-04 - Iraqi Shatha Audisho, 25, female, killed in Kut al-Hajaj district, Basra.

22-Jun-04 - Iraqi Shilan, daughter of Jalal Hazim Rashid, 3, female, killed in Aamirya district, near Baghdad International Air Field.

22-Jun-04 - Iraqi Sons of Abu Fares, adult, male, killed in Fallujah.

22-Jun-04 - South Korean Contractor named Kim Sun-il was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Iraq (Iraq (Unknown)). Was a Supplier for employer Gana General Trading Company.

22-Jun-04 - Two Soldiers died June 22 in Balad, Iraq, when enemy forces ambushed their ground patrol. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 579th Engineer Battalion, Petaluma, California. Killed were Second Lieutenant Andre D. Tyson, 33, of Riverside, California and Specialist Patrick R. McCaffrey Sr. 34, of Tracy, California.

23-Jun-04 - Iraqi brothers, male, killed in Mosul.

24-Jun-04 - 2 Aid Workers from NGO national staff killed, 1 national staff wounded in NGO office attack.

24-Jun-04 - Staff Sergeant Charles A. Kiser, 37, of Cleveland, Wisconsin, died June 24 in Mosul, Iraq, when an explosion occurred near his convoy. Kiser was assigned to the Army Reserve's 330th Military Police Detachment, Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

24-Jun-04 - Two Soldiers died June 24, in Baqubah, Iraq when their Bradley Fighting Vehicle came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Killed were Captain Christopher S. Cash, 36, of Winterville, North Carolina and Specialist Daniel A. Desens, 20, of Jacksonville, North Carolina.

25-Jun-04 - Iraqi Assud Hadidi, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

26-Jun-04 - Iraqi Sayyid 'Ali Nuri, adult, male, killed in Arbil.

26-Jun-04 - Iraqi Sons of Sadiq Hashim, male, killed in near former Saddam Hussein mosque, Hillah.

26-Jun-04 - Iraqi Wife of Sadiq Hashim, adult, female, killed in near former Saddam Hussein mosque, Hillah.

26-Jun-04 - Lance Corporal Manuel A. Ceniceros, 23, of Santa Ana, California, died June 26 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Regimental Combat Team 1 Headquarters Company, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

26-Jun-04 - Specialist Jeremy M. Heines, 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana, died June 26 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his patrol came under attack by rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire. Heines was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Hood, Texas.

27-Jun-04 - First Sergeant Ernest E. Utt, 38, of Hammond, Illinois, died June 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, after two 122mm rockets were fired into his forward operating base. Utt was assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

27-Jun-04 - American Contractor named Arguelles, Joseph was killed today due to Transport plane over Baghdad at Transport plane over Baghdad. Was an electric power specialist for employer Readiness Management Services (a subsidiary of Johnson Controls).

28-Jun-04 - Iraqi Ahmad Hamzah Barrak, adult, male, killed in near Tikrit.

28-Jun-04 - British Army Fusilier Gordon Gentle, 19, of Pollok, Glasgow, was killed by hostile attack by roadside bomb, killed when his Land Rover was caught in an explosion during a patrol in Basraat Basra, Iraq. Was assigned to the Royal Highland Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.

## (end of Week 3 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 4: 5 July 2004

I know a lot of you are in the midst of budgeting for 2005 (at American Electric Power). I found out last week that my boss (the Corps C-8) wants me to accomplish a near impossible task by the end of July. The military units here in the Green Zone that supports the Embassy have no budget for Fiscal Year 2005, which starts on October 1, 2005. They inherited the Coalition Provisional Authority's fourth quarter budget (July through September 2004). Needless to say, the major commanders and I got to meet one on one, and they all want to have some money next year. I was dreading the task a little, when my boss decided that our new Air Force officer who is here for 90 days is a wiz at budgets. So we will get this done, if I can ever get him from the Camp Victory into the Green Zone. They have attempted two trips, and each was turned around because of security reasons.

As many of you have read last week, the Coalitional Provisional Authority surprised everyone and turned over the government back to Iraq two days early. We here in the Commander's Situation Room were happy that it came off the way it did, it just caused a long night on June 28th. We had all our units executing small $500,000 or less reconstruction projects using Iraqi oil monies, and we had to make sure that no one executed a contract after midnight.

Meanwhile, we were also rushing to get the Iraqi Ministry of Finance to transfer funds to Iraqi Ministry of Defense accounts and to various local banks around the country to pay Iraqi Security Forces. Iraq had a holiday on the 28th, then again on the 30th, plus Friday is their holy day, so the banking system was pretty much on holiday this week. Some banks got money, others did not. The former Coalitional Provisional Authority Ministry of Finance advisors were quickly getting out of town (some to join the Re-election Campaign), so they did not do much to help. Thank goodness for the Marines and the Big Red One (1st Infantry Division). They must have good relationships with their local banks; they were able to pick up funds without authorization letters. I can imagine that they reminded the bank manager who was guarding their banks. Meanwhile, the Brits and Polish were having problems, and we prepared to send them several billion dinars via helicopter. But things seemed to have worked out, and it looks like most of the Iraqi National Guard was paid.

Ensuring that things go smoother at the end of July, I have already called for a meeting of all the folks; some are bitching that everyone knows what to do when the Ministry of Defense starts to pay the Iraqi National Guard. Yea sure! So I got some meetings this week to get everyone in the same room.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Tuesday, June 29th, I was successful in getting 1st Cavalry Division their $1.2M for Commander's Emergency Response Program used for Iraqi National Guard payrolls last month. Their G-8, a Lieutenant Colonel, was so happy. I started to go to the gym after lunch, and then tried to take a nap afterward. Our power is going on and off during the day. I slept again tonight in the basement theater because of the rocket threat and the date. It has been forty years since my Dad's death. I told my roommate who said I was just superstitious. There were nothing fired at the compound during the last several days.

COMMENT – On Wednesday, I continue to work with the Navy Lieutenant Commander on the Iraqi National Guard payroll. I found out today that Brendan was supposed to go to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance last Sunday (or Monday), but he just decided to not go at all. The Navy Lieutenant Commander sent an Iraqi from the Ministry of Defence to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance to get documentation, but the Iraqi only brought back one authorization letter yesterday. It was a national holiday for the Iraqis today and the Embassy was closed. I worked out again. It was a fairly quiet day except no air conditioning in the afternoon on the compound. I slept in the trailer last night.

COMMENT – Thursday, July 1st, I continued to work with the Navy Lieutenant Commander on the Iraqi National Guard payroll. We lost access to the server today and all documents, because the information technology folks discovered a massive amount of classified information on the non-classified server. They announced it last night, and many folks could not open their government email systems today. The Navy Lieutenant Commander got the authorization documentation today, and we emailed a message to the field, thanks to the Yahoo email system. I also contacted the Finance Command in Kuwait last night, and began to discuss with the two Finance Battalions a contingency operation to potentially go to cash operations if units cannot get funds from their local banks.

COMMENT –I continued to work with the Navy Lieutenant Commander on the Iraqi National Guard payroll issues on Friday. There are some reports of problems, but no need to fund anyone yet. It was a rather quiet Sabbath around here. Our information technology folks finally recovered all the files, as of June 26th - so everyone in theater lost any files on servers since sometime on the 26th, as today is July 2nd. Thank goodness for saving files on a flash drive, since I am operating from multiple computers throughout the Republican Palace.

COMMENT – Saturday, we still had Iraqi National Guard payroll issues. I authorized a unit to pick up funds from the 15th Finance Battalion today. On a personal note, I looked on the military pay website, and found that I had five separate payments since mobilizing on May 23rd. If I don't even understand the reserve pay system and I am a Finance Corps Officer, how are regular Soldiers to understand it? My roommate will leave tomorrow night for the Anbar Province to return to his beloved Marines. Today, he gave me a nice field desk set. I need to figure out something to give him, something small, because he shipped stuff home to Florida and is basically carrying a large ruck to the wild and rough western Iraq.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 4: 5 July 2004

Meanwhile, some of the folks here have discovered that I work for American Electric Power Company. So tomorrow, I get to go to the National Electricity Center and poke around. It should be fun.

Our new Force commanding general arrived this week and took over. The morning briefings have really improved. He is asking lots of questions to folks - what does that really mean? Are there any patterns? What is your analysis of the situation? Our betting line (we are prohibited from gambling) is that several two and one stars might be retiring soon.

COMMENT – It was during this week of transition that I really began to pick up more bosses than my official boss, the Corps C-8 Colonel at Camp Victory. A new Lieutenant Colonel took over as the Force C-8 (Joel) and I began receiving requests from him. As the only Comptroller (and Finance officer) not tied to a specific resource management shop in the Green Zone, the Force staff sections began to look at me as a natural part of the Force, and cared not a bit that I was officially assigned to the Corps. One day at dinner, I had sat at a vacant table, and shortly a Major General asked if he could sit down. We introduced ourselves, and I found that he was awaiting Pentagon and Congressional approval for promotion to Lieutenant General to become the deputy commanding general of the Force. For some reason, that did not happen, but he headed up a key Force staff section that I would work for in the coming months with the Embassy and others. So much so, that when the Corps C-8 was preparing to return to the states, it was decided that the Colonel was my Rater and the Major General was my Senior Rater on my evaluation report (yes, the Army continued to do peacetime things in a war zone, to include physical fitness tests and budgeting). For simplicity of telling my story, I will refer to this Major General as "my General Officer boss" to differential him from my other official and unofficial bosses.

Looking back at the email, it's too serious. What did I do for fun this week? Hmm! Well, I did sleep in the theater for two nights, because we got a report of someone wanting to fire lots of rockets at us last week. The theater is in the basement of the Palace, and seemed to have a lot more cover and overhead then my trailer's roof. Plus I found out in the morning from my roommate that the power was out during the night, and the trailer was a sauna. Roomie needed to lose a few pounds.

You may have heard about the rocket attack near the Sheridan Hotel, which is where _CNN_ is at. The _CNN_ camera man was standing on the balcony (drinking beer?) when he saw this bus pull up with a big hole in the roof. So he/she got her camera and started filming. The guys in the bus launched their first rocket, trying to hit us in the Green Zone. The rocket went up and fell short, hitting near the hotel. Poor aiming! The exhaust of the first rocket ignited the unfired rockets in the bus. The bus then blew up. You could see the smoke and fire ball from here, several miles away. The guys in the bus did not make it. I am glad that they are so good at firing rockets.

A couple of us went to the free movies and saw the movie _Simone_. There was a scene where Simone was on a good-will trip in some third world country. Everyone in the theater thought the shot was down by the hospital. That and the I Am Pig scene made everyone have belly laughs.

Our married lawyers left this week, going back to Germany. Kris was going to rearrange the room and pull the beds apart. Roomie decided to use the room for his Marine commander to use when he visited. You should have seen the two Marine Colonels faces when they opened the door and saw the two beds pushed together. And chocolates on their pillow! The Marines left by helicopter last night about 1 am, but before that they invited me to come visit them in the West. Yea, right!

The bad news is that the Marine commander took my roomie with him. Roomie was excited to be back with Marines, rather than these staff pukes at the Republican Palace (echelons above reality). A few of the other Marine Colonels told me it was a last tour of duty thing, to be closer to the action than being in the rear. I just wished him well as I saluted him goodbye, understanding the mixed emotions that roomie has. And he turned 51 years old today too.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Today is Sunday, Independence Day (July 4th), and just another work day here in Iraq. The Embassy was closed again (did they even work this week?) and they partied from noon until the wee hours last night. My roommate packed up his stuff today, so no afternoon nap today, but I did work out. I got an email from the medics to stop by and get my next Anthrax shot. So I did. It hurt like hell. Meanwhile, the Corps C-8 tried to send a convoy with a new Corps C-8 Lieutenant Colonel (Randy) and a Staff Sergeant to the Green Zone. It was cancelled. Randy is an Air Force officer who is reported to be whiz at government budgeting, and would work on the International Zone's budget for next year's fiscal year. My roommate Bob left after midnight tonight, after his Marine commander and staff had a little party (both Saturday and tonight). They trashed the other room in our trailer (our married lawyers had left for Germany several days ago), so I had to clean it up, and dispose of anything incriminating. I then rearranged my room, until I get another roommate assigned. I got to bed about 3 am.

COMMENT – Monday, I am very tired today from being up late last night. My arm is hurting from the shot. I have a knot on the back of my left arm. The convoy from Camp Victory was cancelled again, so no Air Force cavalry is coming today. I forwarded a request for funding a substation repair to the Corps C-8 office, but saw that my boss was incredibly bureaucratic and non-responsive. The crane affair was very frustrating (see my weekly report for July 13th). The good news is that for the first month ever in decades, the Iraqi National Guard was fully paid, as best as we can tell. I wrote my weekly email and sent it to the states.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 4: 5 July 2004

I am sending pictures to Roger so that he can use them. They detail my time at Fort Bliss, the travel to Iraq, and the first couple of weeks at the Palace. Oops, got to remember to bring the camera tomorrow to the grid center.

Overall, while there have been a few attacks on our forces, the transition appears to be going fairly well. Iraqis are moving in to take charge of security where they can. They are in charge, and we are supporting them. Since we always have _CNN_ playing here, we know that you mostly see the attacks, not the hundreds of patrols everyday with Iraqis (boring), building new schools (snoozing), installing power lines (zzzzz), or other reconstruction efforts.

I hope everyone is safe there at American Electric Power Company,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 4 Memorials)

29-Jun-04 - Iraqi Yunes Mohamed Ali, 58, male, killed in body found near Kukeji, east of Mosul.

29-Jun-04 - Three Marines, Lance Corporal Patrick R. Adle, 21, of Baltimore, Maryland, Sergeant Alan D. Sherman, 36, of Brick, New Jersey, and Corporal John H. Todd III, 24, of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania died June 29 southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, as a result of hostile action. They were assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, Folsom, Pennsylvania.

30-Jun-04 - Specialist Robert L. DuSang, 24, of Mandeville, Louisiana, died June 30 in Navstar, Iraq, when a tire on the 5-ton vehicle in which he was riding blew out and the vehicle overturned.

30-Jun-04 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 50 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 14 Coalition Contractors, 2 Aid Workers, 0 Journalists, 3 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 540 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 366 Insurgents.

1-Jul-04 - Iraqi Child of man killed, child, unknown, killed in Musayyib, 40 miles from Baghdad.

1-Jul-04 - Iraqi Ihsan Kareem, adult, male, killed in Al-Yarmouk, Baghdad.

1-Jul-04 - Iraqi Wife of man killed, adult, male, killed in Musayyib, 40 miles from Baghdad.

1-Jul-04 - Lance Corporal Timothy R. Creager, 21, of Millington, Tennessee, died July 1 due to hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

1-Jul-04 - Sergeant Christopher A. Wagener, 24, of Fairview Heights, Illinois, died July 1, in Mosul, Iraq, when his convoy vehicle hit a land mine. Wagener was assigned to the Army's 10th Aviation Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

1-Jul-04 - Sergeant Kenneth Conde Jr. 23, of Orlando, Florida, died July 1 due to injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

2-Jul-04 - Second Lieutenant Brian D. Smith, 30, of McKinney, Texas died on July 2 of hostile action due to sniper fire. Smith was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kansas.

2-Jul-04 - American Contractor named Richerson, Vern O'Neal was killed today due to Mortar attack at Landstuhl Reg. Med. Ctr. Germany. Was a Construction foreman for employer Kellogg, Brown, & Root.

2-Jul-04 - Lance Corporal James B. Huston Jr. 22, of Umatilla, Oregon, died July 2 in a vehicle accident while his unit was responding to hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

2-Jul-04 - Staff Sergeant Stephen G. Martin, 39, of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, died July 2 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, from injuries sustained in Mosul, Iraq, on June 24 when a car bomb exploded near his guard post. Martin was assigned to the Army Reserve's 330th Military Police Detachment, Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

2-Jul-04 - Ukrainian Army Sergeant Roman Genzersky, 23, killed by non-hostile - weapon discharge in Al Kut, Iraq. Was assigned to the 6 Separate Mechanized Brigade.

3-Jul-04 - Iraqi Issam Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Jarf el-Sakhr, near Hillah.

4-Jul-04 - Iraqi Brother of Uday Adnan al-Kharn, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

4-Jul-04 - Iraqi Relative of Uday Adnan al-Kharn, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

5-Jul-04 - Corporal Dallas L. Kerns, 21, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, died July 5 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Twentynine Palms, California.

5-Jul-04 - Iraqi Family of Yasser Abed, adult, female, killed in Shuhada, Fallujah.

5-Jul-04 - Iraqi Family of Yasser Abed, adult, male, killed in Shuhada, Fallujah.

5-Jul-04 - Iraqi Family of Yasser Abed, child, unknown, killed in Shuhada, Fallujah.

5-Jul-04 - Iraqi Rwaida Shenen Al-Shemre, adult, female, killed in Street 60, Hadar neighborhood, Baghdad.

5-Jul-04 - Iraqi Sabah Naji, adult, male, killed in Al-Adhamiyah, Baghdad.

5-Jul-04 - Italian Army Caporal Maggiore Antonio Tarantino, 26, of Gorizia, Italy, killed by non-hostile - vehicle accident in An Nasiriyah, Iraq. Was assigned to the Headquarters Company, Brigata di Cavalleria "Pozzuolo del Friuli."

5-Jul-04 - Two Marines, Lance Corporal Michael S. Torres, 21, of El Paso, Texas and Lance Corporal John J. Vangyzen IV, 21, of Bristol, Massachusetts died July 5 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Twentynine Palms, California.

## (end of Week 4 Memorials)

COMMENT – Did not sleep well on Monday night. I guess I am not use to not having a roommate. Tuesday, I was supposed to go to the national electric grid office, sat at the staging area, and missed my ride. The good news is that when I came back to the Commander's Situation Room, my boss, the Corps C-8, appeared with a couple of folks in tow. No one said that they were coming to the Green Zone. Funny thing, I told my boss I was going to the national electric grid office today, so I wasn't planning to be in the Republican Palace most of the day. Oh well! I got Randy in-processed prior to lunch. He will be producing the 2005 budgets for the units in the International Zone. He is Air Force and on a 90-day tour. Randy got his Embassy identification card and seems OK. Randy formerly worked for the CPA C-8 back in the states, and will work in their office rather than in the Commander's Situation Room, where there is little room and limited access to civilians. I gave him a quick orientation to the Republican Palace around lunch time. We had lunch with the Corps C-8, and it looks like I will be here for a number of months now, given all the activity here. The Corps C-8 told us he was going to see a couple folks in the Palace after lunch and then head back to Camp Victory.

COMMENT – Colonel Bob, my old Finance Corps friend, is leaving tomorrow, so they had a party by the swimming pool on Tuesday evening. Their new Project & Contracting Office C-8 (Mike), told me to wear civilian clothes. I did, but none of the other military did. It was good to see Bob off. I went back to the Commander's Situation Room, and worked until midnight. My arm still hurts a lot, but being busy was probably for the best.

COMMENT – Wednesday (July 7th), Randy and I met with the Joint Area Support Group – Central senior leadership team, an Army Colonel, Navy Captain, and a Marine Colonel. The Joint Area Support Group - Central will be responsible for support services of all military in the International Zone, except units of the Multi-National Division - Central. The old CPA C-8 office staff briefed everyone on the status of current funds. We also talked in detail about the transition from the Coalitional Provisional Authority to Joint Area Support Group - Central. For example, the CPA C-8 office would become the J-8 office for Joint Area Support Group – Central (for simplicity, I will continue to call them the CPA C-8). After the meeting, I continued to work Iraqi National Guard payroll issues. We identified three battalions that no one knew had existed, but were formed recently by the Iraqis.

COMMENT – After that meeting, I then met with the Marine Captain, who commands the Marine Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team. His folks did not need the calling cards I had received from the states, but he provided them to the Marines in their protection service. The Gunny Sergeant accepted the three 1200, three 800, and one 30 minute calling cards. At dinner, I ran into a down and out Randy, who did not get his trailer today. I do not think he is getting much sleep in the circus tent.

COMMENT – We had poor internet connectivity all day on Thursday, July 8th, due to informational technology changes last night. It was much like yesterday, chasing down the new Iraqi battalions. There is still no confirmation from the 1st Infantry Division folks that they even exist. This evening, the Embassy folks were singing quite loud when I went to my trailer, as they started to adopt the Coalitional Provisional Authority tradition of having a big party on Thursday nights.

COMMENT – I still continued to work Iraqi National Guard payroll issues on Friday. Multi-National Brigade - North folks continue to whine about wanting to get an authorization letter from the Iraqi Central Bank to their bank in Mosul. I have told them it just is not going to happen, that the Iraqis won't respond to our requests. I have suggested that they come to Baghdad and get cash like everyone else. Meanwhile, Multi-National Division \- South East got a British paymaster up to Baghdad and got their funds. There is still no word from Multi-National Division - North Central about their new Iraqi National Guard battalion.

COMMENT - Today I made a short ten minute presentation in the Commander's Situation Room about C-8 Liaison Officer functions. Everyone seemed to enjoy my sense of humor. The Australian commander of the Commander's Situation Room (a Major General) liked my presentation and then asked some questions on the use of Commander's Emergency Response Program. I was able to run down the information and answer his questions with a recommendation to ask Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq about some of their activities on Saturday morning. I had a hard time getting a clear line to call home.

COMMENT – The administrative Sergeants had to take their vehicles to Camp Victory, so they asked me to come along early Saturday morning as they needed another shooter. There were two of us each in the two vehicles (un-armored SUVs). A section of Route Irish had two jersey barriers that channeled traffic from three lanes to one, causing us to sit in a traffic jam with many Iraqi vehicles for about fifteen minutes. The looks on everyone's faces showed that they were as scared of me as I was scared of them. We arrived safely, and returned to the Green Zone safely later in the day.

COMMENT – I was dropped off at Building 2 at Camp Victory; and surprised both Colonels (the Corps C-8 and the Corps Deputy C-8). I had found out late last night about the convoy, and did not have any time in the morning to alert them. I got to meet with several of the folks in the Corps C-8 office. I found that the Force C-8 (Joel) was having a staff meeting for his new Force C-8 section. I butted in and was welcomed to the group. I found that Joel expects to make Colonel on the next promotion board. Joel seemed to be a good guy, and we agreed that I would call in everyday into his 9 am staff meeting, as much of what I do in the Green Zone is more Force (strategic) than Corps (tactical). Joel and I went to lunch at the new Camp Victory dining facility (huge building with great food), then I convoyed back to the Green Zone.

COMMENT – Arriving back into the Commander's Situation Room on Saturday afternoon, I got another whining note from Multi-National Brigade - North waiting for their authorization letter. I wrote another rebuttal email back, and offered to arrange for Finance to bring cash to their location. I gave the desk set that Bob gave me to another Marine Colonel, who is giving it to someone for some favored treatment.

COMMENT – Sunday (July 11th), I started the process of calling into Joel's Force C-8 staff meeting at 9 am. I could mostly hear what everyone was saying. I now feel a little more connected now. I still have no roommate, but there is no requirement to report I have a vacant bed. I am not hiding it, but I am not going to broadcast it either. The draft billeting policy says that a Lieutenant Colonel with six months or more tour length will have a room to themselves. Yes! I decided to go through my duffel bags and reorganize them. I now have two bags of equipment and winter clothes, one bag for Nuclear, Biological, & Chemical equipment only, and another bag that contains my backpack, sleeping bag, field jacket, and extra boots. I also found out that there is a DVD lending library run by the Chaplain. I went in there and checked out the movie _Monster_. I watched about half of it last night. For the second day in a row, I did not go work out. I did have a little work out in repacking my duffel bags. I also did not take a nap this afternoon. I must work out tomorrow. As for work, I ran down a rumor about an organization called APCO that the CPA C-8 office was supposed to become. Not true! I also got the Iraqi Reconstruction Fund information from Mike (the Project & Contracting C-8) to Joel and Greg. The Iraqi National Guard payroll saga continues. Multi-National Brigade - North is finally going to come to Baghdad to pick up funds rather than hoping the local bank gets authorization letters. There is still no word yet from the 1st Infantry Division folks about what they are going to do.

COMMENT – I woke up very tired Monday morning. I was going to get up early and swim, but decided to sleep in a little. I found out later that the pool tested for ringworm yesterday and that they had dumped a barrel of chlorine into it. When I finally got up there was no running water in the trailer. The Battle Update Assessment was quiet on resource management issues until the very end. The Force deputy commander (my General Officer), announced that he attended an Iraq Reconstruction Management Office meeting yesterday on the Ambassador's reprioritizing the reconstruction projects. Another General officer then jumped in on the conversation, saying the Force needed to be represented. He also added some comments about the usage of Iraqi funded Commander's Emergency Response Program, which ended at transition on June 28th. I was printing out the Commander's Emergency Response Program rules, when the commanding general asked his Generals to meet with the C-8 Liaison Officer after the Battle Update Assessment (me). In our little meeting, the second General Officer properly said that Iraqi-funded Commander's Emergency Response Program did provide so much more flexibility than appropriated or United States-funded Commander's Emergency Response Program. I gave the Commander's Emergency Response Program rules to both General Officers while the first one asked me to come by and see him later.

COMMENT – The 9 am Force C-8 staff meeting got delayed when I called in. As I expected, it was due to the Battle Update Assessment comments, and they wanted to hear about my conversation with the two Generals. I was then tasked by Joel to find out how to get us on the regular Iraq Reconstruction Management Office meeting schedules. I then went to meeting with my General Officer, who had just got off the phone with my boss, the Corps C-8. My General Officer explained that the Corps C-8 had been tasked by the Corps Chief of Staff to take the lead on this same issue, but he was going to let the Force Chief of Staff thrash that one at with the Corps Chief of Staff (remember that the Force and Corps were fighting over turf and responsibilities?). We then discussed the situation, and I found that there was a broader staff action in getting input from multiple Force staff sections into the reallocation of Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund funds, with the opportunity to gain more funding for the Commander's Emergency Response Program.

COMMENT - Rather than having two C-8 staffs (Force and Corps) at Camp Victory working the issue and probably duplicating each other, I was tasked to represent both C-8 offices on this, plus coordinate with the military C-8 groups in the Green Zone. I then walked through Project & Contracting Office and then to Iraq Reconstruction Management Office, both run by a Navy Admiral. I finally met up with Brad, formerly the Coalitional Provisional Authority Chief Financial Officer, and we talked for several hours about how to involve the Force staff sections. The Admiral came by, and he knew I was a good friend of Colonel Bob, who had recently left the Project & Contracting Office, so we seemed to hit it off well. It was the first time I heard anyone refer to us older military officers as being the "Old Farts" around here. I liked that term. I also got to meet with another Mike later that day, who works for the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, and we talked briefly about the state of the electric grid. He is from the Tennessee Valley Authority on a six month contract to support the Iraqis.

COMMENT – Tuesday, July 13th, was my busiest day so far here in Baghdad. It all started when a Commander's Situation Room Sergeant knocked on my trailer around 3 am, saying there was a call from Washington looking for the senior Finance Officer in theater. I quickly put on sweats and ran over to the Commander's Situation Room and talked to the person from Washington. I mentioned that I was not the senior Finance guy in theater, but I worked for him, and I was the senior one in the Green Zone. He laughed and asked me a few questions about something that I had not heard about, but I told him I would find out about it and would get him the information needed by calling him at 4 pm Iraqi time when he would return to his office at 8 am his time. I went to sleep for a few hours, then went into the Commander's Situation Room about 7 am, and called the Corps C-8 at Camp Victory to discuss this issue. The Corps C-8 told me it was none of my business and he would take care of it. Whatever!

COMMENT - The morning Battle Update Assessment was really quiet and so was the Commander's Situation Room for the first hour afterward. Then all things hit the fan. First, a Lieutenant Colonel who is the Force Assistant Chief of Staff came by to tell me that the Embassy's Chief of Mission (an Ambassador) had received a call from the State Department last night about a letter that the former commanding general was supposed to have given to the Iraqi Prime Minister on June 28th. The Ambassador wanted an answer so he could call the Secretary of State when he came into work at 4 pm Iraqi time. The letter concerned a request for Iraqi funding of Commander's Emergency Response Program, something that another General Officer had mentioned only yesterday. So now the Embassy wanted me to do something to find out what was going on. I told the Assistant Chief of Staff about my call in the early morning and what my boss at Camp Victory had told me about two hours ago. We went to his office, and the Force Chief of Staff (a Major General) called my boss, the Corps C-8, as a lower headquarters staff officer is outvoted by a higher headquarters staff member (remembering my days at the four-star TRADOC headquarters in dealing with various three- and two-star commands).

COMMENT – The Corps C-8 finally fessed up during the call that he had secretly prepared the letter and given it to the former commanding general, which it was believed he had directly gave to the Iraqi Prime Minister. It turned out that one of my wild ideas was used to get this money - a couple weeks ago when we were talking about funding the International Zone, I suggested that since the Iraqi government budget is based upon a set amount of oil sold, and oil was now selling at a much higher price, that the Iraqis had a budget surplus. I then was asked to research and determine how much the surplus was - $368 million. So the letter asked for $368 million from the Iraqis to fund minor reconstruction projects, such as building the last mile of power, water, and sewage lines to residences, as the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office was building the larger lines and pipelines. The Force Chief of Staff then ordered me to find out whether or not the Iraqi Prime Minister would agree to release the money to us, in order for the Ambassador to call the Secretary of State back this afternoon. The Corps C-8 emailed me a copy of the letter signed by the commanding general.

COMMENT – I then contacted our folks in the Prime Minister's Situation Room, where we had American liaison officers assigned to coordinate and communicate rapidly. They checked with the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, who had no knowledge of the letter. Our guys gave him the letter. The Chief of Staff then had us draft up a short note to the Ambassador, outlining what we knew as true and assuming that the former commanding general had given this to the Prime Minister directly, hence there was no staffing trail or any follow-up with the Iraqis. The Chief also added that it might take a couple days before we might get a reply from the Iraqis. Later that day, our folks in the Prime Minister's Situation Room said that the Prime Minister had agreed to our request and had sent his decision to his Minister of Finance to arrange for us to get the funds, and got us a copy of the Prime Minister's decision. The Force Chief of Staff told everyone that the Embassy and Force staff officers would run this action with me as the lead. I then contacted the Iraqi Ministry of Finance, and found that the Minister was on vacation in Europe for two weeks, and we established a meeting with him on July 29th. By this time in theater, I had learned that things move quite slowly with the Iraqis, so I was not surprised.

COMMENT – Meanwhile, the Corps C-8 had a hot request from the Corps commanding general to obtain funding for Samarra projects. I got a Major in Project & Contracting C-8 office to address the request, and the Major sent the Corps C-8 a partial response later in the day. And if all that was not exciting enough, we had a meeting on the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund strategy review with Brad and Allen. They reviewed what went on during the select group meeting on July 11th. This looks like an opportunity for the coalition military to get more Commander's Emergency Response Program funds and to set up key projects with big impacts implemented quickly. Through all that, my old Marine roommate stopped by the Commander's Situation Room, and told me that he might be coming back. I wished him luck finding a trailer, kidding him. Not all of this was happening at once, so I had time to write my weekly email and send it.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 5: 13 July 2004

I will start the report with the Fourth of July. It was the Embassy's fourth day off last week, but for the military, there were no days off. It does appear that many insurgents also took a holiday, and reports from Camp Victory said that they decided to not set off any rockets when they say our fireworks go off. It was too far away for us to see from downtown. Maybe the Apache helicopters with their night vision sights had something to do with that. We think the word is getting out that to fire a mortar or rocket around here means a very bad reaction from us.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Let me tell you what happened in Baghdad on July 4th. First, some smart guy in the Embassy decided to announce over the Iraqi radio station in English and Arabic that the Embassy was going to have a big party at the back of the Republican Palace by the pool, complete with important guests, including at least one United States Cabinet officer. Once I heard about that, I decided that was an open invitation to anyone with spare rockets or mortars to take their shot at us in the Green Zone from the back of their Toyota pick-up truck. So I initially went over to the Finance House to see my new friends there and we watched a movie, more than a kilometer from the pool area. I heard the party went well, and after going by the Commander's Situation Room around 11 pm, found the party was rather mellowed out by then and headed back to my trailer. I ran into my Marine roomie and his Marine friends, so I hung out with them until they realized they needed to head to the Washington Landing Zone to fly back to his Marines in western Iraqi in the early morning. I spent an hour cleaning up the other room, and rearranged my room and stuff to give me a little more room, remember, my room was nine feet by twelve feet. When I get a roommate, I can move stuff back to make it equal. The next morning, I heard at the Battle Update Assessment how two American units around Baghdad had lit up a lot of fireworks, and then received celebratory firing by Iraqis. The General Officers did not seem happy.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 5: 13 July 2004

Something you might not have seen on _CNN_. We now have a battalion of Iraqi Army patrolling areas of Baghdad.

Still working to ensure that all the Iraqi National Guard got paid. It is still a radical process to pay Soldiers on time their full amount. Commanders have taken a pay cut because they no longer take some money off of the payroll.

The economy is cash based, and the banking system is struggling. We tried to have funds moved to local banks, but at the end, we flew folks to our Finance units to get funds.

Our new Ambassador is looking at where the $18 billion of reconstruction funds are going or planned to go, with the idea of moving funds around. Needless to say, the Iraqi version of Riverside Plant is going to lose out to their Gavin Plant. I have introduced business plans into their project/program development and they must show alignment with our new strategic plans. This is going to take a lot of work over the next two weeks.

Speaking of electricity, I met Mike who did work for Tennessee Valley Authority, who is working with the Iraqis to improve the power plants. He said he has some great pictures where equipment has not been maintained for 30 years. Under Saddam, plant managers kept the plant running somehow, or got shot. I don't think they had an Incentive Compensation Plan.

The transmission system is dispatched by telephone, with manual switching. Since demand is about twice the amount of supply, their is rationing during the day. Unfortunately, local businesses threaten or pay off switchman to not turn off power. Mike has found some interesting tampering, even at the transmission voltages.

This week, we had the famous Crane issue. The Civil Affairs unit reported to the Force commanding general that a critical substation needed to rent a crane for $10,000. They did this at the morning briefing. Afterwards, I asked them who they had asked for money. No one just told to tell the commanding general. So we found a Seabee unit within five miles of the substation who were renting a 20 ton crane. Unfortunately, someone went to the sub and figured out they needed a 20 ton and a 30 ton crane. I never heard what they were trying to repair, but five days later I found out that someone from GE Power went there and fixed the problem without a crane.

The Saddam swimming pool will be closed on Saturday for a week to fix a big leak and the filtration system. On Sunday, they tested the waters, and rumor found ring worms. They dumped a big garbage can of chlorine into the water. I have decided to stop swimming two miles each morning.

A Judge Advocate Corps Captain (lawyer) was invited to a meal at the home of an Iraqi working in his office. We are prohibited from eating anything not cooked in a coalition dining facility. So Mitch decided to pretend to eat, meanwhile discreetly putting the food into a napkin on his lap. He then put the napkin in his pocket. He decided to pull an Adam Sandler, and asked to use the bathroom. He dropped the napkin into the toilet, but it got stuck. No plunger. And the homeowner knocking on the door worried that he was OK. I just can't remember the movie that I saw that in.

Saturday night, the free movie was from India. With English subtitles! It was basically a Romeo & Juliet version, based upon 1800's Indians living under the British in a small village. Great dancing numbers! But after three hours, I really had to go. I heard it finished after five hours. I guess I have no culture.

Got to go to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence and have a meeting on paying the Iraqi National Guard. Meetings start when everyone finally gets there, and we speak in short sentences and then await translation. I was amazed of how many English words are the same in Arabic. We are mentoring them, letting them take the lead, and letting them figure out ways to do things. I looked around in the Director General's office, and she had no phones, no computers, no copy machines, etc. And she runs the Budget office. But I have to admire them, as they go home each night without any guards or protection.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I returned to the Commander's Situation Room and looked at my emails at 1 pm on July 6th, and found that Greg had a hot issue request that he sent by email at 10 am. I was leaving for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense at 1:30 pm, and emailed him back that I had no time to get anything for him until I got back. I went over there with several officers and our interpreter to the Ministry of Defence. We met with the woman who heads the Ministry's Programs and Budget office. We talked about the need for the Iraqi Ministry of Defence to contact the Iraqi National Guard in order to pay them this month. I do not see them being able to do that this month. I talked with a Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq J-4 officer, a Navy Commander, at the Ministry after our meeting, about the payroll issue. The Navy Commander does not feel that there are any long-term issues with Ministry accepting the Iraqi National Guard into their fold. I drove back to the Republican Palace and went to the Commander's Situation Room about 3 pm, and got what Greg wanted emailed to him by 4 pm.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 5: 13 July 2004

There is a British officer here who looks like a member of the royal family. We cannot figure out what he does, but he shows up for all meetings. The Brits are great coalition partners; they always drink a beer for us. They tolerated the Fourth of July rather well. For your information, United States military (except those assigned to the Embassy) may not drink here. But there are rumors that some Marines have a still somewhere.

Finally, I decided that those calling cards that lots of folks in American Electric Power Company donated could be used by more deserving folks. I can easily call the states, but many Soldiers do not have the same access. I went down to the Marine Protective Guards, a total of 14 Marines who protect the Embassy and stand out in the heat all day long. The Gunny accepted the three 1400 minutes, three 800 minutes, and one Army issued 30 minute cards. I have had ten of the Marines look me up and want to thank the folks at American Electric Power Company. These guys and gals make about $2,000 a month, and now they can call home more often.

Well a quiet week here, no mortars or rockets. Heard a couple two nights ago, but they were a few miles away.

Have finally put some pictures into pdf files!! I sent these to Roger. I have another seven sets to send him over the next few days. Some of the photos are from the previous officer here; an Ohio State graduate (around 1985) named Jim who is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force.

Hope everyone remains safe here.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 5 Memorials)

6-Jul-04 - Corporal Jeffrey D. Lawrence, 22, of Tucson, Arizona, died July 6 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

6-Jul-04 - Iraqi Hussein Amer Ali Sulaiman, 18, male, killed in Ramadi.

6-Jul-04 - Lance Corporal Justin T. Hunt, 22, of Riverside, California, died July 6 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

6-Jul-04 - Two Marines, Lance Corporal Scott E. Dougherty, 20, of Bradenton Florida and Private First Class Rodricka A. Youmans, 22, of Allendale, South Carolina died July 6 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

7-Jul-04 - Private 1st Class Samuel R. Bowen, 38, of Cleveland, Ohio, died July 7 in Samarra, Iraq, when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded near his vehicle. Bowen was assigned to the Army National Guard's 216th Engineer Battalion, Akron, Ohio.

7-Jul-04 - Sergeant Michael C. Barkey, 22, of Canal Fulton, Ohio, died July 7 in Ramadi, Iraq, when a tire on his military vehicle blew out, the driver lost control and the vehicle turned over. Barkey was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1484th Transportation Company, Akron, Ohio.

8-Jul-04 - Five Soldiers died July 8 in Baghdad, Iraq. All were in the Iraqi National Guard Headquarters when it came under a mortar attack. Each of the Soldiers was assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Schweinfurt, Germany. Killed were Sergeant Robert E. Colvill, Jr. 31, of Anderson, Indiana, Specialist William R. Emanuel, IV, 19, of Stockton, California, Specialist Joseph M. Garmback, Jr. 24, of Cleveland, Ohio, Specialist Sonny G. Sampler, 23, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Private First Class Collier E. Barcus, 21, of McHenry, Illinois.

8-Jul-04 - Iraqi Ali Abbas Hassan, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

8-Jul-04 - Specialist Jeremiah W. Schmunk, 21, of Richland, Washington, died July 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his vehicle came under attack by rocket propelled grenade and small arms fire. Schmunk was assigned to the Company C, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry, Washington National Guard, at Moses Lake, Washington.

8-Jul-04 - Specialist Shawn M. Davies, 22, of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, died July 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, of a non-combat related illness. Davies was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division Regiment, from Fort Hood, Texas.

9-Jul-04 - Iraqi Rani, son of Samira Dania, 4, male, killed in near Al-Sadeer Hotel, Baghdad.

9-Jul-04 - Iraqi Sami, son of Samira Dania, 6, male, killed in near Al-Sadeer Hotel, Baghdad.

9-Jul-04 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Convoy attack at Samarra (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

9-Jul-04 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Convoy attack at Samarra (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

10-Jul-04 - Four Marines, Corporal Terry Holmes, 22, of Hollywood, Florida, Sergeant Krisna Nachampassak, 27, of Burke, Virginia, Private First Class Christopher J. Reed, 20, of Craigmont, Idaho, and Staff Sergeant Trevor Spink, 36, of Farmington, Missouri died July 10 due a non-combat related vehicle accident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

10-Jul-04 - Iraqi Hiwa Omar Said, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

11-Jul-04 - Iraqi Abd el-Oun Hassan, adult, male, killed in south Baghdad.

11-Jul-04 - Iraqi Riyadh Al-Jabouri, adult, male, killed in Baiji.

11-Jul-04 - Staff Sergeant Dustin W. Peters, 25, of El Dorado, Kansas, died July 11 as result of enemy action near the Forward Operating Base Summerall in Iraq. He was assigned to the 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron, from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.

11-Jul-04 - Two Soldiers died July 11 in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their convoy vehicle. Both Soldiers were assigned to the 267th Ordnance Company, Nebraska National Guard, from Lincoln, Nebraska. Killed were Sergeant First Class Linda Ann Tarango-Griess, 33, of Sutton, Nebraska and Sergeant Jeremy J. Fischer, 26, of Lincoln, Nebraska.

11-Jul-04 - Two Soldiers died July 11 near Al Hillah, Iraq, when the vehicle they were riding in was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle. Both Soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Brigade, at Baumholder, Germany. Killed were Sergeant James G. West, 34, of Watertown, New York and Specialist Dana N. Wilson, 26, of Fountain, Colorado.

12-Jul-04 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to improvised explosive device at Baiji (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

13-Jul-04 - Iraqi Sabir Karim, adult, male, killed in Saadiyeh, Baghdad.

13-Jul-04 - Private First Class Torry D. Harris, 21, of Chicago, Illinois, died July 13 in Tikrit, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Harris was assigned to the 12th Chemical Company, Kitzingen, Germany.

13-Jul-04 - Turkish Contractor named Lazov, Georgi was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Mosul (in or near). Was a Truck Driver for employer Bulgarian trucking company.

## (end of Week 5 Memorials)

COMMENT – On Thursday, July 15th, I began pursuing getting business cards for my Major General and myself, after we both ran into another officer with them. I found out that the Civil Military Operations (C-9) has an arrangement with an Iraqi vendor. The business cards are all of a high quality and have Arabic on the back, but you would have to personally pay $25 for 100 cards. The Force Secretary of the General Staff is checking with the Theater Area Support Command in Kuwait to see if there is a military paid option. The Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractor folks said that they don't do business cards.

COMMENT – That evening, I got invited to a party under the trees. It was rather selective from what I gathered. I got to meet folks from various areas, military and civilians from multiple organizations. I still refused to drink, as I don't know who these folks really are – would they turn you in, and really, I don't really need to drink. I got back to the trailer after 1 am. Bob was concerned the next morning, like a dad.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 6.5: 21 July 2004

I am very sorry to delay writing this by more than three days. I hope no one was worried about little old me (and I am down 15 pounds now). It's been a very long week, and the days until the end of the month are going to be, interesting.

Monday, July 12th started like any other day here in Baghdad. Like the movie _Groundhog Day_. More on that later. Then I got called into the Deputy Commanding General's office, and life changes. Needless to say, we are working on a strategic campaign to use money as a weapon.

The days since have been filled with hours of meetings from almost everyone who spends money in Iraq. The briefings are well, not brief, and they went to the worse government schools to prepare and make presentations. I have seen power point slides in 8 point font, that you could not read if you put your face down to the paper, much less see from the screen. One day, I almost slid down the big leather chair, starting to fall asleep.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Wednesday, July 14th, the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund reviews are creating a lot of interest among the military staff members. It's really great to be in the center of attention, people looking for funds for their programs. My old roommate, Bob, is coming back tonight. Billeting was about to assign a Lieutenant Colonel to my room (it turned out to be Randy, who already got a room through the Joint Area Support Group \- Central owned trailers). Bob is only going to be here another two months. So I said OK with him moving back into the room. Why not? We get along well, and the chances of getting a sorry roommate are high.

COMMENT – I got a chance to sit down with a small group working out the definitions of Democracy, Economic Development, and Security. One of the guys is a big Marine, must be an ex-football player. Another guy was at Fort Leavenworth when I was at Fort Monroe, and we had crossed path back in the late 1980s, small world. I also found that there is an Operations Research group here in the Green Zone and another one at Camp Victory - that was the work I did while at Fort Monroe. My Major General seems very satisfied with the work I am doing, and so is Joel, nice to receive a comment once in a while. I am pretty sure where I stand with my true boss, the Corps C-8.

COMMENT – Before Bob arrived on July 14th, I shuffled my duffle bags back under the bed and on top of the wardrobe, put my second set of sheets and blanket on the other bed, put my second pillow there, and at the midnight meal, got a moon pie that I put on his pillow like a mint. He came in around 1 am as I was talking to my wife. He was so tired, and so hungry. He ate my moon pie and a bag of Doritos. He tried to explain that the Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Division chiefs of staff had a disagreement about what his job was, and that he came back here to chill out for two months. He said he still was going to try to go back to the field.

COMMENT – Friday, I attended an Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund briefing on Agriculture and the Accelerated Iraqi Reconstruction Program. I tried to explain to the United States Agency for International Development Agriculture guys that they need to estimate results, especially in the short term. The Accelerated Program guys were right on, demonstrating how they used Development Fund for Iraq funds and quick execution of contracts over the last two months. This drives the need to figure out how to pay Iraqis with appropriated funds locally with Iraqis agents, rather than continuing to use coalition military personnel. Oh, another thing to solve here.

COMMENT – Saturday, July 17th, I attended the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund briefing on Water, and spent much of the meeting stepping out trying to arrange the time on the Force briefing that will work for everyone. In the evening, the Corps C-8 and Joel decided to come to the Embassy Annex in the Green Zone to meet with Allen and Brad to discuss the military briefing. They then decided to meet with a lot of folks, and I spent most of the evening trying to arrange meeting times. Joel finally asked for a meeting with Elvis and Mr. Gotti, causing me to laugh. I lent him the book about Chicago Mobs, which we use to understand how the thirty Iraqi tribes and sheikhs really operate. He is alright!!

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 6.5: 21 July 2004

The briefings are being done by the coalition folks here, mostly Americans who struggle with English as a First Language. Every time we started, I dreaded what we would see. And the questions, many of the folks on the team have their own agendas, and often they are not asking questions, but making speeches. Long ones! Our two facilitators don't. And someone named Allen, and he spoke more than the person making the presentation.

The very best presentation made was done by the Iraqi Minister of the Environment, a very impressive Iraqi woman. She came in with her Senior Adviser; we stood out of respect (we treat them as respectively as if Secretary of State had come in the room). She had 32 slides, went thru them quickly, answered all the questions, and laid out her efforts and her future plans. When she was done, she rose, and so did everyone, and a round of applause was done spontaneously. It was a bang up job. In some ways, I feel that I was at the birth of the Iraqi Environmental Protection Agency. (OK, folks at American Electric Power Company, start laughing).

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – More Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund meetings, my whole Sunday is occupied with them. The Corps C-8 and Joel were scheduled to show up at 11 am, they showed up around 10 am. They brought a crowd, a Captain and two Lieutenants. These three would have to pull together the analysis and help put together the brief. I got them to divide up the analysis between the C-8 and C-9 folks in order to provide a more comprehensive picture, as their initial work was too focused on the money, and not the effects or results of reconstruction.

COMMENT – On Sunday, the Minister of Environment came to brief on her program with her coalition Senior Advisor. She was a very brave woman and quite impressive individual. Because of the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund meetings, almost all of us could not go to Mass today. First time I have missed Mass since being activated. I saw Father later, and said most of us are superstitious not to miss Mass. He agreed to meet a group of us later for communion. I received a tasking from the Corps commanding general, for information on reconstruction projects in three provinces. I sent the tasker to the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office to provide the details, to my regret later.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 6.5: 21 July 2004

The military were the last to present, and we surprised everyone by what we want to do. That happened today, and everyone wondered why I was not around at the yesterday's meeting. We put our presentation to bed, with several Marines grinding out copies at midnight last night. It was originally 32 pages also (wonder where we got that from), but we added two more pages as we added a few more pictures.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I spent a very busy Monday (July 19th) attending Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund meetings. I like the process, but Allen and Brad do not facilitate well, so the briefings drag on too long. In between all of this, I went to the pass office and got my new blue Embassy badge. I hid my Coalitional Provisional Authority badge, and got to keep it as a souvenir. I had not worked out since last Saturday, and was really tired from the long Sunday night. So I left the Commander's Situation Room at 4:30 pm, and took a short nap. I then went to the Palace dining facility, and after finishing dinner, saw my Major General. He told me that the Force commanding general had received a letter from the Prime Minister that the Iraqis would be giving us an initial $86 million in matching Commander's Emergency Response Program. I just need to get the Iraqi Minister of Finance's approval to pick it up at the Iraqi Central bank. It is still ten more days before I go to Sadr City, location of the Iraqi Finance Ministry.

COMMENT – I called Joel (the Force C-8 at Camp Victory) immediately and told him the good news. I tried to call my boss, the Corps C-8, but there was no answer and he had no voicemail. I then went to the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund briefing, and came back to the Commander's Situation Room about 10:30 pm. This evening, we listened to utilizing the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund regarding women issues. Eileen was impressive in her remarks. I asked her to email her slides to me, as we could use them. I had an email from the Corps C-8 and a message to call one of the Captains in the Corps C-8 office. The Corps C-8 said in his email that he had tried to call me a dozen times, but the Major who sits next to my seat in the Commander's Situation Room only heard the phone ring once, from the Captain at Camp Victory, and he took a message for me. We have no voicemail, but I do have a cell phone that the Corps C-8 has called several times. I called the Corps C-8, but he was already gone for the day. I called the Captain, and got the word that the Polish C-8 was flying in tomorrow and he would need a ride to Finance House tomorrow at 10 am.

COMMENT – Just before midnight, I wrote an email to my boss, the Corps C-8, asking him to call me on my cell phone if I am not in the Commander's Situation Room or the military phone system is not working, which is often. I was thinking that I have called all around Iraq and could get in touch with just about every C-8, G-8, and Finance Officer in the country, but realize it sometimes takes time because people are doing things and not sitting in offices all day. What a dummy I was by writing that email. I guess it ticked off my boss. I then had to get the Prime Minister's letter to the commanding general scanned in, and sent it by email at midnight to the Corps C-8 and Joel (Force C-8). This would cause the Corps C-8 to erupt tomorrow. Got to the trailer a little before 1 am, Bob was worried about my long days.

COMMENT – Tuesday, July 20th, before the Battle Update Assessment, I sent the Iraqi letter to Brendan to get him to make contact with Ministry of Finance to see if we could move the July 29th meeting earlier and not wait for the Finance Minister to get back from his European vacation. I wanted to get the money on the fast track. This was the third straw that broke the back of the Corps C-8. So at 9:13 am, my boss, the Corps C-8 emailed me that he was not pleased to be the last one notified about the Iraqi letter. I was around that time being chewed out by a young Army Colonel, for not standing at attention when he walked into the Projects J-8 office, while I was talking with Brendan about getting the money. Heck, the Colonel did not even work there and was just visiting like me. I left there and drove over to Landing Zone Washington to pick up the Polish C-8 for their 10 am arrival, and dropped him off at the Finance House. I then returned to the Republican Palace, went to the Commander's Situation Room, logged on the system, and read the email from my boss. It is so nice to be screwed twice in the same hour.

COMMENT –I shook all this all off, and made a call to Camp Victory at 11:33 pm. It was not a pleasant call, as the Corps C-8 made it perfectly clear that I worked for the Corps C-8 and only for the Corps, and then accused me of insubordination to him directly by working for the Force commanding general and his minions (he actually called them that). I thought about arguing that the Corps C-8 works for the Corps Chief of Staff, who works for the Corps commanding general, who works for the Force commanding general, so who am I being insubordinate to? But it was not a two-way communication. So I was ordered that my job was to only do things he specifically directed me to do, only things that support the Corps C-8 office, and I would have nothing to do with the Embassy, the Force, and other crazy Green Zone activities from now on. He was coming to the presentation tomorrow, and he would discuss my future at that time. And he hung up. I probably sat there stunned for ten minutes, thinking everything over.

COMMENT – You have heard of the saying, when one door closes, another door opens? A few minutes later, I got an email from a Colonel from the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq asking me if I would come over to Phoenix Base in the Green Zone to talk to him about their C-8 position. I sent a reply, saying I could be over there anytime this afternoon, and the Colonel quickly replied suggesting a 1 pm meeting, which I agreed to. One door closes, one door opens. Maybe? In the afternoon, I met with the Colonel, who was their Chief of Staff, about their Comptroller's job. I told him a little of my background, and what I had been doing in the Green Zone, but he seemed to know a lot about me. It sounds interesting, and I found out that he is my West Point classmate, though our paths had rarely crossed at school and never afterwards. He asked me to send him my resume for review by his commanding general. I drove back to the Republican Palace feeling a little better, but not much.

COMMENT – Walking from the parking lot to the Republican Palace, I saw an Army Soldier sitting on one of the little walls in the park-like area. The Army Specialist had just hung up his cell phone. I saw that look on his face. I did not know him or had ever seen him at the Palace. I asked him if he was OK. He said no. I sat down and asked him what was wrong. His mother had just had a stroke. He had just got a call from his dad. His wife was notifying the Red Cross. We talked for about 15 minutes. He promised to talk to his First Sergeant about getting emergency leave. The specialist felt better. I gave him my phone numbers, telling him to give me a call if he needs any assistance in getting back home quickly. I missed a meeting with my Major General while we talked. At Fort Bliss, they had talked to us senior officers about the need to look out for everyone, especially anyone looking distressed or depressed. It was the first time I had run into one of these situations. It would not be my last.

COMMENT – I then met with my Major General, apologizing for missing his meeting due to the specialist, but he understood that was the right thing to do. I quickly told him the story about last night and this morning, what the Corps C-8 had ordered me to do, and his reporting me for insubordination. He seemed startled by all that. He thanked me for all the work I had done for everyone and wished me luck.

COMMENT – That evening, I called Joel, told him I was off duty and on my own free time, and if there was anything I could do to help finalize the presentation. I then spent the evening until after midnight helping out with the presentation, on the phone and reviewing slides with Joel. In between, I send my Daily Report to the Corps C-8, blind copying Joel. I asked permission to attend the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund briefing tomorrow. It is now 01:33 am and I am sitting by the swimming pool, not wanting to disturb my roommate in the sleeping trailer, and it's been 14 hours since the Corps C-8 and I had our conversation. I still am upset, sad, and crying. It is not fair. Why do I get myself in these situations? Is it always my fault? What could I have done differently?

COMMENT – I realized that if I was working only Corps activities, I should not attend the Force Battle Update Assessment meeting. So I slept in Wednesday morning and then went to breakfast. I did not have anything to do for the Corps that day, which I knew about. The Corps C-8 replied to my Daily Report email saying he would see me at the briefing at 10 am. The group from Camp Victory arrived about an hour before, Joel, the Corps C-8, and a Captain from Joel's Force C-8 office. They looked real tired from working on the presentation last night. Joel and the Captain were the only ones I had interaction with last night while working on the presentation.

COMMENT – Before the briefing, my boss, the Corps C-8, pulled me aside, and apologized to me. Really!! Everything is back on track. The Corps C-8 said that he sometimes blows up unexpectedly and I caught him in one of those moods. So I could now work all C-8 Liaison Officer issues. I still wonder if he did this on his own accord, or if a guardian angel had intervened.

COMMENT – The briefing began at 10 am, and started with a presentation on donors by someone from the Embassy. It was a terrible briefing, hard to read slides, long winded, no agenda, and a rambling speech. Joel conducted the military presentation. Joel looked perfect compared to previous speaker, and most of the ones on previous days. There were a lot of questions, most of which he answered well, without any unneeded comments from the peanut gallery (close to thirty personnel from the three military commands, probably the first time we united on any single issue). Allen talked a lot, as he always did, getting his opinions in.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 6.5: 21 July 2004

Now the fun begins, synthesizing everything and developing courses of action for the Ambassador.

In between all that, I have mentoring folks on getting Iraqi National Guard Commanders to get real serious about paying their Soldiers. We (United States/coalition) are not going to pay them this month; the Iraqis are going to pay themselves. We probably will provide a few helicopter rides to various locations, but our efforts are slowly working out.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Thursday (July 15th), the Marine Expeditionary Force found a coalition unit in their area looking for reimbursement to their Commander's Emergency Response Program monies that they used to pay Iraqi National Guard units. I also worked trying to get them to confirm that they had paid everyone. Meanwhile, 1st Cavalry Division moved into the 1st Armored Division area in south Baghdad, and found that 250 Soldiers of an Iraqi National Guard battalion had not been paid for some time. This was getting the division artillery commander and division Chief of Staff's attention (both Colonels). I was quite decisive, saying I needed to check with the Multi-National Division - Central South G-8 first to confirm non-payment, as there had been several Iraqi units claim no pay when units along boundaries took advantage of the neighboring coalition units not really talking to each other. If I got a confirmation that they really do not show up on any payrolls, then I will have 15th Finance fund the 1st Infantry Division agents and get these Iraqis paid. The Corps C-8 seems to be supporting this, and I am sure that it will gain good feelings with 1st Infantry Division that someone here will make decisions.

COMMENT – I am still awaiting confirmation on status of another Iraqi National Guard Battalion reported by the Special Operations folks. The 1st Infantry Division G-8, a Lieutenant Colonel, has seen my emails asking questions about their prior payrolls, but has not responded to my questions. This other activity has caused him to have to address this issue. Too bad the records of prior months are so incomplete, all I can really rely on the records of units paid at the end of June. I sit back and wonder, as the Iraqi National Guard units are really militia groups formed by each coalition division or brigade, and are being trained up by their "parent" coalition units, so how does one lose contact with them? I know the chaos of changing assigned areas of responsibilities plus the rotation of units probably accounts for some of this, but I have seen too many Iraqi units suddenly discovered. I still think this is a good idea to have these units until the regular Army can be equipped and trained. Maybe I am just thinking like how a Boy Scout leader thinks when on a camping trip or visiting a museum, where the heck are all the kids at?

COMMENT – I exchanged correspondence with the Lieutenant Colonel who commands the 15th Finance Battalion, on how they issued the dinars to Multi-National Division - South East and Multi-National Brigade - North. They issued it on a SF1081 form, which creates an agent officer situation. I am wondering how they will clear this on their accounts. I will have to pursue this after we get all the Iraqi National Guard folks paid at the end of the month. I am sure she has the process working, but I have already seen dozens of agent accounts not closed at the CPA C-8 office, and that can lead to loss of funds investigations and career-ending decisions.

COMMENT – On Friday (July 16th), later in the afternoon, I had to repeat myself with 1st Infantry Division on paying the 409 Iraqi National Guard. They are supposed to pick up funds from 15th Finance today, with their commander supporting this. It is great working with a Finance Corps officer who wants to get things done. I called my son on his birthday. He is 26 years old. Wow!

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 6.5: 21 July 2004

Meanwhile, I got my first action item from a United States Cabinet member. And to get an answer back in three hours!! And it was lunch hour here, when most folks go to the gym, take a siesta, eat, etc. Only in Iraq would a Captain at the Prime Minister's office tell his senior officer to run down to the Palace to pick up a letter and then run back. Actually, the Major really did not want to eat lunch there (he did not say what they were serving), so he welcomed the chance to come to the Republican Palace and grab a hamburger and my bottle of Tums. The Captain will never know the real truth. So we got something to the Prime Minister, and two nights ago, they gave us money to do something. A first!! I'm sure the Secretary of State probably was the one who deserves the credit, but some of the generals around here tell me "I'm their new best friend." I just ask them, politely, if I can go home now (not really, but the thought is always there).

What else happened in this long week? Well I did a hash/hasher run. For those in the know, I'm sure I will hear from you. Needless to say, this run was the "Rumble in the Rubble," and I am not talking about the Flintstones. We ran, we stumbled, we climbed, we did not trip, through about three bombed out buildings, and got to visit the underground bunker (no lights), take pictures, laugh, etc. For some, it's another excuse to drink beer, for others who are not allowed (like me), another chance to drink beer. I actually, yes, believe it, drank a Pepsi. Not a diet one. Next Friday night, its water - could not get the taste out of my mouth. For those who participate in hashing, it was the 59th run of the Free Baghdad Hashers.

Yesterday, I found out the night before that the Polish Finance Officer was flying into town. My wife told me where I can find some nifty phrases to say this time. I was suppose to pick them up at 10 am, and was running late, but figured that last time they came in an hour late anyway. They got there at 9:50 am, and were waiting for me when I arrived. I apologized for being late (it was 10:05 on my watch), said good morning in broken Polish, but the Lieutenant Colonel said I arrived just as his watch turned to 10 am. They jumped into the air conditioned SUV, and off we went to the Finance House. They wanted to quickly get done there, and go to the Post Exchange. I found out that they had a helicopter at their disposal, so I suggested they go to the Camp Liberty to the Post Exchange there, it's about the size of a Wal Mart. They took me up on that, and off they went. I bet the helicopter was packed with audio equipment, DVDs, etc. when it flew back to Babylon.

Tell the Mayor of Westerville that the medical company here is from Westerville. They can't understand why he has not written them. They are a reserve unit.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – At the time when I was over in Iraq, the mayor of Westerville was an American Electric Power employee and friend of mine. He did write the medical company and folks from his fine city and organized a constant stream of care packages to them. The Army Reserve medical company operated in both the Green Zone and at Camp Victory.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 6.5: 21 July 2004

I have put off going to the clinic to get the next anthrax shot. I heard from everyone that the third one really really hurts and you feel so good for the next week. I think I will wait until next Monday.

I am looking forward to Friday. It will be my first day off in 45 days. I don't have to check my emails, don't have to attend my commanding general's briefing, just kick back and relax. I should write letters to my aunts, as they don't do internet. The only bad news, they closed the pool last Sunday for a week, fixing leaks and the filtration system. I was happy; the water was getting rather dark.

What else, well we went to the Palace dining hall for dinner tonight, and a rather portly private security guard walked by with about ten ammo packs on his belt He looked pregnant. Bruce muttered, man, he is loaded for bear, meaning he must have dozens of ammunition clips in the pouches. I laughed, and said, he must have a DVD player in one pouch, some candy in another, maybe some cans of beer cooling down in another, and pretty soon we were adding more and more things that could have been in his ammo pouch. The story looses a lot in telling, but if you were here, you would have been belly laughing too.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Wednesday, July 21st, we had a special ceremony in the Commander's Situation Room when one of our own, an Army Specialist, received the Purple Heart Medal from the Force Chief of Staff, a Marine Major General. He had been wounded in an indirect fire attack earlier in the month, was briefly hospitalized, and was determined to be fit for duty, thank goodness. I was allowed to bring my camera into the Commander's Situation Room and take pictures of the event, and afterwards took a number of pictures of the folks working there, so they could send a picture of themselves back home to friends and family.

COMMENT – Did I forget to mention that I have a cousin working in the Commander's Situation Room? With my last name, and it getting frequently mispronounced and misspelled, I rarely run into anyone with a similar last name. One of our Army Sergeants from Fort Hood name is only one letter off, and other staff members are frequently calling us by either of our last names, so I just started calling her my cousin, and it has now stuck with many of them. I hope she is still doing fine a decade later.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 6.5: 21 July 2004

Now for Groundhog Day!! I have asked my son to send the DVD. Why? While on the hash run, someone running by was talking. Not me, I was huffing and puffing. Said this place reminds him of _Groundhog Day_ , the movie. Yep, a lot of the days run together.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I attended my first Hash run at 7 pm Friday evening, meeting at the bus stop near the Palace parking lot. About 35 folks showed up, and the run went through lots of bombed out buildings. There are lots of rituals during the run, we stop for photos to let folks catch up, we go down false trails laid out by the hares, etc. In some ways it is another excuse to drink. But I am meeting folks, so it's worth it. I also heard the _Groundhog Day_ analogy of Baghdad, plus a lot of great songs. I did wake up the next day with my left ankle very sore. We ran about three miles, but the problem was stopping and picking one's way carefully thru the rubble. This was a special run from that respect. I had a good time.

COMMENT – I continued to work Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund stuff late into the evening. My son sent me an email and gave me the email address and Iraqi phone number of Nancy, who is Kathy's college classmate and best friend. Kathy is my sister-in-law. I decided to call Nancy last night, and talked to her for about an hour. She was leaving for Jordan on Sunday, and would be back after Labor Day. We agreed to meet then, and maybe watch a Notre Dame Football game.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 6.5: 21 July 2004

Saturday morning, 5:30 am, alarm goes off. I hit the alarm (no radio), but darn if that song from the movie stayed with me for the next three hours. You know the scene, where he wakes up again, goes to the gazebo, hands coffee to his crew, greets everyone by name, and that music playing the background.

So day 43 ends at 10:45 pm (July 21st).

Be safe,

PS: Please pass my sorrow to the family of Rick D. I am sorry to hear about him. I sure hope Greg S is recovering - have not heard of his status.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 6.5 Memorials)

14-Jul-04 - Iraqi Mother of children killed, adult, female, killed in Kirkuk.

14-Jul-04 - Iraqi Osama Youssef Kashmoula, adult, male, killed in between Baiji and Tikrit.

14-Jul-04 - Iraqi Wife of Salam Baqur, elderly, female, killed in outside Green Zone, Baghdad.

14-Jul-04 - Two Soldiers died July 14 in Tal Afar, Iraq, when their vehicle rolled over as the driver tried to avoid another vehicle. The two Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Washington. Killed were Corporal Demetrius L. Rice, 24, of Ortonville, New Mexico and Private First Class Jesse J. Martinez, 20, of Tracy, California.

15-Jul-04 - Iraqi Idris Karim Ramadan, adult, male, killed in near Bek or Al-Audhaim, 65 miles south of Kirkuk.

15-Jul-04 - Staff Sergeant Paul C. Mardis, Jr. 25, of Palmetto, Florida, died July 15 in Washington DC, from injuries sustained on May 20 in Mosul, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Mardis was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, from Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

16-Jul-04 - Lance Corporal Bryan P. Kelly, 21, of Klamath, Oregon, died July 16 due to injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

17-Jul-04 - Iraqi Colonel Rahim Ali, adult, male, killed in Iskandariya.

17-Jul-04 - Iraqi father of dead man, adult, male, killed in Samarra.

17-Jul-04 - Iraqi Nafi al-Kubaisi, adult, male, killed in body found in Fallujah.

17-Jul-04 - Iraqi Nephew of Malik al-Hassan, adult, male, killed in Jamia, Baghdad.

17-Jul-04 - Iraqi Sheikh Abdul Samad Ismail al-Adhami, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

17-Jul-04 - Iraqi son of dead man, adult, male, killed in Samarra.

17-Jul-04 - Jordanian Contractor named Nassir, Ayid was killed today due to Convoy attack at Ramadi. Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

17-Jul-04 - Sergeant First Class David A. Hartman, 41, of Akron, Michigan, died July 17 in Baiji, Iraq, when the vehicle he was driving was hit by an improvised explosive device. Hartman was assigned to the Army Reserve's 401st Transportation Company from Battle Creek, Michigan.

17-Jul-04 - Specialist Craig S. Frank, 24, of Lincoln Park, Michigan, died July 17 near Baghdad, Iraq, when his convoy vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Frank was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1775th Military Police Company from Pontiac, Michigan.

17-Jul-04 - Turkish Contractor named Bayik, Abdulcelil was killed today due to Convoy attack at Mosul (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

18-July-04 – NO ONE REPORTED KILLED IN IRAQ ON THIS DATE.

19-Jul-04 - American Contractor named Copley, Mike was killed today due to Rocket attack at Samarra (Forward Operating Base McKenzie). Was a Bradley maintenance technician for employer United Defense Industries.

19-Jul-04 - Iraqi Leith Hussein Ali, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

19-Jul-04 - Iraqi Wissam Khudair, adult, male, killed in Al-Bayaa, Baghdad.

19-Jul-04 - Private First Class Charles C. Persing, 20, of Albany, Louisiana, and Sergeant Dale T. Lloyd, 22, of Watsontown, Pennsylvania, died July 19 in Scandaria, Iraq, when multiple mortars rounds hit their forward operating base. The Soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

19-Jul-04 - British Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant Kristian Gover, 30, of , was killed by non-hostile accident air crash, died in the wreckage of a Puma helicopter, following an accidental Basra, International Airport Iraq. Was assigned to the 33 Squadron.

20-Jul-04 - Corporal Todd J. Godwin, 21, of Muskingum County, Ohio, died July 20 due to injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

20-Jul-04 - Iraqi Hazim al-Aynachi, 59, male, killed in Jubaila, Basra.

20-Jul-04 - Specialist Danny B. Daniels, II, 23, of Varney, West Virginia, died July 20, in Baghdad, Iraq, when his patrol vehicle came under attack by small arms fire and hit an improvised explosive device. Daniels was assigned to the Army's 630th Military Police Company, 793rd Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, at Bamberg, Germany.

20-Jul-04 - Staff Sergeant Michael J. Clark, 29, of Leesburg Lake, Florida, died July 20 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

20-Jul-04 - Turkish Contractor named Korenkov, Anatoly was killed today due to Convoy attack at Moscow hospital (?). Was a Power plant technician for employer InterEnergoServis (Russian company).

21-Jul-04 - Iraqi Father of Ahmed Gabdan, adult, male, killed in Baghdad Hospital for Special Surgery, on Tigris.

21-Jul-04 - Iraqi Mustapha Khalil, brother of Sattar, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

21-Jul-04 - Iraqi Sattar Khalil, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

21-Jul-04 - Iraqi Yussef Khalil, brother of Sattar, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

21-Jul-04 - Lance Corporal Mark E. Engel, 21, of Grand Junction, California, died July 21 at Brook Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, of wounds he received as result of enemy action on July 6 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

21-Jul-04 - Private First Class Nicholas H. Blodgett, 21, of Wyoming, Michigan, died July 21, in Abdalluyah, Iraq, when his patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Blodgett was assigned to the Army's 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, from Schweinfurt, Germany.

## (end of Week 6.5 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 7: 26 July 2004

The last week has been so long, many hours past midnight each evening. Hmm, that sounds like working at American Electric Power Company. Yep, Mark was right; I was on a vacation until the last few weeks.

I have been working on the review of the Iraqi Relief and Reconstruction Fund and not much else, the days went very fast. The word has finally hit the press (Los Angeles Times article attached, July 22) about the Embassy review. The only thing in error in the article was blaming the Pentagon for a program run by the Coalition Provisional Authority.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Thursday (July 22nd), I continued to work Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund issues and attended several review meetings. I arranged to pick up a vehicle, as a Captain and I needed to go over to the Finance House in the afternoon. Mitch and I had a hard time finding the Judge Advocate General vehicle that we were borrowing. We had to have someone show us where it was parked. We went over to the Finance House and I met Kristen, a Navy contracting officer (Lieutenant Commander) who was working on some old stuff for us. I found out that she knew Nancy, and that Nancy was coming by the contracting office on Saturday morning. I wrote an email to Nancy later, suggesting I take her to lunch on Saturday. Nancy returned my email, and agreed to meet.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 7: 26 July 2004

The review has already generated a number of good things. Folks are looking at ways to accelerate the contracting process. Ways to directly hire Iraqis rather than western firms. There was a pilot done in May and June, using Iraqi money to fund. None of the projects have ever been attacked by insurgents.

We also have learned about all the programs by the United States Agency for International Development, which has a track record of success in a number of countries. I have found a number of folks who are working in the streets, helping seed small businesses and community groups, building democracy. This is leading to a greater partnership with the military, United States Agency for International Development, and the local Iraqi community.

Finally, I have had much work explaining the Commander's Emergency Response Program which provides humanitarian assistance at the local level. Needless to say, Commander's Emergency Response Program has a lot of emotional baggage, a lot of misperceptions, some errors and questionable projects, but at the bottom line, provides a method for local Iraqis to make some immediate impacts on their community.

I have learned a lot over the last 2-3 weeks about how things were done for 30 years, and what was neglected, and how the Iraqi governments at all levels worked. The central Iraqi government planned everything centrally, equivalent to the United States Department of Transportation deciding what local roads get a stop light or paved. Some of the existing Iraqi ministries still try to do this, and there is no systematic effort to get local input to their decisions. So the military has stepped in, and provided a means and ways to get local projects done quickly. They have paved local roads, renovated schools and fire stations, and build the last mile to the electric grid, water system, and sewage.

The bad news about Commander's Emergency Response Program is that money has been doled out in bits and pieces, so it has starts and slow downs. But compared to the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund program, it executes contracts quickly, hires Iraqis, and gets things done quickly. And we are running out of money now, with the prospect of a little money in the Budget starting October 1st. So we are spending much of our time working to convince folks that we could use a little of the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund and make a lot of hay.

I met a number of coalition advisors to the Ministry of Electricity. There is one ex-Marine with an Electrical Engineering degree who is really good in getting distribution systems done. But the program suffers because they tried to implement western designs on a system with already established designs - building unique substations that don't work. There is a legitimate concentration on putting new generation on line, but they are using gas turbines burning crude oil. And the Oil Ministry burns off all its natural gas because there is no demand for it. The good news is that lessons are being learned, and changes are being made - with more work using Iraqi standard designs, engineers, and line crews than big western build/design firms. I will say that the plans will make Iraq a net exporter of power in 4-5 years, just hope the country can survive until then.

Someone asked me what countries are part of the Multi-National Force. While I cannot tell you the numbers of troops (need to know, and I don't need it), we have Soldiers, sailors, air personnel, Marines, and civilians from 33 countries – Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Rep, El Salvador, Estonia, Georgia, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Thailand, United Kingdom, Ukraine, and the United States.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Looking at the listing in _Wikipedia_ in 2016, I should not have listed the Philippines, which had just departed theater, and I missed three others - Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Tonga.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 7: 26 July 2004

Jordan is here training police, and the United Nations is somewhere. Spain and the Philippines have left, but we expect to see a few other countries join soon. Its good the folks from Atlanta are here too, they just wonder where their baseball team went. It is quite interesting the various desert uniforms. A vote one late evening gave the British and the Marines with the best uniforms, mainly because they are much lighter in weight.

Speaking of uniforms, the Army is changing to digital uniforms. We have been told to expect to see them in April \- great, just what I need, and more uniforms. I already have six sets, and the Force Chief of Staff likes them to be pressed. Needless to say after a trip down Rocket Propelled Grenade Alley (Route Irish), they look real good.

One of my bosses (I was up to five last week) went back to Camp Victory Saturday morning in a convoy. They started to receive small arms fire, and hit the gas, going from a cruising of 90 mph to over 140. One Colonel decided to fire his pistol at targets, but he is being evaluated as to how fast someone can run besides a SUV going over 100 mph. Our rules say you have to see a target, and they have to present a threat, like pointing a gun or rocket at you. Or a TV remote, their favorite detonator devices. Boss, who elected to go to the meeting rather than send me, thought that I was trying to get a promotion. By the way, only a couple of slugs in the vehicle side, no one hurt (who knows where the colonel's rounds went).

Also, we have decided that SUVs, which we have hundreds of them here, are really Stupid Urban Vehicles in this place where a 1972 Pinto might be considered new. Still waiting to see a MG Midget here, for that, I will stop to talk. Maybe!

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – At the time I was in Iraq, I owned a 1971 MG Midget that I bought in early 2001. It was the same color as my 1975 MG Midget I owned during my years at West Point. I owned a 1972 Ford Pinto when I was in high school.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 7: 26 July 2004

Today, I had a meeting to go to at 9:45 am. I get down there, and find out the meeting was rescheduled for 10:45 am. No real problem, but I did ask the Major when the time changed. He said he sent an email an hour ago (I did not get it) about it. I asked him to raise both his arms, and show me his hands. I then picked up the phone, and heard a dial tone. He asked me what I was doing. I just said I wanted to see if he could have used the phone to call, as email is not an effective way of communicating information quickly around here (we think the emails go around the world several times before our server gets them). I told him, remember CSR. He looked puzzled; I said use Common Sense Rules. I told him that emails, which are used too much, cannot guarantee someone will see it, as some folks check them once every day or six hours or so.

I told the folks in the Commanders Situation Room, and now there are a whole lot of Common Sense Rules signs saying such things as "Throw trash in the trash can, not the floor" "Close the Door during Classified Briefings" "Only take your stuff out of the Refrigerator" "Your mom was not deployed with you, wash your hands, pick up your trash, and pick up after yourself" "Spilling coffee on your laptop or keyboard costs money, your money."

Speaking of taking stuff out of refrigerator, I finally caught the person who was borrowing my Diet Cokes (actually Coke Lights). He was a young Captain who is trying to not be depressed. He wrote an email love letter to his girlfriend, and sent it to his wife (oops). His wife wrote back "Thank you for providing me further grounds for our divorce." Duh. They are fighting over custody of the children. When I found him with one of my marked cans, I told him we would talk later. He looked like he was going to faint. I decided that I was not angry at him, since the soft drinks are free, one just need to stockpile them when the convoys don't come. So I sat down for a several minutes and we just talked about things. Heck, we try to look out for everyone here.

Common Sense Rules - "mark your pop, and don't take other pop."

A world away and I got to meet my sister-in-law's closest friend who went to Saint Mary's with her. She lives outside of the International Zone in a small hotel, works everyday with Iraqis on managing small businesses. She was here two years before the war, several years before in Russia. A really brave woman, and she's godmother to my niece. It was good to sit down at a Chinese restaurant with someone not working the war.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I left for the Finance House about 10:45 am on Saturday (July 24th). I was supposed to escort Richard from the CPA C-8 office, as he was walking over there with thousands of dollars to exchange for a treasury check. He left way before me, and I met him coming back as I was walking over, carrying the check. At least he did not get mugged. Their commander, a Finance Captain, was not there when I arrived, so I went upstairs to their bathroom to clean up a little, as I was sweating heavily as it was about 115 degrees. When I came back, Nancy was there. Nancy completed her business with Kristen (a contracting officer), and then we ate at the Chinese Restaurant. We spent about 90 minutes at lunch. We had a good time talking about things, though she was a little leery about being seen with an American military officer, since she spent all day in the Red Zone with Iraqis. Nancy insisted on paying for her own lunch and driving me back to the front of the Republican Palace.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 7: 26 July 2004

Thursday night, went over to the disco, needing some stress relief. About 40 private security guards drinking, and one woman there. Drove back to the Republican Palace.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – During one of the breaks, someone mentioned that the hotel in the Green Zone has a night club opened on Thursday night and about ten of us agreed to go over there to blow off steam. I told them I had borrowed a vehicle to do some stuff earlier so we could drive over. I told everyone to meet at 8 pm by the rotunda to drive over to the Al Rasheed Hotel to the disco. I changed into civilian clothes and about 7:50 pm went over to the rotunda to meet folks. No one showed. Thinking that our group may have already gone for the hotel, I left the Palace at 8:30 pm and drove over to the Hotel, parked, and went into the disco. There was only one woman in there surrounded by security contractors (all had beards and baseball caps on). I walked out of the disco, waited another half hour at the Hotel for folks to come in. Since it was going to close at 10 pm, I decided to leave at 9:30 pm. I just went back to work and worked on Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund issues until 2 am.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 7: 26 July 2004

Friday, my day off, scheduled in advance, was spent being a Power Point Ranger with my boss as we prepared the major presentation asking for money from Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund. Maybe next Friday!! Did skip out of the Commander's Situation Room to run in my second Hasher run, about 5 miles all flat in 105 degrees evening coolness. We ended the run in one of the large gates between the Palace and Convention Center, about 200 feet up in the air. And then a bunch of private security helicopters started to buzz around, suspect some VIP was going to dinner or something, and they were trying to figure out what 30 folks in gym shorts were doing. I was just hoping they had some common sense. No shots fired.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I went to the 8:30 am Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund analyst meeting on Friday, July 23rd, to see what the contents of the Brief 2 to the Ambassador was about. The meeting was hard, very confusing, but I got them to agree that the Force would present on its recommendations.

COMMENT – I proceeded back to the Commander's Situation Room, with the intent to call the Force C-8 (Joel). I called several times, but he was not back from the Battle Update Assessment (they had to go to the Camp Victory Water Palace from Building 2). My Major General was talking with another General Officer in the front, and I moved down to give them information from the analyst meeting. It was agreed to have a split presentation, with the two generals jointly presenting. My Major General then called Joel, and told him that his driver would pick him up in about thirty minutes and bring him to the Green Zone. Joel made it to here just before lunch, and the rest of the day we worked on versions of the Brief 2 presentation.

COMMENT – At 7 pm, I went to my second Hasher run. It was pretty straight forward, long, about four miles. We went to the arch between the Republican Palace and the Convention Center, and had our ending down-down. I then came back to the Commander's Situation Room, and Joel and I continued to work on the briefing and combined it with the slides from the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq. We ended the evening again after midnight with Joel staying overnight in the Green Zone at the transit trailer.

COMMENT – Early Saturday morning, I worked on some overnight changes from Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, and told all that they had to get their stuff in by 9 am. They did not. Joel went back to Camp Victory with my Major General, and their convoy received small arms fire. That's when I left to escort Richard to the Finance House. When I got back, it looked like all hell broke loose. Everyone had slide requests to make changes, but I called over to Iraq Reconstruction Management Office and they had frozen the presentations. Our guys were like spoiled kids, wanting to overrule this. Our folks arrived safely from Camp Victory about 2:15 pm. Joel immediately made a new slide and printed copies. We went to the Ambassador's Conference Room and got ready for the Brief 2. I decided to stay there and listen. Everything went well, with the two generals conducting the briefing. Joel and I felt fine. Everyone was quite happy, with my Major General planning some activities to follow-up. I went back to the trailer at 9 pm, and was asleep by 10 pm.

COMMENT – Sunday (July 25th) was rather quiet, and we finally got some questions to answer in the evening. Joel was working them from Camp Victory.

COMMENT – On Monday, the highlight was the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office Program Review Board at 6 pm. Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq folks and I came in there to clarify our answers to their questions they had asked earlier. They did not ask those questions, but new ones. I felt I was on the television show, _Jeopardy_. They would rapidly ask four questions, I would answer the first, and then 2-3 more questions were asked. Alan gave his speeches, and Brad thought I did very well representing Commander's Emergency Response Program. That evening, I wrote my belated weekly email and sent it to the states.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 7: 26 July 2004

They opened the pool yesterday, but the water does not look healthy. I think I will let them play with the filtration system for a while.

Well I look forward to the end of this week, with the end of the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund review.

I finally got emails out with everyone's photo in the Commander's Situation Room. They laugh at how big and old the camera is, but they send their photos back home. Hmm, maybe I should attach mine, sitting at my combat desk. Or maybe I will just tease you, and send you a photo of the desk. Desk, ugly mug, desk, hmm.

Well enough for this week.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 7 Memorials)

22-Jul-04 - Bulgarian Contractor named Kepov, Ivaylo was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Baiji (near). Was a Truck Driver for employer Bulgarian trucking company.

22-Jul-04 - Iraqi Ala'a Hussein, adult, male, killed in Latifiya.

22-Jul-04 - Iraqi Dekrayat Hussein, wife of Ala'a, adult, female, killed in Latifiya.

22-Jul-04 - Iraqi Doctor Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Ad Dawr.

22-Jul-04 - Iraqi Estabraket, daughter of Leila Zechi, 9, female, killed in Latifiya.

22-Jul-04 - Iraqi Leila Zechi, sister-in-law of Ala'a Hussein, adult, female, killed in Latifiya.

22-Jul-04 - Iraqi Mohammed Ali, adult, male, killed in Al-Shawi area, near Hillah.

22-Jul-04 - Iraqi Nada, daughter of Leila Zechi, 6, female, killed in Latifiya.

22-Jul-04 - Private 1st Class Torey J. Dantzler, 22, of Columbia, Louisiana, died July 22, in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated on the side of the road near his convoy vehicle.

22-Jul-04 - Sergeant Tatjana Reed, 34, of Fort Campbell, K.Y. died July 22 in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle. Reed was assigned to the 66th Transportation Company from Kaiserslautern, Germany.

23-Jul-04 - Iraqi husband of dead woman, adult, male, killed in western entrance of Baqubah.

23-Jul-04 - Iraqi wife of dead man, adult, female, killed in western entrance of Baqubah.

23-Jul-04 - Iraqi Yunus Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

24-Jul-04 - Lance Corporal Vincent M. Sullivan, 23, of Chatham, New Jersey, died July 23 due to injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

24-Jul-04 - Specialist Nicholas J. Zangara, 21, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died July 24 in Tikrit, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. Zangara was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Schweinfurt, Germany.

25-Jul-04 - Iraqi Khaled Dawoud, adult, male, killed in al-Dora, Baghdad.

25-Jul-04 - Iraqi Luay Abdullah, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

25-Jul-04 - Iraqi Mother of 2 dead children, adult, female, killed in Kirkuk.

25-Jul-04 - Iraqi Son of Khaled Dawoud, male, killed in al-Dora, Baghdad.

25-Jul-04 - Iraqi Sons of woman killed, child, male, killed in Kirkuk.

25-Jul-04 - Iraqi Yasir Ahmed Ismail, adult, male, killed in Buhriz, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad.

25-Jul-04 - Jordanian Contractor named Al Rusan, Marwan Zuheir was killed today at Mosul. Was a Businessman for an unknown employer.

26-Jul-04 - Iraqi Child of woman killed, child, unknown, killed in Mosul Airfield.

26-Jul-04 - Iraqi Kassem el-Obaidi, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah.

26-Jul-04 - Iraqi Mother of child killed, adult, female, killed in Mosul Airfield.

26-Jul-04 - Iraqi Musab al-Awadi, adult, male, killed in Al-Bayaa, Baghdad.

## (end of Week 7 Memorials)

COMMENT – On Monday (July 26th), the Iraqi Program Review Board only had a few more questions, and Joel decided to come from Camp Victory to address them. He would stay overnight in a vacant trailer room, thanks to a friendly Staff Sergeant I knew. That night, we had decided to bring 1st Cavalry Division and United States Agency for International Development folks to the Tuesday Iraqi Program Review Board meeting.

COMMENT - Tuesday, It was so much fun, having taken the initiative from Alan, who was literally stepping backwards throughout the meeting. The folks we invited gave the Board a real world viewpoint; this is the way things are being done. Joel and I hardly had to say a word. The Office of Management & Budget from Washington folks were very impressed by what they heard. The United States Agency for International Development folks were real happy to be united with the military. The Project & Contracting Office, which currently has most of the $18 billion under their control, is on the defensive. For the next few days, I was heavily involved in getting money from the Iraqis.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 8: 10 August 2004

A very busy week here in Iraq, as we began to conduct offensive operations against the insurgents and terrorists, with the Iraqi Security Forces in the lead.

Thanks again for all the wonderful emails of support to me and all the troops here in Iraq.

In the International Zone, we are protected by a multi-layer and overlapping group of protective forces. While the threat of a ground attack is remote, many of us remember the Embassy in Saigon was breached during the Tet offensive by the Viet Cong.

The folks that provide us the most protection are the United States Marines' Fleet Anti-Terrorism Support Team (FAST). These Marines provide 24 by 7 guards to the Palace gates, patrols during the day and night, drills and exercises at all hours, and live in the Republican Palace, with little time off. A few of us became concerned about their welfare, so I met last week with their Commander to see if we could be of any help.

The Commander said his Marines are have a full array of electronic entertainment gear for movies, DVDs, music, etc. and are in good stead for computer equipment and email access. However, he told me that he has been trying to have a little Rest & Recreation (R&R) event, actually he called it a Port and Starboard events as half of the Marine Fleet Anti-terrorism Support Team (FAST) would come one day, the other half the next time. He would like to rent a Pool (yes, we are charged rent here), get some grilling equipment, buy food, and have a BBQ, steak, crab legs, and the trimmings. We estimated the cost to be somewhere between $500 and $1,000.

While the United States military is spending millions of dollars a day here, there is little morale funding available. Having received several American Electric Power Company emails recently asking how they can help, I am asking Roger and Heather if they can assist me in raising money for the FAST R&R events. I am sure that they now have a plan to do so.

The theme for this week is a saying here, that no good deed goes unpunished. There will be many examples that I will try to terribly describe.

I have been facilitating the ordering of our business cards. Our printer came to the Republican Palace on Thursday, and I paid him half of his fee and gave him the order forms. On Sunday, he returned with the proofs. Our gals and guys then corrected their telephone numbers (heck, I never call myself) and some minor editing, and he picked them up on Monday morning. Last night, the Information Management folks decided to tell us that they were going to change everyone's email addresses. No good deed. The only good news is that our IM folks fought to automatically forward our old addresses.

I wrote the Week 8 email last night, got it done, went to insert addresses, and then the system here wanted me to relog in. Except it would not accept my log in. Seems that Information Management decided to change me over last night at midnight. I lost the email. No good deed.

After being told by everyone around here that there is no Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) available in Iraq, several agencies have surfaced that are paying Iraqi businesses through EFT thru Iraqi banks. Now we have a rather large email discussion to communicate to Washington as to how it is being done \- when they say it can't be done. You should see the emails, and they want to drop folks from the emails. So I am keeping the loose working group together virtually, and pushing for an early decision as to whether we keep paying for everything here in dollars rather than Iraqi Dinars. Again, it's taking a lot of time, no good deed.

After working on getting the $86 million since July 13th, and my visit to the Iraqi Minister of Finance on the 29th, we have been attempting to get the cash into the Green Zone. Yesterday, my agent made his latest attempt to rob the Iraqi Central Bank. The Bank had again lost the authorization letter. So he went back to Iraqi Ministry of Finance, got another copy, had the Governor General then authenticated it, and got over to the bank. And all this time, the security waited and waited, but then had to go on other missions. Maybe today. No good deed. Today he picked up the cash, and was one mile away when two car bombs closed the checkpoint. He had to go back to the bank.

Enough of those "no good deed" stories.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Since Tuesday night (July 27th), the Iraqi Program Review Board folks were in seclusion. Meanwhile, Joel was pressing me to get the $86 million from the Iraqi Interim Government. I made arrangements to go on Wednesday morning, but because the commanding general's letter to the Minister of Finance was not done Tuesday night, it got called it off. And then the Minister's return from vacation was delayed, so I am now meeting with his Deputy, who has been in Iraq all this time, on Thursday.

COMMENT – On Wednesday night, Joanne, the Embassy coordinator for the Iraqi Ministry of Finance, briefed me about their personnel and processes. The deputy and number two man is Mr. F, who would first ask me how I was connected to President Bush, and then offer water, tea, and then a cigarette. She told me that I should expect that this will be the first of five or six meetings before they would agree to give us the money. If you smoked it, you might make some progress. If you turned him down when he offered you a cigarette, he would be offended and you probably would not get the money for a long time. I do not smoke and never had. She pointed out that many of the Coalition Provisional Authority folks were non-smokers when they arrived in Iraq, but now smoked. She also said that we have to wear civilian clothes traveling to and at the Ministry, and we could carry no weapons. And that the Ministry is located on the edge of Sadr City, which has been the location of much insurgent activity. We would go to the Ministry in unarmored SUVs, and with one security guard. I did not sleep well that night.

COMMENT – On Thursday morning (July 29th), I went to Iraqi Ministry of Finance. It is located about three miles northeast of the Green Zone. We drove through city streets for 45 minutes to get there, a long route going first south across the July 14th Bridge. I wish I had had brought my camera. I saw no vehicles that were manufactured after 1990 except the two SUVs we were in, and felt everyone was looking at us. We stopped for traffic lights and at stop signs. We made it successfully to Sadr City and the Ministry building. We were escorted to the senior official offices.

COMMENT – Joanne introduced me to Mr. F, who is the Deputy Finance Minister, the number two man in the Iraqi Ministry of Finance. Joanne quickly left. He asked me what my title was, what I had done here, and who I worked for. I explained that that I was the senior Comptroller and Finance Corps officer in the International Zone, that I had fixed the problems and got the entire Iraqi National Guard paid their full pay last month, and that I worked directly for my Major General, who works for the Force commanding general, who reports directly for the Secretary of Defense, who reports directly to the President of the United States (I skipped a few levels, but he felt he was talking to an important enough person). We then spent about fifteen minutes in light chat talking about our families and his dreams for Iraq. His "boy" then came into the room and brought me first water and then made tea and served it with a cookie. We continued to talk about his dreams.

COMMENT - The Deputy Minister then offered me the cigarette, and I took one while quietly saying that I did not smoke. He lit the cigarette, and I inhaled and quickly exhaled. I held the cigarette, like I was Meryl Streep in a movie. We started to talk about the business at hand. The cigarette went out, and he relit it. I took a drag, and took another one about every thirty seconds. I must have been turning blue. Mr. F asked if I smoked, and I told him I did not. He laughed, and asked me to put out the cigarette in his ashtray. He said he appreciated my honesty. We then talked for about an hour about our plans to use the entire $368 million. He explained that they would give us $86 million first, and would expect to see monthly reports of our progress, which I agreed to. We would then receive the rest if they felt we were accomplishing these "last mile projects of electric, water, and sewage lines." He liked our "last mile" idea. He asked me about my military career, and found out I was a reservist who normally worked for an electric company. By the conclusion of our talk, he wrote something in Arabic on a piece of paper, and handed it to me, and told me to go see his banker to get the cash. We then talked about future cooperation between Iraq and the United States.

COMMENT – I met Joanne and the other Embassy folks in the hallway, and popped some mints and two sticks of chewing gum into my mouth. I showed her the paper, and said that we are now going immediately to the Iraqi Central Bank to pick up the money. They did not believe me at first, and one of the Embassy folks read the paper and translated the paper to read "Give Colonel Belter $86 million in cash immediately, signed Mr. H and a code number." We got into our two SUVs, and went to the Iraqi Central Bank. It took about an hour before the Bank Manager appeared, and while I waited I used their copy machine to make a couple copies of the piece of paper. When the Bank Manager arrived, I introduced myself, explained what Mr. H and I had agreed to, and gave him the piece of paper. He read it, and looked worried. Our intelligence data at the Embassy suggested that they may not have had all $368 million in cash available immediately that we originally asked for, that is why we had agreed to $86 million as a first step, so that they would not lose face. The bank must have using some of the cash for other purposes, because he excused himself, and said he was going to check their ledger to see how much cash they had on hand. About twenty minutes later, I heard a large explosion probably a mile away, and the bank staff all got up and left. I found the Bank Manager, who said that the bank had to be immediately closed, and he could not issue the cash today. I asked him when I could come back to pick up the $86 million. He said that they would be closed on Friday due to prayers, and he might be able to arrange the cash by next Tuesday. Against my better judgement, I knew I was not getting anywhere today, so I agreed to his terms. You know, it takes a whole lot longer to do things in Iraq then us Americans are used to. I then took the original note, and gave him one of my copies of Mr. H's order.

COMMENT – When I came back to the Green Zone, I met with the Lieutenant Colonel who was the disbursing officer for 336th Finance Command in Kuwait. We discussed and exchanged information on the various operations going on here, including Commander's Emergency Response Program, Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund, and the various Resource Management shops. I took her over to the Finance House at 9 pm and met the rest of her crew, including three Captains. I had not eaten lunch or dinner, so I decided to go with some Finance folks over to the Green Zone Café, an Iraqi-run restaurant in the Green Zone. I had two types of sandwiches, and the others had a large pizza, which looked good too. It was my first time there. When I got back to the Republican Palace, I then called my wife as it was our 26th wedding anniversary.

COMMENT – The water was off Thursday night and Friday morning, so I went without a shower today. I used the wet ones to feel decent and put on a new uniform. The Finance folks from Kuwait, Project & Contracting Office folks, and I met at 10 am for two hours to discuss Project & Contracting Office disbursement needs. It was a good meeting, with me offering to coordinate activities between the various commands. Afterwards, we ate lunch and I took the Kuwait group around the Palace. Friends stopped me, asking who they were. I said "family members from Kuwait." They looked at me funny, but I explained that they were all Finance Corps, and we are all one big family.

COMMENT – On Friday (June 30th), Joel called and said that he was going to send a Lieutenant Colonel from the Force C-8 office to the Corps C-8 office in exchange for me – thus clearing up and ending my reporting relationship to the Corps C-8. My Major General wanted me to work for the Force as C-8 Liaison Officer in the Green Zone. But Joel told me that a General Officer was still looking for a Comptroller, to stay tuned by that. He then said he would talk to me the next morning.

COMMENT – The Secretary of State was here Friday in the Republican Palace, but I did not see him. They had an all hands meeting at the pool at 5:30 pm, but I decided to avoid large crowds that everyone knew were going to happen, just in case some bad guys got hold of this information. I took a nap for an hour instead. I did my third hash run, and it was hot and short, with many false trails. But thanks to being tail end Charlie, I tended to minimize extra running. We finished the evening under the pool's tree, and a late dinner.

COMMENT – I ended my second month in Baghdad on Saturday, July 31st by continuing to work the $86 million issue with the Ministry of Finance and his Bank Manager and reviewing the Iraqi National Guard payroll status reports. I also received my third booster for anthrax, it hurt like hell, but it was not as bad as the second one. Next one is due in January. The Embassy was real quiet; it was their day off. They were also off on Friday. Operations were rather slow, which is OK. If I begin to report to Joel, maybe I will ask him for an official day off. I think I earned one.

COMMENT – On Sunday, a new month (August) began, and in ten days, 60 days in Iraq. Wow!! There was a kickoff meeting to discuss measuring the effects of reconstruction projects. I emphasized the need for operational definitions, clear guidelines, and the avoidance of a consolidated database. My Major General blew up a little at the Ambassador on the measuring of security issues, but he calmed down later. I went to Mass in the late afternoon. I also cycled at the Weight Loss level 6, 30 minutes, 8 miles. – I then attended the analyst meeting following up on the effects meeting on Sunday.

COMMENT - Monday (August 2nd), I also had sand bag detail after lunch, which meant we watched Iraqi contractors fill sandbags for four hours. It was hot as hell, around 125 degrees or more. It was like watching ants work, some worked hard, and others hardly at all. If I walked up to a group, they all stopped working. One group learned to sing the Mickey Mouse song from some Lieutenant Colonel, and they did that to me. I tried to teach them the Army Football Team song, _On Brave Old Army Team_. They liked to whistle. After I left, one of the workers fell off a water tank and knocked himself out. He was moved to the hospital. I was so exhausted for the time out there; I just went to sleep for two hours before dinner.

COMMENT – On the $86 million, there was still no change from the Iraqi Ministry of Finance and his Bank Manager of when he is going to get the cash. I have talked with 1st Cavalry Division G-8; they are ready to provide an armored convoy with an hour notice. This evening, I met with the Force C-9 (a Major General) and a Brigadier General, the commanding general of the Civil Affairs Command. The one-star grew up in Lexington, Virginia, and knew Bragg Stadium well, at my high school in Appomattox. And he went to Wofford College in South Carolina, near where I was born. It is a small world. We talked Commander's Emergency Response Program and Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund - using money as a weapon system. They were new to theater, and excited.

COMMENT – Tuesday (August 3rd), I heard today that Iraqi Ministry of Finance had pressed upon their Bank Manager to get the cash ready to transfer it to us. Basel, a Syrian contractor who has worked for the CPA C-8 office for some time, tells me to expect the money Saturday. In the afternoon, I met with the folks from the Gulf Regional Division J-8 office at their building in the northeastern part of the Green Zone. This is the Corps of Engineers division office here in Iraq. They are good people and have standard operating procedures. Unfortunately, they have not communicated those procedures well to the Project & Contracting Office C-8 office. I did discover that they had a standard operating procedure for Iraqi firms to get electric fund transfer payments, something that the Coalitional Provisional Authority Ministry of Finance had been working on for over a year, and had failed to accomplish.

COMMENT – The Engineers had picked me up at the front of the Republican Palace, and for some reason, I decided after the meeting to explore this compound in the Green Zone and walk back to the Palace. Behind the Engineer's building was a rather nice large swimming pool. I then walked over to the Civil Affairs unit, but the folks I knew there were out somewhere. I continued to walk around. This compound had lots of villas and streams. Not sure, but I think both Iraqi government officials and certain military or Embassy personnel were living in this area. I did come across one guarded location – the United States Army Soldier on guard told me it was a secret squirrel location, meaning it housed a special operations unit or a very important person. I ended up walking eastward towards the Republican Palace down the road and found that it was a dead end. I did catch a ride in a Humvee back up the road to the compound's gate, and walked to the combat hospital to catch the shuttle. Again, I was exhausted due to the hot weather and took an afternoon nap.

COMMENT – At 11 pm on Tuesday, my cell phone rang, but I could not answer the phone. It has stupid small buttons on the phone. After about 20 minutes, I figured that my ESP was telling me that someone was looking for me, so I went to the Commander's Situation Room. True, a Lieutenant Colonel was looking for money to pay for a repair of a critical pipeline for $100,000. If I was at American Electric Power Company, I would have had the authority to pay it. One thought was to use the Civil Affairs unit's Commander's Emergency Response Program, but the Corps C-8 says that they are tapped out – and he has no other money. Maybe the Marine Expeditionary Force has some funding available, I left them a message. We are spending millions of dollars a day, and we can't pay a small expense.

COMMENT – On Wednesday, I started to work the slides for my presentation to the Force C-9 and Civil Affairs Command. Meanwhile, there was a United Nations issue for Randy to work on. I had to escort the Air Force officer into the Commander's Situation Room, and let him get on the classified system to see what needed to be done. I went down to talk to Projects J-8 about last night's problem. He could not care less – no funds were available to pay for the critical pipeline. I saw the commanding general of the Civil Affairs Command, who told me that money and contracting were never the issue, that the separate military groups could never make a decision. He has a point – the Iraqis made their $86 million decision in less than a day after we staffed the letter to the Prime Minister properly, and it took us 14 days to have a letter written, staffed to all parties, and signed by the Force commanding general formerly accepting the money. Hmm!

COMMENT – I worked out in the gym after lunch, rode 6 miles at Weight Loss at level 7. I am now down to 205, having lost 15 pounds now. It was a rather quiet day here in Iraq. I finished it working on the business cards. Not many people submitted them, only about ten. Many complained that they had to buy their own business cards, that the military or embassy should be buying them. Oh well! I found out later that a rocket hit Landing Zone Washington at around 12:30 pm and it did not detonate. It missed the arriving helicopters containing the commanding generals of the United States Central Command and the Force by a few minutes. The Finance Battalion commander for the unit in the Green Zone is visiting next Monday. It will be good to finally meet, as we have talked on the phone a lot.

COMMENT – Thursday (August 5th), it was just another Groundhog Day here in Baghdad. I also worked on the presentation to the Civil Military Operations staff. I then borrowed a vehicle and went over the Al Rasheed Hotel for lunch. I was supposed to meet our business card vendor at the Iraqi Assistance Center in the Convention Center. I waited an hour, and he was a no show. I came back to the Republican Palace, and then I got a frantic call from the Finance Lieutenant Colonel in Kuwait that the vendor was in a Force Major General's office (never figured out how that happened, but I guess he told them he was meeting a Finance Corps officer so they called Kuwait). I went quickly over there, and I paid 50% of the cost of the cards. I arranged to meet him with proofs on Sunday. I went over to the Green Zone Café after dinner. I sat with the civilian consultants working for the Iraqi Ministry of Finance. It was a bit of a relaxing night out.

COMMENT – Friday was another slow day, but I am not complaining. There was not much to do, so I tried to relax a bit. I did take a long afternoon nap, getting ready for the hash run. After my work out on Wednesday, my knees were hurting. I guess I cycled too hard. Before the hash run started, they asked if anyone wanted to drive the beer truck. I decided to volunteer. The hares had disappeared, looking for the beer miester. I was told to wait for the hares to come back. Just Tom and Just Wonder did finally show back up, and told me where the two Photo stops were and where the finish was to be. I then drove the truck with the two hares to the first stop, and they went off marking the route. We finished near the Canadian Embassy, and had many violations of the rules. They even got me pouring beer into the cups, but no a drink I took. After the hash run, I went back to the Commander's Situation Room and continued to work on the presentation, which I would have to deliver on Sunday morning.

COMMENT – My Saturday (August 7th) was spent at the Engineer Summit at the Civil Affairs Command compound. I road over with my Major General at 7:45 am, and we left about 5 pm. My West Point classmate (a Brigadier General) is the Division Engineer for Iraq. He kicked off and sponsored the meeting. It brought all the engineers on the Force staff, Corps of Engineers throughout Iraq, and the project folks from Project & Contracting Office. I knew several of the Colonels from West Point. It was a long day with the morning being briefings from the districts and Project & Contracting Office activities, and two rock drills in the afternoon. One rock drill involved the construction of border posts. The other dealt with construction of substations and distribution lines. I see a number of problems with and not much success with the rapid contracting initiative or the local fielding initiative being sponsored by the commanding general of the Civil Affairs Command.

COMMENT – I then came back to the Commander's Situation Room, and began finalizing the presentation for Sunday. I got it done, and was printing and copying it when the Giant Voice alarm went off. It seems we had 8 to 10 mortars and/or rockets come over the Republican Palace and hit the Civil Affairs Command areas. A Major General came into the Commander's Situation Room, complete with flak jacket and helmet on. I decided that he probably knew something more than me, and put mine on. I then proceeded to do 25 copies of the presentation, wearing full battle rattle. I finally went down to the Palace dining facility, saw nothing I wanted to eat, and wandered out to the pool area. That is when an air burst hit over the North trailers, and I ran into the pool house. Only one other person followed me, with about fifty folks sitting around the pool watching what looked like fireworks. Then the Giant Voice awoke and told us to take cover inside the Republican Palace, where I walked down to the basement to the movie theater, and got comfortable with some movie in Italian with English sub-titles, probably halfway through it. Since one attack was at 10 pm, the next at 11 pm, I decided to wait until after midnight before I walked back to my trailer. It seemed quiet; at least I heard no more indirect fires.

COMMENT – Sunday (August 8th), the Civil Military Operations Chief of Staff decided that the presentation would be on Monday because the commanding general was going to work on Officer Evaluation Reports and Awards over at the Civil Affairs Command compound. On Saturday night, Joel had told me that this command had been given $16 million of Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Funds from the Project & Contracting Office to do water and sanitation projects, but had not done anything in several months – it was time for them to fish or cut bait. I told their Chief of Staff, who wanted me to talk to the commanding general about it after my presentation on Monday.

COMMENT – The cancelation of the presentation freed up my morning, but events filled it in. I got the business cards, and sent out a note for everyone to review the proofs. Most of the folks had reviewed theirs by lunch time. Laura had told me that she was playing the flute prior to Mass today. I went by there about 15 minutes prior and sat and enjoyed the choir practicing. I bounced several times between the Chapel and Civil Military Operations office in the Palace to try to talk to their commanding general of the Civil Affairs Brigade and get a Captain to proof his business card. Surprisingly, I was able to turn the proof cards back in prior to Mass to our Iraqi vender. Mass was good, and Laura led us singing by her flute playing. I then spoke to the Chief of Staff and one of his Lieutenants about the water & sanitation projects. When I went back to the Commander's Situation Room, I sent Laura an online greeting card about her recital. After that, I sat down with the Project & Contracting Office C-8 about my idea to issue $10 to $20 million in projects for the Water and Electrical sectors to Corps Major Subordinate Commands to execute. He liked the idea, and asked me to write it up in a proposal. He told me on Monday that it was well received. Again we received a lot of indirect fire on Sunday evening. The statue in front of the Palace was hit. Because there were lots of rounds fired, I decided to sleep inside the Republican Palace last night rather than at the trailer.

COMMENT – It's now been two complete months since I arrived in Kuwait. In some ways, time has flown, in other ways, it has dragged. Monday, I expected Basel to deliver the $86 million. Unfortunately, the Bank Manager lost the Minister's authorization letter, so Bassel had to go to the Ministry of Finance to get me to fax a copy, and then he waited to get it authenticated by their Governor General. By that time, he had lost his security detail. I wish I had known, as I could have called the 1st Cavalry Division and gotten unlimited support. At lunch in the Palace dining facility, I ate with several Soldiers that were part of a convoy visiting the Palace for a few days. They kept cracking me up about some of their adventures in country. Deb from the Embassy, who has a friend working at American Electric Power, was leaving us to go to the Tikrit consul office, so we went over to the Green Zone Café for a good dinner. Before that, we had a good metrics meeting with the Iraq Reconstruction Management Office folks and others. It really is cool that we now have C-3 Effects and Civil Military Operations staff officers engaged. We still need to engage the staff of the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq and several other parts of the Embassy.

COMMENT - As of 11 pm, no indirect fire attacks occurred today. But they started with two rounds fired at us after 11:45 pm. And at least ten more followed. One Soldier, Richard (from the CPA C-8 office), was wounded as he went from his trailer to the shelter. We spent the early morning looking for two folks missing, but they are OK. I found out that Richard was one of the Soldiers I had had lunch with earlier today. I went by the hospital to see him Tuesday morning after the Battle Update Assessment with the chaplain and the judge advocate general. He used my cell phone to call his mom. I got word that he was being evacuated to Germany (he was flown out by the Australian Air Force – I got word a week later from Landstuhl – and he fell in love with an Aussie nurse during the flight).

COMMENT – Tuesday Basel picked up the $86 million from the bank, and his convoy got within a mile of Assassin's Gate (an entrance to the Green Zone), but because of two car bombs, he had to turn back and return the money to the bank. He did get a receipt. I continued to advise the commanding general of the Civil Affairs Brigade on the Commander's Emergency Response Program and Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund and how it could be used to support his operations. I attended the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund Metrics team meeting this afternoon. Craig is doing well representing us there. I wrote my weekly email and sent it through the internet. There was no firing this night; I slept back in the trailer.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 8: 10 August 2004

If you read the headlines, the Iraqi Security Forces and the Multi-National Force - Iraq went on the offense about ten days ago doing a lot of different things. Before, we were more or less on the defensive, protecting against a car bomb or small arms fires. Now the joint forces are going on the attack against insurgents and terrorists. It has led to many interesting activities, most of which are still unfolding. Maybe I will get to tell you about the Marine Colonel who told the visiting Army Generals to get out of his area of operations as he had a battle to fight.

Meanwhile, I have been involved in getting funds to use money as a weapon system. Needless to say, I am quickly identifying all the pointy headed bosses out there who would rather look good rather than do anything. And they want to see in writing what the Force Commanding General said at the morning briefing. Yea, like anyone has time to put things down. And folks are now bypassing them. Interesting!! What are they going to do to me, send me to Iraq?

The good news is that in some areas, we finally have small projects being done to benefit the Iraqis. Most of them are basic water and sanitation, but there have been several electric distribution projects. And we are putting to bed the myth that hiring Iraqis means poor quality, bribes, and slow work. The 1st Cavalry Division did $13 million of electric work for about $4 million by using Iraqi contractors. And no one is attacking things that the local folks want installed. A very bright gal figured out that attacks against Multi-National Force - Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces, and Iraqi civilians are directly tied to sewage sitting on the ground. The other good thing is that we now have 100,000 folks working all day, and they usually are too tired to go play mischief at night. And the pride in their faces having good, hard work that pays well.

Got to finally meet with the Corps of Engineers division office on Tuesday. This makes the sixth Resource Management/Comptroller shop in the International Zone. And none of them talk to each other, but I am getting them to talk to me, so that I can pass on stuff to other offices.

My final no good deed, the Engineers renovated a building; it's probably the nicest building in the International Zone. So good, that the Iraqi government is kicking them out at the end of the month.

A rocket landed last week at our Landing Zone. Landed between the skids of a Blackhawk helicopter that was starting up. Went seven feet into the ground. Did not explode. Pilot said he was never skipping church again.

I have adopted a Public Service Company of Oklahoma custom of greeting everyone in the hallway. Good morning, good afternoon. Better than walking along looking at the ground. It's catching on.

More Finance Corps family members stopped by yesterday. We had 4 out of the 5 Lieutenant Colonels in Iraq standing there, talking shop. And no camera. Bummer!

Before Mass, I have started a habit of opening up the readings book, and turning to some future date, saying it would be so nice if it was October/November something. Looking forward to the fall! Or spring!! Or next summer!!! On Sunday, I opened it randomly, to October 3rd. I spoke to the person sitting next to me. It was her birthday.

We have been getting much indirect fire here in the International Zone. Too much! Some of my Embassy friends were startled to see me walking around in helmet and flack jacket. No one had told them that we were on a higher alert.

Saturday night, after a multiple mortar attack, went outside and walked thru the pool area. Boom, and got to see my first overhead detonation over our North Trailers. Sort of like a bad fireworks. I ran immediately to the pool house for cover. Only one person followed me. There were 50 folks sitting around the pool, and did not move.

More attacks on Sunday and Monday nights. I decided that the couch in the hallway was much better than my trailer. About 1:30 am on Tuesday morning, the Gurki Guard woke me as there were several Soldiers trying to get into the Palace without IDs. Their trailers had received frags from a mortar round, and one guy was hurt. They were pretty freaked out, and were still missing two officers. We finally found them, sleeping in the Palace, about 3:30 am. I had dinner with the guy that got hurt Monday night; he is trying to teach me Arabic. He was OK; the Australian Air Force evaluated him to Germany this afternoon.

Oh, they canceled the marathon. We thought it was due to the security situation. I emailed the sponsor, asking for our shirts, since they promised shirts to all who registered on time. No shirts kept pushing it with a little humor. Sorry, no shirts. He finally called me (in the middle of my afternoon nap yesterday) and told me that they had no morale funding to buy shirts and medals. And we had folks training up for it. Except the Team for the Shirts, who are now greatly disappointed, but got a lot of laughs at the emails asking for our shirts. It's a Bob Newhart humor world here in Baghdad.

Another hash run last Friday. Got to discover the Canadian Embassy. Still have not seen any Canadians here, but they have a nice Embassy building. Flag in front too.

Continuing to go to the gym and cycling hard. About 6 miles in 20 minutes up hill, getting ready for the Tour de Iraq!! Walking back from the gym, whistling in the bright sunshine of 130 degrees (officially its 113, but the weatherman must either need eyeglasses or drinks heavily or both). Saying hi to everyone! Watching Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors sweep dirt off of the unpaved street. Laughing to myself!!

A Marine Colonel calls out "Mike, you are having too much fun here. You are like a Combat Zone Tourist." Yes he really did say that. And he is only here for seven months. Marines are not stupid. Navy comes in for six months. Air Force long tours are now four months, their short tour is three. Our coalition partners vary from 3 to 9 months.

Finally, please pray for all the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airman/women from Iraq and 31 other countries fighting so that the Iraqi people might have a better life, democracy, freedom of speech and religion, economic vitality, etc. And we always remind ourselves it took over ten years for Germany and Japan to recover, it took the South longer after the Civil War, and how long did it take the United States to have a Constitution after the end of the Revolutionary War? So please tell folks in the United States of instant oatmeal instant news world that it is going to take some time for Iraq to recover.

Take care and have a safe week,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 8 Memorials)

27-Jul-04 - Iraqi Selman Hassan Salume, adult, male, killed in Al-Kut Square, Baghdad.

27-Jul-04 - Sergeant DeForest L. Talbert, 24, of Charleston, West Virginia, died July 27 in Baladruc, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Talbert was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 150th Armor Regiment from Beckley, West Virginia.

28-Jul-04 - Gunnery Sergeant Shawn A. Lane, 33, of Corning, New York, died July 28 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

28-Jul-04 - Iraqi Udai Saddam, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

28-Jul-04 - Lieutenant Colonel David S. Greene, 39, of Raleigh, North Carolina, died July 28 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was a reservist assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3D Marine Air Wing, from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.

28-Jul-04 - Pakistani Contractor named Azad, Raja was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Maintenance engineer for employer Al Tamimi group (a Kuwait-based construction company).

28-Jul-04 - Pakistani Contractor named Naeem, Sajad was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Driver for employer Al Tamimi group (a Kuwait-based construction company).

28-Jul-04 - Private First Class Ken W. Leisten, 20, of Cornelius, Oregon, died July 28, in Taji, Iraq, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Leisten was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, at Corvallis, Oregon.

29-Jul-04 - Polish Army Corporal Marcin Rutkowski, 24, of Srokowo near Ketrzyn, Poland, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in Madlul, Iraq. Was assigned to the 1st Artillery Brigade from Wegorzewo, Poland.

29-Jul-04 - Specialist Joseph F. Herndon, II, 21, of Derby, Kansas, died July 29, in Hawija, Iraq, when he was shot while on guard duty. Herndon was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

30-Jul-04 - 4 Aid Workers from NGO national staff tortured and killed by Army of Al Mahdi in Najaf.

30-Jul-04 - Iraqi Isma'il Al-Kilabi, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah.

31-Jul-04 - Iraqi Ashwaq Hamed Salih, 16, female, killed in MSR Tampa, near Samarra.

31-Jul-04 - Iraqi Sabiha Hamed Salih, 15, female, killed in MSR Tampa, near Samarra.

31-Jul-04 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 58 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 13 Coalition Contractors, 4 Aid Workers, 0 Journalists, 2 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 589 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 243 Insurgents.

1-Aug-04 - American Contractor named Wagner, Robert was killed today due to improvised explosive device at Iraq (Iraq (Unknown)). Was a Security contractor for employer Custer Battles.

1-Aug-04 - Iraqi Danya Cholok, fiancée of Firaz Benjamin, 28, female, killed in 3 churches in Baghdad, Karada, Naeriya and Dora districts.

1-Aug-04 - Iraqi Firaz Benjamin, 32, male, killed in 3 churches in Baghdad, Karada, Naeriya and Dora districts.

1-Aug-04 - Iraqi Nameer Georgis, adult, male, killed in 3 churches in Baghdad, Karada, Naeriya and Dora districts.

1-Aug-04 - Iraqi Rafid Georgis, son of Namir, 10, male, killed in 3 churches in Baghdad, Karada, Naeriya and Dora districts.

1-Aug-04 - Turkish Contractor named Yuce, Murat was killed today due to Execution, gunshot at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cleaner for catering firm for employer Bilintur (Turkish catering firm).

1-Aug-04 - Two Soldiers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Aug. 1, in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device exploded near their guard post. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, from Schweinfurt, Germany. Killed were Specialist Anthony J. Dixon, 20, of Lindenwold, New Jersey and Specialist Armando Hernandez, 22, of Hesperia, California.

2-Aug-04 - Corporal Dean P. Pratt, 22, of Stevensville, Montana, died Aug. 2 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

2-Aug-04 - Four Iraqis working as Aid Workers in the southern city of Samawah were killed by "militiamen" near Najaf in a case of mistaken identity. The workers were "summarily executed" by stabbing after they were mistakenly implicated in a nearby car bombing.

2-Aug-04 - Sergeant Juan Calderon Jr. 26, of Weslaco, Texas, died Aug. 2 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

2-Aug-04 - Specialist Justin B. Onwordi, 28, of Chandler, Arizona died on Aug. 2 from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle he was traveling in while on patrol.

2-Aug-04 - Turkish Contractor named Nural, Ferit was killed today due to Convoy attack at Baghdad (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

3-Aug-04 - Captain Gregory A Ratzlaff, 36, of Olympia, Washington, died Aug. 3 due to a non-combat related incident at Forward Operating Base Duke, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, at San Diego, California.

3-Aug-04 - Iraqi Jihad Jalal, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

3-Aug-04 - Iraqi Mouyad Mohammed Bashar, adult, male, killed in Mansour, Baghdad.

3-Aug-04 - Iraqi Sardar Abdallah Sa'id, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

3-Aug-04 - Private First Class Harry N. Shondee, Jr. 19, of Ganado, Arizona died on Aug. 2 from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle he was traveling in while on patrol.

3-Aug-04 - Sergeant Tommy L. Gray, 34, of Roswell, New Mexico, died Aug. 3 in Taji, Iraq, when he became caught between two motor pool vehicles. Gray was assigned to the Army's 215th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

4-Aug-04 - Gunnery Sergeant Elia P. Fontecchio, 30, of Milford, Massachusetts, died Aug. 4 from injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.

4-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Joseph L. Nice, 19, of Nicoma Park, Oklahoma, died Aug. 4 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.

4-Aug-04 - Turkish Contractor named Alisan, Osman was killed today due to Convoy attack at Mosul (near). Was a Truck Driver for employer Ulasli Oil Company.

4-Aug-04 - British Army Private Christopher Rayment, 22, of London, was killed by non-hostile accident road traffic, the British Ministry of Defence said Private Rayment's death was due to a tragic accidental in al-Amarah Iraq. Was assigned to the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment, 1st Battalion.

5-Aug-04 - Private First Class Raymond J. Faulstich Jr. 24, of Leonardtown, Maryland, died Aug. 5 in Najaf, Iraq, when individuals using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades attacked his convoy. Faulstich was assigned to the 89th Transportation Company, 6th Transportation Battalion, 7th Transportation Group, from Fort Eustis, Virginia.

5-Aug-04 - Sergeant Moses D. Rocha, 33, of Roswell, New Mexico, died August 5 due to injuries received from enemy action in An Najaf, Iraq. He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

5-Aug-04 - Sergeant Yadir G. Reynoso, 27, of Wapato, Washington, died Aug. 5 due to enemy action in An Najaf Province, Iraq.

5-Aug-04 - Specialist Donald R. McCune, 20, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, died August 5, in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol on August 4 in Balad, Iraq. McCune was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 81st Brigade Combat Team, from Moses Lake, Washington.

6-Aug-04 - Corporal Roberto Abad, 22, of Los Angeles, California, died Aug. 6 due to enemy action in An Najaf Province, Iraq.

6-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Larry L. Wells, 22, of Mount Hermon, Louisiana, died August 6 due to enemy action in An Najil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Unit Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

6-Aug-04 - Specialist Joshua I. Bunch, 23, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, died Aug. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, when individuals using small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades attacked his vehicle. Bunch was assigned to the 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

7-Aug-04 - Private First Class David L. Potter, 22, of Johnson City, Tennessee, died August 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Potter was assigned to the 115th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

8-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Jonathan W. Collins, 19, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, died Aug. 8 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

8-Aug-04 - Rick A. Ulbright, 49, of Waldorf, Maryland, was assigned to the 33rd Field Investigative Squadron, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. He died Aug. 8 at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, from wounds received during a mortar attack.

9-Aug-04 - Captain Andrew R. Houghton, 25, of Houston, Texas, died on Aug. 9 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, of injuries sustained on July 10 in Ad Dhuha, Iraq, when a rocket propelled grenade detonated near his vehicle. Houghton was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, at Schweinfurt, Germany. Houghton was a member of the USMA Class of 2001.

9-Aug-04 - British Army Private Lee O'Callaghan, 20, of Walworth, London, was killed by hostile attack by ambush, killed during an attack by insurgents at Basra, Iraq. Was assigned to the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, 1st Battalion.

10-Aug-04 - Egyptian Contractor named Abdel Aal (Mutwalli), Mohammed was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Iraq (Iraq (Unknown)). Was a Car mechanic for an unknown employer.

10-Aug-04 - Iraqi Azad Hamid Mahmond, adult, male, killed in between Jalula and Forward Operating Base Cobra, southeast of Mosul.

10-Aug-04 - Iraqi Mahmud Mustafa Mahmud, brother of Azad Hamid Mahmond, adult, male, killed in between Jalula and Forward Operating Base Cobra, southeast of Mosul.

## (end of Week 8 Memorials)

COMMENT – We had an Operations Research (ORSA) meeting today (August 11th) for most of the afternoon. I got to hear how the British were analyzing data in Iraq. I continued to advise the commanding general of the Civil Affairs Brigade on the use of money for various things. Again, it was another quiet night here. I slept in the trailer.

COMMENT – Thursday (August 12th), it was another routine day here in Groundhog Baghdad - just the normal routine with nothing special. About 4:30 pm, I found out that the new CPA C-8 and Randy were going to John's farewell at the Al Rasheed Hotel. I went over with them, and it was a fine dinner with about twenty folks out of Ministry of Finance advisors, CPA C-8 office, and other Embassy personnel. I rode back with Basel and found he parks right behind the Republican Palace, inside the wall, and not outside the grounds at the Palace parking lot. Interesting!! Iraq upset Portugal 4-2 in Olympics soccer. We had celebratory fire afterwards. I decided to sleep inside the Palace tonight.

COMMENT – It was a very quiet Friday (August 13th), starting late as usual. Major Tom and I went to the hash run to convince them to not run tonight, due to our threat forecast of incoming fire predicted tonight. See the story in my weekly report for all the bloody details. During the run, you could hear some indirect fires in our area, so I was glad I was wearing my helmet and flak jacket, in uniform, though it really sucked to run in all that gear. I slept at the trailer last night expecting more incoming rounds.

COMMENT – It was another Groundhog Saturday here. My legs were hurting from last night's run. I met with a new person, Katherine, who is in the Embassy Inspector General shop that is reviewing disbursing operations of the late Coalitional Provisional Authority. She ended up giving me her report to review. I slept in the Republican Palace again because the threat report predicted random acts of kindness.

COMMENT – It was a much busier Sunday today. My Major General had a meeting with all parties on Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund Metrics. It was one of the best 90 minute meetings I have had here. I went to Mass this afternoon. I did not work out, as my legs still hurt. I called my Mom and both my children tonight. My son did a three way call to wish my brother-in-law a happy birthday. I also talked to my sister-in-law, mentioning finally meeting her friend here in Iraqi (Nancy). I watched on the Internet the Iraqis beating Costa Rico 2-0 in Olympics soccer. There was more firing into the air after the game was over. Don't these people think about where their rounds are landing? I slept in the Palace again.

COMMENT - One thing I hear from some emails from the states is the normal concerns of Iraqi people going hungry. Well the one program that seems to work very well around here is the food program. It is totally run by Iraqis, and there are very few requests from the Iraqis to assist them, such as when a truck breaks down or the driver runs out of gas. Based upon multiple coalition force reviews, almost everyone gets fed every day. Insurgents never disrupt the food deliveries. Each male in the country has a food identification card, with a notation of number of children and if there are one, two, or three wives. Wives can sign for their husband if the bum is too busy. Now the troops report that there are shortages of luxury food items and lack of candy universally for the kids. But the basic food groups are delivered every day. Now if only the other Iraqi Ministries (we inherited a centralized governmental approach to doing things, thank you Saddam, who modeled his after the Soviets, Red Chinese, and North Koreans). Late Tuesday, I wrote this weekly report and emailed it back to the United States.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 9: 17 August 2004

Hello Americans, this ain't Paul Harvey, it ain't Baghdad Bob, it's just little old me trying to survive another Groundhog Day, number 69 here in the ever popular International Zone.

It's a week of stories, and I promise everyone I will try to run spell checker this week. Rereading Week 8, I had at least one young lady mention that the government has spent a lot of money educating me, and the least I should be able to do is spell check if I don't recall how to spell words anymore.

I reported last week that my friend Richard was hurt on Monday night (actually around 1:30 am on Tuesday morning) in a mortar shelling, and after a little fixing up at the combat surgical hospital - replaced the old MASH - medically adaptable surgical hospital - or something like that), he was moved by the Royal Australian Air Force to Landstuhl Germany. Joanne and others talked to him on Thursday, and found that they are moving him to Water Reed in Washington DC for further surgery on his shoulder. He seemed to be in good spirits.

For some reason, our mortar and rocket insurgents decided to greatly reduce their firing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. That gave many of us here a false sense of security. But they woke many of us out of bed on Friday morning, and we decided to go to wearing the flack vest and helmet anytime outside. By Sunday, wearing it became mandatory, though many took their chances.

While cycling yesterday (in the gym), I heard about rocket attacks on the hospital on Sunday night. It hit the laundry room when no one was there, and the outside steps disappeared. We are very lucky that no one was hurt.

The Convention is in town this week, though it is probably is not like the one they had in Boston or the one in New York City later this month. About 1,300 folks showed up on Sunday, some of whom don't like to talk to other folks there. We were told not to go anywhere near the Convention Center and the Al Rasheed Hotel, and most understand why. Rockets came flying from everywhere on Sunday morning, and these idiots only hurt Iraqis waiting on the bus in a poor neighborhood.

In dealing with Iraqis, I have learned patience and the fact that meetings move along in their own good old time. The same is for the National Conference, the agenda, what there was of it, was thrown away after the opening speeches. There were folks with spontaneous demonstrations (complete with nice signs, they thought ahead to bring them complete with markers) about poor Sadr down in An Najaf and his folks sitting in the Shrine and Mosque firing mortars at civilians and Iraqi military and police.

The head of the Conference called a 20 minute cookie and smoke break, and several Arab television networks decided to promote a panic by announcing that many delegates were walking out of the conference. We saw several delegates walk out to have a smoke, while others lit up inside. And no one was leaving; heck free food and cookies do it every time.

The good news is that the conference has not been disrupted by these random acts of violence, though several Iraqis have been killed and wounded, along with several coalition Soldiers hurt.

Our offensive operations in several locations continue. I am too close to talk about them, though I have a great video of insurgents/terrorists firing from the Shrine/Mosque which we protect and don't attack, that I heard was played on the major networks in the states.

On Friday evening, Major Tom and I went out to the Hash run in uniform, flack vest, and helmets. We tried to persuade the folks to skip the run and go directly to the beer point, where they could drink cold soda, water, or beer. But like kids all over the world who never listen to their parents, the hashers decided that they wanted to run to the beer point. Only problem, the two hares did not show up. But the beer miester with the Stupid Urban Vehicle did show up, and most everyone could ride or hang on or get on the roof. But no, hashers being hashers let the two fastest runners (Spandex and Minstral); two guys like Jim T who love to run fast and far in 110 degrees heat, do a live hash.

Thinking that they needed a little adult supervision, and challenged by the young-uns, I agreed to chug along in airborne shuffle in my desert camos plus vest and helmet. I had the cell phone number for Bondage, Jane Bondage who was driving the beer truck, and I figured I would run the first mile and a half to the water and picture point. I trudged along, with a group of quite lazy runners tagging along singing airborne songs, offering to carry the 30 pound vest, laughing, telling me jokes, etc. Went about a mile, no stopping point in sight, another mile, at every corner we turned (at least the hares listened to my directions as to where to go, and where not to go in the International Zone). Finally, I looked ahead, and saw the group ahead climbing about 200 feet up the ramp to the Iraqi Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I ran up the ramp, and walked around the top, and back down the other side ramp. On the map, the monument is over 250 meters in diameter, actually being there, it feels huge. Then on down, and 11 of us hashers were now officially lost. By the way, I was now 2-3 miles done without water.

Calling Bondage, Jane Bondage on the cell phone, she said that they were over at the Crossed Swords. Which one? There are two, about a half mile apart. Our group splits into two, going in opposite directions around the Tomb - me I am now walking with Pre-Shrunk towards the first Swords. Jane is driving to pick us up, I have had enough. We walk over to the Swords, no truck, no hashers. Walking to the next Crossed Swords monument. Finally, I make another phone call, and we finally see a truck in the distance \- it's now 9 pm and dark. I use my handy dandy red light to flash three dots, three dashes, three dots. Several times, like shipwrecked sailors. SUV pulls up; we crawl in, my only words, Water. After catching my breath, I told everyone I was going to get Spandex for that run. At least 4 miles, and no stops, no water, no pictures (someone did photograph me). Good points, the Iraqi children were giving me high fives at mile two or three. Hi Major, they were laughing.

A small group meets every night at 11:30 pm, takes off their shoes and socks, sits at the edge of the pool, puts their tired puppies in the pool, and talks about what went on during the day. Sunday night, got there late, and heard war stories about labor and delivery. It's a good place to relieve stress.

On Tuesday, the $86 million was successfully delivered. I had 15 volunteers who moved the money from the truck to the vault. Each brick weighed 38 pounds and contained $1.6 million. Near the end, folks started taking two bricks at a time. I hollered at one First Lieutenant, "Christina, you don't even weigh that much." A Colonel estimated he had over $10 million go through his hands. An Air Force officer said it was the highlight of her tour (three months). It was quite a coalition effort - an Italian, a Dutch Air Force sergeant, Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, enlisted and officers. Afterward, the disbursing officer let everyone get their picture taken next to the money (some pictures attached).

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Basel arrived with the $86 million around 10:30 am on Tuesday morning, August 10th, and we had 15 folks out of the Commander's Situation Room and Civil Military Operations section helped carry the bricks down to the CPA C-8's vault in the basement. They were so happy. I took several photos. It was interesting what was in the vault - lots of jewelry, gold, foreign currency, American dollars, etc. Well it took 14 days to get the cash from the Iraqis - I sent an email to the Ministry of Finance, thanking them, and promising the first monthly report by September 30th. Then we would request the remainder of the money that the Iraqi Prime Minister promised us to do reconstruction projects, for a total of $368 million.

COMMENT - Then I was off to the secret squirrel location to talk about a leak. All three times we tried to move cash from the Central Bank to the Green Zone, an attack occurred nearby. Had we followed the rules this time, the convoy probably would have been directly attacked, and insurgents might have gotten the cash. We had talked to the C-2 (intelligence) section after the last attempt was disrupted, so Basel and I talked before he left. His gut told him to expect another attack. So he told the security convoy to go back to their forward operating base instead of to the Green Zone. And there was an attack along the route they were supposed to go. Basel pretended to load the cash into the convoy Humvees, but instead put them into the trunk of his civilian car. Basel then drove a random round-about way back to the Green Zone through Baghdad suburbs, arriving safely at one of the Green Zone checkpoints. About a week later, I got called into C-2 and was informed that they had evidence that a specific high ranking person in the Ministry of Finance was working for the insurgents, and would be closely watched.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 9: 17 August 2004

For those that missed it in previous reports, the $86 million came from the Iraqi government to fund urgent humanitarian projects done by the coalition forces as directed by local governments or community groups. Most of them will be directed towards getting clean water and sanitation projects done, a few towards electricity, village roads, and education. About 40,000 Iraqis will be employed in the next few weeks. Average unemployment is 33%, some places it's more than 70%. Tuesday was a very good day.

On Thursday night, we turned the Commander's Situation Room partly into a sports bar (pop and popcorn, and put the game on the big screen) and watched Iraq upset Portugal 4-2. After they scored the final goal in injury time, we sent congrats to the Prime Minister's Situation Room, and got the Giant Voice to announce for everyone get under cover. An unhealthy tradition around here is for Iraqis to celebrate by firing weapons into the air. Unfortunately, the bullets do not defy gravity. We had four rounds land thru the roof of three trailers. No one hurt.

On Sunday night, Iraq played Costa Rico (sorry Marie, I know you were pulling for your home team). It was not televised here on our satellite, but I was able to find Internet updates on Telemundo in Spanish. They won 2-0 and more celebratory fire into the air after the game. No one hurt. Iraq plays Morocco, and then goes into the quarter finals. The Iraqi Ministry of Sports offered soccer shirts for a contribution to the Olympics fund, so now I have a cool souvenir.

The Marine Fleet Anti-terrorism Support Team (FAST) is planning for their Rest & Recreation (R&R) event, probably Labor Day weekend, situationally dependent. I thank all that have donated their time and money to make this happen. I received quite a few notes complaining about the lack of morale funds around here. The government is running this war on a budget, and somebody forgot to budget office supplies. And printers!

The personal business cards finally arrived, so now I have something to give folks in Arabic and English. I will have to ask someone to pronounce Mike in Arabic. Interesting, MNC-I is MNC-I in Arabic (it stands for Multi-National Corps - Iraq). Only ten folks ordered them, and now folks want to order theirs. Looking for a volunteer to do this.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization team arrived here this week to help. Of course, the first thing they wanted was money. They are here to train the Iraqi Security Forces.

We changed the Palace dining facility vendor today. Long lines at lunch, a riot almost occurred at 1:30 pm when the sign in roster guy tried to leave, with 200 folks still in line for at least 30 minutes. Going to leave now (7 pm) hoping that they will butter us up with steak and lobster, and cheese cake. They had a tray of cheese cake at lunch, but it went quickly. I actually saw one on someone's plate - he had private security guards around him.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - There is not much to talk about on Monday (August 16th), just another Groundhog Day. On Tuesday, the big event was we now have a new contractor running the Palace dining facility. From what I could see while standing in a long line is that the place now has some quality looking food. There were two major problems - one was that someone told them to expect a whole lot less people. My guess is that they feed eight to twelve thousand people for lunch every day, and I think they thought they would be feeding only the three thousand coalition military and civilians, plus a few thousand Iraqi guests. So they were not staffed to handle the sign-in line, and then they used the slowness of the line to cook more food. So give them credit, they were trying. Did I ever tell you that the Palace dining facility has always had take-out boxes so that folks who needed to get back to work could grab some food? Sometimes even I have to do that, but not often. The interesting thing that I observed from standing in the line was watching almost every Iraqi coming from the tables and going back to the food tables, and filling out the take-out boxes, and then leaving. Now we probably are feeding these Iraqi families too.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 9: 17 August 2004

Going to now run spell check, and send this out.

Hope everyone has a safe week at American Electric Power Company and elsewhere. Take care,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 9 Memorials)

11-Aug-04 - American Contractor named Rader, Kevin was killed today due to Convoy attack at Iraq (Iraq (Unknown)). Was a Truck Driver for employer Kellogg, Brown, & Root.

11-Aug-04 - Iraqi Ali al-Khalisi, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah.

11-Aug-04 - Iraqi Osama Mnu Lnu, adult, male, killed in near the Tigris River, southwest of Ad Dawr.

11-Aug-04 - Two Marines, Staff Sergeant John R. Howard, 26, of Covington, Virginia and Lance Corporal Tavon L. Hubbard, 24, of Reston, Virginia died August 11 in a helicopter crash in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

12-Aug-04 - Captain Michael Yury Tarlavsky, 30, of Passaic, New Jersey, died August 12 in Najaf, Iraq, when his unit came under small arms fire and grenade attack. Tarlavsky was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, from Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

12-Aug-04 - Indian Contractor named Abraham, Eldho was killed today due to Explosion at Baghdad. Was an Electrical engineer for a British construction company.

12-Aug-04 - Iraqi Son of Ibrahim Sultan, male, killed in Al-Sharkia, Kut.

12-Aug-04 - British Army Private Marc Ferns, 21, of Glenrothes, Fife, was killed by hostile attack by roadside bomb, died after an improvised bomb attack as he and colleagues were on patrol in Basraat Basra, Iraq. Was assigned to the Black Watch, 1st Battalion.

13-Aug-04 - First Lieutenant Neil Anthony Santoriello, 24, of Verona, Pennsylvania, died August 13 in Khalidiya, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his mounted reconnaissance patrol vehicle. Santoriello was assigned to 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.

13-Aug-04 - Iraqi Saad Raed, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

13-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Kane M. Funke, 20, of Vancouver, Washington, died August 13 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, from Twentynine Palms, California.

13-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Nicholas B. Morrison, 23, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, died August 13 due to hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

14-Aug-04 - Royal Netherlands Marechaussee Sergeant First Class Jeroen Severs, 29, of Zoelmond, near Culemborg, Netherlands, killed by hostile fire in Ar Rumaylah, Iraq. Was assigned to the Military Police.

15-Aug-04 - Second Lieutenant James Michael Goins, 23, of Bonner Springs, Kansas, died as a result of hostile fire on August 15 in Najaf, Iraq. Goins was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

15-Aug-04 - Iraqi Mahmoud Hamid Abbas, 32, male, killed in Fallujah.

15-Aug-04 - Journalist Mahmoud Hamid Abbas, of Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, was killed today in Fallujah, Iraq.
15-Aug-04 - Private First Class Brandon R. Sapp, 21, of Lake Worth, Florida, died August 15 in Najaf, Iraq, when his M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Sapp was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

15-Aug-04 - Sergeant Daniel Michael Shepherd, 23, of Elyria, Ohio, died August 15 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, when his M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Shepherd was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment from Fort Riley, Kansas.

15-Aug-04 - Specialist Mark Anthony Zapata, 27, of Edinburg, Texas, died August 15 in Najaf, Iraq as a result of hostile fire. Zapata was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

15-Aug-04 - Two Marines, Private First Class Fernando B. Hannon, 19, of Wildomar, California and Private First Class Geoffrey Perez, 24, of Los Angeles, California died Aug. 15 from injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

15-Aug-04 - Ukrainian Army Captain Yuriy Ivanov, 31, of Slavuta, Khmielnitskiy, Ukraine, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 62 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 6 Separate Mechanized Brigade.

16-Aug-04 - Iraqi Moyed Herdan Mohanna (a.k.a. Major Rayad), adult, male, killed in central Ramadi.

16-Aug-04 - Iraqi Muayad al-Hardan, adult, male, killed in central Ramadi.

16-Aug-04 - Iraqi Sabah Macardige, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

16-Aug-04 - Sergeant David M. Heath, 30, of LaPorte, Indiana, died August 16 in Sadr City, Iraq, when his patrol came under small arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack. Heath was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, from Fort Riley, Kansas.

16-Aug-04 - South African Contractor named Pretorius, Herman "Harry" was killed today due to Convoy attack at Mosul. Was a Security contractor for DynCorp.

17-Aug-04 - Iraqi Kassin Shlalt Keddar, adult, male, killed in near the Neighborhood Advisory Council building, Saadiyeh, Baghdad.

17-Aug-04 - Iraqi Qassim Hassan, 16, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

17-Aug-04 - Iraqi Shaheed Muhamed, adult, male, killed in near the Neighborhood Advisory Council building, Saadiyeh, Baghdad.

17-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Caleb J. Powers, 21, of Manfield, Washington, died Aug 17 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Powers was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton, California.

17-Aug-04 - Specialist Brandon T. Titus, 20, of Boise, Idaho, died Aug. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his checkpoint. Titus was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

17-Aug-04 - British Army Lance Corporal Paul Thomas, 29, of Welshpool, Powys, was killed by hostile attack by shot, suffered gunshot wound when patrol came under attack at Basra, Iraq. Was assigned to the Light Infantry, 2nd Battalion, attached to Cheshire Regiment, 1st Battalion.

## (end of Week 9 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 10: 22 August 2004

The most memorable event of the week was the attack on Thursday afternoon (August 19th). While the Iraqi National Convention concluded on Wednesday, we decided to keep to our practice of wearing helmets and flack vests anytime outside. At our noon briefing in the Commander's Situation Room, the Force Command Sergeant Major walked up to the microphone, told everyone that we would continue to do so and to ensure that everyone had their stuff with them. I thought it was odd, as he had never addressed us before.

I decided to send an email to all the other Resource Management offices in the International Zone, to let them know. It seemed like someone knew something.

After lunch, I went to my trailer and changed for gym, walked down the back road to the gym, and had a hard workout. I did get to see the highlights of the Pittsburgh Pirates beating the Rockies on _ESPN Sportscenter_ while I cycled up the hills. I walked back to my trailer, wearing my helmet and vest over my nifty Army Physical Training uniform. A West Pointer, class of 1992, laughed at my shorts, which have a gold Army logo rather than the new silver gray logo that glows in the dark. I just told him I'm OLD ARMY, and have a Tee-Shirt that says so. Laughing, I got to my 9 by 12 foot room, looked at the watch, and said an afternoon nap might be nice (given I work to midnight, it breaks up the day).

I like my room 'cause the window points to the east, and with the drapes, it makes the room a little dark in the afternoon. I was falling asleep when I heard two or three thumps back to back. Too far away, probably across the Tigris River, me no worry. Besides, some of the folks living in our trailer park like to slam doors, and they sound like muffled rounds landing. Then I definitely heard a round land southeast of the trailers. That woke me up. Then another one, much closer, to the west, somewhere front of the Republican Palace. I was reaching down for my vest to throw it on, when the trailer literally shook and I fell onto the floor. I stayed there for about a minute, then put the vest over me like a blanket, and put on my helmet. Nothing! Then the Giant Voice rang out, its belated message, TAKE COVER, WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!!! About ten minutes later, I heard the Giant Voice give the All Clear.

I decided that I did not want to be found in the shower if we had another attack, and besides, who would be getting close to me anyway? I put on my uniform, and shuffled over to the Republican Palace. Amazing, folks were still sitting around sun bathing at the pool. They did not hire the protective security detachment folks (private guards) for their brains. Got inside, and immediately ran into many friends. Glad to see you safe. Where were you when it hit? Are you OK? (for those shaken) Everyone had a story to tell, some closer to others. I got into the Commander's Situation Room, and went immediately to the big screen to see where rounds had landed. Others streamed in to the Commander's Situation Room, telling stories of where they were when it hit.

It hit the Palace, and blew a two foot hole in the roof. The office below looked like a hurricane had hit it. Two folks were in the room when it hit, and they had to have been near the floor after that second round hit in front of the Palace. They were husband and wife, and the wife was visiting her husband's office. One person joked, badly, that they were really on the floor before the attacks. She was hurt (I heard two broken bones), and he had just scratches, she must have shielded him. Everything on the desks, papers & computers, phones, were blown off the desks. Except for one Dell Computer, it was still on and connected to the local area network. I asked our information management folks to get a picture; I wanted to send this to the Dell CEO. Reminds me of the old Timex commercial, takes a lick and keeps ticking.

I found out that the Force commanding general came into the Commander's Situation Room immediately after the attack, and found that only half the watch officers had helmets and vests with him. The s**t hit the fan as they had to go to the basement (I heard they had to do pushups).

I then went to my terminal, and found an email sent about an hour before the attack. One that I am going to save!! The Colonel in charge of one of the Resource Management shops was complaining that no one is his unit had told them anything about wearing helmets and vests. I just wrote back that I thought it odd at 12 pm what the Force Command Sergeant Major had done, and just wanted to warn them. I then ended the email that I would never do that again, and would never bother him again with security alerts.

Later on, more folks came by the Commander's Situation Room. The subject then turned to the upcoming soccer (football) match between Iraq and Australia. The Brits are thinking of having a party at their place. Someone was joking with a British Major about their small flack vests. They have a plate about 3 inches by 3 inches on their chest (American vests are quite larger). I said that "the British have tiny hearts so that is why their vests are so small." The Brits started laughing. An American officer who had not cleaned his ears in a while heard me, and shouted, "Oh yeah, the British do have tiny parts." The British Colonel was not amused, "Mike, come by the House on Saturday night for some football, but don't bring any other Yanks."

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I failed to comment in my weekly email that Iraq lost 2-1 to Morocco on Wednesday, August 18th, in an Olympic soccer game that did not mean much, as Iraqi had already qualified for the knockout stage by its two victories. Some folks, mostly Americans, did not understand why the Iraqis just played it close (they were leading, but then a penalty shot tied it), but spending two years in England gives you some appreciation for that game of football.

COMMENT - The British flak jackets really seemed very small to us Americans, especially since most of the officers were typically very fit individuals that work out a lot. I heard my comment repeated at least once a month throughout my tour in Iraq, whether in the Green Zone, Camp Victory, on convoys, or anytime coalition folks were talking after an attack while still wearing helmets and flak jackets. By the way, I did not have the heart to tell the British Colonel that us Americans were quietly told not to go to the British clubs in the Green Zone, because it being very hard to refuse drinking with our cousins. I do think that this allowed the Brits to blow off steam, and they tended to not be as stressed as a typical American officer.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 10: 22 August 2004

Dumb things to Do Category: Earlier in the week, observed an air burst over the north trailers. I watched a lit fragment arc over and hit the Rotunda. It took me a second to realize that there were likely other fragments flying nearby, most of which would not be on fire. I hit the ground, and rolled against a pile of 90 day sandbags that are split at the seams. Lessons learned: there will be time to look at damage after they stop firing.

Speaking of Old Army, a New Army story. In my opinion, there is too heavy reliance on Internet and emails. Not enough use of phones and in person opportunities. Many daisy chain emails with one way conversations.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Another Common Sense Rule – after an email has been forwarded or replied six times, it is time to pick up the telephone, have a meeting, or have a conference call.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 10: 22 August 2004

Still, the Army staff runs by coordinating activities, which means that officers talk to others to gain their perspective and obtain needed information. The officer receiving the request would either remember what was being said, or would take notes. And ask questions. But the problem is that most officers are busy doing something that their boss needed yesterday, so it is hard to interrupt folks to get your request in. I usually just stand their patiently, regardless of whether they are junior or senior or equal in rank. Finally, they eventually stop what they are doing, and then we can talk.

So on Tuesday, I had to get two officers to get me some critical information. I talked to each of them for about 10-15 minutes. They nodded, took notes, and I asked them if they understood what I needed. They said yes, but asked if I would send them an email to remind them about my need for information. I asked them to repeat what they were supposed to do, and they did so. So I asked them why I had to send them an email. A few moments of silence came and went, and I left the room.

Later that afternoon, I needed to get a Judge Advocate General officer's legal opinion on what we should be doing on some Iraqi owned money. Just a small amount, tens of millions of dollars, that I found someone had in their vault and were keeping. This time I spent about 30 minutes with the lawyer, providing background and what I needed. This guy then said I needed to send this to him in an email with all the details. I told him NO, that I would have written one if I had not just spent 30 minutes talking about the issue. I asked him what he would tell a General Officer in the same situation - would he ask him/her for an email? He whined a little, but I told him that things worked quite well before Internet, and I was just a little old fashioned, so just humor me. He refused to accept the verbal tasking. Lord help him if he ever needs anything. Later that evening I went and talked with a group of lawyers in another unit, who like to get things done. I got my legal opinion.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Some readers will think I really do not like lawyers. That is far from the truth. I really thought about going to law school once, back in my days at Fort Harrison. I took the LSAT, submitted an application for the Army program that lets eight active duty officers each year go to law school at government expense, finished twelfth, so I did not get selected. A path not taken, oh well! I like lawyers who like to get things done, just like I like to work with folks that want to get things done. That's all.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 10: 22 August 2004

On Saturday morning at the morning briefing to the Force Commanding General, it was announced that the Australians would be conducting Operation Celebratory Fire after they win the football game tonight. They got a legal opinion that told them that they could fire unaimed pistols in the air, but to avoid the 90 degree angle. Great, Iraqis and Aussies firing at night!!

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - For those horrified by the announcement, I think everyone in the Commander's Situation Room knew that it was just a good joke, or at least a good combat zone joke. You have to make fun of situations where ever you can. But we were all looking forward to the Olympic soccer game that evening between two coalition rivals.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 10: 22 August 2004

On Saturday night, I came into the Commander's Situation Room to see if the game was on our computers. Nope! The Brits had decided to not watch the game with the Aussies, and the Brits have all the good social places here. By invitation only though! So I went back to the trailer, but the Iraqi football game was not on TV. I did hear the firing after the Iraqis scored, and the Giant Voice rang out at the end of their victory over Australia. They play again Tuesday for silver or gold. Folks who went to the Green Zone Cafe got to see the game and the fireworks afterward. Wearing helmets!!

Sunday morning, we asked the Australians to inventory their rounds. In the greatest tradition of their country, they all had more rounds then issued.

The Palace Dining Facility continues to struggle serving everyone. Long lines at every meal, even midnight rations. I am not going to complain, they are making great deserts for lunch, and some are skipping the entire entrees and going straight to cheese cake. I do miss the old sandwich lines.

I understand the fund drive for the Marine Fleet Anti-terrorism Support Team (FAST) is going well. Thanks all.

Friday night we had another hash run. The run started by going into the Republican Palace, and everyone had to go off the high dive, about 35 feet up. Most of us took off our shoes and socks, but several kept their glasses on. My dog tags flew past the top of my head when I hit the water; somehow I caught them before they sank. The route then went out to the 14th of July Bridge and then ended behind the hospital. There were lots of false trails. Long, over 5 miles, and the last mile behind houses and through rubble, in the dark, not to my liking.

Next week I get to hare with Tigger Frigger, who carries a Tigger doll in his pocket. That means we get to set the route.

I found out Thursday night that they were going to have a marathon anyway on Friday morning at 5 am. The Navy Captain was selling shirts, and since my two teams of five were more interested in the shirt, we ordered ours. They had about 25 show up to run the full or half marathon, and a guy named Wonder won. Wonder also runs hash, and he claims he has no other name. No one knows where he works either, maybe CIA?

By the way, I did not show up to run the marathon. But I'm getting a shirt.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - Instead, I handed out water at the break point on August 20th. The marathon consisted of the same route around the Green Zone being run for eight laps. Fifteen finished the whole marathon. I gave my shirt, when I got back to the states, to American Electric Power's own Jim T, who has run in dozens of marathons and several ultra-marathons. The marathon started around 5 am in about 100 degrees, and Wonder completed it in about two hours and forty minutes, I think. The last person, a Navy Commander, finished around six hours, with about a half-dozen die-hards waiting for him.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 10: 22 August 2004

For your information, the Iraqi Air Force flew their plane this week. The National Conference ended successfully. Imagine if you were working on the Declaration of Independence in June 1776 with _CNN_ cameras in your face.

College football season begins this Saturday. It does not feel like fall yet, with temperatures usually around 120 degrees in the afternoon.

Hope everyone stays well and safe.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 10 Memorials)

18-Aug-04 - Iraqi Azad Hawar, adult, male, killed in Dibbis, near Kirkuk.

18-Aug-04 - Iraqi Fras Moazahim Habib, adult, male, killed in Abu Ghraib prison, Baghdad.

18-Aug-04 - Iraqi Husham Nafit Ghafar, adult, male, killed in Abu Ghraib prison, Baghdad.

18-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Dustin R. Fitzgerald, 22, of Huber Heights, Ohio, died Aug 18, in a non-combat related vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Fitzgerald was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/2, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

18-Aug-04 - Private First Class Henry C. Risner, 26, of Golden, Colorado, died Aug 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his checkpoint came under enemy small arms fire. Private First Class Risner was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

18-Aug-04 - Sergeant Harvey E. Parkerson III, 27, Yuba City, California, died Aug 18 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Sergeant Parkerson was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), Camp Pendleton, California.

18-Aug-04 - Sergeant Richard M. Lord, 24, of Jacksonville, Florida, died Aug. 18 from injuries received due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

18-Aug-04 - Specialist Jacob D. Martir, 21, of Norwich, Connecticut, died Aug 18 in Sadr City, Iraq, when his patrol came under enemy small arms fire. Specialist Martir was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

19-Aug-04 - Corporal Brad P. McCormick, 23, of Overton, Tennessee, died Aug. 19 from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Corporal McCormick was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, from Nashville, Tennessee.

19-Aug-04 - Iraqi Mohammed Ghareeb Ramadan, adult, male, killed in body found near Najaf.

19-Aug-04 - Polish Army Corporal Grzegorz Rusinek, 21, of Gliwice, Poland, killed by hostile - vehicle accident in Al Hillah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 18 Bielski Airborne-Assault Battalion from Bielsko-Biala, Poland.

19-Aug-04 - Polish Army Private 1st Class Sylwester Kutrzyk, 23, of Gliwice, Poland, killed by hostile vehicle accident in Al Hillah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 18 Bielski Airborne-Assault Battalion from Bielsko-Biala, Poland.

20-Aug-04 - Iraqi Enzo Baldoni, 56, male, killed in in route to Najaf from Baghdad.

20-Aug-04 - Two Soldiers died Aug. 20 near Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device exploded near their vehicle. Both were assigned to the Army National Guard's 216th Engineer Battalion, Hamilton, Ohio. Killed were First Lieutenant Charles L. Wilkins III, 38, of Columbus, Ohio and Private First Class Ryan A. Martin, 22, of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

21-Aug-04 - Corporal Nicanor Alvarez, 22, of San Bernardino, California, died Aug. 21 from injuries received from to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Alvarez was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

21-Aug-04 - Gunnery Sergeant Edward T. Reeder, 32, of Camp Verde, Arizona, died Aug. 21 in a non-combat related vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Reeder was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

21-Aug-04 - Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel Saad Smayer, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

21-Aug-04 - Iraqi father of dead man, adult, male, killed in near Bridge 5, Mosul.

21-Aug-04 - Iraqi son of dead man, adult, male, killed in near Bridge 5, Mosul.

21-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Seth Huston, 19, Perryton, Texas, died Aug. 21 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Huston was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

21-Aug-04 - Private First Class Kevin A. Cuming, 22, of North White Plains, New York, died August 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his patrol came under rocket-propelled grenade attack. Cuming was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

21-Aug-04 - Private First Class Nachez Washalanta, 21, of Bryan, Oklahoma, died Aug. 21 from injuries received due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Washalanta was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

21-Aug-04 - Polish Army Private 1st Class Krystian Andrzejczak, 24, of Bogaczewo, near Elblag, Poland, killed by hostile fire - car bomb in Al Hillah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division from Elblag, Poland.

21-Aug-04 - Sergeant Jason Cook, 25, of Okanogan, Washington, died Aug. 21 from injuries received due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Cook was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

22-Aug-04 - Second Lieutenant Matthew R. Stovall, 25, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, died Aug. 22 in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device exploded near his vehicle. Stovall was assigned to the Army National Guard's 367th Maintenance Company, 298th Corps Support Battalion, from Philadelphia, Mississippi.

22-Aug-04 - Corporal Christopher Belchik, 30, of Jersey, Illinois, died Aug. 22, due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

22-Aug-04 - Indonesian Contractor named Ahmad, Fahmi was killed today due to Convoy attack at Mosul. Was a Telecommunications engineer for employer Subcontractor to Siemens (German firm).

22-Aug-04 - Iraqi Shezad Hussein Ali al-Jabari, 28, male, killed in Kirkuk.

22-Aug-04 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Convoy attack at on road between Tikrit & Kirkuk. Was a Construction worker for a Tikrit bridge repair firm.

## (end of Week 10 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 11: August 29, 2004

Day 82 in Iraq (Sunday, August 29th) is almost done as I start this weekly report. It has been a most interesting week, but one I would soon forget if I could.

If one looks on Yahoo's weather site, you would find that Baghdad's temperature never exceeds 113 degrees each day. We know it is hotter than this, as the thermometer at the North Ballroom says so, but it only goes up to 120 degrees. Unscientific temperature gauges in the Stupid Urban Vehicles showed consistent 130 degrees this week in the afternoon. We do have Air Force weathermen (reportedly from Tulsa, but he pronounced Nowata and Miami the way I use to), but I have been told to not say what temperature it was for some odd reason. Needless to say, it was bloody hot this week here.

The week started rather hot on Monday morning (August 23rd), as I strolled out of my trailer at 6:45 am (the new Force commanding general has decided to start his morning briefings at a more civilized time). I knew something was up as I immediately ran into several watch officers who should be sitting watch at the Commander's Situation Room rather than getting some early sun by the pool. As I past the pool, I smelled smoke, and looked up at the Republican Palace. The middle section on the second floor, where our smokers like to hang out, was now on fire.

About five minutes later, the American Baghdad Fire Department pulled up in their shiny fire truck. They started to attack the fire by spraying water on it. After 30 seconds, there was no more water. They pulled down the road towards the gate. The fire continued to rage, and more and more walking commuters were coming up to the Republican Palace.

Another fire truck pulled up, and this time the water lasted almost two minutes. It pulled away in defeat. I was now watching to see if the fire was going to catch the guard shack on the first floor on fire, the one you recall that they have been building for the last four weeks after tearing down the one that existed for three weeks that they built during the last two weeks of June. But while it looks like wood, I know from the sounds of welding each night that it had to have some metal in the guard shack.

A third fire truck (maybe the first one) now pulled up, followed by two tanker trucks of non-potable water. They hooked up their hose, and quickly had a spray of water attacking the fire. And it continued to burn.

I then got to talk to the watch officers from the Commander's Situation Room. They said the room started to fill with smoke (we are on the first floor to the right of the fire), and the chief of operations decided to abandon the place - given that no one had any respirators. A couple folks ran down to the Embassy command post, while everyone else went out several of the exits. One of the Majors said he heard a fire alarm only when he got to the Embassy command post, almost 150 yards down the hall.

Then our Giant Voice rang out. "The Palace is closed due to fire; return to your residences, the Palace will reopen for business at 10 am." We all looked around, watching the fire continuing to burn despite water being poured on it by the third truck.

Some of the folks decided that they wanted breakfast, and walked over to Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors' dining facility. Some folks decided that they had some reason to get into the Palace, but the Gurki and Marine guards would not let them in. Some folks who had stayed in the Republican Palace to continue eating their breakfast now came out the South door. This prompted a British General Officer to wonder if he needed to go into the Palace and protect Her Majesty's classified papers from American eyes (or Romanian, Italian, Australian, or 26 other countries). He tried to get back in, but alas, he was not allowed to enter.

Me, I looked at my watch, now about 7:15 am (the fire was still going), and decided to go back to the trailer for a few hours more sleep. I woke up roomie when I got back in, not on purpose, but he was trying to wake up and complaining that he was hungry, as usual. I would have given him a carton of cereal, but he had eaten that the night before. I told him he would probably remain hungry as the Republican Palace was partially on fire. And then hopped into bed, and was fast asleep.

I woke up around 9 am, and decided to go either to the gym or go swimming. I went to the pool, and it seemed that most of the military had had the same idea. I swam five laps (I do have to figure the distance someday), and pulled up next to the CHOPS (chief, operations - he runs the day-to-day operations of the Commander's Situation Room) a Air Force colonel (and dashing jet pilot), who was catching some sun after doing laps. I looked at my watch, and it was now about 9:55 am. I heard shouts at the South Door.

I walked through the pool gate out to the back street, and there were about 100 officers demanding to enter the Republican Palace. And the Gurki's and Marines refused to let them in. I told a few of them that Giant Voice announced during the fire that the Palace would reopen at 10 am, but that this was Iraq, and things would open in their own time. I suggested that the Palace might reopen about 10:45 am. A few of them were hissing and moaning that they had critical work to do, and had to get to their office. I shrugged my shoulders, and decided to walk towards the middle of the Republican Palace towards where the fire had been, and maybe go over to the gym.

I stopped by the Rotunda, and looked over at the damage on the second floor. Thankfully, the new guard shack remained untouched. A few of us were standing around talking, when someone ran from the South Door shouting that the Palace was going to open by 10:45 am. I thought it odd.

Then word spread that the North Ballroom was open. I decided to go in there so that I could use the phone and call my boss (the Corps C-8) at Camp Victory. Alas, no phone worked, and no one could get from the North section of the Palace to the middle section. I did see someone measuring air quality. With nothing to really do, I went over to the gym.

When I came back from the gym, showered and changed into uniform, the South Door was now open, so I walked in it to get to the Commander's Situation Room. It was very smoky in there. The CHOPS said to all to get out of there, and come back at 2 pm. Since we knew that the Palace dining facility was at best serving Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), a few of us decided to go over to the Al Rasheed Hotel's dining facility to eat. We got there, and there were MREs there too. So off we went to the Coffee Shop, and had a decent Iraqi meal. I had veal picata, it cost $4.

At 2 pm, reported back to work. The phones to Camp Victory worked, so I called my boss to report in. Computers were mostly offline, with the hope of restoration of full power by 6 pm. Believe it or not, were fully operational by 5:30 pm. I am glad I took a late afternoon nap, as I had a full day of emails to answer that evening.

The fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have been started by an electrical overload. We have done what is called several after action reviews, and we now know where the electric panels are, where the fire extinguishers are hidden, and other fire risk assessments in our little tinder box we call the Commander's Situation Room.

All and all, we were again very lucky, no one was hurt. The Rotunda area today still smells like a campfire. I will attach a few pictures of the fire and the result. Two whole rooms were gutted, and we lost a lot of computers that were stored there. Monday was like a day off that you still had to go into work.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - What I did not tell anyone in my email that week was that the military fire marshal in the evening discovered unburned weapons, ammunition, and grenades in the adjacent room to the fire area. It turns out that our Public Affairs Office was storing quite a collection in there. It was estimated that had these gone off, all the folks that morning standing along the side of the back road watching the fire burn, me included, would have been in the blast zone. And within a week, several senior officers who headed that office were gone from the Green Zone - cause and effect?

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 11: August 29, 2004

I started coughing on Monday evening while working in the Commander's Situation Room, probably due to the smoke. By Tuesday, I was constantly hacking. I went to the Medical Clinic (run by the Army Reserve unit from Westerville, Ohio), and they said I had picked up the viral infection that was going through the Embassy over the last week. They gave me some medication, and told me to take it easy for the next ten days. I of course went back to my little office in the Commander's Situation Room, but quickly realized that the medication was making me feel no pain at all. I left the Commander's Situation Room, and went back to the trailer about 11 am. I woke up about 8 pm.

I continue to recover; the doctor said it lasts ten days, with different symptoms each day (running nose, fever, etc.). Thursday I felt OK, and Sunday I did too.

Saturday (August 28th) was the worse. Some idiot scheduled several meetings that I just had to go to, one at 10 am and the other from 2 pm to 4 pm. In between, I was snoozing. I don't think I fell asleep in the afternoon meeting, as they said I was making some good points. Just don't remember what the meeting was about.

On Friday, another morning meeting was scheduled, and an Air Force Captain from my Camp Victory Corps C-8 office was coming over to help out. I found out that morning that they were flying her by helicopter to here, cool. At least that was the schedule. But the pilots were on another schedule, so they flew from the Camp Victory to Babylon (yes the ruins), and kicked her off the bird so that they could recon a pipeline. She did get to see the sights of the old city, and the same helicopter took her back to Camp Victory later that afternoon.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - Babylon is near where the Multi-National Division - Central South was headquartered, led by Polish forces.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 11: August 29, 2004

Tuesday night (August 24th), we went to the Green Zone Cafe to watch Iraq play Paraguay in the Olympic semi-finals. We yelled and screamed every close chance they had to score. I wore my Olympic soccer shirt and kept drinking warm Coke Lights to keep from coughing. The Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports was there, being interviewed by _Armed Forces Network_ TV. I wondered why he was not in Athens wining and dining. Iraq lost 3-1. But I have much experience with lost causes, having followed Army football through good years and mostly bad years. The good news was that there was no celebratory fire that night.

Friday, I found that the coalition office for the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation in the Republican Palace had a satellite connection, and about 30 of us watched Iraq play Italy in the Bronze Medal game. Italy has a large force here, and it had been suggested that their team needed to take one for the greater good. The game was totally even, except for a lapse in defense let a short header in the goal. I know my Ohio readers know what soccer is about. At the end of the game, we all shouted "We're Number Four!!! We're Number FOUR!!" The Italians were quite proud, but we all felt sorry that Iraq had a chance for their first medal since a Bronze in 1960.

As for the Olympics, Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors bought a large screen TV and played it each night by the pool. After a while, no one watched the United States men's basketball team, as the 1st Cavalry Division's basketball team felt they could beat them too.

I did hash and hare on Friday night (August 27th), probably not a good thing to do. The route was about 2.5 miles, and I sent the gazelles down a false trail for another mile. Unfortunately, the Dutch who were going to drive the beer/soda truck did not show up on time, so I quickly told the a volunteer driver where the two water/photo points were and where the beer point (final) was - turn left at the Canadian Embassy. During the run, the Dutch showed up in another truck, and I told them to go the second point, and then follow all the runners to the final point. Everyone had a lot of fun on the run, but the beer truck was a no show. And the Dutch. For twenty minutes the gazelles ran up and down looking for them, suspecting that the Dutch were drinking our beer. They finally showed up, the volunteer driver had made a right at the Canadian Embassy - and had spent 20 minutes arguing with the Dutch who said he should have turned left. So they sat there while we waited. Some folks got upset, and I took responsibility for poor instructions.

We finally got the smoke smell out of the Commander's Situation Room by turning the air conditioners down to 65 and this filtered it out. Now a lot of folks are sneezing. And today, they opened the Rotunda back entrance and the new guard house. And the South front entrance. And closed the Rotunda front entrance. We are very confused.

Meanwhile, the war continues against insurgents and terrorists. Six Soldiers and Marines were killed in action freeing An Najaf. And I saw in _Stars & Stripes_ two Ohioans were killed. But not in vain, as every day, more clean water and power become available, businesses and factories start back up, and hope is beginning to rise among Iraqis. I was saddened by the attack on the Iraqi Minister of the Environment this week. Professor M was unhurt, but four of her guards were killed.

I do want to thank the folks at American Electric Power Company who made contributions to the Rest & Recreation (R&R) activities for the Fleet Anti-terrorism Support Team (FAST) Marines. I look forward to getting the money order in the next few days, and will report on how they use the $1,000. I am also happy to learn that my fellow American Electric Power employee in Afghanistan is getting a similar gift. Terry and I exchanged emails, and he was working for my old commanding general from the Oklahoma Army National Guard, and Terry is wearing his Thunderbird combat patch on his right shoulder. Pretty good for a Texan!

Hopefully, everyone in Transmission, Distribution, Generation, Houston Pipeline, and other areas of American Electric Power Company are safe this week, and go home whole. Take care,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 11 Memorials)

23-Aug-04 - Iraqi Amer Mahdi Hamad, adult, male, killed in 7km north of Ramadi.

23-Aug-04 - Iraqi Dawood Sulmon Rostum, adult, male, killed in 7km north of Ramadi.

23-Aug-04 - Iraqi Najwa Salman, 2, female, killed in El-Amin, near Baghdad.

23-Aug-04 - Iraqi Radhi Salman, 25, male, killed in El-Amin, near Baghdad.

23-Aug-04 - Iraqi Razzaq Salman, 11, male, killed in El-Amin, near Baghdad.

23-Aug-04 - Jordanian Contractor named Ahmed, Beshir was killed today due to Car hijacking on road between Tikrit & Baiji. Was a Businessman for an unknown employer.

23-Aug-04 - Macedonian Contractor named Lazarevski, Dalibor was killed today due to See Link at Baghdad (?). Was a Construction worker for employer Soufan Engineering (United States firm).

23-Aug-04 - Macedonian Contractor named Markovikj, Dragan was killed today due to See Link at Baghdad (?). Was a Construction worker for employer Soufan Engineering (United States firm).

23-Aug-04 - Macedonian Contractor named Naskovski, Zoran was killed today due to See Link at Baghdad (?). Was a Construction worker for employer Soufan Engineering (United States firm).

23-Aug-04 - Staff Sergeant Robert C. Thornton Jr. 35, of Rainbow City, Alabama, died Aug. 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his patrol came under rocket-propelled grenade attack. Thornton was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

24-Aug-04 - American (?) Contractor named Salman, Jamal Tewfik was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Iraq (Iraq (Unknown)). Was a Guide/translator for an unknown employer.

24-Aug-04 - Iraqi wife of Amer Ibrahim Adham Al Quesi, adult, female, killed in Ad Dawr.

24-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Jacob R. Lugo, 21, of Flower Mound, Texas, died Aug. 24 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.

24-Aug-04 - Staff Sergeant Donald N. Davis, 42, of Saginaw, Michigan, died August 24 in Fallujah, Iraq, when an M915A tractor and an M106A2 tanker trailer rolled over an embankment. Staff Sergeant Davis was assigned to the United States Army Reserve's 660th Transportation Company, Zanesville, Ohio.

25-Aug-04 - Iraqi Ali Al-Dhabhawi, adult, male, killed in Al-Hillah.

25-Aug-04 - Iraqi Khadban Jaber, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

25-Aug-04 - Iraqi son of Ali Al-Dhabhawi, male, killed in Al-Hillah.

25-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Alexander S. Arredondo, 20, of Randolph, Massachusetts, died Aug. 25 as result of enemy action in An Najaf, Iraq. He was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

25-Aug-04 - Specialist Charles L. Neeley, 19, of Mattoon, Illinois, died Aug. 25 in Tikrit, Iraq, when his tractor-trailer rolled over as he attempted to access a pontoon bridge. Neeley was assigned to the Army Reserve's 454th Transportation Company, Columbus, Ohio.

25-Aug-04 - Specialist Marco D. Ross, 20, of Memphis, Tennessee, died Aug. 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, when enemy mortars attacked his camp. Ross was assigned to the Army's 115th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

26-Aug-04 - 1 Aid Workers from UN national staff shot and killed in Najaf.

26-Aug-04 - Corporal Barton R. Humlhanz, 23, of Hellertown, Pennsylvania, died Aug. 26 from injuries received due to enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 24, 24th MEU, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

26-Aug-04 - Journalist Enzo Baldoni, of freelance, was killed today in Najaf, Iraq.

26-Aug-04 - Private First Class Nicholas M. Skinner, 20, of Davenport, Iowa, died Aug. 26 from injuries received due to enemy action in An Najaf, Iraq. Skinner was assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

27-Aug-04 - Egyptian Contractor named Baker, Jawdee was killed today due to Hostile death at Baiji. Was a Not reported for an unknown employer.

27-Aug-04 - Lance Corporal Nickalous N. Aldrich, 21, of Austin, Texas, died Aug. 27 from a non-hostile vehicle accident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Aldrich was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

27-Aug-04 - Private First Class Luis A. Perez, 19, of Theresa, New York, died Aug. 27 in Fallujah, Iraq, when his convoy vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Perez was assigned to the Army Reserve's 223rd Transportation Company, Norristown, Pennsylvania.

27-Aug-04 - Specialist Omead H. Razani, 19, of Los Angeles, California, died Aug. 27 in Habbaniyah, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Razani was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Greaves, Korea.

28-Aug-04 - Iraqi Akrem Yosef Rahim, adult, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

28-Aug-04 - Iraqi brother of 101st Iraqi National Guard Sergeant Mohammed Ali Hussein, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

28-Aug-04 - Iraqi Iman Abdul Moneam Younis, 36, female, killed in Mosul.

28-Aug-04 - Iraqi Maitham, adult, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

28-Aug-04 - Sergeant Edgar E. Lopez, 27, of Los Angeles, California died on Aug. 28 from hostile fire in Babil Province, Iraq. Lopez was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

29-Aug-04 - Airman 1st Class Carl L. Anderson Jr. 21, of Georgetown, South Carolina, died Aug. 29 as result of enemy action near Mosul, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.

29-Aug-04 - Iraqi Ala-al-Din al-Muhammadawi, adult, male, killed in Al-Amal district, Baghdad.

## (end of Week 11 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 12: September 6, 2004

According to my Donut of Deliverance (an excel spreadsheet that everyone gets when they get here to keep track of how many weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds they have done and have left in Iraq), it is Day 90. Or 7.6 million seconds in Iraq since arriving here on June 9th! That means I am 25% done, if and only if I get to leave here on June 8, 2005. At this point, almost every Army reserve unit I know are being extended a few months to about 15 months, and individual reservists must wait for their replacement to show up. I try not to dwell on it - I just tell folks I figure I will leave by December 2005, and if I get out earlier - that's good too.

Many folks have asked about that viral infection from last week - thanks to that fire. From Monday until Thursday (August 30th through September 2nd), the last stages were just intense tiredness - I skipped going to the gym until Thursday. Per my doctor's advice, I ate well, felt like a slug, and on Thursday found that I had lost another two pounds. Weird!

Speaking of weird let me tell you the story of the Good Banana. You got to understand that the Republican Palace (oops, Embassy Annex) has the worst American dining facility in the country. We get fruit from Kuwait (we think), and almost never get bananas. So this story, told to me by one of the few women contractors (for generators and UPS systems), whom I will call Sue. Sue was sitting there at breakfast one morning, and saw the perfect looking banana sitting there where they usually throw all the fruit. Being so rare, she quickly pushed a few folks out of the way, and grabbed it, and brought it back to the table. Sue decided that it looked too good, that she would save it for a snack later in the day. She took it back to her trailer.

As she walked back to the Embassy Annex, she began to be taken by her worries. What if some insurgent or terrorist had decided to poison the bananas? At lunch, Sue mentioned her phobia to some friends, and like the kind of friends you meet around here, decided to add fuel to the fire. Like rumors of folks supposedly poisoned here. So Sue did not eat the banana on the first day. Or the second, or third. On the fourth day, the banana was showing the signs of decay. Sue called her Mom for advice. Sue asked her Mom if she should eat the banana or not. Mom, lending some good old common sense, told Sue to "throw that damn thing away, it's almost rotten now."

As she told me this story, my mind remembered a number of stories that she had told me. About the bag of grenades found behind the Chinese Restaurant. Or the hepatitis found in the Green Zone Cafe. Or the mortar or rocket attacks heard from her trailer, but not anywhere else in the International Zone. Or how this Iraqi Minister had been killed or kidnapped. I will be careful in the future listening to her. I did try to explain, rationally, that most insurgents would not waste their time poisoning one banana. Too much work for so little return.

The Commander's Situation Room is turning into a hostile environment for all New York Yankee fans. The fact that Cleveland Indians beat them 22-0 was warmly received by all, and the _Stars & Stripes_ newspaper added to the fire by giving it the back page headline. All Yankee fans were in shame - and our TV network, _Armed Forces Network_ ( _AFN_ ), managed to show the game at least three times. Everyone here is rooting for the Red Sox. By the way, I still root for the Pirates - they have had some good runs this summer.

I forgot to say that the hash run in Week 11 stopped by a sign at the first water point. The sign said "Future Home of the Baghdad Fire Department." This was in honor of the Palace fire.

Someone asked me what TV channels we get. We have about three channels of sports. _Animal Channel_. _History Channel_. A German knockoff version of _MTV_ that plays European music videos. _CNN_ , _British Broadcasting Corporation_ , and _FOX News_. Two channels of models walking down runways (very boring). Two channels of British soap operas and shows. Three channels of movies, but usually at least one channel is blocked because the movie is R rated. Two channels of _AFN_ usually showing reality TV shows. A Science channel. An Arabic news channel that remains unmentioned. And one French language channel that seems to like to have continuous advertisements of perfume and cars.

College football games were constantly on in the trailer room. Roomie, from Florida, was upset by the lack of Southeastern Conference coverage. However, we woke up on Sunday morning (5 am) to watch Notre Dame play, and watched LSU win in overtime over Oregon State. Then they showed the remainder of the BYU – Notre Dame game. Enough said. My congrats to Oklahoma and Ohio State (we saw the former play Bowling Green). Pitt plays South Florida tonight at 10 pm or so.

Thank goodness the Commander's Situation Room is getting renovated. There are not enough seats in the small conference room to attend the morning meeting, so most of us are enjoying sleeping later in the morning. And for this late owl who hates the mornings, I am feeling much better sleeping in to 8 am. I just wonder how long the renovation is going to take, they are on day five of a three day project and have not even started to paint or finish the construction portion.

About two weeks ago, my wife wanted me to obtain a bunch of Iraqi items so that she can give them to the children at school to take home. The first Iraqi woman that my friends at one of the Comptroller's offices was asked, but then decided that it was unsafe to continue to work for Americans. Another Iraqi woman said she would get some Iraqi toys, so I gave her some money to do so. She brought me two full bags of toys, all made in China or India. She said that there is no Iraqi producer of toys. The good news is that I took the bags of toys to the Chaplain, and he took them to the orphanage that they are supporting.

On Wednesday (September 1st), I finally met with the Director of the United Kingdom Department for International Development. He provided me with much information on the British humanitarian and reconstruction efforts that no one here knew much about. On Saturday (September 4th), I met with the Japanese liaisons to the United States Embassy and the military liaison officer, and they explained their multi-million efforts that they are doing. Again, no visibility of their efforts, but I did ask the Japanese to brag at the October Donor's Conference in Tokyo about their accomplishments. Next on the agenda is to meet with the Italians and Koreans.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – The analysis in July and early August revealed that the United States efforts, primarily the $18 billion appropriated by Congress, was going to fall far short of achieving its aims, as the insurgency was causing funding to be diverted to providing security. So one of the Ambassadors asked us what the rest of the countries that had pledged funding in Madrid were doing. The United Nations and the Coalition Provisional Authority had estimated that about $56 billion would be needed for Iraqi reconstruction for the next four or five years. Back in October 2003, there was a gathering of about 25 countries in Madrid, and they pledged about $33 billion. So I was asked to contact coalition military and Embassy personnel to see what they were doing. The British and Japanese were quick to cooperate and share information. In the coming weeks, I met with the Italians and Koreans to discuss their efforts.

COMMENT – Few people knew that the Japanese had about 600 personnel in Samawah for the purposes of providing humanitarian and reconstruction support. This group was not allowed to conduct any military operations and the Australians provided security. At Camp Victory, there was a Lieutenant Colonel from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces there at the Corps as a liaison officer, and on Saturday, he convoyed down to the Green Zone to meet with me to discuss all his country's efforts. We walked up to the guardhouse for the Embassy Annex (Republican Palace), and despite him having a Force/Corps identification card, the Embassy guards would let him in, even escorted by me. This was very embarrassing. The liaison officer then suggested we go over to the Japanese Embassy and have our meeting. We drove over to their building in the Green Zone, and the inside of the Iraqi villa almost like being in Tokyo, complete with very high-end electronics, computers, and a very nice kitchen. We spent several hours there, had a great lunch, and exchanged much information.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 12: September 6, 2004

Much of efforts to better coordinate reconstruction efforts are now coming about. But there is still too much not known, and some agencies brag about starting a project, when all they do is start to assess a construction project and get the bidding started. Oh well.

Last week's work on our Force Commanding General's balanced scorecard were greeted with much success on Saturday (September 4th). Of course they don't call it that in the military, but that is what it is.

On Sunday (September 5th), I received the money order for $1,000, and got the cash to the Marines. Stay tuned over the next couple weeks. Their Commander has identified some entertainment needs they need for the Marines at the temporary Embassy, plus some updating of equipment here at the Embassy Annex. They are identifying all the Marines by name and picture that live in American Electric Power Company service territory. I will keep you posted.

Roomie's house appears to have survived the third hurricane in Florida without too much damage. The Marines appeared to be acting like the Army and threatened to hold him for two weeks because of lack of transportation - but it appears that he will get to leave this week and maybe be home by next Monday.

The folks at the laundry pulled a fast one on almost everyone yesterday (Sunday). The Embassy was off on Sunday due to it being Labor Day, plus they were off on Friday and Saturday, their normal weekend. The pool was rocking last night up until midnight, and the look this morning showed that a few Embassy folks had slept outside on the recliners last night. But back to the laundry!

They are open seven days a week, run by Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors, which runs almost all life support here in Iraq. Many of the workers smoke, so a few of them were outside smoking sitting there on the bench. A few Colonels approached carrying their laundry. As a joke, they told them that the laundry was closed due to Labor Day. Being typical military, they cussed under their breath, and turned around to go back to work or their trailer. This was 10 am. By lunch time, the rumors that the laundry had closed down ran through the Republican Palace dining facility. Since I tend to not believe the rumors around here, I stopped by to pick up my laundry, and found out I was the first person to come by since 10 am. The laundry staff was laughing on the floor - pulling off a good joke on almost everyone. Now I know I don't repeat jokes well, and I am sure it will sound strange to folks back in the States, but we are working with limited material in a war zone.

I only counted about six mortar/rockets coming in this week. And several duds!!

I received from 45th Infantry Brigade (an Oklahoma Army National Guard unit in Afghanistan) five sets of patches, and promptly got several of them sewed on. No one could tell me what patch we are suppose to wear, so since I spent six years with them (longer than any other unit), I decided. The Iraqi who sews them on thought it was a cool patch - the Thunderbird. I heard he makes patches too, so I bet tomorrow, he will have a dozen more patches made.

A kinda slow week for me in Iraq, but I am not going to complain (or tell anyone).

Hope everyone is safe,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 12 Memorials)

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Adhikari, Prakash was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Khadka, Ramesh was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Koiri, Lalan Singh was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Limbu, Mangal Bahadur was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Magar, Jit Bahadur Thapa was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Shrestha, Gyanendra was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Shrestha, Rajendra Kumar was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Sudi, Bodhan Kumar Sah was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Thakur, Manoj Kumar was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Thakur, Sanjay Kumar was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Thapa, Bhekh Bahadur was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Nepali Contractor named Thapa, Bishnu Hari was killed today due to Execution at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Cook/cleaner for employer Morning Star Co (Jordanian services firm).

30-Aug-04 - Staff Sergeant Aaron N. Holleyman, 26, of Glasgow, Montana, died Aug 30 in Khutayiah, Iraq, when his military vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Holleyman was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, from Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

30-Aug-04 - Turkish Contractor named al-Gilami, Majid Mehmet was killed today due to Execution, gunshot at Samarra (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

30-Aug-04 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Execution, gunshot at Samarra (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

30-Aug-04 - Turkish Contractor named Sadr, Yahya was killed today due to Execution, gunshot at Samarra (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

31-Aug-04 - Iraqi Hala Abdul-Massih Ishaq Betros, 20-29, female, killed in Kokajli district, main road between Mosul and Bartella.

31-Aug-04 - Iraqi Ibrahim Ismail, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

31-Aug-04 - Iraqi Sayed Bashir al-Jazaeri, adult, male, killed in road between Najaf and Baghdad, near Latifiya.

31-Aug-04 - Iraqi Taghrid Abdul-Massih Ishaq Betros, 20-29, female, killed in Kokajli district, main road between Mosul and Bartella.

31-Aug-04 - Iraqi Tara Majeed Betros Al-Hadaya, 19, female, killed in Kokajli district, main road between Mosul and Bartella.

31-Aug-04 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 75 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 31 Coalition Contractors, 5 Aid Workers, 2 Journalists, 35 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 681 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 1623 Insurgents.

1-Sep-04 - Iraqi Abdul-Latif Gubaiel, adult, male, killed in Baysaria, Hit.

1-Sep-04 - Iraqi Amar Maamlaji, adult, female, killed in Baghdad.

1-Sep-04 - Iraqi Gewargis Youaresh Nisan, adult, male, killed in Arkhita marketplace, Al-Karada, Baghdad.

1-Sep-04 - Iraqi Khalid Salem, adult, male, killed in Baysaria, Hit.

1-Sep-04 - Specialist Joseph C. Thibodeaux, 24, of Lafayette, Louisiana, died Sept. 1 in Hawija, Iraq, when his patrol came under enemy attack. Thibodeaux was assigned to the Army's Headquarters and Headquarters Company 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

2-Sep-04 - Iraqi Hani Boulos Toma Sliwa, 32-33, male, killed in Al Salah neighborhood, Mosul.

2-Sep-04 - Iraqi Ismail Taher Mohsin, 50, male, killed in Ghazaliya, Baghdad.

2-Sep-04 - Iraqi Khaled Boulos Toma Sliwa, 28-31, male, killed in Al Salah neighborhood, Mosul.

3-Sep-04 - First Lieutenant Ronald Winchester, 25, of Rockville Center, New York, died Sept 3 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Winchester was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, at Twentynine Palms, California.

3-Sep-04 - Lance Corporal Nicholas Wilt, 23, of Tampa, Fla, died Sept 3 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Wilt was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, at Twentynine Palms, California.

3-Sep-04 - Two Marines, Lance Corporal Nicholas Perez, 19, of Austin, Texas and Captain Alan Rowe, 35, of Hagerman, Idaho died Sept 3 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Perez was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, at Twentynine Palms, California. Rowe was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, from Twentynine Palms, California.

4-Sep-04 - American Contractor named Mallery, John N. was killed today due to Vehicle attack at Taji (N. of Baghdad). Was a Project manager for employer MayDay Supply (dining facility supply house).

4-Sep-04 - Egyptian Contractor named Salama Juma (?) Nasser was killed today due to Execution, gunshot at Baiji (near). Was a Not reported for an unknown employer.

4-Sep-04 - Iraqi AbdelKarim al-Sadoun, adult, male, killed in Baquabah.

4-Sep-04 - Iraqi Mohammed Toki Hussein al-Talakani, 40, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah.

4-Sep-04 - Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric L. Knott, 21, of Grand Island, Nebraska, was killed Sept. 4 when the area in which he was working was struck by enemy fire. Knott died of shrapnel wounds.

5-Sep-04 - Private First Class Ryan M. McCauley, 20, of Lewisville, Texas, died Sept. 5 in Baghdad when his patrol came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. McCauley was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

5-Sep-04 - Sergeant Shawna M. Morrison, 26, of Champaign, Illinois died Sept. 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, during a mortar attack. Morrison was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1544th Transportation Company, Paris, Illinois.

5-Sep-04 - Specialist Charles R. Lamb, 23, of Casey, Illinois died Sept. 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, during a mortar attack. Lamb was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1544th Transportation Company, Paris, Illinois.

5-Sep-04 - Staff Sergeant Gary A. Vaillant, 41, of Trujillo, Puerto Rico, died Sept. 5 in Khalidiya, Iraq, when his tank ran over an improvised explosive device. Vaillant was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor, at Camp Casey, Korea.

6-Sep-04 - Captain John J. Boria, 29, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, died Sept. 6 from injuries he received in an all-terrain vehicle accident in Doha, Qatar. Boria was assigned to the 911th Air Refueling Squadron, from Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota.

6-Sep-04 - Iraqi Taha Hashim Khuther, adult, male, killed in Sector D-19, Kirkuk.

6-Sep-04 - Private First Class Devin J. Grella, 21, of Medina, Ohio, died September 6 in Iraq, after an improvised explosive device exploded near his convoy vehicle. Grella was assigned to the Army Reserve's 706th Transportation Company from Mansfield, Ohio.

6-Sep-04 - Seven Marines, Lance Corporal Michael J. Allred, 22, of Hyde Park, Utah. Private First Class David P. Burridge, 19, of Lafayette, Louisiana, Lance Corporal Derek L. Gardner, 20, of San Juan Capistrano, California, Lance Corporal Quinn A. Keith, 21, of Page, Arizona, Lance Corporal Joseph C. McCarthy, 21, of Concho, California, Corporal Mick R. Nygardbekowsky, 21, of Concord, California, and Lance Corporal Lamont N. Wilson, 20, of Lawton, Oklahoma died Sept. 6 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lance Corporal Gardner was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California. The other Marines were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

6-Sep-04 - Specialist Brandon M. Read, 21, of Greeneville, Tennessee, died Sept. 6 in Qayyarah West, Iraq, when his convoy came under attack by enemy forces using an improvised explosive device. Read was assigned to the 125th Transportation Company from Lexington, Kentucky.

6-Sep-04 - Specialist Tomas Garces, 19, of Weslaco, Texas, died September 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his convoy was attacked by enemy forces using an improvised explosive device. Garces was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1836th Transportation Company from Fort Bliss, Texas.

6-Sep-04 - Staff Sergeant Elvis Bourdon, 36, of Youngstown, Ohio, died Sept. 6 in Baghdad when his military vehicle came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire and grenades. Bourdon was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

## (end of Week 12 Memorials)

COMMENT – That week I got an email from my boss (the Corps C-8) with an attachment. It was a memorandum stating that I had earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, having been mobilized in Iraq for more than thirty days.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 13: September 13, 2004

First off, I understand that a number of folks at American Electric Power Company did not get my Week 12. I have sent it four times to Heather and Roger. If you have an American Electric Power Company address and did not get it, please let me know. If you have an American Electric Power Company address and got this one, please let me know. Maybe with this information, I can figure out why some folks are and others are not getting these musings.

Well it is now Day 97 here in Iraq, and we must now be in the fly season. Nothing fancy about these bugs, just a common everyday housefly. They do seem to like Head and Shoulders shampoo, and they certainly like the Palace mess hall food more than we do. With the installation of the new doors to the Embassy Annex (Republican Palace), they don't seem to be able to get out once they get inside. They are just another annoying problem.

In the do not believe everything you read in the media category, I bring you a month of articles in the press that Iraqi oil exports are at a standstill. There were numerous reports of bombings and fires, and everyone of my friends in the National Civil Military Operations Center would check them out, and find that the video or picture was months old. The good news is that the insurgents must get their intelligence from the press, so they took a few days off. Our public affairs folks argued with the media that there was no export problem, pointing out that oil prices were actually down. But the press reports continue about problems, as we watch the oil tankers leave the harbors.

The five day renovation project of the Commander's Situation Room continues, now in its tenth day. Our CHOPS (Chief, Operations – a United States Air Force F15E bombardier who is really happy sitting at a desk rather than flying) says that it may take three more days before they get it done, maybe not. Only a select few have to come to the morning meeting with the Force Commanding General, so most of us are taking advantage by sleeping in an hour later. I am temporarily in another comptroller's office (CPA C-8) – it is a chilly 65 degrees inside and most everyone is thinking of pulling out their turtlenecks and gloves. The Embassy Resource Management and Inspector General offices control the thermostat, and they say that their rooms are about 80 degrees warm. As I am borrowing some a computer and desk, I am not in a position to complain, I just am not in their office much.

On Tuesday (September 6th), I got my first helicopter ride in Iraq, flying down to Al Hillah, about 60 miles to the south. We flew for about thirty minutes to the Regional Embassy offices, and attended a regional meeting discussing humanitarian and reconstruction projects in a five province area. The flight down there was nice at 8 am, but flying back in the middle of the afternoon the temperature in the aircraft was probably 130 degrees, as they kept the doors closed. Lessons learned, while I sat backwards like I do when I fly Southwest Airlines and how I grew up flying Air Force planes, on a Blackhawk, you get a nice blast of hot air on your neck, gently caressing your body. Not!!! I did have to change my uniform when I got back, as I looked like I had just taken a shower in it.

What did I learn from the trip? Well, Iraq has a lot of agriculture only a few miles south of Baghdad. Saw plenty of cattle and sheep. Many cultivated fields. Lots of irrigation! It looked like two phase voltage lines like those of an electric co-operative. Most houses had satellite dishes, so they must have electricity sometime in the evening. Kids working in the field like to wave at helicopters!! Lots of farm roads. A few double lane highways. Vehicles going to and fro!! Almost like flying from Dallas to Abilene, Texas.

We flew about 50-100 feet off the ground, going up to go over transmission lines (a good idea). A few places where the pilot (in the right seat) decided to bank sharply for some good reason, and demonstrated his/her skills as a stunt pilot. No one shot at us, which was very very good.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – The bulk of the coalition military at the meeting were from the Multi-National Division –Central South, which is headed by a Polish division with brigades from Poland and the Ukraine, and battalions from Honduras and El Salvador. The American Embassy has a small group of civilians and military in the former regional office of the Coalition Provisional Authority. It is a rather peaceful area, though from time to time, the Corps commanding general has assigned an Army or Marine brigade-sized unit for operations against insurgents. A few folks from the District Office of the Corps of Engineers also attended. There were about ten of us from Baghdad. Most of the meeting's discussions were in English, though the staffs tend to talk mostly in Russian and Spanish. In talking with the division C-8 and C-9, there is some humanitarian and reconstruction work being funded directly from Poland and Ukraine.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 13: September 13, 2004

On Wednesday (September 7th), I sat in a joint Embassy – Military meeting that reviews project proposals. I had helped two project managers develop their proposals, but only one of them showed up for the meeting. He is an Army officer, and they were proposing to do a $9 million project in several phases. Since I knew we had less than $2 million left to spend, the CHOPS had told me to only ask for money ($750,000) for the first phase. So I made the pitch for this one project to the Ambassador, but the project manager wanted to hit a home run. So when the Ambassador wanted to know what our Force commanding general wanted, I asked for the first phase money, and the board approved it. The project manager was miffed, and I explained that we used the Air Force approach, asking for project money by stages, rather than the Army way, which tends to ask for everything at once. That is the secret why Air Force bases are usually much nicer than Army posts.

As I said before, no good turn goes unpunished around here. First, I let the CHOPS and his boss know we got the first phase money for the Information Management (IM) project. Then I got to spend the next 36 hours having the IM folks complain and complain because they did not get the $9 million. Mature men running around saying the sky is falling. But the Force commanding general was really happy, so the IM folks just stewed. The no show project manager for the renovation of the National Police Operation Center got his money, then asked me to develop his project timelines for his boss. I had already spent much time mentoring him in getting the project proposal off the ground, so my patience was running thin. Must have got me confused me with the project manager. It took him a day or so, but finally put together a decent timeframe. Quietly, I am running interference from the bureaucracy around here, as we would like to get this done by the end of the month.

Thursday night (September 9th), thoroughly embarrassed myself, which is not that hard to do here. A Colonel who is our senior liaison officer to the National Police Operation Center stopped by at the Palace dining facility, while trying to figure out whether to get the cold french fries or the potato chips, to thank me for getting his project the money. I finally asked him where we had met before, and he laughed that he was wondering that himself. I found out he is West Point Class of 1981, which were plebes when I was a senior. What company? He was in D-1 Ducks. My company, one of 31 plebes!!! Now I remembered him, and he me. A long time ago, but one should remember company mates, even if they lose all their hair.

Friday night, I ran into some Miami and Florida State fans. They planned to watch the game beginning at 4 am. I got up around 4:30 am, and went to the pool. There were 40 folks around the big screen TV. About ten folks from the Resource Management (aka Comptroller) offices!! Good game, but Florida State blew their lead.

We are in the midst of headquarters reorganization here. About 250 more folks from Camp Victory near the airport are moving over here soon to the Green Zone. Hopefully, the trailers and new offices will be ready. I cannot wait to hear their comments about the food here, as Camp Victory is so much better. The good news is that I will continue to work in Resource Management, with my bosses in Camp Victory. The four Major Generals all wanted me to work for their organizations – but I made the case that I worked for them all anyway, so why ruin a good thing. Still not a total done deal, but it does seem to be holding. Then my one boss at Camp Victory (Joel, the Force C-8) tells me over the weekend he has decided to send a Major over here to help me out. Life is good.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - One person I have not mentioned in a while is Joel, a Lieutenant Colonel who arrived in July and was running the Force C-8 office. In late August or early September, a Finance Corps Colonel arrived to be the Force C-8, making Joel the Force Deputy C-8. The new Colonel spent a week or two getting acquainted, made a quick trip to the Green Zone for a couple hours to talk to the other Force C-section heads, most of which are Major Generals. The resource management (C-8) area suffers a little from having few General Officers in comptroller positions Army-wide (with many being civilians), so there probably was no general available to come to Iraq. However, C-8 functions are so needed here by most folks. The Force C-8 office was running just fine with a Lieutenant Colonel like Joel. I heard that most of the senior leadership here in the Green Zone were quite happy with my work, so nothing changed much with him being in charge, regarding me, at least initially.

COMMENT - The Colonel was tasked by the Force Chief of Staff (who is the general officer who manages the staff section heads for the Force commanding general) to be part of a review of where the Force headquarters would be located. The choices were to put this headquarters entirely in the Green Zone, entirely together at Camp Victory, split between the locations, or choose some new location. Lots of pro's and con's of all the first three locations. I guess they could have found another location in the Baghdad area too, but that choice never got any legs. Since the Force was supposed to be strategic, with the Corp headquarters being operational and tactical running the war from Camp Victory, the idea location was the Green Zone, near or at the Embassy Annex (with lots of Force sections already here), close coordination with coalition embassies, Iraqi government, etc. But the American Embassy was bringing in hundreds of folks, eventually building up to close to a thousand (heard that might make it the largest American Embassy); and with other commands here, especially Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, the Corps of Engineers division, the Iraqi Reconstruction Management Office; there really was no real room to expand and there was a general lack of support facilities (trailers, dining facilities, laundry, etc.); plus the Green Zone was technically owned by the Iraqi government.

COMMENT - The decision was made around this time to go with the split headquarters. Some of the Force C-sections choose to split theirs groups into the two locations, while others were almost all located in one or the other. Our new Force C-8 chose to stay co-located with Corps C-8 in Building 2 at Camp Victory, and Joel talked him into sending a new Army Major to the Green Zone so that we could better split workload here. It was a good solution for me. Except they forgot to factor in my one true boss, the Corps C-8, who saw me as an exclusive Corps asset, who through being away from his line of sight, had gotten involved in too much Force business because I was the only C-8 person (the other Comptroller/Resource Management types in the Green Zone were focused on their individual command's responsibilities, and never thought much outside the box). So hearing that that the powers that be finally were going to restore the C-8 presence in the Green Zone to two people like it was before June 2004, I was very happy at the time. But it would lead to a major change for me in a month.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 13: September 13, 2004

Be careful what you tell generals. Our Force commanding general asked a bunch of us when we last had a day off. I told him after being here four weeks; I scheduled a day off ten days later. Unfortunately, I spent my day off preparing a briefing (military for presentation) for the Ambassador asking for more humanitarian aid money. So I was reluctant to schedule another day off, as we worked from 7 am until 4 am on those slides. Our Force commanding general heard similar stories, with most of us having been here 3 to 9 months and no day off. We found out that he was taking a day off once a week (we had noticed he sometimes was not there, figuring he had taken the red eye to Washington to see the President or Secretary of Defense). So a few days later, our CHOPS announced that effective 1 October, everyone will get one day off each week. Promises, promises!! But with another person here, I can make that happen.

Each Friday morning, the Chaplain, Command Sergeant Major, and I go to the hospital to see the wounded. This Friday, the new CHOPS came with us. The good news is that there were only five Americans there. We bring international cell phones with us so that they can call home. Many of them don't want to wake someone up in the middle of the night, but I usually persuade at least one of them to call someone. You can tell that hearing someone from home really brings their morale up. And I don't think their family minded a call at 2 am from Baghdad.

This week, there was a Philippine contract worker who had been run over by a truck. He was in good shape, no broken bones. He spoke Spanish and little English, but I figured out what the country code was for the Philippines, and he called his Mom. He had a big smile on his face for the 30 minutes he talked on the phone.

The hospital now receives all wounded coalition Soldiers from the entire country. It also gets wounded insurgents, and any Iraqi citizens wounded in car bombs, mortars, rockets, or small arms fire, near our troops. The military police guard the detainees, who we don't visit. We do visit the Iraqi children, and give them candy and toys from the Chaplain's office. One sad story, a group of insurgents ran into a house fleeing from some American and Iraqi military. The family escaped out the back, and ran into a patrol (at night). The father and son were killed, and mother and two daughters wounded.

The hospital Chaplain is an Army Captain, and a Moslem. He speaks Arabic, so he is often used by the hospital staff's emergency room to help them communicate with Iraqis. He keeps a small notebook of his experiences, especially the Iraqis that don't survive the night. He is always upbeat, but you can tell after ten months this is wearing him down. We are trying to do something nice for him, take him out to eat, but he put a cot in his office, and this is what he wants to do.

On the Wednesday meeting, I heard the sad story about sandbag contractors. To protect ourselves, we have sandbags (or concrete barriers) sitting against our trailers and buildings, to protect from mortar and rocket fragments. I think I mentioned that some brainiac decided to use biodegradable sandbags that usually last 90 days here. So everyday, except Fridays, about 300 Iraqis work all day filling sandbags. The logistics manager reported that he had two contractors. One firm was American, and provided its own escorts to watch the Iraqis work. But this firm was having a hard time filling its daily quota of 50,000 sandbags. The other firm was an Iraqi company. These are the folks that we send four folks out each Monday and Thursday to watch them fill sandbags, as the Iraqi company cannot provide its own escorts for security reasons. Using the same number of workers, the Iraqi firm is filling 130,000 bags a day. I thought about asking this later, but I bet that the American firm is being paid ten times what the Iraqi firm is being paid. The logistics Colonel (full bird) wants to double the Iraqi firm's workers but hire the American firm to do just escort duty. I just shook my head.

While many of the older trailers like mine have protection on the sides, the newer trailers don't, so that is the reason to get the sandbags done faster. Plus my sandbags in my trailer park are busting open and need replacement. Hopefully, they will get this done before the rainy season comes (November ?). Otherwise, the wall of sandbags will disappear and become mud. Life in Baghdad! By the way, in Al Hillah, they actually use canvas sandbags.

I looked forward to this weekend, hoping to watch college and pro football. Alas, they only get _Fox_ , _ESPN_ , and _ABC_ college games. I figured out a way to listen to a Louisville station to hear the Army football game, and went to the trailer after midnight in the hopes of seeing Notre Dame play. Nope, just some team playing Marshall University. Because they gave updates to Notre Dame – Michigan, I stayed up past 3 am watching the Thundering Herd almost upset the Buckeyes. What a kick!!! I went to sleep, knowing it was a very good weekend, as North Dakota, Air Force, and Navy had won. I set the alarm for 9 am, since I did not have to attend the morning meeting.

The acoustics in my trailer allow me to hear mortars and rockets being launched across the Tigris River. Usually I hear three launches in a row, and grab for the helmet and flack vest. And wait 3-5 seconds for a mortar, about 15 seconds for a rocket. So Sunday morning, with only three hours sleep, and heard some launches. After hearing the launches, I grabbed the flack vest and helmet, threw it on top of me on the bed, and put helmet over nose. Boom, far away. Next boom shook the trailer, too close. Boom further away. Started to breath again! Usually only three shots and they have to jump into their pickup or face an Apache helicopter. Guess who usually wins.

Then over the next ten minutes, heard about a dozen launches and probably 3 car bombs go off. Nothing close to shake the trailer, but heard no Apaches at all. Now they suggest we stay in the trailer rather than run to the shelter, but after 20 minutes of this crap, my gut told me to move to the shelter. I can make it from my door in about seven seconds, but of course, had to stop at the bathroom first.

Sat in the shelter, and was amazed. Folks walking to work in the morning! Some talking on their cell phones!! Most without helmets and vests!!! I was amazed, as more rounds or explosions were heard. One public affairs officer was running between the shelters trying to get to the Republican Palace. He stayed and talked about 15 minutes at my shelter, while we rode out more indirect fire. Finally, the Giant Voice gave the all clear, and I went back to the trailer. About five minutes later, more in-coming fire.

Finally, heard lots of Apache helicopters, and that seemed to stop everything. It was now almost 8:30 am, so I said screw it, I'm tired, and going to go back to sleep for an hour. Phone rang at 9:30; boss wants to talk to you. This was strange, during the commanders' brief and usually he is not free - turned out they had it earlier. Our dummies told us the wrong time \- I did not care as due to the renovation, I am excused from coming as there is no room. They also had lots of indirect fires last night at Camp Victory where my boss lives. It was not an emergency, just our normal morning call. That led to the other activities, and meanwhile I am getting by on three hours sleep for most of the day. I almost fell asleep during Mass.

The Embassy says no one was hurt this Sunday morning, but there are rumors of two Iraqi policeman killed in a speeding car bomb that they fired on persist. They did knock out three electrical generators and burned a Humvee when a round hit a diesel tank and exploded. The Humvee had just had its engine overhauled. The sandbags next to a sleeping tent held up and absorbed fragments, one person reported hurt her ankle. She was standing outside the tent smoking.

Morale is dropping this week. We have had no mail since September 2nd. Reports indicate that four connex containers are somewhere in Iraq with our mail. But another mortar attack caused a contractor to lose all their workers.

Well that was Week 13 in Iraq. I hope everyone is well and safe.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 13 Memorials)

7-Sep-04 - First Lieutenant Timothy E. Price, 25, of Midlothian, Virginia, died September 7 when he came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Price was assigned to the Army's 127th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, V Corps, at Hanau, Germany.

7-Sep-04 - Iraqi Abbas al-Husseiny, adult, male, killed in Al-Thahab district, Baghdad.

7-Sep-04 - Iraqi Leith Dureid Kashmula, 19, male, killed in western Mosul.

7-Sep-04 - Iraqi Maad Shooker Adbe, male, killed in Khadamiyah, Baghdad.

7-Sep-04 - Specialist Chad H. Drake, 23, of Garland, Texas, died Sept. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his patrol vehicle came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Drake was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

7-Sep-04 - Specialist Clarence Adams III, 28, of Richmond, Virginia, died Sept. 7 of injuries sustained on Sept. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Adams was assigned to the 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

7-Sep-04 - Specialist Yoe M. Aneiros, 20, of Newark, New Jersey, died Sept. 7 in Sadr City when his patrol vehicle came under attack by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades. Aneiros was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, from Fort Riley, Kansas.

8-Sep-04 - Iraqi Bassem Mohammed, adult, male, killed in body found in Ramadi.

8-Sep-04 - Iraqi Colonel Assmail Ayyad, adult, male, killed in Al-Adel district, west Baghdad.

8-Sep-04 - Iraqi Jasim Mohamed Zoabe, adult, male, killed in near Ad Duluiyah.

8-Sep-04 - Iraqi Luay Mnu Lnu, adult, male, killed in near Ad Duluiyah.

8-Sep-04 - Private First Class Jason L. Sparks, 19, of Monroeville, Ohio, died Sept. 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, when his platoon was engaged in direct fire. Sparks was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, at Camp Casey, Korea.

8-Sep-04 - Sergeant James D. Faulkner, 23, of Clarksville, Indiana, died Sept. 8 in Baghdad when his military vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Faulkner was assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

8-Sep-04 - Specialist Lauro G. DeLeon Jr. 20, of Floresville, Texas, died Sept. 8 in Balad, Iraq, when improvised explosive devices detonated near his convoy. DeLeon was assigned to the Army Reserve's 644th Transportation Company, Beaumont, Texas.

8-Sep-04 - Specialist Michael A. Martinez, 29, of Juan Diaz, Puerto Rico, died Sept. 8 in Baqubah, Iraq, when his military vehicle rolled over. Martinez was assigned to the1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery from Bamberg, Germany.

9-Sep-04 - Iraqi Cousin of Bashir Aboosh, adult, male, killed in Tal Afar.

9-Sep-04 - Iraqi Khalid Anwar Ibrahim Mustafa Khoshnaw, adult, male, killed in Al-Karamu neighborhood, Mosul.

10-Sep-04 - American Contractor named Bowers, William Earl was killed today due to Vehicle attack at Baghdad (near). Was a Vice president/engineer for employer SEI Group. He was a member of the USMA Class of 1979.

10-Sep-04 - Specialist Edgar P. Daclan Jr. 24, of Cypress, California, died Sept. 10 in Balad, Iraq, when his patrol was responding to indirect fire and an improvised explosive device exploded. Daclan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, from Schweinfurt, Germany.

10-Sep-04 - British Army Fusilier Stephen Jones, 22, of Denbeigh, Denbighshire, was killed by non-hostile accident road traffic, suffered head injuries in accidental Mayson, al-Amarah Iraq. Was assigned to the A Company, 1st Battalion, of the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

11-Sep-04 - Iraqi Driver of General Nashi Jawad Hassan, adult, male, killed in Zahra, Khalis.

11-Sep-04 - Iraqi Son of General Nashi Jawad Hassan, male, killed in Zahra, Khalis.

11-Sep-04 - Petty Officer 3rd Class David A. Cedergren, 25, of South St. Paul, Minnesota, died Sept. 11 near Iskandariya, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident. Cedergren was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic.

12-Sep-04 - First Lieutenant Alexander E. Wetherbee, 27, of Fairfax, Virginia, died Sept. 12 from injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Wetherbee was assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

12-Sep-04 - Iraqi Alaa Adeen Bashir, adult, male, killed in Ameriyah/Yarmouk, west Baghdad.

12-Sep-04 - Iraqi Maher Mohammed Abbass, adult, male, killed in Ameriyah/Yarmouk, west Baghdad.

12-Sep-04 - Iraqi Mazin al-Tumaidi, 26-28, male, killed in Haifa Street, Baghdad.

12-Sep-04 - Journalist Mazen al-Tumeizi, of Al-Arabiya, was killed today in Baghdad, Iraq.

12-Sep-04 - Private First Class Jason T. Poindexter, 20, of San Angelo, Texas, died Sept. 12 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Poindexter was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

12-Sep-04 - Polish Army First Lieutenant Daniel Różyński, 24, of Gdansk, Poland, killed by hostile fire in Al Hillah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 16th Air Assault Battalion, 6th Air Assault Brigade from Krakow, Poland.

12-Sep-04 - Polish Army First Lieutenant Piotr Mazurek, 25, of Niemstów near Cieszanów, Poland, killed by hostile fire in Al Hillah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 15th Engineers Battalion from Orzysz, Poland.

12-Sep-04 - Polish Army Corporal Grzegorz Nosek, 28, of Bukowno near Olkusz, Poland, killed by hostile fire in Al Hillah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 16th Air Assault Battalion, 6th Air Assault Brigade from Krakow, Poland.

13-Sep-04 - Corporal Adrian V. Soltau, 21, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, died Sept. 13 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

13-Sep-04 - Corporal Jaygee Meluat, 24, of Tamuning, Guam, died Sept. 13 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

13-Sep-04 - Lance Corporal Cesar F. Machado-Olmos, 20, of Spanish Fork, Utah, died Sept. 13 due a non-combat related vehicle accident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

13-Sep-04 - Lance Corporal Dominic C. Brown, 19, of Austin, Texas, died Sept. 13 due a non-combat related incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

13-Sep-04 - Lance Corporal Mathew D. Puckett, 19, of Mason, Texas, died Sept. 13 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Puckett was assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

13-Sep-04 - Lance Corporal Michael J. Halal, 22, of Glendale, Arizona, died Sept. 13 due a non-combat related vehicle accident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

13-Sep-04 - Sergeant Carl Thomas, 29, of Phoenix, Arizona, died Sept. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his observation post. Thomas was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

13-Sep-04 - Staff Sergeant Guy S. Hagy Jr. 31, of Lodi, California, died Sept.13 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his observation post. Hagy was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

13-Sep-04 - Two Soldiers died Sept.13 in Taji, Iraq, when their military vehicle came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire and an improvised explosive device. Both were assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry, from Corvallis, Oregon. Killed were Staff Sergeant David J. Weisenburg, 26, of Portland, Oregon and Specialist Benjamin W. Isenberg, 27, of Sheridan, Oregon.

## (end of Week 13 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 14: September 21, 2004

It is now my 105th day in Iraq. My doughnut of deliverance tells me that I am 29% done, if I get to leave on June 8, 2005. It was also the first day I slept through my alarm, but going to bed at 2:20 am probably did not help.

Rather than writing Week 14, I spent the evening chasing down a rumor that our military was receiving several hundred million dollars to execute several reconstruction projects from the group that manages these now. You could see the hopes of sugar plums dancing in engineers' eyes, but they were dashed by the hard reality that nothing had changed. I spend an hour having a little counseling session with the rumor monger, who happens to wear two-stars. I also found out that he had received a call at 1 am the night before (from the Pentagon), and his aide could not find my alert telephone number to get me. He does now, so I expect to be woken more often when someone in Washington wonders about how much money we are spending.

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COMMENT - Remember that we spent a good part of July in reviews by the American Embassy about the Iraqi Relief and Reconstruction Fund programs and projects? The three military headquarters under the Force commanding general made several presentations during the reviews for these groups to get funding for the Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP) that had a good record of quickly executing local projects that had high impacts. Of course, during all the reviews all kinds of folks pitched for funding their programs. So probably there were $50 billion of needs, and about $12 billion available (if you cancelled some of the grand projects approved under the Coalition Provisional Authority that had not turned any dirt - started construction). So the Embassy review finished, and the five Ambassadors running the American Embassy went into chambers like Supreme Court justices do, probably with intense consultation with the White House and Department of State, and maybe the British government. So we are now at almost seven weeks later, and people in the Pentagon are getting anxious, as I am sure there were back channel messages from frustrated Army and Marine combat commanding generals wanting funding (we only had the $86 million from the Iraqis, the appropriated funding had run out, until we probably would get a few hundred million from Congress at the beginning of the next fiscal year on October 1st). So tensions were beginning to strain senior leaders in the Green Zone. And that rolls downhill to staff pukes like me.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 14: September 21, 2004

Most of the week was spent on the issue of "blood money." This is the payment to the head of a family for the death or injury of a family member, and it is a method commonly used around the Middle East to avoid revenge killings. We asked our lawyers for a legal opinion on use of certain funds for repairing battle damage, but they decided to throw in that solatium (sympathy payments) were illegal in Iraqi from United States funds. This came as a great shock to everyone else, as the local finance office, upon direction of the local legal office, just pay one last week for the following situation – a patrol was chasing some insurgents, who ran into a house. The occupants ran out the back door, and directly into the patrol, killing two daughters, and wounding the mother and another daughter. Funny thing, the Chaplain and I got to meet the mother and daughter as they recovered in our Combat Support Hospital when we visited the hospital two Fridays ago.

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COMMENT - The sympathy payments had been made during the 2003-2004 period under the Coalitional Provisional Authority, with payments being made from various Iraqi-funded sources, similar to the Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP), rather than using United States government funding. Recall that a General Officer in early July mentioned that there were restrictions on appropriated (American government funded) CERP compared to the Iraqi-funded CERP - this carried over to these payments. Our legal experts were divided on this. I recall one lawyer citing that the Marines were forbidden from paying solatium payments due to some early 19th century law involving the Barbary pirates. I actually groaned on that finding. We had also begun to collect information on what projects were started and their status using the Iraqi $86 million we received in mid-August, in order to provide a report to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance at the end of the month. In the list of reconstruction projects were a few sympathy payments. So we were working to charge these to appropriated funds, since we did not ask the Iraqis to use their $86 million for this purpose. Hence the need to get the lawyers involved. This issue will occur throughout the coming months. Eventually, I would get the legal folks to finally agree on something, and I would get the fragmentary order out to the Major Subordinate Commands of how to make these payments.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 14: September 21, 2004

Meanwhile, back to the lawyers! Not to bore everyone, this led to about two dozen emails back and forth on all our email systems. The thought of "kill all the lawyers" did cross my mind. The head lawyer promised a legal opinion last Thursday by Monday, and it is Tuesday, and we continue to wait. Meanwhile, we arranged for payments to 39 individuals in Najaf on Monday. Quietly, but the Mayor had published that the United States was going to make these payments in the local paper last Thursday. Local politicians are pretty smart here.

Not to be outdone by the lawyers, a Marine Captain wrote an email to the Civil Affairs officer, saying that he had received an order from United States Central Command suspending payment for all battle damage projects in this town. That civil affairs officer then properly wrote a message to his higher headquarters asking for clarification and guidance. Meanwhile, the American Embassy guy down there wrote his boss here an email. Who called the Ambassador. Who called Washington, who called the Pentagon, who called our Force commanding general, who called my Major General, who called me. At 3:30 am. Listening to my Major General, my response was simply, "Sir, that is bull sh*t," but got out of bed, knowing it was going to be a long, long day. We called Tampa, headquarters of United States Central Command, and of course they were already home for supper. Needless to say, the Captain was confused, and by 3 pm, his Comptroller wrote me an email saying that "they are back in the battle damage payment business." I am thinking of someday calling the Captain, not to holler at him, but just to let him know how an email can fly around the world and get so many folks excited.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – This story has a peacetime parallel that occurred when I ran the only Army Finance Office in the United Kingdom, near Warrington England in the early 1980s. We had three other locations, the Army's fleet of small ships and two ammunition depots elsewhere. To allow for us to quickly travel, the Army Aviation detachment in Mannheim Germany would send an aircraft up to us for about a week once a month – we would get helicopters in warmer months and typically a C-12 in cooler days. Well a couple folks flew down to the Royal Air Force Hythe to see our little navy, and landed at the nearby British civilian airport. After unloading the passengers, the Army warrant officers taxied the plane to a nearby hanger to wait for them to return. The airport manager, his solicitor, and a bobby (British policeman) greeted our pilots, had a court order to possess the plane due to non-payment of landing fees, and the bobby put some kind of locks on the plane's wheels. The two pilots asked to use a phone, and called back home to their Mannheim headquarters. The airport manager and his solicitor then took the pilots to a long luncheon, and later to a much longer dinner, complete with drinks and deserts.

COMMENT – The commander of the aviation attachment called his Colonel, and someone in that chain of command ultimately called the American Embassy in Bonn, who then called Washington for instructions. Meanwhile, our folks came back to the airport and found the plane locked down and no pilots there. Instead of calling home to our headquarters, they called the American Embassy in London. Who then called Washington to report a military plane was captured by unknown parties. Someone at the State Department finally got around to calling the local Army base in Washington, and eventually, someone called the Pentagon. The Pentagon then called the United States Army Europe headquarters in Heidelberg, who then called our higher headquarters in Kaiserslautern, who then called my commander (a full-bird Colonel) in England. Surprisingly, nothing hit the press. As the various messages were passed, the C-12 aircraft became first a fighter jet and then a much larger cargo plane loaded with sensitive cargo. Also luckily, while we had a few terrorist attacks on American military in Europe during those years, plus peaceful protests outside of bases suspected of having nuclear weapons, no one got excited that this was an attack.

COMMENT - We were actually located on a Royal Air Force base, so my Colonel asked the Royal Air Force Commander to have the plane released. Our British Officer informed him that there was little Her Majesty's government could do since it was a civilian airport outside the jurisdiction of the Royal Air Force. The Colonel's executive officer then walked over to my finance office, brought me to the Colonel's office, who promptly told me to find out why the landing fees were not paid and to get them paid promptly to release the plane. I checked our office records, as I had never recalled paying any landing fees. It took me about three calls to figure out who to call, and I then called the United States Army Europe headquarters' comptroller's office and found that the landing fees were paid centrally by the Heidelberg Germany finance office. Calling my fellow finance office, I found that they had stopped receiving the invoices and they had not paid anything for about nine months. They gave me authority to make a payment here, so I then called the airport. It took about two calls before I got ahold of their solicitor, who was glad to fax me his invoices. I had my disbursing officer cut a check (in pounds sterling), and then the Royal Air Force was happy to fly me down to the airport to provide payment. When I got there, I found that the pilots were not in a condition to fly back that evening, so we stayed overnight at a nice hotel and flew back to our base the next day. I cannot imagine what would happen in this online world, but I bet we would have made the cable news networks.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 14: September 21, 2004

Last Friday (September 10th), a week ago, we had an interesting discussion of what the definition of "Start a Project" meant with our reconstruction management office. After receiving reports from them on their numbers, which usually did not match (remembering Mark's "never give the boss different numbers for the same thing"), I suggested that for us military here, the word start translated into hammering nails, sawing boards, digging ditches, etc. and that someone would actually visit the site and see work being done. This led to 45 minutes of arguments of why they had to include the entire program and project pre-work (assessments, project scope, bids, contracting, etc.) to their definitions of start. On the following Tuesday (September 14th), the rumor mongering Major General (see above) told everyone that start would now be reserved for starting construction. And Don (an American Electric Power vice president) thought I slept during his program management meetings.

We believe that the insurgents are now buying their mortars and rockets from the Acme Munitions Company, the same folks that supply the Coyote in his endless pursuits against the Roadrunner. Thankfully, their daily shots into the International Zone continue to land on the blessed, either causing very little damage (holes in the wall) or landing in places where they would have caused serious injuries if they were not duds. After one mortar attack around 4 pm, someone walking back to their trailer had the stomach turning experience of finding a mortar round lodged between his and his neighbor's trailer. We continue to be very lucky in these attacks, only a handful have been injured in the time I have been here.

A lesson in military miscommunications! Our installation commander, a Marine Colonel, issued an email on Friday (September 17th) telling his troops to wear helmet and flack vest anytime they are outside. Since I am sitting in his comptroller's office, I hear about it that night. Sounds like a good idea, given the frequent indirect fire attacks. So I follow the Marine's advice while outside. As I pass other military with no helmets or vests on. But my headquarters, no word about an increased threat level. No word on Saturday. On Sunday, I came back from the Finance House to our daily department meeting, and show up still wearing my vest and carrying my helmet. Did you just get back from Camp Victory (the airport) some folks asked? Nope, just came from outside. So I asked the stupid question, how come the installation issued an order to wear these, but our headquarters did not? Ten minutes of he said, he said, fussing about who should make these decisions, what do we really want to wear outside and when to do it, how to pass information around, etc. Finally our Force Chief of Staff had enough of this cluster talk, and said if the installation commander says we are going to wear stripe pajamas on Thursday, then we all in PJs. The Chief put everyone in a higher alert immediately. Leading by example he did.

Speaking of clothing, our hash run will be the 69th running of hash house harriers in Baghdad (on September 24th). We are going to run in traditional Iraqi clothing this Friday. At the down down on September 17th, they told every guy to wear the man-dresses worn by some Iraqis. A couple of folks standing nearby were new to Iraq and confused, so I suggested that they go buy the nice red long dresses that they have on sale next to the to the Green Zone Post Exchange. Friday should be interesting.

Water in the trailers came and went this week. Some mornings, water. Some without!! Thank goodness for Wet Ones. Heard this story tonight!! A particularly irate Captain visited the Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors' customer service center to complain about having no hot water last Monday morning. The person at the desk asked him if he had seen the signs indicating that water was out in the neighboring trailer park. Oh yea, saw that, but why do I not have hot water. The help desk explained that many of the hot water systems are now failing, and that they are working at fixing them or replacing them. He should be thankful he had water (its still around 80 in the morning) versus the folks without any water at all. The help desk clerk than said that he better bring a cup of coffee the next time he visits and not be so stressed out, or maybe his water would be out the next time. So he shows up Tuesday morning, coffee in hand, no water in his trailer, begging them to fix the problem. Hashers do plan to look for leaks on their Friday evening run.

My bosses at Camp Victory decided that having just one person here at the Embassy Annex (Republican Palace) is not enough. So I received a Army Major, a fellow from Idaho who recently finished his MBA at Syracuse. He just moved his family down to Tampa before flying off to Iraq for at least a year. After the first day dealing with lawyers and battle damage payments, I thought he was going to take the armored bus back to Camp Victory. He still has that "deer in the headlights" look that most people have around here for 2-3 weeks. But I am glad to see him – we are beginning to talk about splitting up projects and work functions, and each of us having a day off each week. Of course the last day off I scheduled ending up lasting to 4 am as we prepared a major presentation.

This afternoon, we went to visit a Comptroller's office for our three-stars headquarters at Phoenix Base. I took this opportunity to show the Major the International Zone, driving around seeing the two crossed swords, the Iraqi Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, Assassin's Gate, Steel Dragon's staging area, the Villa, Medical Brigade's pools, Sam's Blockbuster video store, the soccer field, the Combat Hospital, the Finance House, the Canadian Embassy, the Japanese Embassy, where the Iraqi government officials work, all the sights and sounds of the Green Zone, including the two Chinese restaurants and the Green Zone Café.

The hash run last Friday was fun (on September 17th). The usual false trails at the beginning. Running into the soccer field and up the 18 flights of stairs for the prayer tower. And back down, and hitting the ground still leaning right for the first 50 yards. Over the 20 foot wall separating that base from the local housing. And waiting for the group to climb over the way, not knowing that the guard started to holler at them and they had to go to the long way around. Ending the long five mile run at the Medical Brigade's pools, diving off the high dive and retrieving key chains marking our 68th Hash. Everyone agreed that the marathon hares had laid a terribly long but fun trail.

The Civil Affairs group is mostly down this week – they are from Pensacola Florida – and many of them have damages to their homes. And we are trying to cheer them up. The good news is that they have less than 30 days left in Iraq.

Because they are short, it is hard to get them to stay focused. We got some end of fiscal year money to fund medical and educational equipment for Iraqis, but it is hard to keep them focused more than a day. I keep pushing them each day, as the days tick down to the end of September. As one Sergeant said, "I am thinking about buying a house and new car, and enrolling in college when I get back. I am thousands of miles away from Baghdad right now."

The theater showed Groundhog Day tonight. And the marathon shirts finally arrived, as the mail after more than ten days arrived. Father G did his last Mass on Sunday, and Pastor Jim did his last fire and brimstone sermon. Many of us will miss our Air Force Chaplains as they leave this week.

Getting mail this week cheered everyone up. Except for one old Colonel who hollered at the mail clerks because he was missing his package from home. I hear the Force Chief of Staff is having him work nights filling sand bags next to the post office.

I had the 45th Infantry Brigade patch sewed on my left shoulder, and have found almost twenty folks from Oklahoma in the Republican Palace. Oops, Embassy Annex.

The Air Force celebrated their 59th birthday here on Saturday (September 18th) with cake and a country music concert by the pool. I took a nap instead so that I could watch the evening football games. Army lost again, but what else is new. They did come back and tie it, down 21-7 in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame, Air Force, and Navy won. Congrats to Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. My Steelers lost to the former Browns (Ravens). An up and down weekend!!

They are now on day 21 of the five day renovation project for our Commander's Situation Room. They hope to be done on Saturday.

Well, I'm going to send this out via email, and head for the trailer for some z's. Take care everyone, and everyone at American Electric Power Company have a safe week.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 14 Memorials)

14-Sep-04 - First Lieutenant Tyler H. Brown, 26, of Atlanta, Georgia, died Sept. 14 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Brown was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Hovey, Tongduchon City, Korea.

14-Sep-04 - American Contractor named Engstrom, Todd was killed today due to Convoy attack (RPG) at Balad (near). Was a Security contractor for employer EOD Technology.

14-Sep-04 - Canadian Contractor named Shmakov, Andrew was killed today due to Car bombing at Baghdad. Was from an unknown employer.

14-Sep-04 - Canadian Contractor named Toma, Munir was killed today due to Car bombing at Baghdad. Was from an unknown employer.

14-Sep-04 - Iraqi Labib Mohammadi, adult, male, killed in road between Najaf and Karbala.

14-Sep-04 - Iraqi Reda Mohammadi, adult, male, killed in road between Najaf and Karbala.

14-Sep-04 - Major Kevin M. Shea, 38, of Washington DC, died Sept. 14 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

14-Sep-04 - Sergeant Jacob H. Demand, 29, of Palouse, Washington, died Sept. 14 in Mosul, Iraq, when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces. Demand was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Lewis, Washington.

15-Sep-04 - 1 Aid Workers from INGO national staff shot and killed in Mosul cafe.

15-Sep-04 - Lance Corporal Drew M. Uhles, 20, of DuQuoin, Illinois, died Sept. 15 from injuries received due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, from Twentynine Palms, California.

15-Sep-04 - Lance Corporal Gregory C. Howman, 28, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died Sept. 15 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Howman was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

16-Sep-04 - First Lieutenant Andrew K. Stern, 24, of Germantown, Tennessee, died Sept. 16 from injuries received due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, from Twentynine Palms, California.

16-Sep-04 - Corporal Steven A. Rintamaki, 21, of Lynnwood, Washington, died Sept 16 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Rintamaki was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

16-Sep-04 - Iraqi Abu Ahmed al-Khalisi, adult, male, killed in Sabah Nisan neighborhood, Baqubah.

17-Sep-04 - Corporal Christopher S. Ebert, 21, of Mooresboro, North Carolina, died Sept. 17 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Ebert was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

17-Sep-04 - Iraqi Ahmed Hameed, 36, male, killed in July 14 Bridge, near the Green Zone, Baghdad.

17-Sep-04 - Iraqi Nabil Ibrahim Aziz, adult, male, killed in near Forward Operating Base Cobra, Jalula.

18-Sep-04 - Iraqi Fadhel al-Bakri, adult, male, killed in western Musayyib.

18-Sep-04 - Iraqi Khadem al-Hani, adult, male, killed in between Kirkuk and Dibbis.

18-Sep-04 - Two Soldiers died Sept. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit their convoy vehicle. Both were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas. Killed were Sergeant Thomas C. Rosenbaum, 25, of Hope, Arkansas and Private First Class James W. Price, 22, of Cleveland, Tennessee.

19-Sep-04 - Iraqi daughter of Iraqi Police officer, female, killed in Route Heather, near Balad.

19-Sep-04 - Iraqi Ehsan Kazim Shuwail, adult, male, killed in Al Hillah.

19-Sep-04 - Iraqi Sheikh Hazem al-Zaidi, adult, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

19-Sep-04 - Sergeant Brandon E. Adams, 22, of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, died Sept.19 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, of injuries sustained in Fallujah, Iraq, on Feb. 16 when a grenade exploded as he was clearing a house. Adams was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, from Fort Drum, New York.

20-Sep-04 - American Contractor named Armstrong, Eugene was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Baghdad (?). Was a Civil engineer for employer Gulf Services Company.

20-Sep-04 - Iraqi Hassan Flah Hamed Hame Abrahemy, 27, male, killed in Abu Ghraib Prison, Baghdad.

20-Sep-04 - Iraqi Mohammed Jadoa al-Janabi, adult, male, killed in Al-Bayaa, Baghdad.

20-Sep-04 - Iraqi Omer Adel Kamil Almashhadani, adult, male, killed in near the Chief of Justice's residence, Al Karda area, Baghdad.

20-Sep-04 - Lance Corporal Steven C. T. Cates, 22, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, died Sept. 20 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Cates was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.

20-Sep-04 - Sergeant Foster L. Harrington, 31, of Ft. Worth, Texas, died Sept. 20 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Harrington was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, at Mobile, Alabama.

20-Sep-04 - Specialist Joshua J. Henry, 21, of Avonmore, Pennsylvania, died Sept. 20 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his convoy was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire in Sharqat, Iraq. Henry was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Schweinfurt, Germany.

21-Sep-04 - American Contractor named Hensley, Jack was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Baghdad (?). Was a Civil engineer for employer Gulf Services Company.

21-Sep-04 - Private First Class Nathan E. Stahl, 20, of Highland, Indiana, died Sept. 21 in Iraq, when his vehicle was struck with an improvised explosive device. Stahl was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment from Fort Lewis, Washington.

21-Sep-04 - Turkish Contractor named Besir, Akar was killed today due to Body found at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

## (end of Week 14 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 15: September 26, 2004

It is now my 110th day in Iraq. I had my first day off today after nearly four months.

On Saturday night, I listened to the Army – Connecticut football game on internet radio until 11 pm, and then headed for bed. I woke up to the alarm at 6 am, and watched Air Force play Utah on TV (tape delayed). At halftime, went in and had breakfast, then watched Utah overwhelm the Falcons. Lucky, no one told me the results of the Air Force or Notre Dame games. At 9:30 am, I decided to go to the Green Zone Post Exchange to get some chips and dip for the tape delayed Notre Dame game. Two car bombs went off outside the International Zone when I walked to and from the store. I was shocked; the store had cases of 0.5 liter Diet Coke bottles for sale. I started watching the game at 11 am. Notre Dame play Washington, and saw them get out to a 28-0 lead. I skipped lunch and took a quick nap during halftime, and watched the remainder of the game. During the games, I caught up on the back issues of my magazines (left them later in the Internet Café so that others can read them). I also did the weekly maintenance on the air conditioner and mopped & swept the trailer room. I was about to go out to the pool (I had reserved a Business Week and an article on Duke in Fortune), when we had two incoming rounds nearby. So I sat in the shelter finishing up the Sunday comics until the all clear sounded. I said, heck with the pool, and took a nap until Mass and dinner. After dinner, I did not sign into my official emails, came to my temporary office to write Week 15. A couple of General Officers tried to harass me (I stayed in PT uniform all day) about taking a day off, but I just pointed out to what the Force commanding general said two weeks ago that he wanted the staff to start having days off.

My new Army Major had his day off on Saturday (September 25th), and on Friday evening I told him he could come in to use the phone to call home and check his personal emails, but if I caught him doing any real work, he would lose next Saturday's day off. He did not do any official work either. He was a little embarrassed, as he has only been in country for ten days, but I told him we have to start this day off policy and keep to it. One of my bosses wanted him to come in and work some war planning groups, but I insisted that the Major was off – I checked with the planners and they were not doing anything on Saturday on that – they went out to Camp Victory for the monthly campaign planning assessment meeting, similar to the monthly Generation business meeting. Scorecards and everything, though ours is up to 80 pages long and is backed up by another 200 of back up slides in case anyone wants to drill down on a specific metric. The headquarters has a lot of Power Point Rangers who make very good slides. Not a whole lot of analyses, but lots of slides are made each day.

As for current and future operations, I cannot be specific, but the campaign plan is working to attack insurgents and root them out of their safe havens. Despite all the fuss back in the states, we have as our objective is a successful and fair election on January 31st. On that other election going on, we just keep reminding folks to vote.

I got a call from a _USA Today_ reporter about the beheadings around Tuesday night (September 21st). I thought I disappointed him because we were not all watching _CNN_ or _Fox_ and getting all bent out of shape. I told him that a lot of folks are working with the Iraqi police in stopping the criminals from taking hostages, especially the ones in Mosul who are kidnapping Arabic and Kurdish children. I did tell him that we take care to walk outside the compound at night in pairs or trios, and about one Soldier we caught walking back from the Convention Center at 9 pm the other night. But I got quoted on the page 1 article, and several of the staff officers have been giving me grief.

I went out to the Camp Victory (airport) on Friday morning (September 24th) to see my Corps C-8 office, talk to my two bosses (Force C-8 and Corps C-8), and meet the new staff there – instead of being just a name on emails and a voice on the phone. I had not been to Camp Victory since early August. I saw the completed trailer park that I would have lived if I had stayed there. It was good to talk face to face, great to eat chow at their new dining facility, and got a few things done during the three hours there. We returned safely in the convoy back to the International Zone. I still hardy breathe during the 20 minutes of that trip.

The assistant driver on the trip is an Army Specialist Jeremy from Mt Pleasant, Texas. His dad works for TXU Electric, but his cousin Randy works for SWEPCO. He also said hi to a family friend Darrem (he thinks that is how it is spelled) who works for SWEPCO in Longview. I was the first person who he had met that had actually known where Mt Pleasant was. So please pass this to Randy and Darrem – and if they like, I can get Jeremy's email address.

Last week, Camp Victory called because they wanted to transfer $500,000 to someone to pay their part of the Najaf Learning Hospital. Since I have been working on the Najaf reconstruction task force (mostly Marines), it did not take long to figure out who needed this money. The hospital was occupied by insurgents since April, and after they surrendered in August, we have a multi-million dollar set of projects getting it up and running again. A portion of the hospital will open this Monday. In a month, the woman's hospital will open again. The work on the task force has been quite satisfying, seeing what we can do once a city is reopened.

So they transferred the money on September 19th. Wrong. On Saturday, I found out that the people who received the money were sitting there on their hands, waiting for the folks at Camp Victory to call them. So I walked over to their office, and picked up the phone on the guy' desk, called the Lieutenant at Victory, said "Heather, I am going to put Roger on the line, Roger, this is Heather, you two need to talk," and handed the phone to Roger. I stood there until they completed the call and arranged for the transfer. Yesterday after dinner, Roger had his transfer document in hand. Another lesson in communication, or lack there of!!

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - This is the Marine combat force in Najaf where their Colonel told visiting Army generals to get the heck out of his area of operations. I guess what really impressed the folks at Marine Corps headquarters in Washington was the humanitarian assistance after the battle of Najaf ended, as I recall he received a selection for Brigadier General prior to retiring a year later. The Colonel was impressive in war and more impressive in doing great work helping Iraqi people.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 15: September 26, 2004

Our little task force has existed for five weeks without a name. This was some kind of new record. Since my Major General runs the task force in a very participative and fun manner, no one really seemed to care; until Washington wanted to know what this group was called (they had been told what we had been doing). So before our facilitator came into the Saturday afternoon meeting, another instigator got on the white board and it was decided that we are the Motley Crew, with that meaning something that I should have wrote down. Something like "mobilizing organizations to let economics yield creative reconstruction effects (that) work." The facilitator came in, who said he could not tell the Force commanding general that our task force was that name, so our official name is CERT (coordinated embassy reconstruction team). Our Public Affairs people are working on t-shirts with the Motley Crew nickname anyway.

On August 24th, the 69th running of the Baghdad Hash House Harriers was advertised to be memorial, and to a lot of extend, it was. Our chapter ordered twenty some Iraqi white man-dresses and the women went to the market and got black dresses that come down to your ankles. So there we were about forty Americans, British, Polish, Italians, Dutch, and other stray cats in the Palace parking lot before the run all dressed up. With the men all wearing those head scarves, all properly tied in the Iraqi fashion by our local Iraqi fans. The hares decided it was a live hash, so they left marking the trail as they ran. The new beer miester was old like me and was not sure about the water points, so I became the assistant driver because it's still hot here at 6:30 pm. We went to the first point, which sat across from a resident for somebody important, who happens to be guarded by family tribal members. The security guards were almost upset, but in a few minutes they were pretty cool, and adjusting my clothes and fixing things (how I to know that was is how you snapped it). Then two of our hares come from the residential compound (they had climbed over a wall), and that got the guards all riled up. "How did they get in?" the guards asked. We decided that this was not a good place for the hashers to stop for water. So the hare auto-hared with us and a British Major who was late to a new water point about 400 yards away. And then ran off. We waited, and waited, with cold water (and beer) for our fellow hashers to appear. Finally, we called someone, and found that they were near the final point near the Memorial. So we hopped into the truck and tried to find a way into the Memorial by all the planes. We finally got thru a Marine Corps check point but was not the place the hare wanted us. Then our hashers climbed the fence separating them from the Memorial, and we stopped there for the down down.

A patrol pulled up in two Humvees, and I and the British Major, as the senior officers, went out to meet them. TK, our Palestinian, wanted to come with us, but being dressed like Iraqis, we figured his Arabic sounding voice would be no help. The two of us walked up to the patrol, and explained that were from the coalition headquarters (we are) and were having a morale run. They seemed satisfied by our explanation. We walked back, and continued the down down, making sure the hares were "punished" for their terrible trail. About 15 minutes later, a larger patrol of five Humvees and a Bradley pulled up about 100 meters away. We senior officers again walked out to meet the Patrol Leader. The Lieutenant told us that they had a report of 25 Iraqis running around the International Zone, climbing over walls, gathering at the Memorial, and singing. We continued our explanations, knowing that this would make the significant activities report tomorrow. Next time we dress up for a hash run, we will let security know about this.

After the down down was over, we all piled into the SUV beer truck, and rode out of the Memorial. As we approached the Marine checkpoint, someone started the Marine Corps Hymn. We did the first verse, and they were really impressed when we did the second verse.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - After the hash run, I showed my Embassy identification at the Republican Palace guardhouse, walked over to the Palace and went through the checkpoint, and on into the Commander's Situation Room, still in Iraqi dress. I walked up to the CHOPS, and reported on the hash run. After a couple of minutes, he could not keep a straight face. He said he would write an email to the Force Chief of Staff, who would likely share it with the Force commanding general. Since I was the senior officer present for this "morale run," he would put me down for further information. Thank goodness I did this, as the Commander's Situation Room received reports throughout the evening on twenty to fifty Iraqis invading the Green Zone, conducting some kind of religious ritual at the Memorial, and variations of the same theme. The CHOPS recommended that I attend the morning Battlefield Assessment Update just in case the topic comes up.

COMMENT - Sure enough, someone reported an incident in the Green Zone involving a significant religious service attended by at least fifty Iraqis, but that the Quick Reaction Force had checked on the activity and found it benign. Someone else raised a concern about the incident, but the Force Chief of Staff said he would talk to several coalition officers involved. The CHOPS came up to where I was sitting and told me to go see the Chief. I did, and the Chief learned about hash runs, and mentioned he might show up for a run one Friday evening.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 15: September 26, 2004

Saturday night, the Air Force Comptroller (CPA C-8) where I am temporarily sharing an office got up to leave. He returned a few minutes later, saying he needed to get his M-16 as there were 25 Iraqis that climbed over the wall on Friday night to get to the Memorial for some religious rite. I started to laugh, explaining that it was the hashers. By the way, we had our periodical water shortage this week, and the hashers found the water leak at the same spot where the last one was.

The other major event of the week is that our headquarters in Florida (United States Central Command) found out that they had money left over for end of year if we could spend it. The government's fiscal year ends on September 30th. So the Civil Affairs folks worked for two days, and got a list of almost $12 million in medical equipment for 150 clinics and submitted them. On Wednesday night (September 22nd), headquarters said they were sending us the money. On Thursday night, my boss at Camp Victory (Corps C-8) put a stop on the transfer because he claimed he was not informed and that he was afraid that the Civil Affairs folks could not contract this on time. I guess in today's Army, it would be better not to do something rather than take a risk. That was the major reason for me to meet him face to face on Friday out at Camp Victory. So on Saturday, worked out all the arrangements, including having the contracting officer already get the contracts all ready. Saturday night, my boss, the Corps C-8, again decided he did not like the transfer arrangements, and decided to change them. On Monday afternoon (September 27th), the transfer should come to Iraq, and we should get the equipment purchased and ordered on time. I expect my boss to continue to put up barriers to success, but at this point, I have lined up folks who can get things done. I do feel that I'm in a Dilbert cartoon.

Well enough of the happenings of Week 15. For some reason, Week 14 met the same fate as Week 12 for all American Electric Power Company emails. I do not know why, as folks are getting it who have non-American Electric Power Company email addresses. I am going to attach the email in a file instead this week to see if I'm more successful.

Take care, and everyone be safe,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 15 Memorials)

22-Sep-04 - A United States Soldier has died of wounds sustained in a car bomb attack in Baghdad on Wednesday, the United States military said on Thursday. Sergeant Skipper Soram, 23, of Kolonia Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, died Sept. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-based improvised explosive device detonated near his security post. Soram was assigned to 3rd.

22-Sep-04 - Iraqi Badiah Hassan Ali, 59, female, killed in Bab Alsheik, downtown Baghdad.

22-Sep-04 - Private First Class Adam J. Harris, 21, of Abilene, Texas, died Sept. 22 in Mosul, Iraq, when he was shot by a sniper while on patrol. Harris was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

22-Sep-04 - Sergeant Benjamin K. Smith, 24, of Carterville, Illinois, died Sept. 22 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Smith was assigned to 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.

22-Sep-04 - Staff Sergeant Lance J. Koenig, 33, of Fargo, North Dakota, died Sept. 22 in Tikrit, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was conducting a dismounted patrol. Koenig was assigned to the Army National Guard's 141st Engineer Battalion, Jamestown, North Dakota.

23-Sep-04 - Iraqi Mr. Boutros, adult, male, killed in near Baiji or Tikrit.

23-Sep-04 - Iraqi Saana Toma Sulaiman, adult, male, killed in Baladiyah, Mosul.

24-Sep-04 - Four Marines, Lance Corporal Aaron Boyles, 24, of Alameda, California, Sergeant Timothy Folmar, 21, of Sonora, Texas, Lance Corporal Ramon Mateo, 20, of Suffolk, New York, and Second Lieutenant Ryan Leduc, 28, of Pana, Illinois died Sept. 24. Boyles, Folmar, and Mateo were killed as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Leduc died as result of a non-combat vehicle accident in Rutbah, Iraq.

25-Sep-04 - Iraqi Ali Al-Qassab, adult, male, killed in Al-Adhamiyah, north Baghdad.

25-Sep-04 - Iraqi children of Mahmoud Zawbae, child, unknown, killed in Dhubat, Fallujah.

25-Sep-04 - Iraqi Mahmoud Zawbae, adult, male, killed in Dhubat, Fallujah.

25-Sep-04 - Iraqi Salman Turki al-Shamani, adult, male, killed in in or near Baqubah.

25-Sep-04 - Iraqi Wife of Mahmoud Zawbae, adult, female, killed in Dhubat, Fallujah.

25-Sep-04 - Specialist Clifford L. Moxley, Jr. 51, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, died Sept. 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Moxley was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 103rd Armor Regiment, at Berwick, Pennsylvania.

25-Sep-04 - Specialist David W. Johnson, 37, of Portland, Oregon, died Sept. 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. Johnson was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, at Cottage Grove, Oregon.

25-Sep-04 - Specialist Robert Oliver Unruh, 25, of Tucson, Arizona, died Sept. 25 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, when enemy forces using small arms fire attacked his unit. Unruh was assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, Korea.

26-Sep-04 - Captain Eric L. Allton, 34, of Houston, Texas, died Sept. 26 in Ramadi, Iraq, when he was struck by a mortar round. Allton was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Hovey, Korea.

26-Sep-04 - Iraqi Ra'd Nisam, 23, male, killed in Route Senators, Dora area, south Baghdad.

## (end of Week 15 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 16: October 4, 2004

Two weeks ago, a reporter from _USA Today_ called me and asked me if we were upset about the beheadings of hostages. We were not, given that on an average day here, about 50 Iraqis are killed.

But the bombings of the opening of the water plant, killing 35 children, has caused many of us to pause.

Sorry that I am not in the mood for much humor tonight, maybe later in the week.

What I have decided to do is give you a link to a document describing what we are really doing here. Read and enjoy:

(the link will no longer work in 2016)

coalition-news/publications/scimitar%20files/1%20OCT%20FINAlabama.pdf.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 16 Memorials)

27-Sep-04 - Iraqi Abed Elaziz, adult, male, killed in 35km west of Ad Dujail.

27-Sep-04 - Iraqi Ali Hamoud, adult, male, killed in Samarra.

27-Sep-04 - Iraqi Isam Saeed Abd Al-Karim, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

27-Sep-04 - Iraqi Mohammed Minaem Hamed, adult, male, killed in 35km west of Ad Dujail.

27-Sep-04 - Iraqi Raheen Khalid, adult, male, killed in Samarra.

27-Sep-04 - Iraqi Sabah Thiab, adult, female, killed in Samarra.

27-Sep-04 - Iraqi Slman Aboy Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

27-Sep-04 - Private First Class Kenneth L. Sickels, 20, of Apple Valley, California, died Sept. 27 due to a non-combat related incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.

27-Sep-04 - Sergeant First Class Joselito O. Villanueva, 36, of Los Angeles, California, died Sept. 27 in Balad, Iraq, when he was at an observation post and was shot by a sniper. Villanueva was assigned to the 9th Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, at Schweinfurt, Germany.

27-Sep-04 - Specialist Gregory A. Cox, 21, of Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, died Sept. 27 in Balad, Iraq, when his military vehicle was unintentionally run off the road by a civilian vehicle causing it to rollover. Cox was assigned to 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Schweinfurt, Germany.

28-Sep-04 - American Contractor named Moffett, Roger was killed today due to improvised explosive device - Roadside bombing at Iraq. Was a Convoy commander for Halliburton.

28-Sep-04 - Sergeant Tyler D. Prewitt, 22, of Phoenix, Arizona, died Sept. 28 in Landstuhl, Germany, from injuries sustained in Baqubah, Iraq, on September 24 when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle and exploded. Prewitt was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Vilseck, Germany.

28-Sep-04 - British Army Corporal Marc Taylor, 27, of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, was killed by hostile attack by ambush, Snatch Land Rover badly damaged and, as troops tried to reach casualties, they came under fire at Basra, Iraq. Was assigned to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to Royal Horse Artillery, 1st Regiment.

28-Sep-04 - British Army Gunner David Lawrence, 25, of Walsall, West Midlands, was killed by hostile attack by ambush, Snatch Land Rover badly damaged and, as troops tried to reach casualties, they came under fire at Basra, Iraq. Was assigned to the Royal Horse Artillery, 1st Regiment.

29-Sep-04 - British Contractor named Hunter, Iain was killed today due to vehicle collided with an Iraqi vehicle at Tikrit. Was a Security Contractor for employer Armor-Group.

29-Sep-04 - Iraqi Abdel Ghani Mijbas, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

29-Sep-04 - Iraqi Muhammad Hushyar Salim Ahmad Dizayi, 34, male, killed in Mosul.

29-Sep-04 - Iraqi Sattar Khalaf, 30, male, killed in Ramadi.

29-Sep-04 - Iraqi Son of Abdel Ghani Mijbas, 13-19, male, killed in Baqubah.

29-Sep-04 - Private First Class Joshua K. Titcomb, 20, of Somerset, Kentucky, died Sept. 29 in Ramadi, Iraq, of injuries sustained on September 28 when an improvised explosive device exploded near his military vehicle. Titcomb was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Korea.

29-Sep-04 - Staff Sergeant Mike A. Dennie, 31, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died Sept. 29 in Balad, Iraq, from injuries sustained on Sept. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, when the driver of his military vehicle pulled off the road and lost control, causing it to roll over. Dennie was assigned to the 106th Finance Battalion from Kitzingen, Germany.

29-Sep-04 - Ukrainian Army Lieutenant Colonel Oleh Tikhonov, 44, of Novgorod-Sivierskyi, Ukraine, killed by non-hostile - vehicle accident in Wasit Province, Iraq. Was assigned to the 73 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade.

30-Sep-04 - British Contractor named Wimpenny, Alan was killed today due to Bomb attack on a convoy at Samara (near). Was a Security Contractor for an unknown employer.

30-Sep-04 - Iraqi Major Ghassan Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

30-Sep-04 - Specialist Allen Nolan, 38, of Marietta, Ohio, died Sept. 30 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, of injuries sustained on Sept. 18 in Balad, Iraq, when his convoy vehicle struck an improvised explosive device and then came under small arms fire. Nolan was assigned to the Army Reserve's 660th Transportation Company, Zanesville, Ohio.

30-Sep-04 - Specialist Rodney A. Jones, 21, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died Sept. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device exploded near his dismounted patrol. Jones was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

30-Sep-04 - Staff Sergeant Darren J. Cunningham, 40, of Groton, Massachusetts, died Sept. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit came under mortar attack. Cunningham was assigned to the 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

30-Sep-04 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 87 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 12 Coalition Contractors, 1 Aid Workers, 1 Journalists, 11 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 304 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 727 Insurgents.

1-Oct-04 - Iraqi husband of dead woman, adult, male, killed in south Baghdad.

1-Oct-04 - Iraqi Jalal Fattah Umar, adult, male, killed in Rahimawah-Iman Qasim area, northern Kirkuk.

1-Oct-04 - Iraqi Murat Orhan, male, killed in Mosul.

1-Oct-04 - Iraqi wife of dead man, adult, female, killed in south Baghdad.

1-Oct-04 - Sergeant Jack T. Hennessy, 21, of Naperville, Illinois, died October 1st in Baghdad, Iraq, when his check point came under small arms fire. Hennessy was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

1-Oct-04 - Sergeant Michael A. Uvanni, 27, of Rome, New York, died Oct.1 in Samarra, Iraq, he was conducting combat operations and was shot by a sniper. Uvanni was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, from Morrisonville, New York.

2-Oct-04 – NO ONE REPORTED KILLED IN IRAQ ON THIS DATE.

3-Oct-04 - Sergeant Christopher S. Potts, 38, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, died Oct. 3 in Taji, Iraq, as his unit was conducting traffic control operations and enemy forces attacked them using small arms fire. Potts was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery Regiment, at Providence, Rhode Island.

3-Oct-04 - Sergeant Russell L. Collier, 48, of Harrison, Arkansas, died October 3rd in Taji, Iraq. His unit was conducting traffic control operations when enemy forces attacked the unit using small arms fire. Collier was assigned to 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment, Arkansas National Guard, at Russellville, Arkansas.

3-Oct-04 - Staff Sergeant James L. Pettaway Jr. 37, of Baltimore, Maryland, died Oct. 3 in Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, of injuries sustained in Fallujah, Iraq, on Aug. 27 when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Pettaway was assigned to the Army Reserve's 223rd Transportation Company, Norristown, Pennsylvania.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ateka Saleem, 24, female, killed in Al-Shuhada, Fallujah.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Athra, sister of Ateka Saleem, adult, female, killed in Al-Shuhada, Fallujah.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Cousin of Aysha Saleem, unknown, killed in Al-Shuhada, Fallujah.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Daud Mohammed al-Tai, adult, male, killed in Balad Ruz, near Baqubah.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ikhlas Ghalib, adult, female, killed in Zaloumi, Baghdad.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Mother of Ateka Saleem, elderly, female, killed in Al-Shuhada, Fallujah.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Omar Saleem, son of Ateka, 3, male, killed in Al-Shuhada, Fallujah.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Thamir Abdul-Latif, adult, male, killed in Zaloumi, Baghdad.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Thamir Saleem, husband of Ateka, 28, male, killed in Al-Shuhada, Fallujah.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Uncle of Aysha Saleem, male, killed in Al-Shuhada, Fallujah.

4-Oct-04 - Iraqi Uncle of Aysha Saleem, male, killed in Al-Shuhada, Fallujah.

4-Oct-04 - Staff Sergeant Gina R. Sparks, 35, of Drury, Missouri died Oct. 4 at Fort Polk due to non-combat gunshot wounds in Iraq. Sparks was assigned to the 118th Field Hospital, Warrior Brigade, from Fort Polk, Louisiana.

5-Oct-04 - Staff Sergeant Richard L. Morgan Jr. 38, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, died Oct. 5 in Latifiya, Iraq, of injuries sustained on Oct. 4 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. Morgan was assigned to the Army Reserve's 660th Transportation Company, Cadiz, Ohio.

6-Oct-04 - Iraqi Adram Al Dulaymi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

6-Oct-04 - Iraqi Issam Ali, adult, male, killed in Hit.

6-Oct-04 - Iraqi Khalid al-Dibardan, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

6-Oct-04 - Iraqi Shaalan Abd Kadhim Jaloop Al A'Ameri, adult, male, killed in southwest of Baghdad.

6-Oct-04 – Private Second Class Jeungjin Na Kim, 23, of Honolulu, Hawaii, died October 6 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Kim was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Hovey, Korea.

6-Oct-04 - Specialist Jessica L. Cawvey, 21, of Normal, Illinois, died Oct. 6 in Fallujah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle. Cawvey was assigned to the Army's National Guard's 1544th Transportation Company, Paris, Illinois.

## (end of Week 16 Memorials)

COMMENT - The bombings on Thursday, September 30th, at the ceremony really did affect me deeply. We were busy executing end of year obligations (contracts) for the funding we received at the last minute, and everyone worked well during the last days of September to get it accomplished. Meanwhile, the opening of the water treatment plant was a special event, as it was a very poor area of Baghdad, only to see terrorism cut short so many children's lives. Almost a dozen 1st Cavalry Division troops were hurt as they attempted to hand candy out to the children when the explosions occurred. It was a really bad day, with multiple attacks on Iraqi civilians and coalition forces. Zarqawi was hunted to the ends of the earth by this coalition, and was finally killed on June 7, 2006, the 28th anniversary of my West Point Class' graduation. Thanks to the folks involved, you know who you are.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 17: October 10, 2004

Hello everyone, hope each is safe, including any loved ones in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Over the last two weeks, the International Zone averages receiving three rounds of indirect fire (either rockets or mortars). Again, we continue to be lucky, with rounds not exploding that could have hurt folks in trailers, or they landed in places causing only minor damage to buildings.

Our fellow troops at Camp Victory were not so lucky. A round fell into the top of a trailer, which then caused a fire to start, instantly killing one person and injuring seven others, one of who died of wounds. The attack destroyed two trailers.

Despite all the danger, folks around go about working hard doing their jobs each day. We all try not to think about it much, but its in the back of everyone's mind. Tonight, we watched the second part of _Gone with the Wind_ , and a mortar shook the trailer. We breathed again, but then hunched our shoulders waiting for the second or third round to come. We heard some muffled sounds, maybe someone slamming a door in a nearby trailer, maybe a round falling further away.

Last Thursday night was a multiple rocket and mortar attack, and they had us go down to the basement in the Embassy Annex (Republican Palace). We heard the attacks near the Sheridan Hotel, and later saw it on the TV. A round landed through a tent next door to the pool, and destroyed three computers, but not exploding. One guy lost the thesis he was working on.

Because of the unexploded ordnance, they called in the bomb squad, and told the folks to get out of the pool area. So the civilians and contractors picked up their chairs, tables, and coolers of beer, and moved over near the laundry trailer, continuing their party. Several of our musical hashers played folk guitar, entertaining many who sat and sang. Waiting several hours until they blew up the round!!

We have a new priest, and he told us a story about the K-9 dogs. Since he lives near the military police, he told them that he could provide a blessing to the dogs. The handlers thought this was a good idea, and showed up at the Chapel on Monday. Both the Catholic and Protestant chaplains gave blessings, since no one could determine the faith of the dogs. After giving the blessings to the dogs, the handlers ask for their own blessings.

On Tuesday, the dogs were doing a routine patrol by the Green Zone Café, and alerted near an air conditioning unit. I really think the military police had stopped by to get pizza or a chicken sandwich. While they waited for the bomb squad, the owner's son pulled the suspected package out and took it to the parking lot, laying it on the ground. The bomb squad arrived, and quickly destroyed it.

On Wednesday, the dogs again discovered another explosive. After going back to the compound, the handlers went to the Chaplain's office, and asked how long do blessings last. I did not see any of the dogs at Mass this Sunday afternoon, but I did see several of the military policemen and women there.

We have a store in the International Zone called _Sam's Blockbuster_ DVD's. I am sure he is not associated with the larger company, just good marketing by the Iraqi owner. The store sells four DVDs for $10, so it's a popular place. A friend was going through the box of music videos, and found one containing the Eagles and Englebert Humperdik on the same DVD. The owner really wanted it, but this person really thought it was pretty unique. Unfortunately, when the DVD was played, it contained some lounge singer singing songs by these two artists. My friend took it back to _Sam's_ since he guarantees satisfaction for all purchases.

A medic from Westerville told me about her lesson in teaching manners to folks. Normally, there is a line waiting for the women's bathrooms, especially during meal times. The medic was waiting, with two Iraqi women standing in front of her. A door opened, but before the first Iraqi woman could move, a State Department woman (civilian) rushed past everyone in line, and went into the bathroom, slamming the door. The Iraqis looked at the medic (in uniform), stunned by this.

The medic said she was really mad by this behavior, so she walked over to the door and started knocking. The woman inside said that she was busy. The medic knocked again. No answer this time. The medic knocked harder, and this time said that she had to get out of the bathroom immediately, mentioning something about having to go to the basement. In a few seconds, the woman opened the door.

The medic put her foot into the doorway, and proceeded to politely ask the woman why she cut in line. The woman said that she was so busy and was an important person in the Embassy, and did not have time to wait in line. The medic asked her to apologize to the Iraqi women, and she refused. The medic, who is about five feet tall, then grabbed the woman's arm, and pulled her out of the bathroom towards the main hallway. As luck would have it, one of the Ambassadors was walking to lunch. The medic stopped the Ambassador, explained the situation, and then went back into towards the two Iraqi women, leaving the State Department woman to explain herself to the Ambassador. The medic apologized to the Iraqi women for the conduct of the American. As she was walking out, after using the facilities, she saw the Ambassador also apologizing to the Iraqi women. The medic said that the State Department woman was reassigned to one of the field duty locations that are not quite as nice.

I hared the hash this weekend, and in preparation for the run, asked several folks for chemical light sticks. Lucky that the Australians know how to get supplies! My fellow co-hare and I decided to lay out a route that had three stops that required folks to do something.

At the first Picture Point, the hashers had to spell out the words ON ONE, ON TWO, ON ON, which is what everyone calls out as they follow a true trail. We stopped near a back hoe, and watched them try to organize themselves. The reward for their efforts were ten cold beers!! Or iced cold water!!! And then they left running to the next stopping point.

At the second Pitcher Point, as the hashers began to call it, they had to set up a four level human pyramid. Their reward was a Greek liqueur, serviced in water bottle cap shot glasses. They stumbled off to the next stopping point, following a live trail as I laid light sticks.

At the third stop, they had to spell out YBF, which stands for several things, including You Been Fooled, which means that you went down a false trail. Actually, they had difficulty finding the stopping point, until I lit another light stick. Their reward was their choice of white or red wine. Or water.

They finally ran off to the final stopping point, called the down down. There they had the choice of iced water, soda, or cold beer. One fast runner told me that the trail was crappy, but he had never ever had so much to drink before getting to the down down.

The down down then occurred, with the normal introductions of new folks (virgins), infractions, critique of the hare's ability to lay trails, and the naming ritual. They asked many questions of me, and then told me to move off out of earshot. I returned, and received the name "Snow Job" for my ability to talk the patrols out of breaking up the down down two weeks ago (Week 15). And my reported ability to BS folks throughout the Green Zone!

My boss (Corps C-8) informed me earlier in the week that he had finally caved in to a month of requests, and I was getting a new job next week. He wanted me to recharge my batteries, so he ordered me to take Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. So I spent Friday getting ready for the hash run, but chilled out over the weekend. I even laid out by the pool on Sunday morning. Saturday was strange, as some folks reported a little bit of rain. Sunday, it was cool, the first day the temperature did not reach 100 degrees since I have arrived.

So by the time you read this, I will be working with the old guy (their C-8) in learning what his job really is. Their Chief of Staff (my new boss) wants me to do the hand off as quick as possible, since the old guy got extended from leaving in early September. More about the new job next week, but it looks I will be managing a $5 or $6 billion budget for the command responsible for equipping, manning, and training the Iraqi military and police functions. The good news is that the command is located in the International Zone about a mile from the Embassy Annex, called Phoenix Base.

I had told their Chief of Staff I did not want the job, and thought that they needed someone more technically oriented in Army budgeting and execution (Army word for contracting and spending). But he would not hear my protests. Oh well, will see what happens next.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - The new job was to be the C-8 for the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, responsible for equipping and training the Iraqi military and police. Their C-8 had been in Iraq for almost eight months. He was an Army Lieutenant Colonel, Field Artillery, with a comptrollership secondary specialty, and he had held the job since mid-summer after their former C-8 Colonel rotated back. The Chief of Staff was a Colonel, my West Point classmate, who had interviewed me a couple months back. The command was headed by a Lieutenant General, who was a senior at West Point when I was a plebe (freshman) there. I had had many interactions with this command through my months in the Green Zone. This command had long been funded out of a portion of the appropriated Iraqi Relief and Reconstruction Fund, the $18 billion program set up by Congress, with a significant portion earmarked for the military and police. These forces also included border guards, custom agents, and other agencies that would be considered civilian in the states. The Chief of Staff stressed at the time that I would spend a couple weeks with my predecessor, then take over in a probationary role, and would fill this job until about January or February, when they expected a Comptroller Colonel to deploy to Iraq. I had certainly seen folks here move into several different roles or jobs, positions being reassigned, organizations coming and going, etc. so all this made sense at the time and even today as I write these comments. Since the job was still technically pending, I left it vague in this weekly email.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 17: October 10, 2004

Except for the folks in Ohio, it was a pretty good football weekend. Steelers beat the Brownies. Army finally won, beating Cincinnati after losing 19 games in a row. Notre Dame won, and so did Air Force. Navy had a bye week, preparing to break their Notre Dame jinx. You should have seen the West Pointers singing On Brave old Army Team in the Strategic Operations Center (the renamed Commander's Situation Room after its retrofit) at the midnight briefing.

Well I have gone past four months now, and it seems a whole lot longer than that. Because of the change in job, I am now preparing my support form for the evaluation report. I liked my old job, and would have liked to continue doing it. I have been sorta promised that I might come back to it around January, if I am successful in getting the new job's goals accomplished. I always enjoy working myself out of a job.

Well its midnight here, and Monday should be chaos and busy. Be safe all.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 17 Memorials)

7-Oct-04 - British Contractor named Bigley, Kenneth was killed today due to Execution, beheading at Baghdad (?). Was an Engineer for an unknown employer.

7-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ahmed Jassem, adult, male, killed in Al-Bakr neighborhood, Mosul.

7-Oct-04 - Specialist Morgen N. Jacobs, 20, of Santa Cruz, California, died Oct. 7 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Aaliyah on Oct. 6 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol vehicle. Jacobs was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Schweinfurt, Germany.

8-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ali Hussein, adult, male, killed in south of Kirkuk.

8-Oct-04 - Iraqi Lukman Hussein, adult, male, killed in captured east of Ramadi, location of killing unknown.

8-Oct-04 - Sergeant Andrew W. Brown, 22, of Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania, died October 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained on October 1 when his patrol vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Brown was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry, at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

8-Oct-04 - Staff Sergeant Michael S. Voss, 35, of Aberdeen, North Carolina, died October 8 near Tikrit, Iraq, when his convoy vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. Voss was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, from Wilmington, North Carolina.

9-Oct-04 - Private First Class Andrew Halverson, 19, of Grant, Wisconsin died Oct 9 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Halverson was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

10-Oct-04 - Private First Class James E. Prevete, 22, of Whitestone, New York, died October 10 in Habbaniyah, Iraq, when his military vehicle encountered whiteout conditions and the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle. Prevete was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, from Camp Greaves, Korea.

10-Oct-04 - Private 2 Carson J. Ramsey, 22, of Winkelman, Arizona, died October 10 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.

## (end of Week 17 Memorials)

## (beginning of a special email).

Hashes: October 11, 2004

Someone asked me to explain hashes. So here it is:

Hash runs are suppose to be runs, but someone has to drive the beer truck. And now that we have to do things in pairs, two folks get elected or volunteer to drive the route. The hares, who are the ones who set the route, tell the drivers where to go for the picture/water points and the down down. Each run is about three to five miles long, with several stopping points to let folks catch up, get some water, and usually take a picture.

The route is marked with trail signs, some of which lead the faster runners down false trails that require them to double back and run more. But they love that. Others, like tail-end Charlie (me) watch the pack and usually they have sorted out the correct trail. Trails are marked with baby powder, kool aid, gator aid mix, etc. Dumb hares mark with chalk, which might be invisible to many folks. Sometimes, folks run across trail marks from 1-3 weeks ago, given the lack of rain around here. This leads to some chaos.

The most common trail mark is a filled in circle, which is called an on mark. Passing the first of these, each runner calls back "ON ONE." The next circle mark is "ON TWO" and the third is "ON ON." Three marks in a row tells one that they are on a true trail.

Hares mark with an open circle when they want to lay false trails or cause folks to stop to look for the true trail. Runners hollar "CHECKING" or ask each other "ARE YOU?" and then "CHECKING" until they find other trail marks. The most common false trail is to lay two ON ON marks that lead the faster runners to run faster than they need to. Some false trails are really long, and the whole group gets caught in them. They turn around, and some folks just start laughing. A false trail should end with an X in a circle mark or a YBF inside a circle - you been fooled.

An arrrow shows that you are on a true trail, and are used a lot around here to make sure that folks don't miss a key turn or miss going over a wall or fence.

After about one to 1.5 miles, there ought to be a water point, marked by a P in a circle, where it allows everyone to catch up, and usually its near something for a picture. The group rests there, drinks water (some drink beer), catches their breath, take a picture, for about ten minutes. Then off to find the trail. Sometimes hashes have another water point, sometimes not.

The trail symbol BN in a circle or "beer near" means that runners have reached the down down point, and the beer truck better be there. The truck contains several coolers of beer, water, and sometimes pop/soda. Iced down of course!! Everyone catches their breath and drinks something, waiting for everyone to get there. Usually when I arrive, we are about five minutes from beginning the down down.

The down down is where everyone gathers around in a circle around a facilitator. There are several traditions in the Baghdad Hash, such as introductions of virgins (new to Baghdad hash); infractions (such as short cutting basturds, auto haring - using the truck to hare, auto hashing - catching a ride instead of running, wearing no socks, wearing new shoes, wearing a hat in the circle, pointing, holding refreshments in their right hand, making false accusations, or holding cigarettes or cigars in the left hand and being under 40); farewells for those departing; and naming of new members (those who have hared and run three hashes).

At the end of each tradition, the group sings a song, and the center of attention drinks a cup of beer/water down down the hatch, and then turns the cup upside down over their head to prove it. Thus the down down!! As you can see, we are mostly a R-rated hasher group.

The down down ends with all females in the middle, and singing the hasher version of "swing low, swing chariot." The females lead us in certain cheerleader like moves.

After that, most everyone gets in, on top, or on the running boards of the truck, after all trash is picked up and coolers put into the back. And we ride back to the Palace, usually waving at the Ambassador who is on his way home for dinner.

I understand that each hash group has their own specific rules, traditions, etc. Some groups are real family oriented, others are more drunken orgies. You can find more information on the web.

## (end of special email).

COMMENT - Now one can look Hash House Harriers up on _Wikipedia_ and find out more information on the social sport of hashing. I knew in 2004 it was created by some British embassy folks in Malaysia, along the lines of their children's game "hounds and hares" to blow off steam or relieve stress. I do recall being asked by one of our General Officers to provide a report about hashing after the "invasion of the Memorial" incident, and I found a loose group of websites at the time, and found that all chapters are similar and unique. Clearly, the Baghdad group was started by some British person or someone who had worked with British Embassy folks around the world. I later discovered a much tamer but more or less underground group at Camp Victory, and heard stories of hashing at several other military camps in Iraqi, including the Marine ones. And I love the name Snow Job that my friends awarded me, how appropriate.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 18: October 17, 2004

Hello everyone, hope everyone continues to be safe.

This week, we lost four civilians who work as protective services for senior folks here in the International Zone. They were having lunch at the Green Zone Café, when an explosion occurred just before 1 pm local time (October 14th). A few minutes later, an explosion occurred in the Market place, starting a fire that burned several vendor tents and their contents. This is the smoke that you may have seen on the news casts, looking worse than it did. Over twenty folks were injured, and many more shaken up. Many were saved due to immediate responses by the Soldiers and Marines in the area.

Half of my C-8 office staff and I were leaving Camp Honor dining facility when we heard the explosions. They drove me back to the Embassy Annex, and we went by the site of both explosions. Upon arriving, I went to the Strategic Operations Center to report in and what we had seen, there being much confusion.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - A group of us at my new job's C-8 office decided to leave Phoenix Base to go to the dining facility at Camp Honor (previously called Steel Dragon). This is a forward operating base in the Green Zone that hosted an American Army battalion that was part of the Multi-National Division - Central (sometimes referred to as - Baghdad). Because the battalion was 800-1,000 strong, it had its own dining facility, and was probably the second best one in the Green Zone - the contractor dining facility was consistently rated the best during my time there, and they frowned on us military visiting that one often. I recall we had to park our vehicle outside the gate and walk to the dining facility. Our group of six or eight had ate and were past the gate and walking back to our SUV when we all heard a long boom and everyone hit the ground flat, it was very close. Hearing nothing after about five seconds, I looked up and saw a huge ball of black smoke rising from the south a few hundred meters away.

COMMENT - We got into the vehicle, and I told the driver to head back to Phoenix Base. As we approached an intersection, I could see the smoke was coming from the vicinity of the Green Zone Cafe, with Soldiers and Marines running to the restaurant. I then immediately decided to have my driver take me immediately to the entrance to the Embassy Annex (the Republican Palace) and report in to the Strategic Operations Center. We went past the Combat Hospital, and you could see nurses running along the sidewalk towards the Green Zone Cafe. As we approached the alley where the Market tents were to the right, we felt and heard the concussion of another explosion in the Market. My driver slowed down, but what I could see was the immediate results of an small explosion, some tents gone around a circle of about twenty or thirty meters, with much of the Market appearing untouched. I then told my driver to hit the gas and get to the Palace. As he pulled up, I told my folks to go to back to Phoenix Base since they did not have helmets and flak vests on - but if they think they needed to stop to give aid to the Market victims then they could do that.

COMMENT - I pulled out my Embassy identification and ran through the security checkpoint, which was in a totally confused state. The Gurkhas Guards recognized me at the Palace building checkpoint, and I ran down the hall to the entrance to the Strategic Operations Center. I ran past the security guard who checks in your cell phone into the center. I walked quickly up to the CHOPS (Chief of Operations) and a Major General (our Australian Major General in charge of the center) were standing, and gave my oral report, walking over to the Green Zone map, to point out where I had seen two attacks.

COMMENT - A Colonel walked up to me and asked me what kind of rocket or mortar was used. My response was something like, "I'm a Finance Corps officer, and not really qualified to assess this attack. I have not seen this large type of damage from prior mortar or rocket attacks, but what I saw reminded me of damage caused by a bombing, but you really need to get an expert out there. I am here to report what I immediately saw to preclude all the rumors and bad information we usually receive in here." I then asked if they needed anything else, which they said they did not. I told them that I was going to return to the Phoenix Base C-8 office if they wanted to ask me anything.

COMMENT - I then walked out of the Strategic Operations Center, out of the Republican Palace and Embassy Annex, and along the road towards the Finance House and the Hospital. I stopped in the hospital to see if they needed anything or blood donations, but they were prepared for this. As I walked out, I saw a vehicle with Phoenix solders in it, flagged them down, and hitched hiked back there to my new office. My folks were quite shaken by the attack, so I spent some time calming them down. The report afterwards determined that about 25 folks were killed in both attacks, including the four civilians working for the coalition. Witnesses told us that each attack was caused by a single suicide bomber.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 18: October 17, 2004

The Green Zone Café is only a shell of its former self. While the results were tragic, luck came into play, as Americans typically eat at Noon rather than later, so many folks had already eaten lunch. Otherwise, there would have been more casualties.

Movement in the International Zone has become restricted. Unfortunately, my new job is at Phoenix Base, which is about a mile from the Embassy Annex, where my trailer and other facilities are. There is now a bus service, so it's not a bad commute, plus my office has two vehicles. And no one is allowed to travel alone, so we are buddying up.

The current comptroller (the guy I am replacing) leaves at the end of the month. I offered him the chance to leave two weeks earlier, as he had been extended two months past his six month tour. Don't understand how an Army officer got a short tour here, but that is part of the reoccurring "drug deals" that seem to be cut over here. After talking with him, he decided that he will leave as scheduled, as he wants to finish several things up before going. So my life has consisted of shadowing him to meetings and just sitting there listening. Also talking to the staff one on one as to what they are doing, their backgrounds, their family, etc. I am receiving several requests to do things, but I politely turn them over to the guy in charge.

Good news, we won't confuse my new commanding general as the new C-8, as the current comptroller is a Mike too. I joked with the Chief of Staff that having the right first name was probably the deal clincher. The Chief of Staff is my immediate supervisor, and the Chief of Staff supervises the staff principals like Mike for the commanding general. The Chief of Staff is a West Point classmate of mine, whom I knew only in passing at school, and he stayed in the Army and has made Colonel. He is an Olmstead Scholar, a German-near equivalent of the Rhodes Scholar, so he's pretty sharp. I think we will get along, and he has told me to call him by his first name in one-on-one situations.

The command I am joining is responsible for equipping, training, organizing, and mentoring the Iraqi Security Forces, which includes the armed services and all types of police. It's led by a Lieutenant General, and has several sub-commands, one dealing with the police, one dealing with the armed services, and one dealing with the joint headquarters, which integrates coalition and Iraqi activities.

The budgets are huge, but so is the mission. We have projects building bases for the various armed forces, providing units with basic individual and unit equipment, and building border posts and police stations. If you are interested in all the details, they are filed in a quarterly 2207 Report that one can find on the White House or Office of Management & Budget web sites.

My job is to transition from the old comptroller to a comptroller to be named later, sometime in 3-5 months. The personnel replacement system is really lagging due to the reorganization by the Force commanding general (my new general's boss) to focus on humanitarian, reconstruction, and security issues as directed by the theater campaign plan. So the folks in the C-8 office are busy getting our logistics and engineers to define the projects, getting the contracting folks moving out, and monitoring payment history. Funding is coming from about six sources, and therefore requires separate books to keep. Some in Excel, some in the Army database systems.

I also will have six teams of contracting officers and pay agents that operate in designated areas throughout Iraq, and get small projects under $500,000 off the ground related to the command's mission. Monday, a new group of Air Force contracting officers, who arrived on Friday and Saturday, receive their initial training on the processes involved, with several of the first group providing lessons learned. This is called the Quick Response Funds (QRF), and it has done about $36 million in contracts executed in the first two months of operation.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - It was really good to see the Quick Response Funds operation in action, as back in June a General Officer asked me to pull together some information on a similar operation in Grenada back in 1983. I was working for the Army Finance & Accounting Center at the time, deploying the first mini-computers into each finance office around the world. The week before Grenada hit, we loaded up the computer and trained folks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Sunday, forces from XVIII Airborne Corps deployed to Grenada, as I watched the planes leave Pope Air Force Base that morning. Sometime during the first week in Grenada, the Corps started to pair Finance Corps officers with contracting officers in teams traveling around the island to purchase and pay for goods and services to support the military forces there, rather than going through the normal peacetime lengthy process. Seeing a need for a similar operation in Iraq, my new commanding general sent an email to the Pentagon asking to set up similar teams for Iraq - the Finance Command in Iraq modified it slightly by not providing Finance Officers to the paired teams, but did set up a process for quick payments, so the system was effective from the start.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 18: October 17, 2004

Besides Mike the old comptroller, his deputy (another Mike) is leaving, our Senior Airman is leaving to prepare for entry into the Air Force Academy, plus my QRF Management Officer is leaving. Should see the new QRF officer the last week of October, plus I am getting a Major for three months from Kuwait the first of November. I have two Air Force senior non-commissioned officers (E-8 and E-6) replacing my Senior Airman, plus a new Air Force Lieutenant showed up last night. I also have two other Lieutenants in place, dealing with pay agents and Iraqi sourced funds. Like we say here, its famine or feast with our replacement system now. So I am a little worried that each person does what the Air Force calls right seat left seat and trains up their replacement.

To add to minor worries, the Chief of Staff also wants me to get the Iraqi Ministries of Defence and Interior stood up in payroll and budgeting processes. I am still sorting this out; it probably means the new Lieutenant will be working for the police or military assistance sub-commands.

Needless to say, I will have my hands full starting next week. Oh well, what's the worse they can do here, fire me?

Due to the security situation, we canceled the Hash run. No one objected, which surprised me as we tried to cancel a run two months ago, only to have them run anyway. Instead, our acting beer miester from the British Embassy brought in two coolers, and we set up shop outside Minstrel's trailer, interesting numbered 69. So shortly after posting the Club 69 sign, we were entertained by dozens of folk, rock, and country songs sang by some very good singers and some that should have kept their mouths shut. Due to it being Friday night before football games, I called it a night at 11 pm, but I could still hear them singing while I fell asleep in my trailer.

Today's edition of _Stars & Stripes_, our daily newspaper, highlighted the nurses working at our hospital. Much was discussed about the care provided to coalition service members, Iraqi civilians, and even insurgents. Care is provided to those most urgently needing it, regardless of who it is. About half of the folks interviewed run in the hash.

Well I'm quite happy with the college football results from this Saturday, especially Army. I was surprised by the Navy team's performance against Notre Dame, expecting a better game out of the Squids. I was shocked, as I imagine the rest of Stillwater/Tulsa and Columbus is, by the Texas A&M and Iowa games. I guess global warming is effecting college football, as Army has a two game winning streak (first since 1997) while Ohio State has lost three games in a row.

Now the make it an almost perfect weekend, the Steelers need to beat the Cowboys in a few hours.

The week has not been the most cheerful of weeks, given the attacks and deaths of associates. The Club 69 event gave everyone a chance to unwind. But with everyone walking around in helmet and vest and reducing travel, there is a kinda quiet air about the place.

Take care everyone.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 18 Memorials)

11-Oct-04 - British Contractor named Chadwick, Paul was killed today due to shooting himself in the head (accident ?) at Kirkuk. Was a Security contractor for employer Armor-Group.

11-Oct-04 - British Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Sniper fire at Kirkuk (near). Was a Security contractor for employer Armor-Group.

11-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ali Khalad, son of Layla Awad, male, killed in MSR Michigan, southeast of Habbaniyah, near Fallujah.

11-Oct-04 - Iraqi Dhiya Hussein, son of Kadhim Ahmed Hussein, male, killed in MSR Michigan, southeast of Habbaniyah, near Fallujah.

11-Oct-04 - Iraqi Jawad Hussein, son of Kadhim Ahmed Hussein, male, killed in MSR Michigan, southeast of Habbaniyah, near Fallujah.

11-Oct-04 - Iraqi Kadhim Ahmed Hussein, adult, male, killed in MSR Michigan, southeast of Habbaniyah, near Fallujah.

11-Oct-04 - Iraqi Layla Awad, adult, female, killed in MSR Michigan, southeast of Habbaniyah, near Fallujah.

11-Oct-04 - Iraqi Samae Hamza Al Waar, adult, male, killed in near Dora, south Baghdad.

11-Oct-04 - Private First Class Aaron J. Rusin, 19, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, died Oct. 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained on Oct. 10 when his military vehicle came under fire from enemy forces. Rusin was assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Howze, Korea.

11-Oct-04 - Staff Sergeant Michael L. Burbank, 34, of Bremerton, Washington, died Oct. 11 in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Stryker military vehicle. Burbank was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

11-Oct-04 - Turkish Contractor named Kemal, Maher was killed today due to beheading at Iraq (Unknown).

11-Oct-04 - Two died October 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, when two rockets impacted their camp. Both were assigned to the Army's Division Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas. Killed were Sergeant Pamela G. Osbourne, 38, of Hollywood, Florida and Private First Class Anthony W. Monroe, 20, of Bismarck, North Dakota.

12-Oct-04 - Iraqi Abdul Majeed al-Antar, adult, male, killed in near Bridge 5, central Mosul.

12-Oct-04 - Iraqi Nephew of Haj Hussein, adult, male, killed in Fallujah.

12-Oct-04 - Iraqi Son of Haj Hussein, adult, male, killed in Fallujah.

12-Oct-04 - Lance Corporal Daniel R. Wyatt, 22, of Calendonia, Wisconsin, died on Oct. 12 due to enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. Wyatt was assigned to Marine Corps Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Chicago, Illinois.

12-Oct-04 - South African Contractor named Botha, Johan was killed today due to Convoy attack at Baghdad (south of). Was a Security contractor for employer Omega Risk Solutions.

12-Oct-04 - South African Contractor named Campher, Louis was killed today due to Convoy attack at Baghdad (south of). Was a Security contractor for employer Omega Risk Solutions.

12-Oct-04 - Specialist Christopher A. Merville, 26, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died October 12th in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit came under enemy fire during combat operations. Merville was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Hovey, Korea.

12-Oct-04 - Two Marines Private First Class Oscar A. Martinez, 19, of North Lauderdale, Florida and Corporal Ian T. Zook, 24, of Port St. Lucie, Florida died Oct. 12 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Martinez was assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California. Zook was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.

12-Oct-04 - Two Soldiers died in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their patrol vehicle on Oct. 12. The Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 20th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas. Killed were Captain Dennis L. Pintor, 30, of Lima, Ohio and Specialist Michael S. Weger, 30, of Rochester, New York. Pintor was a member of the USMA Class of 1998.

13-Oct-04 - Iraqi Hasan al-Bayati, adult, male, killed in 6 miles east of Baquabah.

13-Oct-04 - Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel Hussein, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

13-Oct-04 - Iraqi Sheik Showkat, adult, male, killed in Al Karmah.

13-Oct-04 - Specialist Jaime Moreno, 28, of Round Lake Beach, Illinois, died on Oct. 13 of injuries sustained on Oct. 12.

13-Oct-04 - Specialist Jeremy F. Regnier, 22, of Littleton, New Hampshire, died October 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol. Regnier was assigned to the Army's 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

13-Oct-04 - Specialist Ronald W. Baker, 34, of Cabot, Arkansas, died October 13th in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained on October 7th in Taji, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol vehicle. Baker was assigned to the 39th Support Battalion, Arkansas National Guard, at Lonoke, Arkansas.

13-Oct-04 - Two Marines Second Lieutenant Paul M. Felsberg, 27, of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Lance Corporal Victor A. Gonzalez, 19, of Watsonville, California, died on Oct. 13 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, of Camp Pendleton, California.

13-Oct-04 - Two Soldiers died on Oct. 13, in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their convoy vehicle. Killed were Lieutenant Colonel Mark P. Phelan, 44, of Green Lane, Pennsylvania and Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr. 36, of Irvine, California. Phelan was assigned to the Army Reserve's 416th Civil Affairs Battalion, Morristown, Pennsylvania. Soltes was assigned to the Army Reserve's 426th Civil Affairs Battalion, Upland, California.

14-Oct-04 - American Contractor named Miner, Eric was killed today due to Suicide Bomb at Baghdad. Was a Security Guard for employer DynCorp.

14-Oct-04 - American Contractor named Osborne, Steve was killed today due to Suicide Bomb at Baghdad. Was a Security Guard for employer DynCorp.

14-Oct-04 - American Contractor named Pinsonneault, John was killed today due to Suicide Bomb at Baghdad. Was a Security Guard for employer DynCorp.

14-Oct-04 - Guam Contractor named Ibabao, Ferdinand was killed today due to Suicide Bomb at Baghdad. Was a Security Contractor for employer DynCorp.

14-Oct-04 - Iraqi Abdel Amir Kadhem, adult, male, killed in Rusafa or Azamiyah area, Baghdad.

14-Oct-04 - Iraqi Abdulamir Khadem, adult, male, killed in Rusafa or Azamiyah area, Baghdad.

14-Oct-04 - Iraqi Dina Mohammed Hassan, 38, female, killed in Adhamiyah, Baghdad.

14-Oct-04 - Iraqi Zeina Mahmoud, 38, female, killed in Adhamiyah, Baghdad.

14-Oct-04 - Journalist Dina Mohammed Hassan, of Al-Hurriya, was killed today in Baghdad, Iraq.

14-Oct-04 - Journalist Karam Hussein, of European Pressphoto Agency, was killed today in Mosul, Iraq.

14-Oct-04 - Private 2 David L. Waters, 19, of Auburn, California, died Oct. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. Waters was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

14-Oct-04 - Specialist Josiah H. Vandertulip, 21, of Irving, Texas, died Oct. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his dismounted patrol came under enemy fire. Vandertulip was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

14-Oct-04 - Three Soldiers died on Oct. 14, in Ramadi, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their convoy. Killed were Staff Sergeant Omer T. Hawkins, II, 31, of Cherry Fork, Ohio, Specialist Bradley S. Beard, 22, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Private First Class Mark A. Barbret, 22, of Shelby Township, Michigan. Hawkins was assigned to the Army's 44th Engineer Battalion, in Camp Howze, Korea. Beard was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Red Cloud, Korea. Barbret was assigned to the Army's 44th Engineer Battalion, at Camp Howze, Korea.

14-Oct-04 - Turkish Contractor named Elbu, Ramazan was killed today due to beheading at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

15-Oct-04 - 1 Aid Workers from INGO international staff kidnapped in Iraq and later killed.

15-Oct-04 - Corporal William I. Salazar, 26, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died Oct. 15 from wounds received as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Salazar was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in Camp Pendleton, California.

15-Oct-04 - Iraqi Karam Hussein, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

15-Oct-04 - Iraqi son of Sheik Naji, male, killed in central Baghdad.

15-Oct-04 - Lance Corporal Brian K. Schramm, 22, of Rochester, New York, died Oct. 15 as result of enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. Schramm was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

15-Oct-04 - Specialist Alan J. Burgess, 24, of Landaff, New Hampshire, died Oct. 15 in Mosul, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol vehicle. Burgess was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Brigade, at Woodsville, New Hampshire.

15-Oct-04 - Two Soldiers died October 15 in Karbala, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. Both were assigned to the Army's 9th Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Killed were Sergeant Michael G. Owen, 31, of Phoenix, Arizona and Specialist Jonathan J. Santos, 22, of Whatcom, Washington.

16-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ghafur Abu-Bakr Hakim, adult, male, killed in Al Tis'in area, Kirkuk.

16-Oct-04 - Two Soldiers died on Oct. 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, when their Ohio-58D helicopter apparently collided with another Ohio-58D helicopter and crashed. Both Soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii. Killed were Captain Christopher B. Johnson, 29, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri and Chief Warrant Officer William I. Brennan, 36, of Bethlehem, Connecticut. Johnson was a member of the USMA Class of 1998.

## (end of Week 18 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 19: October 24, 2004

It is very hard to believe that I have now been in Iraq almost five months. I sure everyone at home remains safe, as we work to achieve the needed security for the January elections.

I began the week continuing my shadowing of the old comptroller, Mike. I began to address specific issues and attend several planning meetings on my own. The Multi-National Security Transition Command has a huge task establishing police and armed services.

The Army decided to call up the 98th Training Division from New York. This division provides training schools to Army Reserve units in the northeastern United States, and is one of about seven throughout the country. The 98th was activated to train the Iraqi security forces. We started to receive dozens of Soldiers this week. Included were two Majors with resource management backgrounds, with info on two more officers now at Fort Bliss. Plus my new C-8 office received two Air Force First Lieutenants in over the weekend.

The old comptroller takes a passive stance to dealing with personnel issues, leaving it up to the Chief of Staff to make all the decisions. He recommended that I sit back and wait out for the Chief of Staff to decide who is going where. I did that for a few days, and soon a C-1 (Personnel) staff officer came in and snatched one of the Air Force Lieutenants and assigned him to the police assistance team. The old comptroller continued to recommend that I just wait for things to sort themselves out. Meanwhile, the commanding general mentioned to the old comptroller that he would really like to extend him.

After about several days of this, I saw the Chief of Staff and asked if I could come by his office later and talk about personnel issues. The first item was about the old comptroller, who wants to go home, but does not appear to want to "rock the boat." The Chief of Staff said he would talk to the boss (our commanding general) about the old comptroller. Then I discussed the other officers who had arrived, plus the ones we knew were coming in. During the conversation, the Chief of Staff called the C-1, and the Lieutenant was now transferred back in my C-8 office. I came back to the comptroller office, and the old comptroller was shocked that I had gone and talked with the Chief of Staff. And he was amazed that the Lieutenant was coming back to the office.

Like I have said before, no good turn goes unpunished around here. On Thursday morning, the Chief of Staff wrote an email to my two bosses in Camp Victory, releasing me back due to this command now having sufficient personnel in the comptroller office. Later that day, the Chief of Staff and I sat in a resource management meeting, and he did not say anything to me about this. I found out when one of my bosses came from Camp Victory to host that meeting, so I knew something was up. Later in the day, I talked to my two bosses, and it was decided by all for me to move to Camp Victory and become operations officer for the Corps C-8 office.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - I was really looking forward to becoming the temporary C-8 in this new command, but also understand that the command could choose who they wanted for primary staff officers. I recall that the old C-8 extended until about January, until a new Colonel arrived to become their new comptroller. My old job in the Green Zone would be assumed by the Army Major from the Force C-8 who had arrived and been a quick study. I hoped the workload would not swamp him. At the worse, I was at Camp Victory, knew the lay of the land and the various groups in the Green Zone, and could convoy in to help out. It turned out I made a trip to the Green Zone about three to four times a month on various matters anyway.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 19: October 24, 2004

Some background on how the military is organized here:

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - I deleted this portion of my weekly email, as it is repeated in the Military Lingo chapter.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 19: October 24, 2004

For the first five months here, I have been on the staff of the Multi-National Force - Iraq, headed by the Force commanding general. Starting next week, I will move to Camp Victory and work on the staff of the Multi-National Corps - Iraq, headed by a Lieutenant General. My new job will be to work with the Corps staff sections in the areas of operations, planning, engineering, and civil affairs regarding resource management issues. I will also be the continuity resource management officer for the transition from the III Corps (Fort Hood) to XVIII Airborne Corps (Fort Bragg) that will occur in the coming months – many of the current Corps staff will rotate back to the states sometime in early 2005. I am looking forward to this new job.

Camp Victory is located near the airport, and seems to receive much less mortars and rockets on a typical day. It is almost all military, compared to the International Zone. It also has a large Wal Mart sized Post Exchange and a Burger King. Next week, I will get the chance to write up more about my new surroundings.

On Friday, the hash mismanagement again decided that it was unsafe to run around the International Zone. Besides, the International Zone commander had put out a direct order for no running outside. So again, Club 69 opened up between the trailers, with about 20 folks gathered around singing songs, telling jokes, doing Boston impressions, and laughing.

Today, several of my friends in the rail unit had a very close call. They traveled out to the airport (not sure why the rail folks were going to the airport) in a convoy, and the first vehicle passed by a vehicle sitting on the side of the road. Boom, what we call a VBIED – vehicle borne improvised explosive device. First vehicle destroyed, and two folks with cuts on their faces. Site was quickly secured by the folks in the second vehicle and the reaction force. Cuts were minor. Talked to them tonight after chapel, they are a little shaken, but OK. I told them it probably won't hit them until tonight or tomorrow, and to come by and talk if they want to.

Our priest told a story tonight. Seems he got appointed to be the priest for the diocese cathedral by the bishop. He was so proud of his appointment. Now the church had a summer schedule and a winter schedule for Masses. When they changed times to the winter schedule, a man walked up to him complaining that he was not told that the schedule had been changed. The priest told him that it was announced for the last several weeks during each service. The man continued, saying he had not been told. The priest explained that it had been announced in the weekly bulletin. The man continued his complaining. The priest mentioned that the sign outside announced new times. The man then complained again, adding that he thought that the priest was acting like a clown. The priest told the parish secretary about the man's behavior – and she brought in a picture of a clown with his arms and legs nailed on a cross. And the clown was smiling. The priest said that anytime people would complain or be uncooperative, he would look up at the picture of the smiling clown, and be humble.

Army and the Steelers have a bye this week, so I ended up watching Mississippi State upset Florida on computer TV. Unfortunately, Notre Dame got upset by Boston College, and Air Force lost to BYU. But Navy won, by a point over Rice.

The Red Sox support has extended to the trailers of Poolside. To be quite honest, I was not going to get up at 3 am to watch the playoffs with the Yankees, mainly because I could get up at 6 am and see the 8th and 9th inning. The few Yankee fans around here could not believe that the Red Sox would win four in a row. And beat the Cardinals last night. Each time the Red Sox scored, people would holler and beat on their trailer walls. And then others would pound. And last night, when the Cardinals would score, screams could be heard. Sure hope the Red Sox win in four games.

So the Yankee fans are substituting the Jets – Patriots game tonight for their lost cause.

The weather is finally getting cooler. It never got over a 100 this week, and Friday and Saturday, it never got to 90 degrees. At night, it is getting down to 65 or so, nice and pleasant walking home from work. Because my room mate works at night, he sleeps until 10 pm, so I don't go back to the trailer until then, except on hash nights.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - I see this was my first mention of my new trailer roommate. You may recall that my first roommate, Bob, was a Marine Colonel who left for the Marine forces out in western Iraq, but then returned a few weeks later. He left in the middle of August and for about three or four weeks, I did not have a roommate for my 9 foot by 12 foot room in the trailer. Which was just fine by me, because the official Green Zone policy said that officers of my rank or above on twelve month tours do not have roommates. But the decision to split the Force headquarters between the Green Zone and Camp Victory, the influx of officers and Embassy personnel into the Green Zone, with the lack of trailers, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I had a roommate again. So about mid-September, an Army Chief Warrant Officer who worked intelligence at the Strategic Operations Center at night became my roommate. With me working from about 7 am to midnight each day and then working out of the Phoenix Base in October, we finally worked out times so that each of us did not disturb our sleeping periods.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 19: October 24, 2004

Everyone here continues to work hard, whether on planning future operations, getting the Iraqi election geared up, or continuing the humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. The morale folks have scheduled a Halloween costume party on Thursday night. We tried to have a pizza party for one of the guys last Thursday, and the insurgents decided to fire mortars at us, putting us down in the basement for an hour.

This afternoon, a fellow West Pointer asked me to help him distribute school supplies to an orphanage in the International Zone. It took us a while to find the place – he's a hasher too and we were laughing that we did not know about this place (adjacent to a forward operating base in the Green Zone). His wife had mailed about six boxes to him from an elementary school. The people who run the place asked us to put the boxes in their kitchen, and we hope that they would give these to the children later.

Some folks have emailed me questions about the United States election. My brother in law sent me an email quoting some Private, who said "You know, a lot of people are dying around here. We got bigger things on our mind to worry about than who wants to become President."

A survey was made of military asking them what they miss having over in Iraq. The Air Force and Army personnel responded with having DVDs, better computers, access to email, etc. The Marines wanted more ammunition and weapons systems.

Take care all,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 19 Memorials)

17-Oct-04 – NO ONE REPORTED KILLED IN IRAQ ON THIS DATE.

18-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ahmed Mohamed, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

18-Oct-04 - Specialist Andrew C. Ehrlich, 21, of Mesa, Arizona, died Oct. 18 in Miqdadiyah, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Ehrlich was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Vilseck, Germany.

19-Oct-04 - American Contractor named Lugo III, Felipe E. was killed today due to Mortar attack at Baghdad (United States military base near). Was a Labor Foreman for employer Halliburton.

19-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ahmed Ismail, 15, male, killed in Near Baqubah.

19-Oct-04 - Iraqi Mohaned Kamel Teama, adult, male, killed in Al-Nasiriyah.

20-Oct-04 - Iraqi Father of family, adult, male, killed in Wajda, Fallujah.

20-Oct-04 - Iraqi Mazin al-Sammarra'i, adult, unknown, killed in Al-Zayyunah-Al Ghadeer district, Baghdad.

20-Oct-04 - Iraqi Mother of family, adult, female, killed in Wajda, Fallujah.

20-Oct-04 - Sergeant Douglas E. Bascom, 25, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died Oct. 20 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Bascom, a member of the Individual Ready Reserves, was mobilized and assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

21-Oct-04 - NO ONE REPORTED KILLED IN IRAQ ON THIS DATE.

22-Oct-04 - Lance Corporal Jonathan E. Gadsden, 21, of Charleston, South Carolina died Oct. 22 at the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida, from injuries as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on Aug. 21. Gadsden was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

23-Oct-04 - Croatian Contractor named Burazović, Dalibor was killed today due to See Link at Mosul (near). Was a Truck Driver for employer Eurodelta.

23-Oct-04 - Iraqi Bashmar Kashmula, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

23-Oct-04 - Iraqi Methaq Muhammed, adult, male, killed in Al Quds area, northeast of Baghdad.

23-Oct-04 - Iraqi Taha Ahmad Omar, adult, male, killed in Arbil.

23-Oct-04 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Small arms fire at Baiji. Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

24-Oct-04 - Bulgarian Army Senior Sergeant Vladimir Pashov, 35, of Sofia, Bulgaria, killed by hostile fire - car bomb in Karbala, Iraq. Was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Battalion, 16th Aerial Transport Regiment from Vrazde-Battaliona, Bulgaria.

24-Oct-04 - Edward G. Seitz, died on Oct. 24 in Baghdad due to a small arms attack. Seitz was a member of the Department of State and assigned as a security officer to the United States Embassy in Baghdad.

24-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ali Abd Khadim Yousef Al Khazani, adult, male, killed in near Baqubah.

24-Oct-04 - Lance Corporal Richard P. Slocum, 19, of Saugus, California, died Oct 24 due a non-combat related vehicle accident near Abu Ghraib, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base, Hawaii.

24-Oct-04 - Sergeant Dennis J. Boles, 46, of Homosassa, Florida, died Oct. 24 in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, when he was participating in a 10-mile road march and collapsed. Boles was assigned to the Army National Guard's 171st Aviation Battalion, Brooksville, Florida.

## (end of Week 19 Memorials)

### CAMP VICTORY

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 20: October 31, 2004

It is Halloween night here in Iraq (Sunday). No one is in costume, except all the Soldiers, sailors, air crew, and Marines in their country's and service's version of desert camouflage uniform. But most offices have treats for anyone who cares to partake.

The big event for me this week was the move from the International Zone to Camp Victory. Camp Victory is located near to the Baghdad International Air Field. It is close enough to hear the airplanes taxing down the runways. I understand the area was some sort of summerhouse resort for Saddam, as it is filled with nice cottages and lakes surrounding a large Palace, called the Water Palace.

At Camp Victory, you have elements of the General's Force staff, and the Lieutenant General's staff, commonly called the Corps. Both the Force and Corps comptroller/resource management (C-8) staffs are located together, sharing Building 2 with the Force/Corps Chaplains.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – One of the nice things about being at Camp Victory is that I would save some money by not having my uniforms pressed. The Army desert camouflage uniform (DCU) was designed to not have to be pressed, but senior leaders can demand their staffs to do that. At the Green Zone, the Force Chief of Staff wanted all staff officers to have pressed DCUs. Here in the Corps, they did not. Well the III Corps did not, but once the XVIII Airborne Corps came to Camp Victory in late January, we were again having our DCUs pressed.

COMMENT – Speaking about laundry, the Kellogg, Brown, & Root contract facility offered two methods for turning in your laundry bag. You could check-in your bag without doing an inventory. The other method was to dump out your knit bag and inventory it – how many tee shirts, socks, underwear, etc. And when you picked it up, you had the choice to inventory or not if you had inventoried it upon check-in. I was surprised by how many folks counted out their clothes. I felt it was a waste of time to inventory. I told a person coming to Camp Victory in 2006 after I left that I think I lost two socks the whole time I was in Iraq, because no one wants your underwear.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 20: October 31, 2004

The Corps Comptroller (the Corps C-8) is currently on Rest & Recreational (R&R) leave (two weeks), so the Deputy C-8 (a Colonel) has me doing some administrative and policy work – writing some Corps fragmentary orders based upon the Force orders – they are really behind, only writing one order since July – so I am working on about a dozen orders. I am also writing the Corps version of the Force policy for use of official representative funds – money used to entertain Iraqi and other foreign folks for official business. Plus the Corps C-8 office has allowed their standard operating procedures to lapse, so I have several of those to write this week.

The Deputy C-8 and I, of course, had our first minor disagreement on Sunday morning. Someone has decided somewhere that for each Force fragmentary order, there has to be a corresponding Corps order. Since the Force has issued four separate orders dealing with budget execution and fiscal policy, I recommended that we write one Corps operational order to cover all four – since the four orders were a bit of evolution by their resource management office (remember, I worked for them until last week). Nope, the Deputy C-8 said, write four separate orders. Get with the budget officer and coordinate with him. So I go see the Air Force Major, and first thing the Major wants to do is combine the four orders into one. I agree with him, give him some guidance to get all these things into one order, and tell him I will win this one later, once we have the combined Corps order. Meanwhile, the Force is working on a fifth order, so I borrowed their draft – figuring that we can implement it at the same time. So much fun playing operations officer!!

I won't really have clear guidance on my new job until the Corps C-8 (my boss) gets back from R&R. Meanwhile, I will have less than two weeks to get acquainted with the Corps C-8 office, its people, processes, etc. I will have to find some time also to get out of the Corps C-8 office and meet the other Corps staffs, such as planning, operations, civil military operations, and engineering. That is what the Corps C-8 mentioned to me before he left, but the Deputy C-8 is not aware of what the boss wants me to do. So I will do both over the next two weeks. What's the worse thing they can do to me, send me to Iraq? Afghanistan?

I left the International Zone on Friday (October 29th) in a very secure convoy. We had one exciting moment, when a civilian vehicle pulled up to us on the right. I thought my driver was going to have to play bump cars and ram him broadside – and he should have. The vehicle got between us, the first vehicle, and the middle vehicle, which had someone important in it. This was not good, and everyone was tense for a few moments until the civilian vehicle decided to pull over to the right. The convoy non-commissioned officer did chew out my driver when we got to Camp Victory for not blocking.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – One of the nice things about being a Major General in Iraq is that you had drivers, shooters, and Humvees at your beck and call if you needed to go from the Green Zone to Camp Victory or vice versa. Me – sometimes I was part of an organized trip to either, but many times, I was a hitchhiker with whatever Force or Corps staff happened to be going either way. My Major General probably did not need to go to Camp Victory on Friday morning (October 29th), but he knew I was looking for a convoy plus having to carry all four duffels plus a footlocker would make the pickings slim, so he just happened to mention I could ride along. So we headed out the Green Zone checkpoints, onto Route Irish, and along the highway, three Humvees running as fast as they could with about ten feet between vehicles. Hearts raced when an Iraqi civilian vehicle pulled into our lane between the first and second Humvees. I was sitting in the back of the third Humvee, and the gunner at the turret in the first Humvee was moving the machine gun in a threatening manner at the Iraqi. If the driver had had something in his hands besides the steering wheel, I am sure he would have fired. I do think my Major General's driver in the second Humvee bumped the Iraqi vehicle too, and he pulled over to the right and slowed down as the two Humvees passed. Our Sergeant First Class was spitting words into the driver's face when we finally hit the third Camp Victory checkpoint, having to stop and clear our weapons. Then I got dropped off at Building 2, home of the Force and Corps C-8 offices, with the folks grabbing my bags and footlocker and lugging it in, all the while telling them I was perfectly able to do that. My Major General said he would probably see me around, and for me to feel free to stop by his office anytime I was visiting the Green Zone.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 20: October 31, 2004

They assigned me a trailer that is about twice the size of my old trailer. My room space tripled, as I have two beds, but no roommate, as being an old fart, we get our own room. The trailer is considered dry, as it does not have an internal bathroom or shower. The bathroom trailer is about 100 meters away, and I went looking for the shower trailer, about another 150 meters away. I found out that the shower trailer was the one hit about a week ago that killed that State Department employee in a mortar attack. The attack took out both shower trailers. This morning, I saw Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors installing two new shower trailers that will be between my trailer and the latrine trailer. So far, even though billeting said that that Freedom Village (the name of my trailer park) is almost full, I have not seen many folks using the latrines and showers. I guess I was expected the crowds that were in the old Tent City when I first arrived in Iraq.

My trailer has two rooms, though I have not seen my trailer mate at all. I have rearranged my room, putting the two wardrobe closets next to each other, and using the extra bed as a kinda sofa with the footlocker being a coffee table to sit my laptop on. I need to get to the big Post Exchange soon to get another carpet to help cover some of the floor space (and keep the dust down). At the International Zone, my room was about twelve by nine feet shared with another person; this room is about 25 feet long by nine feet for just me.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT –Freedom Village was being built in June 2004 when I arrived. It probably held about 200 trailers. All were dry, about 40 foot long, but they came in two configurations, two or three rooms. They were arranged in three columns, then an open space, then three more columns, with gravel walkways and small roads to allow for maintenance vehicles. The open space contained latrine and shower trailers, generators, and tanks containing potable water, non-potable water, and fuel for the generators. My trailer was in the middle column and one row down from two generators in shipping containers, that I think put out about 250 kW each. I got used to the noise, as each room had an air conditioner that ran non-stop. Across the road was Dodge City North, which had trailers like the ones in the Green Zone, with an internal bathroom and shower. My boss, the Corps C-8, had one of those trailers, as did his replacement. Lieutenant Colonels and above had their own rooms. Colonels and above usually had trailers like mine, in the two room configuration. Two Majors or Captains would usually share the other room in the two-room trailers. In the three-room trailers, usually Lieutenants or Sergeants had a roommate, but occasionally, a Captain or even Lieutenant Colonel got a room to themselves. The Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors ran billeting, and trailer assignments and other things were sometimes made by how nice you asked. Or being nearly the same age they were also helped. There were concrete barriers located around each trailer, but nothing on the roofs. There was a concrete bunker located about 25 meters or closer to each trailer, useful for sustained indirect fires. About a month after re-locating to Camp Victory, I discovered the little plant where they built the trailers. While I was there, they were building several more trailer parks at Camp Victory, plus at the other nearby camps.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 20: October 31, 2004

I have noticed that some trailers have satellite dishes on the concrete blast barriers. With cables running into their rooms!! I will have to ask someone about this. The rooms are dry, no refrigerator, and no television. We do have a break room at the C-8 offices (our staff in both the Force and Corps offices is less than 30), so we can get football games. Plus, most folks spend from 8 am until 9 pm in the C-8 offices anyway, so the trailers are mostly for sleeping.

One of the persons soon to leave has a bicycle for sale, complete with helmet, lights, and all the gear needed (tire repair, tools, air pump, and water bottle). So I waited a day to see if anyone was interested, and then made him an offer. Camp Victory is rather spread out; it's about a 15-minute walk from C-8 offices to my trailer. So I will go cash a check at Finance tomorrow and then I will have a bike and a little more freedom.

It was sad to leave the International Zone, a place with many friends and five months of memories. I am glad to get away from the constant mortar/rocket attacks, plus the threats of suicide bombers from some of the Iraqi population. Camp Victory is more like an Army base, with most civilians working for Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors running the dining facilities, billeting, electrical systems, etc. There are very few civilians here; probably 95% are military from the coalition nations.

The comptroller's offices in the Green Zone got together on Wednesday night (October 27th) and had a pizza party in my honor. They gave me a "better" set of ear phones (really stereo ear plugs – they never liked my big ear phones that I find more comfortable) and a Cuban cigar. We were supposed to smoke cigars on Thursday night's Halloween costume party.

At 4 pm on Thursday on my last day in the International Zone, we received an email telling all military to not attend the costume party. I was going to wear my Iraqi dish dash outfit, complete with headdress and sandals (flip flops). It turned out that the Embassy had announced the party on the radio, and security feared an attack. So no party for us!! Some of us went downstairs to the theater and watch a dreadful movie, _Perfect Strangers_ , with Sam O'Neil in it. At 8:30 pm, the Giant Voice announced incoming fire and order the evacuation of the pool area. Ten minutes later, the Voice announced and ordered everyone to leave the pool. They then had to send in the Marines to clear the civilians, to cries of "I can't leave my beer."

The activities continued, as someone found a package in the other trailer park. This caused them to evacuate all the occupants of the trailers at 11 pm. They finally blew up something about 2 am, and let everyone go back to bed about 3 am. Needless to say, I did not see a lot of folks Friday morning before I left, as many of them slept in. Me – I found my way past the pool and the other trailer park using alternative ways to get there, and got safely to my trailer around 11 pm, and went fast asleep.

My Corps C-8 office has two female Lieutenants in it, working together on the urgent humanitarian program funding. At dinner last night, they told me about that last week they were sitting in the Camp Victory big dining facility, and some folks came up asking if they were sisters. Now they both have black hair and have it pulled back in the same style, but they don't look alike. It does not take much to here in Iraq make one laugh.

Well, I was not able to hook up to Internet radio here at Camp Victory, but I was able to start the Game tracker, and got to "watch" the Army football game loss to East Carolina. I bet one of the operations center sergeants, an avid Oklahoma fan, bet him $10 that the Cowboys were going to win. Oh well, it was worth it needling him last week. Steelers play the Patriots tonight, and it is on television at 11 pm here – don't think I will stay around tonight. I left the office at 2 am at the end of the Army game, and got up at 8 am. I am actually hoping it will be on the radio, so I could listen to it in the trailer, and fall asleep in my bed.

The Camp Victory C-8 office has an extensive collection of DVDs and has loads of music on the server. Have already listened to The Who, Barry White, and now Aerosmith as I write this week's notes. The 1 pm games on the NFL have started, my office is just around the corner from the break room, and so I can hear the folks cheering or crying.

I will save more information about Camp Victory for the coming weeks. Everyone is asking me about the International Zone, so I have offered to start evening seminars on the International Zone starting Monday night. I am glad about the move; things in the International Zone were getting a little hairy there.

So everyone remain safe and be happy,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 20 Memorials)

25-Oct-04 - Corporal Brian Oliveira, 22, of Raynham, Massachusetts, died Oct. 25 from injuries received from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Oliveira was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

25-Oct-04 - Estonian Army First Sergeant Arre Illinoisenzeer, 28, of Martna, Estonia, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in Baghdad, Iraq. Was assigned to the ESTPLA-9 Light Infantry Unit.

25-Oct-04 - Iraqi Amal Muhammad 'Ubayd, adult, female, killed in Mahmoudiyah.

25-Oct-04 - Iraqi Dhari Ali, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah.

25-Oct-04 - Iraqi Sahir Khodhir, adult, male, killed in Nineveh Provincial Hall, Mosul.

25-Oct-04 - Iraqi Salih Taher Khaleefa, adult, male, killed in Albu Shakur or Al-Zoor area, near Balad.

25-Oct-04 - Iraqi Sayyed Saher, adult, male, killed in Nineveh Provincial Hall, Mosul.

25-Oct-04 - Iraqi Thaher Khaleefa Ahmed, adult, male, killed in Albu Shakur or Al-Zoor area, near Balad.

25-Oct-04 - Iraqi Turki Jabar al Saadi, adult, male, killed in Abu Ghraib.

26-Oct-04 - Iraqi Mahmud Awan Hamid, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

26-Oct-04 - Iraqi Nima Hassan Salish, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

27-Oct-04 - American Contractor named Schnoor, Travis was killed today due to Hostile - hostile fire - improvised explosive device at Baghdad (west of). Was a Security contractor for employer Custer Battles.

27-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ammer Muhammet Hasim, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

27-Oct-04 - Iraqi Leqaa Abdul Razzaq, adult, female, killed in near Dora district, Baghdad.

27-Oct-04 - Iraqi Nasrallah al-Dawudi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

27-Oct-04 - Iraqi Qussay Mehdi, adult, male, killed in Azamiyah, Baghdad.

27-Oct-04 - Staff Sergeant Jerome Lemon, 42, of North Charleston, South Carolina, died Oct. 27 in Balad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Lemon was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1052nd Transportation Company, Kingstree, South Carolina.

28-Oct-04 - Iraqi Gazy Mohammed Mhessn Hssad, adult, male, killed in ASR Temple, 12km east of Camp Dogwood, near Yusufiyah.

28-Oct-04 - Iraqi Mohammed Gazy Mohammed Al Malky, adult, male, killed in ASR Temple, 12km east of Camp Dogwood, near Yusufiyah.

28-Oct-04 - Iraqi Shosei Koda, 24, male, killed in near Haifa Street and Al-Karma Hospital, Baghdad.

28-Oct-04 - Private First Class Stephen P. Downing II, 30, of Burkesville, Kentucky, died Oct. 28 in Ramadi, Iraq, from small arms fire while conducting combat operations. Downing was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, at Camp Hovey, Korea.

28-Oct-04 - Sergeant First Class Michael Battles Sr. 38, of San Antonio, Texas, died Oct. 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his checkpoint. Battles was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

28-Oct-04 - Specialist Segun Frederick Akintade, 34, of Brooklyn, New York, died Oct. 28 in Abd Allah, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. Akintade was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, at New York, New York.

29-Oct-04 - Iraqi Aqil Hamid al-Adili, adult, male, killed in Baquabah.

29-Oct-04 - Sergeant Maurice Keith Fortune, 25, of Forestville, Maryland, died Oct. 29 in Ramadi, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Fortune was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, from Camp Hovey, Korea.

29-Oct-04 - British Army Private Kevin McHale, 27, of Lochgelly, Fife, was killed by non-hostile accident road traffic, Warrior armored vehicle Private McHale was driving overturned at Babil, North Iraq. Was assigned to the Black Watch, 1st Battalion.

30-Oct-04 - Iraqi Alahin Hussein, adult, female, killed in Mansour, Baghdad.

30-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ali Adnan, adult, male, killed in Mansour, Baghdad.

30-Oct-04 - Iraqi Hassan Alwain Al Dehlegi, 30, male, killed in Mansour, Baghdad.

30-Oct-04 - Iraqi Nabil Hussein, adult, male, killed in Mansour, Baghdad.

30-Oct-04 - Iraqi Ramziya Moushee, adult, female, killed in Mansour, Baghdad.

30-Oct-04 - Private First Class John Lukac, 19, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died Oct. 30, due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

30-Oct-04 - Three Marines, Lance Corporal John T. Byrd II, 23, of Fairview, West Virginia, Sergeant Kelley L. Courtney, 28, of Macon, Georgia, and Private First Class Andrew G. Riedel, 19, of Northglenn, Colorado died Oct 30, due enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Byrd and Riedel were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Courtney was assigned to 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III MEF, at Okinawa, Japan.

30-Oct-04 - Two Marines, Lance Corporal Jeremy D. Bow, 20, of Lemoore, California and Lance Corporal Michael P. Scarborough, 28, of Washington, Georgia died Oct. 30, due enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

30-Oct-04 - Two Marines, Lance Corporal Travis A. Fox, 25, of Cowpens, South Carolina and Corporal Christopher J. Lapka, 22, of Peoria, Arizona died Oct 30, due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

31-Oct-04 - First Lieutenant Matthew D. Lynch, 25, of Jericho, New York, died Oct. 31 from enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lynch was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

31-Oct-04 - British Army Staff Sergeant Denise Rose, 34, of Liverpool, was killed by killed herself, Coroner's verdict was that Staff Sergeant Rose killed herself, for reasons unknown.at Basra, Iraq. Was assigned to the Royal Military Police, Special Investigation Branch.

31-Oct-04 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 69 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 15 Coalition Contractors, 1 Aid Workers, 2 Journalists, 1 member of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 695 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 333 Insurgents.

## (end of Week 20 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 21: November 7, 2004

Well the month of October came and went this week. I find it hard to believe it is November already. The good news is that I am now 41 days from taking leave. Whoopee.

I did not stay in the C-8 offices to watch the Steelers play, as I had been up late the night before listening to the Army – East Carolina game. I played around trying to find the game on the radio, but no such luck. I was back in the office by 7 am, and found out that the Steelers had beaten the Patriots. The Steelers play the Eagles tonight, and the game starts around 9 pm here, so I plan to watch it.

My life has settled into a little bit of routine. I have to be at the Corps morning briefings each morning (just like when I was in the International Zone), and they tend to last until about 10 am. Then there is usually a planning meeting on future operations that they want to have a money guy around, so I am usually at the Al Faw (Water) Palace the entire morning. I then go back to the Corps C-8 office (about a quarter mile from the Palace), talk with the Deputy C-8, and then join a group going to the big dining facility (which is behind our building about 100 meters). I check emails after lunch on two of our systems, and then usually work on policy, orders, or procedures with some of the Corps C-8 office staff. By about 3:30 pm, I am ready for a break, which means walking back to the trailer and going over to the gym, followed by a short 20 minute or so nap. Then back into the office, dinner sometime between 6 – 7 pm, and then back in the office until 9 pm to 11 pm. That is the routine, but the nice thing about my job, things tend to change it.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Like most Saddam built palaces, the Water Palace was never designed to be a military headquarters. Large rooms were sub-divided into offices and cubicles. Conference rooms were made, and sometimes turned into large offices for senior leaders. Which was funny since most work was done by teams or task forces, and conference rooms were at a premium. Add to this was the air conditioning, which varied in different parts of the Palace. So much so, that a conference room on the third floor was literally called the Deep Freeze while I was there, as your soft drink would start to ice up if you were in there for more than an hour.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 21: November 7, 2004

On Monday (November 1st), the Deputy C-8 asked me to participate in the rehearsal for the upcoming operations. So I went over to the Water Palace to the meeting at 2 pm. That lasted about an hour, with everyone coming back with information and slides around 5:30 pm. That was only a 30-minute meeting, with everyone resuming the rehearsal at 7:30 pm. The rehearsal took three hours, and they wanted corrections by midnight, then a rehearsal at 1 am on Tuesday morning. That was rather quick, and I was back in the trailer at 2 am, getting up at 4:30 am to go to the 5 am rehearsal. That only lasted one hour, and I told the Navy Commander to take the Corps morning briefings, and that I was going to skip the 10:30 am rehearsal. Went back to the trailer, and slept until noon. I had to get back to the Corps operations center at 3 pm, and the official briefing started at 3:30, and lasted until 7 pm. My presentation was suppose to take about three minutes, but the Corps Command Sergeant Major told me to hit the high points as the Lieutenant General had to get somewhere at 7 pm. Did my pitch in 43 seconds (the Navy Commander timed it), and I had no questions from the boss. He did give me a pregnant pause – thinking about something, but decided he had no questions. Went to dinner afterward, with the Navy Commander complimenting me for my presentation. "That's why they call it a briefing – be brief, to the point, get done, and be understandable." By 8:30 pm, I had had enough of those two days.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - I participated in the planning for Operation Phantom Fury, or more commonly called the Second Battle of Fallujah, a combined offensive involving American, Iraqi Army, and British forces led by the American 1st Marine Division. My small part was to recommend pre-authorizing Commander's Emergency Response Funds to be used for humanitarian projects after the city was captured, plus funding for battle damage and sympathy payments, following the successful playbook established by the Marines after the Battle of Najaf. Unfortunately, the results were not the same due to the heavy damages in Fallujah both before our battle by the insurgents and the actual battle.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 21: November 7, 2004

Unfortunately, I was scheduled to discuss the International Zone on Monday evening. I plan to reschedule this later this week. Force C-8 did get a new Major in who will be going to the CPA C-8 office in the International Zone, so Thursday night we spent a few hours talking about things. He left for the International Zone this morning.

It appears that Camp Victory does not get as many indirect attacks as the International Zone, at least according to the database that is kept. Camp Victory is a whole lot larger, so the rounds land all around us. Again, we continue to be very lucky. One night at dinner, a round landed about 100 meters away. The three Army guys at the table immediately hit the floor, and started grabbing for their helmets and flack vests. Our Navy Commander was still sitting in his chair, watching everyone do a duck and cover.

The dining facility is literally just behind my office, a walk of about two minutes. It is called the Sports Oasis, and is decorated with NFL, NBA, NHA, and Major League Baseball team flags and other sports logos. There are about four big screen television sets, but they are all turned to one station. Usually _CNN_ , but sometimes games of tennis or cricket. Yes cricket, we watched one day for lunch.

The food is ten times better than the International Zone. In fact, it is better than the West Point Mess Hall, which probably with Naval and Air Force Academies have some of the best food in the military. There are so many choices; I can understand why Camp Victory has had to start a weight control program. And the deserts – there is always ice cream, cakes, and pies.

My Force/Corps C-8 offices seems to go to the dining facility in six different groups. The enlisted go to meals in two different groups. There is a group of the Majors, and the group of the Captains/Lieutenants, and another group of the Lieutenant Colonels. And the final group are the Marines – who seem to like to eat together. My Deputy C-8 always gets his food take out, and brings it back to his office to eat. I have been mixing it up among the four officer groups.

The Deputy C-8 surprised everyone on Saturday morning's Corps C-8 staff meeting (which I don't go to, because I am in the Corps morning meetings at the Water Palace then). He told everyone to take a half day-off each week – something that the Corps C-8 office had not been doing, but the Force C-8 office had been doing for a month. When I came back to the Corps C-8 office, the officers thought I had had something to do with this positive change. Of course, I had not done anything – and told them to give credit back to the Deputy C-8 for making a good decision.

On Monday morning, it rained around 7 am for about an hour, and repeated the rain on Tuesday morning. Interesting, this was not in the official weather forecast. On Wednesday morning, it rained almost all day. According to the old times, the rainy season is not supposed to start until December. While there my trailer park is mostly covered with gravel, it ends before one can get to the streets. Lots of mud between there and the street and on all the major pathways. And the streets don't drain well, so it either has standing water or mud or both. By Wednesday morning, our C-8 offices had lots of mud being brought into it.

My solution was to pull out the winter black boots and wear them to the C-8 offices, and then put on my brown desert boots. I got on the bike on Tuesday, and rode it home that night. When I got to the trailer, I noticed I had mud splattered on my trousers. So I went into my duffle bag, and found the cold weather trousers coveralls, and wore them to work with the black boots on Wednesday morning. With the rain all day on Wednesday, the mud became greater, and when I got into the C-8 offices on Thursday morning, I had mud all over my uniform, my chinstrap of my helmet, my vest, back of shirt under the vest (go figure). I decided that the bike would now be parked during the rainy season. We have now had sunny weather the last few days, and most of the mud has dried up. I went out back of the C-8 offices to the hose, and attempted to clean the bike. The bike will be great during the hot and sunny days, but it's not a great idea in wet weather.

I went to the big Camp Liberty Post Exchange on Friday. There is a Burger King there, and the line was long, but I had had lunch before I rode the bus over there. It is located about 2-3 miles away. The Post Exchange is loaded with electronic equipment, and big televisions. I guess many offices are buying them, as I cannot imagine putting these TV's in a trailer. I picked up another carpet and a few items, with plans to maybe come back this week and pick up a table and chair.

I have asked about the satellite dishes, and I have found that an Iraqi vendor sells these (or rents them). No one in the C-8 offices has gone down this road yet, so tomorrow, I plan to go to his store and see what is offered and the cost.

The trailers in the three trailer parks seem to come in two basic configurations. Either two rooms or three rooms. Walking to and from the trailer, I noticed that almost all the three room trailers have two occupants in each room, thus they are about the size room that I used to have in the International Zone. None of the trailers have an internal bathroom or shower.

They have installed the new shower trailer, and it's nicer than the old one down the row. The showerheads have variable speed and flow. The latrine trailer sits next to it, and these are about 100 meters from my trailer. Again, I am amazed that the place is not crowded in the mornings.

Freedom Village has four diesel turbine generators that generate our electricity; it appears that they are running two at a time for over 200 trailers. They are in connex like boxes, and I cannot tell what size they are – no markings. I stay well clear of the diesel tanks. One generator sits next to the trailer one column over – it must be a very popular room to be in. Actually, the generator hum is not that loud.

We have a small Post Exchange about half a mile from my office, and it is open 24 hours a day. Across the street are a barber and beauty shop, plus an AT&T calling trailer and a clothing alternations shop, all in small trailers.

By the big Post Exchange, they have a set of trailers that include overseas car sales, calling cards, barbershop, beauty shop, plant shop (actually sells plants), gift shop, carpet shop, and a jewelry store. On the other side, there is an Iraqi marketplace in two large tents, but it was Friday and they were closed.

The new gym is located in a large tent structure, and they are building a gym in a real building nearby. There is a building nearby with a nice indoor pool. The chapel sits about 100 folks. There is a Saturday night Mass at 8 pm, and one on Sunday at 10:30 am. I went last night, and it was not very crowded. The choir is one of the best I have ever seen, and the five of us that went last night were commenting that this is so untypical of a Mass having everyone singing loudly. The choir has two guys playing guitar, and one of them looks like he used to play in a rock band – he really gets into it.

So that is a quick description of life at Camp Victory – mostly folks working all day running the major tactical headquarters for the war.

On the weekend football front, I see that Ohio State and Oklahoma were winners, while Army, Navy, Tulsa, and Oklahoma State each lost. I was able to watch the Army – Air Force game on broadband, got fairly steady voice and slow scan pictures. Army played well in the first half, but the Falcons did a much better job in the second half. Notre Dame upset Tennessee, which made the weekend tolerable. I now have to buy Burger King dinners to the Air Force officers in my office. Go Steelers tonight.

Finally, one of the big traditions of my new office is Friday movie night. We watched Meet the _Parents_ , and everyone roared laughing at all the silliness and jokes. This is the movie that introduced the world to the concept of milking cats and potential father-in-laws giving lie detector tests to future son-in-laws.

Everyone be safe and take care,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 21 Memorials)

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Adhra'a, daughter of Hazima Mohsen, sister of Artica, adult, female, killed in Fallujah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Amorad, son of Artica and Samr, 4, male, killed in Fallujah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Artica, daughter of Hazima Mohsen, adult, female, killed in Fallujah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Caliph Mahdi Sabbar Husayn, adult, male, killed in Al-Khalidiya District, near Al-Fallujah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Captain Aisar Khalil Abdul, adult, male, killed in Al-Maffraq district, Baqubah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Dhia Najam, 47, male, killed in Andalus, Ramadi.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Ghaith son of Muhammad al-Tahi, 31, male, killed in violent killings recorded at the Baghdad city morgue.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Hadima Mohsen, 65, female, killed in Fallujah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Hassan Kamel Abdel Fattah, adult, male, killed in Al-Dora, Baghdad.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Ka'ahla, daughter of Hazima Mohsen, sister of Artica, adult, female, killed in Fallujah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Khalid Salim, brother of Artica, adult, male, killed in Fallujah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel Athir al-Khazraji, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Samr (?) husband of Artica, adult, male, killed in Fallujah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Son of Ka'ahla, 22, male, killed in Fallujah.

1-Nov-04 - Iraqi Wadallah Sarhan, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

1-Nov-04 - Journalist Dhia Najim, of freelance, was killed today in Ramadi, Iraq.

2-Nov-04 - Iraqi Danaw Salam Elan, adult, unknown, killed in southwest of Baghdad.

3-Nov-04 - American Contractor named Serrett, Jeffery was killed today due to Small arms fire at Baghdad (Abu Ghraib). Was a Medic for employer Halliburton.

3-Nov-04 - British Contractor named Barker, John was killed today due to Suicide Bomb (car) at Baghdad (Airport). Was a Security contractor for employer Global Risk Strategies Limited.

3-Nov-04 - Iraqi 'Ala' Andraus, adult, male, killed in Mekanik section of al-Dora, Baghdad.

3-Nov-04 - Iraqi Hussein Ali al-Fatal, adult, male, killed in Qadisiya or Al-Mamun, Baghdad.

3-Nov-04 - Iraqi Marwan Ibraheem, male, killed in 3km northeast of Forward Operating Base Paliwoda, Balad.

3-Nov-04 - Sergeant Charles J. Webb, 22, of Hamilton, Ohio died Nov. 3 in the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained earlier that day when an improvised explosive device detonated in Baghdad, Iraq. Webb was assigned to the 82nd Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), Bamberg, Germany.

4-Nov-04 - Iraqi Jassem Ali, adult, male, killed in near Ghalibiyah, south of Hibhib, northeast of Baghdad.

4-Nov-04 - Marines Corporal Jeremiah A. Baro, 21, of Fresno, California and Lance Corporal Jared P. Hubbard, 22, of Clovis, California died Nov. 4 from injuries received as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

4-Nov-04 - Specialist Cody L. Wentz, 21, of Williston, N. D. died November 4 in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle while on patrol. Wentz was assigned to the Army National Guard's 141st Engineer Battalion, Williston, North Dakota.

4-Nov-04 - British Army Private Paul Lowe, 19, of Dunfermline, Fife, was killed by hostile attack by suicide bomb attack, suicide car-bomb attack on a vehicle check-point at Anbar, near Falluja Iraq. Was assigned to the Black Watch, 1st Battalion.

4-Nov-04 - British Army Private Scott McArdle, 22, of Glenrothes, Fife, was killed by hostile attack by suicide bomb attack, suicide car-bomb attack on a vehicle check-point at Anbar, near Falluja Iraq. Was assigned to the Black Watch, 1st Battalion.

4-Nov-04 - British Army Sergeant Stuart Gray, 31, of Dunfermline, Fife, was killed by hostile attack by suicide bomb attack, suicide car-bomb attack on a vehicle check-point at Anbar, near Falluja Iraq. Was assigned to the Black Watch, 1st Battalion.

5-Nov-04 - Iraqi Bezei Ftaykhan, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

5-Nov-04 - Iraqi Khamis Futaikhan, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

5-Nov-04 - Iraqi relative of Salam, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

5-Nov-04 - Iraqi Youssef Ahmed, adult, male, killed in Abbasiyah, 80 kilometers southwest of Kirkuk.

5-Nov-04 - Nepali Contractor named Gurung, Tikaram was killed today due to Ambush at Iraq (unspecified). Was a Security guard for employer Gorkha Manpower Company.

5-Nov-04 - Sergeant Carlos M. Camacho-Rivera, 24, of Carolina, Puerto Rico, died Nov. 5 in the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained earlier that day in Fallujah, Iraq, from a rocket blast. Camacho-Rivera was assigned to the 368th Transportation Company, 11th Transportation Battalion, at Fort Story, Virginia.

6-Nov-04 - Iraqi Abdul Satar Al-Luhaibi, adult, male, killed in near the North Bridge, downtown Baqubah.

6-Nov-04 - Private Justin R. Yoemans, 20, of Eufaula, Alabama, died Nov. 6 at the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained earlier that day in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his up-armored vehicle. Yoemans was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, at Fort Hood, Texas.

7-Nov-04 - Iraqi Ceha Abdul Zahra, adult, unknown, killed in near Imam Ali Street, east Baghdad.

7-Nov-04 - Iraqi Dureid Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah area.

7-Nov-04 - Iraqi Jassim Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah area.

7-Nov-04 - Iraqi Mejbil Hamid Abidallah, adult, male, killed in Al Shahab, northeast of Baghdad.

7-Nov-04 - Iraqi Shihab Ahmed, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah area.

7-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Sean M. Langley, 20, of Lexington, Kentucky, died Nov. 7 from injuries received as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Langley was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

7-Nov-04 - Specialist Brian K. Baker, 27, of West Seneca, New York, died November 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his security patrol. Baker was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

7-Nov-04 - Specialist First Class Otie Joseph Mcvey, 53, of Oak Hill, West Virginia died November 7 from non-hostile injuries sustained on August 23. Mcvey was assigned to 706th Transportation Company, 475 Quartermaster Group, in Ohio.

7-Nov-04 - Specialist Quoc Binh Tran, 26, of Mission Viejo, California, died Nov. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained that same day when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle while he was conducting convoy operations. Tran was assigned to the Army National Guard's 181st Support Battalion, San Bernardino, California.

7-Nov-04 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Shot Dead at Samarra. Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

## (end of Week 21 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 22: November 15, 2004

It just seems like last week that it was Halloween, and now the month of November is half over.

Over the weekend, we received information in the _Stars & Stripes_ newspaper that the Marines decided to have a Roman sports competition. They had acquired some horses from smugglers that they had captured crossing the border, and made costumes, swords, and helmets out of various materials. The article told us that the winner of the chariot race would be the one who crossed first, or if all horses died before any of them crossed, the one who got the closest to the finish line would win. No horses died during the race. The Marines also had sword fights and had a sprint dressed in gear. I saw some pictures where they wore the flack vests under their Roman costume.

On Wednesday, November 10th, was the 229th birthday of the United States Marines. Our C-8 offices staff went over to the Water Palace, and watched the formal ceremony chaired by the Force Chief of Staff (the oldest Marine there) and hosted by the Force commanding general (United States Army). All of our Force and Corps C-8 office Marines had a part – one was in the choir, two were in the honor guard, and finally one narrated. They cut the big cake and gave the first piece to the commanding general, then to the oldest and youngest Marines present. Then they wheeled the cake into the ballroom, and the Marines then left us to have a quiet but rowdy dinner. The commanding general agreed to a request, and he granted each Marine the right to have two real beers during the dinner. Everyone was well behaved, heard of no Marines doing anything stupid afterward.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Thursday, November 11th, our C-8 offices received a surprise visit by the Corps commanding general, who walked around talking to all the enlisted personnel for almost an hour. About halfway through the visit I grabbed my camera and took some pictures. The Lieutenant General gave out his commander's coin to three folks for the work they have been doing, so our Deputy C-8 must have known he was coming and gave him information about their activities. Commander's coins are a useful item to give immediate recognition to a Soldier, and General Officers are authorized to have the government purchase them. I have my own cherished personal collection of coins given to me over my military career. Before I went to Iraq, I purchased through the Finance Corps Association a number of Finance Corps coins that I gave out to deserving folks from time to time, plus these were useful gifts to coalition officers for their support. After the visit ended, someone mentioned it was Veteran's Day, a federal holiday. Unfortunately, it was just another work day in Iraq.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 22: November 15, 2004

As you know by now, we kicked off one of the major offensive operations to clear the city of Fallujah from insurgent control. This was the planning that I was involved in last week with the endless rehearsals. We are now involved in getting food and water to every mosque, and getting needed medical supplies to hospitals and clinics. The operation has been initially quite successful, unfortunately, with the loss of about forty Iraqi and United States personnel and several hundred wounded.

On Friday, the 15th Finance Battalion had a ceremony that opened their new Finance Building at Camp Liberty, just adjacent to Camp Victory. Two Engineer and Signal companies participated in the construction, and there was a formal ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the 1st Cavalry Deputy Commanding General and the Engineer Brigade Commander. Then the Finance folks hosted everyone to a tour of the building, including the cash in the vault And then barbequed chicken and ribs, and made all the fixings. The detachment commander made a mess, getting BBQ all over his newly pressed for the occasion blouse. Got to meet two Sergeants who were at Finance offices that I deployed the JUMPS-Army Coding System in 1984 to. Small world!!

They announced this week that the United States Navy is now going to go to one-year tours, in line with the Army's policy. Previously, the Navy was sending folks over on six-month tours. There are several Soldiers who are also on six-month tours, and they have been extended one month to cover the change over of forces that are just getting started. It does not affect anyone in our C-8 offices; we have three folks who are leaving December 1st. It turns out – they were on six-month orders, but did not know it, and they have been here more than 11 months. I told one of the Lieutenants that I would have known about the difference between six month and twelve month orders.

My boss (the Corps C-8) got back on Friday evening from his Rest & Recreation (R&R) leave in the states. He looked quite rested – and I told him that everyone was happy to see him back – the Deputy C-8 was driving everyone (including me) nuts with his word smithing of each document, micromanaging of each issue, etc. The Deputy C-8 left Monday morning for his R&R to Hawaii. Like I said, everyone in the office is quite relaxed today. Working hard, but relaxed.

I got my first financial orders published yesterday – one raised the sympathy (condolence) payments for property damage and injuries to the same amount as death, giving commanders more flexibility to deal with these things in the field. The other order, they call them Fragmentary Orders, clarifies who has funding responsibility for the Iraqi Security Forces (armed forces and police units).

In the old days, major commands would issue various types of documents, such as memorandums, letters, and orders. Here, everything is issued as Fragmentary Orders, and they run from 001 to now over 1038, just for those starting since 1 July. Now in the old days, Fragmentary Orders were really additions, deletions, or changes to a base order, and after about five Fragmentary Orders, and then you had to issue a new base order. Not here, you just issue another Fragmentary Order. And now, if the Force headquarters issues a Fragmentary Order, then my Corps command has to issue a Fragmentary Order to our subordinate commands. And it cannot be word for word; it should be a little different. So much fun, and there are folks at the headquarters who's whole day is spent working and administering Fragmentary Orders.

For me, as the operations officer, each morning I go to the Force headquarters web site, and check the published and draft Fragmentary Orders, usually reading a few of them to see if my Corps C-8 office has been assigned something to do, or relates to spending money. I then look at my Corps headquarters draft and published ones for the same issues. My boss is notified about the Fragmentary Orders that are in staffing that have a direct impact and he passes on the email to me. Trying to get the Fragmentary Order Factory guys to send them directly or concurrently to me.

Just two groups of planning meetings attended this week. I think that there might have been a few more, but shame on them not getting me on their distribution lists. Turns out that the C-5 was a plebe in my regiment when I was a senior at West Point, and we served together at Fort Monroe, Virginia, in the late 1980s.

On Monday, I went to the little store that sells DVDs – run by an enterprising Iraqi businessman. His brother-in law provides satellite dishes and converters, all for a sum of $200. I agreed to this deal, and went over to the finance office and cashed a check. I went back on Tuesday, and the brother-in-law could not get into the gates that afternoon. Went there on Wednesday, same story. And went there again on Thursday, and this time made an appointment for 3 pm on Friday. Unfortunately, the brother-in-law, Alaa, could not get on base on Friday either. So I was expecting the same on Saturday afternoon when I went over there.

Surprised, Alaa was there. He wanted to install it on Sunday, but I asked nicely and he said he could do it before 5 pm, when he had to leave the base. So he gathered up cable, the dish, the converter, and his tools, and we went in his car over to the edge of the trailer park. We carried in the stuff and he spent less than an hour installing the satellite dish and converter. It loaded up over 400 hundred channels from the Hot Bird satellites. And several hundred radio channels. _CNN_ was playing, picture perfect after Alaa fussed a little with the satellite dish to make it perfect. Then we carried his tools back to his car – he had a early 1981 that he drives on base and waits in line at the gate, he owns a new 1995 model that he drives the family in. Got him back to the store with twenty minutes to spare, and he gave me his telephone number if I have any problems.

This being Saturday afternoon, my office mate, the Air Force Major, was looking to stop by the trailer and catch some football games. I had noticed that several United States channels, including _NBC_ and _Armed Forces Network_ , loaded in. So I left the Corps C-8 office after dinner at 7 pm, and went to the trailer. Then I got fancy.

For ease of installation, I had Alaa just lay the converter on top of my footlocker. I decided to put the converter under the television set. So I unhooked the cables and moved the TV onto the floor, and then the converter and the TV back on top. Pushed the two remote controls, TV came on, but not the converter. Played with the cable connections (there were three cable connectors, plus three separate sets of connections, but I remembered that they were red, white, and yellow in order). So only 18 possible combinations, and I probably tried them all. No satellite reception. Then I noticed that the plug had come out of the strip. The Iraqi plugs are just two rounded pins, and they do not stay in very well.

So I plugged it in, played with the connections, and quickly had satellite reception. But I noticed no _CNN_. The last two evenings I have gone thru the channels, and have still not found _CNN_. And the _Fox Sports_ and _AFN Sports_ channel comes in scrambled (now I did not look at those channels while Alaa was hooking me up). I have played with the system, and have found two more satellites that I can get, and loaded in about 200 more channels. But still have no _CNN_ , and no stations that played American football. I did find a series of stations that showed European football (soccer) games from all the top teams.

I saw someone sitting outside their trailer smoking that had a satellite dish. He is Italian and said that he only got Arabic and European stations. No _AFN_. Still, in the back of my mind, I think getting _CNN_ and not now getting it are connected with me not getting the _AFN_ – United States broadcasts. I am going to look at the satellite settings on the C-8 office television set later today. If not, I will go see Alaa sometime this week and see if he can fix the problem. But if anyone has any suggestions, or is an expert on satellite television, please drop me a line.

Army played a night game at Tulane, so I got up around 3 am and came into the C-8 offices to watch it on the Internet. Surprisingly, I was able to get Internet radio and got to listen to most of the game. Army played hard but lost, and Notre Dame lost by a last second field goal. Steelers did beat the Brownies. So it was not a totally bad weekend. Hard to believe that there are only a few college football weekends left.

Also on Friday, at the same time as the opening of the Finance office, the new Dining Facility had its official opening. My office mates said they celebrated with steak, lobster, and crab legs. They still had lobster at dinner, so I had some. This is the dining facility called Sports Oasis, which is decorated with NBA, MLB, NFL, and NHL flags and logos. The old new dining facility is called Coalition, and it is decorated with the flags of all coalition members.

The office's Friday night movie was _Pirates of the Caribbean_ , a movie I had never seen. Only a few folks watched it. On Sunday afternoon, they cut our power for several hours to do something. When I came back to the C-8 offices, about ten folks were gathered around a laptop watching the movie _Patriot_ with Mel Gibson. I don't remember if I previously mentioned it, but the C-8 office has quite a supply of DVD movies, it is apparent that everyone likes to watch movies during their limited time off. They now know that I like science fiction, and the movie _I Robot_ appeared on my desk. I have not had time to watch it yet, due to my fun with the satellite system.

Well that is the latest news for this corner of Iraq. I hope everyone is well and OK, and be safe all.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 22 Memorials)

8-Nov-04 - Corporal Joshua D. Palmer, 24, of Blandinsville, Illinois, died Nov. 8 as a result of a non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

8-Nov-04 - Corporal Robert P. Warns II, 23, of Waukesha, Wisconsin, died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Chicago, Illinois.

8-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Branden P. Ramey, 22, of Boone, Illinois, died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Chicago, Illinois.

8-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Jeffrey Lam, 22, of Queens, New York, died Nov. 8 as a result of a non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 6th Communications Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, in Brooklyn, New York.

8-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Thomas J. Zapp, 20, of Houston, Texas, died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, from Camp Pendleton, California.

8-Nov-04 - Marines Corporal Nathaniel T. Hammond, 24, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Lance Corporal Shane K. O'Donnell, 24, of DeForest, Wisconsin died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. They were assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, at Chicago, Illinois.

8-Nov-04 - Specialist Bryan L. Freeman, 31, of Lumberton, New Jersey, died November 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained earlier that day when he came under small arms fire while conducting a vehicle search. Freeman was assigned to the 443rd Civil Affairs, Battalion, United States Army Reserve, in Warwick, Rhode Island.

8-Nov-04 - Staff Sergeant David G. Ries, 29, of Clark, Washington, died Nov. 8 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, in Portland, Oregon.

8-Nov-04 - Two Soldiers died November 8 in Baghdad, Iraq when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near their convoy. Both Soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery, Kansas National Guard, in Horton, Kansas. Killed were Staff Sergeant Clinton L. Wisdom, 39, of Atchison, Kansas and Specialist Don A. Clary, 21, of Troy, Kansas.

8-Nov-04 - British Army Private Pita Tukutu-Kuwaqa, 27, of Fiji, was killed by hostile attack by roadside bomb, Warrior armored vehicle attacked at Baghdad, Camp Dogwood Iraq. Was assigned to the Black Watch, 1st Battalion.

9-Nov-04 - American Contractor named Iversen, Aaron was killed today due to RPG between Baghdad and Falluja. Was a security contractor for employer EOD Technology.

9-Nov-04 - American Contractor named Randolph, David was killed today due to RPG between Baghdad and Falluja. Was a Weapons Disposal for employer EOD Technology.

9-Nov-04 - Command Sergeant Major Steven W. Faulkenburg, 45, of Huntingburg, Indiana, died Nov. 9 in Fallujah, Iraq, when he came under small arms fire while conducting combat operations. Faulkenburg was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, from Vilseck, Germany.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Ali Amini, adult, male, killed in central Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Muhammad Abbas, adult, male, killed in central Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Mustafa Sheriff, adult, male, killed in central Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Ghaith Aboud, 9, male, killed in Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Hamid Rabia, adult, male, killed in central Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Hassan Hadi, male, killed in MSR Tampa, Balad.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Jasi Abed Zaid, female, killed in MSR Tampa, Balad.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Kamil Iliyan, adult, male, killed in Samarra.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Kazem Shabib, adult, male, killed in south of Hegna, Zab area, Ramadi.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Omar Ahmed, adult, male, killed in central Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Omar Mahmoud, adult, male, killed in central Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Saed Khalaf, adult, male, killed in Namaisah village, Ramadi district.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Saluan al-Kubaissy, adult, male, killed in central Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Sami Omar, adult, male, killed in central Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Iraqi Younger brother of Ghaith Aboud, 0, male, killed in Fallujah.

9-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Abraham Simpson, 19, Chino, California, died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

9-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Juan E. Segura, 26, of Homestead, Florida, died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

9-Nov-04 - Major Horst G. Moore, 38, of San Antonio, Texas, died Nov. 9 in Mosul, Iraq, when enemy mortar rounds detonated within his unit living area. Moore was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

9-Nov-04 - Master Sergeant Steven E. Auchman, 37, of Waterloo, New York, died Nov. 9 from injuries received when multiple rocket propelled grenades struck his location in Mosul, Iraq. He was assigned to the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Lewis, Washington.

9-Nov-04 - Sergeant David M. Caruso, 25, of Naperville, Illinois, died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

9-Nov-04 - Sergeant John B. Trotter, 25, of Marble Falls, Texas, died November 9 in Ramadi, Iraq, when he was on patrol and his unit came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Trotter was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Howze, Korea.

9-Nov-04 - Sergeant Lonny D. Wells, 29, of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

9-Nov-04 - Specialist Travis A. Babbitt, 24, of Uvalde, Texas, died November 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. Babbitt was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

9-Nov-04 - Staff Sergeant Russell L. Slay, 28, of Humble, Texas, died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

9-Nov-04 - Staff Sergeant Todd R. Cornell, 38, of West Bend, Wisconsin, died November 9 in Fallujah, Iraq, when acting in an advisory support capacity and his Iraqi unit came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire. Cornell was assigned to the Army Reserve's 1st Battalion, 339th Infantry Regiment, in Fraser, Michigan.

9-Nov-04 - Three Marines, Corporal William C. James, 24, of Huntington Beach, California, Lance Corporal Nicholas D. Larson, 19, of Wheaton, Illinois, and Lance Corporal Nathan R. Wood, 19, of Kirkland, Washington died Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

10-Nov-04 - First Lieutenant Dan T. Malcom Jr. 25, of Brinson, Georgia, died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

10-Nov-04 - American Contractor named Thomas, Douglas S. was killed today due to improvised explosive device - Roadside bomb at Between Ballad and Tikrit. Was an International Police Liaison Officer for employer DynCorp.

10-Nov-04 - Corporal Romulo J. Jimenez II, 21, of Miami, Florida, died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

10-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Aaron C. Pickering, 20, of Marion, Illinois, died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

10-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Erick J. Hodges, 21, of Bay Point, California, died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

10-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Wesley J. Canning, 21, of Friendswood, Texas, died Nov. 10 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Canning was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

10-Nov-04 - Petty Officer Third Class Julian Woods, 22, of Jacksonville, Florida, died Nov. 10 as a result of hostile fire in Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Marine Division Detachment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, at Kaheohe Bay, Hawaii.

10-Nov-04 - Private First Class Dennis J. Miller, Jr. 21, of La Salle, Michigan, died Nov. 10 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit came under enemy attack and a rocket-propelled grenade struck his M1A1 Abrams tank. Miller was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Korea.

10-Nov-04 - Staff Sergeant Gene Ramirez, 28, of San Antonio, Texas, died Nov. 10 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

10-Nov-04 - Staff Sergeant Michael C. Ottolini, 45, of Sebastopol, California, died Nov. 10 in Balad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his up-armored HMMWV. Ottolini was assigned to the Army National Guard's 579th Engineer Battalion, in Petaluma, California.

11-Nov-04 - American Contractor named Wilshire, James was killed today due to Attack at Between Latifiya to Baghdad. Was a Security Consultant for employer Erinys International.

11-Nov-04 - Corporal Peter J. Giannopoulos, 22, of Inverness, Illinois, died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Corps Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Chicago, Illinois.

11-Nov-04 - Corporal Theodore A. Bowling, 25, of Casselberry, Florida, died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

11-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Justin D. Reppuhn, 20, of Hemlock, Michigan, died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

11-Nov-04 - Marines Second Lieutenant James P. Blecksmith, 24, of San Marino, California and Lance Corporal Kyle W. Burns, 20, of Laramie, Wyoming died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Blecksmith was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California. Burns was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

11-Nov-04 - Specialist Thomas K. Doerflinger, 20, of Silver Spring, Maryland, died Nov. 11 in Mosul, Iraq, when his unit received small arms fire while conducting combat operations. Doerflinger was assigned to 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

11-Nov-04 - Staff Sergeant Sean P. Huey, 28, of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, died Nov. 11 in Habbaniyah, Iraq, when his unit was on patrol and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Huey was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Greaves, Korea.

11-Nov-04 - Staff Sergeant Theodore S. Holder II, 27, of Littleton, Colorado, died Nov. 11 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

12-Nov-04 - First Lieutenant Edward D. Iwan, 28, of Albion, Nebraska, died Nov. 12 in Fallujah, Iraq, when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Iwan was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Vilseck, Germany.

12-Nov-04 - American Contractor named Tatar, Mike was killed today due to friendly small arms fire at Iraq (Unknown). Was an International Police Liaison Officer for employer DynCorp.

12-Nov-04 - Corporal Brian P. Prening, 24, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, died Nov 12 as result of enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. Prening was assigned to Marine Corps Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Chicago, Illinois.

12-Nov-04 - Corporal Jarrod L. Maher, 21, of Imogene, Iowa, died Nov. 12 as result of a non-hostile gunshot wound at Abu Ghraib, Iraq. Maher was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

12-Nov-04 - Corporal Nathan R. Anderson, 22, of Howard, Ohio, died Nov. 12 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Anderson was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

12-Nov-04 - Iraqi Nouri al-Rubaie, adult, male, killed in Abu Dashir, Dora, Baghdad.

12-Nov-04 - Iraqi Brigadier Mowaffaq Mohammed Dahham, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

12-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Nicholas H. Anderson, 19, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died Nov. 12 in a vehicle incident while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Anderson was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

12-Nov-04 - Marines Lance Corporal David M. Branning, 21, of Cockesville, Maryland and Lance Corporal Brian A. Medina, 20, of Woodbridge, Virginia. Both Marines died Nov. 12 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They both were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

12-Nov-04 - Sergeant James C. Matteson, 23, of Celoron, New York, died Nov. 12 in Fallujah, Iraq, when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Matteson was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Vilseck, Germany.

12-Nov-04 - Sergeant Jonathan B. Shields, 25, of Atlanta, Georgia, died Nov.12 in Fallujah, Iraq, when he was accidentally struck by a tank. Shields was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Armor), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

12-Nov-04 - Sergeant Morgan W. Strader, 23, of Croosville, Indiana, died Nov 12 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Strader was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

12-Nov-04 - Specialist Raymond L. White, 22, of Elwood, Indiana, died Nov. 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his patrol encountered enemy forces using small arms fire. White was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Armor), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

13-Nov-04 - Captain Sean P. Sims, 32, of El Paso, Texas, died Nov. 13 in Fallujah, Iraq, when his unit received small arms fire while clearing a building. Sims was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, at Vilseck, Germany.

13-Nov-04 - Corporal Kevin J. Dempsey, 23, of Monroe, Connecticut, died Nov. 13 due to enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Dempsey was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

13-Nov-04 - Iraqi Goran Aziz, 45, male, killed in near Al-Salam Hospital, Mosul.

13-Nov-04 - Iraqi Hasib Mustafa Hassan, adult, male, killed in Between Khalis and Hamrin area, south of Kirkuk.

13-Nov-04 - Iraqi Nawzad Tawfiq Tawfiq, adult, male, killed in Between Khalis and Hamrin area, south of Kirkuk.

13-Nov-04 - Iraqi Waddah Hassan Abdel-Amir (a.k.a. Comrade Saadoun), adult, male, killed in Between Khalis and Hamrin area, south of Kirkuk.

13-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Justin M. Ellsworth, 20, of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, died Nov. 13 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Ellsworth was assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

13-Nov-04 - Private First Class Cole W. Larsen, 19, of Canyon Country, California, died Nov. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a civilian vehicle struck his military vehicle causing it to roll over. Larsen was assigned to the 272nd Military Police Company, 21st Theater Support Command, in Mannheim, Germany.

13-Nov-04 - Sergeant Byron W. Norwood, 25, of Pflugerville, Texas, died Nov. 13 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Norwood was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

13-Nov-04 - Sergeant Catalin D. Dima, 36, of While Lake, New York died on Nov. 13 when a mortar round landed near his position. Dima was assigned to the 411th Engineer Brigade, Army Reserve, in New Windsor, New York.

13-Nov-04 - Specialist Jose A. Velez, 23, of Lubbock, Texas, died Nov. 13 in Fallujah, Iraq, while clearing an enemy strongpoint when his unit came under fire. Velez was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

13-Nov-04 - Three Marines, Lance Corporal Benjamin S. Bryan, 23, of Lumberton, North Carolina, Lance Corporal Victor R. Lu, 22, of Los Angeles, California, and Lance Corporal Justin D. McLeese, 19, of Covington, Louisiana died Nov. 13 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Bryan and McLeese were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Lu was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

14-Nov-04 - Aid Worker Margaret Hassan, head of CARE International in Iraq, was executed by gunfire to the head.

14-Nov-04 - American Contractor named Weis, Wolf was killed today due to Ambush at Mosul (Near). Was a Contractor for an unknown employer.

14-Nov-04 - Corporal Nicholas L. Ziolkowski, 22, of Towson, Maryland. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

14-Nov-04 - Iraqi Margaret Hassan, 59, female, killed in Baghdad?

14-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal George J. Payton, 20, of Culver City, California. Payton was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

14-Nov-04 - Marines Corporal Dale A. Burger Jr. 21, of Port Deposit, Maryland and Corporal Andres H. Perez, 21, of Santa Cruz, California died Nov. 14 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They both were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

15-Nov-04 - British Contractor named Husband, Shaun was killed today due to Bomb at Basra (Zubayr). Was a Security Consultants for employer Olive Security.

15-Nov-04 - Five Marines died Nov. 15. All died as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Killed were Lance Corporal Jeramy A. Ailes, 22, of Gilroy, California, Lance Corporal Travis R. Desiato, 19, of Bedford, Massachusetts, Sergeant Rafael Peralta, 25, of San Diego, California, Corporal Marc T. Ryan, 25, of Gloucester, New Jersey, and Lance Corporal James E. Swain, 20, of Kokomo, Indiana. Swain was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Ailes was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Ryan was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Desiato was assigned 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Peralta was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

15-Nov-04 - Iraqi brother of Rana Obeidy, child, male, killed in Baghdad.

15-Nov-04 - Iraqi Major Hadi Refeidi, adult, male, killed in Suwayrah, 25 miles south of Baghdad.

15-Nov-04 - Iraqi Qassim Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Buhriz, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad.

15-Nov-04 - Journalist Wadallah Sarhan, of Akhbar al-Mosul, was killed today in Mosul, Iraq.

15-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Bradley L. Parker, 19, of Marion, West Virginia, died Nov. 15 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

15-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Shane E. Kielion, 23, of La Vista, Nebraska, died Nov. 15 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

15-Nov-04 - Marines Captain Patrick Marc M. Rapicault, 34, of St. Augustine, Florida and Lance Corporal Antoine D. Smith, 22, of Orlando, Florida died Nov. 15 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Rapicault was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Smith was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

15-Nov-04 - Marines Lance Corporal William L. Miller, 22, of Pearland, Texas and Corporal Lance M. Thompson, 21, of Upland, Indiana died Nov. 15 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Miller was assigned 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Thompson was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

15-Nov-04 - Private First Class Isaiah R. Hunt, 20, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, died Nov. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq, when the driver of his military vehicle accidentally struck another vehicle. Hunt was assigned to the 782nd Main Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

15-Nov-04 - South African Contractor named Terry, Johan was killed today due to Bomb at Basra (Zubayr). Was a Security Consultants for employer Olive Security.

## (end of Week 22 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 23: November 22, 2004

Another week in Iraq, oh my!!

A week of close calls by two of our folks in my Corps C-8 office!!!

For one, he came back to his trailer and found that the ordnance folks were trying to detonate an unexploded round that landed a foot from his trailer door. He was not in the trailer at the time, but his roommate was, with headphones on, roomie thought the round had landed nearby, but did not realize how close it had landed. Our Soldier is scheduled to leave in less than ten days.

For another, a Marine, he lives in another trailer with three rooms. A rocket landed outside, and a large fragment went through the wall of first room, which was occupied with someone lying in their bunk. The fragment landed on the floor next to the bunk. The fellow just looked, and then decided it might be a good idea to get out of the room, just in case it might be explosive. Our Marine had just left his room 15 minutes before to come to the Corps C-8 office to call his wife.

So two close calls, but no one hurt. Luck continues.

I see that the Buckeyes upset Michigan over the weekend. Army tried, but in a rainy defensive game, could not score several times they moved down to UAB's end zone. Steelers won, beating the Bangles. Navy and Air Force won too. It looks like Navy is going to a bowl game over the holidays. Just hope Army can spoil their fun a little in two weeks.

A West Point classmate and company mate of mine was with a police commando unit about a week ago, and they were ambushed. Jim got wounded in his hand and arm, and just received a Purple Heart yesterday after he led the counter-attack. I saw him quoted in the press this morning, and will try to call him in the next couple of days.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - Jim is an Infantry Colonel who was up in Mosul working with the Iraqi military police unit when it came under attack. A number of Iraqi military leaders were either immediately hurt or ran, and Jim ended up taking over command. Over many hours, Jim led a successful defensive operation, despite being wounded and refusing to leave until all wounded Iraqis were evacuated first. They awarded him the Silver Star Medal, the nation's third highest award for heroism initially. It was later upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest for heroism and valor, just below the Medal of Honor. I saw him a few weeks later walking in the Green Zone Republican Palace, he looked like crap, but I was thankful to see him again.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 23: November 22, 2004

Much of the week was spent working on routine resource management activities and issues. Not much to write home about, just sitting in a number of meetings, writing orders, and memorandums. I did have one policy approved by the Corps Chief of Staff, getting something done. Meanwhile, I have three actions awaiting the boss' review and approval to get staffed.

In Iraq, there are two commands headed by Army Lieutenant Generals. One command (Corps) has all the coalition military forces under it. The other command (Security Transition) is the one that is recruiting, equipping training, and mentoring the Iraqi Security Forces. I have found that the two staffs do not get along with each other – that the relationships between the resource management (C-8) groups, well not that good, are probably better than the other staff sections.

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COMMENT - To outsiders, this conflict may be hard to understand. The staff for the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq seems to have clear responsibility for the development of Iraqi forces. But at some point, the initial training by this group ends, and then these forces are put under the command of coalition battalions, brigades, and divisions, who are all part of the Multi-National Corps - Iraq. Training continues, and since we were in an active insurgency, these Iraqi forces are pressed into action quickly. Some of the conflict between the two staffs involves the training and mentoring roles. United States Army units are always cycling through periods of training; then deploying and operating; then rest and reconstitution (re-equipping, re-arming, re-manning, and sometimes re-organizing); this cycle has occurred during World War I until now in war and peacetime. Staffs are critical at battalions, brigades, divisions, and corps for organizing all of portions of the cycle - and they are constantly in need for staff training themselves - remember the rock drill conducted by the Corps of Engineers? That was a rehearsal of reconstruction activities, a form of Army training critical for staffs to emphasize communications between parties and to understand what each does. The tasks involving the Iraqi Security Forces was not an easy one for both commands, as history shows it takes months if not years for combat units to jell; and it takes years and decades to build leaders.

COMMENT - There was another Lieutenant General in Iraq, the Marine who commanded Multi-National Force - West that consisted of a Marine Expeditionary Force or MEF. And from time to time, the Third Army commanding general, an Army Lieutenant General, in Kuwait also got involved in things. And then you add at least three dozen Major and Brigadier Generals (these being the American ones), you could see that the Force and Corps commanding generals had a thankless task in keeping everyone aligned and working together.

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Week 23: November 22, 2004

So one of things I am doing is working with one staff section, C-4 (Logistics), being the lead section (but there are other sections too), to transition logistical support from the coalition forces to the Iraqi government. Needless to say, this is not simple, and our Corps staff not wanting to work with the Security Transition staff just makes it more complicated – and it is the Security Transition staff that works day to day with the Iraqis. So our Corps staff complains, and won't work with the other staff, and meanwhile time goes by, and nothing changes. What is going to change at the end of the year is my Corps C-8 office is going to stop funding the Corps' support – since that is the agreed upon date for the Iraqis to start picking this up. So in the coming weeks, I will be mentoring the Corps staff sections, and trying to get them to work with the other staff.

The other issue that I had to deal with is propane tanks. Propane tanks are used for cooking here in many cities. Our Civil Affairs staff (C-9) determined that we needed to obtain propane tanks and get them shipped to a major city. Of course, they figured that the number of tanks needed were the estimated population of that city, rather than figuring that they needed maybe one tank for each family, and estimating the average family size. So they came running, no storming, into our Corps C-8 office, waving a purchase order asking us to certify availability of funds, to purchase propane tanks for everyone in the city. At $19 a tank, estimated, because someone told them that was what they would cost at Wal Mart.

Now everyone knows that if you are buying thousands of tanks, you don't have to pay retail prices. So we refused to fund them at that price, pending them doing a little investigation. So we asked them several questions – do you have any quotes from anyone for tanks? Where are you going to get them? How many families in the city need propane tanks – and how many just need their existing propane tank refilled? How are you going to get thousands of tanks from point A to the city? And if there is such a need in this city, why are the Iraqis not paying for this and also why are the Iraqis not just getting propane tanks themselves.

So they left our Corps C-8 office, made several more phone calls to us and our bosses, and finally came with a purchase order for a number that was two percent of the original number, after they asked the folks on the ground to estimate needs. They also figured out that the greatest need was that machine that refills propane tank bottles, then actually having new bottles.

One of the things I have found is that Americans feel that they can do everything faster than the Iraqis. I remind them that the Iraqis paid all their National Guardsman at the end of July by August 5th, while it took us until July 25th to pay the end of month June payroll. I also cite several more examples – such as the weapons buyback in Tharma, something that we cannot do, the Iraqis went ahead, organized it, administered it, paid folks for weapons, got each person with their tribal leader who chewed on their ear to be good, etc. Granted, the Iraqis do have problems doing some things, but all governments have that problem.

So one of our mantras around here is to get the Iraqis sufficient in certain things, and then we can really go home. But if folks continue to treat them like children, then they will never gain the capability to do the things that they need to do.

The other problem that we are experiencing is that our generals, if the issue seems to involve money, they want us involved (C-8). So there are many meetings, many emails, many long-winded conversations, and all we can do is listen, but money is not the issue, it's the need to work contracts, the need to identify requirements, the need to transfer items to the Iraqis, etc.

Oh well, so much for preaching. Enough said.

My boss (the Corps C-8) complained to me on Friday, in front of my old bosses (the Force C-8 and his Deputy C-8), that I was getting things done too quickly. I guess I just need to slow things down, as things move quite slowly at Camp Victory compared to the International Zone.

My boss gave me a day off on Sunday. I told him Saturday night, while I was watching the game tracker for the Army game that he did not need to do that. But he insisted, so I listened to the game, then went over and watched the Auburn game on TV, and retired to my trailer about 2 am. Got up about 10 am, watched I Robot, and then went to lunch. I decided to really chill out, so I went back to the trailer and watched another movie, took a nap, and then joined the C-8 offices group for dinner at 5:30 pm. I was all ready to watch the Steelers game, so I sat and read our _Stars & Stripes_ newspaper, and realized that the Steelers game was on the radio, not TV. Of course, our C-8 offices gang was going to watch football, not let me listen to the radio (channel 7). So I watched the Detroit – Minnesota game through halftime. Sounds pretty boring, but it was nice to not do anything at all on Sunday.

Only 26 days before I leave on Rest & Recreational (R&R) leave. Hope everyone remains safe and sound.

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## (begin Week 23 Memorials)

16-Nov-04 - First Lieutenant Luke C. Wullenwaber, 24, of Lewiston, Idaho, died Nov. 16 in Khalidiya, Iraq, when he was conducting a security mission and a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Wullenwaber was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Greaves, Korea.

16-Nov-04 - Marines Sergeant Christopher T. Heflin, 26, of Paducah, Kentucky and Lance Corporal Louis W. Qualls, 20, of Temple, Texas died Nov. 16 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Heflin was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Qualls was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Grand Prairie, Texas.

16-Nov-04 - Private First Class Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia, 21, of Santa Clarita, California, died Nov. 16 in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit his convoy. Flores-Mejia was assigned to the 25th Transportation Company, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

16-Nov-04 - South Korean Contractor named Myeong-nam, Jung was killed today due to Accident (paint can exploded) at Irbil. Was an employer Taehwa Electric Company.

16-Nov-04 - Specialist Daniel James McConnell, 27, of Duluth, Minnesota, died Nov. 16 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when he was involved in a vehicle accident. McConnell was assigned to the 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

16-Nov-04 - Staff Sergeant Marshall H. Caddy, 27, of Nags Head, North Carolina, died Nov. 16 in Khalidiya, Iraq, when his military vehicle struck another military vehicle. Caddy was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Greaves, Korea.

17-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Michael W. Hanks, 22, of Gregory, Michigan, died Nov. 17, as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

18-Nov-04 - Iraqi Colonel Ibrahim, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

18-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Luis A. Figueroa, 21, of Los Angeles, California, died Nov. 18 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

18-Nov-04 - Sergeant Joseph M. Nolan, 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died Nov. 18 in Fallujah, Iraq, when his unit was on patrol and an improvised explosive device detonated near his up-armored HMMWV. Nolan was assigned to the 312th Military Intelligence Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

19-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Michael A. Downey, 21, of Phoenix, Arizona died Nov. 19 at National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, from wounds received as a result of enemy action on Nov. 11 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

19-Nov-04 - Marines Corporal Bradley T. Arms, 20, of Charlottesville, Virginia and Lance Corporal Demarkus D. Brown, 22, of Martinsville, Virginia. Arms and Brown died Nov. 19, as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

19-Nov-04 - Marines Lance Corporal Dimitrios Gavriel, 29, of New York, New York and Lance Corporal Phillip G. West, 19, of American Canyon, California, died Nov. 19, as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Gavriel was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. West was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

20-Nov-04 - Corporal Joseph J. Heredia, 22, of Santa Maria, California. Heredia died Nov. 20 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from wounds received as a result of enemy action on Nov 10 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

20-Nov-04 - Iraqi Amal Abdul-Hameed, adult, female, killed in Qadisiya, Baghdad.

20-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Joseph T. Welke, 20, of Rapid City, South Dakota. Welke died Nov. 20 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from wounds received as a result of enemy action on Nov 19 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

20-Nov-04 - Sergeant Jack Bryant Jr. 23, of Dale City, Virginia, died Nov. 20 in Miqdadiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military convoy followed by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade attack. Bryant was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Fire Support Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Vilseck, Germany.

20-Nov-04 - Specialist David L. Roustum, 22, of West Seneca, New York, died Nov. 20 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his up-armored HMMWV was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. Roustum was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, in Tonawanda, New York.

21-Nov-04 - NO ONE REPORTED KILLED IN IRAQ ON THIS DATE. IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY.

22-Nov-04 - Corporal Michael R. Cohen, 23, of Jacobus, Pennsylvania, died Nov. 22 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

22-Nov-04 - Iraqi Faidh Mohamed Amin al Faidhi, adult, male, killed in northern Mosul.

22-Nov-04 - Specialist Blain M. Ebert, 22, of Washtucna, Washington, died Nov. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, when enemy forces engaged his unit with small arms fire. Ebert was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

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Week 24: November 29 2004

A major holiday week in Iraq! But first, football!!

The Steelers somehow pulled off the win over the Bangals last weekend. Yes, I am spelling it like they call them in parts of Ohio. Notre Dame played hard, and stunned Southern California in the first quarter, but then USC started throwing the ball. Tulsa upset Texas El Paso. And the Texas A&M Aggies thought they beat the Longhorns. Part of the insurgent disinformation campaign, it was reported on Saturday. One of my alma maters, Syracuse, upset Boston College, and might get a BCS bowl. Will see!! Will be watching Sunday night as the Steelers play the Redskins, though it will not be on TV here! And they won again.

Most of the week here was quite routine. I am working on getting the Iraqi Ministry of Defence (yes, that is how they spell it, the British way) to fund the remaining security forces that the United States has been paying for. We plan to transfer funding responsibility on New Year's Day, but I do have enough funds to tide us over until at least February. So it's mainly a task of getting folks who don't want to talk to talk together. I put together a major meeting tomorrow, I don't expect miracles, but sooner or later I am due.

Otherwise, I moved physically from one office to another, doing the same operations, programs, and planning job, now just across the hall from the boss (the Corps C-8). Technically, I am responsible for the two folks in my new office, but they run their program with very little help, and besides, the boss likes to do his impression of Dilbert's boss – and micromanages them enough. I am providing some advice when needed, but I want them to run the program and make their own decisions. They are quite happy with that situation.

Over the last two weeks, it finally started to get cooler here. For some, it is really cold, though having been in the Midwest for the last four years, it is really not cold yet. The highs this week were usually mid-60's, while the lows have gotten down usually to the low 40's, and one day went down to 38 in the early morning. People are pulling out their gortex jackets, flannel underwear, gloves, etc. I sometimes wear my field jacket in the morning, but see no need for gloves yet. I still go to the shower trailer in t-shirt and shorts each morning. It wakes me up. I do try to avoid drinking anything after dinner, as I usually do have to get up in the middle of the night, and that wakes me up too much.

I understand our logistics people (Corps C-4) had one person responsible for tracking the shipment of the holiday meals to each dining facility. A report was made each morning as to the percentage that had received the Thanksgiving meal rations. About five days before Thanksgiving, the final dining facility got their meals. Now they are starting to track the Christmas Day meal rations being delivered.

Our Corps C-8 office had to work all morning on Thanksgiving Day, and then we sent an advance party to the dining facility to save two tables. The main body from our C-8 offices left at 11:30 am, and we met a line that had about a 100 people in front of us. Our advanced party was about 80 folks in front of us. In about ten minutes, we were inside and the manager handed us a nice menu. There was turkey, roast beef, ham, crab legs, shrimp, and all the fixings. I got sweet potatoes and stuffing to go with my turkey and prime rib. And then I heard about the shrimp, and brought back a plate for the entire table. Plus a couple of crab legs for a couple of our Sergeants who just love to try to open them with plastic knives. Our C-8 offices sat together on two tables, about 25 of us. Some folks then went in line for pumpkin pie, but I had enough food. Everyone seemed to have a good time, but you could tell we all would love to be home with our families. Then, we all left the dining facility to get changed for flag football game.

The Force C-8 office challenged my Corps C-8 office to a flag football game on Thanksgiving afternoon. There were a number of emails of minor threats, idle boasts, etc. made by some folks in both offices, but we all knew it was intended to be a friendly game with lots of long-term bragging rights. Rules had been worked out, and my Corps C-8 office, being larger, transferred a couple of folks to help them fill out their team. Since we could not find flags, it was decided to do two-hand touch instead.

The first opportunity for all was to find the field, as it was located quite a away from where our Marine Lieutenant described it to everyone. We probably lost our cheerleaders and other spectators because they could not find the field, but all the players finally reached the field about thirty minutes late.

The Force got the ball first, and needed two completed passes for positive yardage to get a first down. They moved slowly down the field, and scored a touchdown. It was decided that the first team to score five TDs would win. The Corps then got the ball, and our young Marine quickly found a few of us open and we moved down the field. I was his blocker, and we had several conversations that he needed to back up behind me before yelling hike, and to stay behind me so that I could give him a pass block. He tended to run right or left, but we finally got into a decent pattern that gave him 5-10 seconds to pass the ball. We scored, and then quickly intercepted the ball from the Force. That Soldier caught the ball, ran down the field to near the goal line, and fumbled the ball back to the Force.

We then defended the entire field, giving up yardage to the Force, but no touchdowns. I got an interception, and then we scored again, now up 2-1. Then we kinda settled down, with neither group scoring. Lot's of laughing, lots of great pictures of folks trying to catch balls, our Hispanic linewomen blitzing the Force on each play and a great one hand touch of the quarterback for a big loss (documented on camera). Our player to be named later drafted to the Force came across the middle, and she promptly fell down – of course I got blamed for pass interference until she admitted that she tripped herself.

We finally called a halftime break, and took about 30 minutes to rest and drink near beer (beer without alcohol). Then we resumed the battle. We changed the rules to require three linemen to block on every play, thus reducing the number of folks from seven to four going out to receive. This seemed to open up the pass receiving and also produced a number of critical interceptions. We always seemed to give up ground, but we always stopped the Force from scoring. When we were on offense, we usually caused our own problems by dropped passes.

Finally, we decided that each team would now have two more scrimmages, and that would be it. We stopped the Force, and then surprised them with a student body right, with everyone going right and blocking as our quarterback ran the ball for a touchdown. Now up 3-1, we quickly intercepted the Force's attempt for a face saving touchdown. Game over, we won, and Force had to clean our work area for the next month.

Everyone retired to the C-8 offices to play board games or watch movies. I decided I needed a nap, and came back in the evening to watch the first football game on TV. So that is how we spent our Thanksgiving in Iraq.

A couple of months ago, we got all the units to turn in excess Iraqi Dinars that they had stored to pay Iraqi National Guard troops, a function that the Iraqis took over at the end of July. So one poor disbursing officer had over one billion Iraqi Dinars (about $700,000) in her vault Today, we got a convoy to the International Zone, and delivered it to the Iraqi Central Bank, giving these funds back to the Iraqis. I went along as I was the only one who knew who we were delivering the money to. I spent the day in the International Zone – had a few meetings in the afternoon before riding back in another armored convoy.

Tonight, we have a two hour plus meeting (video conference call) with the XVIII Airborne Corps, which is going to take over from the III Corps folks here in a few months. The senior staff members are getting together to discuss several issues regarding the transfer of authority. Me, I got up real early for that convoy, and am not looking forward to this long meeting. But since I am going to be here the longest in my Corps C-8 office (go figure, there are three new Army officers and they are all on six month tours), I have to go with the boss.

One other humorous story before I close. Back in the 1980's, the Army started using stoplights to provide commanders with indicators of the status of various things, such as fuel, ammunition, etc. The concept has expanded to the use of balanced scorecards and other performance measurements. When I was originally on active duty, one briefed the status as Green, Yellow, or Red. Since I have been in Iraq, I noticed that everyone used the term Amber instead of Yellow. This week I was in a meeting, and an Air Force Academy staff member reminded us that we in the military use the term Amber instead of the term Yellow because Yellow does not sound very military. I just thought all these staff members were color-blind, because those yellow status lights don't look amber to me.

Well I hope everyone had a nice holiday, and be safe.

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## (begin Week 24 Memorials)

23-Nov-04 - Iraqi Ghalib Ali al-Zuhairi, adult, male, killed in Miqdadiyah.

23-Nov-04 - Sergeant Benjamin C. Edinger, 24, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, died Nov. 23, at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, from injuries received as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on Nov 14.

24-Nov-04 - Iraqi Abd-al-Wahhab Sa'id Muhammad, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

24-Nov-04 - Iraqi Luma Hadi, 28, female, killed in United States base, Baghdad.

24-Nov-04 - Sergeant Nicholas S. Nolte, 25, of Falls City, Nebraska died Nov. 24 at the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland, from injuries received Nov. 9 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

24-Nov-04 - Specialist Sergio R. Diazvarela, 21, of Lomita, California, died Nov. 24 in Ramadi, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol. Diazvarela was assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, at Camp Howze, Korea.

25-Nov-04 - Corporal Gentian Marku, 22, of Warren, Michigan, died Nov. 25 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

25-Nov-04 - Iraqi Ahmed Natia, 70, male, killed in eastern Ramadi.

25-Nov-04 - Iraqi Doctor Nasif Jawad al-Masaudi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

25-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Jeffery S. Holmes, 20, of White River Junction, Vermont died as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province Iraq.

25-Nov-04 - Nepali Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to attack in Baghdad's Green Zone at Baghdad. Was a Security Consultant for employer Global Risk Strategies Limited.

25-Nov-04 - Nepali Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to attack in Baghdad's Green Zone at Baghdad. Was a Security Consultant for employer Global Risk Strategies Limited.

25-Nov-04 - Nepali Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to attack in Baghdad's Green Zone at Baghdad. Was a Security Consultant for employer Global Risk Strategies Limited.

25-Nov-04 - Nepali Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to attack in Baghdad's Green Zone at Baghdad. Was a Security Consultants for employer Global Risk Strategies Limited.

25-Nov-04 - Private First Class Ryan J. Cantafio, 22, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, died Nov. 25, as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Chicago, Illinois.

26-Nov-04 - Iraqi Nabil Said Darwish, 36, male, killed in Samarra.

26-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Bradley M. Faircloth, 20, of Mobile, Alabama and Lance Corporal David B. Houck, 25, of Winston Salem, North Carolina died as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province Iraq.

26-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Jordan D. Winkler, 19, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, died Nov 26 due to a non-combat related incident at Camp Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

26-Nov-04 - Private First Class Harrison J. Meyer, 20, of Worthington, Ohio, died Nov. 26 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Meyer was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, at Camp Howze, Korea.

26-Nov-04 - Private Brian K. Grant, 31, of Dallas, Texas, died Nov. 26 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Grant was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, at Camp Howze, Korea.

27-Nov-04 - Iraqi Muneer Jaber, adult, male, killed in Buhriz, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad.

27-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Joshua E. Lucero, 19, of Tucson, Arizona and Corporal Kirk J. Bosselmann, 21, of Napa, California died as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province Iraq.

27-Nov-04 - Sergeant Michael A. Smith, 24, of Camden, Arkansas, died Nov. 26 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, from injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, on Nov. 7 when he was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Smith was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, in Texarkana, Arkansas.

27-Nov-04 - Specialist Jeremy E. Christensen, 27, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died Nov. 27 in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol vehicle. Christensen was assigned to 1st Squadron, 4th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany.

28-Nov-04 - Iraqi Ali Abdul Waihd, adult, male, killed in Route Predators, near Fudhaliyah, east Baghdad.

28-Nov-04 - Iraqi Satar Latif, adult, male, killed in Route Predators, near Fudhaliyah, east Baghdad.

28-Nov-04 - Sergeant Trinidad R. Martinezluis, 22, of Los Angeles, California, died Nov. 28 in Baqubah, Iraq, when his 5-ton vehicle rolled over and pinned him underwater. Martinezluis was assigned to the Army's 201st Forward Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, in Vilseck, Germany.

28-Nov-04 - Three Soldiers killed in action. Staff Sergeant Michael B. Shackelford, 25, of Grand Junction, Colorado, Sergeant Carl W. Lee, 23, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Private First Class Stephen C. Benish, 20, of Clark, New Jersey, died Nov. 28 in Ramadi, Iraq, when he received enemy fire while on a dismounted patrol. All were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Howze, Korea.

28-Nov-04 - Two Marines, Lance Corporal Adam R. Brooks, 20, of Manchester, New Hampshire and Lance Corporal Charles A. Hanson Jr. 22, of Panacea, Florida died Nov. 28 as a result of enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

29-Nov-04 - Lance Corporal Blake A. Magaoay, 20, of Pearl City, Hawaii, died Nov. 29 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

29-Nov-04 - Specialist Daryl A. Davis, 20, of Orlando, Florida, died Nov. 29 in Iraq when his HMWWV was involved in a traffic accident. Davis was assigned to the Army National Guard's 144th Transportation Company, Marianna, Florida.

29-Nov-04 - Specialist Erik W. Hayes, 24, of Cascade, Maryland, died Nov. 29 in Al Miqdadiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Hayes was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in Vilseck, Germany.

29-Nov-04 - Two Soldiers died Nov. 29 in Baghdad, Iraq, when their military vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Both were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, in New York, New York. Killed were Sergeant Christian P. Engeldrum, 39, of Bronx, New York and Private First Class Wilfredo F. Urbina, 29, of Baldwin, New York.

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Week 25: December 6, 2004

I will give a full report next week – the last couple of days have been busy.

Instead, I will highlight several things that other folks are doing in Iraq with the attached documents:

(The links to EYE OF IRAQ documents no longer work).

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30-Nov-04 - Honduran Contractor named Puerto, José Mauricio Mena was killed today due to Attack (specifics unknown) at Iraq. Was a paramedic for employer DynCorp.

30-Nov-04 - Iraqi Hasan Ibrahim Salih, adult, male, killed in Al-Safari village, Riyadh Administrative Sub-District, near Hawija.

30-Nov-04 - Iraqi Husayn Ibrahim Salih, adult, male, killed in Al-Sarahi village, Riyadh Administrative Sub-District, near Hawija.

30-Nov-04 - Two Soldiers died Nov. 30 in Fallujah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their military vehicle. Both were assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas. Killed were Sergeant Pablo A. Calderon, 26, of Brooklyn, New York and Sergeant Jose Guereca, Jr. 24, of Missouri City, Texas.

30-Nov-04 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 141 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 18 Coalition Contractors, 1 Aid Workers, 2 Journalists, 5 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 698 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 960 Insurgents.

1-Dec-04 - Corporal Zachary A. Kolda, 23, of Corpus Christi, Texas, died Dec. 1 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserves' 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Houston, Texas.

1-Dec-04 - Corporal Bryan S. Wilson, 22, of Otterbein, Indiana, died Dec. 1 as result of a non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

1-Dec-04 - Gunnery Sergeant Javier Obleas-Prado Pena, 36, of Falls Church, Virginia, died Dec. 1 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from injuries received Nov. 25, as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

1-Dec-04 - Iraqi Abd al-Amir Hasan, adult, male, killed in Hibhib.

1-Dec-04 - Iraqi Abram Suleman, adult, male, killed in Baghdad-Ramadi Road, west of Baghdad.

1-Dec-04 - Iraqi Ali Adnan Kadhem, adult, male, killed in Baghdad-Ramadi Road, west of Baghdad.

1-Dec-04 - Iraqi Child of Madiha Mahmud, 10, unknown, killed in Al-Yarmouk, Baqubah.

1-Dec-04 - Iraqi Child of Madiha Mahmud, 12, unknown, killed in Al-Yarmouk, Baqubah.

1-Dec-04 - Iraqi Child of Madiha Mahmud, 14, unknown, killed in Al-Yarmouk, Baqubah.

1-Dec-04 - Iraqi Haydar Kamil, 24, male, killed in Al-Maffraq district, Baqubah.

1-Dec-04 - Iraqi Kahtan Nijras Attiya, adult, male, killed in Baghdad-Ramadi Road, west of Baghdad.

1-Dec-04 - Specialist David M. Fisher, 21, of Green Island, New York, died Dec. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit was on patrol and the HMWWV in which he was riding rolled over. Fisher was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 101st Cavalry Regiment, in Newburgh, New York.

2-Dec-04 - Iraqi Abd-al-Rasul Muhammad, 56, male, killed in Al-Khalis, northwest of Baqubah.

2-Dec-04 - Iraqi Ahmed Mohammed Abad Kathim, adult, male, killed in Balad Ruz, near Baqubah.

2-Dec-04 - Iraqi Hashim Kazim Jasim, 55, male, killed in Al-Khalis, northwest of Baqubah.

2-Dec-04 - Iraqi Hussein Ismael Abdul Hamid, adult, male, killed in Balad Ruz, near Baqubah.

2-Dec-04 - Iraqi Makhil Mohammed Sultan Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Balad Ruz, near Baqubah.

2-Dec-04 - Iraqi Saleh Mehdi Yassin, 55, male, killed in Al-Khalis, northwest of Baqubah.

2-Dec-04 - Iraqi Tamadir Shakir al-Sudani, adult, female, killed in 4km north of Baiji.

2-Dec-04 - Private First Class George D. Harrison, 22, of Knoxville, Tennessee, died December 2 in Mosul, Iraq, when his HMMWV was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Harrison was assigned to the 293rd Military Police Company, 3rd Military Police Battalion (Provisional), 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

3-Dec-04 - Iraqi Brother of Mahmud Fouad, male, killed in Adhamiyah, Baghdad.

3-Dec-04 - Iraqi Mustafa Jedo'o, 50, male, killed in just outside Kirkuk.

3-Dec-04 - Iraqi Son of Ahmed Mahdi, adult, male, killed in Adhamiyah, Baghdad.

3-Dec-04 - Specialist David P. Mahlenbrock, 20, of Maple Shade, New Jersey, died Dec. 3 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when he was clearing a route and an improvised explosive device detonated. Mahlenbrock was assigned to the 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

3-Dec-04 - Staff Sergeant Henry E. Irizarry, 38, of Bronx, New York, died Dec. 3 in Taji, Iraq, when his unit was on patrol and an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Irizarry was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, in New York, New York.

3-Dec-04 - Two Marines Corporal Binh N. Le, 20, of Alexandria, Virginia and Corporal Matthew A. Wyatt, 21, of Millstadt, Illinois died Dec. 3 from injuries received as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

4-Dec-04 - Corporal Joseph O. Behnke, 45, of Brooklyn, New York, died Dec. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq, when he was in a vehicle accident. Behnke was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery Regiment, in Brooklyn, New York.

4-Dec-04 - Iraqi Ali Hashim, 20, male, killed in Salhia, Baghdad.

4-Dec-04 - Iraqi Ghazi Dhayi, adult, male, killed in Dujail region, near Balad, 40km north of Baghdad.

4-Dec-04 - Iraqi Hakam Jassem, adult, male, killed in Samarra.

4-Dec-04 - Iraqi Shaykh Ubayd Nashmi, adult, male, killed in Mosul or Tal Afar area, Ninewa.

4-Dec-04 - Iraqi Yasser (?) adult, male, killed in Salhia, Baghdad.

4-Dec-04 - Iraqi Zaid Hassan, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

4-Dec-04 - Sergeant Cari A. Gasiewicz, 28, of Depew, New York, died Dec. 4 in Baqubah, Iraq, when two improvised explosive devices detonated near her convoy. Gasiewicz was assigned to the 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, from Fort Gordon, Georgia.

4-Dec-04 - Sergeant Michael L. Boatright, 24, of Whitesboro, Texas died Dec. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq, when he was struck by an improvised explosive device. Boatright was assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

4-Dec-04 - Staff Sergeant Salamo J. Tuialuuluu, 23, of Pago Pago, American Samoa and Sergeant David A. Mitts, 24, of Hammond, Oregon died Dec. 4 in Mosul, Iraq, when their Stryker military vehicle received enemy fire during convoy operations. Both were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

5-Dec-04 - Private First Class Andrew M. Ward, 25, of Kirkland, Washington, died Dec. 5 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Ward was assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Howze, Korea.

5-Dec-04 - Staff Sergeant Kyle A. Eggers, 27, of Euless, Texas, died Dec. 5 in Habbaniyah, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Eggers was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, from Camp Greaves, Korea.

5-Dec-04 - Staff Sergeant Marvin L. Trost III, 28, of Goshen, Indiana and Specialist Edwin W. Roodhouse, 36, of San Jose, California died Dec. 5 in Habbaniyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. Both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Greaves, Korea.

6-Dec-04 - NO ONE REPORTED KILLED IN IRAQ ON THIS DATE.

## (end of Week 25 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Weeks 25 – 26: December 12, 2004

Sorry about the very, very short report last week, but it seemed that I got busy on Sunday and Monday dealing with some critical issues.

One of those critical issues involves the support for the Iraqi Security Forces. The game plan to this point was to establish combat type military forces and various types of police forces, but it appears that thinking about how to sustain them was not part of the plan. Several bright folks have now begun to work on solutions, but it is likely to take some time to implement. For support, what we are talking about is feeding them, maintaining their buildings and vehicles, fuel for vehicles, various supplies, and paying for utilities, such as telephone and sewage. There have been steps taken on the major bases, but then when they deploy somewhere, there is no internal Iraqi organization ready to pick up support. So I am helping on a task force of Iraqis and coalition folks to find ways for the Iraqis to permanently fund and manage their life support. We are making some progress, but sometimes it is two steps forward and one step background. The good news is that my October C-8 job with the command responsible for training and equipping the Iraqis has paid off, giving me access and contacts to work with folks who have the United States funds to cover this need until the Iraqis are able to take over.

Every Friday night, we have movie night in the C-8 offices. Two weeks ago we watched Robin Williams in _Good Morning Vietnam_. Last week we saw _Office Space_ , and this week we saw _Mystic River_. The office personnel have received lots of Christmas decorations and movies, so they are quite prepared for the holidays. Several of our Air Force folks spend the day wearing elf hats and spread cheer to all our customers. We have lights strung, cards hung, little Christmas trees, and a camel in a Santa Claus suit, stockings hung on desks, etc. There is talk of having Christmas volleyball game between the two C-8 offices (mainly due to the fact so many folks came up limping after the flag football game).

Our Corps C-8 office has several sections. One section is Execution, which is responsible for funding individual project requests, monitoring expenditures, and handling budget execution. The Corps has several separate units, and they come into our Execution office to receive certification that there are funds to spend. The units fill out a purchase request form, gain commander approval, and then come to the office. Some have very good manners and await their turn, while others think they can go to the head of the line because their request is important or time sensitive. Others are there for the first time, and are trying to figure out how to process the paperwork.

Our Execution office has had two folks on emergency leave, and another person recently finished her year, so the three folks remaining have been busy and a little stressed, even the two who wear the elf hats. Last Thursday, the Air Force had an afternoon party at 4 pm, so I was able to persuade the Marine Corps Captain to let them go to the party, while she and I covered the customers (two) who came in.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – The Air Force has a building at Camp Victory that they called the Air Force House, and it is exclusive only to Air Force personnel. Our airmen are very, closed-lipped about what is inside. About once a week, there is an event function, either in the late afternoon or evening, and the Air Force personnel usually ask their section chiefs if they can attend. Once in a while, the event is on a weekend. We think they have very good satellite TV, video games, soft chairs, access to easy phone calls home, etc. that make it a home away from home as they dear folks have to spend three or four months with the Army (and Marines). We do know that they do coordinate the replacements coming into and out of Iraq and fly them to the air base in Qatar. They completely skip the trip through Kuwait.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 25 – 26: December 12, 2004

The monitoring of expenditures does not take a lot of time, as only a few folks are really that interested in seeing what is being spent here in Iraq. We don't have visibility on all the spending, only about a third of the actual spending, since many of the funds are managed centrally back in the states. However, we have recently figured out that our lag time on seeing expenditures hitting the official books has grown to more than a month, and a small group has been working with folks in our higher headquarters in Atlanta to find ways to fix these problems.

Finally, the remaining task of our Execution branch is to receive requests for funds, analyze them, sent them to Atlanta, receive the funding for approved requests, and distribute them to our subordinate units. This usually keeps our Marine Corps Captain fully involved.

I will bore you with the activities of our other sections in the Corps C-8 office over the next few reports.

Two Saturdays ago we had a resource management conference, and we had most of our subordinate unit comptrollers in. We covered all the major issues, talked about the changes that will go on due to upcoming unit rotations, and other topics of concern. The visiting comptrollers got to stay in our Joint Visitor Center, which was a Saddam mini-palace with very nice accommodations (queen sized beds with televisions and indoor plumbing).

Robin Williams is visiting our camp next week, and I persuaded the boss to cancel staff meeting that morning so we can go to the show. Oh yea, a former Denver Broncos quarterback will also be there, some Stanford grad who watched from the sidelines when California played rugby on the kickoff and won the Big Game (sorry, one of the Air Force Majors went to the University of California, and most upset by their BCS treatment).

The Naval Academy grads did a good job in making sure almost all briefings had a Beat Army, Go Navy theme. I don't know if the Corps video got shown during the game ( _AFN_ television tended to not show them), but our Corps commanding general's video taped showing a Kevlar helmet ($130), a flack vest ($7,000), a M-16A2 ($2,400), and then saying that he had 160,000 Soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airman from 29 countries under his command, with 40,000 of them Marines and sailors (Priceless).

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - For those reading this now, back in late 2004 a major credit card company's TV commercials showed how you could use their card to purchase a number of things, and ended with the tag line "Priceless." So, the inside joke was that this Army Lieutenant General, a West Point graduate of the Class of 1971, felt it was priceless to have so many Naval Academy graduates in the United States Marines and Navy working for him.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 25 – 26: December 12, 2004

Needless to say, you probably know the results of Army – Navy, and there is one Marine Warrant Officer who continues to mimic the Army quarterback's throw that resulted in a TD interception. I watched the whole game, most of the C-8 offices left after half time. Oh well, there is always next year.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On December 10th, many of us in the C-8 offices went over to the Water Palace to participate in the Christmas tree lighting.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 25 – 26: December 12, 2004

The Steelers continue to amaze everyone, including themselves. Last week, I got up at 3 am to come into the C-8 offices to watch there game. But before going, I checked the score, and decided to sleep for an hour and catch the fourth quarter. That turned out to be a good choice, watching Jacksonville just miss a 60 field goal try at the end of the game. After I get done writing this, I plan to get 4-5 hours sleep, and get up at midnight to come in for the Steelers – Jets game.

Well, only 13 more days before I depart Iraq for almost three weeks of leave and travel to and from.

Until next week, take care everyone and be safe,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 26 Memorials)

7-Dec-04 - Captain Mark N. Stubenhofer, 30, of Springfield, Virginia, died Dec. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit was conducting dismounted operations and was attacked by small arms fire. Stubenhofer was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.

7-Dec-04 - Corporal In C. Kim, 23, of Warren, Michigan, died Dec. 7 as result of a non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 9th Communications Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

7-Dec-04 - Iraqi Azhar Abdul Ghani al-Yasiri, adult, male, killed in Haifa Street, Baghdad.

7-Dec-04 - Iraqi Khabass Muttuk Shtran, 60-70, male, killed in Routes Aeros & Red Sox, near Suwaib, southwest of Baghdad.

7-Dec-04 - Sergeant First Class Todd C. Gibbs, 37, of Angelina, Texas, died Dec. 7 in Khalidiya, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while his unit was on a dismounted patrol. Gibbs was assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, at Camp Greaves, Korea.

8-Dec-04 - American Contractor named Stoffel, Dale was killed today due to Shot and killed outside Baghdad at Baghdad (outside). Was an Executive vice president for CLI Corp for employer CLI USA.

8-Dec-04 - American Contractor named Wemple, Joseph was killed today due to Shot and killed outside Baghdad at Baghdad (outside). Was an Engineering-construction contractor for employer CLI USA.

8-Dec-04 - Iraqi Sattar Jabbar Al-Mishari, adult, male, killed in Al-Shula, Baghdad.

8-Dec-04 - Sergeant Arthur C. Williams, IV, 31, of Edgewater, Florida, died Dec. 8 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit was conducting a dismounted patrol and was attacked by small arms fire. Williams was assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, from Camp Howze, Korea.

9-Dec-04 - Corporal Kyle J. Renehan, 21, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, died Dec. 9 in Kaiserslautern, Germany, from injuries received on Nov. 29 as result of enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

9-Dec-04 - Iraqi Captain Bassam Ali Ahmed, adult, male, killed in Samarra.

9-Dec-04 - Iraqi Jajim Uba Niba, adult, unknown, killed in Al Karmah.

9-Dec-04 - Private First Class Christopher S. Adlesperger, 20, of Albuquerque, New Mexico died Dec. 9 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Adlesperger was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

9-Dec-04 - Two Soldiers died December 9 in Mosul, Iraq after being involved in an Apache helicopter accident. Both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 151st Aviation Regiment, South Carolina National Guard, in Columbia, South Carolina. Killed were First Lieutenant Andrew C. Shields, 25, of Campobello, South Carolina and Chief Warrant Officer Patrick D. Leach, 39, of Rock Hill, South Carolina.

10-Dec-04 - Iraqi Ammar al-Jibouri, adult, male, killed in Near Mahmoudiyah.

10-Dec-04 - Iraqi Omar Abdul Aziz Rashid, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

11-Dec-04 - Iraqi Abd Al Saheb Lafta Humod, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

11-Dec-04 - Iraqi Colonel Abdul Kahreem Farhan, adult, male, killed in Saadiyeh, Baghdad.

11-Dec-04 - Iraqi Najeeb al-Joubouri, adult, male, killed in Ash Sharqat, 70 miles north of Tikrit.

11-Dec-04 - Iraqi Razaq Adbul Kahreen, adult, male, killed in Saadiyeh, Baghdad.

11-Dec-04 - Iraqi Salim al-Yaqoubi, adult, male, killed in Shula, Baghdad.

11-Dec-04 - Lance Corporal Gregory P. Rund, 21, of Littleton, Colorado died Dec. 11 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Rund was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

11-Dec-04 - Specialist Robert W. Hoyt, 21, of Ashford, Connecticut, died Dec. 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV while conducting convoy operations. Hoyt was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, in Bristol, Connecticut.

12-Dec-04 - Lance Corporal Jeffery S. Blanton, 23, of Fayetteville, Georgia, died Dec. 12 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

12-Dec-04 - Lance Corporal Joshua W. Dickinson, 25, of Pasco, Florida, died Dec. 12 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

12-Dec-04 - Private First Class Joshua A. Ramsey, 19, from Defiance, Ohio, died Dec. 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Ramsey was assigned to the 95th Military Police Battalion, Mannheim, Germany.

12-Dec-04 - Sergeant Jeffrey L. Kirk, 24, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died Dec. 12 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

12-Dec-04 - Staff Sergeant Melvin L. Blazer, 38, of Moore, Oklahoma and Lance Corporal Hilario F. Lopez, 22, of Ingleside, Texas both died Dec. 11 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

12-Dec-04 - Two Marines, Corporal Jason S. Clairday, 21, of Camp Fulton, Arkansas and Corporal Ian W. Stewart, 21, of Lake Huges, California died Dec. 12 as result of enemy action in Fallujah, Iraq. Both were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

## (end of Week 26 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 27: December 19, 2004

It has been a rather cold week here at Camp Victory, with temperatures going down to the mid twenties. That is not very cold for most of my friends, but around here, plenty cold. Most of the folks here were running around outside like it was below zero, with combinations of heavy underwear, caps, heavy gloves. I decided that I would put on the light pair of gloves with my field jacket. After walking about five minutes, I am plenty warm. There were a few days where we had some wind, but it is nothing compared to the wind one might find in the Midwest or Oklahoma. I guess many of the folks who were here during the summer lost the capability to deal with cold.

One of our Captains said his roommate turns off the heater at night, and he can see his breath while he snuggles in his sleeping bag, shivering, trying to keep warm. Last night, he fell asleep watching the football game. I suggested that he ought to talk to his roommate, and try to find some temperature that both can live with.

Our big event was on Tuesday morning (December 14th), when Robin Williams came to town. He brought John Elway who threw a number of small footballs into the crowd (actually he usually threw them way to the back). There were several thousand folks who showed up. Williams made us all laugh really hard. Near the end of his 15 minutes, he noticed the blimp that flies high over our base. "My God, you have your own f**king blimp, I did not see that," he said, "John, they have their own blimp, just like the Super Bowl. Welcome to the Baghdad Super Bowl, the end zone has been mined, but what the f**k. What does that do? Oh, I am not going to ask." Everyone fell over laughing.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - What I could not say in my weekly email was what the blimp was about, since it was classified at the time. Since a similar blimp got loose about a year ago and attacked Pennsylvania, even causing a minor power outage, the secret of the blimp is clearly out. Just go to _Wikipedia_ and key in JLENS. I have no direct or indirect knowledge of whether or not this was effective for us at the greater Camp Victory complex - but it did cross my mind at times why some Soldier or Marine never took a shot at it - I know now that would not have worked, as the Pennsylvania State Troopers shot a number of rounds in the blimp to try to deflate it.

COMMENT - Thinking back to the Robin Williams show at Camp Liberty, he did a rather profane thing with a water bottle that had the whole crowd belly laughing and kneeling over. Those USO shows really do bring the spirits up of deployed American military troops. It is sad that Robin will never entertain in live shows anymore.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 27: December 19, 2004

Last night a group of us stayed up late to watch the Steelers play the New York Giants. Young Manning played a heck of the game, but Pittsburgh eventually pulled the game out. And one Captain just slept there through most of the second half. And he woke up when I turned out the TV, as we were not sure whether or not to wake him or not.

Our group goes together for lunch and dinner at the dining facility. One of the conversations have centered on the different attitudes among the services, especially what is tolerated. So much of the comptroller's office time is spent discussing the right way to do something, and often folks here in Iraq feel that the rules do not apply to them here, because we are at war. Often, because they do not want to follow the rules, it takes longer to do something than if they followed the established procedures. Many of our other services point out that the Army seems to be more tolerant to allow folks to not follow the rules.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – My Marine Captain took over her job from an Air Force officer. After she submitted her first reports back to the states, they emailed her that she was calculating the numbers different from her predecessor. She brought her calculations to me, and I agreed that she did it the right way. We even had the Corps C-8 look it over, and all of us agreed. Then we pulled out the old reports, and they were calculated differently. Our Air Force Major pointed out that was how the Air Force did things. When I updated the continuity books, those standard operating procedures how we did things, I did not include that detailed information that Air Force personnel would have to do it the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps way while over here in Iraq. Especially since most (but not all) of the funding goes through Army commands.

COMMENT – On the following of the rules, clearly our Air Force and Navy personnel were used to quite strict methods – if you completed a form wrong, you needed to go back to square one and redo it. Plus they really did not recognize that sometimes we did have the unit commander come in with his or her request – and they were authorized to sign off many of them, up to certain limits, and above that, they needed their commander to sign off on them. So there were a couple times when a brigade or battalion commander was quite upset about having their request rejected for some kind of error. Interesting, while our office was interested in following the request for funding procedures, we did not reject requests because they were not needed. Sometime during this period, someone requested chandeliers in the large dining facility, but more on that story in the coming weeks.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 27: December 19, 2004

Then there are the funny differences among the services. The Army has issued a black fleece jacket that is designed to be worn under a Gortex field jacket. However, one Lieutenant General started to wear his black jacket as an outer garment outside and to the morning briefings. Then the senior enlisted (Command Sergeant Majors) got together, and decided that Army regulations did not allow for such. The excuse often cited was that there were no rank or name tags on the black jacket, and it was black – the wrong color. So when it started to get cold (in the 40's), it became a major issue here at Camp Victory. Finally, someone with a little bit of sense decided that it was OK to wear, so they issued an uniform policy. Reading the policy, it allowed the wear of the black fleece jacket as an outer wear item, but only for the Army. The Air Force and Navy, which wear the same jacket, were prohibited from wearing it. Go figure.

My acting Deputy Dog, an Air Force Major, went into the shower trailer the other day. The trailer was so fogged up due to the cold weather and the showers, that folks shaving had to continuously wipe the mirrors in order to shave. After his shower, the Major noticed that someone had turned off the air conditioners, so he walked over and flipped it on. In less than five minutes, the fog had cleared away. Everyone in the shower trailer (likely, mostly Army folks) looked at him in awe.

My Commander's Emergency Response Program manager, an Air Force Lieutenant, went into her shower trailer two days later. She said it was very cold in there. Someone had turned the air conditioners on the cold setting, rather than the heat setting. She flipped the switch, and pretty soon the trailer was nice and warm. Again, the women in the shower trailer looked on in awe.

Our conclusions of the shower trailer incidents is that most Army folks are so use to accepting things, and just tolerate things. My group also concluded by my actions and activities that I must have a little Air Force in my blood, because I tend to not tolerate things for too long.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - Thanks Dad! My father was a Technical Sergeant (E-6) in the Air Force who was killed with 16 other airmen in an air collision over Bermuda when I was eight years old. My mom moved us four kids to Columbia, South Carolina, and then worked in the United States Senator's office. I got to go to the Capitol in Columbia once having lunch with him, and he suggested I look at going to the United States Air Force Academy, as I would be automatically nominated under the son of a deceased service member category rather than competing for a Congressional one. I did get a Congressional nomination to the Air Force Academy, and used my son of deceased service member for West Point and Annapolis. However, Colorado Springs messed up my SAT scores, so I went to West Point instead. About a month into Beast Barracks, my mom sent a letter from them offering me a slot at the Air Force Prep School, but I was not about to repeat Beast again.

COMMENT - Flash forward to seven years later, while working in an Army Finance office in England and coordinating with Air Force Accounting & Finance offices there. At a joint services meeting of all finance and accounting officers in the United Kingdom, I met the Major General in charge of the Air Force Finance Center. He recommended that I ought to service transfer from the Army to the Air Force. I thought about it, hard, but did not want to spend all that money buying new uniforms. I also understand a little of the Air Force culture, where non-pilots were second class citizens mostly (as if the Army did not have that same thing between combat and support pukes). Maybe I should have transferred to the Air Force, a path not taken. Oh well. I like the Air Force (and the Marines), and admire how they are smart enough to get funding for almost everything, and as a National Guard officer, the Air Guard worked rather seamlessly with the big Air Force. I also had worked with several Air Force groups in the late 1980s while at Fort Monroe. Besides, half of the Corps C-8 office was Air Force, and you have to take care of your troops.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 27: December 19, 2004

Continuing my tour of our office, we have what is called the Programs office. It consists of four full time folks and several others who sometimes work on the programs. Programs are special spending activities that usually require special reporting, monitoring, coordination, and other activities to ensure that subordinate units have sufficient funding for them, or that higher headquarters knows what is happening.

One program is LogCap, which is the contract with Kellogg, Brown, & Root contractors to provide life support to United States Army bases in Iraq. The financial side is in the billions, and our commanding general and higher headquarters has asked our group and several other staff sections to keep it on budget this year. Unfortunately, our commanders want to put in what I like to call "little American villages" everywhere, and these things cost money. Some projects are absolutely needed, such as finally building a dining facility at a base that has had its food delivered in each and every day from another base. Other new requirements, like having four folks dip ice cream or having two chefs to do stir fry, are becoming nice things to do, but can we really afford them? We have a Navy Commander from their Supply Corps who is working the financial side, mostly with the logistics and contracting folks. When I came over from the International Zone, he tried to pawn off most of his activities on me, but I saw through what he was doing, and now he does not ask me to go to this meeting for him.

Another program that I am directly involved in is the life support for the Iraqi Security Forces. As I said before, we are trying to get the Iraqi government to pick up this cost, but in the meantime, I have been able to get the training & equipping group to add to their mission, and take on the sustainment piece. They know I know how much money they have, so it has been quite easy convincing them that they should play a funding role and a role in helping us mentor and train the Ministry of Defence.

The program with the smallest budget but the most impact is Commander's Emergency Response Program, or CERP. This allows brigade and battalion commanders to pay for immediate and urgent humanitarian projects. For example, as each district in Fallujah was cleared last month, CERP was used by the Marines to fund projects to bring in food, water, clear rubble, pump standing water, pick up trash, drain sewage, repair roads and bridges, etc. CERP uses special contracting rules that allow for quick responses. There are a number of issues with its execution, one of which is constantly train Civil Affairs and Engineers on how to properly begin and execute projects. Our Corps C-8 office has been quite proficient in getting funding from the states and the Iraqis, but we explain to everyone that they need to develop requirements first, not have the money and go look for ways to spend it. We have been putting a stop to an old practice of folks running around the country with thousands of dollars cash, and giving it out for perceived but worthless activities. I have been constantly training and mentoring folks that they need to work with the Iraqi local neighborhood and district councils to have them decide on priority projects, because we have found that Iraqi community projects supported by the local government and tribal leaders do have workers show up everyday and do not get attacked.

Every two weeks, our subordinate commands report on their projects, and we have to turn this information around and get it to Atlanta, Tampa, and Washington DC. Constantly, there are endless discussions among commanders, asking for more and more funding, and my boss is mostly involved in those discussions, mainly because he likes to do that; but it does involve many hours spent on the allocation of limited funds, and no one is ever really satisfied.

In truth, CERP should have been managed by the Civil Military Operations folks, not the money folks. But we understand the process for doing the projects, and we have to account for the spending, so that is why we have it. Needless to say, CERP offers something new every day, and the three persons working every day have their hands full.

We have several other programs, such as rewards, official representative funds, and commander's coins, to worry about to. We see some issue or problem about once a week in these programs, and we keep trying to do things right.

After I get back from my leave, I will describe our Operations and Internal Review functions.

Meanwhile, the old Deputy C-8 (a Colonel) has finally departed on Saturday, after being here since February 2004. He was also an Army Reservist, and they found out that current policy says that he can only be on active duty for 365 days. So our Deputy C-8 had to leave now, in order to go off active duty before his year ended.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - Up until that point, all of us Army Reservists with one year tours figured that meant we were in Iraq for 365 days. So did my Deputy C-8, until he got a call from the Human Resource Command in St Louis (the group that manages us active duty Reservists), that he should be about to be demobilized to ensure he did not exceed his 365 days of active duty. What we all found out, and word spread throughout Iraq to any Army Reservists, is that your 365 day limit starts with the day you arrived at the mobilization station, and ends with leaving demobilization station and traveling home, plus the 14+ days leave you earned but did not use during a calendar year. An Army Reservist could be extended by approval of a Lieutenant General, and based upon my own experience, not just word of mouth but a lot of paperwork and justification. This issue about the 365 day limit for Army Reservists did not really exist until the Army starting having tours for individual replacements for one year (this did not change for the folks coming with their units, they were under different orders that allowed them to stay on active duty for up to two years).

COMMENT - The funny thing was that the Deputy C-8 had just returned from Rest & Recreation (R&R) leave back in the states in November, rather late in his tour, and he was thinking he had to stay until at least February 2005 before he could leave Iraq. Needless to say, he got the word and was gone in about three days.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 27: December 19, 2004

The good news is that this policy might apply to me, though the activation orders for the Deputy C-8 were different basis than mine. My boss (the Corps C-8) is having the Personnel (C-1) folks look over this, so I might know a good answer when I come back to Iraq in mid-January. I may need to be released from Iraq by April 23rd in order to be off of active duty by May 23rd, the date I reported to Fort Bliss. Like I constantly say, I will not get my hopes up.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - If I have to be off active duty by May 23, 2005, with whatever leave not used for R&R, pulling that date closer to May 8th or so, meaning a week to travel from Iraq to Kuwait and Fort Bliss, plus 3-5 days at demobilization station, put my departure at around April 23rd. Yes!!!

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 27: December 19, 2004

Our personnel situation is getting better and better. We got news that the Corps C-8 office is getting six more folks each in January and February in addition to the folks rotating out. Our Air Force crew of six will rotate out in mid- and late-January, and their replacements will be here when I get back from R&R. The new boss (Corps C-8) will come in at the end of January, and I am scheduled to be the new Deputy C-8 when I get back. February will be really fun, as many units will rotate out and new ones come in. I have proposed that we go to those new units to provide them training to ensure that things get handed off right, and they start on the ground running right in using the funds to get the job done.

Today I am going to find the weatherman (or woman). There was no forecast for rain, but it is, and with the temperatures this afternoon colder than this morning, we actually have some icy situations on the roadways, and the rain has turned the dirt into very slick mud. One of our folks has already fallen, a little sprain, thank goodness. It looks like I will put on my black boots when I leave the office tonight.

The Corps C-8 office is ready for Christmas, and the acting Deputy C-8 and I have convinced the boss to give everyone the day off on Christmas Day. It looks like a repeat of Thanksgiving, with everyone going to the dining facility for the holiday meal, a Chinese gift exchange, a Ginger Bread House competition, card games, and then having a movie marathon from Christmas Eve until Christmas night, with some folks watching football games later. The few grinches have softened up quite a bit, and we took an official looking staff section photo, and then one with Christmas stuff on December 16th. I wore a headband with two Santa Claus for rabbit ears. It now sits on the back of my computer screen. All our C-8 offices are decorated with cheer, with stockings hung for each and everyone.

Most folks are envious but quite happy that I might make it home for Christmas. They would like to be in my boots. At yesterday's staff meeting, we planned for Christmas Day's activities, and someone said that if she had to be away from her family for the holiday, that the comptroller's office was a pretty good group to be sharing the holidays with.

I will leave Baghdad later this week and hope to get to Columbus by the 25th or 26th for R&R. I know some folks have planned a little get together at the Frog Bear on the 29th around 5 pm. I just hope I don't get stuck in Kuwait or Germany. Heather and Melissa will know if I get in successfully, so if you are in the neighborhood on the 29th, hope to see you.

For those reading this, please understand that you will not see a Week 30 next week. Maybe not a Week 31 or 32, though I will try to send out a note when I get home.

To all my friends, have a merry holiday, and a happy new year. Attached is our official office Christmas photo, and of course, our funny one. Oh heck, the official photo is huge, so you are going to get our funny one and one that they took of me.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 27 Memorials)

13-Dec-04 - Iraqi Samad Mohevenad, adult, male, killed in C19 sector, Wahid Huzayran neighborhood, Kirkuk.

13-Dec-04 - Sergeant Tina S. Time, 22, from Tucson, Arizona, died Dec. 13 near Cedar, Iraq, when she was involved in a vehicle accident. Time was assigned to the Army Reserve's 208th Transportation Company, Tucson, Arizona.

13-Dec-04 - Two Marines, Lance Corporal Richard D. Warner, 22, of Waukesha, Wisconsin and Private First Class Brent T. Vroman, 21, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, died Dec. 13 from wounds received as a result of enemy action in Babil Province, Iraq. Both were assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Chicago, Illinois.

14-Dec-04 - Corporal Michael D. Anderson, 21, of Modesto, California, died Dec. 14 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

14-Dec-04 - Iraqi Doctor Sinan Salem Salo, adult, male, killed in Shefa, Mosul.

14-Dec-04 - Iraqi brother of Captain Waleed, adult, male, killed in near Ad Dujail.

14-Dec-04 - Iraqi Muhannad Akram Shakir, adult, male, killed in Al-Durah area, Baghdad.

14-Dec-04 - Iraqi Salah Saddam, adult, male, killed in C10 sector, between Domies & Grenada, Kirkuk.

14-Dec-04 - Specialist Victor A. Martinez, 21, from Bronx, New York, died Dec. 14 south of Baghdad, Iraq, from a gunshot wound. Martinez was assigned to the 364th Supply Company, 264th Corps Support Battalion, 1st Corps Support Command, from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

15-Dec-04 - Iraqi Ibtisam Ayshu, adult, female, killed in Al-Dawrah district, Baghdad.

15-Dec-04 - Iraqi Inas Ayshu, adult, female, killed in Al-Dawrah district, Baghdad.

15-Dec-04 - Iraqi Taha Ramadham Sirhan, adult, male, killed in MSR Tampa & Santa Fe intersection, Mosul.

15-Dec-04 - Polish Army Captain Jacek Kostecki, 34, of Legnica, Poland, killed by non-hostile - helicopter crash near Karbala, Iraq. Was assigned to the 2nd Hospital (Unit) of Peacekeeping Operations from Wroclaw, Poland.

15-Dec-04 - Polish Army Junior Warrant Officer Karol Szlązak, 28, of Dzielna near Opoczno, Poland, killed by non-hostile - helicopter crash near Karbala, Iraq. Was assigned to the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade from Tomaszów Maz. Poland.

15-Dec-04 - Polish Army Warrant Officer Class II Jelonek Paweł, 30, of Truskolasy, Poland, killed by non-hostile - helicopter crash near Karbala, Iraq. Was assigned to the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade from Tomaszów Maz. Poland.

16-Dec-04 - Iraqi Qassem Mihawi, adult, male, killed in Jamiha, Baghdad.

16-Dec-04 - Iraqi Samer, adult, male, killed in 3 miles south of Al Kisik, Tall Afar.

16-Dec-04 - Iraqi son of dead man, male, killed in near Kirkuk.

16-Dec-04 - Lance Corporal Franklin A. Sweger, 24, of San Antonio, Texas, died Dec. 16 as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

17-Dec-04 - Iraqi Shakra Ahmad Husain, 27, female, killed in Askari, Kirkuk.

18-Dec-04 - Iraqi daughter of Abdul Salam Aref, adult, female, killed in Baghdad.

18-Dec-04 - Iraqi son-in-law of Abdul Salam Aref, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

19-Dec-04 - Iraqi Hatem Ali Hadi al Mosawi, adult, male, killed in Haifa Street, Baghdad.

19-Dec-04 - Iraqi Mahdi Sabah, adult, male, killed in Haifa Street, Baghdad.

19-Dec-04 - Iraqi Sami Moussa, adult, male, killed in Haifa Street, Baghdad.

19-Dec-04 - Staff Sergeant Donald B. Farmer, 33, of Zion, Illinois and Sergeant Berry K. Meza, 23, of League City, Texas died Dec. 19 in Shuaybah, Kuwait, when a vehicle struck them. Both Soldiers were assigned to the 180th Transportation Battalion, 13th Corps Support Command, from Fort Hood, Texas.

## (end of Week 27 Memorials)

### BACK IN THE SAND BOX

## (beginning of weekly email)

Weeks 28-31: January 16, 2005

Happy holidays to everyone, and happy New Year!! Well, it is now 2005, wow!

I left Baghdad on December 23rd, traveled back home, and returned to Baghdad on January 12th. The folks here were glad to see that I did not defect to Canada, though I must admit that traveling back to Iraq would not be at the top of my list of things to repeat.

I will not know how long I will be here until the middle of February – it could be I leave immediately (a very small chance of that), mid April, or as late as mid July, with some rumors going around that they want to keep Army Reservists up to two years here – that would extend me to April 2006 (yuck). I can't complain, some units have been here up to 15-18 months, while others leave within ten months – plus Camp Victory and the International Zone have to be near the top of the list of places to live in Iraq, there are a few places that are extremely safer, and a few places (like the Air Force bases) that are (rumored) to have base theaters, ice cream shops, rooms with cable television and internet access, etc.

The week before going on leave was quite busy, that being Week 28 in Iraq. As usual, I spent a lot of time with my Corps C-8 officers making sure that they can get things done while I was gone for three weeks. I had practice on that back at American Electric Power Company prior to me going on active duty, so I could see on their faces the worried look of whether they would be up to the task – especially since most of my job here is not very fixed and routine, it basically is a job that has different activities and challenges every day.

Wednesday, December 22nd was very busy, making sure that folks were familiar with activities underway, completing several important tasks. My boss (the Corps C-8) decided at the last minute that we needed to complete a draft order concerning our urgent humanitarian programs, so that took until almost 11 pm to get done and posted to our web site. Our senior staff had a final staff meeting around 11 pm, and everyone appeared comfortable that they could successfully operate for the next three weeks – a key leadership requirement that has pounded in my brain since I was a plebe at West Point, always prepare your subordinates to immediately succeed yourself. That requirement is one of the key secrets of the United States Army that few military forces emphasize and implement – even the British Army does not train their privates to take over for corporals, corporals to do sergeants jobs, platoon sergeant to replace the platoon leader, and executive officers to take over for the company, battalion, brigade, and division commander.

I walked back to my trailer just before midnight, with an almost full moon, did not even need to use my flashlight. I just wondered whether I would get home by Christmas Day, or would I have to spend it sitting in Kuwait.

Now there are three ways to get to the airport, even though we are only a few miles from it and can see every aircraft go down the runway. For those very senior or special, you can catch a helicopter ride over, barely getting off the ground before you are there. Your unit can put together a convoy of two vehicles with at least two shooters (Soldiers with rifles) – for our C-8 offices that means taking six folks to drive you there. We do convoys to pick up new folks, and when folks are finally leaving. And of course, there are folks that you really need to convoy them over, since they have problems operating on their own.

For me, I did not want to risk my folks driving me to the airport, plus they would have to get up at 5 am. So I got up, took a shower, finished packing my LL Bean computer bag (given to me by Nadine Powell, God bless her soul), put my duffel bag on my shoulders, and walked down to the bus stop. They had told me to get to the bus stop by 6:15 am to make sure I did not miss the bus. I stood there and waited, finally someone came out about 6:45 to start up the bus. Oh well, I guess I could have slept 30 more minutes. The bus is up-armored; we call it a rhino bus. I got on the bus, and the driver and shooter drove just me to the airport (there were five other folks at Camp Victory scheduled to go on R&R; I guess they went by convoy). I got to the airport a few minutes after 7 am, and was told that the flight formation would be 8 am. So I found a chair in the back of the tent and watched television with 50 folks. The boss had briefed me that this would be a lot of hurry up and wait, and just be prepared and be patient.

The 8 am formation was well organized, and I found that our show time for a flight to Kuwait would be around 11 am. Our chock leader, a female Sergeant First Class from the Civil Military Operations (C-9) section in the International Zone, got our duffel bags organized and loaded on a pallet. A Colonel and a Lieutenant Colonel from the International Zone plus me would be the senior officers traveling. Then it was hurry up and wait period.

Since we would be probably traveling around lunch time, I decided to get in line for the Subway shop just before they opened at 9 am. I usually do not eat breakfast, but I just called it brunch. Camp Victory's Subway shop was being built, so it was kinda fun to be able to order a sub sandwich. After eating the sandwich, I went to our show time tent, and opened up a Tom Clancy novel and started to read it. At 11 am, they announced that the flight would be coming in around 1 pm. A C-130 aircraft landed shortly after 1 pm, and we got organized to make the walk to the flight line. About fifty of us walked up the back ramp, and sat on face to face jump seats on the plane. Unfortunately, my seat turned out to be right at the wing, where the seating narrows quite a bit. They loaded our pallet behind us, closed the back doors, and we taxied for take off. Our aircraft was out of Maxwell Air Force Base, and the loadmaster had a box of Duncan Doughnuts that he handed out to all us passengers. Sometimes I regret not service transferring to the Air Force. Oh well.

The C-130 took off, and the pilot executed a number of sharp banks and rolls. Only in Iraq do cargo plane pilots get to act like fighter jet jocks. We leveled off, and I took off my helmet, and everyone around me started to breathe again. I have found that the junior enlisted really do watch us senior officers, while we took off I did my best to look confident, and by me taking off my helmet, that told the folks sitting near me that we were now safe. Typical Soldiers' reaction was that everyone then started to fall asleep, despite the noise. In about ninety minutes, we landed at an Air Force Base in Kuwait. They taxied off the runway, a forklift came to unload the pallet, and we shuffled down the ramp at the back of the plane. I shook the hand of the loadmaster, and wished him well. We loaded on a bus, and they drove us off the flight line, with the forklift following behind us. We had a quick formation, and we were told that in 15 minutes we would load the buses sitting behind us, and travel to Camp Doha, which was about 45 minutes drive time away. So we unloaded our pallet, put our duffel bags under the bus, made a stop at the porta-potty, and more than half of the folks smoked two or more cigarettes.

We traveled on two buses with military police escorts to Camp Doha. It is the military seaport located near Kuwait City, and you can smell the salt water in the air. When I arrived in June, we went to Camp Wolverine, which was adjacent to the Kuwait International Airport. Wolverine has been closed, and the personnel replacement and travel operations transferred to Doha. We arrived just before 5 pm, and stopped at a warehouse to turn in our helmets and flack vests. Then back on the bus and down about a quarter mile to another warehouse where we went into a conference room and had a series of briefings as to what would happen while we stayed at Doha.

We filled out travel request forms so that the Airline Scheduling Office could book commercial flights from Atlanta or Dallas home. We sat through 12 back to back two minute safety commercials. They told us where the dining facility is, where the Post Exchange is, some place called Frosty's. They pulled us three senior officers out, and we were shown the senior officer billets, a bay of about fifty bunk beds and our own latrine and showers. The three of us decided that we were hungry, and we got to the dining facility just before 7:30 pm. We then walked over to the Post Exchange, and found the library, where we signed up for 30 minutes on the internet around 9 pm. We went back to the Airline Scheduling Office at 8 pm to find out our travel itinerary, and I found out that I would arrive home about 3 pm on Christmas Day. We were told that the next formation would be 9:30 am on Christmas Eve. I went to the Library and sent some emails, walked over to the Food Court and got a milk shake, and walked over to the Corps Liaison Office to use the military phones to call my Camp Victory C-8 office and to call home.

Camp Doha, like Wolverine, is a base devoted to personnel replacement operations. That means that almost all Army Soldiers come in here initially, and leave via Doha. Wolverine was all tents, and Doha has about ten long warehouses with about ten bays each. Long as about 400 yards long. They have had to set ups a few tents for formations, briefings, and baggage handling, but mostly you have paved roads between warehouses. And a little bit of sand, but nothing compared to Camp Victory.

The Food Court has a Subway, an ice cream shop, a Hardee's, a doughnut shop, a KFC, a Chinese take out, a Pizza Hut, and a Starbucks. I was pretty envious of the permanent party here, and this is considered a combat zone. I met the Lieutenant Colonel who is the replacement center commander, and jokingly asked if he wanted to trade jobs. I would probably get bored after a week there, oh well.

Well I hit the rack about 11 pm, and woke up around 7:30 in time to go to breakfast. The water was out in Doha to about half the base – heard it that the Army was not paying the Kuwaiti water company quickly enough so that they had cut off the water – don't know how true that was.

At the 9:30 am formation and briefing, I found out that we were free until 5:30 pm when we would start Customs processing. I went over to the Library after we got done and signed up for 30 minutes of Internet time in the early afternoon. Because of the water outage, only the doughnut shop was operating. The dining facility served MRE – meals ready to eat – or meals rejected by everyone, and had my favorite – tortellini. I found the little MWR (morale, welfare, recreation) facility, and sat and ate my MRE and watched an episode of the Simpson's.

Then I wandered over to Frosty's, and it is another MWR activity with a little theater, pool tables, computer games, popcorn, and a grill serving free hamburgers and hot dogs. I had some popcorn and watched part of the movie being shown. Then I went over to the Library to use the Internet. By this time, the Food Court was reopened, so I bought a Subway sandwich to eat later this evening after our customs lock down, and had a sandwich from Hardees.

We went through Customs, which meant we had to dump out our duffel bags and have everything inspected for things we cannot bring into the United States. The Sergeant allowed my Subway sandwich as long as it was consumed before getting on the aircraft. After clearing Customs around 7 pm, we then sat in the holding area for about 60 minutes before we were going to the airport. This is when everyone ate their sandwiches, MRE, and one fellow had bought a bucket of KFC that he was sharing with everyone. About 9 pm, we loaded up on buses for the 30 minute drive to the Kuwait International Airport, there being about 200 of us loading on a DC-10 aircraft with 300+ seats. Our baggage detail loaded the bags on the aircraft, we went on, and our plane took off about 11 pm for a five hour flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

Our plane flew over Iraq, Turkey, the Black Sea, Ukraine, and Poland, and we landed at the air base in Frankfurt about 2:30 am local time. Christmas Day. A church group from the United States Air Force base had set up a Christmas dinner for us, turkey, dressing, and a lot of fixings. After letting the enlisted use the phones, I was able to call home, though it was only Christmas Eve there. I ate my dinner while I watched a college bowl game. About 4:30 am, we loaded back on the plane for the eleven hour flight to Atlanta. We hit some real bad weather about two hours out of Boston; this was probably the storm that caused the ice storm at home a few days before. The pilot told us that we were just too heavy to get any higher, so we just rode it out. We were supposed to land in Atlanta at 8 am, but we landed around 11 am. We got our bags, went through Customs, and then I checked into my Delta flight and ran to the gate. The flight was delayed about an hour. I arrived home at 3 pm on Christmas Day.

Leave was great, got to see my adult children, my father-in-law, my wife's brother and his family, and went down to Appomattox and saw my mom. And of course, I got to spend 15 days with my lovely wife.

On December 29th, I got to see a lot of my American Electric Power Company friends. Thank you to Roger, Melissa, and Heather for setting that up!!

On January 10th, my wife had the unpleasant task to again take me to the airport. The process was essentially a reverse of the trip home. I flew on Delta into Atlanta, arriving around 11 am. The USO picked us up, and around noon took us to the processing point. There, we got our boarding pass and told to report to the gate at 7:30 pm. I found a nice comfortable chair and read my second Clancy novel.

We took off from Atlanta around 9 pm and our flight to Frankfurt only last seven hours. I spent my time reading and sleeping. Our layover in Frankfurt lasted about an hour, and then we loaded back on the plane. It was the same flight crew that flew us from Kuwait to Frankfurt, and I began to wonder if it was the same plane. About an hour out, I had completed the 400 page novel, and slept the rest of the way. We landed around midnight on Wednesday morning, and bused into Camp Doha. They took us senior officers around, getting our helmet and vest, and we were told to report to a 6:30 am formation ready to fly out to Baghdad. It was about 2 am, and the other officers decided that they were hungry and went to the dining facility, me I just went to sleep. I woke up at 4:30, showered, and found a phone to call home. Had breakfast, and then went to the formation. We bused to the Air Force Base around 8 am, and found that our flight would leave around noon. Our C-130, from "The Rock" (from Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany), took off and landed about 2 pm. I called the Corps C-8 office, and found out that they were convoying to the airport to pick up an incoming Air Force officer. I was at Camp Victory at 3:30 pm, Wednesday.

My short week at Camp Victory involved catching up on what happened over the last three weeks. Our computer folks transitioned everyone to a new server and email addresses, and it took them until Saturday before I had access to our unclassified system. I only had 119 emails, and got through them in about two hours.

I spent most of Friday unwinding a big screw up that occurred while I was gone between our Corps C-8 office and the Civil Affairs (C-9) staff, so we got the messed up order rescinded and a new order to our subordinate commands reissued Saturday night.

I am now the Deputy Comptroller (C-8) for the Multi-National Corps – Iraq, consisting of 160,000 Soldiers, Marines, airman, and sailors from 29 countries. We have a $10 billion annual budget that we directly manage, and that does not include centrally managed costs done in the states. My boss (a Colonel, the Corps C-8) will leave in mid February, with his replacement, another Lieutenant Colonel, arriving by the end of January. So I will be responsible for transitioning the Corps C-8 office between III Corps and the XVIII Airborne Corps, plus all the other rotation of Army and Marine subordinate commands. Our Corps C-8 office will rotate all but three staff over the next 45 days (out of 32 personnel).

On Saturday (January 15th), we had our 5 kilometer Martin Luther King run at 7 am, so we had five folks in our Corps C-8 office run while I cycled and took pictures. Our Marine Captain again was the fastest female, running the 3.2 miles in under 21 minutes.

On Sunday, we had award presentations for two of our Air Force officers leaving this week. Then I announced that we were going to the Olive Garden for dinner (actually, the large dining facility), so we all had Italian at the dining facility.

Saturday night, watched the Steelers upset the Jets, and stayed up tonight to watch the Patriots beat the Colts.

Well that's all for now, and I hope everyone stays safe and sound. Take care.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Weeks 28-31 Memorials)

20-Dec-04 - Turkish Contractor named Ozsagir, Saban was killed today due to Highway ambush at Mosul (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

21-Dec-04 - American Contractor named Davis, Leslie W. was killed today due to Suicide Bomb at Mosul (Forward Operating Base Marez). Was a Construction, QC for employer Kellogg, Brown, & Root.

21-Dec-04 - American Contractor named Hunter, Brett A. was killed today due to Suicide Bomb at Mosul (Forward Operating Base Marez). Was a Lab technician for employer Kellogg, Brown, & Root.

21-Dec-04 - American Contractor named Smith, Allen was killed today due to Suicide Bomb at Mosul (Forward Operating Base Marez). Was a Constr. labor foreman for employer Kellogg, Brown, & Root.

21-Dec-04 - American Contractor named Stramiello Jr. Anthony M. was killed today due to Suicide Bomb at Mosul (Forward Operating Base Marez). Was a Constr. carpenter foreman for employer Kellogg, Brown, & Root.

21-Dec-04 - Chief Petty Officer Joel Egan Baldwin, 37, of Arlington, Virginia, died Dec 21 when his dining facility was attacked. Baldwin was in the United States Navy and assigned to the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7, Gulfport, Mississippi.

21-Dec-04 - Iraqi Talib Ibrahim al-Dahir, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

21-Dec-04 - Iraqi Yusuf Abd-al-Razzaq, adult, male, killed in Baghdad suburbs.

21-Dec-04 - Lance Corporal Neil D. Petsche, 21, of Lena, Illinois, died Dec. 21 due to injuries received in a non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Petsche was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, at Twentynine Palms, California.

21-Dec-04 - Thirteen Soldiers died Dec. 21 in Mosul, Iraq, when their dining facility was attacked. Killed were Captain William W. Jacobsen Jr. 31, of Charlotte, North Carolina, Sergeant Major Robert D. O'Dell, 38, of Manassas, Virginia, Sergeant First Class Paul D. Karpowich, 30, of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, Staff Sergeant Julian S. Melo, 47, of Brooklyn, New York, Staff Sergeant Darren D. VanKomen, 33, of Bluefield, West Virginia, Staff Sergeant Robert S. Johnson, 23, of Castro Valley, California, Sergeant Lynn R. Poulin Sr. 47, of Freedom, Maine. Specialist Jonathan Castro, 21, of Corona, California, Specialist Thomas J. Dostie, 20, of Sommerville, Maine, Specialist Cory M. Hewitt, 26, of Stewart, Tennessee, Specialist Nicholas C. Mason, 20, of King George, Virginia, Specialist David A. Ruhren, 20, of Stafford, Virginia, and Private First Class Lionel Ayro, 22, of Jeanerette, Louisiana. O'Dell was assigned to the United States Army Intelligence & Security Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Karpowich was assigned to the Army Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 390th Infantry Regiment, Webster, New York. Melo was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington. VanKomen was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington. Johnson and Jacobsen were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington. Poulin was assigned to the Army National Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion, Belfast, Maine. Castro was assigned to the 73rd Engineer Company, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington. Dostie was assigned to the Army National Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion, Portland, Maine. Hewitt was assigned to the 705th Ordnance Company, Fort Polk, Louisiana. Mason and Ruhren were assigned to the Army National Guard's 276th Engineer Battalion, West Point, Virginia. Ayro was assigned to the 73rd Engineer Company, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

22-Dec-04 - Iraqi Hazem Daraa, adult, male, killed in Tikrit.

22-Dec-04 - Iraqi Wijdan Al-Khuzaie, adult, female, killed in Baghdad.

23-Dec-04 - First Lieutenant Christopher W. Barnett, 32, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died Dec. 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Barnett was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 156th Armor Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

23-Dec-04 - Iraqi Sheikh Zeid Khalifa Mohsen al-Beni-Waiys, adult, male, killed in Saadiyeh, 30 miles northeast of Baghdad.

23-Dec-04 - Lance Corporal Eric Hillenburg, 21, of Marion, Indiana, Lance Corporal James R. Phillips, 21, of Hillsboro, Florida, and Corporal Raleigh C. Smith, 21, of Lincoln, Montana, all three Marines, died Dec. 23 as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. They were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

24-Dec-04 - Iraqi Sheikh Mowaffak al-Douri. adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

25-Dec-04 - Iraqi Ali Muhammad, adult, male, killed in Taji, 20km north of Baghdad.

25-Dec-04 - Iraqi Hasan Abdul-Ghani al-Rubaei, adult, male, killed in Haifa Street, Baghdad.

25-Dec-04 - Iraqi Jalil Ibrahim, adult, male, killed in Taji, 20km north of Baghdad.

26-Dec-04 - Iraqi Bashar Latif Jassim, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

26-Dec-04 - Iraqi Colonel Yassin Ibrahim Jawad, adult, male, killed in Al-Bayaa, Baghdad.

26-Dec-04 - Iraqi father of dead male, adult, male, killed in Baiji.

26-Dec-04 - Iraqi Mohammed Abd Al-Hussein, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

26-Dec-04 - Iraqi Saadi Adbel Jabbar al-Bayati, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah, 30km south of Baghdad.

26-Dec-04 - Iraqi son of dead man, male, killed in Baiji.

26-Dec-04 - British Army Sergeant Paul Connolly, 33, of Crawley, West Sussex, was killed by killed himself, Coroner found that Sergeant Connolly took his own life at Basra, Shuaybah Logistics Base Iraq. Was assigned to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to Royal Engineers.

27-Dec-04 - Iraqi Aziz Saleh, adult, male, killed in Shorgat.

27-Dec-04 - Specialist Jose A. Rivera-Serrano, 26, from Mayaquez, Puerto Rico, died Dec. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle. Rivera-Serrano was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Hood, Texas.

27-Dec-04 - Staff Sergeant Todd D. Olson, 36, from Loyal, Wisconsin, died Dec. 27 in the 67th Combat Support Hospital in Tikrit, Iraq from wounds sustained in Samarra, Iraq on Dec. 26, when an improvised explosive device detonated. Olson was assigned to the National Guard's 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, in Neillsville, Wisconsin.

28-Dec-04 - Iraqi Moayyad Hardan al-Issawi, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

28-Dec-04 - Iraqi Mohammed Dolla Salam, adult, male, killed in Route Clemson, between Kirkuk and Speicher, near Hawija.

28-Dec-04 - Iraqi Na'em Muhanad Abdullah, 32, male, killed in Baqubah.

28-Dec-04 - Navy Seaman Pablito Pena Briones, Jr. 22, of Anaheim, Calf. died Dec. 28 of a non-hostile gunshot wound in Fallujah, Iraq. Briones was assigned to 1st Marine Division Detachment, Naval Medical Center San Diego.

28-Dec-04 - Staff Sergeant Jason A. Lehto, 31, of Mount Clemens, Michigan, died Dec. 28 in a non-hostile incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Lehto was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's Marine Wing Support Group 47, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

28-Dec-04 - Staff Sergeant Nathaniel J. Nyren, 31, from Reston, Virginia, died in Baghdad, Iraq on Dec. 28, when a civilian vehicle struck his military vehicle. Nyren was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in Fort Hood, Texas.

29-Dec-04 - Private First Class Oscar Sanchez, 19, from Modesto, California, died Dec. 29 in Mosul, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device struck his observation post. Sanchez was assigned to 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

29-Dec-04 - Specialist Craig L. Nelson, 21, from Bossier City, Louisiana, died Dec. 29 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, of injuries sustained Dec. 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Nelson was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 156th Armor Regiment, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

30-Dec-04 - Sergeant Damien T. Ficek, 26, from Pullman, Washington, died Dec. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Ficek was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, in

Spokane, Washington.

31-Dec-04 - Iraqi Sabih Katta, adult, male, killed in Haifa Street, Baghdad.

31-Dec-04 - Lance Corporal Brian P. Parrello, 19, of West Milford, New Jersey died Jan. 1 as result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Parrello was assigned to Small Craft Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

31-Dec-04 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 76 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 7 Coalition Contractors, 0 Aid Workers, 0 Journalists, 6 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 777 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 337 Insurgents.

1-Jan-05 - Iraqi Brothers, adult, male, killed in Aamirya, south Falluja.

1-Jan-05 - Iraqi Fares Hussein, brother of Nawfal Abdel Hussein, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

1-Jan-05 - Iraqi Karim Ismael Hashem, adult, male, killed in southern Baghdad.

1-Jan-05 - Iraqi Nawfal Abdel Hussein, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

1-Jan-05 - Iraqi Sadiq Abdul Hussein, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

1-Jan-05 - Lance Corporal Jason E. Smith, 21, of Phoenix, Arizona died Dec. 31 as result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Smith was assigned to 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

1-Jan-05 - Militants from a group led by Al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi said they had killed five men and warned those who work with the United States-backed government they faced the same fate. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-Jan-05 - Specialist Jeff LeBrun, 21, from Buffalo, New York, died Jan. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his military vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. LeBrun was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

2-Jan-05 - A suicide attacker detonated a car bomb north of Baghdad on Sunday, killing 19 Iraqis - all but one of them National Guards, killing 19 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jan-05 - Four Iraqi policemen were killed in a separate attack Six Guards were also wounded in the car bomb blast near Balad, 50 miles north of Baghdad, killing 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ali Herdan, adult, male, killed in outside Baqubah.

2-Jan-05 - Iraqi Colonel Abdel Karim Riyadh, adult, male, killed in Jubaila, 30 miles south of Baghdad.

2-Jan-05 - Iraqi Muhammad Abul Mutallib, adult, male, killed in Al-Khadra, Baghdad.

3-Jan-05 - American Contractor named Hushin, Tracy was killed today due to Suicide Bomb (car) at Baghdad (near Green Zone). Was a Financial manager for employer BearingPoint.

3-Jan-05 - British Contractor named Dolman, John was killed today due to Suicide Bomb (car) at Baghdad (near Green Zone). Was a Security contractor for employer Kroll Incorporated (subcontractor for DynCorp).

3-Jan-05 - British Contractor named NAME NOT RELEASED YET was killed today due to Suicide Bomb (car) at Baghdad (near Green Zone). Was a Not known yet for employer BearingPoint, Inc.

3-Jan-05 - British Contractor named Pears, Nick was killed today due to Suicide Bomb (car) at Baghdad (near Green Zone). Was a Security contractor for employer Kroll Incorporated (subcontractor for DynCorp).

3-Jan-05 - Iraqi Sardar (?), male, killed in Al Ghazaliya, Baghdad.

3-Jan-05 - Sergeant Thomas E. Houser, 22, of Council Bluffs, Iowa died Jan. 3 as result of hostile action in Fallujah, Iraq. Houser was assigned to the 2nd Force Recon Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

3-Jan-05 - Three other policemen were killed in the restive Sunni heartland north of the capital, raising further questions among Iraqis on how the country's fledgling security forces will be able to protect voters if they can hardly protect themselves. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ali al-Haidari, adult, male, killed in Hurriya, Baghdad.

4-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ali Muhammad Ahmad, adult, male, killed in Al-Rashidun district, Sumar, north of Mosul.

4-Jan-05 - Iraqi Hadi Saleh, 56, male, killed in Baghdad.

4-Jan-05 - Iraqi Mahdi al-Janabi, adult, male, killed in Za'faraniyah, Baghdad.

4-Jan-05 - Iraqi Mohammed Abbas Abdullah, adult, male, killed in Jabbalyah Checkpoint, Al Maqil district, Basra.

4-Jan-05 - Iraqi Thafir Sami, adult, male, killed in Al-Sina'i district, southwest Baqubah.

4-Jan-05 - Private First Class Curtis L. Wooten III, 20, of Spanaway, Washington, died Jan. 4 in Balad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Wooten was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany.

4-Jan-05 - Private Cory R. Depew, 21, of Beech Grove, Indiana, died Jan. 4 in Mosul, Iraq, when his Stryker military vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. Depew was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

4-Jan-05 - Sergeant Bennie J. Washington, 25, of Atlanta, Georgia, died Jan. 4 in Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained Oct. 14 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his military vehicle was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. Washington was assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Howze, Korea.

4-Jan-05 - Three Soldiers died Jan. 4 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive devise detonated near their military vehicle. Killed were Specialist Jimmy D. Buie, 44, of Floral, Arkansas, Specialist Jeremy W. McHalffey, 28, of Mabelvale, Arkansas, and Specialist Joshua S. Marcum, 33, of Evening Shade, Arkansas. Buie was assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, in Fordyce, Arkansas. McHalffey was assigned to the Army National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade, Little Rock, Arkansas. Marcum was assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Camden, Arkansas.

4-Jan-05 - Total Iraqi officers and police members who were killed during terror attacks including assassination attempts or blasting or booby trapping in the last one and half year was up to 1300, Iraqi Minister of Interior Falah Hasan Al-Naqib said on Tuesday. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jan-05 - In a third attack Wednesday, gunmen killed Iraqi police Colonel Khalifa Hassan and his driver as they headed to work in the restive city of Baqubah, 30 miles northeast of Baghdad, Doctor Ahmed Fouad of the Baqubah General Hospital said, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jan-05 - Iraqi Omar Mahmoud Abdallah, adult, male, killed in Al-Wihda, Mosul.

6-Jan-05 - Iraqi Abdel Karim, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

6-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ahmad (?) adult, male, killed in Tajil Village, near Kirkuk.

6-Jan-05 - Iraqi husband of Sennia A. Obaed (?) adult, male, killed in between Yusufiyah and East Radwanyah, Baghdad.

6-Jan-05 - Lance Corporal Julio C. Cisneros-Alvarez, 22, of Pharr, Texas, died Jan. 6 as result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Twentynine Palms, California.

6-Jan-05 - Private First Class Kenneth G. Vonronn, 20, of Bloomingburg, New York, died January 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, with six of his fellow Soldiers when an improvised explosive device struck their Bradley fighting vehicle. Vonronn was assigned to the Army National Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division, New York, New York.

6-Jan-05 - Sergeant Zachariah S. Davis, 25, of Twentynine Palms, California, died Jan. 6 as result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in Twentynine Palms, California.

6-Jan-05 - Six Soldiers died January 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device struck their Bradley fighting vehicle. All six were assigned to the Army National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), Lafayette, Louisiana. Killed were Sergeant First Class Kurt J. Comeaux, 34, of Raceland, Louisiana, Sergeant Christopher J. Babin, 27, of Houma, Louisiana, Specialist Bradley J. Bergeron, 25, of Houma, Louisiana, Specialist Huey P. L. Fassbender, 24, of LaPlace, Louisiana, Specialist Armand L. Frickey, 20, Houma, Louisiana, and Specialist Warren A. Murphy, 29, of Marrero, Louisiana. All were assigned to the Army National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), Lafayette, Louisiana.

7-Jan-05 - Iraqi Josef Touma, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

7-Jan-05 - Iraqi wife of Josef Touma, adult, female, killed in Baghdad.

7-Jan-05 - Private First Class Daniel F. Guastaferro, 27, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died January 7 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his military vehicle left the road and went into a canal. Guastaferro was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, at Camp Casey, Korea.

8-Jan-05 - Iraqi Abboud Khalaf al-Lahibi, adult, male, killed in Khadra, Baghdad.

8-Jan-05 - Iraqi Abd-Ahmad al-Assafi, adult, male, killed in central Ramadi.

8-Jan-05 - Iraqi Falah Hassan, adult, male, killed in Baghdad?

8-Jan-05 - Iraqi Jasim al-Khirbit, adult, male, killed in central Ramadi.

8-Jan-05 - Iraqi Khamees Jassim Khirbit, adult, male, killed in central Ramadi.

8-Jan-05 - Iraqi Muhammed Jassim Redah, adult, male, killed in near Suwaib, southwest of Baghdad.

8-Jan-05 - Iraqi Satter Jabbar Kadhem, adult, male, killed in near Suwaib, southwest of Baghdad.

9-Jan-05 - Corporal Joseph E. Fite, 23, of Round Rock, Texas, died Jan. 9 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Austin, Texas.

9-Jan-05 - Iraqi Colonel Mohamed Mudhafir al-Badri, adult, male, killed in Samarra.

9-Jan-05 - Iraqi Kamil Kamal Mustafa, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

9-Jan-05 - Iraqi Midhat Jassim Abdul Hassan, adult, male, killed in eastern Baghdad.

9-Jan-05 - Iraqi mother of Riyadh al-Qassem, adult, female, killed in Jalawla.

9-Jan-05 - Iraqi sister of dead man, female, killed in near Duluiyah.

9-Jan-05 - Kazakh Army Captain Kayrat Kudabayev, 29 of Katon-Karagai District, Kazakhstan, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the Kazbat Battalion from Kapchagay, Kazakhstan.

9-Jan-05 - Specialist Dwayne J. McFarlane Jr. 20, of Cass Lake, Minnesota, died Jan. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his dismounted patrol was hit by an improvised explosive device. McFarlane was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), from Fort Drum, New York.

9-Jan-05 - The acting police chief in the northern Iraqi town of Samarra has been assassinated by gunmen. Gunmen opened fire on Mohammed al-Badri as he travelled in his car near Samarra, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-Jan-05 - Ukrainian Army Captain Sergyi Andrushchienko, 28, of Oziornoye, Ukraine, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 72 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade, from Zhytomyr, Ukraine.

9-Jan-05 - Ukrainian Army Captain Valeriy Brazhevskyi, 31, of Zhytomyr, Ukraine, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 72 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade, from Zhytomyr, Ukraine.

9-Jan-05 - Ukrainian Army Captain Yuriy Zagray, 29, of Khmielnitskyi District, Ukraine, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 72 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade, from Bolgrad [Odessa District], Ukraine.

9-Jan-05 - Ukrainian Army Chief Warrant Officer Volodimir Sedoy, 36, of Vysokaya Piechi, Ukraine, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah and died of wounds in Baghdad (military hospital), Iraq. Was assigned to the 72 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade from Zhytomyr, Ukraine.

9-Jan-05 - Ukrainian Army Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Matizhev, 40, of Kovel, Ukraine, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 72 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade, from Bolgrad [Odessa District], Ukraine.

9-Jan-05 - Ukrainian Army Senior Sergeant Andriy Sitnikov, 33, of Pervomais'kyi [Kharkiv District], Ukraine, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 72 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade from Pervomais'kyi, Ukraine.

9-Jan-05 - Ukrainian Army Senior Sergeant Vira Pietrik, 37, of Panievich, Ukraine, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 72 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade from Zhytomyr, Ukraine.

9-Jan-05 - Ukrainian Army Warrant Officer Oleksandr Katsarskyi, 35, of Bolgrad [Odessa District], Ukraine, killed by hostile fire - improvised explosive device attack in As Suwayrah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 72 Separate Mechanized Battalion, 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade, from Bolgrad [Odessa District], Ukraine.

10-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Muhammed, 15, male, killed in Baiji.

10-Jan-05 - Iraqi Brigadier Amer Nayef, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

10-Jan-05 - Iraqi Huda Daeth, adult, female, killed in northeast of Baghdad.

10-Jan-05 - Iraqi Lieutenant Khalid Amer, son of Brigadier Amer Nayef, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

10-Jan-05 - Two Iraqi Army Soldiers were killed and one was wounded when their joint combat patrol with 1st Infantry Division Soldiers was attacked by anti-Iraqi forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire near Samarra on Jan 10. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Jan-05 - Two Soldiers died Jan. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit their military vehicle. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade, in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Killed were Staff Sergeant William F. Manuel, 34, of Kinder, Louisiana and Sergeant Robert W. Sweeney III, 22, of Pineville, Louisiana.

11-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ali Mahdi Kahmis, adult, male, killed in near Badala Street, Saadiyeh area, south Baghdad.

11-Jan-05 - Specialist Michael J. Smith, 24, of Media, Pennsylvania, died Jan. 11 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his military vehicle was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Smith was assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 2d Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Korea.

11-Jan-05 - The United States military in Iraq says at least six Iraqi policemen were killed in a car bomb explosion in the northern town of Tikrit Tuesday. This incident killed 6 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Jan-05 - A car bomb today hit an Iraqi Army patrol, killing two Soldiers and wounding two in southeastern Mosul. A joint United States-Iraqi mission in the city yesterday was hit by a roadside bomb and fired on by gunmen killing three Iraqi Soldiers, killing 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Jan-05 - According to the colonel, there were two vehicles carrying up to 14 insurgents. Six insurgents were seen entering the building after killing the two IP officers, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Jan-05 - Iraqi Halim al-Afghani, adult, male, killed in Najaf.

12-Jan-05 - Iraqi Jawad Ibrahim, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

12-Jan-05 - Iraqi Sheik Mahmoud al-Madaen, adult, male, killed in Salman Pak, southeast of Baghdad.

12-Jan-05 - Iraqi Son of Sheik Mahmoud al-Madaen, male, killed in Salman Pak, southeast of Baghdad.

13-Jan-05 - Iraqi Jabar Atea Ktlan (?), adult, male, killed in Dora area, south Baghdad.

13-Jan-05 - Iraqi Mohammed Jassem Oubadi, adult, male, killed in Al-Amil district, west Baghdad.

13-Jan-05 - Iraqi Mouayad Sami, adult, male, killed in Buhriz district, near Baqubah.

13-Jan-05 - Iraqi Samir Jwad Khadin, 42-43, male, killed in near Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad.

13-Jan-05 - Lance Corporal Matthew W. Holloway, 21, of Fulton, Texas and Lance Corporal Juan R. Rodriguez Velasco, 23, of El Cenizo, Texas, both Marines, died Jan. 13 from injuries received as a result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Both Marines were assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

13-Jan-05 - Private First Class Gunnar D. Becker, 19, of Forestburg, South Dakota, died Jan. 13 in Mosul, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Becker was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in Vilseck, Germany.

13-Jan-05 - Sergeant First Class Brian A. Mack, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona, died Jan. 13 in Mosul, Iraq, when his military vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. Mack was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

14-Jan-05 - An Iraqi driver of the international Red Cross was killed near Baghdad. The driver, who was in his 40s, disappeared west of Baghdad and was found dead the next day.

14-Jan-05 - Corporal Paul C. Holter III, 21, of Corpus Christi, Texas, died Jan. 14, due to a non-combat related incident at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

14-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ejad Mahomet Jabbar, adult, male, killed in north of Al Hillah.

14-Jan-05 - Iraqi Faysal Kamel Hamza, adult, male, killed in ASR Kiev, Ash-Shumali.

15-Jan-05 - Iraqi Saad (?), 13, male, killed in Route Tampa, Safwan area, Basra.

15-Jan-05 - Sergeant Jayton D. Patterson, 26, of Sedley, Virginia, died Jan. 15 as result of hostile action in Babil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

15-Jan-05 - Sergeant Nathaniel T. Swindell, 24, of Bronx, New York, died Jan. 15 in Mosul, Iraq, from a non-combat related injury. Swindell was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

16-Jan-05 - Egyptian Contractor named Ismail, Ibrahim Mohammed was killed today due to body found dumped in a street at Ramadi. Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

16-Jan-05 - Five Iraqi Soldiers and a policeman were shot dead on Saturday in a string of insurgent attacks around the northern trouble spots of Samarra and Kirkuk. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Jan-05 - Iraqi Shakir Aboud, adult, male, killed in Numaniyah.

16-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ali Al-Khatib, 30, male, killed in Naamaniya, near Kut.

16-Jan-05 - Iraqi Imad Abd Al-Zahra, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

16-Jan-05 - Iraqi Majid Ahmed Ibrahim Al Abassi, adult, male, killed in Hwaish Cut, near Samarra.

16-Jan-05 - Iraqi Riyadh Radi Habib, adult, male, killed in Basra.

16-Jan-05 - Iraqi Salah al-Dulaymi, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

16-Jan-05 - Iraqi Saleh Sheha Sleh, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

16-Jan-05 - Iraqi Younes Idris Al-Hiyali, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

16-Jan-05 - Specialist Alain L. Kamolvathin, 21, of Blairstown, New Jersey, died Jan. 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Kamolvathin was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, in New York, New York.

16-Jan-05 - Unknown Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Convoy attack at Baghdad (30 mi. north). Was a Security contractor for employer Steele Foundation.

## (end of Week 28-31 Memorials)

COMMENT – On thing I did finally figure out was how to get _Armed Forces Network_ ( _AFN_ ) TV shows on my satellite dish. I needed to purchase a receiver box with an annual subscription to _AFN_. My original receiver box picked up several hundred channels, about fifty in English, but did not and would not pick up _AFN_. So I cashed a check and bought an annual subscription (factoring that I could sell this at the end of my tour), and now I just switch back and forth between the two receiver boxes. And I can now watch NFL games in my sleeping trailer and don't have to sit in the C-8 offices to watch them. Bad news, two months later they started installing cable to all trailers, with _AFN_. Oh well!!

COMMENT – When I came back to my trailer on January 12th upon my return to Iraq, there was a note from the billeting office for me to report there on December 29th to move to another trailer with a roommate. And then there was another note from billeting on January 4th to move to a tent. I shook my head, and grabbed my broom, there was about an inch of dust inside the trailer during the three weeks I was gone. The Corps C-8 had told me to get something to eat and get plenty of sleep, and we would catch up on Thursday morning. I woke refreshed about 6 am, took a shower and went to the dining facility for breakfast. At 7 am, the Corps C-8 and I talked for about a half hour. He then left for the Water Palace for the morning briefings, and would not be back until about 9 am. So I went over to billeting to see what was up. It turned out that they were in a panic with the new Corps staff coming in (they thought they were arriving the last week of December, not the last week of January), so that explained the first note to move out of my trailer. Then they decided that the old Corps staff was going to move to tents to vacate the trailers for the new staff in mid-January. Since I was staying, there was no real reason for me to move out only to move back in. Plus I approached the billeting office contractor politely and non-excited, probably different than your average field grade officer. Sometimes being nice helps out. Or maybe it was just because I was clearly older than the average Lieutenant Colonel around here.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 32: January 24, 2005

It rained on Saturday (January 22nd). Not just a little bit, it just rained all bloody day. Mud is everywhere at Camp Victory. We now have a large collection of ponds and little lakes, some in the oddest places. It is remarkable how some folks treat the situation. Some folks just walk right through the mud, like happy hogs going to dinner. Others tenderly make one step at a time, trying to minimize the mud on their boots, but ending up putting more mud on themselves or sinking deeper in it. Most of my Corps C-8 office folks have finally found a good use for the chemical gear we were issued, putting on these big black rubber boots over their desert boots.

It also rained on the Steelers hope for a Super Bowl berth last night. Oh well, at least they were in the AFC Championship, unlike the Brownies and Bangals. I am still amazed that I was able to see the Steelers on television for more games than at home.

On Friday (January 21st), I finally rode the helicopter to the International Zone. Before, I have made several dozen trips down RPG Alley and under Suicide Bomber Bridge, and other landmarks of Route Irish. I still say the British were behind the naming of Irish, as all the other routes have city names, such as Tampa, Kiev, Detroit, etc. (sorry no Tulsa or Columbus). You know how the British have had a long relationship with their cousins across the Irish Sea. So I think they are behind this route from the airport to downtown being called what it is.

Anyway, the less than 10 minute ride to and from Camp Victory to the International Zone gave me nice picture of urban Baghdad. I saw folks at marketplaces, I saw traffic jams, folks walking along the streets, lots of satellite dishes, clothes hanging in the wind, goats tied up so that they do not wander, portable generators on roof tops, small gardens in back yards, and many wonderful sites for a large urban city of six million folks. Of course, you in the states hear and see so much of the violence reported on the national news, some of it terrorist, some of it purely criminal, some of it tribal or religious strife, thinking it is going on every street corner. There are attacks, sometimes five or ten in a given day. And sometimes none!!

Our Corps C-8 office is in the middle of our six Air Force enlisted folks rotations in and out. Two have already left, and two new folks have joined our office. We have three folks scheduled to leave later this week, and I may have to hold back two of them because their replacements have not arrived, and therefore, they have not trained them to take over for them. I do not know why the replacements are slow in getting here, usually the Air Force operates a fine and punctual program. If my three folks do not get to leave this week, they might have to spend an extra week or two here, because of the flight schedule. One of them is definitely going, as her replacement did show up on time. She is going back to Del Rio, CPL territory. Oops, not suppose to use CPL anymore, Texas Central territory, sorry.

Last week we said goodbye to two Air Force officers, one of who did my duties while I was on Rest & Recreational (R&R) leave over the holidays. A very fine officer (a Major), who will probably soon be promoted, and a great pleasure to work with. We had an award ceremony late one afternoon, and they received joint service awards, our C-8 office guidons, commander's coins from the Corps commanding general, and a certificate of service. These two were part of our lunch and dinner group, and we shared many good times over the last four months.

Meanwhile, I am getting the Corps C-8 office ready for the new boss and the new Corps staff, from the famed XVIII Airborne Corps of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A full-bird Colonel in the International Zone on Friday asked me if they were planning to jump in upon arrival. I told him that the III Corps staff had to move out of the trailers earlier in the week, and heard that they did have to paint the trailer numbers on the roofs, so that the new Corps staff could jump right in next to their trailers. I think the Colonel believed me, hook line and sinker. Engineers like to believe everything you tell them.

I have the Corps C-8 officers preparing briefings (civilians call them presentations), and everyone has completed them except my Navy Commander. He finally gave me a draft this morning (after reminding him for over a week), and it was everything but brief. As the Deputy Dog, but of equal rank, I had to be tactful but firm, saying this did not meet my requirements of clear, concise, and to the point. But I allowed him to use many of his detail slides as back ups. So I explained that he had done a good job, but still needed to catch up to the Air Force, Marine, and Army standards. Squids are so easy to mess with.

The briefings will be used to bring the new boss up to speed, when he arrives in the next few days. It would be nice if it was the weekend, as with two new Captains I have to train on operations and programs, I will be busy.

On Saturday afternoon and night, I had my first extensive project combining multiple Excel files into one complete, but simple file. My old boss (the Corps C-8) was amazed. He is leaving in less than three weeks. He is going to retire this summer – he has ignored my warnings that he needed to start his job search from here. I explained that in the civilian business sector, there are not a lot of administrative folks to do these things, and that most managers have to be able to use Excel. Anyway, I started work on it after lunch, and finished it at 9 pm, stopping for dinner, and several interruptions from my office staff to hear about issues, problems, or other concerns.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - Since I returned from R&R and officially became the Deputy C-8, I have had a lot of time with my old boss and learned a lot about the early part of his tour before my arrival. It explained a lot about my experience with him initially. It turns out that he only arrived in April 2004, while the III Corps staff (which is the one leaving here shortly) had arrived in February to take over from V Corps and command the Combined Joint Task Force Seven. The original III Corps C-8, a combat arms Colonel with a comptrollership secondary specialty, arrived at the same time with the rest of the III Corps staff group in February. On his first evening at Camp Victory, he walked outside behind our building towards the old dining facility, about a half mile away. Behind Building 2 are a series of drainage ditches. It was dark, but manly combat arms Colonels tend not to use flashlights. He fell into the ditch, and had a compound fracture of his leg, plus a broken arm. The Colonel was evacuated first to the Combat Hospital in the Green Zone, and later to Germany and the states. He would not return to Camp Victory.

COMMENT - The Army Reserve Colonel who left in December 2004, arrived the next week as an individual replacement as Deputy C-8. I think the old V Corps C-8 stayed a couple extra weeks, and it was decided to make a go with the Army Reservist as the Corps C-8. Nothing went right for weeks between the Army Reservist and the Corps Chief of Staff and other Corps staff sections, but they limped along. The Personnel (C-1) folks worked with stateside commands to quickly get a replacement for the injured III Corps C-8 Colonel, and no one was available, not a Comptroller qualified Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel in the active Army. Someone, maybe the Army civilian who heads Resource Management in the Pentagon, put out word looking for a volunteer. Meanwhile, big Army Personnel decided to lower their expectations, and tasked the Army Reserve to fill it with a Lieutenant Colonel. In early March, I got my involuntary mobilization orders generated by this request.

COMMENT - Meanwhile, my old boss, the Corps C-8 answered the volunteer pitch, and jumped through some hoops to quickly arrive in April to take over as Corps C-8. Because of the Army Reserve Colonel's performance in February and March, the Corps staff had a very dim view of Army Reservists, especially Comptrollers. The C-1 and Chief of Staff heard in March of another Army Reservist Comptroller was in the pipeline, but decided that position (me) would be going down to the Green Zone and out of their way. And even with the arrival of my old boss as the Corps C-8, an active duty Finance Corps officer, the damage had been done as reputations soured. Part of the problem was my boss was not part of the original III Corps primary staff from Fort Hood, so he was already an outsider. And April 2004 was when the s**t hit the fan and the insurgency went full-blown. He told me that the C-8 staff was very disjointed when he arrived at Camp Victory in April. The Chief of Staff was always on his six about every little thing. So that is partly why my old boss was so demanding of everyone, and probably why he chose to micro-manage everyone too. And the track record of Comptroller Army Reservists was not stellar; he named a few before I arrived. Add to this was the decision in late April to split the Combined Joint Task Force Seven into the Force and Corps. That explains his treatment of me during the first few months.

COMMENT - He was very worried about me, being an Army Reservist, and also not being part of the XVIII Airborne Corps staff at Fort Bragg, being viewed as an outsider. Everyone in the Army knows that the XVIII Airborne folks view themselves as the best of the best, and they have a track record to back that up. We joked that they would arrive in spit shined combat boots (we all wore the light brown desert ones that could not be shined). I agreed that I would have to perform better than them in everything upon their arrival, but I did have three or five things in my favor \- an Airborne badge, a West Point class ring, deep knowledge of the lay of the land, I knew almost every C-8 shop in Iraq, plus I wore the Thunderbird patch of the 45th Infantry Brigade, considered one of the best Army National Guard units. It is going to be fun couple of months before I get out of here in April.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 32: January 24, 2005

I did convince the old boss that if the new Air Force personnel come in late on Day 1, we would have them skip the day of in-processing and have them spend a long hard day training on Day 2 and the morning of Day 3, and let our folks leave in the afternoon of Day 3. Previously, the boss insisted on three full days of right seat, left seat training. I have sat down and talked with the three Air Force folks that are waiting for their replacements, explaining to them that if their replacements get in, we would work with them to get them out in time to catch their flights. I have also gone over this several times with their supervisors, and reminded the supervisors that they had to certify that the new folks are trained adequately by the old.

Unfortunately, I do not think the three new folks are going to arrive on time. And after they arrive, I will have to determine why they were late in getting here, and take up this issue with the local Air Force commander.

Let's see, what else happened this week. My trip to the International Zone was pretty successful, and the new Force Comptroller (C-8) for the four-stars headquarters thinks I really know my stuff. That is why my friends in the International Zone named me Snow Job, I guess. Anyway, my Major General was happy with our briefing (presentation) and proposed course of action. It looks like we will get several hundred millions to pay for urgent humanitarian needs. Of course, everyday, one of our subordinate commands wants to spend this on paying some Iraqi government or military employees who claim they have not been paid. I now have a procedure to send these to the Embassy, and have them there address it with the appropriate Iraqi Ministry for resolution.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I got another surprise this week. With the upcoming change in Corps C-8, this would result in evaluation reports being done where the old Corps C-8 was their rater or senior rater. Yes, Army peace time rules in a combat zone, but we also did PT tests too. As I mentioned, most of the office was rotating back to the states during this period, so evaluation reports were being quickly written for those needing them. I had submitted my support form to my old boss, and was awaiting him and the Corps Chief of Staff to complete their evaluation, and hoping it might get done before both leave in a week or so. What I did not know was that my Major General on the Force staff, originally to be the Force Deputy commanding general but then becoming the Strategic Plans head, lobbied with the Force and Corps Chiefs of Staff to be my senior rater, since for more than half of my time in Iraq I had been in the Green Zone and I was literally reporting to him. So one day, got a call to submit a new support form fully accounting for my time in the Green Zone (as my old boss did not really care about my time there), and a new rating change, that was highly unusual, and being evaluated by two separate chains of command. Well the C-8 Liaison Officer job was that and more.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 32: January 24, 2005

While in the International Zone, the latest case was several hundred Iraqi policemen who claimed that they had not been paid for several months, and were threatening our military with walking off the job. After several days of pleading, our military sent me the rosters and amounts of unpaid salaries; and within a day, they were in the hands of the Ministry of Interior to resolve. It turns out that half of them had been paid – guess they were looking for Uncle Sugar to double this month's payroll. Some of the others had received promotions, from corporal to colonel, and the Ministry decided to only pay them for their former rank. But this is an example of why our military need to let the Iraqis deal with this and resolve, there is always more to the story that meets the eye.

Meanwhile, the Steelers lost. And I got a couple of hours sleep before getting into work this morning. So I am going to make this brief, and wish everyone a safe week. Take care.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 32 Memorials)

17-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Alwan Hussein, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

17-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ala Hamid Nasih, adult, male, killed in Basra.

17-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ali Hussein Jassim, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

17-Jan-05 - Iraqi Nayif Ratif, 20, male, killed in Baiji.

17-Jan-05 - Iraqi Shaker Jabbar Sahl, 48, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

17-Jan-05 - Private First Class Francis C. Obaji, 21, of Queens Village, New York, died Jan. 17 in the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident Jan. 16 in Baghdad, Iraq. Obaji was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, in New York, New York.

17-Jan-05 - Private First Class George R. Geer, 27, of Cortez, Colorado, died Jan. 17 in Ramadi, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his position. Geer was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Korea.

17-Jan-05 - Private First Class Jesus Fonseca, 19, of Marietta, Georgia, died Jan. 17 in Ramadi, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his position. Fonseca was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Casey, Korea.

17-Jan-05 - Staff Sergeant Thomas E. Vitagliano, 33, of New Haven, Connecticut, died Jan. 17 in Ramadi, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his position. Vitagliano was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Korea.

18-Jan-05 - Captain Christopher J. Sullivan, 29, of Princeton, Massachusetts, died Jan. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his parked vehicle. Sullivan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

18-Jan-05 - First Infantry Division Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, discovered the remains of an Iraqi police officer at the bus station in Khalis about 10:00 am on Jan. 18. Identification was found with the remains. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Jan-05 - Iraqi Adnan Maycon, adult, male, killed in RTE Taco, Kanan.

18-Jan-05 - Iraqi Hussein Hassan, adult, male, killed in Tal Afar, 40 miles west of Mosul.

18-Jan-05 - Iraqi Jalal Hussein, 31-32, male, killed in Khalis.

18-Jan-05 - Iraqi Kamila Hassan, adult, female, killed in Tal Afar, 40 miles west of Mosul.

19-Jan-05 - British Contractor named Whyte, Andrew was killed today due to Convoy attack at Baiji (south of). Was a Security contractor for employer Janusian Security Risk Management.

19-Jan-05 - Iraqi Safa Mahmood, adult, female, killed in Aaliyah or Karada, Baghdad.

19-Jan-05 - Iraqi Salem Jaafar al-Kinani, adult, male, killed in abducted near his home in central Baghdad, location of killing unknown.

19-Jan-05 - Iraqi Sheik Naji, adult, male, killed in Karkh area, Baghdad.

19-Jan-05 - Iraqi Uday al-Jaryan, adult, male, killed in Raghibah Khatun area, Al-Azamiyah neighborhood, northern Baghdad.

20-Jan-05 - Four of the Soldiers were killed and four wounded on Thursday by a roadside bomb in Samarra. Also on Thursday, an Iraqi Soldier was killed and another wounded in a mortar attack on a military position in Siniya, west of the troubled city of Baiji. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Jan-05 - Iraqi Fahmi Hamid Saleh, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

21-Jan-05 - About ten gunmen in two cars in the Ramadi area stepped out of their vehicles, attacked a Soldier, tied his hands behind his back, and cut his head off before the eyes of shocked onlookers in the street, the witnesses said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

21-Jan-05 - Captain Joe F. Lusk II, 25, of Reedley, California, died Jan. 21 in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of non-combat related injuries. Lusk was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Lusk was a member of the USMA Class of 2001.

21-Jan-05 - Five Iraqi Soldiers and a civilian were killed Thursday in a string of attacks north of Baghdad, while the capital itself remained calm, police said. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

21-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ali Mohammed Hassan, adult, male, killed in Iskandariya.

21-Jan-05 - Iraqi Tamoud Hasan Haj, adult, male, killed in Iskandariya.

21-Jan-05 - Italian Army Maresciallo Simone Cola, 32, of Tivoli, Italy, killed by hostile fire in An Nasiriyah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 1st "Idra" Aviation Support Regiment from Bracciano, Italy.

21-Jan-05 - Sergeant Kyle W. Childress, 29, of Terre Haute, Indiana, died Jan. 21 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds received in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Childress was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany.

22-Jan-05 - First Lieutenant Nainoa K. Hoe, 27, of Hawaii, died Jan. 22 in Mosul, Iraq, of wounds received when he was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Hoe was assigned to the Army's 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

22-Jan-05 - A total of 15 Iraqi National Guardsmen were shot dead by an Iraqi militant group, a website statement said Saturday. This incident killed 15 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-Jan-05 - Iraqi Abd al-Naser Abbas al-Dulaimi, 29, male, killed in Karada, Baghdad.

23-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ali Hashim, adult, male, killed in near Hayy Al Yarmouk, western Mosul.

23-Jan-05 - Staff Sergeant Jose C. Rangel, 43, of Saratoga, California, died Jan. 23 in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, of non-combat related injuries. Rangel was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1106th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot, Fresno, California.

24-Jan-05 - A Bradley Fighting Vehicle rolled into a canal during a combat patrol north of Baghdad, killing five Soldiers and wounding two others on Jan 24. Killed were Sergeant Michael C. Carlson, 22, of St. Paul, Minnesota, Private 1st Class Jesus A. Leon-Perez, 20, of Houston, Texas, Sergeant Javier Marin, Jr. 29, of Mission, Texas, Staff Sergeant Joseph W. Stevens, 26, of Sacramento, California, and Specialist Viktar V. Yolkin, 24, of Spring Branch, Texas. All were assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in Vilseck, Germany.

24-Jan-05 - Iraqi Imad Abid Shaban al-Khuzaiee, adult, male, killed in road between Najaf and Diwaniya.

24-Jan-05 - Sergeant Brett D. Swank, of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, died Jan. 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his position. Swank was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, from Fort Polk, Louisiana.

24-Jan-05 - Sergeant Leonard W. Adams, 42, of Mooresville, North Carolina, died Jan. 24 in Camp Bucca, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Adams was assigned to the Army National Guard's 105th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, in Asheville, North Carolina.

## (end of Week 32 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 33: 30 January 2005

It is Election Day, and initial reports show over 60 percent of the adult population going to the polls across the country. Much more than who go to the states – I guess one who has not experienced democracy are more appreciative of it.

For those in this "instant oatmeal" society expecting immediate results, they wonder why it took 22 months to have elections. I only ask, how many years did it take after the end of the Revolutionary War before the United States elected its first President? Some parallels of the United States back then (or before the Civil War) and Iraq today – many different factions here.

Back to life at Camp Victory! Only one trip to the International Zone this week, going down Route Irish!! But the good news is that the Embassy staff has finally got the message that we need to work with the two security ministries in order to provide life support to their military and police forces. Starting to almost see the light deep down the tunnel!

It was a week of my folks leaving, and new folks arriving. Two Captains, one Air Force and one Army, arrived at our doorstep on Monday. My new boss arrived very sleepy eyed on Wednesday (January 25th) after a long flight from Fort Bragg. He brought three civilian personnel, and they are still getting used to walking around in uniforms and dust. And finally, our five new Air Force personnel finally got out of Qatar – we figured that they were enjoying the beaches there for a few days. And if new folks come in, we had some good friends return to their love ones in the states.

The Corps C-8 staff put together information presentations (we call them briefings) together so that we could educate the new boss. We finally gave them this morning and afternoon, and the boss was quite impressed by everyone. He is concerned by the lack of current command support for many things, but he is relatively impressed by the technical abilities of our folks. Still, this new headquarters will make some interesting changes, some for good, and some so so, over the next few weeks after they take over mid-month.

The new boss is a graduate of Virginia Tech and a native of Danville, Virginia, so he seemed surprised to find I went to high school nearby in Appomattox. His boss had an opportunity to replace him with a full-bird colonel, but choose to keep him instead. I look forward to this command support and confidence, something I do not think my current boss has. We are both Lieutenant Colonels, but he is the boss – I don't think we will have too many problems, but it has only been a few days, and he is only in the observation stage, and takes over in six days. Then will see. He admits to being anally retentive, and has asked me to manage certain activities that he just is not interested in – like managing the personnel actions and organizing tasks.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Up until this point, my old boss handled all the personnel actions and was our sole contact with the C-1 (personnel) systems. Once the new boss gave his OK, I suddenly was getting all the emails and access to information about incoming personnel. My old boss had got this information, but probably did not realize that you actually could review the military records of incoming personnel, and if you saw something that raised a concern, you could choose not to accept them. Before, it was really hit or miss who was arriving by plane. And the replacement system had geared up, and we could see most of the replacements planned for the next six months, before, my old boss might give me about a few days' notice of incoming personnel. And the real stunner was that I was being carried as excess on the staffing roster.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 33: 30 January 2005

The arrival of hundreds of new folks from Fort Bragg has been interesting. Their uniforms are so much brighter than ours, so new. They probably walk faster, but also are tripping over the rocks and ditches too. I understand that several of them have gotten lost around the compound, but the folks I have seen have tended to ask questions, like the Captain who asked me what that building was (it was the laundry, and then he wanted to know what the hours were). I have found it more effective to help folks out here, rather than point to the big sign on the building that would have told him what he asked. He told me that he had been in country for three days, and I could see that old "deer in the headlights" look that I used to see in the International Zone.

The arrival, and the departure of the old Corps headquarters in about two weeks, has increased the number of folks in the dining facility and other places. And then the big shock, we closed them this weekend to provide force protection, only one hot meal per day during this weekend. MRE's – Meals Ready to Eat – were given to all for lunch and dinner. I found another vegetarian meal, manicotti, that was really good, ate it cold rather than play with the heater pack inside. The civilians and new Air Force were startled by all this, especially since we had never done this at Camp Victory during my current boss's ten months here. We are back on normal procedures on Monday.

I do need to talk to the new boss about giving everyone off on Monday morning next week after the Super Bowl. It will start at 2:30 am here, and probably end around 6 am at best. Thank goodness that I can just lie on my bunk and watch it in the trailer.

When the weekend meal schedule was announced, our Corps commanding general asked several questions, about the plans. He repeated this, saying "OK, I understand that we will miss four hot meals, oh well, I don't think anyone around here is going to blow away."

_FOX News_ was here this week, and I saw an excellent piece on Thawra (formerly Sadr City), the slum formed by Saddam that has 2.5 million people in it. The television report showed the results of reconstruction efforts that United States and Iraqis have poured into the area, where sewage and water are now no longer in the streets, pump stations and electric substations now working, and the general improved mood by the citizens on the streets. I was surprised by the report, it was so damn positive.

Saturday and Sunday, the outgoing personnel were busy training their replacements, with the hope of being able to leave on Monday. I am a little disappointed in the late arrival of the Air Force, the first time that has happened, but they arrived a week late, and therefore, the departing folks had to stay an extra week here.

Now let me tell you about a big mistake I almost made this week. Every day, we were hoping for the Air Force Five to get in here to the airport. They got to Qatar, and then flew to Baghdad, but the flight had some mechanical problems and returned to Qatar. On Friday, Qatar and Baghdad airports said that there were no flights, but then I got a call that they thought they could catch a flight here. That was about 4:30 pm, and I asked the Major to call if they were going to catch a flight. Heard nothing, and then about 10 pm, they called, they were at Baghdad airport.

Now we normally can easily go to the airport during the day, but have to put together a convoy of multiple vehicles and have rifles for a night time ride. We found an extra vehicle (we needed three), but could only get two rifles. I had told the folks at the airport that we would come get them, and really did not want to have them stay on the tent floor overnight at the airport. However, one of my Major's and I decided to go down the Army safety check list. I agreed with him, this was not a good idea to go to the airport at night, with a lack of weapons, a road that is difficult to travel even in daylight (there are lots of ditches), and the situation before the election. So I probably startled everyone gathered around ready to go on the convoy, and said, nope, we ain't going tonight; we will go in the morning and get them. We got on the phone, and explained that it really did not make sense to risk the lives of twelve folks when they could get two extra hours sleep. We did get to the airport at 9 am, and arrived back at Camp Victory in time to get them a hot meal before the end of breakfast. I know that surprised everyone by stopping at the mess hall, because my senior non-commissioned officer wanted to start the in-processing activities and get them to start training.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Reading my email years later caused me to remember that night that I had not thought about in so long. In my eight months in Iraq, almost every week there was someone hurt or killed in a vehicle accident, unrelated to combat operations. Humvees went into rivers, streams, and drainage ditches and turned over. Folks were thrown from vehicles because they did not wear seat belts. A few vehicles went off the road to the airport and flipped trying to avoid wild dogs (or wolves) running across the roads. Plus everyone who would have made that trip had been working since 7 or 8 am and was tired. I would have made that decision not to go again and again.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 33: 30 January 2005

Well that is it from Iraq this week. Take care everyone.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 33 Memorials)

25-Jan-05 - At least 11 Iraqi policemen were killed in fierce clashes Tuesday in eastern Baghdad, a hospital official said. This incident killed 11 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Jan-05 - Iraqi Jassim Abad, adult, male, killed in near Khalis.

25-Jan-05 - Iraqi Mishaan Qahtan al-Jwari, adult, male, killed in near Balad.

25-Jan-05 - Iraqi Qais Hashim Shameri, 32, male, killed in Al-Jeddah, Baghdad.

25-Jan-05 - Iraqi Sheik Ismaiel Mashaa Bejwari, adult, male, killed in near Balad.

25-Jan-05 - Iraqi Sheik Safi Ahmad Kazraji, adult, male, killed in near Balad.

25-Jan-05 - Iraqi Yaarob Qahtan al-Jwari, adult, male, killed in near Balad.

26-Jan-05 - All died Jan. 26 when the CH-53E helicopter they were in crashed near Ar Rutbah, Iraq. Alaniz, Gordon, Hernandez, and Kimble were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. The others were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

26-Jan-05 - Corporal Jonathan W. Bowling, 23, of Patrick, Virginia, Lance Corporal Karl R. Linn, 20, of Chesterfield, Virginia, and Corporal Christopher L. Weaver, 24, of Fredericksburg, Virginia died on Jan. 26. Bowling and Linn died Jan. 26 of wounds received as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Weaver died Jan. 26 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. All Marines were assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia.

26-Jan-05 - Four Iraqi policemen, two Iraqi Soldiers and three civilians were killed in Baqubah one Iraqi policeman was killed and at least eight people were wounded. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Hamodi al-Adhami, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

26-Jan-05 - Iraqi Karim Sarhan, adult, male, killed in Al-Nahrawan.

26-Jan-05 - Iraqi Sami Al-Hamdani, adult, male, killed in Ash Shefa area, Mosul.

26-Jan-05 - Petty Officer 3rd Class John D. House, 28, of Ventura, California, died Jan. 26, in a helicopter crash near Ar Rutbah, Iraq. Thirty Marines also died in the crash. House was assigned to Naval Medical Clinic Hawaii, Marine Corps Units Detachment, at Pearl Harbor.

26-Jan-05 - Sergeant Jesse W. Strong, 24, of Irasburg, Vermont, died Jan. 26 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Strong was assigned to the Marine Corps Reserve's 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia.

26-Jan-05 - Sergeant William S. Kinzer Jr. 27, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, died Jan. 26 in Ad Duluiyah, Iraq, from injuries sustained when a rocket propelled grenade hit his patrol. Kinzer was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany.

26-Jan-05 - Specialist Taylor J. Burk, 21, of Amarillo, Texas died on Jan. 26 as a result of hostile action in Baghdad, Iraq. Burk was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

26-Jan-05 - Thirty Marines were killed in a helicopter crash near Iraq's border with Jordan on Jan. 26. Killed were Captain Paul C. Alaniz, 32, of Corpus Christi, Texas, Lance Corporal Jonathan E. Etterling, 22, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, Captain Lyle L. Gordon, 30, of Midlothian, Texas, Lance Corporal Brian C. Hopper, 21, of Wynne, Arkansas, Lance Corporal Saeed Jafarkhani-Torshizi Jr. 24, of Fort Worth, Texas, Corporal Sean P. Kelly, 23, of Gloucester, New Jersey, Staff Sergeant Dexter S. Kimble, 30, of Houston, Texas, Lance Corporal Allan Klein, 34, of Clinton Township, Michigan, Corporal James L. Moore, 24, of Roseburg, Oregon, Lance Corporal Mourad Ragimov, 20, of San Diego, California, Lance Corporal Rhonald D. Rairdan, 20, of San Antonio, Texas, Lance Corporal Hector Ramos, 20, of Aurora, Illinois, Lance Corporal Darrell J. Schumann, 25, of Hampton, Virginia, First Lieutenant Dustin M. Shumney, 30, of Vallejo, California, Corporal Matthew R. Smith, 24, of West Valley, Utah, Lance Corporal Joseph B. Spence, 24, of Scotts Valley, California, Staff Sergeant Brian D. Bland, 26, of Newcastle, Wyoming, Sergeant Michael W. Finke, Jr. 28, of Wadsworth, Ohio, First Lieutenant Travis J. Fuller, 26, of Granville, Massachusetts, Corporal Timothy M. Gibson, 23, of Merrimack, New Hampshire, Corporal Richard A. Gilbert, Jr. 26, of Dayton, Ohio, Corporal Kyle J. Grimes, 21, of Northampton, Pennsylvania, Lance Corporal Tony L. Hernandez, 22, of Canyon Lake, Texas, Corporal Stephen P. Johnson, 24, of Covina, California, Corporal Timothy A. Knight, 22, of Brooklyn, Ohio, Lance Corporal Fred L. Maciel, 20, of Spring, Texas, Corporal James Lee Moore, 24, of Roseburg, Oregon, Lance Corporal Gael Saintvil, 24, of Orlando, Florida, Corporal Nathan A. Schubert, 22, of Cherokee, Iowa, and Lance Corporal Michael L. Starr, Jr. 21, of Baltimore, Maryland

27-Jan-05 - A car bomb has exploded near an Iraqi Army patrol in Samarra, killing an Iraqi Soldier and two civilians. Doctors at the local hospital said on Thursday at least four Iraqi Soldiers and two civilians were also wounded in the blast. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Jan-05 - Corporal Jonathan S. Beatty, 22, of Streator, Illinois, died Jan. 27 as a result of hostile action in Babil Province, Iraq. Beatty was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

27-Jan-05 - Iraqi Hashim Hummad Muhammed, adult, male, killed in Tikrit.

27-Jan-05 - Iraqi Talib Minshid, adult, male, killed in body found in Baqubah.

27-Jan-05 - Insurgents have assassinated Brigadier Sami Al-Hamdani, officer of the installations protection force, affiliate of the Iraqi Interior Ministry, in one of Mosul's neighborhoods. The gunmen have showered his car with heavy fire killing him immediately. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Jan-05 - One Iraqi police officer was killed and four others injured by a suicide car bomb Thursday, according to Adel Mulan, the head of the Diyala provincial police force, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Jan-05 - Private First Class Kevin M. Luna, 26, of Oxnard, California, died Jan. 27 in Miqdadiyah, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Luna was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in Vilseck, Germany.

27-Jan-05 - The bodies of four executed Iraqi Soldiers were found Thursday dumped on a roadside in the rebel Sunni Muslim city of Ramadi, west of Baghdad, witnesses said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Jan-05 - Iraqi brothers, adult, male, killed in Hamada Shihab Square, Baghdad.

28-Jan-05 - Private First Class Stephen A. Castellano, 21, of Long Beach, California, died Jan. 28 in Mosul, Iraq, from a non-combat related injury. Castellano was assigned to 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light) from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

28-Jan-05 - Sergeant First Class Mickey E. Zaun, 27, of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, died Jan. 28 in Mosul, Iraq, from injuries sustained in a collision between two armored vehicles. Zaun was assigned to the United States Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

28-Jan-05 - Sergeant Andrew K. Farrar Jr. 31, of Weymouth, Massachusetts, died Jan. 28 due to a non-hostile related incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

28-Jan-05 - Specialist Lyle W. Rymer II, 24, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died Jan. 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, when he was shot by enemy forces. Rymer was assigned to the Army National Guard's 239th Engineer Company, 39th Infantry Brigade, in Booneville, Arkansas.

28-Jan-05 - Staff Sergeant Joseph E. Rodriguez, 25 of Las Cruces, New Mexico, died Jan. 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device struck his armored vehicle. Rodriguez was assigned to the 8th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

28-Jan-05 - The bullet-riddled bodies of six Iraqi Soldiers were found Friday in the western city of Ramadi, where two more people were killed and eight wounded in fighting between Iraqi forces and insurgents. This incident killed 6 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Jan-05 - Three Soldiers died Jan. 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device struck a nearby vehicle. All were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1088th Engineer Battalion, 256th Brigade Combat Team, in New Roads, Louisiana. The Soldiers are Staff Sergeant Jonathan R. Reed, 25, of Opelousas, Louisiana, Specialist Michael S. Evans II, 22, Marrero, Louisiana, and Specialist Christopher J. Ramsey, 20, of Batchelor, Louisiana.

28-Jan-05 - Two Soldiers died Jan. 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, in a helicopter accident. Both were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas. Killed were Captain Orlando A. Bonilla, 27, of Killeen, Texas and Chief Warrant Officer Charles S. Jones, 34, of Lawtey, Florida.

29-Jan-05 - Barbara Heald, 60, of Stanford, Connecticut, died Jan.29 in Baghdad, Iraq, when the Republic National Palace was hit by a mortar round. Heald worked for the Project and Contracting Office - Finance.

29-Jan-05 - Iraqi Dania Jabar Abdulla, adult, female, killed in 2km southeast of Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk.

29-Jan-05 - Lieutenant Commander Keith E. Taylor, 47, of Irvine, California, died Jan. 29, in a rocket attack on the United States Embassy in Baghdad. Taylor was assigned to Iraq Detachment, United States Naval Forces, of the United States Central Command.

29-Jan-05 - Lieutenant Cmdr. Edward E. Jack, 51, of Detroit, Michigan, died Jan. 29, of a non-combat related incident aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. Jack was assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron Seven, home ported in San Diego, California.

29-Jan-05 - Sergeant Lindsey T. James, 23, of Urbana, Missouri, died Jan. 29 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol. James was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

30-Jan-05 - Iraqi Hussein Kadhum, 40, male, killed in Near Mahawil.

30-Jan-05 - Iraqi Khalil Ismail, 23, male, killed in Mosul.

30-Jan-05 - Iraqi Naim Rahim Yacoubi, 37, male, killed in Kurdis Primary School, near Baghdad airport.

30-Jan-05 - Lance Corporal Nazario Serrano, 20, of Irving, Texas, died Jan. 30 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Serrano was assigned to the Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

30-Jan-05 - Private First Class James H. Miller IV, 22, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died Jan. 30 in Ramadi, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Miller was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Korea.

30-Jan-05 - British Army Lance Corporal Steven Jones, 25, of Fareham, Hampshire, was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the Royal Corps of Signals.

30-Jan-05 - British Royal Air Force Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, of Brixham, Devon, was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the Engineering Wing.

30-Jan-05 - British Royal Air Force Corporal David Williams, 37, of , was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the Engineering Wing.

30-Jan-05 - British Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant Andrew Smith, 25, of Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the 47 Squadron.

30-Jan-05 - British Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant David Stead, 35, of West Yorkshire, was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the 47 Squadron.

30-Jan-05 - British Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant Paul Pardoel, 35, of Melbourne, Australia, was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the 47 Squadron.

30-Jan-05 - British Royal Air Force Flight Sergeant Mark Gibson, 34, of Cardiff, was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the 47 Squadron.

30-Jan-05 - British Royal Air Force Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, of Hull, Humberside, was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the 47 Squadron.

30-Jan-05 - British Royal Air Force Sergeant Robert O'Connor, 38, of , was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the Engineering Wing.

30-Jan-05 - British Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Patrick Marshall, 39, of Caythorpe, Lincolnshire, was killed by hostile attack by ground-to-air fire, Royal Air Force Hercules plane brought down, killing 10 UK personnel in single biggest loss of life at Baghdad, North of Iraq. Was assigned to the Headquarters Strike Command.

## (end of Week 33 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Weeks 34 and 35: 13 February 2005

Happy Ground Hog Day to everyone, I heard that the little critter is predicting six more weeks of winter. Here in Iraq, everyday is Ground Hog Day, as things are more alike each day then different.

The only exciting news was that I got the new boss (new Corps C-8) to agree to allow everyone to come in at 1 pm IF and only IF they watched the Super Bowl game. If not, they had to come in at 8 am, our new starting hours. A few folks decided that they wanted to gut it out after watching the game, and they could work in the morning and take off (looking really really tired) in the afternoon. Unfortunately, I had to be in at 7 am, and did not get out until after 11 pm, but I did find 20 minutes for a nap around 3 pm in the TV room.

The surprise of all surprises is on Sunday dinner, they allowed folks to have two beers, donated by the Bud folks, so everyone could choose Bud, Bud Light, or Bud Ice. I had lots of work to do Sunday night, so I just watched my staff drink their beers during dinner. I came back to the office and told the new boss that most every staff officer was now pretty tanked, and I had then sent them home to dry out. There was a rumor that those who did not get their two beers could get them on Monday dinner (they marked everyone with an ink pen), however, I went to dinner, and there was no beer in sight. Oh by the way, the beer they did serve was not the non-alcoholic stuff – this was the real stuff. Of course, I think one of my Captain's would have gotten drunk off of the non-alcoholic stuff anyway; he could barely walk after drinking his first beer in four months.

I am sorry that I was unable to write last week, but last Sunday was very busy, and then Monday (February 6th and 7th), and the rest of the week. I finally had a slow day today, so let me cover the events over the proceeding two weeks.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I had to make a trip on Sunday (February 6th) down to the Green Zone to visit the Iraqi Ministry of Defence to again discuss the logistical support of Iraqi Security Forces. While there, I ran in to my old friend, the Army Major that worked the claims process for Iraqis at the Convention Center and hung out with Jim and me in my early days in the Green Zone. Bruce was a few days from leaving Iraq, and we got to talk over lunch in the Palace dining facility before I convoyed back to Camp Victory.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 34 and 35: 13 February 2005

From what I see in the press and television, the media continues to report on all the violence, and very little of the good things that are happening. It is really true that bad things sell papers and diapers. Despite the media, the country has been relatively calm since the elections. It does like many folks are waiting to see what will happen in the coming weeks as the new Iraqi government forms. It has rained a bit, and the weather turned cold this week, so maybe our insurgents are more like fair weather birds. Not really cold for Ohio, more like the cold of Oklahoma or Texas, with temperatures in the 30's and 40's at night and the morning.

I don't think anyone is going to solve the media reporting problem, until Americans start raising Cain about terrorists blowing up children or beheading innocent Pakistanis. It is hard to believe that there is not a moral outrage by these terrorist attacks. And they are terrorists; they are not just folks fighting against an occupation as many outside the industrial world thinks. They really don't care who they hurt, as long as the media gets it on the evening news. Amazing how so many attacks are timed for either the morning or evening news shows in the states. Interesting!!

Enough on that, it just gets tiring reading the _Stars & Stripes_, and all we read about is the increasing number of attacks. And our insurgents are so great in using web sites, yet we find we cannot fight back in that matter. As everyone knows, if it is on the internet, it must be true.

Last weekend, the old boss left and the new one took over. We surprised the old boss with a nice sendoff on Friday evening (February 4th) after giving out some awards and recognizing all our new folks. In just two months, my Corps C-8 office has doubled in size, and it really is nice to finally have enough folks to do all the necessary work. We have a tradition here, we have a nice farewell ceremony, usually there is an award given, the person leaving gets to say a few or lot of words, and then we go to the Olive Garden or Red Lobster to have a final dinner (actually the big dining facility). The next morning, we then convoy to the airport, and say our final farewells. Many in my Corps C-8 office will miss the old boss – it really is amazing how he and I have gone through over eight months assigned together.

The new boss is a Virginian, native of Danville, and a graduate of Virginia Tech. He is an artilleryman, but has spent his last 13 years being a comptroller, handling financial and resource management. He has been in many positions, mostly serving in the units of Fort Bragg, and that brings with it a style that is completely opposite from the old boss. He was rather quiet during the two weeks he spent transitioning with the old boss. The first week, he asked many questions, and that continued when he took over a week ago. The old boss quickly departed three days later, and then the new guy is now firmly in charge.

We are still feeling each other out, though he thinks I am way too calm. I noticed quickly that he tends to see everything as either black or white, and seems to have difficultly with gray. This will prove interesting as Iraq is mostly gray. He also loves to raise his voice, and he curses quite a bit. And he cannot understand why I continue to remain calm. I guess I have been here too long.

The Captains in the C-8 office have been very affected by the change. With the old boss, they could go in and discuss the issue. With the new boss, he wants them to answer every question Yes Sir or No Sir. So the Captains at lunch finally asked me how they could effectively work with the new boss. I explained that they had to go in to the conversation answering every question either Yes or No. When their answer conflicted with what the new boss thinks the answer should be, he will stop, usually visually react by moving his head back and looking surprised, and then asks a why question. When he asks a why question, then they would have the opportunity to explain things. But not before, continue to answer yes or no. Today at dinner, the Captains reported that this technique works. And continues to work!! I did not have the heart to tell them that I really just took a reasonable guess of what might work with the new boss, as I am a long way from my plebe year, and no one is going to treat me that way anymore. I guess it is experience, I do not feel that I am that good with dealing with folks.

Now the new boss is not a bad guy. Actually, he does have a good sense of humor, and he does not want to work long hours at night. He has told folks he does not want them to stop working and stand up when he walks in the offices, and sometimes he wanders around asking lots of questions, sometimes about work, sometimes about personal things. I think he will calm down eventually, but right now everything is coming at him too fast. And he likes to be in control.

I think he is pleasantly surprised at how the Corps C-8 office is running, at least on the resource management side. I was in the International Zone twice each of the last two weeks, and one day; they had to put together a one page information paper on one of the programs. I had called the Corps C-8 office when I arrived at the Embassy Annex, and found out that they had a short suspense to get this done. I provided a couple of suggestions, and my operations folks were off and running. I flew back to Camp Victory, and found that all was good, the paper was done on time, and my boss' boss (the Corps Chief of Staff, a Brigadier General) was impressed. Not happy, because the program is not being run the way they would have run in at Fort Bragg, but then again, they don't have a several four-star generals' commands between them and Washington.

We have a running joke with my Australian counterparts, with all the flying back and forth. We have started a frequent flyer program, just having the crew chief mark our card like they do at Subway. First one to fill out his or her card gets to avoid going to the International Zone the next week. An Australian Navy Captain, excuse me, a Royal Australian Navy Captain, equivalent to a Colonel, was in the lead, but then my two flights put me ahead. No trips this week. Yea!! Oh the games we play just to make live interesting. The trips are a real pain, but the progress with the Iraqis and the Embassy grows each week. I had been advocating a general course of action for several weeks, and finally, I sat back and listened as almost everyone advocated for it last Wednesday. And that led the contractors to propose a bold new course of action that will enable us to get past a number of problems.

The Force commanding general has told us we must get the Iraqis to take responsibility to do things, and not do it for them. Many American commanders are having a hard time with that, probably like my new boss, it is about controlling the situation. Everyday, some unit has detected some group of Iraqis who claim they have not been paid. The American solution is to pull out the wallet, your hard owned tax dollars, and pay them, not knowing if these folks have been paid or not. This does not solve the problem, and they are back next month to get paid. We are working slowly to get the names of the folks up to us, and taken to the Embassy and then to the Iraqi ministry to solve the payroll problem. It takes two to three weeks, slow by American instant oatmeal standards, but it usually permanently solves the problem.

We have a new Corps headquarters from Fort Bragg who replace the folks from Fort Hood Texas. They hit the ground running on Friday, and it was a terrible day. Every commander in the field complained that they don't have enough money, that the process for getting things done takes too long, that they cannot go around and give out money to folks. And their comptroller is quite silent in telling us that they have problems or need more money. So we have had three days of surprises, and since no one likes to be surprised, especially General Officers, I have been in meetings, and when not in meetings, writing one page papers as to how to solve their problems. They don't like most of the solutions, but we have to continue to tell them the right way to do things.

I have one group that just does not want to do contracts. They just purchase everything in cash. Unfortunately, the United States government makes only two exceptions to its policy, and says that everything over $2,500 must be under some contract. So these folks use these two exceptions, which are not designed for everything, just the two exceptions. I talked with their comptroller for over an hour this morning, and since he is new and most of these practices were done by the last military unit, he seems willing to change the way they operate. But I do smell 60 Minutes coming to our door sooner or later.

Of course, everyone wants to do the right thing, but doing what they thing is right tends to cause more problems than it is worth. For example, some folks want to sole source, they know that they want this vendor to do the job. They think it is faster to do so. Instead of letting the contract out to other bidders, and seeing who might be cheapest, best, and fastest. So they insist, and sole source contracting takes two to three times as long as competitively bidding the job.

I did make a big mistake in letting my administrative clerk leave when her replacement arrived after five days. I have found out that she did not explain things well, and the big issue has been computers. With the growth in the office, we need computers badly. The supply system is built on the assumption that one would order things about six months ago. Through a lot of persuasion, we now have three new computers, and working the distribution of our existing laptops and computers, we can have one on everyone's desk. But our most computer savvy person left on an airplane.

So for the last four days, two folks have worked day and late evenings to get my new boss and me up on the new computers. What could go wrong has. Wrong cables, switch boxes that one must jiggle the connections to work, system connectivity issues, you name them. And did I say the new boss is impatient as hell. Not a good recipe for success. I finally told the two folks working, to stop playing with my computers, and get the boss' working. I have been here long enough, I can go on other computers of our three separate systems, and get most of my work done. And remaining calm, because my folks installing are doing the best job they can. So I have tried to tell some terrible jokes, trying to calm him down. And I remain calm, and actually decided that my computer was being worked on after dinner, just go back to the trailer, read my _Stars & Stripes_, put in a DVD movie, and write the weekly report from my own laptop.

Yesterday at dinner, the boss and I went together, and we had a discussion on things. I emphasized that no matter how one best does things, things do take two to three times longer to do here. My boss is quite skeptical on this. Systems go down; people are traveling and are out of touch, you might take a whole day of trying to call someone. And your issue might just not be that important to another person. He seemed surprised, and brought up how well his division worked when it was here last year. I just pointed out that the division only needed to really talk constantly to maybe a hundred folks, while here the cast is in the thousands. And no one could have drawn up the organization here on a white board, and get it approved.

Now the old boss had a bit of history with the Force resource management (C-8) shop's boss, and the situation has caused strain among the staff officers of our two units. The good news is the other Force Deputy C-8 (Joel) and I get along really well – heck I worked for him from July through September, and while we don't always agree, we know it is not personal and some disagreements are good. We talked this morning before Mass, and came up that we would have another Force C-8 office versus Corps C-8 office sporting event, this time, volleyball. We will tell everyone it is Force against the Corps, but we will split everyone up – using this as an exercise to get folks working together again. Next weekend, depending upon the weather, we will have our sporting event.

Despite the new boss, computer problems, and a new administrative clerk, the office is clicking fairly well on the day to day business, our bread and butter. Everyday, I see the new folks growing more and more confident. We are having success with billeting, moving folks quickly within ten days out of tents and into trailers. Movie nights are now formerly Friday and Saturday, but often at 7 pm any evening, there are three or four folks watching a movie. I really like our group, and with us finally at full strength (actually, a few folks more than authorized), we can get a lot of things done that have been neglected.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Yes, our Corps C-8 office was officially three people over-strength. The two civilians that the new boss brought are officially over-strength, plus me. The third civilian was sent up to Balad (Camp Anaconda) to work directly with the I Corps Support Command, the support group from Fort Bragg. Meanwhile, I was working with a Chief Warrant Officer in C-1 who was also a holdover between the two Corps rotation to determine if I am truly excess or not. Because he has told me that an Army Reservist who is excess must either be assigned to a vacant position or demobilized. And the Warrant Officer said he could find no vacant finance or comptroller positions in Iraq, Kuwait, or Afghanistan. And they have forgotten that I hold logistics and operations research secondary specialties, so maybe I will be able to leave soon.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 34 and 35: 13 February 2005

Well I think I will close for now, and wish everyone a safe week.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Weeks 34-35 Memorials)

31-Jan-05 - Iraqi Hauthaifah Nazar Tawfeek, 27, male, killed in Camp Bucca, near Umm Qasr.

31-Jan-05 - Iraqi Ismail Hammed Abid, 29, male, killed in Camp Bucca, near Umm Qasr.

31-Jan-05 - Iraqi Khaleed Yassen Hamed, 36, male, killed in Camp Bucca, near Umm Qasr.

31-Jan-05 - Iraqi Mahmood Ismaeel Mousa, 38, male, killed in Camp Bucca, near Umm Qasr.

31-Jan-05 - Iraqi Salmany Tawfeek, 27, male, killed in Camp Bucca, near Umm Qasr.

31-Jan-05 - Lance Corporal Jason C. Redifer, 19, of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, Lance Corporal Harry R. Swain IV, 21, of Cumberland, New Jersey, and Corporal Christopher E. Zimny, 27, of Cook, Illinois, all three Marines, died Jan. 31 as a result of hostile action in Babil Province, Iraq. They were all assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

31-Jan-05 - Sergeant First Class Mark C. Warren, 44, from LaGrande, Oregon, died January 31 at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq from non-combat related injuries. Warren was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 116th Armor Cavalry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team (Forward), in LaGrande, Oregon.

31-Jan-05 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 127 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 7 Coalition Contractors, 1 Aid Workers, 0 Journalists, 109 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 833 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 261 Insurgents.

1-Feb-05 - Iraqi Abdulrazak Karim al Douri, adult, male, killed in Saadiyeh, Baghdad.

1-Feb-05 - Iraqi Amar M. Naif, male, killed in 9 Pyala area, Abu Ghraib, Baghdad.

1-Feb-05 - Specialist Robert T. Hendrickson, 24, from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, died Feb. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds sustained when his military vehicle overturned. Hendrickson was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas.

2-Feb-05 - Captain Sean L. Brock, 29, of Redondo Beach, California, died Feb. 2 from wounds received as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, at Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan.

2-Feb-05 - Iraqi father of the dead Soldier, adult, male, killed in Maffrack, south of Baqubah.

2-Feb-05 - Iraqi sister of the dead Soldier, female, killed in Maffrack, south of Baqubah.

2-Feb-05 - Iraqi Thamir Azeez, adult, male, killed in Route Ash, southwest of Baghdad.

2-Feb-05 - Lance Corporal Sean P. Maher, 19, of Grays Lake, Illinois, died Feb. 2 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

3-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ahmed (?), 9, male, killed in near Al Karama Hospital, Baghdad.

3-Feb-05 - Iraqi Amada Saria, 48, female, killed in near Al Amerya Bridge, Hay Aljehad, Baghdad.

3-Feb-05 - Iraqi Mahmoud Mudhar al-Dhari, 40, male, killed in near Abu Ghraib.

3-Feb-05 - Iraqi Muhamed Hasem, adult, male, killed in near Shaker Al Abood Mosque, Saadiyeh area, south Baghdad.

3-Feb-05 - Iraqi Salmen Abeid, adult, male, killed in near Shaker Al Abood Mosque, Saadiyeh area, south Baghdad.

3-Feb-05 - Lance Corporal Richard C. Clifton, 19, of Milford, Delaware, died Feb. 3 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

3-Feb-05 - Police said insurgents attacked a police convoy Thursday between Diwaniya, 180 km (112 miles) south of Baghdad, and the capital. Police initially feared 36 were missing but reduced the number as some began returning to Diwaniya. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Feb-05 - Sergeant First Class Sean M. Cooley, 35, from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, died February 3 in Northern Babil Province, Iraq, when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Cooley was assigned to the 150th Engineer Battalion, 155th Armor Brigade, in Lucedale, Mississippi.

3-Feb-05 - Sergeant Stephen R. Sherman, 27, from Neptune, New Jersey, died Feb. 3 in Mosul, Iraq, from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Sherman was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), at Fort Lewis, Washington.

3-Feb-05 - Two Iraqi policemen and a Soldier were ambushed and killed in two attacks in the city of Baqubah, local police said on Wednesday. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Feb-05 - Iraqi Hassan Shwek, adult, male, killed in 1.5km southeast of Forward Operating Base Paliwoda, Yathrib or Balad area.

4-Feb-05 - Sergeant Daniel Torres, 23, from Fort Worth, Texas, died February 4 in Baiji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle. Torres was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

4-Feb-05 - Staff Sergeant Steven G. Bayow, 42, from Colonia Yap, Federated States of Micronesia, died February 4 in Baiji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle. Bayow was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

4-Feb-05 - Unidentified gunmen killed Friday an Iraqi officer and injured a policemen in Samawah city, south of here. Eyewitnesses told KUNA that unidentified gunmen opened fire at a barricade erected by the police in Samawah today. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Feb-05 - A roadside bomb blast killed four Iraqi Soldiers and wounded three in the southern city of Basra today, Iraqi officers said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Feb-05 - Insurgent attacks killed eight Iraqi Soldiers on Saturday as guerrillas stayed on the offensive after failing to scupper last week's historic election. This incident killed 8 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Feb-05 - Iraqi Abbas Hasan Waheed, adult, male, killed in Adel area, western Baghdad.

5-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ali Sadei Maged, male, killed in Saadiyeh, southwest of Baghdad.

5-Feb-05 - Iraqi Latif Rishawi, adult, male, killed in Al-Ta'mim neighborhood, western Ramadi.

5-Feb-05 - Lance Corporal Travis M. Wichlacz, 22, of West Bend, Wisconsin, died Feb. 5 as a result of hostile action in Babil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

6-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Abdelkader Abed, 46, male, killed in Tuz, near Tikrit.

6-Feb-05 - Iraqi Hani Meray Awany, adult, male, killed in C9 Sector, Kirkuk.

6-Feb-05 - Specialist Jeremy O. Allmon, 22, of Cleburne, Texas, died Feb. 6 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Allmon was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas.

6-Feb-05 - Staff Sergeant Zachary R. Wobler, 24, of Ottowa, Ohio, died Feb. 6 in Mosul, Iraq, when his dismounted patrol encountered enemy forces using small arms fire. Wobler was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

6-Feb-05 - Ukrainian Army Colonel Roman Serednytskij, 42, of Kiev, Ukraine, killed by non-hostile - illness \- heart attack in Baghdad, Iraq. Was assigned to the 7 Separate Mechanized Brigade.

7-Feb-05 - A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a hospital compound in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Monday, killing 12 policemen and injuring four others, killing 12 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Feb-05 - An Iraqi police Captain said 22 Iraqi security troops and 14 insurgents were killed later Sunday when rebels tried to storm a police station in a village south of Baghdad. This incident killed 22 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ahmad Mahmud Faris, adult, male, killed in Al-Mu'allimin neighborhood, near Baqubah and/or Khalis area.

7-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ali Mahde Khadum, adult, male, killed in Al-Mu'allimin neighborhood, near Baqubah and/or Khalis area.

7-Feb-05 - Iraqi Shiban Kamel Ali al-Shamani, 35, male, killed in Samarra.

8-Feb-05 - Croatian Contractor named Pavčević, Ivan was killed today due to ambush at Tikrit (Near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

8-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ayman al-Alusi, 30, male, killed in western Baghdad.

8-Feb-05 - Iraqi Jamal al-Alusi, 22, male, killed in western Baghdad.

8-Feb-05 - Iraqi Khudayr al-Umayri, adult, male, killed in Qal'at Sukkar, 110km south of Al-Kut.

8-Feb-05 - Specialist Jeffrey S. Henthorn, 25, of Choctaw, Oklahoma, died Feb. 8 in Balad, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Henthorn was assigned to the 24th Transportation Company, Fort Riley, Kansas.

9-Feb-05 - Four Iraqi policemen were killed in a roadside bombing early Wednesday, adding to a grim tally of insurgent attacks on the country's security forces that have left more than 35 people dead in two days. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-Feb-05 - Iraqi Abdul Hussein Khazal, 40, male, killed in Al-Maaqal, Basra.

9-Feb-05 - Iraqi Dler Karam Ali, adult, male, killed in road between Baghdad and Darbandikhan.

9-Feb-05 - Iraqi Karrar Khazal, 3, male, killed in Al-Maaqal, Basra.

9-Feb-05 - Iraqi Mohamed Abdul-Kariajal, adult, male, killed in near the KDP building, 1km south of Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk.

9-Feb-05 - Iraqi Mohammed el-Fayath, 3, male, killed in Al-Maaqal, Basra.

9-Feb-05 - Iraqi Riyadh Katei Allawi, adult, male, killed after being abducted near his home in Dora, Baghdad, location of killing unknown.

9-Feb-05 - Iraqi son of Abdul Hussein Khazal, 3, male, killed in Al-Maaqal, Basra.

9-Feb-05 - Sergeant Jessica M. Housby, 23, of Rock Island, Illinois, died Feb. 9 in Route Golden, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy. Housby was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1644th Transportation Company, Rock Falls, Illinois.

10-Feb-05 - At least 10 Iraqi policemen were killed in a gun battle with insurgents south of Baghdad on Thursday. The battle, near the town of Salman Pak continued for several hours. Earlier police sources said at least 65 officers had been wounded. This incident killed 10 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Feb-05 - Lance Corporal Richard A. Perez Jr. 19, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died Feb. 10 as a result of non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 6th Motor Transport Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

10-Feb-05 - Staff Sergeant William T. Robbins, 31, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, died Feb. 10 in Taji, Iraq, of non-combat related injuries. Robbins was assigned to the Army National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade, Little Rock, Arkansas.

11-Feb-05 - Iraqi Abdul Rehman, adult, unknown, killed in Al-Amin, Baghdad.

11-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ali Salim, adult, unknown, killed in Al-Amin, Baghdad.

11-Feb-05 - Iraqi Kashem Asi Hamba, adult, male, killed in Dora area, south Baghdad.

11-Feb-05 - Iraqi Muayad Daham, 25, male, killed in Duluiyah.

11-Feb-05 - Specialist Robert A. McNail, 30, of Meridian, Mississippi, died Feb. 11 in Iskandariya, Iraq, when his HMMWV struck another military vehicle. McNail was assigned to the Army National Guard's 150th Combat Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, in Quitman, Mississippi.

11-Feb-05 - Staff Sergeant Kristopher L. Shepherd, 26, of Lynchburg, Virginia, died Feb. 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated during clearing operations. Shepherd was assigned to the 767th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, at Fort McNair, Washington DC.

12-Feb-05 - Iraqi Taha al-Amiri, adult, male, killed in Basra.

13-Feb-05 - Iraqi Aidi Mahaissen Lefteh, 30, male, killed in Baghdad.

13-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ali Adnan Latif al-Alawi, 35, male, killed in Baghdad.

13-Feb-05 - Iraqi Fadil Aziz, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

13-Feb-05 - Iraqi Hassan Khiwaet Ghali, 51, male, killed in Nasiriyah.

13-Feb-05 - Iraqi Majbal Adnan Latif al-Alawi, 39, male, killed in Baghdad.

13-Feb-05 - Iraqi Mohammed Maizer, adult, male, killed in al-Ameriyah neighborhood, western Baghdad.

13-Feb-05 - Iraqi Salah, son of Hassan Khiwaet Ghali, 20, male, killed in Nasiriyah.

13-Feb-05 - Iraqi Wasfi Baderaldeen, adult, male, killed in al-Ameriyah neighborhood, western Baghdad.

13-Feb-05 - Private First Class David J. Brangman, 20, of Lake Worth, Florida, died February 13 in Uvanni, Iraq, when a mortar round struck his vehicle. Brangman was assigned to the Army's 3d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

13-Feb-05 - Staff Sergeant Ray Rangel, 29, of San Antonio, Texas, died Feb. 13 while performing a canal rescue mission in Balad, Iraq.

13-Feb-05 - Three Soldiers died Feb. 13 in Balad, Iraq, when the vehicle they were riding in overturned. All were assigned to the Army's 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3d Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia. Killed were Sergeant Chad W. Lake, 26, of Ocala, Florida, Sergeant Rene Knox, Jr. 22, of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Specialist Dakotah L. Gooding, 21, of Des Moines, Iowa.

## (end of Weeks 34-35 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 36: 20 February 2005

It has been a good week at Camp Victory, for the folks in my Corps C-8 office. Today, we found the time so that everyone got at least a half day off, except the boss and me, but both of us took a couple hours off, and we walked back to our trailers at 8:30 pm, a new record. It was a quiet day, and no rain came during the day, though it has started to rain this evening. Rain means mud, and that is so difficult around here. However, trying to look at the good side of everything, the dust over the last few days has been getting bad. So maybe a little rain on our parade is not too bad.

Saw an Oklahoma National Guard aviation unit a few weeks back. Also, at one of the Landing Zones, saw a large "thanks to the troops" board signed by attendees at the McAllister Oklahoma Italian Festival, which I believe is always held each Memorial Day weekend. Been meaning to mention both over the last few weeks, just keep having a brain cloud.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Which was a nice way to say I had another trip to the Green Zone, this time by helicopter. After conducting some business at one of the Iraqi Ministries and at the Republican Palace, I made time to walk over to the hospital to see some patients and let them use my international cell phone. Then walking back, I stopped into the Finance Office, as I had heard that Kristen, the Navy Lieutenant Commander who was their contracting officer, was leaving Iraq in the next week. We talked for a short while; I thanked her for hooking me up with my sister-in-law's college friend, and wished her luck. We took a nice picture against the big statue that sits outside of the Finance House.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 36: 20 February 2005

A few weeks ago, going from a meeting, someone hollered, "Look, there is a Thunder Chicken." Turned with dukes up, laughing, the fellow was formerly from the Oklahoma Army National Guard. My staff officers were laughing too. Because the Army has not figured out how to supply unit patches over here (truth), I got some patches from my old unit, 45th Infantry Brigade, the Thunderbirds of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, while they were over in Afghanistan, and wear them on my left sleeve.

We got a lot of things done this week, reworking the rewards program and getting some agreements with higher headquarters on the urgent humanitarian program. Each of our staff officers got the opportunity to develop presentations and present to our Corps commanding general or our Corps Chief of Staff (a Brigadier General). Except me, I just keep the operations going.

The boss and I decided on Tuesday that he would work on the planning stuff, while I would run the day to day operations. It is not a complete separation, as we both draw the other in to each other's work, to get our different perspectives. A comfort level is forming between the two of us, and I am glad to see his growth in understanding the complexity of the situation here, not everything being so black and white. So much gray here, as I have said before, you could not draw up the organizations on a white board, and get anyone to approve them. Nor the processes either. Much of what we live with we inherited from the good hearts of our predecessors, and they were not trying to make it bad, it just has caused so many things to be confusing. The boss has found out that I have a knack of being able to describe things in one page, or on a couple of Power Point slides.

So much time of our operations and planning group was spent on rewards, every hour we were discovering new information on a program that has been essentially unmanaged by no one over the last year. Courses of action have been agreed upon to improve the processes, and clear lines of responsibility are now emerging. I got brought in about twice a day in many discussions, but watched the growth of our staff, even when they struggled. Kept trying to encourage them, keep their heads up when things looked bleak. They found out that the boss and I can accept that the numbers changed, that assumptions made did not pan out, that we were looking for the way to do the right thing, not perfection to the sixth decimal place.

Such activities are carrying over to the Corps C-8 staff responsible for the day to day activities. Find ways to fund things, doing it the right way. Statuses of funds reports were due out today, and they went out, probably not perfect, but at the 95% level. Better to get the information out on time, then to continue to work for perfection and get them out really late, like last month's reports. But that was the old boss' method of operations.

I did get challenged by a funding situation. One of our subordinate commands called, asked what the right way to do something, and that is the guidance he got. Then my email on two systems lit up like I get every time I send my weekly reports to all of you. I must have heard of every excuse in the book why this command could not do the right thing, how hard it was. My email to their commander calmed many of them down, but still was not satisfactory to the situation.

In dealing with United States appropriations, the Comptroller's best friend is his Judge Advocate General – the command's lawyer. Here, we are blessed with a fine lawyer who really understands fiscal law, and so we talked through the situation for about an hour, brainstorming alternatives. Out of the blue, he mentioned that if we could get the folks in the states to agree to a new funding source, that we could use this service to solve our subordinate command's problem. But then he said, we have been talking to them for months, and they will not go for it. Since this involved logistics, I called my boss's counterpart, the new Colonel running the C-4 Logistics shop. And he knew folks in the states to talk to, to persuade them; that really did care which appropriation funded them. So within four hours, we got an agreement with the folks in Rock Island, Illinois, and the Judge Advocate General said it was all legal, and the C-4 was real happy, and then I wrote the subordinate Commander, and told him that we found a way to sustain his new forces, and told his Comptroller what information I needed in a few weeks – identify the costs so that we can charge things right. A pretty satisfying afternoon, a little frustrating, and then it was time to go to dinner.

I come back after dinner, and the boss comes back from the evening Corps staff briefing and commanding general's huddle (really, they call them huddles – open book leadership is alive). Before I could tell him about the afternoon's events, which I only considered part of finding ways to use money effectively, boss says I was personally recognized at the briefing, the first time that the C-4, C-8 (comptroller), and Judge Advocate General had worked rapidly in solving an urgent situation that could have caused a critical operation to fail. I just nodded, said something like I'm just doing my job. The boss then explained that such compliments are rare among our Corps command group, at least in such a public manner.

Well since that Tuesday afternoon, the boss has gotten more comfortable, and I think we have an effective partnership and division of tasks. We are still working to get folks out of the office in the evenings, but recognize that many folks use that time to call home or write personal emails.

My admin clerk finally got me a flipchart, so on Friday, I posted one of two possible public service announcements (that it was Friday, and asking the question – when was the last time you backed up your computer). I also announced the need to nominate at least three movies for the 7 pm showing, and our Rock Drill time.

Yes, for the military folks, we had a Rock Drill, to practice doing accountability at night. A Rock Drill is a practical exercise where one gathers around a sand table, a three-D illustration of a map, or some other device (rocks), and everyone goes over what they would do when, and questions are asked as to what would they do if they can't do that. Our scenario was in the middle of the night, and something caused the command to wake me up (or the boss), and account for everyone. One of the Captains developed the plan, and the Rock Drill practiced it. I had to go wake up two folks in the trailer park I live in, one of them running over to the next trailer park. After that, I would go over to the tent city, and check on those folks. Division chiefs and the accountability reps would then gather back at the Corps C-8 office, and hopefully everyone was in their trailer or tent. We found a few bugs in the plan, and folks made some good suggestions and improvements. Too bad the only folks required to participate were the ones counting heads. I was expecting more of the Air Force crowd, who had never seen a Rock Drill. In about a week, one afternoon we are going to practice it by going between our trailers, walking the actual paths, and making sure that we can find each trailer or tent – since things look so different at night.

Friday night at the movies and we watched _Ray_. Several of the folks had watched it before. A great movie, almost half the Corps C-8 office was sitting in there, when the Force C-8 staff barged in and starting flashing cameras. To be fair, next week the Force C-8 staff will choose the movie for Friday.

The Force Deputy C-8 and I decided last week that we would announce a Force versus Corps C-8 volleyball match. Except for our bosses, no one knew that we did not intend to go office against office. We had found that several of our staff officers were butting heads, natural when the bosses don't really get along and because of the change in the Corps command group. So the Force Deputy C-8 and I were going to put all the Captains from both offices together on one team, and make them work together.

So 3 pm on Saturday, February 19th, at the volleyball court, the Corps C-8 office is out in force, everyone except the four folks left to help any customers that came in. And only two Force C-8 personnel were left in Building 2. Then three, four, Force C-8 staff members show up, but no Force Deputy C-8. After 15 minutes, I grabbed their senior officer (Major), and we divided up the teams – putting all the Captains on one team, the Field Graders (Majors and above) on the other, then our enlisted filling out the teams. My boss has bad knees, so he watched, and while I was coach for the Captains, I refereed. Combat volleyball, you can hit the ball anyway you can (no feet), but don't touch the net. After someone serves five times and wins points, you have to rotate and someone else serves (prevents runaways).

The Captains opened with an 8-2 lead, then the old guys and gals came back, then it was 13-6 captains. And they lost 15-13. Change sides of the court, and the game repeated itself with the Captains going out ahead 10-2. And losing 16-14. Game, match, set. The Captains then had to do ten push ups, me too.

Then while many folks left, we still had 15 die hards willing to continue playing. So it was Army against the other three services. They won two games to none. We did push ups again.

At dinner, the boss thought the volleyball idea was the greatest thing, allowing both C-8 offices to blow off steam, get a little exercise, and have fun. We will now have an event once a month. I then told him that most of the enlisted of both C-8 offices on Friday night gathered at the non-commissioned officer in charge's trailer, and had a pizza and non-alcoholic beer party. Life is good for us.

But not good for many Shia celebrating a major religious holiday. The loss of life is much less than last year, but one death is one too many. The terrorists are cowards, attacking the defenseless. And not good for Staff Sergeant Jason Hendrix, 28, of Claremore, Oklahoma, who died in combat on Wednesday in Ramadi. Bless his soul and pray for his family. And also for the 1, 475 others who have died here, whether in combat or accidents, and about 10,000 injured or wounded.

Take care and be safe,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 36 Memorials)

14-Feb-05 - Insurgents attacked a United States convoy and a government building near Mosul, leaving at least four people dead, hospital workers said. Two Iraqi National Guardsmen also were killed while trying to defuse a bomb along Mosul's airport road. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Feb-05 - Iraqi Husayn Jubra'il, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

14-Feb-05 - Sergeant First Class David J. Salie, 34, of Columbus, Georgia, died February 14 in Baqubah, Iraq, when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. Salie was assigned to the Army's 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Georgia.

15-Feb-05 - 1 Aid Workers from INGO national staff died at bus station when car bomb exploded.

15-Feb-05 - Iraqi Jassim Mohammed Mousa al-Daraji, adult, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

15-Feb-05 - Private First Class Michael A. Arciola, 20, of Elmsford, New York, died Feb. 15 in Al Ramadi, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire. Arciola was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Korea.

16-Feb-05 - Iraqi Colonel Ibrahim Ahmad, adult, male, killed in Ujjayi city, west of Kirkuk.

16-Feb-05 - Iraqi Driver of Lieutenant Colonel Halab Abdelrahman, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

16-Feb-05 - Iraqi Fa'iz al-Ashbal, adult, male, killed in Ghazaliya, Baghdad.

16-Feb-05 - Sergeant Adam J. Plumondore, 22, of Gresham, Oregon, died February 16 in Mosul, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Plumondore was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

16-Feb-05 - Sergeant Christopher M. Pusateri, 21, of Corning, New York, died Feb.16 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from enemy forces using small arms fire. Pusateri was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

16-Feb-05 - Specialist Justin B. Carter, 21, of Mansfield, Missouri, died Feb. 16 in Forward Operating Base McKenzie, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Carter was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Benning, Georgia.

16-Feb-05 - Specialist Katrina L. Bell-Johnson, 32, of Orangeburg, South Carolina, died Feb. 16 in Baqubah, Iraq, when she was involved in a vehicle accident. Bell-Johnson was assigned to the Army's 418th Transportation Company, 180th Transportation Battalion, from Fort Hood, Texas.

16-Feb-05 - Staff Sergeant Jason R. Hendrix, 28, of Claremore, Oklahoma, died Feb.16 in Ramadi, Iraq, when an explosion occurred while he was conducting combat operations. Hendrix was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Hovey, Korea.

16-Feb-05 - Two died Feb.16 in Forward Operating Base Iskandariya, Iraq, when a roadway collapsed, causing their vehicle to roll over. The Soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), McComb, Mississippi. Killed were Sergeant Timothy R. Osbey, 34, and Specialist Joseph A. Rahaim, 22, both of Magnolia, Mississippi.

17-Feb-05 - Armed men kidnapped an official of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's party while four Iraqi policemen were killed in violence north of Baghdad, security sources said Thursday. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

17-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Jasim Radhi, adult, male, killed in Tamiya area, north of Baghdad.

17-Feb-05 - Iraqi Haider Kadhim, adult, male, killed in Saadiyeh, Baghdad.

17-Feb-05 - Iraqi Jasim Mohammed Shihab, adult, male, killed in Tamiya area, north of Baghdad.

17-Feb-05 - Iraqi Kamal Shahin, adult, male, killed in Babajian village, 30km west of Sulaymanyah.

17-Feb-05 - Sergeant Frank B. Hernandez, 21, of Phoenix, Arizona, died Feb. 17 in Tal Afar, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Hernandez was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

18-Feb-05 - A suicide bomb attack at a checkpoint in the suburb of al-Adhamiyah killed two policemen and a Soldier, witnesses said on Friday. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Feb-05 - Iraqi Abu Fahad, adult, male, killed in near the Al Dorah Oil Refinery, Dorah, Baghdad.

18-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ali Hassan Abd, adult, male, killed in near the Al Dorah Oil Refinery, Dorah, Baghdad.

18-Feb-05 - Iraqi Baha al-Jazaeri, adult, male, killed in Hindiya district, 10 km north of Karbala.

18-Feb-05 - Iraqi Haidar al-Jazaeri, adult, male, killed in Hindiya district, 10 km north of Karbala.

18-Feb-05 - Sergeant Carlos J. Gil, 30, of Orlando, Florida, died Feb. 18, in Numaniyah, Iraq from injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device detonation. Gil was assigned to the 377th Transportation Company, 181st Transportation Battalion, in Mannheim, Germany.

19-Feb-05 - First Lieutenant Adam Malson, 23, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, died Feb. 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained while on patrol when an improvised explosive device detonated. Malson was assigned to 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, at Fort Drum, New York.

19-Feb-05 - Corporal Kevin M. Clarke, 21, of Tinley Park, Illinois, died Feb. 19 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in Twentynine Palms, California.

19-Feb-05 - Four Iraqi policemen and civilians were killed in two separate attacks in northern Baghdad Saturday, an Iraqi police source said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-Feb-05 - Iraqi Sheikh Mohammed Rustum Abdul Rahman, adult, male, killed in near Kirkuk.

19-Feb-05 - Iraqi wife of Sheikh Mohammed Rustum Abdul Rahman, adult, female, killed in near Kirkuk.

19-Feb-05 - Specialist Clinton R. Gertson, 26, of Houston, Texas, died 19 Feb. in Mosul, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy forces small arms fire. Gertson was assigned to 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, from Fort Lewis, Washington.

19-Feb-05 - Specialist Seth R. Trahan, 20, died Feb. 19, in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained while on patrol when an improvised explosive device detonated. Trahan was assigned to the Army National Guard's 3d Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, in Crowley, Louisiana.

20-Feb-05 - Blast Kills Two Iraqi Troops in Capital as United States and Iraqi Forces Launch Crackdown on Insurgents; and killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Feb-05 - Iraqi Imad Kazim, adult, male, killed in Al-Mansur, Baghdad.

20-Feb-05 - Iraqi Raeda Wazzan, adult, female, killed in body found in al-Wahda neighborhood in eastern Mosul.

## (end of Week 36 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 37: 27 February 2005

Sunday here is starting out rather quiet, continuing a trend over the last couple of days. I let my administrative clerk off this morning, and came in early to cover the phones and say goodbye to one of our staff officers. It seems that active duty Army officers only have a six month tour here if they are an individual replacement – so at Friday's award ceremony – I reminded him of his call in early August, saying he was my replacement. He got here in mid-September, and was responsible for Budget Execution (over ten billion dollars), made many improvements, and now is leaving to go home.

My Corps C-8 staff has been talking about how the other Corps sections give their folks a whole day off. The boss and I talked about it, and I will bring it up in my weekly staff meeting on Monday afternoon for the division chiefs to consider – we can continue our current policies, or give folks one day off, but they will lose a lot of flexibility that they have now.

Our general working hours are 8 am until 7 pm, with customer hours from 8:30 until 6:30 with procedures for emergencies. During our working day, the folks can go to meals and go workout in the gym. They can also go get their laundry, get a haircut, or make a short run to the Post Exchange. The division chiefs manage this, balancing the workload and ensuring that they have coverage for customers or phones. We also give folks a half-day off each week (for some it is Sunday, others it might be Saturday or Monday).

I talked with the Deputy Dogs in some of the other Corps sections. Most of them give their folks off a full day, but that is the day they expect them to do haircuts, laundry, Post Exchange, etc. They expect their folks to go to the gym before or after office hours. So I will lay this out with the division chiefs, and let them decided what way they want to do this.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT - The time off policy for the Corps C-8 has been probably the one issue that my new boss and I had not come to an agreement on what we should do. My boss was with the 82nd Airborne Division during the 2003 attack into Iraq, and never had a day off during those 4-5 weeks, and he pointed that out. But I would counter that our staff was here for four, six, seven, or twelve months, and anyone could stand on their head for a few weeks. I pointed out my own experience of running ragged during my initial months without any time off. He would ask what someone does on their day off here at Camp Victory. I responded that they might just chill out, sleep late, watch a movie in their trailer, maybe go to Camp Liberty's big Post Exchange, maybe go find some friends located at the camp, or play video games. He wanted to ask his counterparts in the other Corps staff sections to see what they were doing.

COMMENT - The Force C-8 office was giving folks a day off each week, so I continued to press him, because these folks were literally just a few dozen yards down the hall from us. Finally, after a couple busy weeks, I suggested he needed to take a half day off, I would go to the command briefing, etc. and if anything big happened, I would send for him or call his cell phone. He took the day off, things went fine without him, and yes, the Corps Chief of Staff asked where he was at and I offered to get him, but the Chief of Staff had me come over to his office to talk about something, and my boss enjoyed himself and re-charged his batteries. We decided on a compromise, I would tell the division chiefs that they could give their staffs one day off a week if they think they needed it, as I would do the same for the division chiefs, and my boss and I would alternate time off. We did find that the Corps staff sections were giving some whole days off, some half days, once a week. So I told the division chiefs to give everyone a half day a week, and if someone needed more time, they should talk to me first.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 37: 27 February 2005

Now that the new Corps headquarters has a few weeks under their belts, we are starting to look at the major spending programs, and how to stem the subordinate commanders' desires to continue to make Iraq like being in the states. Some hard decisions are pending to stop these requests and desires. And it all started two mornings ago when folks looked up in the dining facility and saw newly installed chandeliers. Yes, some nice brass ones. No light bulbs, but you could tell someone had taken the time to install them. Maybe someone wants to turn down the lighting, providing a better mood for dinner. Last month, they installed booths that sit four folks in the dining facility (over the objection of my old Corps C-8 boss), so that Soldiers would have a more ergonomic sitting position.

So now the dining facility has about 30 booths. A desert bar, an ice cream bar, a smoothie bar, a sandwich line where they make it for you like Subway, one or two folks carving up roast or corn beef, a line for Indian food, two cooks that make stir fry, two cooks that make hamburgers or steak sandwiches, plus four lines for six entries. Plus everyday, there is a taco bar (self-serve), pizza and pasta, salad bar, and many coolers containing gator aid, soft drinks, fruit juices, and milk. After they installed the booths, I promised myself that any visitors were going to the small dining facility down the road (about 400 yards), but even that is getting fancy.

Now you know why you have not heard about me complaining about the food at Camp Victory. It is way too much, too many chooses, etc. On my last trip to the International Zone with one of my Corps C-8 staff officers, he now believes me how bad the food was at the Embassy Annex – and has told everyone in our Corps C-8 office of his great experience there – "don't eat the veal at the Republican Palace," he says (I got stopped by someone when he went and got his food, so I did not get to advise him to only eat pasta or turkey at the Palace).

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – The Corps C-8 office handles almost all the funding coming into Iraq. We would actually fund our higher headquarters, the Multi-National Force – Iraq, our sister commands like the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, and all Corps subordinate units like the Multi-National Divisions. Somethings are funded centrally by the Department of Defense and the service Departments, such as payroll, ammunition, and vehicles for American forces, and our Corps C-8 would be responsible for life support (food, facilities, and services) funding. Certain coalition forces were almost fully supported by their governments, while smaller coalition forces were highly dependent upon our funding. We received funding from about seven military commands back in the states, plus several civilian agencies like the State Department. There were a few organizations in Iraq that received direct funding separately from the states, such as the American Embassy and Corps of Engineers Division offices in the Green Zone, though we also provided much of the life support.

COMMENT - The smaller humanitarian, reconstruction, battle damage, and sympathy payments were funded by our C-8 office. There were a few programs that we handled the funding for special groups; an example was the program to up-armor vehicles in Iraq or the group that searched for weapons of mass destruction. The Army is responsible for Marine units operating under their command, so we also funded them too. My new boss and I drafted a chart showing where funds came from and where they went; we literally touched almost everyone. For the most part, the air components in Iraq (the United States Navy and Air Force) were under a separate command not directly reporting to the Force commanding general, but even they had funding needs that they contacted us about.

COMMENT - The funding structure would have normally have had the Force C-8 receive funding from the states and distribute and allocate to subordinates, but the Corps C-8 was here first (due to the previous Combined Joint Task Force Seven C-8 organization), and lots of things thus got added on piecemeal. For some funding received from the states, we just directed it to the specific organization responsible for executing it. Other funding had to be allocated out, with demand and requests almost always exceeding what we had to fund. Subordinate commanders and their staffs would lobby for receiving funding with Force and Corps commanders, chiefs of staff, heads of staff sections, and other folks, or even send emails to military commands and civilian agencies in the states. Like the overall organization, if you proposed this crazy funding process upfront, it would never have been approved and implemented.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 37: 27 February 2005

So the search is on as to who ordered the chandeliers. And the booths. And there is a big presentation on how to find ways to cut back on ballooning life support costs. Too many commanders want first run movie theaters (not here, but at a major base to the north). Gators and SUVs. And the list goes on and on. The good news is that the new Corps command group appears willing to address this head on, and is talking to subordinate commanders that the unlimited pot of money is ending right now. Live within your means. Spend the funds you have wisely, as you probably won't get any more money until October.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Most of the officers walk everywhere at Camp Victory, except for General Officers and those with bikes. Our senior non-commissioned officers (Command Sergeant Majors to First Sergeants) managed to avoid this by ensuring that their units ordered golf carts or gators to ride around in and they had access to them most of the time. So the running joke is that Camp Victory is known where the officers walk and the Sergeant Majors ride.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 37: 27 February 2005

Back to the C-8 offices, the Force C-8 office selected _Mr. 3000_ as the Friday night movie. We had an award ceremony on Saturday late afternoon. Tensions are down between Force and Corps C-8 offices, and we produced several joint products this week. Our combined C-8 offices took a group picture for one of our Sergeants, whose high school basketball team made the state play-offs for the first time in twenty years. Under a banner "Go Blue Devils." Our Sergeant was their coach, not this year, so we thought quietly on the idea that the team was doing well without her. Or her coaching and mentorship over the last few years is now paying dividends.

My idea, "Money as a Weapon System (MAAWS)," is now going to print, a nice little pocket book for commanders telling them how to use funds to support their units, support the Iraqis, or who to get further information. I know with what I said above about uncontrolled spending this seems to be a conflict – but like many organizations, we have lots of folks who know how to spend (the haves) and ones who are clueless (the have not's). MAAWS tries to put everyone on the same keel (deference to my Navy Lieutenant Commander).

For example, the Medical Command came in looking for funding of a project that distributed medicines and equipment to various Iraqi civilian clinics around the country. They wanted to use funds that maintain their unit, but Congress frowns on it being used by others. So there are funds out there that the unit can use, and we just pointed them to submitting their proposal to get these funds.

Meanwhile, this morning we looked at the spend plan for one of our major commands. It seems that they wanted to purchase out of their operating funds equipment routinely provided by our logistics folks. The boss is going to talk to the Corps logistics chief (C-4), as that Colonel is the one who validates requirements. My Corps C-8 office just goes and finds funding to fit the requirement.

Enough financial talk! Speaking of our Navy staff officer, he has a unique talent. He used to play multiple horn instruments in high school and college. He can play just about any tune you can name, just using his mouth. When our boss comes in to the C-8 office, he will play the tune for the Commander in Chief Welcome, the one used for the President. He plays show tunes. Colleges fight songs. He is very good. We really ought to record him.

Besides his unique talent, he is really a class clown, making us laugh a lot. He came in here wearing his Boonies hat in the Aussie style, and after two weeks, we got a camp wide notice that no one will wear their hats folded over like that. Of course, this being a Naval Officer, he politely told the Command Sergeant Major who tried vainly to make a uniform correction, that hats are worn by baseball players. It seems that the Navy uses the term "cover." A couple of days later, the policy was amended to include hats and covers.

Sometime Friday morning, someone wrote on my flipchart that the Lieutenant (not Lieutenant Commander) was going to have a Captain's Mast at 2200 (10 pm) on Friday. No one owned up to writing this. The Naval Officer was quite upset, especially since who ever wrote it got his rank wrong. That evening, I decided to write CANCELLED on the flipchart, just in case someone was thinking about coming into the office for this. I noted that I could not find a Navy Captain or a Mast.

I pointed out to our young Naval Supply Officer that in the Army, grade O-4 officers (Majors) are considered field grade and get to wear scrambled eggs on their dress hats, but in the Navy that right is reserved for O-5 (Commanders) and above, so he must be a company grade officer, like the Captains (O-3).

He also earned his nickname early in the week. I came into the front office, and while working, listened as the Naval Officer provide one of our Sergeants some advice about her boyfriend. Afterwards, I awarded him his new nickname, Doctor Mark. So we have three nicknames in the office – Snow Job (me), Doctor Mark, and Wolf Man (the boss). The boss got named that by his boss (the Corps Chief of Staff) when he worked in the 82nd Airborne Division (the Division), and apparently he had much longer hair than anyone on staff. I also informed the division chiefs that before I leave, every officer was going to have a nickname. And you cannot name yourself, as one of our Air Force Captains like the term Maverick, from the movie _Top Gun_.

At lunch yesterday, the subject was humor, and how we laugh at about anything here. Chandeliers. Nicknames, mud, etc. Much of which loses the humor when retold to folks outside of Iraq. But it helps our day go by.

The boss complained to our administrative clerk that she better make sure that he gets a package from home everyday. He has received four this week. So this morning, a package came for someone else, and no package for the boss. The Captain has temporarily "donated" the package to the boss, putting a slip of paper on top with the boss' name (to Mr. Wolf Man). Tomorrow, I will probably put together a box of dumb stuff.

Well, two more days of February left, and then it will be March. There is some chance of rain on Monday, but we have been threatened by rain off and on these last two weeks, and no rain. Or mud. But March will suddenly see our 60 and 70 degree afternoon days jump up into the 90's.

Take care all,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 37 Memorials)

21-Feb-05 - Corporal John T. Olson, 21, of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, died Feb. 21 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

21-Feb-05 - Iraqi Abbas (?), adult, male, killed in near ASR Jackson, north Babil.

21-Feb-05 - Iraqi Falah Rasheed, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

21-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ghanim Ibrahim, adult, male, killed in near Baqubah.

21-Feb-05 - Iraqi Iyad Sami, adult, male, killed in Al-Milh village, near Samarra.

21-Feb-05 - Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel Essam Fathi, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

21-Feb-05 - Iraqi Shahid Sa'd, adult, male, killed in Al-Milh village, near Samarra.

21-Feb-05 - Iraqi Summa Soman Merro, baby, female, killed in south of Shaqlawa.

21-Feb-05 - Three Soldiers died Feb. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated as they were exiting their military vehicle after it had rolled over. The Soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, 34th Infantry Division, in Montevideo, Minnesota. Killed were First Lieutenant Jason G. Timmerman, 24, of Tracy, Minnesota, Staff Sergeant David F. Day, 25, of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, and Sergeant Jesse M. Lhotka, 24, of Alexandria, Minnesota.

22-Feb-05 - A car bomb detonated near an Iraqi troop convoy as it left Baghdad's fortified Green Zone on Tuesday, killing two Soldiers and wounding 30, police and hospital sources said, killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-Feb-05 - Iraqi Khalil Ali Shuker, adult, male, killed in Miqdadiyah, 100 km north of Baghdad.

22-Feb-05 - Iraqi son of dead woman, 15, male, killed in Yusufiyah, 40km south of Baghdad.

22-Feb-05 - Lance Corporal Trevor D. Aston, 32, of Austin, Texas, died Feb. 22 as a result of non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Austin, Texas.

23-Feb-05 - Iraqi Colonel Jameel Najm Abid, adult, male, killed in Adhamiyah, Baghdad.

23-Feb-05 - Iraqi Hamis Alwan Al-Zobai, adult, male, killed in Zobai village, vicinity of Mahmoudiyah.

23-Feb-05 - Iraqi Saad Abbas Hassan, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

23-Feb-05 - Iraqi Salman Abderahman, adult, male, killed in central Kirkuk.

23-Feb-05 - Sergeant Nicholas J. Olivier, 26, of Ruston, Louisiana, died Feb. 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on foot patrol. Olivier was assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, in Pineville, Louisiana.

23-Feb-05 - Staff Sergeant Eric M. Steffeney, 28, of Waterloo, Iowa, died February 23 in Tuz, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated. Steffeney was assigned to the 184th Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

24-Feb-05 - A man wearing a police uniform drove a car bomb inside the main police compound in Saddam Hussein's hometown north of Baghdad on Thursday, setting off a massive explosion that killed 15 police and wounded 22, killing 15 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Feb-05 - Iraqi Hassan Mustfa Ali, adult, male, killed in outside Forward Operating Base Honor, International Zone, Baghdad.

24-Feb-05 - Specialist Jacob C. Palmatier, 29, of Springfield, Illinois, died Feb. 24 in Miqdadiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Palmatier was assigned to 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Georgia.

24-Feb-05 - Specialist Michael S. Deem, 35, of Rockledge, Florida, died Feb. 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Deem was assigned to the Army's Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

24-Feb-05 - Staff Sergeant Alexander B. Crackel, 31, of Wistead near Bedford, England died Feb. 24 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq due to hostile small arms fire. Crackel was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Hovey, Korea.

24-Feb-05 - Staff Sergeant Daniel G. Gresham, 23, of Lincoln, Illinois, died Feb. 24 in Camp Wilson, Iraq, when a second improvised explosive device detonated while he was responding to a first device. Gresham was assigned to the 797th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 79th Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

25-Feb-05 - Iraqi Tariq Ibrahim Muhammed, adult, male, killed in Airport Road, Aamirya area, western Baghdad.

25-Feb-05 - Journalist Raeda Wazzan, of Al-Iraqiya, was killed today in Mosul, Iraq.

25-Feb-05 - Private First Class Chassan S. Henry, 20, of West Palm Beach, Florida, died Feb. 25 in Ramadi, Iraq, from injuries sustained from an explosion while he was conducting combat operations. Henry was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, at Camp Hovey, Korea.

25-Feb-05 - Polish Army Private 1st Class Roman Góralczyk, 26, of Pyszków [Sieradz District], Poland, killed by non-hostile - vehicle accident in Diwaniyah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 25th Air Cavalry Brigade from Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Poland.

25-Feb-05 - Three Soldiers died Feb. 25 in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while they were on dismounted patrol. Killed were Specialist Adam N. Brewer, 22, of Dewey, Oklahoma, Specialist Jason L. Moski, 24, of Blackville, South Carolina, and Specialist Colby M. Farnan, 22, of Weston, Missouri.

25-Feb-05 - Two roadside bomb explosions in Qaim killing four Iraqi national guardsmen. Another roadside bomb in the northern oil center of Kirkuk, killed at least two policemen and injured three. This incident killed 6 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Feb-05 - Iraqi Captain Adel, adult, male, killed in Najaf.

26-Feb-05 - Iraqi Muhammad Abdul Razzaq al-Mussawi, adult, male, killed in eastern Baghdad.

26-Feb-05 - Lance Corporal Andrew W. Nowacki, 24, of South Euclid, Ohio, died Feb. 26 from wounds received as a result of hostile action in Babil Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Erie, Pennsylvania.

26-Feb-05 - Two died Feb. 26 in Abertha, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while they were on patrol. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Killed were Private First Class Min S. Choi, 21, of River Vale, New Jersey and Private Landon S. Giles, 19, of Indiana, Pennsylvania.

27-Feb-05 - Second Lieutenant Richard B. Gienau, 29, of Peoria, Illinois, died Feb. 27 in Ramadi, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device hit his military vehicle. Gienau was assigned to the Army National Guard's 224th Engineer Battalion, Burlington, Iowa.

27-Feb-05 - Iraqi Ali Abdul Qadir Dewan, 20, male, killed in bodies found in Tigris, between Al-Wihda and Hafriyah.

27-Feb-05 - Private First Class Danny L. Anderson, 29, of Corpus Christi, Texas, died Feb. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained from small arms fire. Anderson was assigned to the Army's 26th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

## (end of Week 37 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 38: 6-8 March 2005

March came in with a lion. And on Friday (March 4th), our first rain in about three weeks. But we still continue to have a quiet time here at Camp Victory, though the office has been much busier this week.

Many of you have sent emails asking when the parole board will allow me to leave the Baghdad Penal Colony. The answer finally came down on Friday, and my date I can leave here is around July 7th. That will put me at 13 months in country, and almost 15 months active duty. With time out processing at the Army base in El Paso, I should be off active duty not later than August 7th. The good news, if there is such, is that the Army would be hard pressed to send me back over here, as their current policy is to limit Army Reservists to 24 months. As you may remember, the Army Human Resources Command in St Louis has already tried to call me up three times since I arrived in Iraq.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Someone in the Water Palace C-1 area must have been listening in to my conversations with the Chief Warrant Officer there, as the policy about sending Army Reservists home that were excess changed in a flash. Oh well, I still could leave by April 23rd as I was on 365 day orders. Meanwhile, I received an email from the Human Resource Command of the Army Reserve, who announced that they were calling me up again. For the third time, really!! I replied that I had been already been called up, was currently assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps in Baghdad, and it did not seem fair to be calling me up in the middle of being mobilized. I never did get a response from them.

COMMENT – One Sunday, my bosses mentioned that the C-1 told them that the Corps would be losing me in late April. They asked if I would consider staying until the XVIII Airborne Corps rotates out in January 2006, and this would help qualify me for military retirement benefits. I explained that the reserve retirement system did not really work like the one for active duty military. But I would think about their offer. I did look at this, and realized that extending a shorter period would provide another "good" year for reserve retirement purposes. I proposed this to my bosses, and they agree. So the paperwork was processed, approved on March 3rd to extend me for ninety days as a compromise to benefit all parties.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 38: 6-8 March 2005

My boss and I have done our thirty day assessments (since the new Corps has taken over), and are proposing some simplification in processes. Especially the way things are funded in theater, you need a complex flow chart and ten pages on exceptions now. I am pushing the four division heads to develop 30 day, 60 day, 90 day, and 180 day projects, efforts, and planning activities. Some are very good ideas, but in the past, no one had time to think or plan for.

I sat on an award fee board last week. The contractor gets reimbursed for his normal costs, and this board looked at cost, technical performance, and management to determine the incentive award, if any, we would recommend to the commander. We reviewed two separate tasks, and made the recommendations based upon what we heard from the contractor, the government auditor, and the Defense Contract Management Agency.

Each of the board members would deliberate and develop strengths and opportunities for improvement, and then assign a score on a 100 point scale. Then, each member would, in turn, discuss their findings and provide their score. On the first round, I felt a little like the East German ice skating judge looking at the Canadian pair, my scores were quite lower than most of the members. Another board member then provided his scores, and they were about what mine were, so I did not feel too bad.

But it was a really long day, sitting in the conference room. And I had complained about being stuck in our Corps C-8 office all day, while the boss got to go to all the meetings.

We published our electronic and pocket copy of Money as a Weapon System for the Corps commanders' conference last week. It is very popular; we are now getting reprints made. The booklet provides a quick reference to all the type of funds available in Iraq.

We also revitalized the rewards program by establishing a set of very small rewards, below $20, called micro-rewards. This allows company commanders to obtain intelligence by giving small gratuities to our friends. It does not sound like much, but the average household income is between $80 - $120 per month, it is a lot of money to many folks.

And when they published the order for the rewards program, the commander had a section on Money as a Weapon System. And I have now seen other folks using the term in their emails and presentations.

Still relatively quiet here at Camp Victory, especially compared to the November to January period before the elections. Of course, you would not figure that out from the nightly news programs.

One of the new Corps staff officers, who was also an award fee board member, was describing his return from a trip up north: "I spent two nights up there at Mosul, not a single attack. I fly back to Camp Victory, get off the helicopter, walk towards the Water Palace, and then there was three rockets landing off to the west. It scared the p*** out of me." The Marine Colonel on the board, who formerly commanded the International Zone area support group, turned to me and said, "Three rounds, my goodness, hardly enough to wet one's pants over. Now back in August when Mike and I were in the International Zone, now that was a sight to see. One night we got over 15 separate attacks, each with three to five rounds coming in. The next night, it was even worse, with the general's interpreter getting injured. And finally, the third night was repeating the first until those Apache gunners killed them. Three rounds should not scare you until it blasts sound in your face." Don't you just love the Marines?

We had a United Nations audit team in on Friday to look at our reconstruction projects using Iraqi funds. They had previously visited Camp Victory back in August. My staff officer had a difficult time getting them into the Visitor's Quarters, but I persuaded the Colonel in charge to let them stay there. The last time they visited Baghdad, they wrote up negative findings because one of them ran through a checkpoint, started to argue with the guard, and was pushed to the ground.

I gave the audit team the key to our conference team, and assigned a Captain to provide them any records that they wanted to review. One of the team was from Moscow, the other from Windsor, England. They expected to stay until Wednesday, but by Sunday night, they were done. They did an out briefing of their findings – nothing new that we did not already know about. We are always trying to balance peacetime procedures for perfect record keeping in a wartime environment. They left by helicopter on Monday morning to return to the International Zone and rejoin the rest of the team.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I know some comptroller and finance offices do not like auditors poking around. Personally, if you run your operations like you are supposed to and reasonably follow the processes and procedures; you have nothing to fear from auditors. In this effort, we had a handful of civilians who were not accustomed to being in a war zone and the rustic level of accommodations, and we tried to make them comfortable and be as helpful as we could. It pays off being nice. In my time in Iraq, I saw auditors from the Army Audit Agency, the Defense Contract Audit Agency, the Government Accountability Office, the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, and now the United Nations. I guess I should have collected patches or something.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 38: 6-8 March 2005

On Monday morning, we discovered Reggie. Reggie is a mouse, and he was in my front office, behind one of the Captain's desk – probably enjoying scraps of food that everyone sends us. Our Naval Officer took charge, found a box, and then took Reggie outside between the buildings. Reggie looked at building next store, where the Artillery Headquarters is, turned around, and ran back into the Chaplain's side of our building. We all laughed, thinking Reggie knew where food is and where food is not. Reggie's picture is now on our In and Out Sign Out board. We have him signed out; he is either in the Chaplain's office or in the TV Room, looking for food.

They started to dig small ditches next to our trailers. Seems someone is laying television cable.

Four days ago, someone running around what we call Lost Lake spotted a lion. The area where Camp Victory is was a hunting preserve under Saddam. I have seen wolves once when we went over to the airport. Two days ago someone saw several lion cubs. Now we know we have a lioness and her cubs about a mile away from our buildings, and a half mile from our trailers. Stay tuned, but it does make walking home at night more than an adventure.

It rained Monday night, and the weatherman did not forecast it. More mud. Oh, the chandeliers have been removed from the dining facility, and an investigation on illegal procurement is underway.

Several of our folks are now down with the Baghdad crud, one of whom was laid up all day on Monday in bed. The guy living next store in the trailer is coughing up a storm all night, plus he constantly is running to the latrine too, slamming his trailer door. Earlier last week, I wrote on his trailer door "Do Not Slam Door." I noticed Thursday that the sign had been ripped off the door. Besides slamming doors, he walks around the trailer in his boots in the evening. I have resisted making noise in kind, figuring that he probably is also hard of hearing and would not even notice.

Sunday afternoon I went back to the trailer to take a break, since I hardly ever get to leave the office during the day except for meals. Watched the movie _Sideways_ and started watching _Runaway Jury_. This week, hope to watch _Million Dollar Baby_ and _The Aviator_.

Temperatures have remained in the 70s down to the 50s. I expected the temperatures to start jumping to the 90s, but so far it has not. We are supposed to get some more rain later in the week. More mud I guess. Well, back to the office grind.

Take care, and be safe.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 38 Memorials)

28-Feb-05 - Iraqi Mahmoud Obad, male, killed in Hillah.

28-Feb-05 - Iraqi Nephews of Hussein Hassoun, adult, male, killed in Hillah.

28-Feb-05 - Sergeant Julio E. Negron, 28, of Pompano Beach, Florida, died in Baiji on Feb. 28 from injuries sustained in a military vehicle accident that occurred Feb. 28 in Baiji, Iraq. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 360th Transportation Company, 68th Corps Support Battalion, 43rd Area Support Group, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

28-Feb-05 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 60 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 1 Coalition Contractors, 1 Aid Workers, 1 Journalists, 103 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 916 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 273 Insurgents.

1-Mar-05 - The two bodies were identified as bodyguards of a high-ranking official in the Iraqi Defense Ministry, Colonel Hassan Ahmad from the provincial headquarters of Salahudin police told Xinhua. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

1-Mar-05 - A judge working on the special tribunal established to try Saddam Hussein and other senior officials in his toppled regime was assassinated Tuesday in Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-Mar-05 - Iraqi Aryan Barwez al-Merwani, 26, male, killed in Azamiyah district, north Baghdad.

1-Mar-05 - Iraqi Barwez Mohammed Mahmoud al-Merwani, 59, male, killed in Azamiyah district, north Baghdad.

1-Mar-05 - Iraqi Qassim Mohammed, 50, male, killed in Ramadi.

1-Mar-05 - Iraqi Qosay Fayadh, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

1-Mar-05 - Iraqi son of Lieutenant Colonel Issam Fathi, 19, male, killed in Mosul.

1-Mar-05 - Specialist Lizbeth Robles, 31, of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, died at the 228th Command Support Hospital in Tikrit, Iraq, on March 1.

2-Mar-05 - Gunmen killed a judge and lawyer working for the tribunal that will try Saddam Hussein and members of his former regime, a day after the secret court referred five of the ousted dictator's aides to trial for alleged crimes against humanity. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

2-Mar-05 - Iraqi Safwan Ayid, adult, male, killed in Wadi Hajar area, southern Mosul.

2-Mar-05 - Iraqi Walid Qasim, adult, male, killed in Al-Shefa district, central Mosul.

2-Mar-05 - Sergeant Robert Shane Pugh, 25, of Meridien, Mississippi died on Mar. 2 when an improvised explosive device detonated. Pugh was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, in McComb, Mississippi.

2-Mar-05 - The IFTU announces the loss of the martyred trade unionist and member of the Transport and Communication Workers Union; brother Ahmed Adris Abbas who was assassinated on Thursday 24th February 2005 in Martyrs' Square in central Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Mar-05 - Two explosions in western Baghdad killed 13 Iraqi Soldiers and injured many others on Wednesday, police and witnesses said. This incident killed 13 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Mar-05 - Two Soldiers died on Mar. 2 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their military vehicle. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, in Manhattan, New York. The Soldiers are Specialist Azhar Ali, 27 of Flushing, New York and Specialist Wai P. Lwin, 27, of Queens, New York.

3-Mar-05 - American Contractor named Riddle, Jimmy A. was killed today due to improvised explosive device at Ashraf. Was a Security Guard for employer Special Operations Consulting-Security Management Group.

3-Mar-05 - American Contractor named Wagoner, Brian J. was killed today due to improvised explosive device at Ashraf. Was a Security Guard for employer Special Operations Consulting-Security Management Group.

3-Mar-05 - From Iraq Body Count: clashes between United States troops and insurgents; woman and child among the dead; and killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

3-Mar-05 - From Iraq Body Count: 'Iraqis working for a construction equipment company that supplies American contractors; and killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

3-Mar-05 - Iraqi Riyalh Abdulsada, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

3-Mar-05 - Iraqi Uones Kalaf, adult, male, killed in 6km south of Forward Operating Base MacKenzie, near Duluiyah, near Balad.

3-Mar-05 - Sergeant First Class Michael D. Jones, 43, of Unity, Maine, died March 3 in Syracuse, New York, of a non-combat related illness. He had just returned from duty in Iraq. Jones was assigned to the Army National Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion, Belfast, Maine.

3-Mar-05 - Two car bombs exploded near Iraq's Interior Ministry in Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least five policemen and wounding several others in relentless violence overshadowing efforts to form a new government. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Mar-05 - A police chief was gunned down near his home in south-central Iraq Friday, said the Polish military, which is deployed in the region, while one person was killed and three wounded in a car bomb in Baqubah. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Mar-05 - A roadside bomb apparently intended for a passing United States military convoy killed a pedestrian on Friday in the Iraqi city of Samarra, according to police. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Mar-05 - Bulgarian Army Private Gurdi Hristov Gurdev, 30, of Dolno Suhrene, Bulgaria, killed by friendly fire in Diwaniyah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 5th Shipka Mechanized Brigade from Bulgaria.

4-Mar-05 - Elsewhere in the city, the bound bodies of two Iraqis who had been shot were discovered by police. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

4-Mar-05 - Four Soldiers died on Mar. 4 in Ramadi, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near their patrol. The four Soldiers were assigned to the 1st Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Carson, Colorado. The Soldiers are Captain Sean Grimes, 31, of Southfield, Michigan, Sergeant First Class Donald W. Eacho, 38, of Black Creek, Wisconsin, Corporal Stephen M. McGowan, 26, of Newark, Delaware, and Specialist Wade Michael Twyman, 27, of Vista, California.

4-Mar-05 - From Iraq Body Count, Shiite imam killed as he arrived at the Kadmenain Mosque' in Doura, Baghdad, killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Mar-05 - From Iraq Body Count's director of Islamic Relief Committee killed; and killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Mar-05 - Hospital doctors in Hadithah, 350 kilometers west of the capital, said that three Iraqi civilians were killed and six wounded during an exchange of gunfire between insurgents and United States troops. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

4-Mar-05 - Iraqi Colonel Ghaib Hadab Zarib, adult, male, killed in Al-Budair, 45km east of Diwaniyah.

4-Mar-05 - Iraqi Mohammed Makki, 45, male, killed in Al Mashtal, Baghdad.

4-Mar-05 - Iraqi Sheik Saad Kamil, adult, male, killed in 'as he arrived at the Kadmenain Mosque' in Doura, Baghdad.

4-Mar-05 - Italian SISMI Special Agent Nicola Calipari, 51, of Reggio Calabria, Italy, killed by friendly fire in Baghdad (International Airport), Iraq. Was assigned to the Servizio per le Informazioni e la Sicurezza Militare from Rome, Italy.

4-Mar-05 - Seven Iraqi Soldiers have been killed in various attacks, security sources said, as a daytime curfew was imposed in the restive town of Samarra, north of Baghdad, killing 7 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Mar-05 - Sergeant Seth K. Garceau, 27, of Oelwein, Iowa, died March 4 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained in Ramadi, Iraq, on Feb. 27 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Garceau was assigned to the Army National Guard's 224th Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, in Fairfield, Iowa.

4-Mar-05 - Six police officers were killed and 15 wounded in new car bomb attacks on Iraq's security services, as political factions wrangled over putting together a government. This incident killed 6 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Mar-05 - Specialist Adriana N. Salem, 21, of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, died Mar. 4 in Remagen, Iraq when her military vehicle rolled over. Salem was assigned to the 3rd Forward Support Battalion, Division Support Command, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

4-Mar-05 - Staff Sergeant Juan M. Solorio, 32, of Dallas, Texas, died March 4 in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle as his unit was being attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Solorio was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

5-Mar-05 - Iraqi Abdul Moneem Abdul Amir, adult, male, killed in Doura, Baghdad.

5-Mar-05 - West of Baghdad in Abu Ghraib, gunmen in two vehicles killed an Iraqi Army officer, said Captain Akram al-Zubaie. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-Mar-05 - From Iraq Body Count: prominent Sunni Arab politician shot while leaving her home' in Mosul, killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-Mar-05 - Iraqi Hana Abdul Qader, adult, female, killed in 'shot while leaving her home' in Mosul.

7-Mar-05 - Another car bomb exploded outside the home of an Iraqi Army officer in Balad, 50 miles north of Baghdad, killing 12 people and injuring 21 others, said the city's police chief, Ayad Ahmed. Hospital officials said most of the casualties were bystanders. This incident killed no ISF and 12 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Mar-05 - Baquabah - a suicide car bombing outside a police station there killed nine people and wounded 17. The dead included the bomber, two police, three Soldiers and three civilians. This incident killed 5 ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Mar-05 - In Baghdad, gunmen killed two police and wounded a third in a drive-by shooting in the eastern slum of Sadr City, said Doctor Abdul Jabar Solan, director of a hospital where the casualties were brought. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Mar-05 - Insurgents killed five Iraqi Soldiers in clashes near the town of Baqubah on Monday and detonated a suicide car bomb that killed two policemen on their way to reinforce the troops, police and hospital sources said, killing 7 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Mar-05 - Iraqi Brigadier General Jawad Kadhim, adult, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

7-Mar-05 - Iraqi Brothers, child, male, killed in Balad.

7-Mar-05 - Iraqi Sergeant Hassan Khader, adult, male, killed in northern Baghdad.

7-Mar-05 - Two civilians were also killed when a roadside bomb targeting a joint United States-Iraqi military convoy exploded in the west Baghdad neighborhood of Aamirya. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Mar-05 - Two Soldiers died March 7, in Ramadi, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near their screening area. The two men were assigned to the Army's 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Howze, Korea. Killed were Sergeant Andrew L. Bossert, 24, of Fountain City, Wisconsin and Private First Class Michael W. Franklin, 22, of Coudersport, Pennsylvania.

8-Mar-05 - A senior Iraqi official was gunned down in Baghdad on Tuesday after a day of attacks waged by insurgents against the country's security services that left at least 27 people dead. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Mar-05 - Clashes erupted between United States troops and insurgents today in the troubled city of Ramadi, leaving at least two people dead, officials said. Gunmen also attacked a convoy of trucks carrying food for the Trade Ministry in Salman Pak, southeast of the capital. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

8-Mar-05 - Gunmen have killed three Iraqi women in the Shia district of Sadr City in Baghdad, police say. Police said they believed the women had been accused by a religious movement of being prostitutes, and were not killed for political reasons. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

8-Mar-05 - Iraqi Ali Kadhem Mohammed, adult, male, killed in bodies found in Canal St. area, southern Baghdad.

8-Mar-05 - Iraqi Ali Kalfa, adult, male, killed in Al Jameat area, Basra.

8-Mar-05 - Iraqi Doctor Adil Abd-al-Karim, adult, male, killed in western Baghdad.

8-Mar-05 - Iraqi Ghazi Mohammed Issa, adult, male, killed in Ghazaliya area, west Baghdad.

8-Mar-05 - Iraqi Qataa Abdul Nabi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad?

8-Mar-05 - Iraqi Sajed Radi Ali, adult, male, killed in bodies found in Canal St. area, southern Baghdad.

8-Mar-05 - The Iraqi Army said today it found 15 beheaded corpses, both men and women, on an old military base near Latifiya south of Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 15 Iraqi Civilians.

## (end of Week 38 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 39: 13 March 2005

March continues to come in like a lion around here.

On our lion, no reports this week occurred, but if anyone had the unfortunate experience of meeting up with the lioness or her cubs, no one knew about it. Still, most of us are now avoiding cycling or running around Lost Lake.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – This being a war zone, the lions lurking around Camp Victory have led to several humorous incidents. Seems that many of our new Air Force folks have the ability to make minute long videos, and our third Army Lieutenant Colonel (not the Corps C-8 or me) has been the butt of several jokes after he reported one morning hearing something growling in the dark when returning to his trailer the night before. One group made a special video of what to do to avoid lions. There was another video with a "reporter" interviewing our Lieutenant Colonel about his traumatizing experience. Another video ripped off the _Wizard of Oz_ – Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, oh my!!

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 39: 13 March 2005

This was the wettest week I have seen in Iraq. It rained all day Wednesday, all night long, and then all day on Thursday, stopped just before dinner, and began raining all night after 10 pm, then most of Friday. The temperatures were in the 40s and 50s; so many folks were soaking wet and cold walking around Camp Victory.

I put on my black winter boots to go home on Wednesday night, and I was glad I did. The mud was very thick trying to get into the trailer park. When I came home on Thursday, I found that much of the trailer park was under water. I stepped out of my trailer, and went down a foot into the gravel. One of the folks, who has been here 13 months and left this week, said it had not rained that much in his entire time in Baghdad. Mud and water, everywhere!!

The sidewalk out the back of our C-8 office building is a major thoroughfare for folks going to the big dining facility. After one day of rain, the sidewalk is flooded, and someone found a plywood board to lie across the water. Worked fine until it started floating. Then someone put a ladder, so there we were stepping across the ladder and on to the plywood, getting our toes a little wet, and going to dinner Wednesday night. By Thursday lunch, someone had got serious, and built a floating bridge with 5 by 8 boards. The water is still there on Sunday, and so is the makeshift bridge over the muddy waters.

By Thursday, everyone in the Corps C-8 office started wearing either their rubber boots or winter black boots. The boss even wore his over to the Water Palace for the Corps staff meeting, and got ribbed by everyone. He just calmly asked them, "How many of you have wet feet?" Everyone raised their hands. He then told him, "My feet are dry, so you can laugh all you want to."

The resource mission is starting to shift from contingency operations with unlimited funds to a more sustainment mission, where funding will become more fixed. Our Corps C-8 office is starting a number of efforts to begin systems that are more normal – commanders have a budget, and they need to live within it.

I received an envelope filled with cards written by the children of St Matthews School. On Saturday night, I tried to write each of them a short note back.

Our Naval Officer continues to make us laugh, telling us stories and jokes most of the day. He is physically attached to his digital camera, and it was great watching him chase the boss down the hall so that he could get a picture of the boss in his black rubber boots.

The boss was going to the afternoon Corps staff meeting, and because it was raining hard, he stuffed his notebook under his parka. He came out of his office, and he looked like he was seven months pregnant. Now a good Deputy should have said something, but I hoped he would move quickly out of the C-8 offices so that our Naval Officer would not see him (or the Force C-8 staff). As soon as the boss turned to go through the door, our sharp eyed Naval Officer saw him, and quickly was in pursuit of the boss, hoping to catch him pregnant. The boss has some bum knees, due to constant parachute jumping, but he can move very fast when he needs to. Our Naval Officer did not catch him.

This week, I actually got to go to the evening Corps staff meeting, instead of the boss who had to go to another meeting. The Corps command group and staff are all from Fort Bragg, a bit of an old boy's network, but friendly. I did notice that there were no female officers, and very few coalition officers. It is a little different from the Fort Hood group that left last month.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Speaking about the old III Corps staff from Fort Hood, someone sent me an email with a link to a big story happening up north. Seems that the Canadian government is under criticism about statements they have made about Canada's participation in the coalition. Officially, Canada is not a member of the coalition, and when I was in the Green Zone, I saw the Canadian Embassy but never saw a Canadian. Except I did see one, after I moved to Camp Victory – a Brigadier General who was Deputy commanding general of the III Corps. He left with the rest of the old Corps staff back in early February.

COMMENT – When I moved from the Green Zone to Camp Victory, the old Corps C-8 pointed out to my naked right shoulder that I was eligible to wear a combat patch. He wore the III Corps patch, which I was assigned to, or I could have worn either Multi-National Force – Iraq or Multi-National Corps – Iraq patches. When I returned from my Rest & Recreation (R&R) leave and became the Deputy C-8, I decided that I would wear the III Corps patch, which is one of the most unusual Army unit patches. I figured that would distinguish me as a transitional staff officer with the new Corps staff. Of course, on my left shoulder was my Thunderbird patch of the 45th Infantry Brigade of the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

## (the weekly email continues)

I sat next to the Chaplain, who is the Catholic Priest here. He had mentioned in one of his sermons that he was upstate New York. So I decided to ask him where, and found out he was originally from Hudson and then served in the Albany diocese. So I mentioned where my wife was from, and he said his first parish assignment was at St Gabriel on Hamburg Street in Schenectady. It is a very small world.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I had mentioned to my wife we had a new Catholic Priest, and something I said reminded her about a priest from Schenectady who went into the Army. She asked if he was a redhead, and I replied that he probably was, due to his complexation, but he was more grey and balding. I told her I would ask him the next time I got the chance, since their office was in the other side of our building. So I went over to the Corps staff meeting, and sat right down next to the Corps Chaplain, who was a full-bird Colonel. It turned out he went to high school with my wife's friend from college, and that a group of them hung out on weekends together, including my wife. I pulled out a picture of my wife, and he knew her name. Plus the parish in Schenectady was where my wife's brother and his family attended (after he left the parish), plus where our son was baptized.

COMMENT - All this conversation we had rather quickly, but not quickly enough, as we suddenly realized the room had gone silent, as the commanding general had come into it, but we had not noticed. We heard our Lieutenant General clear his throat and we looked up. He said something like "It's good to see the Chaplain and the old Corps C-8 getting along, but I would like to start the meeting if you two don't mind." The Corps Chaplain replied "Sorry sir, but I have known his wife longer than he has." Our general then told us "I really want to hear that story, but after the meeting." We stayed after the meeting and answered his questions, with several of the Corps staff section heads standing nearby.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 39: 13 March 2005

One of my other Navy friends wrote me an email this week, and asked me if I knew another Naval Officer who had recently deployed to Iraq. I reread the note, and then called our Naval Officer over to read the email (and his name). Another example of a very small world!!

We had one of our civilians leave this week on March 10th. He came from Fort Bragg, and was supposed to go up to a camp up north to support the Corps Support Command. However, that comptroller decided that he had enough folks, so our civilian worked on supply financial issues and left after 42 days. But in our Corps C-8 office traditions, he was fare welled and then had his dinner with the group. And the traditional ice cream dish ate by all.

Our Air Force folks have been here six weeks on their four month tour, so now they are beginning to think about leaving here. They are starting to gather up stuff they bought at the Iraqi shops, and mailing stuff home.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – While reviewing this email in 2016, I noticed that I hardly said anything about operations going on in Iraq. So there was something going on that I purposely avoided talking about. Looking at _Wikipedia_ for events in Iraq in March 2005, it became perfectly clear why I was a bit radio silent. I had no direct knowledge of these events, nor was this an area of resource management that required me or my office to be involved. I was just a member of the Corps staff and could only watch what happened.

COMMENT - An Italian journalist, Giuliana Sgrena, had been kidnapped in Baghdad in early February. Two Italian secret service agents came to Iraq to coordinate rescue efforts. They obtained her release on March 4th and then they drove down Route Irish to the airport that evening. Little communication about the Italian activities was shared with coalition military forces. Independently on this same evening, increased security was added to Route Irish due the American Ambassador being forced by the weather to travel by vehicle instead of helicopter to the airport. When the Italians' car approached a blocking position, it was fired on by American Soldiers. One secret service agent was killed, and the other agent and Sgrena were shot and injured. Investigations were on-going at the time of my email, with different stories being told by several parties. At the time, one of the coalition Force Deputy commanding generals was an Italian officer, but it was unclear who knew what about the rescue attempt or their attempt to travel down Route Irish that evening in rainy weather. The American and Italian investigation reports differed substantially on this tragic event. This caused problems between our two countries at the time, and those might echo even today.

COMMENT – My comments will be my own observations about Route Irish. As you have seen in my emails and comments, Route Irish was a route across several interstate highways from downtown Baghdad to the Baghdad International Air Field, with lots of exits and on-ramps, plus a few intersections with other roads. When I would travel it during a typical day, there were hundreds if not thousands of Iraqi civilians using the same roads. The military adopted convoy and patrolling techniques to allow for civilians and military to both use these roads – and it was never a secured and safe place. Under the cover of night and sometimes even during the day, insurgents would plant explosives and bombs. Convoys would pass vacant buildings and resident neighborhoods, and be fired on. My convoys never received fire or were attacked, but convoys just before or after were. At Camp Victory, they dedicated units to do convoys, and a small group headed by a Marine Gunny always seemed to be assigned to my convoy – I found out later that the Gunny and his folks felt I was a lucky charm or something, so they would get assigned when they saw I was scheduled to go to the Green Zone. Route Irish was twenty minutes of terror each way. And the checkpoints were constantly shifting in form and location, so as often as I made the trip, little changes occurred, which made sense to me to not get complacent. Sitting in line for the checkpoint was equally stressful as the drive down the roads, for both the Iraqi civilians and military. So those are my observations, and I continue to thank the folks that provided me with security, and more thankful that the Iraqis I encountered in my travels were sane and rationale.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 39: 13 March 2005

So far, it is 6:30 pm, and it has been a quiet Sunday here in Baghdad. I think I will close the weekly report, and bid everyone a safe week. Take care.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 39 Memorials)

9-Mar-05 - A booby-trapped corpse exploded south of Baghdad, killing four Iraqi police officers. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-Mar-05 - A corrections team headed by the former director of the Geiger Corrections Center in Spokane survived a suicide bombing early today at Baghdad's Al-Sadir Hotel in which two Iraqi police officers were killed and 40 people were injured. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-Mar-05 - A suicide bomber detonated a garbage truck packed with explosives outside the Agriculture Ministry and a hotel used by Western contractors Wednesday, killing himself and at least three others, officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

9-Mar-05 - An explosion in the Iraqi capital Baghdad has shaken buildings and covered the area in a pall of smoke. At least one person died and 10 others were wounded in the blast. Volleys of automatic gunfire were heard before and after the explosion. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-Mar-05 - Gunmen have attacked the convoy of Iraqi Planning Minister Mehdi al-Hafidh in Baghdad, killing one of his bodyguards, police say. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-Mar-05 - In Falluja, west of Baghdad, today a suicide car bomber attacked a National Guard center. Two guards and a civilian were killed and 15 people wounded, some of them guards and others civilians, according to Iraqi National Guard and hospital officials. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-Mar-05 - Iraqi Captain Nashwan Ibrahim, adult, male, killed in Al-Sharqat.

9-Mar-05 - Iraqi Nawal Mohammed, 22, female, killed in Kirkuk.

9-Mar-05 - Iraqi officials said Wednesday that 35 bodies some bullet-riddled, others beheaded have been found at two separate sites and they believe some of the corpses are Iraqi Soldiers kidnapped and executed by insurgents; and killing no ISF and 20 Iraqi Civilians.

9-Mar-05 - Specialist Matthew A. Koch, 23, of West Henrietta, New York died Mar. 9 in Taji, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Koch was assigned to the 70th Engineer Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas.

10-Mar-05 - A suicide bomber blew himself up Thursday inside a Shiite mosque in the northern city of Mosul and killed at least 30 people, witnesses and hospital officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 30 Iraqi Civilians.

10-Mar-05 - At least five policemen, including two high ranking officers, were killed in a series of shootings in Baghdad today. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Mar-05 - Forty-six people were killed in Thursday's suicide attack on a Shi'ite funeral in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, Iraqi health officials said. (16 added from previous account), killing no ISF and 16 Iraqi Civilians.

10-Mar-05 - In northern Mosul, two police officers were killed and two others were injured in clashes with insurgents. In northern Kirkuk, a woman identified as Nawal Mohammed, who worked with United States forces, was killed in a drive-by shooting. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Mar-05 - In the northern city of Kirkuk, gunmen killed an accountant working for KurdSat, Brigadier Saraht Qadir said. The television station belongs to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, one of two main Kurdish parties. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Mar-05 - Insurgents set up a fake police checkpoint and stopped Colonel Ahmed Abeis's car as he was on the way to work. After asking his name, they shot him along with two other policemen in his car. One of the insurgents filmed the killing. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Mar-05 - Iraqi Ayad Abdul-Razaq, adult, male, killed in Jisr Diyala area of southeastern Baghdad.

10-Mar-05 - Iraqi Hamad Suhail, adult, male, killed in Balad.

10-Mar-05 - Iraqi Hamad Ubeyis, adult, male, killed in Saadiyeh, Baghdad.

10-Mar-05 - Iraqi Laik Ibrahim, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

10-Mar-05 - Iraqi Raja Yasin Kudher, adult, male, killed in south of Mufrek traffic circle, Baqubah.

10-Mar-05 - North of the capital, gunmen shot down the son of a tribal chief Sheikh Suhail Ahmed as he left a United States base in Balad. A contractor was killed near Tuz as he drove to Tikrit and roadside bombs killed an Iraqi Soldier and a civilian near Duluiyah and Baiji. This incident killed 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Mar-05 - Iraqi Sadin Nasr Alden Salerno, adult, male, killed in B6 sector, Kirkuk.

11-Mar-05 - Iraqi Yassir (?) adult, male, killed in Farhateya, Eshaki.

11-Mar-05 - Specialist Nicholas E. Wilson, 21, of Glendale, Arizona, died Mar. 11, in Ramadi, Iraq, while conducting a roving patrol when his military vehicle rolled into a water-filled ditch after the shoulder of the road he was on collapsed. Wilson was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Korea.

11-Mar-05 - Staff Sergeant Donald D. Griffith, Jr. 29, of Mechanicsville, Iowa, died Mar.11 as a result of hostile action in, Tal Afar, Iraq. Griffith was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Lewis, Washington.

12-Mar-05 - American Contractor named Bruce Durr was killed today due to improvised explosive device - Roadside bomb at Hillah. Was a Security Consultant for employer Blackwater.

12-Mar-05 - American Contractor named Cantrell, Jim was killed today due to improvised explosive device - Roadside bomb at Hillah. Was a Security Consultant for employer Blackwater.

12-Mar-05 - An Iraqi policeman was killed and three injured in a mortar attack at checkpoint South of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, Iraqi police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Mar-05 - Eleven Iraqis were killed in rebel attacks in the past two days, Iraqi security sources said Sunday, as 12 corpses that had been rotting on a farm for a month were found by Soldiers south of Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 11 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Mar-05 - Iraqi Moiyad Ibrahim al-Muslah, adult, male, killed in Ghazaliya, Baghdad.

12-Mar-05 - Three Iraqi policemen were gunned down in Mosul and a foreign truck driver killed near Baiji on Saturday as three Afghans allegedly on their way to fight in the northern city were arrested in Baghdad. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Mar-05 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Bomb attack on a convoy at Baiji (near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

12-Mar-05 - Two Iraqis, including one policeman and the head engineer at the Baghdad airport, were killed in two attacks in Baghdad, an interior ministry source said Sunday. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Mar-05 - Unidentified gunmen killed two Iraqis in Tikrit province, north of the capital Baghdad, Iraqi police sources said Saturday. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

13-Mar-05 - Iraqi father of Jasim Ismael Hussein, adult, male, killed in Mukashifa.

13-Mar-05 - Iraqi Jasim Ismael Hussein, adult, male, killed in Mukashifa.

## (end of Week 39 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Weeks 40-41: 27 March 2005

Happy Easter to all!

It has been a busy couple of weeks, sorry that I could not find time to write the weekly report.

The good news is that the weather has been almost perfect, with highs in the 60s and 70s each day and lows sometimes in the mid 40s. We thought we were going to get a major dust storm this week, but only got some winds that blew dust around a bit, but not very strong winds. The weatherman is predicting that temperatures may rise this week into the 90s, but at this point Yahoo weather seems more accurate than him. One has to wonder how Yahoo gets a weather report for Baghdad, but you can get on the Internet and look it up, and it is generally more accurate than the "official" weather report. At least in my opinion!!

Our little lakes and ponds are now drying off, and you have to look hard to find mud. I still have not washed off and put away my mudders, since I expect at least one more rain before it stops until November. I did today pack up my winter clothing items into a duffel bag, figuring that it is not going to get very cold anymore.

When we got those three days of rain earlier in the month, it caused much flooding around the trailers. I have collected lots of photographs of our flooding, taken by the folks in our office. Our Naval Officer was particularly creative in his photography, as we saw pictures of him in the mud and water everywhere. I never figured out who was taking the pictures.

Someone sent some pictures via Internet home, and their parents gave the photos to the local paper, who published them. Look what kind of place our servicemen have to stay in. I saw photos of that showed that all the flooding around Camp Victory was duplicated all around the country at all of our bases and camps. So a reminder came out to not send pictures home, or if you do, remind folks that they are for private use. Laughing!!! My only problem with the whole situation is that where did they get the engineers who designed our camp? Had they ever been to the South West, places like Abilene? Granted that three days of rain is very unusual, but there is really no engineering done for to handle any water.

The good news is this week they installed a long bridge from our trailer park to the parking lot. Unfortunately, the parking lot becomes a lake when it rains for more than an hour, so I still do not know what anyone around here is thinking. It is a nice bridge, saves climbing the ridgeline (a height of about ten feet) and then back down to the parking lot. But it is kind of a bridge to no where, and will be completely useless next year after it rains.

A few weeks back, about two days before the rain, narrow ditches appeared running the length of the walkways between our trailers. Then they put coax cable in, and I heard that it is to install cable into every trailer. The ditches became another obstacle during and after the rains, and then a few days later, they covered the ditches. So far, no progress has been made on installing cable.

Since I moved to Camp Victory in late October, they have been working on the gym. I finally walked through the construction site last week (mainly because the parking lot was still mostly a pond), and took a close up on the building. I have concluded that I will never see the building open before I leave Camp Victory.

The Force C-8 guy (an Army Major) that replaced me in the International Zone moved temporary over to Camp Victory to cover someone who went home for Rest & Recreation (R&R) leave. This afternoon, he organized an Ultimate Frisbee game between the Force and the Corps C-8 offices. I was not able to go this afternoon, but got a report that everyone had a good time. The Force versus Corps C-8 office staffs generated several competing Power Points, plus I came back last night to see my head posted on a caricature. All in good fun!!

Our big event on Saturday (March 19th) was a Resource Management (C-8) conference, and we had all our subordinate command comptrollers attend except the Koreans, who could not get out of Irbil for some reason. We spent all day going over a lot of the functions of the C-8 offices, and our theme of Money as a Weapon System. The Corps Chief of Staff, a Brigadier General, kicked off the conference challenging everyone to find funds to get things done. This from an Infantryman who previously did not ever want to deal with money issues, and he explained how he has found it critical to our operations here. The feedback forms showed everyone learned a lot, and in many cases were able to come in on Friday and leave Sunday, so they got to sit down with all the Corps C-8 divisions and work through issues important to them. We have tentatively decided to have the conferences quarterly, with the next one being one where the subordinate commands talk about ways they have solved problems, and provide a basis for best practices discussions.

For a major conference with folks coming in at all hours, the Captain who organized it had things well planned. Everyone got to the helipad or airport on time, and I heard no one had to wait more than a few minutes after they arrived. They got to enjoy our dining facility (the Marines said they have more choices), a few "ringers" played Ultimate Frisbee this afternoon, and they enjoyed our office's DVD library.

We did an after action review this morning, and identified several items to improve, items to build upon, and what and when we would do the next C-8 conference. Hopefully, the success of the C-8 conference will build up the morale of the C-8 offices. Let me explain.

Over the last two months since the boss arrived, our division chiefs have worked on a time off policy that gave folks personal time during the day, and from time to time gave folks off either a half or full day, depending upon what they needed. The boss does not want anyone to have a scheduled time off, as the situation sometimes changes during the day, and he does not want to hear someone say, "Oh, I lost my day off while we worked on that presentation." At my Monday afternoon staff meetings, we have twice talked about the policy, and we offered to go to a scheduled day off, but without folks have time during the day to go get a haircut or get laundry done. All the division chiefs agreed that scheduled days off was not the way to go. Or so I thought.

Last Saturday (March 12th), I noticed several folks who were not in the office. Now each Saturday, one of our enlisted has a detail, so I figured that one of them was on detail. Then that evening, I found out who had the detail, a Sergeant who had been sick most of Thursday and Friday. I was a little upset by this, and have taken some steps to avoid a repeat.

So on Sunday (March 13th), one of my missing enlisted came into the front office to scan some documents. Now this Sergeant had also been fighting a bad cold, so I asked how she was doing. Fine Sir! Did not see you yesterday, thought you might be sick. No Sir was probably out doing PT. Must have been a very long work out? Then the Sergeant left to go back to her office. I just decided to talk to the division chief when he came back from church.

I came back from lunch, and the boss' door was closed and I could hear him chewing someone out. The door had never been closed before. Then that division chief walked out, and quickly walked back to his office. The boss asked me to step in, and I could tell he was a little mad. It turned out he had figured out that that division chief was scheduling full days off for his people, despite our office policy. And claimed that I had never talked about it at staff meetings! I just shook my head in disbelief.

On Tuesday evening (March 15th), I was working on a staff paper due in to the Corps Chief of Staff on Wednesday morning. I did not find anytime during the day to work on it, and it was only until after 8 pm before I could work on it. The boss wanted me to leave work at 9 pm, but I told him that I had to get this done, as I would likely not have time in the morning, trying to run the day to day office functions. So the boss left the office, and I turned back to the staff paper.

Within 30 minutes, the division chief who had been chewed out on Sunday came into the front office, hot to trot. He accused me of chewing out the Sergeant for taking PT for two hours, that she had been his most productive person, and now she was depressed and not getting her work done. Now the division chief is the same rank as me, so my reply was one – she ought to be upset, after lying to an officer. This stopped his yelling, and then I told him what happened on Sunday morning. And now that I knew the Sergeant really had a scheduled day off, and was trying to protect herself and her division chief by lying. So for the next two hours, the division chief and I talked about the time off policy, and how he had an obligation to either voice his concerns to the boss and me, or not do his own thing. I explained how having different policies in our sections was causing a lot of "us versus them" starting to occur.

Well, I lost a lot of time, and finally left the office at 2 am, getting the paper done. I left a note for the boss that I would be in an hour late. When I did get in, the boss wanted to know why it took me so long to finish it. So we walked out to our "smoking area" in the back where the boss sometimes hits golf balls with his pitching wedge, and talked about my conversation with the division chief. We decided to have a pow wow with all the division chiefs sometime during the week. That happened Friday evening (March 18th).

During the pow wow (boss' term), we thrashed through the differences in Air Force versus Army cultures, the facts that other Corps staff offices are giving folks time off, the advantages of the current policy versus having scheduled time off (conclusion that the old policy gives you more time off during the week and flexes around personal needs and mission needs). The boss feels that we may have a couple of folks more than we need, and has mentioned it that we ought to send some folks home if that is true. I feel that the Corps C-8 office finally has enough folks to do the job, but that workload cycles up and down through the month, so that on some days, you might be here late, while on other days, you could leave after dinner. Everyone had a chance to say what they thought, argue points, and get things off their chests (as much as they wanted to). We agreed to remain with the flexible time off policy, with no one having a scheduled time off.

At the end of the meeting, I reminded everyone that we are in a war zone, and even back home, folks are under stress, either because of the work place or events happening at home. Being in Iraq, adds stress to everyone, and folks react differently to the same situation. I would continue asking folks how they were doing, and continue to talk with them, not to pry, but to make sure they were coping with the situations here. The boss tries to do this too, but he admits he is not into this touchy feely stuff. I reminded that each of us has a responsibility to watch out for each of us, and I would be insisting the division chiefs take some time off too.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Someone by April 2004 had noticed a spike in suicides and depression cases in Iraq, so at the mobilization station, they pulled all the officers and senior non-commissioned officers into an hour long class about things we could do to prevent this. The simple message was to constantly talk to all your folks every day, ask how they are doing, how their family is, etc. I tried to do this in the Green Zone while visiting the various C-8 offices, learned about many folks, had a few laughs, and hopefully un-stressed a couple folks. Becoming the Deputy C-8 when I returned in January, I felt this was one of the most important things – it had been drummed in my head at West Point – take care of your Soldiers. Sometime during these weeks, I walked over to the Chaplain's offices, and a few weeks later, there were short one-hour classes on these subjects to our folks in the C-8 and other Corps offices.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 40-41: 27 March 2005

So you can see I now have an office divided, when everyone ought to be pulling together. But I will work on this, and see where things go.

One example, on Friday (March 25th), our Naval Officer had his birthday, his 39th. So I had the administration clerk get six pizzas from Pizza Hut, and we surprised him. We also played our traditional game, the one I cannot remember the name, but you pull a card out with a celebrity name, with words you cannot use. And you give clues, and your team tries to guess the celebrity name. The pizza was very good; everyone had a good time playing the game.

They gave out Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies at the dining facility. And cocktail shrimp in an Indian dressing, very good!! I hope everyone's holiday was good, and safe. Take care.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Weeks 40-41 Memorials)

14-Mar-05 - A suicide bomber has blown up his car at an Iraqi police and Army checkpoint in a town south of Baghdad, killing two policemen and two civilians, local police say. This incident killed 2 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

14-Mar-05 - An Iraqi cameraman, Husam Hilal Sarsam who was working for a Kurdish-language television station was gunned down in Mosul on Monday, hospital sources in the restive northern city said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Mar-05 - Elsewhere, unknown attackers killed an Iraqi Army Captain while he was driving his car in the Abu Ghraib district, west of Baghdad, said First Lieutenant Akram al-Zobaei. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Mar-05 - Four Iraqis were killed in an armed clash that erupted on Monday in the Iraqi town of Al-Qaem in Al-Anbar in the west of the country, witnesses said. They said the four were killed in a firefight that pitted American troops against a group of gunmen. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

14-Mar-05 - Iraqi brother of Mr. Ghazwan, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

14-Mar-05 - Iraqi Mr. Ghazwan, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

14-Mar-05 - Lance Corporal Joshua L. Torrence, 20, of Lexington, South Carolina, died March 14 of wounds received as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

14-Mar-05 - Two farmers were in a pickup truck carrying lettuce when a car bomb exploded in their path, killing them and wounding two passersby, according to a policeman at the scene who did not wish to be identified. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

14-Mar-05 - Two Iraqi civilians have died after being wounded in crossfire involving a United States helicopter in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, the United States military said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

14-Mar-05 - Two Iraqis were killed and a third injured in an automobile accident on Saturday, when a fuel tanker traveling fast in an American convoy crashed at 8:30 pm along a highway in Baghdad. Six civilian cars were involved in the accident. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

15-Mar-05 - A suicide car bomb exploded in northeastern Baghdad, killing a child and wounding at least four people, including a police officer, police Colonel Muhanad Sadoun said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Mar-05 - Iraqi Banuri Abu Jabal, adult, female, killed in Route Cardinals and Route Vernon, Baghdad.

15-Mar-05 - Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel Yousif, adult, male, killed in 17th Tamooz neighborhood, Mosul.

15-Mar-05 - Iraqi Major Mohammed, adult, male, killed in Zin Jili neighborhood, west Mosul.

15-Mar-05 - Italian Army Sergeant Salvatore Domenico Marracino, 28, of Apulia, Italy, killed by non-hostile - accidental weapon discharge and died in Kuwait City (hospital), Kuwait. Was assigned to the 185th Parachute Regiment.

15-Mar-05 - Specialist Paul M. Heltzel, 39, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died Mar. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq, while conducting a mounted patrol when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated. Heltzel was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, in Eunice, Louisiana.

15-Mar-05 - Staff Sergeant Ricky A. Kieffer, 36, of Ovid, Michigan, died Mar. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq, when enemy forces using small arms fire attacked his unit. Kieffer was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 182nd Field Artillery Regiment (Multiple Launch Rocket System), Detroit, Michigan.

15-Mar-05 - The deputy commander of the Iraqi Army in western Al-Anbar province was shot dead by United States troops at a checkpoint Tuesday night, a police officer said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Mar-05 - A car bomb exploded Wednesday near an Iraqi Army post in Baqubah, northeast of Baghdad, killing five Iraqi Soldiers and wounding 12 people, police said. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Mar-05 - Anonymous militants assassinated a major in the Iraqi police force in the northern town of Mosul, Iraqi police sources told reporters Wednesday. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Mar-05 - Iraqi Waed Yussuf Yacoub, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

16-Mar-05 - Iraqi Yussef al-Chalabi, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

16-Mar-05 - Specialist Rocky D. Payne, 26, of Howell, Utah, died March 16 in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Payne was assigned to the Army's 497th Transportation Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, 1st Corps Support Command, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

17-Mar-05 - A suicide car bomb Thursday killed two Iraqi civilians and wounded 15 others, including six United States Soldiers, in the volatile northern city of Mosul, the United States military said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

17-Mar-05 - Imam Abdel Rahim Samarrai was standing outside his Thulal Nukatain mosque in Baghdad's Jadida district when he was killed by gunfire from a car. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

17-Mar-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Murtabar, adult, male, killed in Basra City, Basra.

18-Mar-05 - A group of Iraqis look over the crater left after a roadside bomb targeted an Iraqi Police patrol in Baghdad, Iraq Friday, March 18, 2005. One police officer and six civilians were wounded; and killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Mar-05 - At least seven Iraqis died yesterday, including three policemen blown up as they buried a murdered colleague. The policemen were killed and seven others wounded when a bomb exploded in the tense northern oil center of Kirkuk, killing 3 ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

18-Mar-05 - Iraqi Haitham Magloon Majarn, adult, male, killed in near the Minaret, Basra.

18-Mar-05 - Iraqi Salan Magloon Majarn, adult, male, killed in near the Minaret, Basra.

18-Mar-05 - Private First Class Lee A. Lewis, Jr 28, of Norfolk, Virginia, died Mar. 18 in Sadr City, Iraq, when his patrol was attacked by enemy small arms fire. Lewis was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

18-Mar-05 - The corpses of an Iraqi Soldier and a businessman working with the Americans were discovered Friday. A Soldier was kidnapped in Tuz and south of Baghdad, a truck driver was shot dead Thursday by highway robbers. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Mar-05 - Three Iraqi civilians were killed Friday when a United States military truck ran over a civilian vehicle on the main road between Tikrit and Kirkuk north of Baghdad, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

18-Mar-05 - Two senior Iraqi police officers were assassinated Thursday in a string of political slayings targeting symbols of new Iraq security apparatuses. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-Mar-05 - Attackers gunned down a police officer heading to work Saturday in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, then bombed a funeral procession carrying his corpse, killing three other policemen and injuring two, officials said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-Mar-05 - Iraqi Brother of Allaa Talaban, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

19-Mar-05 - Iraqi Latif Himud Jafir, adult, male, killed in Diyala, northeast of Baqubah.

19-Mar-05 - Specialist Jonathan A. Hughes, 21, of Lebanon, Kentucky, died March 19 in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Hughes was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment, in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

20-Mar-05 - A policeman was killed and three others wounded in a similar attack in Samarra, while the bodies of an Iraqi Army officer and his cousin were found in the same area, according to police. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Mar-05 - Attackers struck again hours later, opening fire on the procession bearing Kachmoula's coffin as it made its way to the cemetery, killing two people and wounding 14, hospital sources said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

20-Mar-05 - Gunmen attacked a police station in Baqubah killing at least four police and wounding two as a truck bomb rammed into the entrance of an Iraqi Army barrack wounding 17 people, a police official said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Mar-05 - In Iraq, fighters targeted Iraqi security forces and government buildings with gunfire, suicide bomb attacks and mortar rounds Sunday, leaving at least five people dead, including a senior anti-corruption official. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Mar-05 - In the main northern city of Mosul, a suicide bomber with a fake badge slipped into a building housing the provincial anti-corruption department and blew himself up inside the office of its chief, General Walid Kachmoula, killing him and two of his guards, killing 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Mar-05 - In the main southern city of Basra, a civilian was killed when a roadside bomb exploded in the path of a police patrol, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Mar-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Ali Kadim, adult, male, killed in Doura, Baghdad.

20-Mar-05 - Iraqi husband of Haifa Najim Abid Al Kaisi, adult, male, killed in Al Abarra.

20-Mar-05 - Iraqi Walid Kashmoula, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

20-Mar-05 - Separately, two unidentified bodies shot in the chest and head were found in the city, which has become a new front for the insurgency since November. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

20-Mar-05 - Sergeant Paul W. Thomason, III, 37, of Talbot, Tennessee, died Mar. 20 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Thomason was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Squadron, 278th Regimental Combat Team, in Greeneville, Tennessee.

20-Mar-05 - Specialist Francisco G. Martinez, 20, of Fort Worth, Texas, died March 20 in Tamin, Iraq, as a result of enemy small arms fire. Martinez was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Hovey, Korea.

20-Mar-05 - The Iraqi police found Saturday dead body of a policeman in Misaiab area south of the capital, a source of the police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Mar-05 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Shot Dead at Beyci (north of). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

20-Mar-05 - Witnesses told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the bomb exploded when a police patrol passed by it to also damage a number of civilian vehicles around the blast site; and killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

21-Mar-05 - Insurgent attacks across Iraq on Monday left seven civilians and three Iraqi Soldiers dead. This incident killed 3 ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

21-Mar-05 - Lance Corporal Kevin S. Smith, 20, of Springfield, Ohio, died March 21 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

21-Mar-05 - Street battles broke out Monday between United States troops and militants in the center of the western Iraqi city of Ramadi, witnesses said. Also, a roadside bomb hit an American SUV, near Fallujah on Sunday night, killing all occupants and destroying the vehicle. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-Mar-05 - At least seven Iraqi commandos died when they raided an insurgent base near Samarra with the backing of United States troops, the United States military said. This incident killed 7 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-Mar-05 - Iraqi brother of Abbas Hussein Abbas Jawad al-Timiny, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

22-Mar-05 - Iraqi Raad Hikmet Ahmed, 25-40, male, killed in Camp Charlie, Hillah.

22-Mar-05 - Militants targeted a United States patrol with a roadside bomb Tuesday that killed four nearby civilians in the northern city of Mosul, killing no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

22-Mar-05 - The relentless bloodshed continued, with nine Iraqis, including three Soldiers, killed in attacks mainly in Sunni areas in the north, security sources said Tuesday. This incident killed 3 ISF and 6 Iraqi Civilians.

23-Mar-05 - An Iraqi police officer was killed and two others wounded on Tuesday night at a United States military checkpoint northeast of Baghdad, the Iraqi police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-Mar-05 - In the ongoing targeting of religious figures, a Sunni imam, Aziz Mohammed, was gunned down on Wednesday in Jurf al-Sakhr, south of Baghdad, said a spokesman for the Sunni Waqf, or religious administration. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-Mar-05 - Five bodies, including that of a female university student, were found south of Baghdad Wednesday while a mortar killed an Iraqi girl and wounded another at a primary school west of the capital, police and medical sources said. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

23-Mar-05 - Iraqi Mohamed Sadun Zaidun, adult, male, killed in Shorgat.

23-Mar-05 - Iraqi Falih Abdul Ridha, adult, male, killed in Suwayrah.

23-Mar-05 - Iraqi Husam Hussein, adult, male, killed in Doura, Baghdad.

23-Mar-05 - Specialist Travis R. Bruce, 22, of Byron, Minnesota, died March 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an enemy mortar round detonated near his guard position. Bruce was assigned to the Army's 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, from Fort Lewis, Washington.

23-Mar-05 - The mortar fell on the al-Junainah school in the Ameriyah district, killing an 11-year-old girl and also wounding a 13-year-old female student, a hospital worker at Yarmouk hospital said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Mar-05 - Further south in Bir Ahmed, east of Saddam Hussein's northern hometown of Tikrit, police said they found the body of Othman Ara, a 44-year-old contractor working with United States forces. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Mar-05 - In Balad, 70 kilometers (40 miles) north of Baghdad, an Iraqi truck driver was killed by gunmen as he was changing a flat tire, said Lieutenant Colonel Adel Abdullah of the town's police. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Mar-05 - In Shorgat, west of Kirkuk, one Iraqi Soldier was killed and two more were wounded when three mortar rounds fell on their base, said Captain Ahmed Salam of the Army. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Mar-05 - Iraqi Daughters of eldest women, adult, female, killed in Mashtal, eastern Baghdad.

24-Mar-05 - Iraqi police mistook a group of Iraqi Soldiers who were dressed in civilian clothing carrying guns for insurgents Thursday and opened fire, sparking a 10-minute gun battle that killed three Soldiers and two police in the northern town of Rabia. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Mar-05 - Iraqi Sister of 2 eldest women, adult, female, killed in Mashtal, eastern Baghdad.

24-Mar-05 - Iraqi Sisters, 40-49, female, killed in Mashtal, eastern Baghdad.

24-Mar-05 - Meanwhile, Iraqi forces located two beheaded bodies believed to be of Iraqi Soldiers on the main road between Baghdad and Abu Ghreib today. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Mar-05 - Multiple attacks killed three insurgents and wounded one and killed one ING and wounded three. Also three ING were kidnapped. An Iraqi truck driver was killed. And police said they found the body of a 44-year-old contractor working with United States forces. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Mar-05 - American Contractor named Hyatt, Eugene was killed today due to non-hostile accident at Iraq. Was a Carpenter Foreman for employer Kellogg, Brown, & Root.

25-Mar-05 - At least two Iraqis were killed and 19 wounded, many of them pilgrims marching to the Shiite shrine city of Karbala, when a suicide bomber blew up his vehicle Friday by a police station, south of Baghdad, provincial police said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

25-Mar-05 - Corporal Bryan J. Richardson, 23, of Summersville, West Virginia, died March 25 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Moundsville, West Virginia.

25-Mar-05 - Eleven Iraqi police commandos were killed and 14 other people wounded in a suicide car bombing in Ramadi late Thursday, a United States military spokesman said. This incident killed 11 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Mar-05 - FIVE Iraqi cleaning ladies who worked on a United States base south-east of Baghdad died when their car came under gunfire, an Iraqi official said today. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

25-Mar-05 - General Salman Mohamed was driving his car with two sons and another relative when a car with gunmen on board opened fire on them in Baghdad Jadida at 3:30 pm, the official said on condition of anonymity. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Mar-05 - In an attack on Friday in Iskandariya, in a lawless area just south of Baghdad, a bomber blew up his car beside an Iraqi Army convoy, killing three Soldiers and wounding six, Soldiers at the scene said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Mar-05 - In further violence north of the capital, a mortar attack on an Iraqi Army barracks in Sulaiman Beg killed one Soldier and wounded a man who had come to visit one of his Soldier sons, an Army spokesman said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Mar-05 - Iraqi Abdul Rachman Eisa, adult, male, killed in near Fallujah.

25-Mar-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Jabbar Hashim, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

25-Mar-05 - Two other Iraqi officers and their driver were killed in South of Kirkuk in Norther Iraq. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Mar-05 - Al Qaeda's wing in Iraq said it shot dead a senior Interior Ministry official kidnapped last month, and posted a video of the apparent killing on the Internet on Sunday. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Mar-05 - Assailants in Iraq have opened fire on a cafe popular with ethnic Kurds in Kirkuk. At least one person was killed and three injured. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Mar-05 - Two Iraqi civilians were killed in Baghdad Saturday when United States forces detonated a booby-trapped car despite taking necessary precautions; and killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

26-Mar-05 - Two Iraqi security force members and a civilian were killed around Baghdad Saturday, an interior ministry official said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Mar-05 - Two Soldiers died March 26 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV while they were on patrol. Killed were Sergeant Lee M. Godbolt, 23, of New Orleans, Louisiana and Sergeant Isiah J. Sinclair, 31, of Natchitoches, Louisiana. Godbolt was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery Regiment, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sinclair was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 156th Armored Regiment, Shreveport, Louisiana.

27-Mar-05 - Four protestors died and many others were injured when gunmen opened fire randomly against a peaceful demonstration organized by installations protection policemen and Technology ministry employees here on Sunday. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

27-Mar-05 - Another Soldier was killed and two more were wounded in violence in Balad, about 70 kilometers (55 miles) north of Baghdad, said Assad Sudad, a police Captain there. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Mar-05 - Attacks persisted Sunday, with gunmen killing a local official from a Shiite group, and two of his relatives. Police discovered their bodies Sunday in an abandoned car north of Baquabah, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad. This incident killed 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

27-Mar-05 - Further north, four police were killed and six were wounded when rebels assaulted their police station in Tal Afar early Sunday with mortars and small arms fire, said Salah Mohammed, a doctor at the Tal Afar hospital. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Mar-05 - Iraqi Iyad Jalal, adult, male, killed in Jalawla.

27-Mar-05 - Meanwhile, in Baghdad, witnesses say security for Iraq's science and technology minister opened fire on a crowd of protesters who had gathered to demand their full wages. One person was killed. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Mar-05 - One Soldier was killed and another was injured in an attack in Duluiyah, 70 kilometers (55 miles) north of Baghdad, said police Captain Omar Jumaha. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Mar-05 - Three Iraqi Soldiers were killed and three more were wounded in separate attacks in and around Baqubah. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

## (end of Week 40-41 Memorials)

COMMENT – Easter Mass is usually a couple hours or longer at most Catholic churches. At Camp Victory that Sunday, it was 19 minutes long (I don't remember why it was that short, maybe we had incoming fire starting up). Our Corp Chaplain and Catholic Priest said every word in the service, very, very fast. He would in future years become the Army Chief of Chaplains. Thanks Rocky, for getting me through the good and the bad days.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 42: 3 April 2005

Hello everyone, hope everyone is OK.

We had some Very Important Visitors (VIPs) in this afternoon (April 3rd), including an old friend I have not seen since 1984. He has lost more hair than I have. They came all the way from Washington to talk to us, and braved a fun helicopter ride in shifting winds to get to our place today. The other guy was an old friend of the boss, so it was rather informal and relaxing exchange of ideas.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – It was very good to see these senior officers and friends again, and we appreciate their willingness to come all the way to Baghdad to see how our resource management functions were really working and seek our input. They informed us about the coming funding problems and sought our ideas for making things work.

COMMENT – As Paul Harvey would say on the radio, now for the rest of the story. I noticed a pattern starting near the end of June 2004 - visitors from the states would arrive for a few days. Not many in June, with the handover from the Coalitional Provisional Authority to the interim Iraqi government. But in July, and then in August, the number of visitors was very noticeable. I asked someone about it, and they laughed – saying "I thought you were a Finance Officer?" I certainly did not understand, and the person pointed out that the Tax Code says that if a person spends a day or more in a combat zone, then the entire month is eligible for exemption of income taxes, subject to the maximum amount of the most senior enlisted rank. I had known that, but just thought it was applicable to military pay. It turns out that civilians were also included in this tax break.

COMMENT - So usually around the 28th to 30th day of each month, visitors would arrive in Iraq, and stay until the 2nd or 3rd and thus receive two months exemption from income taxes. One time, I ran into a visitor who did not get to Iraq until the 1st day of the month and was upset for not getting his two months exempted. I asked him when he arrived in Kuwait, and it turned out he was there on the last day, so I pointed out that Kuwait was also in the combat zone. So while some of our visitors truly had valid reasons to visit us, we also knew that an ulterior motive was the combat zone tax exemption status. And sometimes we would have a group of visitors, who complained about being at Camp Victory's rustic lifestyle, the food (really?), or some other thing about being in a combat zone, and I would point out, a bit sarcastically, that once they arrived in Kuwait, they had arrived in a combat zone, and that they did not need to even step a foot into Iraq at all.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 42: 3 April 2005

I received a big surprise this week – one of our Air Force personnel wants to extend two months. This will be the first Air Force person I know who has done this. We got the paper work in to Corps C-1 (Personnel) (one page letter – the Air Force does know how to do things right). I guess that deflates the rumor that the Air Force folks do not like it here. One other Air Force seriously considered extending, but decided not to do so for some important personal reasons.

The Air Force then challenged the other three services to a basketball game on April 3rd. I brought my gym clothes in to the C-8 offices this morning, but could not go because of our VIPs. The Air Force won by two points – shame the other services did not have a point guard who could get the ball into our center (who was also tied up with the VIPs). I cannot wait to see the pictures.

We got rain, for about 30 minutes one night. It was dry by the time most of us woke up, no mud.

We also heard a big explosion the other night. I heard it as it shook my trailer, rolled on the floor, did not hear anything else over the next five minutes, and finished watching _Dodge Ball_ , the movie. I then went to sleep, and must have slept through other explosions that night. Unfortunately, I must have been the only one who did sleep through the night. My folks were dragging in the morning due to lack of sleep.

Things started clicking in the Corps C-8 office this week, everything starting to run smoothly. I told the boss my famous line – "No good turn goes unpunished here in Iraq" – but he thought I was off my rocker. Anyway, for three days, life was good. Until Thursday night (March 31st), when all heck broke out!! Boss left the office at midnight, our action officer spent another hour, and then I sent out the emails and left a little bit after 1:30 am. The bad news is was the night when the Iraqi Minister of Time decided to "spring forward" the time. So we all lost an hour overnight.

Now because of the crisis of Thursday night, the boss had scheduled a meeting at 8:30 am Friday with the logistics boss (C-4). So I dragged myself out of bed at 7:30 am (new time); and I went to the latrine and shower trailers – and there was no one there. The whole trailer park was so quiet. I guessed that most folks had not got the word of the time change. I went into the C-8 offices at 8 am, and waited for the boss and the C-4 boss to show up. Then I heard the C-4 down the hall, stopping at one of the Force C-8 offices co-located next to us. At 8:15 am (new time), he strutted into the Corps C-8 office, being one of the oldest Colonels in the Army (he laughs at my punch card jokes). Where is your boss? I told him that we were expecting to meet at 8:30. The Colonel promptly did an about face, said something (with emphasis), and left my office.

Now I was getting worried that the boss might have forgotten about the time change, so we tried to call his cell phone, and then I sent a Captain to his trailer to wake him up. Boss comes in at 8:27 am (new time), and I tell him the C-4 had come and gone. Boss looks at his clock (still set with old time), and the rest is history.

This was the second time I had to send someone to find the boss. On Tuesday (April 29th), a Colonel accompanied by his tour group of six officers, strolled in to meet with the boss at 1 pm. Boss had decided that since he did not have anything to do that afternoon, he was going to the gym, leaving at 12:30 pm. The Colonel was rather forgiving, and mentioned he wanted to talk with our Budget Officer, so I took him next door. I then checked with my admin clerk, who did have it on the schedule (but had forgotten to tell me), so I sent someone to the gym to find the boss. He came back, changed, and was able to have the meeting with the Colonel.

Still, not a bad week!! We took steps for the Iraqi Security Forces to start supporting their own troops. Many in the United States Army threatened us over the last two weeks that the sky was going to fall, but it is the 3rd day of April, and the sky is still there. They nay sayers still caused us to lose sleep on Thursday, the deadline for the change from United States and coalition support to Iraqi support.

Now the real funny of the situation is that our coalition partners were all squared away. The British Army started six months ago converting over the Iraqis from coalition funding to their own. It took the Koreans about three weeks to do. The Polish and Ukrainians came up to Camp Victory two weekends ago to get a class on what was needed to be done, and it took them ten days to convert all their units. Even the United States Marines, getting a slow start, finally got into gear thanks to an Air Force contracting officer who kicked butt, and got all the food and water contracts done on time. Meanwhile, the three Army units are still trickling in. I am so embarrassed. But the good news is that our generals stood fast, and said it was time for coalition support to end, and time for the Iraqis to be responsible. And so far, it is happening, even in the Army areas. Reminds me of what happened in July on payroll, and the Iraqis paid all their troops by August 6th for end of month July. It took the coalition until July 25th to finish paying them for end of month June.

I also kicked off a new funding program of small purchases this week. One of the staff officers working for the C-4 and I cooked this up about two weeks ago, and were able to sell the proposal and get funding.

It finally is starting to get hot here at Camp Victory, with a few days starting to get into the 90s. But this week should be cooler, with highs in the 70s. I finally changed out my winter boots for my more comfortable moccasin boots that I wore before November.

Not many April Fool jokes were done. However, the boss got a video email from his wife and daughter. Daughter announced that she was getting married in June, and that the boss needed to change his leave date to come home. I was wondering what was bothering him on Friday night when we walked back to the trailers (oops, I almost wrote walked home). He finally told me on Saturday night while we walked to evening Mass what his daughter had done, and it took him unit Saturday afternoon to realize that it was an April Fool's joke.

Well that was the week that was, and I hope everyone remains safe and sound,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 42 Memorials)

28-Mar-05 - In apparently related violence, a bicycle strapped with explosives blew up near a police car on the main road from Baghdad to Karbala, killing two policemen and wounding several other police and civilians, local police said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Mar-05 - In Baghdad, masked gunmen opened fire on the car of Police Brigadier Abdel Karim Fahed, killing him and his driver. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Mar-05 - In Najaf, south of Karbala, police Major Nour Karim Nour was shot dead by United States troops after approaching a checkpoint on the wrong side of the road, Najaf's police chief said. The United States military had no immediate information. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Mar-05 - Iraqi Abdul Karim Fahad Abbass, adult, male, killed in Dura, Baghdad.

28-Mar-05 - Iraqi Hamid Hassan Khalf, 40, male, killed in Samarra.

28-Mar-05 - Iraqi Sadunn Hamza Feihan, 45-48, male, killed in Jurf As Sakhr.

28-Mar-05 - Private First Class Samuel S. Lee, 19, of Anaheim, California, died March 28 in Ramadi, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Lee was assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Greaves, Korea.

28-Mar-05 - The largest casualties occurred in the town of Massif south of Baghdad when a booby-trapped car exploded, killing seven people and wounding seven others. This incident killed no ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Mar-05 - Two other police officers were killed and 12 others wounded in two roadside bomb explosions in the western part of Baghdad. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Mar-05 - British Army Private Mark Dobson, 41, of Darlington, County Durham, was killed by suicide, The Territorial Army Soldier was found dead in his accommodation at Basra, Airport base Iraq. Was assigned to the Tyne-Tees Regiment, B (Green Howards) Company.

29-Mar-05 - Iraqi Dhahed Gsaysh, adult, male, killed in Az Zubayr, Basra.

29-Mar-05 - Unknown gunmen killed Wa'adullah Abdulqader, a university professor, in the Eastern suburbs of Mosul, a security source said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Mar-05 - A bomb blast killed two Iraqis including one policeman and wounding four others in the governorate of Al-Diwaniya in the south of Iraq on Wednesday, police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Mar-05 - A booby-trapped car exploded Wednesday in Mosul killing four civilians and wounding three others, a Kurdish source said. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

30-Mar-05 - A car bomb exploded today in western Baghdad, killing one person and injuring at least six others, and attackers opened fire on Shiite pilgrims heading to a major religious festival that draws some 1.5 million people. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Mar-05 - Close to Baiji, 200 kilometers north of the capital, two brothers who worked for the Iraqi Army were found dead by Soldiers, said an Army Captain. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Mar-05 - In Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, a school guard died in a car bombing and a school teacher was wounded, an interior ministry official said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Mar-05 - In Balad, 70 kilometers north of Baghdad, a rebel was killed and an Iraqi Soldier was wounded during an hour-long shoot-out, while in nearby Dujail, unknown gunmen kidnapped a truck driver and killed his passenger, security officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Mar-05 - Insurgents have opened fire on a United States military patrol in Mosul and six people have been killed in a subsequent exchange of gunfire, including a woman and child, Iraqi police say. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

30-Mar-05 - Iraqi Brothers, adult, male, killed in bodies found near Baiji.

30-Mar-05 - Iraqi Ibrahim Amir, adult, male, killed in Al-Rafi, Mosul.

30-Mar-05 - Near Mahaweel, about 35 miles south of Baghdad, gunmen opened fire on Shiite pilgrims, killing one and injuring two, police Captain Muthana al-Furati said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Mar-05 - Police said the explosives laden vehicle, driven by a lone suicide bomber, blew up in Al-Zaitoun district, killing one person and wounding six others, adding that the attack apparently targeted a patrol of the American Army. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Mar-05 - Sergeant Kelly S. Morris, 24, of Boise, Idaho, died March 30, in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire. Morris was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

30-Mar-05 - Sergeant Kenneth L. Ridgley, 30, of Olney, Illinois, died March 30 in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained when enemy forces using small arms fire attacked his unit. Ridgley was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

30-Mar-05 - Specialist Eric L. Toth, 21, of Edmonton, Kentucky, died March 30 on a supply route when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Toth was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment, in Tompkinsville, Kentucky.

30-Mar-05 - Warrant Officer Charles G. Wells Jr. 32, of Montgomery, Alabama, died March 30 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 6th Motor Transport Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, in Orlando, Florida.

31-Mar-05 - A car bomb blew up Thursday morning targeting a Shiite procession in Toz east of Tikrit, killing three Iraqis and wounding 19 others, said a United States military statement. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

31-Mar-05 - In another attack, a suicide car bomber detonated his car beside an Iraqi Army patrol in Samarra, killing two Soldiers, officials said, killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

31-Mar-05 - In Samarra, north of Baghdad, seven people were killed when a car bomb exploded in the path of a United States-Iraqi patrol, police said, adding that four were civilians. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

31-Mar-05 - Sergeant First Class Robbie D. McNary, 42, of Lewistown, Montana, died March 31, in Hawija, Iraq, from injuries sustained while performing combat operations. McNary was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 163rd Mechanized Infantry Regiment, in Missoula, Montana.

31-Mar-05 - Three Iraqi national guards and two civilians were killed in an attack on a military checkpoint near Sulaiman Bek, 60 miles south of the city of Kirkuk, a Captain in the force said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

31-Mar-05 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 39 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 7 Coalition Contractors, 0 Aid Workers, 1 Journalists, 176 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 287 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 184 Insurgents.

1-Apr-05 - A roadside bomb explosion intended for a military convoy killed three civilians and wounded eight in the northern city of Kirkuk on Friday, police and hospitals officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

1-Apr-05 - American Contractor named Habelman, Alfred was killed today due to Convoy ambush at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Security Contractor for employer California-based construction company.

1-Apr-05 - Corporal Garrywesley T. Rimes, 30, of Santa Maria, California, died April 1 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Rimes was attached to the 2nd Marine Division.

1-Apr-05 - Gunmen have killed a local chief of police in an ambush in Balad Ruz. Hatem Rashid Mohammad was killed along with another police officer as they visited a police stations. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-Apr-05 - Journalist Ahmed Jabbar Hashim, of Al-Sabah, was killed today in Baghdad, Iraq.

1-Apr-05 - Reports say a third policeman died on Friday when police stormed a house they believed contained insurgents. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Apr-05 - A car bomb exploded as Iraqi police were checking it north of Baghdad Saturday, killing four policemen and a civilian, Iraqi officials said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Apr-05 - A corpse was also discovered near Himreen in Salahudin province, said Major Mohammed Wadi, adding that police believed the corpse was that of a Captain kidnapped one month ago with five other Soldiers in Salman Bek. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Apr-05 - In the Iraqi city of Tikrit, three Iraqis were killed after their boat came under fire from a United States helicopter patrolling the Tigris River north of the city. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Apr-05 - Iraqi brothers, adult, male, killed in Balad Ruz.

2-Apr-05 - Iraqi Hasib Zamil Lafta, adult, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

2-Apr-05 - Lance Corporal Tenzin Dengkhim, 19, of Falls Church, Virginia, died April 2 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

2-Apr-05 - Staff Sergeant Ioasa F. Tavae, Jr. 29, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, died April 2, in Mosul, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Tavae was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Washington.

2-Apr-05 - The Americans after being targeted by unknown individuals in Khalidiya, west of Baghdad on Saturday shot Iraqi policemen, killing two and wounding four others. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Apr-05 - Corporal William D. Richardson, 23, of Moreno Valley, California, died April 3, in Baghdad, Iraq, when he came under enemy fire and fell into a canal. Richardson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, from Fort Riley, Kansas.

3-Apr-05 - In the main northern city of Mosul, two traffic policemen were gunned down by insurgents at around 11.30 am local time in the western al-Islah al-Zirahi district, Police Major Mohammed Fathi said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Apr-05 - Sergeant James A. Sherrill, 27, of Ekron, Kentucky, died April 3, in Baiji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Sherrill was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2113th Transportation Company, Paducah, Kentucky.

## (end of Week 42 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 43: 11 April 2005

Well it turned out I did fool a few folks, having put the title of my last email as Week 43, when the report was for Week 42. I know, a sad, sense of humor, it sounded funny at the time. I bet you not everyone laughed at every Bob Hope joke.

The first full week of April came with no change in the weather. Yet!! Temperatures were darn right comfortable, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s or 50s. However, it is rumored that temperatures will get as high as 97 later this week.

Our major event of the week occurred last night (April 10th), when the Charlie Daniels Band showed up to play for an hour. They continued playing for two hours, and then he spent about three hours signing autographs over at the tent gym. Folks that did not come to the concert area could hear the band playing all over Camp Victory. Charlie showed up in uniform, complete with a Calvary Stetson hat. And he played his heart out for us – what he can do with a fiddle. It was a very enjoyable evening.

The Corps C-8 office spent the week getting all the evaluation reports done on folks leaving in May, plus all the award recommendations. Plus updating and revising all of our position descriptions. Plus our normal working stuff to boot. While it was a lot of work, everyone mentioned that the week flew by.

Our regular Catholic Priest took off for a week in Qatar, and exchanged with the Air Force Priest there. Normally, Father takes a sedate 38 minutes to do Mass on Saturday night or Sunday morning. That's with a seven-minute hominy. But this Air Power guy, he just talked and talked. And talked!!! 70 minutes later, and he asked us to stay to video tape a message to the folks in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

I have two folks who voluntarily extended, and everything and everybody was saying that it should be approved. However, last week, I found out that their extensions were rejected, since there already were folks in bound from the states to replace them. Then we found out that one of the folks is not coming. So I will be losing two folks I was expecting to be here until Fall.

A few weeks ago, we lost our blimp. One thinks that a helicopter snapped the lines in an accident. But it just flew away. Far away, very far away!! Finally, they called the Air Force, and some crew chief is eating up his pilot every day because his plane has a blimp on its side. Just think, he needs to shoot down only four more blimps and he can be a blimp ace.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Yes, the same JLENS blimp that the late Robin Williams pointed out to everyone at his December 2004 visit to Camp Victory.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 43: 11 April 2005

Quiz of the week: does anyone recognize what a V-94 is? Let me know if you know. Then I will tell everyone about the MOAG next week.

My boss got all upset at all the acronyms being thrown around for the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). He finally asked one of the Captains to draw up a chart of them, explaining what they mean. The Captain spent three days not doing anything or getting it done. SO, I ended up spending two hours Saturday (April 9th) making a chart that I tentatively called the 31 flavors of ISF, but then just called it an ISF Decoder Ring (as there are about a hundred organizations out there). The boss has shown it to his buddies on the Corps C-3 (Operations) staff. Might have a best seller!!

Boss and I had to do a secret project for the Corps Chief of Staff – how to combine the resource management (C-8) staffs of the four-stars (Force) and three-stars (Corps) headquarters. Boss thinks it is his ticket out of here in July when the new Force C-8 Colonel comes in to take over. I will cry like a baby if he leaves before me.

I think my Naval Officer is depressed. And in love too!!! He is hanging out constantly with a semi-young Army Lieutenant. She is starting to wear makeup when she drops by. Boss and I are kidding our Sailor a lot.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Lucky for me she was not a Lieutenant in our C-8 offices, or I might have had to put a stop to this little romance. I don't recall exactly what section she worked in, one of our support units like the Military Police I think. And since my Navy Lieutenant Commander sits in the main office with our administrative Air Force Sergeant between us, we two get to listen to all the sweet nothings when she stops by, from him. Lucky she must not have access to a phone, or he would never get his work done.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 43: 11 April 2005

I came back from dinner this week, and there were three boxes sitting on my chair. From American Electric Power Company!!! It was filled with lots of things. By word of mouth, everyone came by and took at least one thing out of the box. I am not sure what those rubber things were, and folks joked that the electrical tape could only come from an electric company. There was a nice note from Mike M in the box, plus several letters and drawings from Confidence Elementary School in Red House, West Virginia and Georgian Heights Alternative Elementary School in southwestern Columbus, Ohio. So hello to Nikky, Sarah, Lillian, and Shaela Lynn. And one unknown author of the Star Spangled Banner. Thank you and bless the United States of America.

Take care everyone, and be safe this week.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 43 Memorials)

4-Apr-05 - Iraqi Father of wounded translator, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

4-Apr-05 - Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel Sinear, adult, male, killed in near Yarmouk traffic circle & Al Aruba/Al Thawra, Mosul.

4-Apr-05 - Iraqi Raad Mohammed Jassin, adult, male, killed in 2km west of Fallujah.

4-Apr-05 - Lance Corporal Jeremiah C. Kinchen, 22, of Salcha, Alaska, died April 4 from an explosion that occurred during combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, in San Antonio, Texas. During Operation Iraq Freedom, Kinchen was attached to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, of the II Marine Expeditionary Force.

4-Apr-05 - Two Soldiers died April 4, 2005, in Balad Ruz, Iraq, when their patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Killed were Sergeant First Class Stephen C. Kennedy, 35, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Staff Sergeant Christopher W. Dill, 32, of Tonawanda, New York. Kennedy was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in Lenoir City, Tennessee. Dill was assigned to the Army Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 390th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 98th Division, in Buffalo, New York.

5-Apr-05 - A car bomb blew up on Tuesday at an Iraqi Army check point in Baghdad's Ameriyah neighborhood, killing at least two civilians, witnesses said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

5-Apr-05 - A shootout erupted Monday when Iraqi Soldiers encountered dozens of insurgents. At least one Iraqi Soldier was killed. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Apr-05 - A Sunni cleric, Hilal Karim, was killed in a drive-by shooting as he was entering his mosque in the New Baghdad neighborhood of the capital, police Colonel Ahmed Aboud said. Karim served as the assistant to the mosque's imam. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Apr-05 - In Hillah, a member of the Babil provincial council, Salim Hilal, was gunned down as he was heading to work, police spokesman Captain Muthana Khalid said. He said two suspects were arrested. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Apr-05 - In the central city of Baquabah, gunmen wounded a government translator and killed her father in a drive-by shooting, said Brigadier General Adil Molan of the Diyala provincial police. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Apr-05 - Iraqi Majid Salih al-Shabib, adult, male, killed in Karbala.

5-Apr-05 - Iraqi Mashid al-Shabab, adult, male, killed in Karbala.

5-Apr-05 - Iraqi police have found the corpses of 10 Iraqi Soldiers buried in the Jurf al-Sakhr area, south of Baghdad, Aljazeera reported. This incident killed 10 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Apr-05 - Iraqi Salim Hilal, adult, male, killed in Hillah.

5-Apr-05 - Iraqi Salim Ibrahim, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

5-Apr-05 - Iraqi Wa'd Muhammad, adult, male, killed in Al-Zummar district, north of Mosul.

5-Apr-05 - One policeman was killed and two others were injured when a roadside bomb hit their car in the southern city of Basra, police Colonel Karim al-Zeidi said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Apr-05 - Sergeant Javier J. Garcia, 25, died April 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, when improvised explosive devices detonated near his patrol. Garcia was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

5-Apr-05 - Specialist Glenn J. Watkins, 42, of Carlsbad, California, died April 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-born improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Watkins was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry, in Kent, Washington.

6-Apr-05 - A huge bomb exploded near a bus filled with Iraqi Soldiers returning from leave Tuesday, killing at least three and wounding at least 44 in an attack that showed how even a payroll issue in Iraq can turn deadly. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-Apr-05 - Wednesday. One Iraqi Soldier was killed and 11 others were injured in the shootout. The United States military had previously reported that two United States Soldiers were killed in the same area. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Apr-05 - Iraqi Major Mahmood Hasan Rashid, adult, male, killed in Al Timad Restaurant, Al Ashur area, Basra.

7-Apr-05 - Iraqi Nabkel Najah Ali, 25, male, killed in near Baghdad Airport? Baghdad.

7-Apr-05 - Iraqi Omar Hussein Hashim, 23, male, killed in near Baghdad Airport? Baghdad.

7-Apr-05 - Lance Corporal Juan C. Venegas, 21, of Simi Valley, California, died April 7 as a result of a vehicle accident while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in Twentynine Palms, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Venegas was attached to Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, of the II Marine Expeditionary Force.

7-Apr-05 - The bodies of 11 Iraqis who were shot dead have been discovered near the western city of Ramadi. Police and a hospital official say the victims had worked at an American military base. It is believed they were killed yesterday. This incident killed no ISF and 11 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Apr-05 - Three masked gunmen killed an Iraqi Army officer, Major Mahmoud Hassan al-Yassiri, late Thursday in the southern city of Basra, Captain Firas al-Timimi of the Iraqi Army said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Apr-05 - Dahir Habib was driving in the al-Dora section of the city when gunmen in another car shot him, an Iraqi police official said. Habib died at al-Yarmouk hospital. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Apr-05 - Four children collecting trash were killed Friday by a homemade bomb in Baghdad, and masked gunmen killed an Iraqi Army officer in a restaurant in the southern city of Basra, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

8-Apr-05 - Friday, police in Kirkuk, about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of Baghdad, said one driver was killed in an attack that set several Turkish oil tankers ablaze the prior night. Six others were wounded. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Apr-05 - Gunmen shot dead an aide of the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in southern Baghdad, Sadr's spokesman said Saturday. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Apr-05 - In the northern city of Mosul, a bomb attack on an Iraqi Army patrol killed three Soldiers and wounded 20, said Iraqi Major General Khalil Ahmed al-Obeidi. Seven assailants were captured, he said, killing 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Apr-05 - Iraqi Sayed Fadel al-Shoq, adult, male, killed in Dura, Baghdad.

8-Apr-05 - Militants shot and killed 15 Iraqi Soldiers south of Baghdad, Iraqi police said Saturday. This incident killed 15 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Apr-05 - Staff Sergeant Kevin D. Davis, 41, of Lebanon, Oregon, died April 8 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV in Hawija, Iraq. Davis was assigned to the Army National Guard's G Troop, 82nd Cavalry, in Redmond, Oregon.

8-Apr-05 - The bodies of 10 slain civilians have been found near Baqubah in northern Iraq, a hospital official said Friday. This incident killed no ISF and 10 Iraqi Civilians.

9-Apr-05 - Iraqi Abass Madlool Al Kaby, male, killed in Hurriya area, northwest of Baghdad.

9-Apr-05 - Iraqi Abdul Aziz Farman, adult, male, killed in Northwest Mosul.

9-Apr-05 - Iraqi Hassan Aziez Jbair, male, killed in Hurriya area, northwest of Baghdad.

9-Apr-05 - Iraqi Shaykh Mujahid Muhammad Taha al-Samarra'i, adult, male, killed in Mahmoudiyah.

9-Apr-05 - Iraqi Ziad al-Joghaithi, adult, male, killed in Haditha, west of Ramadi.

9-Apr-05 - Private First Class Casey M. LaWare, 19, of Redding, California, died April 9 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, from non-combat related injuries sustained April 6 in Al Mahmoudiyah, Iraq. LaWare was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Irwin, California.

9-Apr-05 - Saturday, in the troubled northern city of Mosul, a car bomb detonated near a police patrol, killing at least two policemen and injuring 13 civilians, Doctor Baha al-Deen al-Bakry of the Jumhouri hospital said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Apr-05 - A civilian was killed and three policemen were injured in an attack by missiles that targeted an Iraqi procession in al-Maidan quarters in the downtown of Musil city. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Apr-05 - In al-Zafaranah to the south of Baghdad, a member in the Higher Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq was killed by gunmen and another was injured, according to a source at the ministry of the interior. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Apr-05 - Iraqi Abdul Rahman Fraih, adult, male, killed in Basra.

10-Apr-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Rubaie, adult, male, killed in Al-Dourrah, Baghdad.

10-Apr-05 - Iraqi Ajeel Mushsin Al-Ajee, adult, male, killed in near Mosul General Hospital, southwest of Mosul.

10-Apr-05 - Iraqi police officials say an officer was killed Sunday and another was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in al-Haditha. Police Major Ziyad Khalaf Mekhlif was killed, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Apr-05 - Iraqi Rocan Shalal Kalil, adult, male, killed in between Tebij and Jalula, northern Diyala.

10-Apr-05 - Iraqi security sources said that gunmen opened fire at a members of Ninewa governorate council Ojeil Mohsin Ojeil, while he was riding his car in al-Ma'moun area to the south of Musil city, and killed him immediately. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Apr-05 - Iraqi Sheik Mahmood Shati Bahar, adult, male, killed in between Tebij and Jalula, northern Diyala.

10-Apr-05 - Iraqi Tharar Shati Bahar, brother of Sheik Mahmood Shati Bahar, adult, male, killed in between Tebij and Jalula, northern Diyala.

10-Apr-05 - Sunday on the road linking Baghdad and Karkouk city to the north was followed by clashes between gunmen and the police, and resulted in killing one Iraqi Soldier and injuring three, one is in a critical health condition, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Apr-05 - The police found near Baiji, in the north of Baghdad, the body of one security man in charge of protecting oil installations. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Apr-05 - Two bodies for Iraqi Soldiers killed by the bullets of gunmen were admitted to al-Kout hospital to the south of Baghdad. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Apr-05 - Two contractors working for the American Army were killed in a similar attack in the same quarters. The body of one officer in the Iraqi Army was found. He was slaughtered in the northern part of the quarters, killing 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Apr-05 - A bomb blast killed an Iraqi military officer in the region of Al-Toz in the governorate of Kirkuk on Monday, the Multi-National Forces said in a statement. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

11-Apr-05 - A suicide car bombing occurred on Monday evening in Iraq's Samarra, killing three Iraqis and wounding more than 20 others including five children and a woman. I saw a pickup truck ram into a four-vehicle United States convoy, said a witness. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Apr-05 - In the northern suburbs of Mosul, a police officer was shot dead, the sources said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

11-Apr-05 - Monday in the western Iraqi town of Qaim forces clashed with insurgents immediately after the attacks. An official at the hospital in Qaim said two civilians were killed and three wounded in the clashes. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Apr-05 - The bullet-riddled bodies of three Iraqis were found in nearby al-Dujail with a note stuck on them signed by the group of Jordanian-born militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the top Al-Qaeda operative in Iraq. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Apr-05 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to improvised explosive device - Roadside bomb at Baiji. Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

## (end of Week 43 Memorials)

COMMENT – Again, another email not mentioning anything operational, besides the V-94 and MOAG. Back on April 2nd, Zarqawi-led insurgents attacked the Abu Ghraib prison with direct and indirect fires with coordinated indirect fires at nearby airfields. The attack was repelled but there were over forty casualties. It was still being sorted out at the time of my last email. There were follow-up attacks that week. The Iraqi National Assembly elected its first President on Wednesday, April 6th. Then on Saturday, thousands of Sadr demonstrators marched in Baghdad protesting the occupation.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 44: 17 April 2005

Well week 44 is within hours of being over. It has been quite a productive week here in our Corps C-8 office.

A few follow-ups that I have neglected to talk about. First, the lion that was wandering around Camp Victory!! They finally caught the lion; it turned out to be a wild cat. No description of how large a wild cat, the only information that we got was that it was caught, and then released. Not sure where they released the cat, but I did notice that no one ate any stir fry for a week.

We were scheduled to get a coffee shop, a Taco Bell, a Popeye's, and a Cinnabon. They did open the coffee shop – I have only walked by it. They are still working on opening Popeye's and Cinnabon by the end of the month, and the Taco Bell may be canceled. I still have not bought anything at the Subway that opened around New Year's, but we did have a birthday party and bought six large pizzas from the Pizza Hut, and they were delicious.

To control folks driving their SUVs too fast around post, anyone caught speeding will be forced to stand on the street corner with a cardboard sign saying "Slow Down – Speed Kills." Really!! Not sure where they are going to get the cardboard.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I was not kidding about the speeding. The Corps Provost Marshall, the head cop, told me that they were writing up over twenty tickets a week for speeding, especially folks coming and going to the Camp Liberty Post Exchange. He also mentioned that they are averaging between two and five DUIs every weekend. I waved as I cycled past a Military Police SUV all decked out, sitting there with their radar gun. Trust me; the roads are not that good or straight to be speeding around, plus all the foot traffic.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 44: 17 April 2005

In the history of the Camp Victory area, the Americans, of course, got here first, but quickly turned over the place to the Australians. When the Americans decided to make this a camp, the Australians held their ground, only giving up the big Water Palace (probably because it is a maintenance nightmare to keep up), and held on to some very choice real estate. The choicest is the only operational swimming pool on base, and as the weather got warmer, more and more folks found their way to the Aussie Pool.

Sounds good, having a nice pool to go to when the weather gets in the high 80s. Then there was the clash of Australian and American values. Seems the Aussies were really in to getting a tan. All over!!! And of course, they did not care about the silly American rule of no drinking. Combined together, the Aussie Pool was quite the place, according to a few of my staff who frequented it often. Then one day, an Army Command Sergeant Major (American) was driving by, saw all the folks having a great time there, saw a little too much. Now all Americans are banned from the Aussie Pool. Boss and I drove to the Camp Liberty Post Exchange last Sunday afternoon (April 10th), and then went around the long way back, and the Aussie Pool was packed, rock music playing, clothing optional folks looked like they were having a great time. Too many folks in the pool to be all Aussies, I am sure there were several British, Polish, and adopted folks there.

The Camp Victory Finance Office used to be closed all day on Sunday. Then the boss and his friends wanted to cash checks on Sunday, and found the door closed. I always admired my brethren Finance folks in setting some reasonable standards. Unfortunately, now they are open on Sunday. Only Sunday afternoon, they at least held out.

Meanwhile, the transition of life support for the Iraqi military seems to be going well. We have heard of only a handful of emergencies, and they all seem to involve sanitation issues. And they seem to like to describe these issues quite graphically and of course, it is an emergency even though the situation has existed for months. Once we try to figure out what the ground truth is (usually the sanitation issue is just the most pressing of needs), then we find the funds to pay for them, meanwhile working with the Iraqis to find a more permanent solution.

Saturday night (April 16th), boss and I came back from Mass, and were greeted with another emergency. Thank goodness it was not the POB, what I call the Poopers of Baghdad unit. It took a few hours to unwind and determine that it was not too much of an emergency, and we will get funds from Atlanta when they come to work on Monday morning.

The Corps C-8 office started to do process improvement this week, developing flow charts of all their processes to go with their continuity books. We have continuity books for each position that enables someone to pick up the book, and at least get started in doing that person's job. With Air Force personnel rotating every four months, and Marines and Navy (and some Army) rotating at six months, you can imagine the problem.

We have also improved our reporting processes, reducing about a dozen separate reports with mismatching numbers to two external reports with six sub reports for internal use. Each report now has operational definitions as to where the numbers come from. And we do this every mid-month and end of month, and doing this the same way for the third reporting period. I had the reports last night just before dinner, and sent them off this morning to higher headquarters. Quite painless, at last!

Now that the Corps C-8 office is clicking along, I can see in 45 days things will drag a little as we have eight personnel leave by then. Change is good I tell myself.

My C-8 office staff would like to thank the unknown American Electric Power Company person who put in the goodie box that I received last week the CD for the 2005 Grammy Nominees 2005. It is the most popular CD playing in the office now. The more I think of this, having music playing softly through-out the offices is another good sign.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – That reminded me of something that happened sometime between December and February. Recall in a prior email I remarked about all the music the C-8 offices had on the computers. Well they were not the only section in the Force or Corps at Camp Victory to do that. I recall that the C-6 (Information Services or IT) made a funding request to double the number of servers here, and the Corps Chief of Staff pushed back on the request. So the IT gals and guys surveyed what was on the existing servers, and they quickly identified having email archives of every person ever assigned to Camp Victory, and no office could access them. Each of the sections could not think of any reason to keep any of that, as most had any historical files done during these folks' assignment anyway. So that was an easy fix. Then someone on the Corps Staff looked at more details in the IT's survey. Many of the servers had nothing but music, and the next leading item were videos. So the decision was quietly made to delete all music and video folders on everyone's computers and all music/video file types on servers, one night. I came into work the next morning, and the screams from individual offices were so loud, I thought we had an intruder. So anywhere there was a folder with words like music or videos, all files were deleted. And the C-8 music library was no longer there. But not on my computer, as I only had about fifty songs and good collection of combat videos, but they were under folders called Home and Here, respectively. Anyway, after that mass deletion of the world's music selections, the IT funding request was withdrawn, and response times significantly improved. So at the time of the arrival of the goodies box, music CDs were in high demand.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 44: 17 April 2005

Yesterday, boss and I decided that our status of funds reports are good enough, but they miss trend data and comparisons with last year. So we spent a few minutes on the white board, and then had the staff come in for a few minutes. The plan was to have rough drafts done by Sunday noon to go to a theater spending meeting. The Corps C-8 staff officers spent parts of Saturday afternoon quite excited and challenged, and really surprised the boss and me. The charts are good enough and similar to the ones that Generation uses in its monthly Business Planning meeting – and the fun of it now we have perspectives of how much is being spent daily, and when current funding will run out in each of our programs. Our general (the Corps Chief of Staff) was quite impressed. He also told the boss that our C-8 staff is setting the example of the guys and gals to go to for any problem, as we tend to get to the bottom (ground truth) quicker than any other group.

Me, I spent my Saturday afternoon doing my flow charts. Got them all done, and will work on my daily, weekly, and monthly check lists.

I looked on my Doughnut of Deliverance, and I have 80 days left here. Eleven weeks to go.

I was able to take a few hours off this afternoon, got a short nap in and took a walk around Lost Lake. Oh the bike, well my front tire blew out last week, and the C-9 (Civil Affairs) has several bicycle shop guys. Bad news is the Post Exchange only has thin bike tires and no tubes. C-9 put in an order via the internet (seems I am not the only one needing tires and tubes), so no bicycle until the end of the month.

Coming around Lost Lake, I finally figured out who was occupying a row of office trailers. I knew the Japanese liaison officers were in two of them. There, standing tall was a flag pole, and a large Polish flag flew. Good for them! (United States policy is that we do not fly the American flag outside here, for many good reasons).

The week was also good from a weather point of view. When Disney builds its park in Baghdad, April will be a good time to come visit. Nice and warm, temperatures sometimes in the mid 90's, offset by winds that make one feel cooler. A cloud came over Camp Victory three days ago around lunch time, and we got a few minutes of rain. That wet the dust.

Meanwhile, we are working with C-9 (Civil Affairs) and the C-7 (Engineers) staffs on how to execute $300 million in reconstruction and relief projects from June until the end of September. That will be a tough road. But we had a great meeting on Friday (April 15th), and started down the planning road.

Well, I think I will send this out and leave the office for the evening. Take care all. Be safe.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 44 Memorials)

12-Apr-05 - A car bomb targeting a U S convoy killed at least five Iraqis in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul today. A second car bomb targeted another U S convoy near Mosul hours after the first blast. There was no immediate word on casualties. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

12-Apr-05 - Al-Badawi's motorcade was sprayed with a hail of gunfire from gunmen in two speeding cars in Al-Adl district, killing a policeman and wounding four others, the police added. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Apr-05 - Another car bomb in nearby Tal Afar, a car bomb killed five people and wounded eight, including seven children, the United States military said. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

12-Apr-05 - Corporal Tyler J. Dickens, 20, of Columbus, Georgia, died April 12 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained April 6 in Al Mahmoudiyah, Iraq, when his guard tower caught fire. Dickens was assigned to the Army's 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Irwin, California.

12-Apr-05 - Militants ambushed a convoy carrying a senior interior ministry official in the Iraqi capital, killing a bodyguard and injuring three other people, including his son, an official in the ministry said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Apr-05 - Specialist John W. Miller, 21, of West Burlington, Iowa, died April 12 in Camp Ramadi, Iraq, of injuries received from enemy small arms fire while on route clearance operations in Ramadi, Iraq. Miller was assigned to the Army National Guard's 224th Engineer Battalion, Burlington, Iowa.

12-Apr-05 - Specialist Manuel Lopez III, 20, of Cape Coral, Florida, died April 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his HMMWV was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. Lopez was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

12-Apr-05 - Twenty Iraqis have been killed and 22 injured after United States helicopters and heavy artillery bombed houses in al-Rummana village, north of al-Qaim city, Aljazeera reported. This incident killed no ISF and 20 Iraqi Civilians.

13-Apr-05 - A car bomb exploded near a United States convoy outside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone on Wednesday, killing five Iraqis and slightly wounding four American contractors, the United States military said. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

13-Apr-05 - Another booby-trapped car driven by a suicide bomber exploded in Tel Afar, near Mosul in northern Iraq, killing five Iraqis and wounding 14 others. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

13-Apr-05 - Corporal Michael B. Lindemuth, 27, of Petoskey, Michigan, died April 13 as a result of wounds received from enemy mortar fire at Camp Hit, Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Inspector/Instructor Staff, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Akron, Ohio. During Operation Iraq Freedom, Lindemuth was attached to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

13-Apr-05 - Iraqi Nadhim Mahmoud Abdullah, adult, male, killed in near Bajwan village, northwest of Kirkuk.

13-Apr-05 - Twelve Iraqi policemen trying to defuse a roadside bomb north-west of Kirkuk were killed yesterday when they were caught in the blast from a second device hidden nearby. This incident killed 12 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Apr-05 - A suicide bomber steered his car into an Iraqi police patrol south of Baghdad late Thursday night, killing four officers, killing 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Apr-05 - Back-to-back car bombs exploded Thursday outside the ministry that controls Iraq's police. The attack claimed 18 lives, with some of the dead are suspected to be police; and killing no ISF and 18 Iraqi Civilians.

14-Apr-05 - Captain James C. Edge, 31, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was killed April 14 by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraq Freedom, Edge was attached to 2nd Marine Division, of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

14-Apr-05 - Gunmen hit police patrolling near the central Iraq city of Baquabah, killing one officer and wounding three, Lieutenant Colonel Muthafar al-Jubori said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Apr-05 - In Latifiya, south of the capital, gunmen shot dead the mayor. And in Baqubah a bomb blew up as a United States convoy was passing, wounding at least two, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Apr-05 - In the capital, attackers shot First Lieutenant Firas Hussein in the head and torso as he made his way to work at Iraq's intelligence service, police Major Mousa Abdul Karim said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Apr-05 - Iraqi Ali Ibrahim Isa, adult, male, killed in Jamia Street, Jadriya, Baghdad.

14-Apr-05 - Iraqi Fadhil Hazem Fadhil, adult, male, killed in Jamia Street, Jadriya, Baghdad.

14-Apr-05 - Iraqi Habeeb Ismail al-Rawi, adult, male, killed in Al-Qa'im.

14-Apr-05 - Iraqi Mahmoud Abdel Nayef, adult, male, killed in Latifiya, south of Baghdad.

14-Apr-05 - Iraqi Mohammed M. Kadr, 29, male, killed in Camp Bucca prison, near Umm Qasr.

14-Apr-05 - Journalist Ali Ibrahim Issa, of Al-Hurriya, was killed today in Baghdad, Iraq.

14-Apr-05 - Journalist Fadhil Hazem Fadhil, of Al-Hurriya, was killed today in Baghdad, Iraq.

14-Apr-05 - Near Kirkuk, seven gunmen riding in two vehicles fired on a police station shortly after dawn Thursday, killing five police officers and one civilian, police Brigadier Sarhat Qadir said. This incident killed 6 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Apr-05 - A car bomb intended for a United States convoy passing through Baghdad's upscale Mansour neighborhood killed at least one person and wounded five, police and witnesses said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Apr-05 - A police officer and an Iraqi Soldier were killed in separate incidents in the northern oil center of Kirkuk, security officials said, killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Apr-05 - Across town a few minutes later, a bomb targeting Iraqi National Guard troops killed one civilian and wounded three others, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Apr-05 - In a similar attack late on Thursday night, two Iraqi policemen were killed near Tuz in the northern Salahudin province. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Apr-05 - Iraqi Shamal Abdullah Assad, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

15-Apr-05 - Iraqi Laiq Abdullah, adult, male, killed in Kirkuk.

15-Apr-05 - Iraqi Macsood Jomaa Alkazaa, adult, male, killed in Ad Dawr.

15-Apr-05 - Journalist Ahmed al-Rubai'i, of Al-Sabah, was killed today in Baghdad, Iraq.

15-Apr-05 - Journalist Saman Abdullah Izzedine, of Kirkuk TV, was killed today in Kirkuk, Iraq.

15-Apr-05 - Specialist Aleina Ramirezgonzalez, 33, of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, died April 15 in Tikrit, Iraq, when a mortar struck her forward operating base. Ramirezgonzalez was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Troop Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

15-Apr-05 - Three Iraqi Soldiers were killed at dawn on Friday when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Balad, north of the Iraqi capital, said Army Captain Mohammed Nuri. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Apr-05 - A bomb exploded in a crowded restaurant northeast of Baghdad at lunchtime Saturday, killing at least 13 Iraqis; and killing 3 ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

16-Apr-05 - A policeman was also killed overnight by a bomb in Tuz, near Tikrit, north of Baghdad, while a member of an oil protection force was killed in a clash with suspected insurgents in Baiji. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Apr-05 - Aid Worker Marla Ruzicka and her Iraqi translator, Faiz Ali Salim, were killed by a suicide car bombing on Airport Road in Baghdad.

16-Apr-05 - An Iraqi civilian was killed and three were injured in a car blast west of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, Saturday, an Iraqi police source said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Apr-05 - An Iraqi Soldier was killed and another wounded overnight in an explosion in the Al-Mutassim area near Samarra, north of Baghdad, and four civilians were wounded in a car bomb attack at dawn Saturday in the same area against an Iraqi Army convoy, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Apr-05 - Armed men opened fire against Major Amar Hussein at Al-Iskar district in Baghdad. Meanwhile masked insurgents broke into the house of Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Al-Jaghaini last night and opened fire at him, his son and nephew. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Apr-05 - Insurgents killed three members of Iraq's security forces on Saturday by firing from speeding vehicles at Army Soldiers and policemen in the northern city of Kirkuk, officials said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Apr-05 - Iraqi Faiz Ali Salim, 43, male, killed in Airport road, Baghdad.

16-Apr-05 - Iraqi Marla Ruzicka, 27, female, killed in Airport road, Baghdad.

16-Apr-05 - Iraqi Police and workers sift through the remains after an explosion leveled a restaurant often used by police in Baquabah, Iraq Saturday, April 16, 2005. Seven policemen were killed and six other people were wounded, police said, killing 7 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Apr-05 - Iraqi Relatives of police chief, unknown, killed in Haditha, west of Baghdad.

16-Apr-05 - Private Aaron M. Hudson, 20, of Highland Village, Texas, died April 16 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained April 15 in Camp Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol. Hudson was assigned to the 401st Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, at Fort Hood, Texas.

16-Apr-05 - Three Soldiers died April 16 in Ramadi, Iraq, while conducting combat operations. The Soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Hovey, Korea. Killed were Sergeant Angelo L. Lozada Jr. 36, of Brooklyn, New York, Sergeant Tromaine K. Toy Sr. 24, of Eastville, Virginia, and Specialist Randy L. Stevens, 21, of Swartz Creek, Michigan.

16-Apr-05 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to improvised explosive device - Roadside bomb at Mosul (South of). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

17-Apr-05 - A high-ranking Defense Ministry adviser was assassinated late Monday night by armed gunmen at his house in southern Baghdad. Major General Adnan Qaragholi was killed when 10 gunmen forced their way into his house in the Doura neighborhood. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

17-Apr-05 - A roadside bomb exploded Sunday morning at a civilian car in Duluiyah, north of Baghdad, killing three people, including two police officers, a police officer said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

17-Apr-05 - Iraqi Kareem Jaber Nasir, adult, male, killed in Najaf.

17-Apr-05 - Iraqi Saif Keer Alla, adult, male, killed in Al Kanat Street, Shaba area, Baghdad.

17-Apr-05 - Private 1st Class Steven F. Sirko, 20, of Portage, Indiana died April 17 in Miqdadiyah, Iraq of an accident. Sirko was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Benning, Georgia.

17-Apr-05 - Private Joseph L. Knott, 21, of Yuma, Arizona, died April 17 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his convoy was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire and an improvised explosive device. Knott was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

## (end of Week 44 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 45: 24 April 2005

(From Week 43) I was still a little disappointed in that no one sent an email answering what a V-94 is? Or ventured a guess of what a MOAG might be? Did I stump everyone?

Sunday afternoon at Camp Victory (April 24th)!! Everyone is back from lunch and things are relatively quiet this afternoon. Yesterday, it finally hit 102 degrees in the afternoon, we expect to be as high as 98 today. A day that everyone uses to catch up on any backlog, or catch up on personal stuff, whether that be emails, reading, or just sweeping the dirt out of their trailers.

We had a surfer rock group, for their own protection, will not be named. Boss and I walked out of the dining facility last night, and saw a small crowd gathered around our little stage outside. We walked over, and this band was killing the song Hotel California. Boss said they were butchering it. We stood there for about five minutes, and left for fear of losing our hearing. It was nice of them to visit us here at Camp Victory, but I know there are several folks in my Corps C-8 office who can sing better.

A viral infection is sweeping through both C-8 offices, causing respiratory problems. At this point, it seems confined to Air Force personnel. I lost my administrative person for two full days, she tried to come in the second day, but she was still running a fever that morning so I sent her "home." Then another person came down with it Saturday (April 23rd), and still he looked real bad this morning. "It's not infectious!" he said. Yea, again, told him to get out of here.

Much of the week was spent on the reorganization efforts of the four-star General's staff, who we call the Force since they are part of Multi-National Force – Iraq. The Force Resource Management (C-8) office is supposed to be strategic, but since they can barely spell the word, they tend to try to micro-manage us and question everything we do. Or make some very fancy charts with poor explanations. Then we have to stop and try to explain them to everyone. While I like a few of the folks on the Force staff, they really do not add much value to what my Corps C-8 office needs to do.

It appears that is a common believe in most of our Corps staff sections. And maybe the four-star too. Anyway, the Force has been reviewing its functions and looking at how it might re-organize itself. My boss' boss (the Corps Chief of Staff, a Brigadier General) was also invited to attend for input – the Force folks do not yet realize my Brigadier General has a big vote in what they do. The initial products produced were more, self preservation attempts to save all functions and positions, and add more things for the Force to do. We got copies each morning of the work that they had done the day before, and it still took them three days before they realized we were watching and analyzing what they were doing. In our little area of resource management, we continued to see how they tried to tell everyone all the wonderful things that they do – almost all are done by my Corps C-8 staff.

Needless to say, this brought back many memories of many Central & South West Corporation and American Electric Power Company reorganizations. I think I saw all the reactions, from denial to total acceptance, over the last week. They held secret meetings in the middle of the night and day, and then someone putting out the notes for everyone to read. It was sometimes fun.

The Force developed a reorganization plan of combining our two C-8 offices. They argued with us for about an hour why they would not be recommending any position reductions, even though they thought there might be two or three. "Why propose any reductions until we have to make some?" We got them to focus on functions, and developed a common organization. We then spent the rest of the meeting with the Force worrying about who might fill what jobs, who the office would report to, and other things that were outside of our control.

The boss finally tapped in to my experiences, and I turned out several products of how we might like combining our Corps C-8 office with the Force C-8 office to make them both more effective. We went back and forth for a few hours, and came up with plan with about six position reductions. I then looked at the International Zone offices, and went beyond our concept to the next step. The Corps Chief of Staff, our Brigadier General, thought we might actually have some good points. Meanwhile the Force reorganization team continued to meet each day, putting out proposals every day that seemed to get worse and worse.

Yesterday, we sat down with the Force C-8 office, and they put their combined resource management office plan out. Boss and I looked at each other – they had come up with a slight different mix of numbers across our three functions, and six reductions. I said there was not a dime's worth of difference between our two plans (there were a few, but hardly worth worrying about the details at this point). I guess we will see this week how things go.

Back to reality, we are now dealing with the fact that money is becoming tight, and that the days of unconstrained spending are coming to an end here. We were short funded in April – the office in Atlanta on April 1st at 5 pm their time sent us our funding, it was only 25% or so what we asked for, and then went home for the weekend. We came in on Saturday morning, and while we initially thought it might be an April Fool's joke, realized that we had to figure out what to fund and what to starve. These have been very exciting weeks, as of course, every priority and every requirement is life or death, whether it is building a new gym or hard stands for fuel trucks.

I had two of the Corps C-8 staff put in for voluntary extensions. They had several reasons to do so, and the boss and I felt they are great folks, so we supported the requests. Both of the requests were rejected by folks flying desks in the states, mainly because they said their replacements were on the way. After checking out their claims, we resubmitted the requests again. One for Army, which I did not think would be approved, and the Air Force, thinking it was a slam dunk approval because the person's boss is over here and approved it, and got the base commander's support. So Thursday night, got the approval from the Army and a rejection from the Air Force. Go figure!

Finally got my Marine Corps Major to take her Rest & Recuperation leave, she left on Friday for a nice tour of Spain and France. At first she refused, being a typical Marine, saying that she had too much work. So we thought of what we wanted to do in that office over the next six months, and reassigned workload to others, and decided to move her to the Plans office for her last few months here. So now the leave is a nice break before she starts her new job.

Yahoo weatherman (or weather woman) predicts rain later this week. That should cool things down a little. Mud or hot weather, oh what a choice?

Army and Notre Dame had their spring football games this Saturday, with rain or snow making conditions not too ideal. I am glad to see Army sign a deal with _ESPN_ to show all home football games. College football, now that is something to look forward to during this hot summer.

Already looking forward to the next 45 days – we will rotate out ten personnel, and no replacements for three of them have been identified yet. The good news is that the new Air Force Major will be here for a year, rather than just four months. I have never seen an Air Force officer here for a year, even their General Officers. Of course, all things being equal, the _Stars & Stripes_ had an article this week that the Army is thinking of making the year-long tours six or nine months long.

Best quote of the week: "Lawyers will get you in trouble, but not themselves."

Well, only 11 weeks left here. Everyone take care and be safe.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 45 Memorials)

18-Apr-05 - An Iraqi police general was murdered on his way to work in the main northern city of Mosul, police said Monday. Brigadier General Yunis Mohammed Sulaiman, police spokesman in Mosul, was killed in his car on Sunday, they said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Apr-05 - An Iraqi policeman was killed in a roadside bomb attack in the refinery town of Baiji, said police. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Apr-05 - Filipino Contractor named Torres, Rey was killed today due to shooting incident at Baghdad. Was a Driver and security guard for employer Qatar International Trading Company.

18-Apr-05 - In northern Iraq, an interpreter for United States forces and an Iraqi Soldier were killed when a mortar fell on an Iraq Army position near Shirkat, 300 kilometers north of the capital, said Mohammed Owali, an Iraq Army commander. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Apr-05 - In the southern city of Basra, at least two police were killed and 11 wounded when two roadside bombs went off as a police bus drove by, said police spokesman Colonel Karim al-Zaidi. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Apr-05 - In Tuz, one Iraqi Soldier was killed and another wounded in a small-arms attack, police said. And in the northern oil city of Kirkuk, police found the body of a young Iraqi who had been shot dead. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Apr-05 - Iraqi Husain Hatu al-Jibairi, adult, male, killed in Amara.

18-Apr-05 - Iraqi Karim Assaf, adult, male, killed in Amara.

18-Apr-05 - Iraqi Tariq Hasoun Khadim, adult, male, killed in Ghazaliya, Baghdad.

18-Apr-05 - Major Steven W. Thornton, 46, of Eugene, Oregon, died April 18 in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, when he collapsed during physical training. Thornton was assigned to the United States Army Communications-Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

18-Apr-05 - Monday evening attack General Hussein Hato al-Jabeeri, and his driver were shot dead in their car in Amara, some 350 kilometers (210 miles) southeast of Baghdad, a police Captain said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Apr-05 - On Monday, two Iraqi policemen were killed and six injured when a roadside bomb exploded as their two patrol cars drove through Basra in southern Iraq, said police Captain Alaa Hasan. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Apr-05 - Private First Class Sam W. Huff, 18, of Tucson, Arizona, died April 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained on April 17 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near her HMMWV. Huff was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

18-Apr-05 - Several men in Army uniforms late Monday forced their way into the home of Major General Adnan Faush Farawni, a senior advisor to the Defence ministry. Both he and his son, Captain Alladin Farawni, who worked in intelligence, were shot dead, killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Apr-05 - Tareq Hassoun Kadhem, a travel agent who worked in the Green Zone that houses the Iraqi government and the United States Embassy, was gunned down as he drove through the west of the capital, an interior ministry official said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Apr-05 - The Army of Ansar al-Sunna has said it abducted and shot dead three Iraqis working at a United States base. The captives said on a video posted on the internet that they were hired to maintain a swimming pool at the United States base near the capital Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

18-Apr-05 - Two other Iraqi Soldiers were killed and one wounded when mortars fell on their barracks in Al-Duluiyah, an Army spokesman said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-Apr-05 - In a separate attack, gunmen shot dead an academic on his way from home to Baghdad University. Professor Fouad Ibrahim Mohamed al-Bayati was head of the German language department. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-Apr-05 - In other violence targeting the military, insurgents opened fire on Iraqi Soldiers in Khalidiya town, 75 miles west of Baghdad, killing four Soldiers and wounding seven, police and hospital officials said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-Apr-05 - Iraqi Ali Abud Al-Kareem, adult, male, killed in Route Alaska, Abu Ghraib area, west Baghdad.

19-Apr-05 - Iraqi Fuad Ibrahim Muhammad al-Bayati, adult, male, killed in Al-Ghazaliya, Baghdad.

19-Apr-05 - Seven bodies were found Tuesday in the Wihda district, south of Baghdad, police Captain Hamadi al-Zubaidi said. Three of them were in military uniforms and the rest carried documents identifying them as Finance Ministry employees, he said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

19-Apr-05 - The blast occurred in the Azamiyah section of the capital about 20 yards from the front gate of the recruitment center, killing at least six Iraqis, including two Soldiers, and wounding 44, said police Colonel Hussein Mutlaq. This incident killed 2 ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

19-Apr-05 - Two died April 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near their dismounted patrol. Both Soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Killed were Specialist Jacob M. Pfister, 27, of Buffalo, New York, and Private First Class Kevin S. K. Wessel, 20, of Newport, Oregon.

20-Apr-05 - A car bomb targeting Allawi's motorcade killed two policemen. This was the fifth attempt on the prime minister's life. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Apr-05 - American Contractor named Hunt, James was killed today due to Small Arms Fire at Baghdad (Airport). Was a Security contractor for employer Edinburgh Risk.

20-Apr-05 - Australian Contractor named Ahmelman, Chris was killed today due to Small arms fire at Baghdad (Airport). Was a Security Contractor for employer Edinburgh Risk.

20-Apr-05 - Canadian Contractor named Surette, Stefan was killed today due to Small Arms Fire at Baghdad (Airport). Was a Security contractor for employer Edinburgh Risk.

20-Apr-05 - Corporal Kelly M. Cannan, 21, of Lowville, New York and Lance Corporal Marty G. Mortenson, 22, of Flagstaff, Arizona, both Marines, were killed April 20 as the result of the detonation of an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq. They were assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom their unit was attached to a 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

20-Apr-05 - In eastern Baghdad, a Health Ministry car was attacked by armed men, killing the Iraqi driver and wounding one unidentified passenger, said police Colonel Hasan Jalub. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Apr-05 - In Sadr City in eastern Baghdad, armed men in a speeding car opened fire on policeman Ali Talib as he walked towards his car, killing him, said police Colonel Husain Abd al-Wahid, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Apr-05 - In the southern city of Basra Abd al-Batat, a former aide to Saddam Hussein's half-brother, Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hasan, was killed on Tuesday when fighters opened fire on him outside his home, said police Lieutenant-Colonel Karim al-Zaydi. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Apr-05 - Iraqi Abed Al Rasul Odda Khamees, adult, male, killed in Kadhimiya area, northwest of Baghdad.

20-Apr-05 - Iraqi Ali Talib, adult, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

20-Apr-05 - Iraqi Bassem Shaker, adult, male, killed in Karmah bin Said near Nasiriyah.

20-Apr-05 - Iraqi Defense Ministry identified 19 bullet-riddled bodies found Wednesday in Haditha, 220 kilometers northwest of Baghdad, as fishermen, not Soldiers as initially rumored. This incident killed no ISF and 19 Iraqi Civilians.

20-Apr-05 - Iraqi Latif Muhammad al-Ani, adult, male, killed in Al-Amara.

20-Apr-05 - The bodies of more than 50 Iraqi hostages have been found in the Tigris River south of Baghdad, according to the Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani. This incident killed no ISF and 50 Iraqi Civilians.

20-Apr-05 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to improvised explosive device - Roadside bomb at Baghdad. Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

20-Apr-05 - Two car bomb attacks killed two Iraqi civilians and wounded eight on Wednesday, police said. Two Iraqis were killed and five wounded in an attack on a United States military convoy in the Ameriyah district of western Baghdad, they said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

21-Apr-05 - American Contractor named Gore, Robert Jason was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of). Was a Security contractor for employer Blackwater.

21-Apr-05 - American Contractor named Hundley, Curtis was killed today due to improvised explosive device at Ramadi (Near). Was a Security contractor for employer Blackwater.

21-Apr-05 - American Contractor named McGovern, Stephen Matthew was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of). Was a Security contractor for employer Blackwater.

21-Apr-05 - American Contractor named Obert, Jason was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of). Was a Security contractor for employer Blackwater.

21-Apr-05 - American Contractor named Patterson, David was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of). Was a Security contractor for employer Blackwater.

21-Apr-05 - American Contractor named Petrik, Luke Adam was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of). Was a Security contractor for employer Blackwater.

21-Apr-05 - American Contractor named Smith, Eric was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of). Was a Security contractor for employer Blackwater.

21-Apr-05 - Bulgarian Contractor named Anchev, Stoyan was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of).

21-Apr-05 - Bulgarian Contractor named Kostov, Lyubomir was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of).

21-Apr-05 - Bulgarian Contractor named Naydenov, Georgi was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of).

21-Apr-05 - English Contractor named Parkin, Alan was killed today due to VBIED Suicide Bomb at Baghdad (Road to Airport). Was a Security contractor for employer Aegis Defence Services.

21-Apr-05 - Fijian Contractor named Jim Atalifo was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of). Was a Security Guard for an unknown employer.

21-Apr-05 - Fijian Contractor named Timoci Lalaqila was killed today due to Helicopter crash (missile attack) at Baghdad (north of). Was a Security Guard for an unknown employer.

21-Apr-05 - Private First Class Robert A. Guy, 26, of Willards, Maryland, died April 21 as a result of a non-hostile incident near Al Karmah, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

22-Apr-05 - A car bomb exploded during Friday prayers at a Shi'ite mosque in Baghdad, killing 11 people and wounding 20, police said. The, killing no ISF and 11 Iraqi Civilian.

22-Apr-05 - Gunmen shot dead on Friday a manager of a government prison in the northern city of Mosul Khaled Abdullah, the man in charge of the prison, located in a suburban region of the city, was shot dead by gunmen in two speeding cars, killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-Apr-05 - Iraqi Khalid Najim Abdallah, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

22-Apr-05 - Iraqi Mustafa Abdel Jelil, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

22-Apr-05 - Nineteen executed Iraqi Soldiers, kidnapped a few days before at a rebel checkpoint, were found dumped near the oil refinery town of Baiji, north of Baghdad, Iraqi police said, killing 19 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-Apr-05 - Private First Class Gavin J. Colburn, 20, of Frankfort, Indiana, died April 22 along a supply route in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. Colburn was assigned to the Army Reserve's 542nd Transportation Company, Kingsbury, Indiana.

23-Apr-05 - An Iraqi civilian was killed by a roadside bomb on a highway in Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, said police Lieutenant Qassim Mohamed, killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-Apr-05 - Another bomb detonated on a busy road that connects with the perilous highway to the airport, police Captain Thamir Talib said. One Iraqi was killed and seven wounded, hospital officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-Apr-05 - Corporal Kevin W. Prince, 22, of Plain City, Ohio, died April 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Iskandariya, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Prince was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Irwin, California.

23-Apr-05 - In a separate attack in Yusifiya, 40 kilometers south of Baghdad, another two Soldiers were killed and three injured when their convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-Apr-05 - In another incident, a car exploded Saturday near the southern port of Basra, killing two passengers and wounding two children nearby, killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

23-Apr-05 - Iraqi Hosin Yousef, male, killed in Abu Al-Khasib, Basra.

23-Apr-05 - Iraqi Saleh Ibrahim, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

23-Apr-05 - Journalist Saleh Ibrahim, of Associated Press Television News, was killed today in Mosul, Iraq.

23-Apr-05 - Saturday roadside bomb that exploded near an Iraqi Army convoy on the outskirts of Baghdad, killing nine Soldiers and wounded 20, police said. This incident killed 9 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-Apr-05 - Seaman Aaron A. Kent, 28, of Portland, Oregon, died Apr. 23, from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Fallujah, Iraq. Kent was assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

23-Apr-05 - Sergeant Anthony J. Davis Jr. 22, of Long Beach, California, died April 23 in Mosul, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his Stryker military vehicle. Davis was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

23-Apr-05 - Two people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed in separate bombings in the restive city of Baqubah northeast of Baghdad, police said Saturday. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

24-Apr-05 - A double suicide bomb attack on a police academy in the city of Tikrit in northern Iraq has killed six people and wounded about 30, police say a doctor at Tikrit General Hospital, said four policemen and two civilians were killed; and killing 4 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

24-Apr-05 - A vehicle packed with explosives was driven into a crowd gathered in Baghdad's western al-Shoulah neighborhood a second suicide car bomber plowed into the crowd. At least 23 people were killed and 41 wounded; and killing no ISF and 23 Iraqi Civilians.

24-Apr-05 - Iraqi police discovered the bodies of three people — including one wearing an Iraqi Army uniform — in a river in the center of the country, the Polish military said Monday. The bodies were found late Sunday evening near Tahir, 25 miles east of Diwaniyah, killing 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

24-Apr-05 - Specialist Gary W. Walters Jr. 31, of Victoria, Texas, died April 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Walters was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

## (end of Week 45 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Weeks 46-47: 8 May 2005

Sorry, was a bit busy last weekend, so I did not have much time to do anything.

The weather has varied quite a bit over the last two weeks. One day, we had a thunderstorm and that was followed by very high winds. It took me over 25 minutes to walk back to my trailer (it usually takes 12 minutes), and I was afraid that the signs were going to fly through the air. We did have several moments of rain – but not long enough for mud. Two weeks ago there were several days over 100 degrees. This week, the temperatures were back to the mid 80's and it was actually cool at night.

The C-8 offices had its monthly sporting event yesterday on Saturday (May 7th). We began the morning with volleyball match with the Force office, which after two games led to basketball. In the evening, ten pairs vied for the semi-annual Spades tourney, won by our visiting auditors.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Since we were all busy on May 5th, we ended up calling our Saturday events "Siete de Mayo." Lots of pictures and lots of fun!!

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 46-47: 8 May 2005

I have mentioned before that we get funding each month. We submit monthly spend plans to higher headquarters, and someone there decides what will be funded, and what will not be. Over last weekend, they decided to fund the life support (food, billeting, power, etc.) for about twenty days in May; fund our spare parts for vehicles and aircraft; and that was it. An Army at war on a fast food diet!!

So last week, we had a steady parade of walk-in traffic, as many commanders tried to impress upon the boss and I that their pet project had to, must be, or hell will break loose, be funded. Unfortunately, we have no new money, so nothing is getting funded, minus whatever was left over from April. Besides the walk-ins, we get many phone calls from very irate commanders wanting money. Not much we can tell them – we do not set the priorities for funding, and we have no money to fund them anyway.

My evenings have been spent answering many emails about funding. And the days!! Oh well.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Thinking back to April-May 2005, I recall that the United States Army was just about flat broke. Stateside comptrollers were telling me that they were shutting down a lot of activities on their bases, in order to fund the wars. And they could not believe that we were not getting funding, as their stateside cuts were being made for us. Not sure where their funding was going, certainly not getting to Iraq. Sometime, funding through military commands is similar to the mob, each level of command takes their cut, and if you are at the end of the pipeline, you get very little of what promised to be a lot. And I kept thinking, we are at the Corps level, and there are lots of levels below us, what is happening at the typical outpost or forward operating base? And we know that money was tied up in previously approved projects that were now considered a luxury, but too much had been invested or spent to stop them. And we know that some basic things were being cancelled, delayed, or stalled. We did fund the life support, so no one was going to starve. What a way to run a war, on a budget!!!

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 46-47: 8 May 2005

Our Air Force personnel are in their last month, and looking forward to going home after 120 days in theater. Today, I have 59 and a butt days left, and am beginning my twelfth month in theater today.

I have been tasked to write out a history of Resource Management in Iraq over my 12 months here. I will start working on that in a couple of weeks.

Got called a bleeding heart liberal by our head lawyer this week, concerning an interpretation of our funding policies and procedures. But I pointed out that the rules are pretty clear as written now, and if they want to change them with this new interpretation, then go ahead. But meanwhile, a Division commanding general (Major General) is moving out to make payments to Iraqis. Stay tuned.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – This returns to the never ending story on battle damage and sympathy payments for Iraqis hurt or killed in coalition actions. Talking with our major subordinate commands, this is truly an ounce of prevention that lessons insurgent support.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 46-47: 8 May 2005

I mentioned auditors are visiting. Actually they are visiting the Force C-8 office, about ten of them. For four or six months! We are not too sure what they will do during that time, but they are looking at the coalition life support processes. The good news is that several of them are good volleyball players, and they did win the spades tourney last night.

Our Naval Officer is quite stressed out working here, so we are sending him soon to Qatar for a little vacation. I have heard good and bad about the four day long weekend. I sure hope he enjoys it.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – You have seen in my emails and comments about Rest and Recreational (R&R) leave, including my own during Christmas and New Year's Day. There are two types of R&R available to us in Iraq. For folks on twelve month tours, there are 14 days leave available in the states or anywhere in the world. Our Marine Major decided to visit Europe, and I met someone who chose to go to Australia. Add in the travel to and from your leave destination, and the person is usually gone about twenty days. I think the policy on those on six or seven month tours previously had them eligible for this R&R leave. The other type of R&R is available for those now on six or seven month tours. The Air Force flies them to their base in Qatar, where they have a little resort that one stays for four nights, with recreational facilities at the resort and tours to beaches, museums, night clubs, restaurants, and other points of interest. And alcohol!!!

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 46-47: 8 May 2005

One of our six month tour Army Officers left last week, off to move to a base in Texas and become a duck hunter again (Air Defense Artillery). Yes, the Army does have folks paid to be duck hunters. And in the great traditions of the Army, they do not shoot down ducks. Any guesses?

Meanwhile, still no takers or wild guesses on what a V-94 is. The answer is – a Siemens turbine generator of about 150 to 250 MW (not sure which version it was). Many weeks ago, I got to watch progress reports every day as the generator moved through Iraq to its power plant. They called it MOAG, which at first I thought was some Army term for generators. I looked around in the official Army list of acronyms, but I could not find MOAG anywhere. I finally asked someone – and was told it meant Mother of All Generators. That just made me start laughing, being from American Electric Power Company and working in Generation, a 250 MW generator being called a MOAG? I wondered what they would do if they saw a picture of any of American Electric Power Company's fleet of 600 MW, 800 MW, or our 1300 MW generators? Now if one of American Electric Power Company's engineers would take a picture of one of our 800 or 1300 MW generators, and superimpose a picture of a V-94, and then I will give the picture to the Chief Engineer (C-7) to show him what a real MOAG looks like.

It has been quiet for a Sunday. The boss even went back to his trailer to relax and read a book. I let my administrative clerk off this afternoon, she had hula lessons. She is from Hawaii, and recently ran into one of her high school classmates here. Also, one of the Hawaiian Army National Guard battalions is stationed here at Camp Victory, so she feels quite at home. The good news is that they are always dropping off portions of care packages – lots of Hawaiian food in our office.

Talk about making wrong impressions of my clerk. She is an Air Force Technical Sergeant, which is E-6 in rank. Not knowing how quickly one makes rank in the Air Force now, I had her pegged at about 28 -32 years old, having been in for ten or so years. I was doing a half tour counseling session with her, seeing what she is going to do when she leaves Iraq, when she surprised me by saying that she was retiring and going back to Maui. It seems she has been in the Air Force for 23 years. I of course just said that I did not know that one could enlist into the Air Force when they turned ten years old. The good news is that she plans to finish her college degree (she has an associate's degree and has done enough work for a third year), has saved a lot of money, and plans to run a clothing shop at home.

The boss and I had lunch with our Chief Signal Officer (C-6), who has the task of keeping all the computer networks running plus all the communication systems up to speed. A few weeks ago, he told us about two General Officers who constantly talk to each other, and how he was called in one night around 2 am because there was noise on the line. The next day, there were two Signal Corps enlisted men rowing a boat across the lake, laying a dedicated line between the two General Officer's quarters. In full view of several Colonels who must have not had much to do that day, as they then called the Signal Officer, complaining that the men in the rowboat were not wearing life preservers. As I said to him, no good deed goes unpunished around here.

I have mentioned the Australians here before. The Aussies were the first to make Camp Victory a home, claiming all the choice real estate. One of their best places is a very nice pool, complete with beer. They think the Americans are crazy about prohibiting alcohol. Meanwhile, the Aussie Pool has become off limits to all United States servicemen and women – they are just too wild.

Our Chief Signal Officer (C-6) was telling us today that the Aussies now have about six paddle boats, and in the evening and late at night, like to go out on the lake. Unfortunately, the boats cut the fiber optic lines. I looked at the Signal Officer, and asked him why the lines were stretched tight on the surface of the lake, why they did not just weight them down a little and let them run along the lake's bottom. I guess that is why I did not choose to be in the Signal Corps.

Speaking of boats, about two weeks ago, I opened up an email attachment, and there was a very nice picture of two motor boats, with two other boats in the background. Seems one of our engineer units decided that they needed these boats, with the largest possible outboard engines (two per boat), for construction work. They do build a lot of bridges, and their organizational equipment does include some boats to push the bridge parts together, like a tug boat pushing barges. I guess that they felt they needed some first class equipment. Anyway, the purchasers of the boats will probably not be enjoying their new surroundings at Leavenworth Disciplinary Barracks after they return from Iraq after their Court-Martial for misappropriation of government funds.

While we work on trying to spend money, we also work on trying to control the spending. A few of my C-8 staff have been working with the C-4 Logistics guys & gals to figure out ways to get repair parts quickly, but within our meager budget. We found that the Army has adopted several 800 numbers and web based ordering systems, unfortunately, it appears that anyone could call in orders and get things. Essential things, like engine parts, tools, and such, plus such critical mission essential things like gators, plasma screen television sets, and chandeliers. After working on it for two months, the ordering in one system dropped 90% in costs by just designating a person in each unit who could make orders and making the system verify that before accepting an order. Meanwhile, the beauty of the automated systems is that it told us who ordered the gators, plasma screens, and chandeliers. The lawyers are going to be busy next week.

In the month of April, we had every person document how they do their job, producing flow charts and other documentation (checklists, decision tables, etc.) so that they can train their replacements. We call them continuity books. At the end of the month, all the C-8 division chiefs reported that this was done, and then the boss had me get them posted on our server for further continuity. Unfortunately, our Naval Officer had not done his process flow charts, so he is spending the last several nights catching up.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Oh and Navy's love affair with the Army Lieutenant continues, but making these flow charts cost him several evenings with his girlfriend.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 46-47: 8 May 2005

Another improvement we made in April was taking our bi-monthly status of funds reports, looking at data back one to two years, and building trend charts and projections. We even calculate burn rates, how much the forces cost per day, so we know approximately when we will be running out of funds to run the war. This enabled us to influence where spending would go this month, towards life support and repair parts.

Well that was two weeks at exciting Camp Victory. I hope everyone remains safe and sound, take care.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Weeks 46-47 Memorials)

25-Apr-05 - First Sergeant Timmy J. Millsap, 39, of Wichita, Kansas, died April 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Millsap was assigned to the 70th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.

25-Apr-05 - In other violence, one Iraqi civilian was killed and another wounded late Monday in a roadside bombing targeting a military convoy in Zuwiyah, 230 kilometers (145 miles) north of Baghdad, police Captain Hazim Aswad said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Apr-05 - Iraqi Ali Hadi, adult, male, killed in near Al-Shirqat.

26-Apr-05 - On Tuesday, a sniper killed the driver of an oil tanker in a joint Iraqi-United States convoy near Farhateya some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Baghdad, Lieutenant Colonel Hameed Ahmed said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Apr-05 - Specialist David L. Rice, 22, of Sioux City, Iowa, died April 26 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Miqdadiyah, Iraq, when his HMMWV rolled over. Rice was assigned 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kansas.

27-Apr-05 - A roadside bomb exploded Wednesday in Samarra, killing an Iraqi Soldier and injuring three others. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Apr-05 - Barbers in the al-Shaba district and adjacent neighborhoods of Baghdad closed their businesses after three were shot dead by attackers who sprayed their shopfronts with gunfire. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

27-Apr-05 - Blast kills two Iraqi Soldiers, wounds five others. Meanwhile, one Iraqi policeman was killed by unknown gunman on a road leading to a training camp in southern Basra today. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Apr-05 - Corporal Joseph S. Tremblay, 23, of New Windsor, New York, died April 27 from injuries received from a mine explosion while conducting combat operations in vicinity of Hit, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Moundsville, West Virginia. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

27-Apr-05 - Gunmen shot dead a member of Iraq's parliament outside her house in Baghdad Wednesday, Iraqi police said. They identified the victim as Lame'a abed Khadawi, a member of caretaker Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's political party; and killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Apr-05 - In Baghdad Wednesday, gunmen opened fire on the convoy of a senior Iraqi police officer, wounding him and killing two of his bodyguards. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

27-Apr-05 - Iraqi Lamia Aabed Khadouri al-Saghiri, adult, female, killed in 'outside her home in eastern Baghdad'.

27-Apr-05 - Iraqi Salam Thaeir Hameed, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

27-Apr-05 - Shiite cleric Qassem Abdul Majid was gunned down by unknown militants in the holy city of Najaf, about 100 miles south of Baghdad, as he drove to work with his wife, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Apr-05 - Today in the afternoon, Iraqi Police found two bodies that drifted along the Tigris River in vicinity of As Suwayrah, It happened about fifty-five kilometers north-east of Al Hillah, killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Apr-05 - A police Lieutenant colonel was shot dead in a separate incident in the capital. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Apr-05 - Four Task Force Freedom Soldiers were killed, and three were injured by an improvised explosive device attack in Tal Afar Thursday, April 28. The injured Soldiers were taken to a combat hospital for treatment. Killed were First Lieutenant William A. Edens, 29, of Columbia, Missouri, Sergeant Eric W. Morris, 31, of Sparks, Nevada, Specialist Ricky W. Rockholt, Jr. 28, of Winston, Oregon, and Private 1st Class Robert W. Murray, Jr. 21, of Westfield, Indiana. Edens was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington. Morris was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington. Rockholt and Murray were assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

28-Apr-05 - In new attacks Thursday, insurgents fired at least six mortar rounds toward a United States military base Musayyib, 40 miles south of Baghdad, but hit a nearby bus station instead, killing four Iraqis and wounding 21. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Apr-05 - In the capital, Lieutenant Colonel Alaa Khalil Ibrahim, who worked in the visa section of the Interior Ministry, was shot dead on the way to work by gunmen in an eastern Baghdad neighborhood, police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Apr-05 - Sergeant Timothy C. Kiser, 37, of Tehama, California, died April 28 in Riyadh, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol. Kiser was assigned to the Army National Guard's 340th Forward Support Battalion, 40th Infantry Division, in Red Bluff, California.

28-Apr-05 - Six Iraqi Soldiers and five civilians were also killed in a string of attacks in the restive Sunni areas north of Baghdad, security sources said. This incident killed 6 ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

29-Apr-05 - Second Lieutenant Clifford V. Gadsden, 25, of South Carolina, died April 29 in Balad, Iraq, when a vehicle-born improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. Gadsden was assigned to the Army's 603rd Transportation Company, 142nd Corps Support Battalion, Warrior Brigade, at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

29-Apr-05 - A roadside bomb targeting an Iraqi border guard patrol killed one Iraqi Soldier and wounded two west of Basra. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

29-Apr-05 - A suicide attacker blew up an ambulance packed with explosives near a police special forces patrol in Baquabah, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, killing four Iraqis, including two policemen. Twenty Iraqis were injured, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

29-Apr-05 - Four car bombs exploded in Madain, 12 miles southeast of Baghdad, killing 13 people and wounding 20. Insurgents detonated a roadside bomb, then sent two suicide car bombers from two different directions. This incident killed no ISF and 13 Iraqi Civilians.

29-Apr-05 - Iraqi Hadida Saiwan, mother-in-law of Nawal Ghareeb, 56, female, killed in Azamiyah and al-Salikh, Baghdad.

29-Apr-05 - Iraqi Nawal Ghareeb, 26, female, killed in Azamiyah and al-Salikh, Baghdad.

29-Apr-05 - Iraqi Rahim Ali Jum'a, adult, male, killed in Al-Miqdadiyah.

29-Apr-05 - The first one hit an Iraqi Army patrol, the second a police patrol and the third and fourth at separate barricades near the headquarters of the police special forces unit those attacks killed at least 20 Iraqis, including 15 Soldiers and five civilians. This incident killed 15 ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

29-Apr-05 - Two Soldiers assigned to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), were killed April 29 by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device near Diyarah, Iraq. They died April 29 in Diyarah, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated as they were conducting a traffic control point inspection. Both were assigned to 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Irwin, California. Killed were Captain Stephen W. Frank, 29, of Michigan and Captain Ralph J. Harting III, 28, of Delaware. Both Frank and Harting were members of the USMA Class of 1998.

29-Apr-05 - Two Soldiers, Private 1st Class Darren Deblanc, 20, of Evansville, Indiana and Private Charles S. Cooper, Jr. 19, of Jamestown, New York died on April 29 by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, Iraq. Both were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, at Fort Drum, New York.

30-Apr-05 - A suicide car bomb exploded Saturday near the offices of the National Dialogue Council. The blast killed two Iraqi civilians and wounded 18, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

30-Apr-05 - Another suicide car bomb targeting an Iraqi Army patrol exploded Saturday near the Mohammad Rasoul Allah Mosque in eastern Baghdad, killing two Iraqi women and a girl, and seriously wounding four Soldiers, police Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Abboud Effait said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

30-Apr-05 - In other violence, a female passer-by was killed and four Iraqi commandos wounded in a suicide car bomb attack on a police convoy Saturday in the northern city of Mosul, police and medical sources said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Apr-05 - Iraqi Al Abb Razak, adult, male, killed in Mujema, near Baqubah.

30-Apr-05 - Iraqi Mohamed Abb Razak, adult, male, killed in Mujema, near Baqubah.

30-Apr-05 - Iraqi Talib Wahb, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

30-Apr-05 - Meanwhile, police found the bodies of two young men shot to death in Latifiya, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Baghdad, according to Captain Mohammed al-Haidari. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

30-Apr-05 - Sergeant Kenya A. Parker, 26, of Fairfield, Alabama, died April 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, of a non-combat related medical condition. Parker was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

30-Apr-05 - Staff Sergeant Juan De Dios Garcia-Arana, 27, of Los Angeles, California, died April 30 in Khalidiya, Iraq, when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Garcia-Arana was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, from Camp Hovey, Korea.

30-Apr-05 - Two Iraqis — a policeman and a former official in Saddam Hussein's Baath Party — also died in shootings Saturday in Baghdad, police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Apr-05 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 52 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 21 Coalition Contractors, 2 Aid Workers, 6 Journalists, 199 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 442 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 203 Insurgents.

1-May-05 - A suicide bomber attacked the headquarters of a Kurdish party in north Iraq Sunday, killing around 25 people, Arabic satellite television Al Arabiya reported; and killing no ISF and 25 Iraqi Civilians.

1-May-05 - A Sunday explosion near a United States military patrol in Baghdad killed one civilian and injured two others, although no United States troops were injured. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-May-05 - At least five Iraqis were killed and 12 wounded in the attacks in Mosul, 225 miles northwest of Baghdad, the United States military said. Two United States Soldiers also were injured. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

1-May-05 - Gunmen killed five Iraqi policemen at a checkpoint in Baghdad on Sunday and the attack was followed by a bomb blast in the area, police said. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-May-05 - Iraqi Ahmed al-Lu'aibi, adult, male, killed in Al-Aamirya, Baghdad.

1-May-05 - Iraqi Ali al-Aybi, adult, male, killed in Al-Aamirya, Baghdad.

1-May-05 - Iraqi Amir Ali Hamza, 8, male, killed in Za'faraniyah, Baghdad.

1-May-05 - Iraqi Brother of 12-yr-old killed, 15, male, killed in Za'faraniyah, Baghdad.

1-May-05 - Specialist Derrick J. Lutters, 24, of Burlington, Colorado, died May 1 along a supply route in Iraq when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated while his unit was inspecting a bridge for enemy tampering. Lutters was assigned to the Army National Guard's 891st Engineer Brigade, Pittsburg, Kansas.

1-May-05 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Small arms fire at Baghdad (north of). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

2-May-05 - A car bomb exploded in an upscale shopping district of Baghdad on Monday, killing at least six Iraqis and setting fire to an apartment building; and killing no ISF and 6 Iraqi Civilians.

2-May-05 - A suicide bomber exploded a truck at an Iraqi checkpoint near Yusufiyah, 12 miles south of Baghdad, killing eight Soldiers and wounding 20, said Iraqi Army Captain Qassem Sharif. This incident killed 8 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-May-05 - A suicide car bomb and an improvised explosive devise went off in the Mosul area. The coordinated attack killed at least two Iraqis and wounded 15, the United States military said. Hospital officials, however, said four Iraqis were killed and seven injured. This incident killed 2 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

2-May-05 - Captain Kelly C. Hinz, 30, of Woodbury, Minnesota, died May 2 from injuries received when the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft he was piloting crashed in Iraq while flying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. His unit was embarked aboard the USS Carl Vinson.

2-May-05 - In eastern Baghdad, a car bomb exploded near a passport office, killing three Iraqis, including two policemen, and wounding six, said police Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Chalob said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-May-05 - In northern Iraq, four people were killed and seven injured when a car bomb exploded near a United States military convoy east of Yarmouk, said Doctor Baha al-Din al-Batri at al-Jamhuri Hospital in nearby Mosul. This incident killed 2 ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

2-May-05 - Iraqi Masar Sarhan, 24, male, killed in Baghdad.

2-May-05 - Iraqi Jamal Abid Nasir, adult, male, killed in Al Hillah.

2-May-05 - Iraqi son of Hassan al-Kubaissi, 5, male, killed in Qaim, Karabilah, Romania, Obeidi, Husaybah areas, western Anbar.

2-May-05 - Major John C. Spahr, 42, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, died May 2 from injuries received when the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft he was piloting apparently crashed in Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. His unit was embarked aboard the USS Carl Vinson.

2-May-05 - Sergeant John E. McGee, 36, of Columbus, Georgia, died May 2 near Diwaniyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle. McGee was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2101st Transportation Company, Camden, Alabama.

2-May-05 - Staff Sergeant Tommy S. Little, 47, of Aliceville, Alabama, died May 2 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained on April 19 near Iskandariya, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Little was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 114th Field Artillery Regiment, in Columbus, Mississippi.

2-May-05 - British Army Guardsman Anthony Wakefield, 24, of Newcastle, was killed by hostile attack by roadside bomb, Injured during routine patrol in Snatch Land Rover at Mayson, al-Amarah Iraq. Was assigned to the Coldstream Guards, 1st Battalion.

3-May-05 - A car bomb killed a civilian and wounded four in the main northern city of Mosul, police and medics said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-May-05 - Ahmed Subeih Weiss, a senior official at the ministry of water resources, was shot dead by gunmen in the southern Baghdad district of Dura as he went to work, an interior ministry official said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-May-05 - An Iraqi Soldier and a businessman working for the United States military were killed in separate incidents in nearby Shorgat, police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-May-05 - At least 14 civilians were killed when United States forces and Iraqi National Guardsmen battled insurgents in the city of Ramadi on Tuesday, a hospital official said. This incident killed no ISF and 14 Iraqi Civilians.

3-May-05 - Bulgarian Army Junior Sergeant Valentin Nikolaev Donev, 33, of Russe, Bulgaria, killed by non-hostile - vehicle accident and died in Basra (military hospital), Iraq. Was assigned to the 3rd Light Infantry Company, 4th Infantry Battalion from Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

3-May-05 - Bulgarian Army Private Preslav Yordanov Stoyanov, 27, of Silistra, Bulgaria, killed by non-hostile \- vehicle accident in Basra, Iraq. Was assigned to the 3rd Light Infantry Company, 4th Infantry Battalion from Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

3-May-05 - In Ramadi, United States and Iraqi forces killed 12 insurgents during a firefight at a road checkpoint, the United States military said. Two civilians and an Iraqis Soldier were also killed, and two United States and two Iraqi Soldiers wounded. This incident killed 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

3-May-05 - Sergeant Stephen P. Saxton, 24, of Temecula, California, died May 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit was conducting a route security mission and an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Saxton was assigned to the Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

3-May-05 - South African Contractor named Oosthuize, Jacques "Oosie" was killed today due to Small arms fire attack -Ambushed at Route between Tikrit and Mosul. Was a Security Guard for employer Erinys (Iraq).

3-May-05 - Staff Sergeant William J. Brooks, 30, of Birmingham, Alabama, died May 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit was conducting a route security mission and an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Brooks was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

3-May-05 - Three policemen were shot dead in separate attacks in the insurgent stronghold of Samarra, 125 kilometers (80 miles) north of Baghdad, police Major Naef Hamid said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-May-05 - Two Iraqi policemen were killed and three people wounded in a suicide car bombing on Tuesday in Baghdad. The suicide car bomber blew himself up in the Gazania district, just as a patrolling police car was passing by. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-May-05 - A doctor from the Ruz Gari hospital, Arbil's largest, stepped out in front of the crowd and read the names of 39 victims -- all of them police recruits -- and added that six bodies had not yet been identified. This incident killed 39 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-May-05 - A suicide bomber killed at least 60 people and wounded 150 more today in northern Iraq when he walked into a crowd of people outside a police recruiting office and blew himself up. This incident killed no ISF and 21 Iraqi Civilian.

4-May-05 - A suicide car bomber attacked an Iraqi Army checkpoint in Baghdad late Wednesday, killing at least nine Soldiers and wounding 16, police said. The United States military said as many as 15 Soldiers were killed. This incident killed 15 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-May-05 - In Duluiyah, another Sunni rebel stronghold north of the capital, an Iraqi Army Lieutenant was gunned down by attackers as he left a military base, Captain Assad Saddad said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-May-05 - In the town of Sharqat, further north, an Iraqi Soldier was killed and 10 others wounded when gunmen attacked a highway checkpoint, Army Captain Naji al-Juburi said, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-May-05 - Iraqi Mohadey Yali, adult, male, killed in Al Abarra.

4-May-05 - Iraqi Muhammad Salmn Meheel, male, killed in Basra.

4-May-05 - Iraqi Razaaq Badr Zaher, male, killed in Basra.

4-May-05 - In the town of Sharqat, the bullet-riddled bodies of two Iraqi contractors who were working with the United States military and had been kidnapped two days earlier, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

4-May-05 - Two Iraqi civilians were killed in vehicles by United States troops when they came too close to a United States military convoy in Baghdad's Yarmouk district, an interior ministry official said. An Iraqi Soldier was also killed by unknown gunmen in a western neighborhood, killing 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

4-May-05 - Two Iraqi civilians working with the United States military and two Iraqi Soldiers were killed in separate attacks in the Tikrit area north of Baghdad, an Army officer said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

5-May-05 - About 15 minutes after the Al-Amil attack, a suicide car bomb exploded in the nearby Al-Ghazaliya area, killing one policeman and wounding six, said Karim. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-May-05 - And a car bomb was detonated as the deputy interior minister's convoy drove past, killing one of his bodyguards and wounding six people, police said. The official was unhurt. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-May-05 - Four Iraqi policemen were killed in a car bomb in Northern Iraq Thursday, an Iraqi police source said. A booby-trapped car was detonated while an Iraqi police patrol was passing in Al-Wahda neighborhood in the northern city of Mosul. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-May-05 - In the worst attack, gunmen opened fire on a patrol in the Al-Amil area of western Baghdad at 6:45 am; and killing eight policemen and wounding two, said police Major Mousa Abdul Karim. This incident killed 8 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-May-05 - Iraqi Ayad Baro, 23, male, killed in Baghdad.

5-May-05 - Iraqi Brother of Abdul Razzaq Mutlak, adult, male, killed in bodies found in Kisra wa Atash, northeast Baghdad.

5-May-05 - Iraqi Brother of Hashem Mohammed Salah, adult, male, killed in bodies found in Kisra wa Atash, northeast Baghdad.

5-May-05 - Iraqi Brother of Latif al Mejwal, adult, male, killed in bodies found in Kisra wa Atash, northeast Baghdad.

5-May-05 - Iraqi Cousins of Latif al Mejwal, adult, male, killed in bodies found in Kisra wa Atash, northeast Baghdad.

5-May-05 - Iraqi Omar (?) adult, male, killed in bodies found in Kisra wa Atash, northeast Baghdad.

5-May-05 - Iraqi Son of Latif al Mejwal, adult, male, killed in bodies found in Kisra wa Atash, northeast Baghdad.

5-May-05 - Suicide bomber strapped with explosives blew himself up at an Army recruitment center at a former airfield in western Baghdad, killing at least 13 people and wounding 15. This incident killed no ISF and 13 Iraqi Civilians.

5-May-05 - Turkish Contractor named Salih Gulbol was killed today due to armed attack at Baghdad (near). Was a Truck Driver for employer Kuwaiti company.

6-May-05 - A senior Iraqi Army officer and his brother were killed on Friday. 'Brigadier general Mirza Hamza, head of the civil Defence force in Mahmoudiyah was gunned down in a drive-by shooting at about 2 pm,' said police Captain Luay Jassem. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-May-05 - At least 58 people were killed and 44 wounded yesterday when a suicide attacker exploded a car bomb near a vegetable market in a mostly Shia Muslim town south of Baghdad, hospital officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 58 Iraqi Civilians.

6-May-05 - In Baghdad, a resident alerted police after he saw bodies being buried. Police found the corpses of 14 men. Some of the victims, blindfolded and wearing civilian clothes and left in a garbage dump, had been shot in the head, police said on Friday. This incident killed no ISF and 14 Iraqi Civilians.

6-May-05 - In Saddam Hussein's home town of Tikrit yesterday, a suicide bomber blew up his car beside a minibus carrying policemen, killing at least nine and wounding several others. This incident killed 9 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-May-05 - Iraqi Brother of Brigadier General Mirza Hamza, adult, male, killed in Between Mahmoudiyah and Baghdad.

6-May-05 - Iraqi Sheik Jasim Ismael Jasim, adult, male, killed in near Al-Sarook Mosque, Old Baqubah.

7-May-05 - American Contractor named Thomas, Brandon was killed today due to Car Bomb at Baghdad. Was a Security Contractor for employer CTU Consulting.

7-May-05 - American Contractor named Venette, Todd was killed today due to Car Bomb at Baghdad. Was a Security Contractor for employer CTU Consulting.

7-May-05 - Petty Officer Third Class Jeffery L. Wiener, 32, of Louisville, Kentucky, died May 7, in a combat related incident. Weiner was a Navy hospital corpsman assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).

7-May-05 - Sergeant Aaron N. Cepeda Sr. 22, San Antonio, Texas, Lance Corporal Lance T. Graham, 26, San Antonio, Texas, and Lance Corporal Michael V. Postal, 21, Glen Oaks, New York died May 7 from explosions as a result of enemy action while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Cepeda and Graham were assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in San Antonio, Texas. Postal was art of Operation Iraqi Freedom their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

7-May-05 - Sergeant Michael A. Marzano, 28, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, died May 7 as the result of an explosion caused by suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations in Hadithah, Iraq.

7-May-05 - Two suicide car bombs exploded in a central Baghdad square Saturday, killing 22 people, including two American contract workers, as Iraqi political leaders agreed on candidates for the remaining five cabinet vacancies. This incident killed no ISF and 20 Iraqi Civilians.

8-May-05 - A child was killed and another seriously injured from a landmine explosion in Al-Muthana governorate, an eyewitness told KUNA Sunday. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-May-05 - Corporal Dustin A. Derga, 24, of Columbus, Ohio, died May 8 as the result of enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Ubaydi, Iraq.

8-May-05 - Gunmen assassinated a senior transport ministry official in Baghdad on Sunday, police said. Zobaa Yassin was shot dead in his car along with his driver. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-May-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Jasim, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

8-May-05 - Iraqi Ali Hussein Shenda Usman Al Faisal, adult, male, killed in Hayy Al Khalij Al Arabi area, Basra.

8-May-05 - Iraqi Yasser Khudair Almaaini, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

8-May-05 - Iraqi Zawba' Al-Ma'ini, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

8-May-05 - Iraqi Zoba Yass, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

8-May-05 - Lance Corporal Lawrence R. Philippon, 22, of Hartford, Connecticut, died May 8 from enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Al Qa'im, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

8-May-05 - Sergeant Gary A. Eckert Jr. 24, of Toledo, Ohio, died May 8 in Balad, Iraq, from injuries sustained earlier that day in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Eckert was assigned to the Army Reserve's 983rd Engineer Battalion, Monclova, Ohio.

8-May-05 - Specialist Steven R. Givens, 26, of Mobile, Alabama, died May 8 in Balad, Iraq, from injuries sustained from enemy small arms fire. Givens was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division, at Fort Benning, Georgia.

8-May-05 - Staff Sergeant Thor H. Ingraham, 24, of Murrysville, Pennsylvania and Private First Class Nicolas E. Messmer, 20, of Franklin, Ohio died May 8 in Khalidiya, Iraq, when they were conducting combat operations and an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. Both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Greaves, Korea.

## (end of Weeks 46-47 Memorials)

COMMENT – About this time, the insurgents took over the city of Tal Afar, in northwestern Iraqi west of Mosul. After some analysis by several Corps staff sections, it was decided that the Corps commanding general would move his reserve to a location near Tal Afar, and then begin combined operations with Iraqi Security Forces to eventually free this city (they did in September 2005). This unit, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, led by an Army Colonel, would move from south of Baghdad to near the Syrian border, and conduct operations in neighboring towns and border security for the next several months. So I was working primarily with C-4 (Logistics) to provide funding for their new forward operating base as well as support for their humanitarian efforts.

### THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 48: 15 May 2005

Today is the anniversary of the Multi-National Forces – Iraq being formed last year. It also is the day that the Iraqi Army Headquarters was stood up next store to our building. The Iraqi flag is flying from the top of their building and is the only flag authorized to be flown over Camp Victory (ok, I know the Polish and Italian flags are up along that trailer row, and everywhere there is a Turkish unit, there is a flag flying).

I got a chance to fly to Fallujah this week. We were suppose to leave in the morning, but got bumped and waited a while in the afternoon but got bumped again. Army aviation just was not flying west. So we caught a Marine Chinook helicopter, flew to the International Zone, and then west to Fallujah. The one thing I will say, at 1 am in the morning, no one seemed to be having any power problems (as I do not think they would be running all those lights by portable generators). Even the city of Fallujah was well lit up. Anyway, the trip was quick, left late afternoon, visiting the Marines there and discussing funding and resource management issues. The flight back was by Blackhawk helicopters, flying as fast as they can go across the landscape with the doors open and the wind blasting into our faces.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – The Marine Colonels that took my Green Zone roommate Bob to the west had already rotated by September 2004. The I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), that commanded Multi-National Force - West had rotated out in February-March 2005, replaced by the II MEF. As I mentioned before, the Army is responsible for many expenses when Marine Corps units operate under its command on land. These had been worked out with I MEF during its year-long stay and two commanding generals, but some of these had been lost when II MEF took over in March. Instead of asking the Corps C-8 office for funding, the II MEF C-8 went to Marine Corps Headquarters, which they would typically do in normal Marine only operations. Finally, the folks in the states let us know that they were running out of funding to support II MEF, and asked us what we were going to do about it. Government programs have set and separate funding streams, not allowing us to intermingle them. For example, one of our programs to up-armor Humvees also was used to support the Marines. So my mission was simple, explain to the Marines what they should be asking for and how to do that to get what they needed. So I got to meet with their Chief of Staff and senior staff members to discuss this.

COMMENT – That was my only flight in theater with Marine aircraft, a CH-53 Sea Stallion. We left Camp Victory's landing zone for Landing Zone Washington in the Green Zone, picking up a few folks, and then off to Camp Fallujah. We arrived in lights-out mode; and the ramp in the back come down. Stepped off the ramp, hit the ground, and the next step took me down about five feet, and I rolled down a slope, slightly twisting my right ankle. When I saw it the next afternoon, we had landed on the top of a trapezoid shaped landing pad made of dirt. We were then taken by vehicle to their visiting officer quarters, a building with beds and showers. The next morning, we were driven over to the II MEF headquarters and their C-8 offices.

COMMENT – At lunchtime, the MEF C-8 and I walked about two kilometers to their dining facility with a couple of his staff officers. I asked about the saluting policy, and the MEF C-8 laughed. There was no saluting outside, because that might let a sniper know who to shoot at. Gosh, the Marines really use common sense. The dining facility had lots to offer, so I probably took more time then my hosts to fill my tray. I then turned around, and looked around the whole facility, trying to locate my hosts in a sea of Marine uniforms. Finally, one of the Marine Captains stood up and motioned to me, and I walked over to the table they were sitting out. It was a worthwhile trip out to western Iraq.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 48: 15 May 2005

The Corps C-8 Office is getting ready for the Air Force to rotate at the end of the month. Seems the Air Force is now scheduling flights out of here to Qatar, so the seven are all worried about getting their replacement in so that they can catch their scheduled flight out. Unfortunately, the replacements do not appear to be arriving on time, and that means the folks here will have to stay a few days longer than 120 days.

Our Naval Officer left for four days in Qatar on pass mid-week. He has been rather stressed out over the last few weeks, so he needed the break. Unfortunately, I have had to review all the funding requests that are sent in. My voting record seems to be running about 50% pass. Sorry, I just think ordering 40 portable latrines for 30 new Soldiers are a bit excessive. Plus adding 88 barbers, maintenance workers, and other workers to support these new Soldiers, giving them 2-3 personal assistants, is a bit too much. I am sure someone added needed requirements to the packet, but their commander only approved support for these 30 folks, so that should be what is in the packet. Disapproved! Of course, I am only one of six voting members, so I might not carry the crowd. But I do have them thinking.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Sometime around here, the boss and I recommended to the Corps Chief of Staff a better process to evaluate funding requests, especially with the now limited funding. Before, under the old boss, the Corps C-8 would evaluate the requests himself, take his recommendations to the Corps Chief of Staff, who might approve, change something, or disapprove, and then the Corps C-8 would announce the decision of what got funded, which usually was almost everything but the dumbest things. With a significant increase in funding requests from throughout Iraq, we needed a better process. So the Corps Chief of Staff formed a team of six Deputies from certain Corps sections, to sit together, evaluate each request, score them, and produce a priority funding listing by the major programs. Then when we actually had funding available, our Corps C-8 office knew what to fund. This made our job a bit easier, but there were always commanders or their staffs who asked for exceptions or sent back-channel emails to anyone who would listen to them.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 48: 15 May 2005

I guess many folks in the states are talking about the base closure list. That is all that is on the news channels here. In many cases, a base closure gives a community an already established industrial park complete with facilities, utilities, roads, etc. But like any change, there is a downside, as some folks either will have to quit their jobs or move to continue working for the military.

I imagine that you are also reading and hearing on television on all the insurgent attacks. They do seem to have a knack of doing them in front of cameras now, so don't be surprised when the Iraqi police arrest some media.

I am going to make this short, as I read today an interesting article from the New York Times, about all the news from Iraq that you likely did not hear about:

New York Times

May 13, 2005

Op-Chart.

The Good News You Missed.

By Arthur Chrenkoff, Helene Silverman, and Norman Hathaway.

As the old newsroom saying goes, "If it bleeds, it leads." And while it is understandable that newspapers like to report stories about violence, crime, conflict and mayhem, it means that good news is often relegated to the back pages, if reported at all. This happens the world over, be it in Boston, Berlin -- or Baghdad. People who live in Boston or Berlin know, of course, that the bad news is never the whole story. Baghdad, on the other hand, is far away, and Westerners have no choice but to rely on reporters to tell us everything that is happening there. And while there's no denying that there is much bad news -- and the recent spate of audacious attacks by the insurgents is a prime example -- the international press has been so focused on the setbacks that few readers are likely to know about the daily parade of small triumphs that mark slow but steady progress. Consider a month's worth of such stories.

1 April – Iraq's Kurds, divided for decades by their loyalty to two rival local governments, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, announce the merger of the two administrations.

2 April – Iraqi Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation announces it is now supervising 121 major reconstruction projects that will cost $1.8 billion.

3 April -- Iraq and Kuwait move to end the longstanding border dispute that led to the Persian Gulf War, establishing a joint commission to decide on best way to administer the Rumaila oil field.

4 Apri1 -- Seventeen insurgents die in clashes in eastern Diyala Province; one Iraqi Soldier is killed.

5 April -- Iraqi government and International Monetary Fund announce they expect to have an economic adjustment package in place by fall.

6 April --More than 900 companies from 44 countries participate in an Iraqi reconstruction exposition in Amman, Jordan.

7 April -- Ibrahim al-Jaafari named prime minister, becoming the first Shiite leader of Iraq in centuries, one day after a Kurd, Jalal Talabani, was named president.

8 April -- Three suspected insurgents arrested in Mosul following tips from local residents.

9 April -- Government announces it will begin 24 water projects, costing $15 million, in the restive Sunni areas of Latifiya, Yousifiya and Al Rasheed.

10 Apri1 -- Iraqi Security Forces announce the capture of Ibrahim Sabawi, a nephew of Saddam Hussein, suspected of playing a major part in financing the insurgency.

11 April -- Sixty-five suspected insurgents arrested in Baghdad in the biggest joint American-Iraqi raids to date.

12 April -- Oil output in the south of Iraq reaches 1.1 million barrels per day, close to prewar levels.

13 April – Iraqi Ministry of Health allocates $6.1 million for the reconstruction of Falluja Hospital and three other health centers.

14 April -- Four senior insurgency commanders surrender in Mosul.

15 April -- Drilling begins on four of the 110 planned new wells (74 already underway) that will give clean and reliable water to 550,000 Iraqis in remote parts of the country.

16 April – Iraqi Ministry of Health announces completed construction of two hospitals in the poorest areas of Baghdad.

17 April -- Reforestation program begins in forest areas near Erbil that were razed by Saddam Hussein in the 1990's and overharvested for fuel by local residents.

18 April -- Coalition forces arrest the alleged leader of an insurgent cell in Kirkuk responsible for sabotaging oil pipelines.

19 April -- Educational television channel begins broadcasting again for millions of Iraqi students. The channel had been closed down in 1993 after Uday Hussein confiscated its equipment for his private TV channel.

20 April -- American officials announce rehabilitation of Mosul's water treatment and sewer systems is complete.

21 April -- Government announces that the inflation rate fell by 6 percent in March, in large part because of a 48 percent drop in fuel costs.

22 April -- Following tips from local residents just north of Baghdad, 10 suspects arrested in the shooting down of a civilian helicopter.

23 April -- Two major Sunni political parties that had boycotted January's election, the Iraqi Sunni Accord and the Iraqi Islamic Party, announce they will take part in future votes.

24 April -- Opening ceremony held at a primary school in Falluja, one of the five in the city renovated by the United States Army.

25 April -- First troops of the news 450-strong Australian contingent arrive in Muthenna Province to train Iraqi troops and provide security for Japanese forces engaged in the reconstruction effort.

26 April -- America-Iraq School Partners Program pilot begins; initially involving 13 American and 17 Iraqi schools, it aims to build ties between students and educators in the two countries.

27 April -- Government signs contracts with two companies to build two 200-megawatt power stations in the north.

28 April -- Prime Minister Jaafari's cabinet of 36 members is approved by the National Assembly (on Saddam Hussein's birthday).

29 April – Iraqi Education Department announces it has finished renovating 49 schools and building 22 others in Baghdad's Sadr City slum.

30 April -- Nine residential neighborhoods in Diyala receive new electricity supply through an energy-cooperation project with Iran.

Arthur Chrenkoff, a journalist in Brisbane, Australia, writes the Web log chrenkoff.blogspot.com. Helene Silverman and Norman Hathaway are graphic designers.

Take care everyone. Be safe.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 48 Memorials)

9-May-05 - A suicide car bomb in southern Baghdad that hit a checkpoint of two police vehicles two policemen and one civilian had been killed and six policemen and three civilians wounded, killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-May-05 - An Iraqi Soldier was killed by a roadside bomb as a United States-Iraqi convoy passed Shabab village near Dujail, 40km outside the capital, said Army Captain Muayad al-Shadeedi. Four suspects were arrested, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-May-05 - Iraqi Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Aboud Ali, adult, male, killed in Badush village, near Mosul.

9-May-05 - Iraqi Salah Najam Sakar, male, killed in Basra.

9-May-05 - Lance Corporal Marcus Mahdee, 20, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, died May 9 as a result of wounds received from an enemy explosion while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Al Karmah, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

9-May-05 - Lance Corporal Taylor B. Prazynski, 20, of Fairfield, Ohio died May 9 from an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Karmah, Iraq.

9-May-05 - Lieutenant Colonel Omar Dalaf al-Qaissy, head of the Defence force at Baiji oil refinery, 200km north of Baghdad, was gunned down by assailants as he left for work, police Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Salah said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-May-05 - Private First Class Stephen P. Baldwyn, 19, of Saltillo, Mississippi died May 9 as a result of wounds received from an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Nasser wa Salaam, Iraq.

9-May-05 - Staff Sergeant Anthony L. Goodwin, 33, of Mount Holly, New Jersey, died May 9 from enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in the vicinity of Al Qaim, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

9-May-05 - The bodies of eight Iraqi civilians, tortured and then executed with a bullet to the back of the neck, were found on Monday on the southern outskirts of Baghdad, the Iraqi Army and medics said. This incident killed no ISF and 8 Iraqi Civilians.

9-May-05 - Three Iraqi civilians were found shot to death outside their vehicle in western Mosul. Another civilian was killed when a roadside bomb exploded near an Iraqi Army patrol in the eastern part of the city. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

9-May-05 - Truck driver Sami Nazar Ali was killed by insurgents who attacked a United States-escorted convoy in Ishaki, 100km north of Baghdad, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-May-05 - Two more people were killed when a parked car exploded at about 6.15pm local time in the crowded southern business district of Dura, the official said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

10-May-05 - First Sergeant Michael J. Bordelon, 37, of Morgan City, Louisiana, died May 10 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, from injuries sustained April 23 in Mosul, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his Stryker military vehicle. Bordelon was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

10-May-05 - American Contractor named Jaichner, Thomas W. was killed today due to Sniper Fire at Ramadi. Was a Security Contractor for employer Blackwater.

10-May-05 - Iraqi Adel Farhaway Najm (aka Adel Abu Sajjad), adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

10-May-05 - Iraqi Faris Shakir, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

10-May-05 - Two suicide car bombs exploded in central Baghdad on Tuesday, killing at least seven Iraqis, as 1,000 United States forces backed by aircraft continued their large-scale offensive against insurgents in northwestern Iraq. This incident killed no ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

11-May-05 - Four Marines were killed May 11, Private First Class Christopher R. Dixon, 18, of Columbus, Ohio, Lance Corporal Nicholas B. Erdy, 21, of Williamsburg, Ohio, Lance Corporal Jonathan W. Grant, 23, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Lance Corporal Jourdan L. Grez, 24, of Harrisonburg, Virginia when their amphibious assault vehicle struck an explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Karabilah, Iraq. Dixon and Erdy were assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Columbus, Ohio. Grant was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Grez was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, in Roanoke, Virginia.

11-May-05 - In Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, a suicide car bomber blew up his vehicle among a crowd of mainly Shi'ite migrant laborers from southern Iraq. Police said at least 33 people were killed and 80 wounded in the attack; and killing no ISF and 33 Iraqi Civilians.

11-May-05 - In the town of Hawija, southwest of the strategic oil city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, a suicide bomber walked up to an Army recruitment center and detonated an explosive belt, killing at least 32 people and wounding 34, hospital sources said. This incident killed no ISF and 32 Iraqi Civilians.

11-May-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Jihad, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

11-May-05 - Lance Corporal John T. Schmidt III, 21, of Brookfield, Connecticut, died May 11 from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on Jan. 30. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Schmidt's unit was attached to 1st Marine Division, of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

11-May-05 - Lance Corporal Wesley G. Davids, 20, of Dublin, Ohio, died May 11 from an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Karabilah, Iraq. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in Columbus, Ohio. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his reserve unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

11-May-05 - Staff Sergeant Kendall H. Ivy II, 28, of Crawford, Ohio, was killed May 11 from an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Karabilah, Iraq. He was assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

11-May-05 - Staff Sergeant Samuel T. Castle, 26, of Naples, Texas, died May 11 in Al Assad, Iraq, from injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device detonation. Castle was assigned to the Army's 327th Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade, at Fort Bragg. North Carolina.

11-May-05 - Two people were killed and some 20 seriously wounded when an explosive device blew up on Wednesday at a chemical fertilizer factory in Umm Qasr south of Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

12-May-05 - A car bomb exploded near a busy local market and cinema in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 17 people and wounding 65, police said; and killing no ISF and 17 Iraqi Civilians.

12-May-05 - American Contractor named Miller, Reuben Ray was killed today due to improvised explosive device at Iraq (Iraq (Unknown)). Was a Truck driver for employer Kellogg, Brown, & Root.

12-May-05 - An official who works in the Defence ministry's operations center was assassinated by gunmen in southwestern Baghdad early on Thursday, an interior ministry official said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-May-05 - Brigadier Ayad Imad Mehdi was killed when three insurgents stopped his car and shot him dead before fleeing. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-May-05 - Guerrillas also target ordinary Iraqis who cooperate with government security forces or United States troops. Witnesses said gunmen killed two Iraqis in the northern town of Samarra for selling bread to Iraqi Soldiers. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

12-May-05 - Gunmen also killed an interior ministry official, Colonel Muhammad al-Taie, in a separate attack, police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-May-05 - Iraqi Ahmed al-Salami, adult, male, killed in Karbala.

12-May-05 - Iraqi Fadel Muhammad Mubarak al-Taei, adult, male, killed in eastern Baghdad.

12-May-05 - Iraqi Jamal Ahmed Hussein, adult, male, killed in Al-Amin, eastern Baghdad.

12-May-05 - Iraqi son of dead bakery owner, 9, male, killed in Mousala or Azadi area, Kirkuk.

12-May-05 - Private First Class Kenneth E. Zeigler II, 22, of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, died May 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Ziegler was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

12-May-05 - Police said fishermen discovered the men's bodies in the lake near the town of Samarra. The bodies of seven people have been brought in. They are all men killed by gunfire about a week ago, said Doctor Mohammad Jaffar at the hospital in the town of Balad. This incident killed no ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

12-May-05 - Sergeant Andrew R. Jodon, 27, of Karthaus, Pennsylvania, died May 12 in Samarra, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Jodon was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

12-May-05 - Sergeant John M. Smith, 22, of Wilmington, North Carolina, died May 12 in Iskandariya, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Smith was assigned to the Army's 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Irwin, California.

12-May-05 - Thirteen Soldiers and five civilians were wounded, the security sources said, without giving a toll for the rebels. Elsewhere, four Soldiers were killed in overnight fighting with rebels near Baiji, further north, the sources said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-May-05 - Two car bombs also went off today in the northern city of Kirkuk, killing at least two people. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

12-May-05 - Two policemen and a civilian were killed in clashes between Iraqi security forces and insurgents late Wednesday near Sharkat, some 35 kilometers (20 miles) north of Baghdad. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

13-May-05 - In Hillah, about 60 miles south of Baghdad, mortar rounds slammed into an Iraqi Army checkpoint, killing three Soldiers and wounding three others, police said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

13-May-05 - Iraqi Anwar Jassim, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

13-May-05 - Iraqi Soud Thuaine Al Zobii, adult, male, killed in near Route Harley, Yusufiyah area.

13-May-05 - One policeman was shot dead and three wounded when gunmen opened fire on their patrol in western Baghdad on Friday, security officials and medics said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

13-May-05 - Private First Class Travis W. Anderson, 28, of Hooper, Colorado, died May 13 in Baiji, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy. Anderson was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

13-May-05 - The bodies of 13 blindfolded and bound men were found shot multiple times in the head execution style in Baghdad's Sadr City on Sunday; and killing no ISF and 13 Iraqi Civilians.

13-May-05 - Two Iraqi Soldiers and a civilian were killed when a suicide bomber drove his car packed with explosives into a truck carrying 40 Soldiers on Friday in Baqubah, central Iraq, the Army said, killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-May-05 - A huge explosion rocked central Baghdad Saturday killing four Iraqi policemen and wounding 11 others. The explosion was caused by a booby-trapped car that went off when an Iraqi police patrol was driving by in Tayaran Square in front of the ministry. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-May-05 - In another drive-by shooting, unidentified attackers killed Shiite cleric, Sheik Qassim al-Gharawi, and his nephew at about 9 am in the capital's New Baghdad neighborhood, according to police Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Aboud. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-May-05 - In Baghdad, Jassim al-Muhammadawy, director general of administration in the Foreign Ministry, was shot outside his home. His assassination followed three attacks on police and security force targets; and killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-May-05 - In the main northern city of Mosul, two civilians died and a policeman was hurt in a suicide bombing targeting a joint Iraqi-United States patrol, police Major Mohammed Fathi said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

14-May-05 - Insurgents also hurled grenades at a police convoy in western Baghdad, killing one policeman. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-May-05 - Iraqi Gathall Gassem, male, killed in As Saadiyeh.

14-May-05 - Iraqi Gaze Fathall Gassem, adult, male, killed in As Saadiyeh.

14-May-05 - Iraqi Khazion Shokar Mohammed, male, killed in As Saadiyeh.

14-May-05 - Iraqi Saffoin Shkar Mohammed, male, killed in As Saadiyeh.

14-May-05 - Police on Saturday found three beheaded corpses in the town of Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad, police said. Hospital officials said they had been tortured. Insurgents have shot or beheaded Iraqis they suspect of working with United States forces. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

14-May-05 - Police said three Soldiers were killed in clashes in the Aamirya district of Baghdad. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-May-05 - Sergeant Charles C. Gillican, III, 35, of Brunswick, Georgia, died May 14 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, from injuries sustained in a military vehicle accident. Gillican was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade, in Brunswick, Georgia.

14-May-05 - three civilians, believed to be street cleaners, were killed and four others wounded by a roadside bomb in Baghdad's southern district of Dura, hospital officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

14-May-05 - United States troops shot dead eight Iraqis, including five civilians, during an attack on a patrol, the American military said. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

15-May-05 - A failed assassination attempt on the governor of Iraq's Diyala province Sunday killed five people and injured 24, a spokesman for the governor said; and killing three Iraqi police officers and two Iraqi civilians, _CNN_ reported, killing 3 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Hassan Nuaimi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Razzaq Ubaid Hinaidi, adult, male, killed in Aalgaya or Sadat al Hindiya, 60 miles south of Baghdad.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Ahmad Adam, adult, male, killed in Baghdad-Karbala road, between Mahmoudiyah and Latifiya.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Ali Jassem Al Rumi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad-Karbala road, between Mahmoudiyah and Latifiya.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Hani, son of Mahdi Abu Maali, adult, male, killed in Near Latifiya.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Jassam Mohammed al-Lahibi, adult, male, killed in southwestern Baghdad.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Khalaf Atyah Augla, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Khalid Hussein Alwaan, 43, male, killed in Baghdad.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Mahdi Abu Maali, adult, male, killed in Near Latifiya.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Najem Abed Khodair, adult, male, killed in Baghdad-Karbala road, between Mahmoudiyah and Latifiya.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Nephew of Qassim al-Gharawi, male, killed in eastern Baghdad.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Qassim al-Gharawi, adult, male, killed in eastern Baghdad.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Quraish Abdul Jabbar, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Samir Khudhair Abbas al-Anbari, adult, male, killed in Latifiya.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Sheik Talal Nayef, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

15-May-05 - Iraqi Wife of Razzaq Ubaid Hinaidi, adult, female, killed in Aalgaya or Sadat al Hindiya, 60 miles south of Baghdad.

15-May-05 - Journalist Ahmed Adam, of Al-Mada, was killed today in Latifiya, Iraq.

15-May-05 - Journalist Najem Abed Khudair, of Al-Mada, was killed today in Latifiya, Iraq.

15-May-05 - Police in Iskandariya, a town south of Baghdad, said they found 11 bodies on Sunday. Four of the corpses had been beheaded and at least three were identified as Iraqi Soldiers. This incident killed 4 ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

15-May-05 - The corpses of 10 Iraqi Soldiers killed by insurgents have also been found in the western city of Ramadi, the Defence Ministry said. This incident killed 10 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-May-05 - Three Iraqi journalists have been assassinated in cold-blooded and ruthless executions on the roadside south of Baghdad reports the safety office of the International Federation of Journalists in Iraq. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

## (end of Week 48 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 49: 22 May 2005

We now have constant days in the 90's, with the afternoon breaking in to the low 100's. I think the high has been somewhere around 106 last week. We also see thunderstorms, with no rain, but they seem to kick up dust. OK, I did feel a few raindrops, but really, you could walk between them and not get wet. Or was it just sweat.

We continue to get our new Air Force folks in; four came in over the last ten days. The old Air Force are anxious to leave, but they cannot until they spend several days training up their replacements. So far, I have had to extend three people as their replacements have not shown up at all. I can keep them here for an extra 14 days, and then we have to have Secretary of Defense's approval. Our C-1 (Personnel) told us he is prepared to do that - it puts pressure on the Air Force to get replacements in.

One of the new Air Force folks was actually assigned to our Corps C-8 office last fall on a three month tour. I asked him why he came back - he mentioned that there were worse places to be assigned. He is getting his old job back - he is laughing that the files he put in some of our storage closets have not even moved since he last touched them.

One of our new folks is an Air Force Major, and she is here for a year. She will take over our Budget / Execution office (her predecessor was the Marine Captain that now runs Operations/Plans), and the Army Lieutenant Colonel who runs Budget / Execution will move to Operations/Plans, and take my Deputy C-8 duties when I leave in July.

A new Air Force Captain arrived yesterday - I warned him he better do a Vulcan mind meld with Wally - and I would not let Wally go until he knows everything about life support funding for Iraqi military and police.

One of our six month Army Captains left on Thursday - and Sunday morning I ran into him in Kuwait. When you return from Iraq, you go through Kuwait, wait until a seat becomes available. So he has been here three days, and should go out next Tuesday. This is how the Army treats individual replacements; I am looking forward to going down that path in July. The bad news is that Camp Doha here is closing down in June, so I might have to go through another camp, out in the desert, rather than this one by the water.

I am going temporary duty for a week - so I left Baghdad Saturday night (May 21st) to catch a flight tomorrow morning. That is why I met the Army Captain this morning at the food court here in Kuwait; about the only thing going on since they closed the library (and free Internet connections). The Post Exchange offers an Internet connect, for $5 an hour. Oh well, what else is there to do why one waits for the flight out.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – In early March, I got notified that I was again selected to be an Examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Unfortunately, their annual training was in May, and I would not be able to leave Iraq until early July. I told my boss about the selection anyway, who told the Corps Chief of Staff, who told our Corps commanding general. Word came down that I would be allowed to travel down and back to Kuwait at government expense, and be on permissive temporary duty to attend the training. I paid my round trip flight from Kuwait to Washington DC, plus my lodging and meals while there. The Corps was involved in Baldrige assessments, and I committed to providing some training in return for being allowed to go. So for the last several weeks, I have been studying the case study, a fictional family-owned business called Landmark Dining in Houston; that operated two steak and seafood restaurants in Houston and Galveston, a catering business, and a meal delivery service to day care centers and gyms. I usually spent about three hours per evening doing homework in preparation for the training. I was probably the first Examiner to do my case study in a combat zone.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 49: 22 May 2005

I went over to the Baghdad International Air Field late afternoon, got signed up for the next bird out, and an hour later we had manifest call. The gate said we would load up in about ten minutes, and then we waited for two hours. A group of Marines, a headquarters section of a regiment, are going back home after being here seven months. Finally, after the British Royal Air Force plane pulled up, loaded their folks, jokingly offered to fly us down there, left, we got on our plane (a C-130). Then we realized why we waited, as it carried four coffins with the remains of Soldiers or Marines.

It was a quiet flight out of Baghdad, and the ceremony in Kuwait International Airport was thought provoking. And afterward, we realized that we landed at the wrong airport, and our ride to the base was not there. Thank goodness for Marine Gunny Sergeants, for in a few minutes, buses came, we found our pallet of bags, loaded up, and then waited two hours for the military police to escort us to Camp Doha. Got there, went and got some water and ice cream, and then processed in here, getting my body armor and helmet stored. Now I have Sunday to kill before going to the Kuwait International Airport later today.

Meanwhile, the Corps C-8 office will have a week without me, and it will be good practice. I told the boss and the future Deputy C-8 to keep a list of things that I have not told them about yet. So far, no screams, but it has only been one morning.

Back to weekly operations, we continued to have folks coming in to the Corps C-8 office expecting that we now have money to fund their pet projects. So far, not a dime has come in. I printed a picture of the President on May 17th signing the supplemental appropriations bill, and put a sign next to it on the right "The Check is in the Mail." On the left is a little sign that says "Mail takes between three and six weeks to get to your Army Post Office." I have showed this to many of the folks asking for funding. Most laugh, but all seem to get the point, that just because the law is signed; the money takes time to flow from the United States Treasury.

What else happened? Oh, a Country & Western singer was in town, sorry, do not recall his name and was too busy to even stop by the stage after dinner. I am glad I did, the folks who went were really disappointed. He sang four songs, and was gone in 45 minutes. The Charlie Daniels Band played for two straight hours, and then signed autographs and talked to troops for another four hours.

I will close still quite affected by last night's events, thinking of the four families whose lives are now permanently changed. I was sitting too forward to ask the crew chief what their names were - where they were from, but they are going home now, probably already in Dover Air Force Base in Delaware today. Soon they will rejoin their loved ones, and no one will ever forget them for the joy they gave to others. And the Marines and Soldiers on that flight, several had tears in their eyes while we stood in attention as we provide honors to them, who made the final sacrifice.

Take care, and be safe all,

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 49 Memorials)

16-May-05 - A mortar crashed into Baghdad's University of Mustancarya School of Engineering on Monday, killing a security guard and wounding two female students, eyewitnesses said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-May-05 - A roadside bomb killed two Iraqis and wounded two other Iraqis and an American -- all security contractors working for a Western firm -- in eastern Baghdad on Monday night, Iraqi police said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

16-May-05 - A suicide car bomber killed at least five people and wounded 30 at a customs checkpoint near Iraq's border with Syria on Monday, an Iraqi official said. Some of the wounded were in critical condition, he said. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

16-May-05 - An aide to Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric was gunned down Sunday in Baghdad, police said. Sheikh Qasim al-Ghiri and a nephew died in a drive-by shooting. Al-Ghiri was a top aide to the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani; and killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

16-May-05 - An Iraqi civilian was killed and another wounded in a drive-by shooting Sunday in the northern city of Mosul, the Iraqi government said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-May-05 - Another four Iraqi males were found dead in southeastern Baghdad's Ur neighborhood near a mosque. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

16-May-05 - Eight bodies were discovered in northeastern Baghdad's Al-Sha'ab area. The Iraqis' hands were tied behind their backs, and they were blindfolded and shot in the head, police said; and killing no ISF and 8 Iraqi Civilians.

16-May-05 - In Al Muwelha, armed men attacked a preliminary school, two teachers were killed. In Sadat al Hindiya a police officer and his wife were killed by an unidentified armed group and their three children were badly wounded. This incident killed 1 ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

16-May-05 - Iraqi Najat Saadoun, adult, male, killed in found in garbage dump, Kirkuk.

16-May-05 - Sergeant Jacob M. Simpson, 24, of Ashland, Oregon died May 16, in Tal Afar, Iraq, when a rocket propelled grenade struck the building he was securing. Simpson was assigned to the Army's 2d Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Carson, Colorado.

16-May-05 - Two car bombs exploded minutes apart near a southern Baghdad market on Monday, killing nine Soldiers, wounding five others and causing an unspecified number of civilian casualties, a senior police official said. This incident killed 9 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

17-May-05 - Gunmen killed a Shiite Muslim cleric on Tuesday while two missing Sunni clerics were found shot dead, police said. United States troops clashed with militants in Mosul, according to reporter on the scene. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

17-May-05 - Insurgents killed four Iraqi Soldiers in clashes outside a power plant in a southern Iraqi town on Tuesday, Army sources said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Ahmad Fuad, adult, male, killed in northeast of Mosul.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Ahmad Waadallah Jameel, adult, male, killed in east Mosul.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Alaa al-Deen Wazir al-Obeidi, adult, male, killed in Al-Durah, southern Baghdad.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Kanis Mohammed al-Janabi, adult, male, killed in Tunis, 20 miles south of Baghdad.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Mani Hassan, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

17-May-05 - Iraqi military forces found the dead bodies of three Iraqi Soldiers in the town of Qa'im, in western Iraq. An Iraqi Army source told reporters that two of the Soldiers were shot dead, and the third was beheaded. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Muafak Mawlud, adult, male, killed in northeast of Mosul.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Nazhan Khaled al-Sarrai, 33, male, killed in bodies found near Sharqat.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Nazir Fadhel Hussein, adult, male, killed in Mufrek, Baqubah.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Omar Hashim, 37, male, killed in bodies found near Sharqat.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Satar Abdul Jabar, adult, male, killed in Saba Al Boor area, near Taji, northwest of Baghdad.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Sayyed Muwaffaq Mansur al-Samuwi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Son of Kanis Mohammed al-Janabi, 17, male, killed in Tunis, 20 miles south of Baghdad.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Son of Kanis Mohammed al-Janabi, 17-25, male, killed in Tunis, 20 miles south of Baghdad.

17-May-05 - Iraqi Son of Kanis Mohammed al-Janabi, 25, male, killed in Tunis, 20 miles south of Baghdad.

17-May-05 - Islamic militant group Army of Ansar al-Sunna said it shot dead two Iraqis working for a subcontractor for a unit of company Halliburton according to an Internet video posted on Tuesday. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

17-May-05 - Private First Class Wesley R. Riggs, 19, of Baytown, Texas died May 17 in Tikrit, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted position. Riggs was assigned to the Army's 2d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

17-May-05 - Three unknown armed men opened fire at 10am on the vehicle of Alaa al-Din Wazir al-Ubaydi, a high-ranking official with Iraq's Commission on Public Integrity. He died on the spot, but his driver escaped unharmed. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-May-05 - A booby-trapped vehicle explosion outside a police station in north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad killed Wednesday two Iraqi policemen the vehicle exploded outside Al-Siniyah police station near Baiji in the governorate of Tikrit, north of Baghdad. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-May-05 - Drive-by shooters killed a senior member of Iraq's Interior Ministry, Brigadier General Ibrahim Khamas, Wednesday, continuing a campaign against the new government's administration and security infrastructure. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-May-05 - Gunmen also shot dead a transport ministry driver, Ali Mutib Sakr, in Sadr City, a predominantly Shiite area in the eastern part of the capital, police Lieutenant Colonel Shakir Wadi said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-May-05 - Iraqi Ibrahim Khamas, adult, male, killed in Za'faraniyah, southeastern Baghdad.

18-May-05 - Iraqi Mohammed Tahir al-Allaq, adult, male, killed in between Baghdad and Kut.

18-May-05 - Iraqi Salah Niyazi, adult, male, killed in Al-Adhamiyah, northern Baghdad.

18-May-05 - Iraqi Soldiers discovered the bodies of the seven blindfolded men on the side of a road in Aamirya, some 40 kilometers west of Baghdad, said Mohammed Al Ani, a doctor at Ramadi General Hospital. This incident killed no ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

18-May-05 - Mortar attacks by insurgents in northern Mosul on Wednesday killed two Iraqis and injured eight others, including seven school children, police and hospital officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

18-May-05 - Mosul attacks took place in the eastern part of the city. One round landed in front of a grocer's shop in the al-Masarif neighborhood and killed the owner. Another struck a car and killed its driver and injured a passenger. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

18-May-05 - Seven Iraqi Turkmen captured in an ambush on a security convoy near Falluja were found dead on Wednesday, shot in the head and with their hands bound, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

18-May-05 - Sergeant Antwan L. Walker, 22, of Tampa, Florida, died May 18 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his camp was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire. Walker was assigned to the Army's 2nd Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

19-May-05 - An Iraqi lawmaker said 10 of his private guards were killed here on Thursday during a 1-1/2 hour-long battle with insurgents and Apache helicopter-backed United States forces, who he accused of killing several of his aides. This incident killed no ISF and 10 Iraqi Civilians.

19-May-05 - An official from Iraq's Oil Ministry was gunned down Thursday morning in western Baghdad, police said. Gunmen killed Doctor Ali Hameed about 8 am, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-May-05 - Hamoud said al-Allaq, imam of al-Jawadain Mosque in the predominantly Shiite al-Baladiyah neighborhood of New Baghdad, was killed while driving to Kut Gunmen fired at the cleric's car, forcing it off the road into a ditch, Hamoud said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-May-05 - In Baqubah, to the north, two policemen were killed in a roadside bomb blast. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-May-05 - In Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad, gunmen assassinated policeman Omar Majeed Shakir al-Dosh and his father on Thursday, said police Lieutenant Qassem Mohammed. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-May-05 - In the city of Mosul, hospital officials said two people were killed when a bomb exploded prematurely in the car they were driving on a suicide mission. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

19-May-05 - Iraqi Ali Hamid Alwan al-Dulaimy, 31, male, killed in Khadamiyah, northern Baghdad.

19-May-05 - Iraqi Ali Salem Gaber, 22, male, killed in Route Christy, near Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iskandariya area.

19-May-05 - Iraqi Father of Omar Majeed Shakir al-Dosh, adult, male, killed in Samarra.

19-May-05 - Iraqi Qasim Mohammed Al-Umari, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

19-May-05 - Iraqi Sayid Mohammed al-Allaf, adult, male, killed in Sadr City, Baghdad.

19-May-05 - One Iraqi Soldier was killed and another eight were wounded in a suicidal attack by a car-bomb in the Southern part of Baghdad, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-May-05 - Private First Class Wyatt D. Eisenhauer, 26, of Pinckneyville, Illinois, died May 19 in Mahmoudiyah, Iraq, on an escort mission in a HMMWV when an improvised explosive device detonated on a bridge. Eisenhauer was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.

19-May-05 - Specialist Bernard L. Sembly, 25, of Bossier City, Louisiana and Sergeant Robin V. Fell, 22, of Shreveport, Louisiana died May 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, when they were shot while conducting dismounted combat operations. Both were assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 156th Armor Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

19-May-05 - Three gunmen killed a university professor near his house in the capital on Thursday. Four more bodies were found on Thursday South of Tikrit. In the town of Baiji, four Soldiers from the Iraqi Army were kidnapped at dawn. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

20-May-05 - A car bomb killed two Iraqi Soldiers and wounded five people, three of them Soldiers, on Friday near a military convoy in the Baghdad Shiite neighborhood of Kadhimiya, an interior ministry official said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-May-05 - A roadside bomb killed an Iraq civilian in Latifiya, south of Baghdad, police Lieutenant Ali Obeid said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-May-05 - A suicide bombing targeting the house of Iraqi national security adviser, Mouwafak al-Rubaie, killed two civilians and wounded three in the Baghdad neighborhood of Kadhimiya, killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

20-May-05 - In Baghdad itself, two children were killed and their mother wounded in a homemade bomb blast outside a Shiite Muslim mosque. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

20-May-05 - Sergeant Brad A. Wentz, 21, of Gladwin, Michigan, died May 20 on a main supply route in Iraq when his convoy came under attack by enemy forces. Wentz was assigned to the Army Reserve's 180th Transportation Company, Muskegon, Michigan.

20-May-05 - Sergeant Kurt D. Schamberg, 26, of Euclid, Ohio, died May 20, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Schamberg was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, at Fort Drum, New York.

21-May-05 - In Baiji further north, six other members of the brigade were shot dead in intense fighting that broke out in the key oil refinery town's industrial zone, police said. This incident killed 6 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

21-May-05 - One civilian was also killed and 10 wounded when unidentified gunmen opened fire from a car in the western Baghdad district of Al-Gzalia late Saturday, killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-May-05 - First Lieutenant Aaron N. Seesan, 25, of Ohio and Specialist Tyler L. Creamean, 21, of Jacksonville, Arkansas died on May 22 in Mosul, Iraq, from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. Both were assigned to the 73rd Engineer Company, Fort Lewis, Washington.

22-May-05 - A roadside bomb blast killed one Iraqi civilian and wounded another Sunday near the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk, a police official said. The attack happened near Oyoun, a village 55 kilometers (31 miles) west of Kirkuk. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-May-05 - Gunmen shot dead a senior official in Iraq's trade ministry as he was being driven to work in Baghdad on Sunday, police said, the latest in a series of assassinations of senior government employees. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-May-05 - Iraqi Ali Mousa Salman, adult, male, killed in western Baghdad.

22-May-05 - Iraqi Awuos Mofeed Abdullah, adult, male, killed in Al-Hurriya area? Baghdad.

22-May-05 - Jordanian Contractor named Al-Sanie was killed today due to Shot Dead at Iraq (Unknown). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

22-May-05 - Sergeant Benjamin C. Morton, 24, of Wright, Kansas, died May 22, in Mosul, Iraq, when his dismounted patrol encountered enemy small arms fire. Morton was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), Fort Lewis, Washington.

22-May-05 - Sergeant Carl J. Morgain, 40, of Butler, Pennsylvania, died May 22, in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Kadasia, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Morgain was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, in Butler, Pennsylvania.

22-May-05 - Sergeant Charles T. Wilkerson, 30, of Kansas City, Missouri, died May 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an unknown ordnance detonated near his tent. Wilkerson was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, Colorado.

22-May-05 - Sergeant John B. Ogburn III, 45, of Fruitland, Oregon, died May 22, in Kirkuk, Iraq, when his HMMWV overturned after the driver avoided striking a civilian vehicle. Ogburn was assigned to the Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 116th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in Ontario, Oregon.

22-May-05 - Sergeant Kenneth J. Schall, 22, of Peoria, Arizona, died May 22, in Yusufiyah, Iraq, when the HMMWV in which he was riding was involved in an accident. Schall was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.

## (end of Week 49 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Weeks 50-51: 6 June 2005

Well it has been a busy two weeks.

As I mentioned two weeks ago, I got to leave Baghdad on May 21st, traveling down by C-130 aircraft to Kuwait, and then out of by commercial airlines (KLM) through Amsterdam to Washington, DC. KLM is a good airline to fly, offering real silverware and Dutch food. During the wait at air fields and airports, I completed my American Electric Power Company ethics reading assignment, The Authentic Leadership.

The Army allowed me to attend the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Examiner training in Bethesda during the week. It was good to see some old friends from Oklahoma and Ohio, plus some others from all over the United States. Since I only had one pair of civilian slacks, I wore my uniform to class the first day (May 24th). The training facility is the owned by the United States Postal Services, and it is used by many government agencies. It is a very nice facility, complete with its own hotel and restaurant. The Executive Director for Baldrige told me it cost $70,000 for the four weeks of examiner training, a cost I though was pretty reasonable to train over 500 folks.

At the start of training, we go around the room and provide short introductions. Our class, being the last one, was filled with folks who had procrastinated in doing the 40 hours of homework, so we had about 140 folks there. A friend from Xcel Energy in Minnesota, stood up, stretched his six foot seven inch frame, and mentioned that the beds were just a wee bit too small, he having to sleep cross-wise on the queen sized bed. About twenty folks later, a man said that he found his bed very comfortable, and then stood on his chair, showing off all five feet one inch. When it came my turn, besides announcing that I was from American Electric Power Company on a 15 month temporary leave of absence in Baghdad, I told my friend from that other electric utility that I was quite thankful to have indoor plumbing in my hotel room. I got a few laughs.

The examiner training went through Friday (May 27th), and then I went to Dulles airport to catch the KLM flight back on Saturday. I was really tempted to take the $500 coupon as the flight was overbooked, but I figured I would have to explain why I was late getting back to Iraq. So the flight was full, and I sat in the very last row of the plane (Yuk). I had a ten hour layover in Amsterdam, I should have taken some tour of the city, but I found these really nice comfort chairs and slept. Got into Kuwait International Airport about 11 pm on Sunday, and then we waited around for two hours before going to our Camp Doha. After checking in and getting my armored vest and helmet, I found out that flights would be posted between 2 and 5 am on Monday (May 30th). It was three in the morning, and no flights had been posted. After 5 am, they finally posted two flights to Baghdad, one at noon and the other at 5 pm. Waited at roll call both times, and my name was not called. Another night in Kuwait!! Tough duty!

I found out that I was about 30 on the wait list, so I went to the movie theater and saw _Hostage_. Since I had sat around and slept most of the day, I was not too tired. I went over to midnight chow, and then tried to sleep. I finally got up at 3:30 am, went over to the terminal, and found out that there was a roll call at 4 am. I figured out that I probably was not going on that flight, since it only had eleven seats, but I went back, packed up, and got into uniform to stand roll call. Boy was I surprised to be the first name called, as they needed an officer to be flight commander. Lots of duties, but I had to make sure my ten ducklings got on the plane and go to Baghdad. We took a bus to the Air Force Base in Kuwait, and waited about an hour before loading the plane. Then we found out we were going to Kuwait International Airport, to pick up four pallets of cargo. The aircrew knew that they were going there, but not what they were going to do.

We took off, and the ten minute flight was uneventful though it was almost 115 degrees. We landed, and most of the folks headed off to Subway to get something to eat. They took off our pallet of luggage, and put a pallet of computers on, with markings to go to a unit in Baghdad. Someone came over, claimed that they had the wrong pallet on our plane, and about a half hour later, they removed the pallet. The pilots decided that they had enough of this fun, so we buttoned up and the rear door closed (it was a C-130), and started to taxi to the runway. Then we were ordered to turn around, and pick up 13 passengers. They were herded on quickly, and a few of us loaded their luggage on the floor which was quickly strapped down. Off to Baghdad, a fairly uneventful flight. Our pilot got to play fighter jock at the end, and we were quite impressed by her "roller coaster" landing.

So it was now Tuesday (May 31st), and I had been gone ten days. I found the Corps C-8 office running fine, and found I only had 200 emails on the three systems. It looked like most things were working fine. But of course, we still have not received any funding from the states, so it is a rather easy time in our office, only getting two to five visitors a day explaining that they had an emergency. We try to tell them that we don't make the funding decisions. I guess it makes them feel better that someone is listening to them, but there is not much we can do for them.

On Friday night (June 3rd), Atlanta decided that they found a little bit of money, about 17% of our requirements, and that we would get it the next Monday. So we facilitated some meetings over the weekend to prioritize all the requirements and got them approved by our Corps Chief of Staff on Sunday afternoon (June 5th).

The new Air Force crew seems to be working well. Not much whining like the last crew. They seem very professional so far. I spend much of my day having discussions on several of the funding issues that I have been involved in. Training them how to fish, not giving them fish.

I prepared some papers, and I am pushing for some policy changes with Atlanta and Washington DC that would enable us to do some easier things with reconstruction funds. Otherwise, it has been a relative quiet week at work. Camp Victory did receive some indirect fire attacks, with two folks being killed and about two dozen injured. This allowed me the opportunity to emphasize how dangerous this place is with our new personnel and to emphasize accountability day and night. We had another person leave this week (June 4th), a female Marine Captain and Naval Academy graduate who spent almost a year in our Corps C-8 office. Our remaining Air Force personnel from the last cycle will leave this week after they finish training their replacements.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Weeks 50-51 Memorials)

23-May-05 - A car bomb outside a Baghdad restaurant popular with police killed 11 people on Monday, a government spokesman said. This incident killed no ISF and 11 Iraqi Civilian.

23-May-05 - A video posted on the Internet Tuesday shows three Arab truck drivers being shot to death. Two Iraqi drivers, reportedly seized outside the al-Assad base west of Baghdad, are shown making similar statements before all three were shot dead by a masked man. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

23-May-05 - Four Soldiers died on May 23 in Haswa, Iraq, when their military vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. The Soldiers are Specialist Bryan Edward Barron, 26, of Biloxi, Mississippi. Barron was assigned to the Army National Guard's C Company, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, Biloxi, Mississippi; Specialist Audrey Daron Lunsford, 29, of Sardis, Mississippi. Lunsford was assigned to the Army National Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, McComb, Mississippi; Staff Sergeant Saburant Parker, 43, of Foxworth, Mississippi. Parker was assigned to the Army National Guard's C Company, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, Biloxi, Mississippi; and Sergeant Daniel Ryan Varnado, 23, of Saucier, Mississippi. Varnado was assigned to the Army National Guard's C Company, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry, Biloxi, Mississippi.

23-May-05 - Guerrillas seeking to topple Iraq's new government exploded a suicide truck bomb outside a mayor's office. The truck bomb exploded in the town of Tuz Khurmatu south of the oil city of Kirkuk, killing five people and wounding 18. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

23-May-05 - In a separate attack in Samarra, two Iraqi Soldiers were killed and one was wounded when insurgents fired 10 mortar bombs at a joint Army-police base, Army Captain Salam Hadi told AFP. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-May-05 - In Tuz Khurmatu, south of the strategic oil city of Mosul, a suicide truck bomb blast outside the mayor's office killed five Iraqis on Monday, and the same day a multiple suicide bomb attack on a United States base in Samarra killed four Iraqis. This incident killed no ISF and 19 Iraqi Civilians.

23-May-05 - Iraqi brother of Mohammed Mahmoud Jigareti, adult, male, killed in Tuz Khurmatu, 70 km south of Kirkuk.

23-May-05 - Iraqi Nadory H. Kadeir, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

23-May-05 - Major General Wael al-Rubaei and his driver were killed in central Baghdad's Mansour district as they were heading to work, police said. Mr Rubaei was the director of the national security ministry's operations room, according to a government statement. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-May-05 - On Monday, at least 19 people were killed when a car bomb exploded outside a Shi'ite mosque in Mahmoudiyah south of Baghdad, local police and hospital officials said. Many of those killed and wounded were children, they said. This incident killed no ISF and 19 Iraqi Civilians.

23-May-05 - Sergeant Christopher S. Perez, 30, of Hutchinson, Kansas, died May 23 from wounds received as a result of an indirect fire attack while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

23-May-05 - Specialist Joshua T. Brazee, 25, of Sand Creek, Michigan, died May 23, in Al Qaim, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Brazee was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Carson, Colorado.

23-May-05 - Staff Sergeant Russell J. Verdugo, 34, of Phoenix, Arizona, died May 23, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated as he was responding to a report of an improvised explosive device. Verdugo was assigned to the 767th Ordnance Company, Fort McNair, in Washington DC.

23-May-05 - Two people were killed and two were injured in Kirkuk itself when a mortar round landed on a house, police Captain Farhad Talabani said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

24-May-05 - A car bomb exploded Tuesday near a Baghdad junior high school for girls, killing six people, officials said, a day after 49 Iraqis died in a string of explosions, suicide attacks and drive-by shootings. This incident killed no ISF and 6 Iraqi Civilians.

24-May-05 - On Tuesday, militants sprayed Baktash's house with machine-gun fire, killing two civilians and clashing with security forces, said Colonel Saleh Jamil Sultan. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

24-May-05 - Sergeant First Class Peter J. Hahn, 31, of Metairie, Louisiana, died May 24, in Baghdad, Iraq, when his observation point was engaged by enemy forces using small arms fire. Hahn was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, in New Iberia, Louisiana.

24-May-05 - Sergeant Charles A. Drier, 28, of Tuscola, Michigan, Specialist Dustin C. Fisher, 22, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Private First Class Jeffrey R. Wallace, 20, of Hoopeston, Illinois died May 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

24-May-05 - Sergeant First Class Randy D. Collins, 36, of Long Beach, California, died May 24 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, of injuries sustained in Mosul, Iraq, May 4 during a mortar attack. Collins was assigned to the Army's 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California.

25-May-05 - An Iraqi Soldier and an insurgent were killed in an exchange of gunfire close to Balad. An Iraqi civilian was killed and seven others wounded in a suicide car bomb attack near a United States convoy in Saadiyeh. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-May-05 - Gunmen shot dead Army Captain Ali Abdul-Amir as he left his house in the town of Khalis. In the city of Datuk a roadside bomb killed a policeman and wounded 10. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-May-05 - Gunmen shot dead Colonel Mukhlef Moussa of the Facility Protection Service, a United States-trained civilian guard force, as he walked inside the campus of Mosul University. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-May-05 - In Baghdad's southern neighborhood of Dora, a suicide car bomber blew himself up on Wednesday but missed a United States military convoy that was passing in the area, police Captain Firas Ghaiti said. The attack left one civilian dead and four wounded, he added. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-May-05 - Iraqi brothers, male, killed in Shorgat, north of Tikrit.

25-May-05 - Iraqi Mukhlif al-Juboury, adult, male, killed in near Mosul University.

25-May-05 - Sergeant Alfred B. Siler, 33, of Duff, Tennessee, died May 25 in Tuz, Iraq, when his HMMWV hit another vehicle. Siler was assigned to the Army National Guard's Support Squadron, 278th Regimental Combat Team, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

25-May-05 - Sergeant David N. Wimberg, 24, of Louisville, Kentucky, died May 25 from wounds received as a result of small-arms fire from enemy forces while conducting combat operations in Hadithah, Iraq. Wimberg was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, in Columbus, Ohio. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

25-May-05 - The police chief of the northern Iraqi town of Sharqat was killed by gunmen who ambushed his car on Wednesday, police and hospital officials said. They said Mikhlif Khalaf was shot dead in the northern city of Mosul, east of Sharqat, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-May-05 - American forces opened fire on a minibus in the Dura district, in southern Baghdad, killing three people and wounding four others, said a Defence ministry source. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

26-May-05 - In Baghdad, five people, including three police officers, were killed today by a car bomb targeting an Iraqi security patrol. This incident killed 3 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

26-May-05 - Insurgents shot dead a senior official in Iraq's ministry of industry and minerals in an ambush in Baghdad on Thursday, police said. Thamer Ghaidan was killed in a drive-by shooting as he was shopping in a market in central Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-May-05 - Iraqi Qasim al-Kawak, adult, male, killed in in his 'Al Seid' restaurant, Baghdad.

26-May-05 - Iraqi Samir Nima Ghaidan, adult, male, killed in northern Baghdad.

26-May-05 - Leading member of the Islamic Dawa (propagation) Party Fakhri Al-Amri was assassinated on Thursday after militants stormed the house of his brother in Al-Qadisiya, Baghdad, where he was spending the night. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-May-05 - Major Ricardo A. Crocker, 39, of Mission Viejo, California, died May 26 from a rocket propelled grenade explosion while conducting combat operations in Hadithah, Iraq. Crocker was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's 3rd Civil Affairs Group, Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

26-May-05 - The U-S military says a child was killed in the northern city of Tal Afar today, caught in a clash between U-S forces and insurgents. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-May-05 - University lecturer Mussa Salum Abbas and three men travelling in his car died in a drive-by shooting in the capital's southern Al-Aalam district, the source said, adding that the other men were believed to be Abbas's bodyguards. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

27-May-05 - A car bomb attack on an Iraqi police convoy in Tikrit late on Friday which killed two civilians and wounded 24 people, including nine police, Jalal Khoshi, a doctor at the local hospital said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

27-May-05 – Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey, 40, of East Bethel, Minnesota and Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Michael Scott, 28, of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin died on May 27 from injuries sustained on May 26 in Buhriz, Iraq, when their Ohio-58 (Kiowa Warrior) came under small arms attack and crashed. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

27-May-05 - Gunmen killed another five people Friday during a car exhibition in the nearby city of Latifiya, police Captain Muthana Khalid Ali said Saturday. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

27-May-05 - Iraqi authorities report the ambush of a police patrol in the city of Mosul. Two people were killed: a policeman and a bystander caught in the crossfire. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-May-05 - Iraqi police say a mortar attack was launched against a carpentry factory in northern Baghdad. An officer says a guard was killed and four others were wounded. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-May-05 - Sergeant Mark A. Maida, 22, of Madison, Wisconsin, died May 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Diyarah, Iraq, May 26 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Maida was assigned to the Army's 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Irwin, California.

27-May-05 - Ten Iraqis were killed and their bodies dumped Friday in the volatile western border city of Qaim... Ali said police have also found the bullet-riddled bodies of five Iraqis in a car on a road in the volatile Anbar province.... This incident killed no ISF and 10 Iraqi Civilians.

27-May-05 - Two civilians were killed and three wounded when clashes erupted late Friday between militants and Iraqi Soldiers in Mahmoudiyah, about 20 miles south of Baghdad, said Dawood Al-Taie of Mahmoudiyah hospital. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

28-May-05 - Ali said police have also found the bullet-riddled bodies of five Iraqis in a car on a road in the volatile Anbar province. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

28-May-05 - Another five Iraqis died in Saturday's twin suicide car bombings at the entrance to an Iraqi military base in Sinjar, about 75 miles northwest of Mosul, a police official said on condition of anonymity. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

28-May-05 - Another Iraqi Soldier was killed when a mixed United States-Iraqi patrol was targeted by a suicide car bomber in the oil refinery city of Baiji, north of Baghdad, police Lieutenant Hassan Salah said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-May-05 - First Sergeant Michael S. Barnhill, 39, of Folsom, California, died May 28 after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near Haqlaniyah, Iraq. He was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve's 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Force Service Support Group, in Eugene, Oregon. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd FSSG, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

28-May-05 - Gunmen have shot dead a former member of Kirkuk's city council, Naif Sabhan al-Jibouri, Iraqi police said on Saturday; the latest killing of a local official in a city where tensions between Kurds and Arabs run high. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-May-05 - Iraqi Hasham Ata, adult, male, killed in Tamiya.

28-May-05 - Iraqi Soney Sheheab Achmed Al Hadidi, adult, male, killed in Hayy An Nur, east Mosul.

28-May-05 - Japanese Contractor named Saito, Akihiko was killed today due to Convoy ambush at Al Assad base (near). Was a Security Contractor for employer Hart Security Company.

28-May-05 - Lebanese Contractor named Name not known was killed today due to Drive-by shooting at Baghdad. Was an Interpreter for an unknown employer.

28-May-05 - Lieutenant Colonel Albert E. Smart, 41, of San Antonio, Texas, died May 28 in Doha, Qatar, of a non-combat related illness. Smart was assigned to the United States Army Reserve's 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, Texas.

28-May-05 - South of Baghdad, outside the town of Hillah, unknown gunmen stopped a car carrying five Iraqi Soldiers and opened fire, killing four of them and seriously wounding one, a spokesman for the Hillah police said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-May-05 - Specialist Phillip N. Sayles, 26, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, died May 28 in Mosul, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his security position. Sayles was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Washington.

29-May-05 - A suicide car bomb detonated outside the Iraqi Oil Ministry on Sunday, killing at least two security guards and wounding others, officials said about 1:20 pm, Falah al-Khawaja, an official in the ministry told Xinhua. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

29-May-05 - An interior ministry police officer and two civilians were killed and nine other people injured in a car bomb attack south of Baghdad on Sunday, a security source said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

29-May-05 - Another suicide car bomber in eastern Baghdad killed four policemen and wounded four, police Lieutenant-Colonel Hassan Chalob said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

29-May-05 - Another two Iraqi police commandos were killed and five injured in a car bomb blast at 11 am at Madain about 14 miles southeast of Baghdad, police Colonel Selam Mehmood. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

29-May-05 - At least fifteen people were killed, including nine Soldiers by gunmen who attacked a checkpoint in Yusufiyah, 12 miles south of the capital. This incident killed 9 ISF and 6 Iraqi Civilians.

29-May-05 - Gunmen killed two Iraqi police sergeants employed by the Iraqi Cabinet in a drive-by shooting Sunday in Dora, said police Captain Firas Qaiti, killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

29-May-05 - Iraqi Bishar Abdul Karim al-Dobradani, 52, male, killed in Mosul.

29-May-05 - Iraqi Farqad Mohammed Khinaisar, 57, female, killed in Sadiya, Baghdad.

29-May-05 - Iraqi Safaa Nashaat, adult, male, killed in Al-Dora, Baghdad.

29-May-05 - Iraqi Shaykh Ahmad Farraj al-Rawi, adult, male, killed in Ramadi.

29-May-05 - Iraqi Zaiid Ahmad Ali Mouhammad Aanadlad, male, killed in 7 April area, Hay Al Amil, Baghdad.

29-May-05 - Staff Sergeant Victor M. Cortes III, 29, of Erie, Pennsylvania, died May 29 in Baghdad, Iraq of non-combat-related injuries. Cortes was assigned to the 703rd Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia.

29-May-05 - The United States military said Sunday that a roadside bomb attack in central Mosul a day earlier killed eight Iraqis, including three children, and wounded two. This incident killed no ISF and 8 Iraqi Civilians.

29-May-05 - British Army Lance Corporal Alan Brackenbury, 21, of Goole, East Yorkshire, was killed by hostile attack by roadside bomb, died when military convoy was hit by an explosion at Mayson, al-Amarah Iraq. Was assigned to the King's Royal Hussars, attached to A Squadron, 1 Staffords battlegroup.

30-May-05 - A roadside bomb blast killed one civilian and injured two others in Adhaim, a village 31 miles north of Baquabah, according to Baquabah council official Faris Ekab. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-May-05 - Corporal Jeffrey B. Starr, 22, of Snohomish, Washington, died May 30 from small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

30-May-05 - Four airmen died May 30 in the crash of an Iraqi air force aircraft during a training mission in eastern Diyala province. Killed were Major William Downs, 40, of Winchester, Virginia, assigned to the 6th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, Captain Jeremy Fresques, 26, of Clarkdale, Arizona, assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, Captain Derek Argel, 28, of Lompoc, California, assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, and Staff Sergeant Casey Crate, 26, of Spanaway, Washington, assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida.

30-May-05 - Four Americans and an Iraqi were killed when an Iraqi Air Force plane went down in eastern Iraq on Monday, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-May-05 - Gunmen killed a senior Kurdish official, Major General Ahmed al-Barazanchi, the director of internal affairs of Kirkuk province and a former police chief. He died in hospital early Monday after being shot late Sunday, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-May-05 - In all, the precisely coordinated assault in Hillah -- targeting police officers who were protesting a provincial governor's decision to disband their units -- killed 31 people and wounded 108, according to Muhammed Hadi, killing 31 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-May-05 - Iraqi Safwan Ali Farhan, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

30-May-05 - Iraqi Sawan Ali al-Qaissi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

30-May-05 - Two Iraqi police sergeants employed by the Iraqi Cabinet were killed while driving to work Sunday by unknown gunmen in another car, police said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

31-May-05 - A policeman was shot dead in another part of the city of Mosul, which is regularly the scene of lethal attacks. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

31-May-05 - A suicide car bomber killed two Iraqi Soldiers in an early morning attack on an Army checkpoint near Buhriz, about 35 miles north of Baghdad, said Diyala provincial police spokesman Ali Fadhil. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

31-May-05 - Gunmen shot and killed Jerges Mohammed Sultan, an Iraqi journalist working for Iraqi state TV channel Al-Iraqiya, as he left his house in the northern city of Mosul, said Doctor Baha-aldin al-Bakri from al-Jumhouri hospital. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

31-May-05 - Iraqi Mohammed Saeed, male, killed in Shatt Al-Arab area, Basra.

31-May-05 - Iraqi Police on Tuesday found the dead bodies of four Iraqi policemen in the town of Heit in Western Iraq. Tithe four policemen were handcuffed and executed by shooting, noting that a Lieutenant colonel was among them. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

31-May-05 - Italian Army Capitano Marco Briganti, 33, of Forli, Italy, killed by non-hostile - helicopter crash in An Nasiriyah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 7th "Vega" Regiment, Army Aviation Division from Rimini, Italy.

31-May-05 - Italian Army Maresciallo Capo Massimiliano Biondini, 33, of Bagnoregio, Italy, killed by non-hostile - helicopter crash in An Nasiriyah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 7th "Vega" Regiment, Army Aviation Division from Rimini, Italy.

31-May-05 - Italian Army Maresciallo Marco Cirillo, 29, of Viterbo, Italy, killed by non-hostile - helicopter crash in An Nasiriyah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 1st "Antares" Regiment, Army Aviation Division from Pisa, Italy.

31-May-05 - Italian Army Tenente Colonnello Giuseppe Lima, 39, of Rome, Italy, killed by non-hostile - helicopter crash in An Nasiriyah, Iraq. Was assigned to the 25th "Cigno" Squadron, 7th "Vega" Regiment, Army Aviation Division, from Rimini, Italy.

31-May-05 - North of Baghdad, three other people, including an Asian truck driver whose nationality was unknown, were killed in separate attacks that also left six wounded, including one woman, police sources said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

31-May-05 - Sergeant First Class Steven M. Langmack, 33, of Seattle, Washington, died May 31 in Al Qaim, Iraq, from injuries sustained from small arms fire during combat operations. Langmack was assigned to Headquarters, United States Army Special Operations Command, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

31-May-05 - Sergeant Miguel A. Ramos, 39, of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, died May 31 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an enemy rocket impacted near his position. Ramos was assigned to the Army Reserve's 807th Signal Company, 35th Signal Battalion, in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico.

31-May-05 - The governor, Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi, of western Iraq's volatile Anbar province has been killed during clashes between United States forces and the insurgents who abducted him, the Iraqi government said Tuesday, killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

31-May-05 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 88 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 10 Coalition Contractors, 0 Aid Workers, 3 Journalists, 259 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 179 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 386 Insurgents.

1-Jun-05 - A mortar attack in Baghdad killed four people, including three children, while Turkish Kurds sheltering in the north of the war-wracked country held out an olive branch to Ankara. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

1-Jun-05 - An Iraqi Soldier died and 12 others were hospitalized after they ate poisonous watermelon near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. An unknown driver of a truck full of watermelon gave late Tuesday poisonous watermelon to Iraqi Soldiers. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-Jun-05 - Another police officer was shot dead at a market in northern Samarra. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-Jun-05 - Iraqi Lu'ay Salih, uncle of Sabaa, 20-29, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

1-Jun-05 - Iraqi Mina Mohammed Abid, cousin of Sabaa, 8, female, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

1-Jun-05 - Iraqi Amar Daif Karem, 18, male, killed in Nasreah.

1-Jun-05 - Iraqi Khalid (?) adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

1-Jun-05 - Iraqi Sabaa Haitham, 12, female, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

1-Jun-05 - Iraqi Sajjad Haitham, brother of Sabaa, 10, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

1-Jun-05 - Iraqi Salah Lafta Saleh, 20, male, killed in Ramadi.

1-Jun-05 - Iraqi Sarmad (?) adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

1-Jun-05 - Private First Class Louis E. Niedermeier, 20, of Largo, Florida, died June 1 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit was conducting combat operations and he came under enemy small arms fire. Niedermeier was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

1-Jun-05 - Police Lieutenant Mohamed Khairi was killed by unknown gunmen in the Dur region, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-Jun-05 - Specialist Phillip C. Edmundson, 22, of Wilson, North Carolina, died June 1 in Ramadi, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle during combat operations. Edmundson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Carson, Colorado.

1-Jun-05 - Staff Sergeant Virgil R. Case, 37, of Mountain Home, Idaho, died June 1 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Case was assigned to the Army National Guard's 145th Support Battalion, 116th Brigade Combat Team, in Mountain Home, Idaho.

1-Jun-05 - Two further suicide car bombings killed three Iraqi Soldiers in the northern towns of Tamiya and Baiji. Both attacks targeted joint Iraqi-American patrols and left six Iraqi Soldiers wounded. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jun-05 - In Baquabah another suicide bomber killed four people, including Hussein Alwan al-Tamimi, 41, deputy head of Iraq's northeastern Diyala provincial council since January, police Colonel. Three of his bodyguards also died in the attack on his convoy; and killing no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

2-Jun-05 - A Sunni cleric, Imad al-Hayali, was "mistakenly" killed by an Iraqi Soldier at a checkpoint in Latifiya, police Lieutenant Adnan Abdullah said Thursday. Al-Hayali was shot Tuesday by Soldiers who thought he was driving dangerously toward the checkpoint; and killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jun-05 - At least 12 people were killed in a massive explosion targeting a restaurant in Tuz Khormato, 55 miles south of the northern city of Kirkuk, the Iraqi Defense Ministry said in a statement. This incident killed no ISF and 12 Iraqi Civilians.

2-Jun-05 - Gunmen firing from three speeding cars killed nine Iraqis Thursday in a crowded market area in Baghdad. The gunmen fired randomly at shops in a bazaar in the northwestern neighborhood of Hurriya early. This incident killed no ISF and 9 Iraqi Civilians.

2-Jun-05 - In Baiji, 200 kilometers north of Baghdad, a Turkish truck driver was shot dead following a firefight between insurgents and police escorting a convoy. Two members of the security forces died in the shootout, an Army Captain said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jun-05 - In Siniyah, an Iraqi Soldier died and another was injured in a mortar attack on their base, another officer added, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jun-05 - In the northern city of Kirkuk, a suicide car bomber killed four Iraqi bystanders and wounded at least 11 others, said Doctor Bassam Mohammed of Kirkuk Emergency Hospital. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

2-Jun-05 - Iraqi Ali Abdel Hussein, adult, male, killed in Basra.

2-Jun-05 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Shot Dead at Baiji. Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

2-Jun-05 - Two parked motorcycles rigged with explosives detonated near a downtown Mosul coffee shop frequented by policemen, killing four civilians and one policeman, and destroying several shops. This incident killed 1 ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

2-Jun-05 - In the Shorgat region, four civilians were killed by a roadside bomb. A family was driving from Mosul to Shorgat when their vehicle was hit by the explosion, Army Captain Assad Sadad said, killing 1 ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

3-Jun-05 - A mortar attack in Tal Afar, a city about 50 miles west of Mosul, killed two Iraqi men and injured three, police chief Colonel Ishmael Mohammed said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

3-Jun-05 - A suicide car bomber rammed his car into a building north of Baghdad, killing at least 10 people and wounding 12, the United States military said on Friday. The attack occurred late on Thursday in a village south of the town of Balad. This incident killed no ISF and 10 Iraqi Civilians.

3-Jun-05 - Corporal Antonio Mendoza, 21, of Santa Ana, California, died June 3 at Brook Army Medical Center, San Antonio, from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ramadi, Iraq, on Feb. 22. At the time of his injury, Mendoza was assigned to 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California.

3-Jun-05 - Elsewhere across the country, two Iraqis, including a child, died when their car collided with a U.S military Bradley fighting vehicle. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

3-Jun-05 - Gunmen have murdered a Shiite cleric in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Iraqi city of Basra. Police and relatives say Ali Abdul Hussein was shot outside his house by two gunmen who escaped in a car. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Jun-05 - Gunmen on Friday killed a contractor renovating a mosque in Samarra and a man standing outside a Baghdad hospital, while several car bombs that targeted United States convoys in the capital wounded six civilians, authorities said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

3-Jun-05 - In northern Mosul, a suicide car bomber blew himself up near a police station in the southern part of the city, killing three police officers and wounding another five, Captain Ahmed Khalil of the police operations room said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Jun-05 - Iraqi Razzouq Mohammed Ibrahim, adult, male, killed in Western Samarra.

3-Jun-05 - Iraqi translator, working at the United States military base was killed Friday in Balad, at about 70 kilometers north of Baghdad, announced AFP, citing police sources armed men have opened fire on the 33-year-old Hazem Karim Hanam. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Jun-05 – Army Civilian Linda J. Villar, 41, of Franklinton, Louisiana, died June 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained when a mortar struck her forward operating base. Villar worked for the United States Army Field Support Command, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

3-Jun-05 - On Friday, gunmen killed Brigadier Sabah Qara Alton, a Turkman member of the Kirkuk City Council, after he left a mosque in the northern city. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Jun-05 - The police also found seven bodies in different parts of the city - including five terrorists, a police officer and a Kurdistan Democratic Party member discovered in separate places. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

4-Jun-05 - A suicide bomber blew up his vehicle at the entrance to a United States base in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, killing five Iraq Soldiers and wounding seven, a police source said on Saturday, killing 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Jun-05 - Gunmen shot dead an Iraqi car driver and trapped his car with explosives which detonated to wound two policemen on Saturday, witnesses said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Jun-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Kamal, adult, male, killed in Al-Ameriyah neighborhood, western Baghdad.

4-Jun-05 - Iraqi Fouad Shihab Mohammad, adult, male, killed in ASR Phoenix, 5km southwest of Haqlaniyah, near Haditha.

4-Jun-05 - Iraqi Yousif Ammash, adult, male, killed in ASR Phoenix, 5km southwest of Haqlaniyah, near Haditha.

4-Jun-05 - Three Iraqi Soldiers were killed and one was wounded in an attack on a checkpoint in Balad, north of Baghdad, on Saturday. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jun-05 - Also today, a translator for coalition forces in the northern city of Kirkuk was gunned down on his way home. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jun-05 - An Iraqi truck driver was killed in another drive-by attack elsewhere in the city. Police say he was transporting concrete walls for the U-S military. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jun-05 - Colonel Theodore S. Westhusing, 44, of Dallas, Texas, died June 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries. Westhusing was serving with the Multi-national Security Transition Command-Iraq and was assigned to the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. He was a member of the USMA Class of 1983.

5-Jun-05 - Iraqi Gazi Mohammed, adult, male, killed in C5 sector, Kirkuk.

5-Jun-05 - Iraqi Salaam Abdul-Kareem al-Kerdisi, adult, male, killed in Basra.

5-Jun-05 - Officials report that gunmen in a speeding car opened fire on Iraqi security forces in Baghdad, killing a policewoman and injuring a policeman. Militants routinely attack Iraqi security targets. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jun-05 - One Iraqi died and another two were injured in an attack with mortar against a police station in the Northern Iraqi town of Mosul, announced AFP, citing police sources. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jun-05 - Small arms fire Sunday night in the northern Iraq city of Tal Afar killed two civilians, according to a Task Force Freedom news release. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

5-Jun-05 - Specialist Carrie L. French, 19, of Caldwell, Idaho, died June 5 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device hit the front of her convoy vehicle and detonated. French was assigned to the Army National Guard's 145th Support Battalion, Boise, Idaho.

5-Jun-05 - Staff Sergeant Justin L. Vasquez, 26, of Manzanola, Colorado, Specialist Eric J. Poelman, 21, of Racine, Wisconsin, and Private First Class Brian S. Ulbrich, 23, of Chapmanville, W. Virginia died on June 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their military vehicle. They were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

6-Jun-05 - Ahmad al-Allawi said that gunmen opened fire at the police car in al-Amin quarters to the east of Baghdad and this resulted in killing one woman police officer and injuring her colleague. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-Jun-05 - Iraqi Ayad Sawedan, 56, male, killed in Tamimi area, Ramadi.

6-Jun-05 - Iraqi Kazem Shelash, adult, male, killed in Basra.

6-Jun-05 - Iraqi Rafid Fadil, adult, male, killed in Karada, Baghdad.

6-Jun-05 - Iraqi Sanaa Tarik, adult, female, killed in Tamimi area, Ramadi.

6-Jun-05 - Iraqi Shallal Ghali, adult, male, killed in Baab Asham or Khadra-Ameriyah area, Baghdad.

6-Jun-05 - Iraqi Shallal Jnedel, adult, male, killed in Baab Asham or Khadra-Ameriyah area, Baghdad.

6-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal Jonathan L. Smith, 22, of Eva, Alabama, died June 6 from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Regimental Combat Team-8, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

6-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal Robert T. Mininger, 21, of Sellersville, Pennsylvania, died June 6 from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-8, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

6-Jun-05 - Specialist Brian M. Romines, 20, of Simpson, Illinois, died June 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Romines was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery, in Milan, Illinois.

6-Jun-05 - Two Iraqi Soldiers were also killed in an attack on their checkpoint near Samarra, north of Baghdad, police said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

## (end of Weeks 50-51 Memorials)

COMMENT – I would be amiss to not make a comment about a fine Marine, our Captain who spent almost a year in the Corps C-8 office, mostly running the Budget/Execution division before taking over Plans/Operations in her last couple months. I was very glad our award recommendation was approved, and seeing her get the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the third highest award given by the Department of Defense, for outstanding achievement in a joint activity. She deserved that recognition and more for her excellent work.

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 52: 13 June 2005

It was a very hot, dusty week here in Camp Victory. So dusty that this morning was the first time we saw the sky since last Thursday (June 2nd). We decided that everyone needed to clean their weapons today, after the boss and I found sand in very weird places in our pistols. It also got above 120 degrees most afternoons, though the office (Air Force) weather man said something like 108.

The final two folks of the last Air Force rotation left on Thursday (June 9th), and today we heard that they are now home at Scott Illinois Air Base, Illinois. After almost a week sitting in Kuwait, our female Marine Major & Naval Academy graduate arrived home too.

We got the first installment of new funding for Iraqi urgent humanitarian and reconstruction, and within 48 hours had the projects prioritized and the funding sent to the field. The units have a week to get the projects contracted – necessary so that we can get the rest of the money before the government's fiscal year ends on September 30th.

A tradition in the Comptroller's office is to read the book Thunder Run prior to leaving. Each person is asked to write a short note, and the last Comptroller out of Iraq is supposed to mail the book to the owner, an Air Force officer here about 15 months ago. I am spending about two hours a night reading, and over three nights have read to page 176 out of about 330 pages. The book describes the Second Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division's attack into Baghdad. Having been down the roads more times than I wished, plus living down in the International Zone area, it is very interesting.

Since the last week of this month is going to be very busy, as the boss is going out of town to a big meeting, leaving me in charge, I went over to the C-1 (Personnel) folks and picked up my out processing forms. You also have to get a letter of release from a Colonel (full bird, O-6); and the boss is only a Lieutenant Colonel like myself, so my administrative sergeant got the Chief Chaplain to sign the letter. So Father signed the letter, and now I will start going to out-processing briefings and turning in stuff over the next three weeks.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – So my boss will be gone about ten days on a trip to Atlanta. The resource management folks are having a multi-day conference, and they invited him to present on how funding is going in Iraq. The folks at the conference are probably going to be shocked as to how it really is compared to how they think things are going. I briefed the boss on all the steps one takes from Baghdad to Kuwait and back, and suggested he bring a couple of paperbacks to kill the wait time. I went to pretty much all the Corps staff meetings in the three days before he left. One thing I am going to do is actually carry around a spiral notebook and keep notes of everything that goes on, because I will be leaving a few days after he gets back, and it is likely something that I did, or did not get done, will come back to haunt him.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 52: 13 June 2005

We have a distinguished visitor coming by tomorrow afternoon, so we are having an old fashioned GI Party cleaning the office. It is the only way we remove in mass the food that seems to collect here. They even made an attempt to clean out our refrigerator, removing some unknown containers.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – For the life of me, I cannot remember who visited us. We had Senators, Congressmen, and Congresswomen stop by in my thirteen months in Iraq, plus officials from the Department of Defense and State, and one guy from the United States Department of Agriculture. Also, we receive visits from a few officials from Great Britain, Poland, Ukraine, and Australia. Plus there was a really tall guy who plays quarterback for the Steelers, who got lost looking for the dining facility to get ice cream. But after almost a dozen years later, I cannot recall who came by on June 14th. But I do recall I was much impressed by this person, because they came by in the middle of the month, not typical of most of our visitors, more here to get the tax-exempt status by arriving near the end of the month and quickly departing on the second or third day of the next month.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 52: 13 June 2005

Walking home the other night, the boss and I ran into our new Air Force Major. She did not look so well, and given the environment here – we asked what was up. Unfortunately, her four-year old dog died that afternoon at her mother's house. She said that she was OK and went back to the office. The next morning, she looked like someone who had not slept at all. I went over to her desk, sat down, and we talked, and then I told her it was OK to take some time off. She decided to take about three hours off, and went back to her trailer and watched a movie. She is better now, but I know it still hurts.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – On Wednesday, June 8th, our friends at the 3rd Infantry Division G-8 office at Camp Liberty had a close call with indirect fire hitting their parking lot and causing a little damage. Several of us from the Corps C-8 office visited them the next day to just talk to folks and help them un-stress out.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 52: 13 June 2005

On Friday (June 10th), our Army headquarters in Atlanta sent us a little bit of money to fund day to day operations. They did this last week, so we had to pull together all the requirements, ask our units what was number 1, number 2, etc.; and then develop a recommendation to the boss' boss (the Corps Chief of Staff). So we came in Saturday morning, more money (yea!), and got the recommendation to the Chief of Staff by Sunday noon. The Chief of Staff approved it, and then we sent the funds to the units to spend. What a way to run a war.

The only bad news was the units who had five things, or ten things, that are number one. Or one unit who had five pages of things that were number one. It just gives them opportunities to complain when they don't get all the funding they think they want. Our Corps Chief of Staff's rule, give them what they need, not what they want. So far, no one is starving, equipment is still being repaired, and operations are ongoing.

Got a note from the Comptroller of an Army National Guard division! He recommended that we ask the Iraqis for funding, since we don't have enough to go around.

The Aussie pool is now opened to all. Not sure what changed. I am sure that they are not going to give up their beer. Or running around with very little clothes on, if any!!

Well, it is hot and dusty here, and I hope everyone stays safe and sound.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 52 Memorials)

7-Jun-05 - A convoy of trucks believed to be carrying supplies to a United States military base west of Baghdad was ambushed Tuesday, and reporters who arrived after the attack said they saw the bodies of at least seven people. This incident killed no ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Jun-05 - A correspondent for pan-Arab al-Arabiya TV channel reports that United States Soldiers have shot dead two Iraqi teachers in the Tamin district of Ramadi. The correspondent says the two Iraqis were caught up in a raid against insurgents. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Jun-05 - Also on Tuesday, relatives of a Sunni Muslim cleric in the southern Iraqi city of Basra said he had been killed. Witnesses said Salam Abdul-Karim was taken from his home on Sunday by men in police uniform. His body was found the following day. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Jun-05 - An employee of the foreign ministry was killed in a drive-by shooting and a policeman was shot dead in the southern Aamel neighborhood. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Jun-05 - Four Iraqi Soldiers are killed in an ambush and a roadside bombing north of Baghdad, AFP reports quoting Iraqi police and the Army officials. Two bullet-riddled bodies were found on the banks of a nearby river, the report also says. This incident killed 4 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Jun-05 - Fourteen Iraqis died, half of them Soldiers, in early morning car bomb attacks around the northern town of Hawija, killing 7 ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Jun-05 - Iraqi Driver of Imadeddin Abdel Fattah, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

7-Jun-05 - Lieutenant Colonel Terrence K. Crowe, 44, of New York, New York, died June 7 in Tal Afar, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. Crowe was assigned to the Army Reserve's 10th Battalion, 98th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 98th Division, in Lodi, New Jersey.

7-Jun-05 - Near the former rebel stronghold of Fallujah, west of Baghdad, three civilians died and 13 were wounded in a mortar attack on a military base. This incident killed 4 ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Jun-05 - Nine people were killed in the northern city of Mosul, including four Peshmerga militiamen reportedly shot dead by police after they were mistaken for insurgents and three students killed when unknown gunmen burst into their apartment. This incident killed 4 ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Jun-05 - South African Contractor named Laver, Séan Ronald was killed today due to improvised explosive device at Habbaniyah. Was a Security Consultant for employer Hart Security Company.

7-Jun-05 - Specialist Eric T. Burri, 21, of Wyoming, Michigan, died June 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Burri was assigned to the 623rd Quartermaster Company, 1st Corps Support Command, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

7-Jun-05 - The body of a policeman bearing gunshot wounds was also discovered near the infamous Abu Ghraib prison west of Baghdad. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Jun-05 - First Lieutenant Michael J. Fasnacht, 25, of Columbus, Georgia, died June 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Fasnacht was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Georgia.

8-Jun-05 - A car bomb detonated near a row of civilian cars queued outside a gas station in Baqubah, north of Baghdad on Wednesday, killing three people and wounding another, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

8-Jun-05 - Captain Phillip T. Esposito, 30, of Suffern, New York and First Lieutenant Louis E. Allen, 34, of Milford, Pennsylvania died on June 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained on June 7 in Tikrit, Iraq, when an explosion of unknown origin occurred near their location. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 42nd Infantry Division, Troy, New York. Esposito was a member of the USMA Class of 1997.

8-Jun-05 - Fighters also killed Mustafa Ashraf, a translator working for United States troops, as he was driving between the towns of Khalis and Baqubah, 60km northeast of Baghdad, killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Jun-05 - Gunmen killed former Baath Party member Kamil al-Nouri near his grocery store in Baghdad's impoverished Sadr City late Wednesday, police Major Hussein Jadou'a said. Al-Nouri was one of 10 Iraqis announced killed Wednesday across the country, killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Jun-05 - In Mosul, police Colonel Nashwan Hadi was killed in a drive-by-shooting near his home. The attackers then fired a rocket at his house, injuring five people, including two children. Another officer was shot and killed in eastern Mosul. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Jun-05 - Iraqi Kudayr Muhammad al-Jughayfi, adult, male, killed in Hadithah.

8-Jun-05 - Iraqi Mustafa Ashraf, adult, male, killed in Between Khalis and Baquabah.

8-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal Marc L. Tucker, 24, of Pontotoc, Mississippi, died June 8 as a result of a non-hostile vehicle accident in Asr Uranium, Iraq. He was assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, in Okinawa, Japan. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit was attached to 2nd FSSG, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

8-Jun-05 - One police officer was killed and six injured in clashes between Iraqi police and gunmen in northwest Baghdad after gunmen attacked a police car. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Jun-05 - Private First Class Douglas E. Kashmer, 27, of Sharon, Pennsylvania, died June 8 in Nippur, Iraq, when the wrecker in which he was a passenger was involved in a non-combat related rollover. Kashmer was assigned to the Army's 70th Transportation Company, Mannheim, Germany.

8-Jun-05 - Security officials said two carloads of armed men fired on a vehicle carrying Industry Ministry officials Zaki Jawad and Muhammed Haider, killing both. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

8-Jun-05 - Sergeant Roberto Arizola, Jr. 31, of Laredo, Texas, died June 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Arizola was assigned to the Army's 297th Military Intelligence Battalion, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

9-Jun-05 - Authorities found 21 bodies Friday near the Syrian border. The victims, thought to be missing Iraqi Soldiers, were found blindfolded and shot repeatedly in the head, their hands tied behind their backs. Three were beheaded. This incident killed 21 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

9-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal Dustin V. Birch, 22, of Saint Anthony, Idaho, Lance Corporal Daniel Chavez, 20, of Seattle, Washington, Lance Corporal Thomas O. Keeling, 23, of Strongsville, Ohio, Lance Corporal Devon P. Seymour, 21, of St. Louisville, Ohio, and Corporal Brad D. Squires, 26, of Middleburg Heights, Ohio, all five Marines, died June 9 as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations with 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Haqlaniyah, Iraq.

9-Jun-05 - Sergeant David J. Murray, 23, of Clinton, Louisiana, died June 9 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Murray was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1088th Engineering Battalion, New Roads, Louisiana.

9-Jun-05 - Staff Sergeant Mark O. Edwards, 40, of Unicoi, Tennessee, died June 9 at his forward operating base near Tuz, Iraq, from a non-combat related cause. Edwards was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in Erwin, Tennessee.

9-Jun-05 - Turkish Contractor named Akar, Yusuf was killed today due to Convoy attack at Ramadi. Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

9-Jun-05 - Two civilians were killed and another three injured when insurgents fired a mortar on their house south of Baghdad on Thursday. The insurgents were targeting an adjacent base used by multinational forces in Yusufiyah. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

10-Jun-05 - A car bomb exploded in a street in a Shi'ite area of Baghdad overnight, killing 10 people and wounding 27, police and hospital officials said on Saturday. This incident killed no ISF and 10 Iraqi Civilians.

10-Jun-05 - And police Colonel Karim Mohammed Darraji and his brother Sami, also a policeman, died after gunmen opened fire on them in the relatively quiet southern city of Basra, police and a witness said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Jun-05 - Colonel Rahim Othman Said, head of an anti-corruption unit in the restive northern oil city of Kirkuk, and his deputy, Lieutenant Colonel Ghanem Jayad Jabbar, were shot dead in a drive-by attack, police said Friday. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

10-Jun-05 - Gunmen attacked a mosque for Muslim Shiites in the district of Al-Dora in southern sector of the Iraqi capital on Friday killing two people, witnesses said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

10-Jun-05 - Iraqi Esam Fadhil, cousin of Saadi Khalaf, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

10-Jun-05 - Iraqi Abd al-Karim al-Daraji, adult, male, killed in south or central Basra.

10-Jun-05 - Iraqi Mohammed Khalif, 47, male, killed in Baghdad.

10-Jun-05 - Iraqi Muhammad Khalaf, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

10-Jun-05 - Iraqi Saadi Khalaf, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

10-Jun-05 - Iraqi Saadi Khalif, 52, male, killed in Baghdad.

10-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal Mario A. Castillo, 20, of Brownwood, Texas and Lance Corporal Andrew J. Kilpela, 22, of Fowerville, Michigan, both Marines, died June 10 as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations in Saqlawiyah, Iraq. They were assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

10-Jun-05 - The Interior Ministry also confirmed that another six bodies were found near Qaim outside the village of Fosfat. Interior ministry Major Falah al-Mahamdawi said the six men were found Thursday. They all had civilian ID cards. This incident killed no ISF and 6 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Jun-05 - A bomb exploded in a cemetery in the southern city of Najaf early Saturday, killing two Iraqis, including and 8-year-old girl and wounding three others from the same family as they were visiting the graves of relatives, said Captain Hadi al-Najim. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Jun-05 - A hospital official in Falluja said a roadside bomb explosion killed two Iraqis believed to be working at an American base in the area and injured three others. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Jun-05 - An unknown armed group launched an attack on a convoy of trucks for the Ministry of Trade while passing through Baladiyah neighborhood in Mosul, noting that the attack killed one driver and wounded another, and one of the trucks was completely burned. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

11-Jun-05 - Another 10 people died when a blast tore through Baghdad's mainly Shiite Shula district on Saturday, shortly before a night-time curfew came into effect. An eight months pregnant woman, her unborn child and husband were among the dead. This incident killed no ISF and 10 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Jun-05 - Corporal Stanley J. Lapinski, 35, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died June 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Lapinski was assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

11-Jun-05 - Gunmen opened fire on a bus filled with laborers just south of Baghdad today, killing 10 people and wounding three the bus carrying 13 people was travelling from Hillah to Baghdad when two cars pulled up on either side, and the gunmen attacked. This incident killed no ISF and 10 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Jun-05 - Iraqi Cousin of other 2 victims, adult, male, killed in bodies found in Baladiyah, eastern Baghdad.

11-Jun-05 - Iraqi police said United States Soldiers have mistakenly killed two security guards during a gun battle. A military spokesman said the Soldiers started shooting when a car came too close to an American armored patrol. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Jun-05 - Sergeant Larry R. Arnold Sr. 46, of Carriere, Mississippi and Specialist Terrance D. Lee Sr. 25, of Moss Point, Mississippi died on June 11 in Owesat Village, Iraq, when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an improvised explosive device. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army National Guard's 150th Combat Engineer Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, in Lucedale, Mississippi.

11-Jun-05 - The death toll of the attack against the elite Wolf Brigades headquarters in Baghdad Saturday rose to eight people and 12 others are now reported injured. An Iraqi police source said in a press release that eight Iraqi policemen were killed, killing 8 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

11-Jun-05 - The Iraqi Police on Saturday found the bodies of three Iraqi civilians on a highway nearby the area of Dourah, south of Baghdad, said an Iraqi Police source. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Jun-05 - Three other commandos were killed in an attack on their convoy in western Baghdad's Mansour area, police said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

11-Jun-05 - Two Oil Ministry employees were shot dead in Baghdad's southern Dora district, police official Rasol Salih said. A third man was critically wounded. The bodies were found in a canal under a footbridge and one of the slain men wore handcuffs. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

11-Jun-05 - Two Soldiers died June 11 in Al Taqaddum, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their military vehicle. Killed were: Specialist Casey Byers, 22, of Schleswig, Iowa, and Sergeant First Class Neil A. Prince, 35, of Baltimore, Maryland. Byers was assigned to the Army National Guard's 224th Engineer Battalion, Ottumwa, Iowa. Prince was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

12-Jun-05 - In other violence, a mortar barrage intended for an Iraqi Army barrack in the northern Iraqi town of Tal Afar missed its target and slammed into a house, killing a 6-year-old child and wounding five other people, police Captain Amjad Hashim said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Jun-05 - Insurgents fired mortar rounds at a funeral for the mother of one of Iraq's most senior police generals on Sunday, killing two people, and the Shiite-led government pressed the need to open talks with insurgent groups. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

12-Jun-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Adnan, adult, male, killed in Near Hit.

12-Jun-05 - On Sunday, another four Iraqi Soldiers and five rebels were killed in three hours of clashes in the area around Tlul al-Baj further, the Iraqi Army said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

12-Jun-05 - Six more bodies have been found in Baghdad, most of them tortured before being executed, police. Three bodies, including two policemen brothers, were discovered in Baladiyah, in eastern Baghdad, killing 3 ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

12-Jun-05 - The bodies of 20 people, bound and shot in the head, have been found on a military firing range in the eastern suburbs of Baghdad, police said today. This incident killed no ISF and 20 Iraqi Civilians.

13-Jun-05 - Also on Monday a member of Iraq's infrastructure protection force was shot dead near the northern oil refinery town of Baiji, and an Iraqi businessman was gunned down as he left a United States base at the airport in Duluiyah. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

13-Jun-05 - Gunmen killed a female Interior Ministry employee in Baghdad's Sadr City district, police said. Police found the body of an unidentified man in Sadr City. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

13-Jun-05 - In Tikrit, police pursued a suspicious driver who blew up his car after being cornered. The blast killed two policemen and a firefighter and wounded 11 people, including seven civilians. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

13-Jun-05 - Insurgents attacked an Iraqi police checkpoint on the main road between Baghdad and the town of Baqubah on Monday, killing four policemen and injuring 10, police said. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

13-Jun-05 - Iraqi Athra Zughair, 12, female, killed in Ma'moun or Yarmouk, Baghdad.

13-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal John J. Mattek Jr. 24, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, died June 13 from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on June 8. He was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team-2, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

13-Jun-05 - Major Salah al-Samarai of the Iraqi police said a second suicide car bomber blew up a vehicle near a joint Iraqi Army and police patrol in the nearby city of Samarra, killing five members of the security forces and wounding five others. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

13-Jun-05 - Near Baghdad, a roadside bomb blew up next to a patrol of police commandos, an elite police unit, killing one and injuring four, the Interior Ministry said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

13-Jun-05 - Sergeant Larry R. Kuhns Jr. 24, of Austintown, Ohio and Specialist Anthony D. Kinslow, 21, of Westerville, Ohio died on June 13 in Ramadi, Iraq, where their military vehicle came under a grenade attack while conducting combat operations. Both Soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

## (end of Week 52 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 53: 20 June 2005

Oh the last weeks from the Baghdad Penal Colony are really dragging. It is very hot here, with afternoon temperatures at least above 110 degrees, and it seems a whole lot more dusty this year than last.

We started our week with a tour of the Al Faw (Water) Palace, built over a ten year period by Saddam to celebrate his victory over the Iranians in 1988. We actually closed the Corps C-8 office for two hours in the morning, and walked through the Palace. We spent most of our time on the roof, seeing all the sights around here. Camp Victory was originally a hunting preserve (hence the lions, tigers, and small bears sometimes seen).

We continue to not receive much funding from the states, and folks continue to lobby us for funding their pet projects. No one believes us that we do not control who gets what little money we get.

I started my out-processing this week, as I felt I might not have enough time during week 55, when the boss will be gone on a trip. I attended the medical out-processing briefing, and got to actually fill out a form using a Blackberry. Surprised at such a modern convenience!!

I also packed up my stuff that I am mailing back, primarily four pairs of boots and stuff I don't want to carry through Texas back home. I was going to mail them on Sunday (June 19th), but decided that the footlocker is such a nice footrest in the trailer.

I also started saving files to CD, a lot of pictures taken by me and friends. Packing and going through files.

Continuing to assist the Corps C-8 office in solving problems!! It is good to see how everyone has learned so much; sometimes I do not have a lot of things to do. But then the next email comes in.

Much of what I am working on is getting the Iraqi military to start (or continue) to pay for their life support, food, water, sanitation, housing, etc. Two steps forward, one step back, another step back. Sometimes success! Such a clash of cultures, American Army wanting to solve the problem immediately, the Iraqi Army taking its time, the Australians helping out by running back and forth ultimately getting things done.

We are moving towards having transition teams work with the Iraqi military and police units. These are teams about ten personnel, with multiple skills, that work with battalions, brigade headquarters, and division headquarters, to develop their skills. There are teams also working with police units. Most of the teams are supported by the Army and Marine divisions, but we have United States units in Polish and Korean areas, and the management of these exceptions is taking time to solve. Some need little support, some need great amounts of support, while other teams think they should establish Little American village in their part of Iraq.

The best news is that our little fund to support Iraqi units by these transition teams is a life saver. We give each team $2,500 a month to spend on whatever they need to support the Iraqis, what their supply system is not doing. So the teams buy spare parts, a meal here and there, a few cell phones, etc. It is amazing what started out as an idea on a napkin in the dining facility, and a few million dollars, what one can do. We restrict the commands to no more than $50,000 per month, so that any major purchases have to be reviewed by the Corps C-4 (Logistics) folks.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I have read the story of how Southwest Airlines was created on a cocktail napkin, and having flown with their founder on three flights over the years, I believe it because I helped create a program in the same manner. Not over cocktails, though. I have mentioned that the cost of living is a fraction of American amounts, so that $2,500 purchases a lot of things that just help out Iraqi military and police operations. But we also have members of some transition teams expecting to set up their lodging and dining to American standards, so there are always issues to work out. But conceiving the Transition Team Implementation Fund, selling it to the bosses and principle staff heads, and working out the implementation over the last parts of my tour were fun.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 53: 20 June 2005

What else been happening? Well the boss got food poisoning last week, so I ended up taking him to the medical clinic and spending all evening as they pumped his stomach. Then getting up early to go to the morning Corps staff briefings; as the boss was on quarters and bed rest. The Corps Chief of Staff (our Brigadier General) turned after the briefing, and asked if the boss had gone on his trip yet. So I told him about the food poisoning, and the Chief of Staff just laughed. A story behind that laugh somewhere?

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Building 2 is where the Force and Corps C-8 offices are at in an office structured like an "H" with the Chaplains on the other side. Given the number of sinks and kitchens, we think that the building was used to clean wild animals for cooking, or perhaps to be stuffed on the walls of various Palaces. One thing the building did not have was adequate bathroom facilities. The piping used was about a quarter of an inch wide, and so we had to restrict their use for only peeing (#1) and folks had to either go outside to the porta-potty or walk over to the Water Palace to poop. Given that the five porta-potties get really hot most months, it was well worth the ten minute walk over to the Palace. Needless to say, about once every week or so, someone would use our building's facility and the toilet was plugged, as the tiny plumbing would not tolerate much.

COMMENT – I knew something was up after dinner as the boss kept running to the porta-potty in the evening. We left the office around 9 am, and started walking to the trailer. He keeled over, and I dragged him to the medical clinic run by my Army Reserve friends from Westerville. They decided to pump his stomach and then I borrowed a vehicle to take him to his trailer. It took about three days before he was really functioning again.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 53: 20 June 2005

We got some money on Thursday (June 16th), so I got the chance to tell our Corps commanding general the good news. This got some projects started that were beginning to have an effect on our operations, so the Lieutenant General was pretty happy. When he is happy, he usually quotes an actor from some movie, this time _Barbarians at the Gates_ , a movie that only the Corps Chief of Staff and I had also seen, as no one on our Corps staff had heard of it.

Well, I am going to take it easy, as I know when the boss takes off later this week, I will be doing his job and mine, and probably will be very busy during ten of my last 14 days. Yuck! But it will make the time go faster, I keep telling myself.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Week 53 Memorials)

14-Jun-05 - A bomb exploded outside a bank in the northern city of Kirkuk on Tuesday, killing 19 people, including pensioners waiting for checks and child street vendors. The bodies of 24 men killed in ambushes were brought to a Baghdad hospital. This incident killed no ISF and 19 Iraqi Civilians.

14-Jun-05 - A suicide car bomber killed five Iraqi Soldiers. The attack happened in Kan'an, about 30 miles north of Baghdad, when the suicide bomber rammed his vehicle into the Army patrol, Colonel Hussein al-Jabouri said. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Jun-05 - Also late Tuesday, a gun battle between Iraqi police and the kidnappers of a local construction contractor in the city of Kirkuk ended with two gunmen and the contractor dead, according to Iraqi police. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

14-Jun-05 - Bulgarian Army Junior Sergeant Paun Stoyanov Georgiev, 30, of Sopot, Bulgaria, killed by non-hostile - vehicle accident (drowning) in Diwaniyah, Iraq.

14-Jun-05 - Bulgarian Army Junior Sergeant Tsvetan Stoyanova Kamov, 25, of Karlovo, Bulgaria, killed by non-hostile - vehicle accident (drowning) in Diwaniyah, Iraq.

14-Jun-05 - Iraqi Kameron Fatah Hassan, 30, male, killed in near Kirkuk Air Base.

14-Jun-05 - Iraqi Tariq Hamaresh, 50, male, killed in Kirkuk.

14-Jun-05 - Marines and Iraqi Soldiers killed five Iraqi civilians in western Iraq on Tuesday shortly after a suicide attack on a military checkpoint left one Iraqi Soldier dead, the military said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

14-Jun-05 - Meanwhile, 10 Iraqis, including two children, were killed and seven wounded by a car bomb north of Baghdad, according to security and hospital sources. This incident killed no ISF and 10 Iraqi Civilians.

14-Jun-05 - Private First Class Joshua P. Klinger, 21, from Easton, Pennsylvania, died June 14 as a result of an explosion from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

14-Jun-05 - Private First Class Michael R. Hayes, 29, of Morgantown, Kentucky, died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, where a rocket-propelled grenade hit his HMMWV while he was providing security cordon for an improvised explosive device found earlier. Hayes was assigned to the Army National Guard's 617th Military Police Company, Richmond, Kentucky.

14-Jun-05 - Private First Class Nathan B. Clemons, 20, of Winchester, Tennessee, died June 14 from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Ar Rutbah, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

14-Jun-05 - Sergeant Anthony G. Jones, 25, of Greenville, South Carolina, died June 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle. Sergeant Jones was assigned to the 104th Transportation Company, 36th Engineer Group, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Benning, Georgia.

14-Jun-05 - The bodies of 24 men - some of which were beheaded - that had been killed in recent ambushes on convoys in western Iraq were brought to a Baghdad hospital, a hospital morgue official Tuesday. .Two of the bodies were identified as an Iraqi policeman, killing 2 ISF and 22 Iraqi Civilians.

15-Jun-05 - Rebels launched more than 15 mortar shells on a historic fort north of the city of Tal Afar being used as a police headquarters, said police General Najm Abdallah. Two policemen and a woman were among those killed. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Jun-05 - A gun battle broke out in Baghdad's western Saadiyeh neighborhood when gunmen opened fire on a police patrol, police Lieut. Mohammed al-Heyali said. One Iraqi civilian was killed and six police officers were injured. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Jun-05 - A man wearing a belt packed with explosives killed at least 23 Iraqi Soldiers and wounded 29 others on Wednesday when he blew himself up inside a restaurant on an Iraqi Army base north of Baghdad, Army officials said. This incident killed 23 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Jun-05 - A suicide car bomber slammed into two police cars on patrol Wednesday in Baghdad's Za'faraniyah neighborhood, killing eight officers, authorities said. The attack occurred in according to police Lieutenant Thaer Mohamoud and First Sergeant Mohhamed Fadhil. This incident killed 8 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

15-Jun-05 - Bosnian Contractor named Aleksic, Ljubisa was killed today due to Convoy attack at Baghdad (60 kilometers south). Was a Security Guard for employer Lloyd-Owen International.

15-Jun-05 - Insurgents kidnapped and killed two senior officers Wednesday in Kirkuk's anti-terrorist squad. Brigadier General Naseh Mohie al-Deen, his son and driver Oqba, and Lieutenant Colonel Khalid Ahmed were found dumped street side with gunshots to their heads. This incident killed 2 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

15-Jun-05 - Iraqi Khalid Ahmed, adult, male, killed in Khalis.

15-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal Chad B. Maynard, 19, of Montrose, Colorado, died June 15 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California.

15-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal Jonathan R. Flores, 18, of San Antonio, Texas, Corporal Jesse Jaime, 22, of Henderson, Nevada, Corporal Tyler S. Trovillion, 23, of Richardson, Texas, and Lance Corporal Dion M. Whitley, 21, of Los Angeles, California, all four Marines, died June 15 when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ramadi, Iraq. All four Marines were assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was operating with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division of the United States Army, which was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

15-Jun-05 - Petty Officer 2nd Class Cesar O. Baez, 37, of Pomona, California, died June 15, as a result of enemy small arms fire while conducting combat operations in al-Anbar province, Iraq. Baez was a Hospital Corpsman assigned to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

15-Jun-05 - Seven people, including two police officers, were killed in the northern town of Tal Afar in clashes with insurgents, Police Brigadier General Naji Abdullah said. An Iraqi civilian died after being shot Tuesday in Tikrit, north of Baghdad. This incident killed 2 ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

15-Jun-05 - The number of dead is now up to 25 from a suicide bombing today at an Iraqi Army base north of Baghdad; and killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Jun-05 - A suicide car bomber slammed into a truck Thursday that was carrying policemen along the main road connecting Baghdad with its airport, killing at least eight officers and injuring at least 25, police and hospital officials said. This incident killed 8 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Jun-05 - An Iraqi judge was assassinated on Thursday, as five civilians and two of Iraqi policemen died in clashes with militants in Mosul, Iraqi Kurdish source said. Judge Salem Mahmud Haj Ali was gunned down along with his driver; and killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

16-Jun-05 - Captain John W. Maloney, 36, of Chicopee, Massachusetts and Lance Corporal Erik R. Heldt, 26, of Hermann, Missouri, both Marines, died June 16 when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations near Ramadi, Iraq. They were assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton, California. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, their unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

16-Jun-05 - Iraqi Salem Mahmoud al-Haj Ali, adult, male, killed in eastern Mosul.

16-Jun-05 - Police found the bodies of 11 people in two towns, Latifiya and Musayyib, in the so-called Triangle of Death on Thursday. This incident killed no ISF and 11 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Jun-05 - South of Baghdad, two gunmen dressed as policemen killed Karim Kazimi, a former senior member of Saddam Hussein's Baath party, in Hindiya near the Shiite shrine city of Karbala, said a spokesman for the local provincial authority. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

16-Jun-05 - Specialist Anthony S. Cometa, 21, of Las Vegas, Nevada, died June 16 in Safwan, Kuwait, when his HMMWV rolled over. He was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1864th Transportation Company, 106th Transportation Battalion, in Henderson, Nevada.

17-Jun-05 - A car bomb blew up outside a mosque Friday in the western town of Habbaniyah, killing four people and injuring another 15, the United States Marines said; and killing no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

17-Jun-05 - Iraq Two people are dead and six injured in Iraq after a suicide car bomber slammed into a loaded fuel tanker as it drove through Baghdad's eastern suburbs. Police say the car hit the tanker after it missed an Iraqi Army patrol. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

17-Jun-05 - Iraqi Amar Hilal, adult, male, killed in Dijla district, Samarra.

17-Jun-05 - Iraqi Husband of Yasmin Rawi, adult, male, killed in Karabila, near Qaim.

17-Jun-05 - Iraqi Jasim Abdi, adult, male, killed in Dijla district, Samarra.

17-Jun-05 - Iraqi Ulla Tahir, 9, female, killed in Karabila, near Qaim.

17-Jun-05 - Master Sergeant Robert M. Horrigan, 40, of Austin, Texas and Master Sergeant Michael L. McNulty, 36, of Knoxville, Tennessee died on June 17 in Al Qaim, Iraq, while conducting combat operations. Both Soldiers were assigned to Headquarters, United States Army Special Operations Command, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

18-Jun-05 - First Lieutenant Noah Harris, 23, of Ellijay, Georgia and Corporal William A. Long, 26, of Lilburn, Georgia died on June 18 in Baqubah, Iraq, from injuries sustained on June 17 in Buritz, Iraq, when they were conducting a mounted patrol and their HMMWV was attacked by enemy forces using rocket-propelled grenades. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Georgia.

18-Jun-05 - A 10-year-old Iraqi girl was killed Saturday and two people were injured when a roadside bomb missed a passing American military convoy and detonated near the child instead, hospital officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Jun-05 - A suicide car bomb attack in Iraq on Saturday killed 14 Soldiers and injured eight others, Xinhua reported. The attack had been apparently targeted at an Iraqi Army patrol near the Iraqi Islamic Party headquarters in Fallujah, killing 14 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Jun-05 - In other violence, a suicide car bomber killed five Iraqis, including two civilians, and wounded 10 others in Fallujah. The target was Fallujah's mayor and police brigade commander. He escaped unharmed. This incident killed 3 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

18-Jun-05 - Iraqi Adnan Hassan Kuteg, adult, male, killed in near Hay Salaam, south of Baghdad.

18-Jun-05 - Iraqi Jasim Mohammed Musalat, adult, male, killed in Hindiya, north of Karbala.

18-Jun-05 - Iraqi Mohammed Mutilib, adult, male, killed in Hindiya, north of Karbala.

18-Jun-05 - Iraqi Mundher al-Bayati, adult, male, killed in Saadiyeh, south Baghdad.

18-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal Adam J. Crumpler, 19, from Charleston, West Virginia, died June 18 as a result of small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Spear in Karabilah, Iraq. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

18-Jun-05 - Mahmoudiyah police Lieutenant Adnan Abd Allah said al-Edwan was found sprawled on a damaged roadside portrait of former President Saddam Hussein. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Jun-05 - The bodies of two Iraqis working for American forces were found near the town of Baiji, north of Baghdad. They had disappeared Monday. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

18-Jun-05 - The United States military has no reports about civilian casualties. However, medical sources in Qaim Hospital said, We have received 12 bodies till Friday night and 15 wounded from Karabilahonly. Some of the victims were children, women and elderly residents; and killing no ISF and 12 Iraqi Civilians.

18-Jun-05 - Two Iraqi policemen were killed and two others were wounded in a raid on their patrol by unknown gunmen in Al-Ghazaliya area, in the western sector of the Iraqi capital, a police source said on Saturday. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

18-Jun-05 - Two United States Army Soldiers were killed and one was wounded during a small arms skirmish with insurgents while transporting a detainee north of Baghdad, the military said today. A civilian and the detainee were also killed in the incident near Buhriz; and killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-Jun-05 - An Interior Ministry official reported that the bodies of seven more Iraqi men, all executed with gunshot wounds to the head, had been found in a shallow grave in eastern Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 7 Iraqi Civilians.

19-Jun-05 - Four people have been killed and 12 wounded by a suicide car bomber's strike on an Iraqi military checkpoint north of Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

19-Jun-05 - Iraqi Adell Sethar Abed Al Sajari, adult, male, killed in MSR Tampa, 3km south of Forward Operating Base Brassfield-Mora, near Samarra.

19-Jun-05 - Iraqi Alaa Bahnam Shamoun, 28, male, killed in United States/Iraqi base in Tikrit.

19-Jun-05 - Iraqi Falih Hassen Shargi, adult, male, killed in Al Muhawilla village, near Abu Sayda.

19-Jun-05 - Iraqi Kadhim Kareem, adult, male, killed in near Tawhed Mosque, Kirkuk.

19-Jun-05 - Iraqi Zaid Khaluf Shargi, adult, male, killed in Al Muhawilla village, near Abu Sayda.

19-Jun-05 - The bombing at the restaurant -- located less than 400 yards away from an entrance to the United States-protected Green Zone -- killed at least 23 Iraqis, including seven police officers, and injured 16 Iraqi police officers and 20 civilians. This incident killed 7 ISF and 16 Iraqi Civilians.

19-Jun-05 - Two Iraqi police officers were killed by gunmen in western Baghdad. A second band of gunmen killed an electrical engineer on his way to work. Two mortar rounds in central Mosul landed at a butcher's market, killing a 12-year-old boy. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

19-Jun-05 - Two unknown gunmen this morning assassinated engineer Sattar Sabbar al-Khazraji, a professor at the Technology University in Baghdad. Al-Sharqiyah's correspondent said that two gunmen driving a motorbike shot Al-Khazraji dead; and killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Jun-05 - A second such attack in the normally more tranquil Kurdish region killed the security chief of the town of Halabja while another on an Iraqi Army checkpoint in the disputed oil city of Kirkuk, just outside Kurdistan, killed four Soldiers. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Jun-05 - A suicide car bomber killed 20 traffic policemen and wounded 100 Monday outside the unit's headquarters in this northern Kurdish city, police and hospital officials said. This incident killed 20 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Jun-05 - Anwar Haji Othman, the director general of internal security in the region of Shahrazouz was killed when a suicide bomber hit his convoy on the main road between the cities of Halbaja and Suleimaniya. 2 of his bodyguards were also killed in the blast. This incident killed 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

20-Jun-05 - In Baghdad, five Iraqi police and security forces officers were killed when a car bomb exploded near a police station, the United States military said. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

20-Jun-05 - Iraqi Anwar Haji Othman, adult, male, killed in Halabja.

20-Jun-05 - Iraqi Subhi Abdullah, 25, male, killed in Arbil.

20-Jun-05 - Private First Class Christopher R. Kilpatrick, 18, of Columbus, Texas, died June 20 in Tal Afar, Iraq, during convoy operations when enemy forces attacked his HMMWV with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. Kilpatrick was assigned to the 603rd Transportation Company, 142nd Corps Support Battalion, Warrior Brigade, at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

## (end of Week 53 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Weeks 54 & 55: 3 July 2005

Sorry about not writing last week, I hope I did not worry anyone. Just doing two jobs, whoops, three jobs over these last ten days.

Weather!! HOT. It does get around 95 in the evening, and there have days in the 120's. Our weatherman is from the Boston area, and likes to use the word "marginal," with the best accent one could acquire in New England. His record is to use that word nine times when describing weather conditions and forecasts across Iraq. On Saturday, he only used the word seven times, lost the bet with our Priest (the Corps Chaplain), who is from upstate New York, and has a bit of an accent himself.

Our new C-8 Corps crew had their first real experience with mortars landing near the trailers one evening (June 27th). They all joked that the motley mortar crew, driving a late model Toyota pickup truck down the airport road, was really aiming at me. I had left the dining facility, went to pick up my laundry on my bike, rode over to my trailer thinking I might change into PT gear 'cause it was so hot, got to the trailer (something changed my mind) and just put the laundry bag on my bed and rode back to the office. Walked in to the Corps C-8 office, and heard the booms.

Our Corps C-8 office immediately went into an accountability of all personnel, and I found I had two folks who had left the office for their trailers. I sent my senior non-commissioned officers to check on them, and all were OK. Some folks were shook up, others this did not affect them. The latter folks I am worried about, because this shook me up – had I stopped & changed clothes I might have been riding my bike through the middle of the attack.

The future Deputy C-8 looked on the classified system about an hour later, and realized the mortars landed on or really closed to our trailers. We knew that the bomb squad also keeps everyone out to clear any unexploded ordnance, so it was not until 11 pm that we walked back to the trailer park, fearing the worse.

Unfortunately, a few folks hurt; a few a bits more serious but they are OK. Several trailers were pockmarked with fragments or received uninvited skylights, including a Korean Colonel who lives a couple of doors down from me. That mortar blew up his folding chair, leaving nothing but a cup holder, and blew up the plastic garbage can – you could see parts of it over an area of 200 meters – and blew out his window, causing glass to go all over his room. But he was at work at the Water Palace, so I told him he was going to get a new trailer, but he just continued sweeping the debris out of what remained of his trailer.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – There is a combat zone saying that a person is more likely to be hurt or killed in their first ten and last ten days in theater than at any other time. I think I have seen articles and graphs that tell us that there is a little truth to that statement. Recall that I arrived in Baghdad on June 9th, and the rocket attack hit the Republican Palace roof about 50 meters from the Palace dining facility on June 13th. Now, I was leaving on July 7th, and this mortar attack hit on June 27th. I was lucky both times having just passed through the area that was attacked. Another close call was when we were traveling to the Green Zone from Camp Victory, and we went up the ramp of a bridge when my driver stopped suddenly, as there was a very big hole in the bridge due to a very recent attack, and he managed to barely stop before we fell into it. I guess I was lucky.

COMMENT – Sometime during Week 54 I made my last trip down to the Green Zone to see my Major General, as he was leaving Iraq and retiring to Missouri. Since April, I made about two to three trips a month, either by convoy down Route Irish or by helicopter, usually for meetings concerning Iraqi Security Force logistic support, but sometimes about humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. In my visits to the Green Zone, I would stop in to see the Rail Lieutenants, some of the Force staff officers, several Embassy folks, and others I had worked with while down in the Green Zone. By this last trip, there were few left in the Green Zone, as most had already served their tours and went back to the states. I did get a surprise in visiting my Major General, as his replacement would be one of my old West Point classmates and company mates.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 54 & 55: 3 July 2005

That was the 54th week's highlight. Meanwhile, the boss was making sure he told me about things he was doing before he left for his business trip to the states. We took him to the Baghdad International Air Field in the morning (June 24th), as there was suppose to be a flight out around 10 am. They loaded up the plane, and sat on the runway for about two hours, and then let them get off. A few pounds less, I imagine. He finally took off at 2:30 am the next morning for the trip to Kuwait, and got to Atlanta a few days later. He called today, got back to Kuwait (July 3rd). He better get back here quickly, like tonight. I have been telling folks I cannot leave until my replacement (boss) gets here.

So for the last ten days it has been very busy, running the Corps C-8 shop and sitting in all the Corps staff meetings, and running back and forth to our Chief of Staff's office (like 3-7 times a day), which is in the Water Palace, about a half mile away. I have been keeping detailed notes for the boss, since I figured that some issues like to reappear in a couple weeks after you thought they were dead. I have now written 70 pages of notes over these ten days.

On the evening of day three (June 26th), one of my C-8 division chiefs got very sick, tried to walk over to the medical clinic, and finally stopped at one of the non-commissioned officer's trailer. He spent the early morning hours at the clinic, the doctors thinking he was having heart problems but not wanting to move him. He was finally medically evacuated to the International Zone hospital about 8 am. Later that day, he called and they figured out he had ulcers. 32 years old, college football quarterback, great physical shape. When he got back, he told me that they almost evacuated him to Germany, but he was worried that they would not send him back (I told him that they did send folks back from there). He finally got back here on day 8, and is on quarters rest for another week. So guess who got to do his job?

As the boss and I expected, by day four (June 27th), our higher headquarters (Force C-8) tried to do an end around us on budget and funding issues. It really was not fair, as my Corps C-8 staff can move much faster than they can, and I have immediate access to my Chief of Staff (their Chief of Staff is in the International Zone). The Force C-8 staff was worried about how to divide up the funding expected to come down at the end of June, and especially worried about our reconstruction money. They wanted our buy-in on a process to divide the money up. We helped them define a process, because their method was akin to having four folks go into the room, and the last person standing gets the funding. So they took the process, added about ten pages of paperwork for each project, and got ready for a meeting of all the comptrollers.

Wednesday night (June 29th), both the Force C-8 Colonel and I were on the phone together with Atlanta trying to figure out how much we were getting for Iraq. Not much at all. So we asked Atlanta to declare a number, good, bad, or ugly. At about 11 pm, we got their email. Needless to say, it would not cover the must pay contracts of the Force, much less my Corps' needs. So we then called the folks in Washington, wondering what was up. The email was forwarded to them, and they were surprised, because they knew how much they had given the folks in Atlanta. And they were taking a large percentage and sending us about 20%.

Thursday morning, I came in at 6 am, and had a note that the amount had now gone up five times. I guess the folks in Washington had made some phone calls for us. At the morning briefing, I brought a copy of the email to my Corps Chief of Staff, who gave it to the Corps commanding general, who passed it to many of the primary Corps staff sections. During the briefing, the Force C-8's boss (Force Chief of Staff) announced to the world they we were getting this much money. I turned around, and saw all our Generals and Corps staff heads just shake their heads in disgust. Now everyone would have "dreams of sugar plums dancing in their heads," as we had not received much money since April. I got back to my Corps C-8 office, and had ten messages from folks wanting money for their pet projects.

So we have this meeting on Thursday afternoon, June 30th, and refine and develop methods to allocate funding. We supported our higher headquarters (Force), except that they wanted to go through a long prioritization process that would have our commanders decide on July 9th what the allocations would be, which means that no funding would be out to the field until July 12th. Atlanta does not work weekends.

So at the evening Corps staff meeting, I briefed this long-winded decision cycle developed by the Force C-8. The Corps Chief of Staff asked me who had Title X authority. I did. My Corps C-8 office controls all funds in theater, we fund up to higher headquarters, we fund our sister organizations, and we fund our subordinate commands. He said that Atlanta Chief of Staff wanted an answer today as to how we wanted the money. So my Corps C-8 staff worked on it for about two hours, and we went to the Corps Chief of Staff's office at 9 pm Thursday, giving a head's up to the Force C-8. The Corps Chief of Staff took it to the Force Chief of Staff, who had already left for the evening. Meanwhile, I sent the tentative distribution to Atlanta. A few more meetings on Friday (July 1st), by 2 pm, everyone was on board with the distribution we developed the night before. Sent it to Atlanta, and 30 minutes later, the funding document came in the email.

But wait, the story would not go away. On Saturday morning's command briefing (July 2nd), the Force Chief of Staff starting ranting that we were screwing up and not doing what the Force commanding general wanted on reconstruction money. And also, where did all that money go? This was the same Major General who announced to the world (at least our little world) that we had X amount of money coming in. So the Corps Chief of Staff called me over to the Water Palace (it's about a ten minute walk in 110 degrees). I pulled out a blank piece of paper, and proceeded to draw one of my manual power point slides. I can't give you the exact numbers, but I had to explain how we got $200 million dollars in theater, and after paying off life support costs, putting money into reconstruction, and funding higher headquarters and our two sister commands, we now had about $15 million left for our Corps organization. The Corps Chief of Staff used this paper to brief about seven other General Officers, and finally asked me this evening to actually make it a Power Point slide. He called it Budget for Dummies.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Needless to say, my bosses asked me again to extend my tour in Iraq, thinking I would benefit for military retirement purposes. We then had a short discussion of how reserve retirement works – I won't bore you with the details, but if you are interested, you can find some good explanations through _Google_ or _Wikipedia_. I also explained that I would need eight more years active duty to qualify for active duty retirement, and that would be a real financial impact on my family (my regular pay from American Electric Power was more than what I got paid for being a Lieutenant Colonel). I think the bosses understood my situation, and I did appreciate the support they had given me since February. I also explained that the Corps C-8 office staff really can get a lot of things done in the right manner; so while there will be rough times like the last couple of days over the remaining six-seven months of the XVIII Airborne Corps mission in Iraq; the Corps staff was really strong and works well together to achieve some really good solutions for the hands we have been dealt.

COMMENT – Leaders who take the time to understand their organization's finances do a lot better than the average executive. My Corps Chief of Staff admitted several times he did not really care until he got to Iraq, and realized how important the resource management function was in getting things done. Several General Officers took the time to learn in theater, and they were successful because of it.

COMMENT – The senior leaders of the Force and Corps would typically convene on Saturday's at Camp Victory at the Water Palace for strategic and operational meetings. On July 2nd, I got to see my old West Point classmate and company mate, the Major General who replaced my Major General in the Green Zone. I had not seen him since graduation and we got to talk for about thirty minutes. He laughed when I told him I had spent five months in the Green Zone working for his predecessor. We kept in touch in later years as he went on to command a division in Iraq and III Corps at Fort Hood.

## (the weekly email continues)

Weeks 54 & 55: 3 July 2005

Anyway, that is the kind of two weeks I have been having, but my three healthy C-8 division chiefs have been great, coming up with great solutions to all the things folks keep throwing at us.

This morning, we all got up at 5 am for the Peachtree 10K Run (July 3rd). For the runners in the crowd, this is a famous running event in Atlanta each year, and this year they had satellite runs in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. I rode my bike and took pictures of all our officers running the race.

Got most of my stuff sold, including the television, satellite dish, refrigerator, and bike. Still looking for someone to buy the overstuffed chair, but the C-8 offices are hoping it does not sell as they want it in the office TV room. I mailed off a foot locker and three boxes of stuff today. My military equipment, unused since it was issued in Fort Bliss last May, is packed in two duffel bags. I have only to pack my uniforms, underwear, and a few items, do my out-processing on Wednesday, check out of my trailer, and head for the Baghdad International Air Field on Thursday. That is if my replacement, the boss, gets back from Kuwait.

The Marine Corps' acting comptroller in western Iraq, a young Captain, wrote me Friday afternoon (July 1st), saying he was glad to hear that I was staying until October to keep things running. I wrote him a short email, saying that I had thoughts of Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men were running in my head, but in the background I could hear the Mamas and Poppas song, I'm Leaving, on a Jet Plane. He got the email, and then called, still laughing.

Take care, and I hope to write next week from the states. Or at least bloody, hot Kuwait.

## (end of weekly email)

## (begin Weeks 54-55 Memorials)

21-Jun-05 - A body showing signs of torture was found near Hillah, south of Baghdad, three days after the victim was kidnapped, and north of the capital in Shorgat the Army discovered the bodies of a businessman and Soldier who had been shot. This incident killed 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

21-Jun-05 - Bulgarian Army Officer Candidate Marin Milev, 24, of Karlovo, Bulgaria, killed by non-hostile - vehicle accident (drowning) at Diwaniyah, Iraq and died in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany.

21-Jun-05 - Earlier in the day, insurgents had planted explosives in Tal Afar town hall, killing two and wounding two others, the police chief said. Guards posted at the building escaped. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

21-Jun-05 - In the northern town of Tal Afar, four mortar rounds smashed into the Al-Saad neighborhood, killing two people and wounding six, including two women and two children, police chief Colonel Najem Abdellah. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

21-Jun-05 - Iraqi Kareem Albiri'e, adult, male, killed in Siniyah region, west of Baiji.

21-Jun-05 - Near Baqubah, an Iraqi Soldier was killed as he went to work, and a Turkish truck driver was shot dead as he left an Iraqi-United States base east of Balad, Army officers and police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

21-Jun-05 - Sergeant James D. Stewart, 29, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died June 21 in Ar Rutbah, Iraq, where an improvised explosive device detonated near his military cargo truck. Stewart was assigned to the 57th Transportation Company, 10th Mountain Division, at Fort Drum, New York.

21-Jun-05 - Specialist Christopher L. Hoskins, 21, of Danielson, Connecticut and Specialist Brian A. Vaughn, 23, of Pell City, Alabama died on June 21 in Ramadi, Iraq, where their unit was conducting combat operations, and were attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Both Soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Carson, Colorado.

21-Jun-05 - Specialist Nicholas R. Idalski, 23, of Crown Point, Indiana, died June 21 in Ramadi, Iraq, where his unit was conducting combat operations and were attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Idalski was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Carson, Colorado.

21-Jun-05 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Shot Dead at Balad (east of). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

21-Jun-05 - Two suicide car bomb attacks targeted two Iraqi Army checkpoints north of Baghdad, killing six Iraqi Soldiers and wounding several others, the United States-Iraqi joint coordination center said on Tuesday. This incident killed 6 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

21-Jun-05 - West of Baiji, two Iraqi policemen and two civilians died in a firefight between police and gunmen, an officer reported. This incident killed 2 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

22-Jun-05 - A bomb attack on a United States armored patrol killed three Iraqi civilians and wounded seven on Wednesday in the northern city of Mosul, witnesses, police and hospital officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

22-Jun-05 - A roadside bomb struck an Iraqi police patrol that included a special operations unit, killing two policeman in Madain. A group of children on bicycles ran over a bomb east of Baquabah, killing a 9-year-old boy and injuring two others aged 6 and 7, killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-Jun-05 - A roadside explosion meant for a United States military convoy killed an Iraqi civilian and wounded three others west of Ramadi, Doctor Abdullah al-Dulaimi said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

22-Jun-05 - About 15 minutes later, a suicide car bomber struck an Iraqi Army patrol in a nearby suburb, killing at least four bystanders, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

22-Jun-05 - Gunmen killed a judge Wednesday in Baghdad whose name previously was on a list of Sunni Arabs joining a parliamentary committee drafting Iraq's new constitution. Al-Issawi, 51, and his son were killed in Baghdad's northwestern Shula neighborhood, killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

22-Jun-05 - Iraqi Jassim Skaih Al-Uboodi, adult, male, killed in near Hassan Basray Cemetery, Az Zubayr, Basra.

22-Jun-05 - Sergeant Arnold Duplantier II, 26, of Sacramento, California, died June 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, where he was providing cordon security, and was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Duplantier was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, in Auburn, California.

22-Jun-05 - Shiite neighborhood of Shula. Two bombs exploded in front of a pair of restaurants, killing at least 11 and wounding 28; and killing no ISF and 11 Iraqi Civilian.

23-Jun-05 - At least 12 people were killed in a trio of car bombings in Baghdad, a day after five car bombs hit the capital, ending a relative lull that followed the launch of a major offensive against insurgents. This incident killed no ISF and 12 Iraqi Civilians.

23-Jun-05 - Corporal Chad W. Powell, 22, of West Monroe, Louisiana died June 23 while traveling in a convoy that was attacked by a suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device in Fallujah, Iraq. Powell was assigned to 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Five Marines assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and a Sailor were killed and 13 were wounded when a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device struck their vehicle June 23 in Fallujah.

23-Jun-05 - Corporal Ramona M. Valdez, 20, of Bronx, New York, died June 23 while traveling in a convoy that was attacked by a suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device in Fallujah, Iraq. She was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Five Marines assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and a Sailor were killed and 13 were wounded when a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device struck their vehicle June 23 in Fallujah.

23-Jun-05 - Iraqi Ali (?), adult, male, killed in Karada, Baghdad.

23-Jun-05 - Iraqi brothers, male, killed in Iskandariya.

23-Jun-05 - Iraqi Laith Falah, 14, male, killed in Karada, Baghdad.

23-Jun-05 - Iraqi Nephews of Hashim Abd al-Hussain, adult, male, killed in river near Yusufiyah.

23-Jun-05 - Iraqi Zahra Hamood Issa, 69, female, killed in Karada, Baghdad.

23-Jun-05 - Lance Corporal Holly A. Charette, 21, from Cranston, Rhode Island, died June 23 from wounds sustained when a suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device struck her vehicle in Fallujah, Iraq. She was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Five Marines assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and a Sailor were killed and 13 were wounded when a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device struck their vehicle June 23 in Fallujah.

23-Jun-05 - Petty Officer 1st Class Regina R. Clark, 43, of Centralia, Washington, died June 23 in a convoy that was attacked by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Fallujah. She was a culinary specialist deployed with Naval Construction Region Detachment 30, Port Hueneme, California, and was temporarily assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). Five Marines assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and a Sailor were killed and 13 were wounded when a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device struck their vehicle June 23 in Fallujah.

23-Jun-05 - Private First Class Veashna Muy, 20, of Los Angeles, California died June 23 while traveling in a convoy that was attacked by a suicide, vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device in Fallujah, Iraq. Marine was assigned to 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Five Marines assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) and a Sailor were killed and 13 were wounded when a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device struck their vehicle June 23 in Fallujah.

23-Jun-05 - Police said a suicide car bomber killed three policemen and wounded two when he drove at their patrol at around 7 am. Two other cars exploded in the same area, each several minutes apart, one close to a Shia mosque. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

23-Jun-05 - Sergeant First Class Christopher W. Phelps, 39, of Louisville, Kentucky, died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Phelps was assigned to the Army's 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

23-Jun-05 - Sergeant Joseph M. Tackett, 22, of Whitehouse, Kentucky, died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury. Tackett was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

23-Jun-05 - Two Iraqis were killed and 10 others injured in a car bomb explosion, south Kirkuk on Thursday, Iraqi police reported the car exploded early today in front of a gas station killing two Iraqis, one of them was a police officer, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Jun-05 - A Kurdish contractor working for the American military was killed by gunmen in northern Kirkuk. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Jun-05 - A woman died when assailants sent mortar shells into Mosul's police academy. Police in the Alexandria province discovered in a village the murdered bodies of four men who had previously been kidnapped by armed gunmen in a car. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

24-Jun-05 - An Iraqi reporter working for an American news organization was shot and killed in Baghdad by United States troops after he apparently did not respond to a shouted signal from a military convoy, witnesses said. The military had no comment. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Jun-05 - Corporal Carlos Pineda, 23, Los Angeles, California, died June 24 as a result of wounds sustained from enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. He was assigned to 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

24-Jun-05 - Gunmen killed police Lieutenant Colonel Majid Faisl Aziz, a member of the Interior Ministry's major crimes division, when he was driving his car near western Baghdad. Iraqi troops clashed with gunmen in western Baghdad and at least one Soldier was abducted, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Jun-05 - In another incident Friday, masked gunmen assassinated Hassan Abdel Hadi, the head of a religious Shiite association in the city of Khalis, 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Jun-05 - In Baghdad, three police officers were killed in separate incidents, two in the Aamirya district and another in southern Dora, police and hospital officials said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Jun-05 - Iraqi Abd Al Hussein Amed (grandson), 9, male, killed in Khan Bani Saad or Hashmiyat, Al Aamirya area, near Baqubah.

24-Jun-05 - Iraqi Ali Abd Al Hussein Amed, adult, male, killed in Khan Bani Saad or Hashmiyat, Al Aamirya area, near Baqubah.

24-Jun-05 - Iraqi Fadhel Oda Lueibi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

24-Jun-05 - Iraqi Hamid Amed Abd Al Hussein (grandfather), adult, male, killed in Khan Bani Saad or Hashmiyat, Al Aamirya area, near Baqubah.

24-Jun-05 - Iraqi Jashem Muhamed Wanas, adult, male, killed in Khan Bani Saad or Hashmiyat, Al Aamirya area, near Baqubah.

24-Jun-05 - Iraqi Muhamed Ahmed Abd Al Hussein, adult, male, killed in Khan Bani Saad or Hashmiyat, Al Aamirya area, near Baqubah.

24-Jun-05 - Iraqi Rahim Muhamed Abd Al Hussein, adult, male, killed in Khan Bani Saad or Hashmiyat, Al Aamirya area, near Baqubah.

24-Jun-05 - Iraqi Sameer Baghdadi, adult, male, killed in Dora, Baghdad.

24-Jun-05 - Three Iraqis were killed and nine others injured when a booby-trapped tractor exploded near a convoy of Iraqi troops north of Baghdad Friday. Police said two Soldiers were among the dead, killing 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

24-Jun-05 - Two brothers and their niece were shot south of Baghdad in the town of Iskandariya when two gunmen wearing Iraqi Army uniforms broke into their house, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

25-Jun-05 - A civilian was killed and four wounded in clashes between United States and Iraqi forces and insurgents in Tal Afar in northwestern Iraq after a roadside bomb attack against a United States military convoy, said Captain Chaker Mohammed of the local police. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Jun-05 - A suicide bomber trailed by five cars loaded with armed insurgents slammed into a wall outside the home of an Iraqi special forces police officer Saturday in the Sunni triangle city of Samarra, killing at least nine people on the street, officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 9 Iraqi Civilians.

25-Jun-05 - An Iraqi Kurdish contractor (Asu Ahmed) was shot dead and another (Khalil Mohammed) wounded in a drive-by shooting south of the northern city of Kirkuk, a police officer said; and killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

25-Jun-05 - And five Iraqi Shiites buying poultry from farms south of Baghdad for resale in the capital were found dead near a river in the Triangle of Death area, a relative of two of them said. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

25-Jun-05 - Around 20 insurgents attacked the police station on a highway outside Ramad. Brigadier General Shakir Mohammed Salih, the chief of police in Anbar, said. Eight policemen were killed and one was wounded, he said. This incident killed 8 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Jun-05 - In a separate incident on Saturday, armed men killed three policemen on a road about 75 km south of Amarah, police First Lieutenant Hussein Karim Hassan said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Jun-05 - In Mosul itself, a suicide car bomb attack on the motorcade of the provincial police chief killed at least four policemen, police and United States military officials said. The senior officer was not traveling in the convoy at the time. This incident killed 4 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

25-Jun-05 - Iraqi Mohammed Sumaidaie, 21, male, killed in Al-Shaikh Hadid, near Haditha.

25-Jun-05 - Journalist Maha Ibrahim, of Baghdad TV, was killed today in Baghdad, Iraq.

25-Jun-05 - On Saturday, gunmen killed two policemen patrolling western Baghdad and wounded three others, police First Lieutenant Thaer Mahmoud said. The victims belonged to a commando unit, he said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Jun-05 - Gunmen killed the owner of a pharmacy in western Iraq, hospital officials said; and killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Jun-05 - In further violence against Iraqi security forces, six members of a commando unit and Colonel Riad Abdel Karim, a deputy police chief in the capital, were gunned down in separate incidents in Baghdad, an interior ministry source said. This incident killed 6 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Jun-05 - In the other attack, gunmen killed a police colonel at his apartment in eastern Baghdad. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Jun-05 - Iraqi Abdel Rahman Saddam, adult, male, killed in Al-Jabidah, Baghdad.

26-Jun-05 - Iraqi Abu Bashir (?) adult, male, killed in Al Haqlaniyah, 15km south of Haditha Dam.

26-Jun-05 - Iraqi Ammar Khalaf, adult, male, killed in south of Ad Duluiyah.

26-Jun-05 - Iraqi brother of dead policeman, adult, male, killed in Ar Rafidayn area, Mosul.

26-Jun-05 - Iraqi Children of woman killed, child, unknown, killed in east Baghdad.

26-Jun-05 - Iraqi father of dead policeman, adult, male, killed in Ar Rafidayn area, Mosul.

26-Jun-05 - Iraqi Maha Ibrahim, adult, female, killed in Baghdad.

26-Jun-05 - Iraqi Shakir Abbas, adult, male, killed in 5km south of Al Dujail.

26-Jun-05 - Iraqi Yahia Mohamid Al-Nissani, adult, male, killed in 2km southeast of Samarra.

26-Jun-05 - Less than two hours later, a suicide bomber blew himself up in a parking lot outside an Iraqi Army base, killing 16 and wounding seven more, Walter said. Almost all the victims were civilian workers arriving at the site, he said. This incident killed no ISF and 16 Iraqi Civilians.

26-Jun-05 - Meantime police in Baghdad say four people have been killed two strikes in the capital. They say they include a mortar explosion that killed a woman and her two children. Another child was also wounded in the strike. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

26-Jun-05 - On Sunday, Deputy Police Chief, Colonel Riyadh Abdulkrim, was assassinated as gunmen opened fire on Abdulkrim's vehicle, as he was driving to work in Baghdad. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

26-Jun-05 - Residents and officials at Tal Afar said three bomb attacks were followed by a battle involving United States tanks and helicopters that lasted about three hours. Hospital officials said at least two civilians were killed. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

26-Jun-05 - Specialist Charles A. Kaufman, 20, of Fairchild, Wisconsin, died June 26 in Baghdad, Iraq, where a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Kaufman was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry, in Arcadia, Wisconsin.

26-Jun-05 - The first attack occurred at a police headquarters in Mosul, killing 13 policemen and two civilians and wounding six more, said United States Army Captain Mark Walter, a spokesman in Mosul. Earlier reports put the death toll at six. This incident killed 13 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

27-Jun-05 - Second Lieutenant Matthew S. Coutu, 23, of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, died June 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, where enemy forces engaged his convoy with small arms fire. Coutu was assigned to the 64th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, at Fort Hood, Texas.

27-Jun-05 - A roadside explosion has claimed the lives of two Iraqi civilians in Baghdad, hours after of a United States military helicopter crashed north of the capital and nationals were shot; and killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

27-Jun-05 - Aljazeera learned of more civilian fatalities in the capital, reporting that an Iraqi contractor working with the United States Army was killed by unknown assailants in the Dora area south of Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

27-Jun-05 - American Contractor named Klecker, Deborah Dawn was killed today due to improvised explosive device - Roadside bomb at Baghdad (East of). Was an International Police Liaison Officer for employer DynCorp.

27-Jun-05 - Chief Warrant Officer Keith R. Mariotti, 39, of Texas and Chief Warrant Officer Steven E. Shepard, 30, of Purcell, Oklahoma died on June 27 near Taji, Iraq, where their AH-64D Apache helicopter crashed. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Army's 3rd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

27-Jun-05 - El Salvadoran Army Soldado (Private) Carlos Armando Godoy Castro, 36, of San Miguel, El Salvador, killed by non-hostile - vehicle accident in Al Hillah (Camp Charlie), Iraq. Was assigned to the Cuscatlan Battalion, Special Forces Command from San Salvador.

27-Jun-05 - Gunmen opened fire on the shop late Sunday, killing the barber, a police officer and a nine-year-old boy in the bustling district of Al-Jabidah where Sunni Arabs, Iraqi Shiites and Christians live together, an interior ministry source said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

27-Jun-05 - Iraq Iraqi police and government officials say at least four people are dead and another 16 wounded in a car bombing in eastern Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

27-Jun-05 - Iraqi Sa'ad Abar Fayadhnaser, adult, male, killed in near Shatt Al Arab Hotel, Basra.

27-Jun-05 - Iraqi Wife of man killed, adult, female, killed in Antar Square, Azamiyah, in Baghdad.

27-Jun-05 - The disfigured bodies of nine Shiite sheep dealers were brought home to their native Karbala province on Saturday and the bodies of five truck drivers were found in a restive area south of the capital. This incident killed no ISF and 9 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Jun-05 - A member of Iraq's parliament, Dhari Ali al-Fayadh, three of his bodyguards and his son were killed by a suicide car bomb attack on their convoy in the northern outskirts of Baghdad on Tuesday, police sources said. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Jun-05 - A policeman died and 17 people were wounded when a suicide bomber walked into a hospital in Musayyib, south of Baghdad and blew himself up, police and medics said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Jun-05 - A suicide bomber dressed in a police uniform blew himself up in a hospital in the town of Musayyib, 75 km (40 miles) south of Baghdad on Tuesday, killing three people and wounding 13, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Jun-05 - Five people were killed and at least nine others were injured today in one of three car bomb explosions in a Baquabah. They were killed when a car bomb exploded just 15 yards from the headquarters of a police station. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Jun-05 - In the disputed oil city of Kirkuk one civilian died and three bodyguards were wounded when a car bomb targeted traffic police chief Tallar Abdullah, a brigadier general, said police Captain Farhad Abdullah, who is not related. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Jun-05 - Iraqi Adham al-Fayadh, son of Dhari Ali al-Fayadh, adult, male, killed in Rashidiya, northern Baghdad.

28-Jun-05 - Iraqi Salah Jmor, 49, male, killed in Mohammed Qasim highway, central Baghdad.

28-Jun-05 - Iraqi Shakir Abd al-Fatah, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

28-Jun-05 - Near Musayyib, 40 miles south of Baghdad, a bomber wearing explosives blew himself up at a checkpoint, killing one policeman and wounding 17, police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Jun-05 - One policeman was killed and two injured in an attack by around 70 gunmen on the headquarters of security forces on the outskirts of Samarra, Major Latif Shaba said. Three police cars were destroyed. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Jun-05 - Separately, United States Soldiers killed an Iraqi news executive when he did not pull over as an American convoy passed on a road in Baghdad, said Doctor Muhanad Jawad of Yarmouk Hospital. Ahmed Wael Bakri worked as a director at al-Sharqiya TV. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Jun-05 - Sergeant Manny Hornedo, 27, of Brooklyn, New York, died June 28 in Tikrit, Iraq, where a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV while conducting convoy operations. Hornedo was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1569th Transportation Company, New York, New York.

28-Jun-05 - Specialist Rafael A. Carrillo, Jr. 21, of Boys Ranch, Texas, died June 28 in Baghdad, Iraq, where an enemy mortar detonated near his HMMWV. Carrillo was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

28-Jun-05 - Specialist Robert E. Hall Jr. 30, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died June 28 in Ad Dujail, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted position at the gate of his forward operating base. Hall was assigned to the Army Reserve's 467th Engineer Battalion, Greenwood, Mississippi.

28-Jun-05 - Three Iraqi employees in the North Oil Co. were killed when an explosive charge went off near their car on the road linking Kirkuk to Hawija, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Jun-05 - Three police commandos were killed and five injured in Samarra, north of Baghdad, when a homemade bomb blast slammed into their patrol, according to Army Captain Hassan al Juburi. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

28-Jun-05 - Two bodyguards are killed and six people wounded in a remote-control car bomb attack targeting the head of the traffic police in the northern oil city of Kirkuk. Police Colonel Salar Mohammed survived the assassination attempt. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

28-Jun-05 - Two Soldiers died and one was wounded when attackers fired rocket propelled grenades at them south of Samarra, Major Jumah Mohammed said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

29-Jun-05 - Four civilian Iraqis, including a child, were killed and another 21 were wounded when militants launched a mortar shell at a residential area in the northern Iraqi city of Telafar during the early hours of Wednesday. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

29-Jun-05 - Gunmen stormed the former insurgent bastion of Samarra in northern Iraq, killing at least two elite police commandos and injuring as many as six. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

29-Jun-05 - In Samarra, north of Baghdad, three police commandos died and six were wounded in midday clashes with heavily armed insurgents, police Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed al-Nissani said, killing 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

29-Jun-05 - British Army Signaller Paul Didsbury, 18, of Blackpool, Lancashire, was killed by non-hostile accident shot, Coroner recorded a narrative verdict. He is believed to have accidentally shot himself at Basra, Airport base Iraq. Was assigned to the Royal Corps of Signals, 21st Signal Regiment (Air Support).

30-Jun-05 - An Iraqi contractor was killed by unknown gunmen in the province of Kirkuk. Also Thursday a man was killed and his wife injured when their car came under fire from United States troops on a road south of Kirkuk. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

30-Jun-05 - In fresh violence two Iraqis were killed and five wounded in an attack on a police chief in Baqubah and two Kurdish female employees of the party of President Jalal Talabani were killed in Mosul. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

30-Jun-05 - Iraqi Brother of Shalaan Abdul-Khaleq, adult, male, killed in Baqubah.

30-Jun-05 - Iraqi Employee of Taher Kadhem al-Rubayee, adult, unknown, killed in Baghdad.

30-Jun-05 - Iraqi sisters, adult, female, killed in PUK HQ, east Mosul.

30-Jun-05 - Iraqi Taher Kadhem al-Rubayee, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

30-Jun-05 - Police said the body of a Soldier who disappeared two days ago in the Howeija area, 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of Kirkuk, was found by policemen, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Jun-05 - Sergeant Chad M. Mercer, 25, of Waycross, Georgia, died June 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, where his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle rolled over while conducting combat operations. Mercer was assigned to the Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, in Fitzgerald, Georgia.

30-Jun-05 - Yasser Salihee, an Iraqi special correspondent for Knight Ridder, the parent company of the Free Press, was shot and killed in western Baghdad on Friday as his car neared United States and Iraqi troops who had stopped to search a building for snipers, killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

30-Jun-05 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 83 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 6 Coalition Contractors, 0 Aid Workers, 2 Journalists, 296 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 262 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 320 Insurgents.

1-Jul-05 - A military spokeswoman says two died in one of the bombings, in Ramadi. Two people were also wounded. A civilian also died in the second bombing in the New Baghdad district of the capital. There's no word of any U-S casualties in either attack. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

1-Jul-05 - A senior advisor to Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Sheik Kamaleddin al-Ghuraifi, was shot dead with two others in Baghdad on his way to Friday prayers, the Defence ministry and Sistani's office said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-Jul-05 - A suicide bomber detonated his car outside the party offices of Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari on Friday, killing one guard and wounding at least one. The prime minister was not in the building in Baghdad's Mansour neighborhood at the time. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-Jul-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Dhirgham, 20, male, killed in Ghazaliya, Baghdad.

1-Jul-05 - Iraqi Hassan Lami, 20, male, killed in Ghazaliya, Baghdad.

1-Jul-05 - Iraqi Ibrahim (?) adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

1-Jul-05 - Iraqi Khaleb Sabih al Attar, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

1-Jul-05 - Iraqi Mohammed, cousin of Ismael Mahmoud, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

1-Jul-05 - Iraqi Muhammad Jassem Bouhan al-Izzawi, 33, male, killed in Square Town, Sadr City area, east Baghdad.

1-Jul-05 - Iraqi Shaka Sala, 42, male, killed in Baghdad.

1-Jul-05 - Journalist Khaled al-Attar, of Al-Iraqiya, was killed today in Mosul, Iraq.

1-Jul-05 - Other attacks in Baghdad, and in and around the restive city of Samarra further north, killed 14 police and Soldiers and wounded at least seven, police and Army sources said. This incident killed 14 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

1-Jul-05 - Turkish Contractor named NAME NOT KNOWN was killed today due to Small Arms Fire at Baiji (Near). Was a Truck Driver for an unknown employer.

1-Jul-05 - Unidentified gunmen opened machinegun fire at relative of Iraqi National Security advisor and Member of Parliament Muwaffaq Al-Rubaye and killed him instantly. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jul-05 - A bomb exploded Saturday in a vegetable cart in a market in Mahmoudiyah, a religiously mixed flashpoint town about 12 miles south of Baghdad, killing two people and injuring 10 others, hospital officials said. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

2-Jul-05 - A suicide bomber killed at least 12 people at a police recruitment center in Baghdad today. The toll was later revised down to at least 12 killed and 21 wounded by the Al-Yarmouk hospital; and killing no ISF and 12 Iraqi Civilians.

2-Jul-05 - Another suicide bomber blew up a car bomb at a police checkpoint just south of the city, killing five and wounding 12. A senior police officer said police and civilians were among the five dead, killing 3 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

2-Jul-05 - Authorities in Switzerland said a Swiss citizen of Iraqi origin was shot and killed in Iraq. According to Swiss media reports, the 49-year-old was apparently killed after being accidentally shot by a United States Soldier. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jul-05 - Iraqi Anwar Sheik Kabeer Sorchyee, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

2-Jul-05 - Iraqi Haider Karim Azawi, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

2-Jul-05 - Police in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, said they had recovered three headless bodies, one also lacking legs, at two locations in the city. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jul-05 - Suicide bombers struck twice Saturday in this Shiite city south of Baghdad, killing six policemen and injuring 26 people, including police and bystanders who had rushed to the scene of the first attack, police said. This incident killed 6 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jul-05 - Two Iraqi policemen were killed and three others were wounded on Saturday during an assault on their patrol vehicle in the area of Baiji, northern Iraq, police sources said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jul-05 - Two police colonels were gunned down in their cars in separate incidents, one in the northern city of Mosul; another in Musayyib just south of Baghdad. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

2-Jul-05 - Two policemen and two civilians were killed when gunmen opened fire on a patrol in the northern city of Kirkuk. Eight people were wounded including three police by a remote control bomb near a patrol in the capital's New Baghdad district. This incident killed 2 ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

3-Jul-05 - a car bomb killed three Iraqi policemen north of Baghdad on Sunday, officials said. A police general and the government's industry minister escaped assassination in attacks on their vehicles, officials said Sunday. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Jul-05 - A joint United States-Iraqi patrol came under fire Sunday south of Baghdad, killing five Iraqi Soldiers and wounding three, the United States military said Monday. This incident killed 5 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Jul-05 - Also in Baghdad, gunmen killed Shiite cleric Adil al-Janabi and one of his bodyguards in a drive-by shooting Saturday night, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

3-Jul-05 - Iraqi Abdul Kadhum Abdullah, adult, male, killed in Baghdad?

3-Jul-05 - Iraqi Son of Abdul Hussein Hamid Khalaf, adult, male, killed in Baghdad.

3-Jul-05 - Specialist Ryan J. Montgomery, 22, of Greensburg, Kentucky, died July 3 in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV while his unit was conducting convoy operations. Montgomery was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Regiment, in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

3-Jul-05 - Staff Sergeant Jeremy A. Brown, 26, of Mabscott, West Virginia, died July 3 in Mosul Iraq, from injuries sustained earlier that day in Tal Afar, Iraq, where the HMMWV in which he was riding accidentally rolled over. Brown was assigned to the Army's 66th Military Intelligence Company, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

## (end of Weeks 54-55 Memorials)

### DEMOBILIZATION

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 56: 14 July 2005

I left Baghdad at 11:44 pm on July 7th. I left Kuwait at 3:55 pm on July 8th. I arrived at Pope Air Force Base (near Fayetteville, North Carolina) at 3:32 am on July 9th. I got to Fort Bliss, Texas, near El Paso, at 10:35 pm on July 9th. All of those times local – during the traveling, I kept my watch Time 2 on Eastern and the other one on the local time.

Correction from the last report – the song _Leaving on a Jet Plane_ was written by John Denver, but was made famous by Peter, Paul, and Mary rather than the Mamas and Poppas. I did find out that the Carpenters also made this into a record. Only one person identified my mistake.

During the last week in Iraq, there was quite serious talk of sending me over to the Corps of Engineers to help out the electricity situation. Without going into details, the generation program is not going well, and our four-star General took several folks to task. These folks made matters worse by trying to explain why things were going bad, and some of the excuses were making me laugh so hard. An article republished in _Stars & Stripes_ from a United States newspaper showed that there was less generation capacity now than last year. During my last days, one town showed up with 18 hours electricity a day when the rest of the country was around 10 – 12 hours – and no one briefing knew why (they had their own power plant and they separated from the transmission grid so they did not have to share power).

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – In defense of all the efforts made since the 2003 war, Iraq started out with a serious deficient in the supply of electricity, plus the lack of any investment and repairs of power plants, transmission, distribution, and substations by Saddam for over twenty years. Saddam diverted most of the power to Baghdad and kept the lights on every day, while allowing the rest of the country to get a few hours a day. The Coalitional Provisional Authority reallocated this shortage to everyone, so then everyone got between six and eight hours a day – which may have contributed to the extreme dissatisfaction of the folks in Baghdad. They brought in volunteers from the United States and British electric industries – and attempted to impose western designs and equipment. Gas turbines were brought in, but because of the lack of natural gas pipelines, these ran on oil, often the crude kind. Gas turbines do not last long in that environment.

COMMENT – Some of the experts had backgrounds in distribution operations, and were asked to figure out ways to run power plants. The insurgency played its part by destroying transmission lines and towers and a few attacks on substations and plants. So while the power picture looked rather promising in July 2004 during the Embassy reviews, a year later, actual supply was down and operations had deteriorated. If not for the United States Army personnel systems, I should have been extended and transferred to the Corps of Engineers division offices in the Green Zone. But I was "under cover" as a comptroller, and besides some Force and Corps officers, only the Army Reserves really knew I worked for one of the largest electric utilities. I might have stayed if asked, but no one did, so I got on my plane to leave, singing.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 56: 14 July 2005

Independence Day was a working day at Camp Victory, starting off with the morning briefing and another tongue lashing of the electric guys. Before the briefing, I found out that the boss had arrived at the Baghdad International Air Field at 4:30 am and was sleeping in his trailer- and would probably not be in until the afternoon. I got back from some meetings about 10 am, and there he was. I yelled – "my replacement is here, I am leaving" and he laughed. The boss then went over the budget allocations that we had worked out last Thursday with two of our C-8 division chiefs while I continued to run things through the day. Except for cake in the dining facility and a little ceremony at 9 am in the Water Palace, it was a normal day.

The boss took over Monday night (July 4th), and I slept in until 9 am on Tuesday morning. I spent the day copying files, answering questions, and prepping the incoming Deputy C-8 (one of the division chiefs, an Army Lieutenant Colonel who had been here since February) on his new duties. During the eleven days when I was Acting Comptroller, I kept a detailed diary of activities and gave that book to the boss on Monday night. He read half of it during the morning briefings and it caught him up with what was going on. I went down on Tuesday to the Baghdad International Air Field to get on the waiting list for Thursday. At 8 pm Tuesday, I turned over my Deputy C-8 duties over and put all my email systems on out of office (leaving theater soon, contact so and so).

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – One of my prized possessions was an MCI cell phone, which made international calls, and was set up with the West Point area code. I received it in my handoff with Jim, the Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who I replaced in the Green Zone as C-8 Liaison Officer. The Army Major who took over for me in the Green Zone at the end of October 2004 had purchased his own cell phone, so I took the cell phone to Camp Victory. I did not have as good of service at Camp Victory, but the cell phone was still useful in calling my boss with his Iraqi cell phone number, plus we used the cell phones when folks were out of the office. So on July 6th, the official hand-off and turnover was completed when I handed over the prized cell phone to the new Corps Deputy C-8.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 56: 14 July 2005

Wednesday morning (July 6th), the Corps Chief of Staff said some very nice things about me and presented me with the Bronze Star Medal for my 13 months here. I then completed my out-processing, getting my Palace id card cut at the bottom and terminating my computer access. I finished up copying files for the new Deputy C-8, and the office had a nice farewell ceremony in the afternoon. I asked everyone to get home safely, and told a few folks that they would not be going downtown during their tours here, as convoys were too dangerous. I told the folks of what the place was like last June 2004, when we rode downtown in unarmored SUVs but had to be up armored to go to the airport. Now it is opposite. I mentioned lots of comptroller names of folks who had served and left, and the fact that I had seen six Air Force tours and three Navy tours while I was here. I gave away some things, including my last three Finance Corps coins to three enlisted airmen who make things run around here. After the evening Corps staff briefing, the boss and I and our Captains went to dinner.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – I was very surprised to receive the Bronze Star Medal from the Corps commanding general. Except for my Marine Captain who left in early June and received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, no one in the Corps C-8 office had left with more than the Joint Service Commendation Medal. This was probably because Comptrollers were considered my many as a "necessary evil" because money was always scarce and no one ever seemed to get their fair share.

COMMENT - My boss provided me with a copy of the award recommendation, which I saved but probably did not read at the time. Looking at that recommendation years later, I was shocked by how much credit they gave me in my two major jobs as C-8 Liaison Officer and Corps Deputy C-8. Of course, no one does these things alone, so the credit really goes to the group of folks who worked together for the greater good of the Iraqi people during my 13 months in Iraq.

COMMENT – In saying my farewells to the Corps C-8 staff (and some of the Force C-8 staff), I had detected this desire to convoy down to the Green Zone along Route Irish. I think they thought that was fun. I just wanted everyone to remain safe in Iraq and return home all in one piece. I stressed to the new Deputy C-8 that there will be times he or another will need to go down there, fly if they can rather than convoy, and if need be, take the rhino bus. I did email my Corps C-8 office several times over the next seven months, and everyone returned home safely.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 56: 14 July 2005

As promised many months ago, my last dinner consisted of all deserts. I had four slices of pie or cake, an ice cream sundae with cherries, a smoothie, and a vanilla milk shake. It was good. After dinner, I found out that the first roll call on Thursday would be about 4 pm.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – After dinner, I had my Air Force Major take me over to the Air Force House. She initially refused, but I argued that I had been here long enough in Iraq plus being the son of a Technical Sergeant had earned me the right to see it before I left. Yes, it had a putt-putt course, and if you want, you can swing and hit golf balls into the lake. It had several nice areas for one to play video games, read, watch movies, call home, all the comforts of home. Even had snacks!! I promised my Major that I would not tell anyone at Camp Victory about what I saw.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 56: 14 July 2005

I slept late until 10 am, and went over to billeting to borrow a gator. I dumped the refrigerator and my bags in the gator, and drove over to the Corps C-8 office and loaded the bags in the office SUV while the Commander's Emergency Response Program office got their new refrigerator. I took the gator back, checked out of billeting, and then completed my out-processing at the personnel office. Boss and I went to lunch at the dining facility, and I just walked around the C-8 office killing time in the afternoon.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – This is the first mention about the Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP) in my weekly emails since December 2004. Our Programs division still kept track of CERP funding and execution for our major subordinate commands and other groups. What changed during my time as Corps Deputy C-8 was getting the funding, educating folks on the use of CERP, and the ultimate transfer of managing what got done to the C-7 (Engineers) staff. I remarked in an email in my first few months that the Corps C-8 office was probably the wrong place to manage CERP at the beginning, because that required our Corps C-8 or the C-8 staff to make decisions on the allocation of funding and sometimes dealing with justifying or explaining the actual projects done.

COMMENT – After XVIII Airborne Corps took over in early February, the Corps Chief of Staff directed the Joint Fires Brigadier General to form a task force consisting of staffs from the C-3 (Operations), C-7, C-8, and C-9 (Civil Affairs) to look at humanitarian and reconstruction activities, which included CERP and related efforts being done with the Corps of Engineers division and regional offices in Iraq. It was decided that management of CERP would be done by the C-7 (one could have also argued that it go to C-9, but the best method is to have a single point of responsibility, otherwise, things get messed up).

COMMENT – On funding, we did get the remainder of the $368 million promised by the Iraqis, plus $86 million from the Ambassador's review, and some appropriated funding by Congress. The final piece of this occurred with education and training of the new divisions and brigade combat teams that rotated into Iraq by the C-3, C-7, C-8, and C-9 staffs. For our part, we used three resource management conferences, the publication of two versions of Money as a Weapon System (one for commanders, the other for resource managers), plus continuous guidance to our "8" shops to make CERP an effective tool for each division, brigade, and battalion commander.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 56: 14 July 2005

We left for the airport at 3:15 pm, and got there to wait until roll call at 4 pm. I did not make that roll call, but noticed that the Embassy had a flight out with a roll call at 4:30 pm. I ended up getting a seat on their flight, which really was the same aircraft, the Air Force and Embassy had divided up seats. About an hour later, I went into operations and found that the flight was delayed until midnight. Lucky I had brought stuff to read. About 11 pm, they got us all together, saying the flight was in bound. To save time, the C-130 came in, never shut its engines down, and as new folks de-planed, we walked out to the plane. I started to sing Leaving in on a Jet Plane and about ten others started to join in. We walked past the folks now arriving into Iraq, including our two Navy Corps C-8 personnel (I said hi to them by name as I walked past, welcoming them to Iraq – the Navy Commander was wondering who knew him by first name). I was the last person on the C-130, and got a nice seat on the end with leg room. We took off to jet fighter pilot maneuvers and flares, and pretty soon were flying south to Kuwait.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Sitting in the tent, reading my novel and probably munching on a Subway sandwich and chips, I noticed another Army Lieutenant Colonel across the General Purpose Median tent looking at me. He was an Engineer officer, but I did not recognize him, but he looked a bit familiar. One of us got up and walked over. When two officers meet each other and think they have met before, there are usually a few quick questions, like asking about whether the person was ever assigned at a given post and when, etc. It turned out that this officer was a plebe in my Cadet Company at West Point when I was a senior. He had several years on active duty after he graduated in 1981, and then left the service for a civilian job but stayed in the Army Reserve as an Engineer officer. He had finished up a four or six month tour working in the Corps of Engineer division office in the Green Zone, and was now heading home. We talked for a little while, waiting for our plane to arrive at the Baghdad International Air Field.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 56: 14 July 2005

It took about 45 minutes longer to fly to Kuwait, probably due to head winds plus our take off maneuvering. We landed at the Air Force Base around 12:30 am local time (July 8th), waited around for the pallet and buses to come, and finally got to Camp Doha at about 3 am. I checked in with the Corps Liaison Office, and got my paperwork filed, but the transportation office was closed at midnight, so they told me to come back at 8 am. So I dragged my four duffel bags to the field grade officer billets, took a shower, and then went to breakfast at about 5:30 am. Except there was no water, so there was no breakfast being served. I went back and lay on the bed until 8 am. I found out that the next flight to the states would be sometime between July 15-18, and I signed up space available for a flight leaving on July 12 (it was now July 8). I turned in my armored vest and went back to my room to repack my duffels to put my helmet in there, and get myself comfortable for about a week in Kuwait.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – While we were waiting for the buses at the Air Force Base, a SUV pulled up to pick up the Engineer Lieutenant Colonel and take him to a nice hotel in Kuwait City. He sheepishly explained that the Corps took care of its officers, and did not force them to stay at Camp Doha. He even told me that he knew he was flying commercial to the states on Friday evening. That was nice. We shook hands, and bid each other safe travels.

COMMENT – I was rather disappointed that I would have to wait until next Tuesday before I could fly out of Kuwait, and possibly waiting as much as ten days. I went back to the billets, unpacked a duffel bag or two to make room for the helmet that I would no longer need and get out a few things that I would need. At Camp Doha, they did not care if you wore civilian or PT clothes except to go to the offices or stand for flights. I was hungry due to not eating breakfast, so I was just about to depart for the food court when I received a visitor.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 56: 14 July 2005

About 10:30 pm, a Sergeant came by and said if I could be packed in ten minutes, he had a flight leaving this afternoon for Fort Bragg. The last of the Civil Affairs units were moving out, and they had a few seats left over. He brought his truck by in eleven minutes, and loaded up my four duffel bags and went immediately to get in-processed for the flight. Customs decided to only check one of the duffel bags (even they did not want to see someone have to repack all of them), so I dumped its contents out and they went through it and the stuff in my backpack. By 11:30 am, I was on a bus leaving Camp Doha for the Kuwait International Airport. We got there around noon, and sat on the bus for three hours. We had two Colonels and three Command Sergeant Majors, so they took the first class seats while I got a seat by the doorway while we loaded up. The baggage handlers got the business class seats.

We took off from Kuwait City International Airport at 3:55 pm on June 8th, and flew about five hours over Iraq and Turkey to Budapest, Hungary. They would not let us get off the plane, we had a crew change, and I did stand out on the top of the stairway to get some fresh air until the Hungarian police asked us to stay in the plane. After a two hour layover sitting on the plane, we took off for Shannon, Ireland for a three hour flight. There, we were let off the plane, and though it was a little bit past midnight, the airport pub stayed open to provide beer to the troops. About an hour later, we took off for the United States.

After more than seven hours, we landed at Pope Air Force Base, outside of Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, North Carolina at 3:32 am on July 9th. The unit was greeted by a crowd of well-wishers and loved ones. We got our bags unloaded from the plane and drove over by bus to Fort Bragg. The unit was staying in World War II barracks that I last stayed in around 1975. I called the government travel agent on their 800 number, and arranged for a flight from Fayetteville to El Paso, Texas. The folks at Bragg took four of us over to the airport. After obtaining a hard case for my M9 pistol, I flew from there to Atlanta, then Houston, and finally to El Paso, arriving at 10:35 pm on July 9th.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Arriving at Fort Bragg, the reception party mentioned that they had arranged for suitable billets. I was tired from all the flying, but seeing those old barracks that I had stayed in while being a Cadet in 1975 just pushed me to find a pay phone to arrange for a flight to Fort Bliss as soon as I can. We loaded up in a van and got to the Fayetteville Airport, and checked in. Then I found out that my pistol need to be locked up in a hard case (locked in my duffel bag was not good enough), so they held my four bags and I found a cab to take me to the nearest Wal-Mart to buy one (and a lock). Missed the first flight out due to this, but did catch the next one to Atlanta. Flew on to Houston, where there were thunderstorms.

COMMENT – I recall the flight to El Paso was delayed due to weather, and I was just sitting there by the gate waiting. A woman went up to the gate counter, though I was too far away to hear what they were saying. She sat down opposite of me with her trying to avoid crying. I asked her what was bothering her. She explained that her husband was coming back from Iraq, and because of the weather, she had been bumped off an earlier flight and was now stand-by for this one to El Paso, which apparently was full. She told me her name, and then I asked her if her husband was an Engineer Lieutenant Colonel who graduated from West Point in 1981 and had just spent 4-6 months in Iraq in the Green Zone. She looked at me, a bit stunned. Then I explained how I had just met her husband, years after we were at West Point, and had flown together from Iraq to Kuwait.

COMMENT – She told me that he was already at Fort Bliss, having arrived a few hours ago. I was still in uniform, so I walked up to the gate counter to talk to the airline person about the matter. I said that this was the wife of an another Army officer, that had just returned from Iraq, and if needed, she can take my seat on the plane if there are no empty ones, or maybe the pilot would let me sit in the jump seat instead. She clicked on the computer, and a few minutes she found a way to put the wife on that plane. The wife got her boarding pass and sat down. I told her that I was going to rent a car at the airport and then drive into Fort Bliss, and if she wanted to, I could drop her off at the Inn at Fort Bliss (their billeting office), as then her husband would not have to get a taxi to and from the airport. She accepted my offer, and we boarded the flight to El Paso. Her husband met her at the billeting office, we said hello again, then I left the love birds to check in.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 56: 14 July 2005

It was Saturday night, so I signed in and hand receipted my weapon over to the staff duty, and found out that there was nothing to do until Monday morning.

## (end of weekly email)

COMMENT – Nothing in the Army is easy. I got a temporary post permit for the rental car, and then found the demobilization unit's headquarters, since I really did not want to carry a 9 mm pistol around. Unlike the mobilization station that did operate seven days a week, the demobilization offices were strictly a five days a week, six hours a day, operation. I did sort of wake up the staff duty officer, and had him lock up the weapon. Donated the hard case to the Army, hoping it will get some use to someone flying commercial someday. Lucky for me, the Inn at Fort Bliss had a room with indoor plumbing. After calling my wife, I was fast asleep.

## (begin Weeks 56 Memorials)

4-Jul-05 - A car bomb in Baghdad has killed two civilians and wounded four more, police have said. The car bomb was parked on a street in the capital's western area and was detonated by remote control, police said. One of the victims was a woman. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

4-Jul-05 - Four gunmen killed a senior member of the Kurdish Democratic Party's Mosul branch, a party spokesperson said. Jirjis Mohammed Amin was shot inside his sister's home in the northern city. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Jul-05 - Gunmen in Baghdad killed an Iraqi painting contractor who worked with a United States military base, doctors said. Omar Othman and a friend were driving on Baghdad's dangerous airport road Monday morning when the assailants opened fire. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Jul-05 - Gunmen in Mosul killed a bodyguard of the provincial Nineveh governor, police said. He was killed in front of his home in the eastern part of the city, which is the capital of Nineveh province; and killing no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

4-Jul-05 - Iraqi Abdul Kareem Sulaiman, adult, male, killed in Tal Afar.

4-Jul-05 - Iraqi Ahmed Mouayyad, adult, male, killed in Mosul.

4-Jul-05 - Iraqi Jirjis Mohammed Amin, adult, male, killed in Al-Karama, Mosul.

4-Jul-05 - Iraqi Lieutenant Ahmen Mutaz, adult, male, killed in central Mosul.

4-Jul-05 - Iraqi Omar Othman, adult, male, killed in Airport road, Baghdad.

5-Jul-05 - A mortar attack missed a United States military base and struck central Samarra, killing a 13-year-old girl and wounding four civilians, police said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jul-05 - A roadside bomb blast and a subsequent firefight killed two Iraqi Soldiers and wounded seven others on Baghdad's outskirts in the Abu Ghraib district, police and hospital officials said. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jul-05 - A Soldier of the Iraqi Army was killed Tuesday and at least one another was injured when a booby trapped car exploded south of the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, said the new commander of the Army Anwar Amein. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

5-Jul-05 - Another mortar attack killed two sisters, ages 20 and 30, doctors said, in an area just north of Ramadi, the capital of the volatile western Anbar province. It was not known who fired the mortar. This incident killed no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

5-Jul-05 - Iraqi Farrahah Khalid Abrahim, elderly, female, killed in near Forward Operating Base St. Michael, Mahmoudiyah.

5-Jul-05 - Iraqi Majid Bender Ondah Al-Onan, adult, male, killed in near Al Fayhaa Mosque, Basra.

5-Jul-05 - Iraqi Police Tuesday reported the killing of four Iraqi female workers employed at Baghdad International Air Field and injury of three others in Al-Ameriyah, Western Baghdad. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

5-Jul-05 - Private Anthony M. Mazzarella, 22, of Blue Springs, Missouri, died July 5, in Taji, Iraq, when the HMMWV in which he was riding accidentally rolled over. Mazzarella was assigned to the Army's 1st Battalion, 13th Armor Regiment, 1st Armor Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas.

5-Jul-05 - Specialist Christopher W. Dickison, 26, of Seattle, Washington, died July 5, in Baqubah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol. Dickison was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kansas.

5-Jul-05 - Staff Sergeant Scottie L. Bright, 36, of Montgomery, Alabama and Corporal Lyle J. Cambridge, 23, of Shiprock, New Mexico died on July 5, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their HMMWV during patrol operations. Both Soldiers were assigned to 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

6-Jul-05 - A suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into the Mashrou military checkpoint near Kirkuk and blew it up, killing a Soldier and wounding four others, the ministry said in a statement. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-Jul-05 - A suicide car bomber struck an Iraqi Army convoy, killing at least three civilians and possibly causing military casualties, witnesses and a hospital official said. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

6-Jul-05 - Also Wednesday, a member of the biggest Shiite militia, the Badr Brigade, was killed in an ambush in south Baghdad, police said. An Iraqi civilian who had been co-operative with the Americans was shot dead on his way to work north of Baghdad, killing no ISF and 2 Iraqi Civilians.

6-Jul-05 - American Contractor named Hodges, Benjamin K. "Ben" was killed today due to Hit in the head with shrapnel at Baghdad. Was an Ordinance Specialist for employer USA Environmental.

6-Jul-05 - In Baghdad, gunmen killed Captain Hazim Jabbar, a member of the police special commando brigade, in the west of the city, police said. Jabbar had worked as a bodyguard for a consultant to former interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, police said. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-Jul-05 - In Baiji five insurgents opened fire and killed two Iraqi Soldiers and one civilian Wednesday, said a report by the Joint United States Coordination Centre. The report said the two Soldiers were shopping when attacked. The shop owner was also killed. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-Jul-05 - Iraqi Rarim Amin Kusaie, adult, male, killed in Dora or Karkh area, Baghdad.

6-Jul-05 - Police also report a car bomb explosion in the city of Kirkuk. They say one person was killed and another wounded -- and that they apparently were rigging the car with explosives when the bomb went off prematurely. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

6-Jul-05 - Thirteen people were killed and 30 wounded in two almost simultaneous car bombings in Mashruh, about 60 kilometers south of the Iraqi capital, police said. Thirteen of the wounded were in serious condition, a hospital source said. This incident killed no ISF and 13 Iraqi Civilians.

6-Jul-05 - Three other police, including two commandoes, were killed in separate incidents in another west Baghdad neighborhood, police said. Nine police, including a brigadier general, were injured in a series attacks throughout the capital, officials said. This incident killed 3 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Jul-05 - A group of gunmen have killed three barbers and wounded two people in southwest of Baghdad. A group of armed men in a vehicle gunned down three barbers and wounded two in their shop in Baghdad's district of al-Shurta al- Khamsa on July 5, killing no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Jul-05 - A local government spokesman said one policeman was killed and three demonstrators injured in the clash, which took place after the former head of the local council was shot dead by gunmen on Wednesday evening at a farm east of the town. This incident killed 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Jul-05 - Armed men killed the head of Salah al-din's provincial council, police said on Thursday. Ali Ghalib Ibrahim was shot on Wednesday evening as he was driving in the provincial capital, Tikrit. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

7-Jul-05 - Five decapitated bodies were located Thursday on a road in northwestern Iraq, police said. The bodies were found on the road between Rawah and Ramadi, police Major Hashim Mohammed said. This incident killed no ISF and 5 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Jul-05 - Heavy mortar strikes targeting the local government headquarters in Iraq's northern city of Mosul hit nearby shops, killing at least three people and wounding 46 people, hospital officials said on Thursday. This incident killed no ISF and 3 Iraqi Civilians.

7-Jul-05 - Iraqi Ali Shakir, 38, male, killed in Body found in river in Kut.

7-Jul-05 - Iraqi Hashim Attiya al-Fadhli, adult, male, killed in Albuaitha Bridge, in Dora, Baghdad.

7-Jul-05 - Iraqi Ihab al-Sherif, 51, male, killed in kidnapped in Baghdad.

7-Jul-05 - Thirteen people have been killed and 27 wounded in car bomb attacks, the Iraqi police reported on Thursday in Jbeila a car, a blue Opel, exploded in front of a commercial building, late on Wednesday. Another car bomb exploded seconds later. This incident killed no ISF and 13 Iraqi Civilians.

8-Jul-05 - A 29th Brigade Combat Team Soldier was killed and three were wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle at about 1:00 pm July 8 near Balad, Iraq. Killed was Sergeant Deyson K. Cariaga, 20, of Honolulu, Hawaii. Cariaga was assigned to the 229th Military Intelligence Company, 29th Separate Infantry Brigade, Army National Guard, Kalaeloa, Oahu, Hawaii.

8-Jul-05 - A car bomber struck a joint United States-Iraqi military patrol late Friday killing two Iraqi Soldiers and injuring three in Fallujah. This incident killed 2 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Jul-05 - Doctor Hussein Al-Shamari from his clinic in the central city of Samarra on Friday, police Captain Laith Mohammed said. His body was later found with several bullet wounds, he said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Jul-05 - Gunmen kidnapped and killed a university professor in southern Iraq. Jumhour Karim Khammas was kidnapped and his body was found on Friday with three bullet wounds, Lieutenant Colonel Karim al-Zubaidi said. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Jul-05 - In Tikrit a photographer in Reuters TV said that the Iraqi police clashed with some 1,000 demonstrators who controlled the headquarters of the police in the city. A government's spokesman said that one police man killed and wounded three demonstrators, killing 1 ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

8-Jul-05 - Insurgents fired mortar shells on a police station in western sector of the northern city of Mosul on Friday killing four people and wounding 17 others, the Multi-National Forces said in a statement. This incident killed no ISF and 4 Iraqi Civilians.

8-Jul-05 - To the north of Baghdad unidentified gunmen killed a member in the municipal council of Salah Eddine governorate. This incident killed no ISF and 1 Iraqi Civilian.

31-Jul-05 - Killed this month in the Iraq War were 58 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 2 Coalition Contractors, 0 Aid Workers, 1 Journalists, 304 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 340 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 374 Insurgents.

COMMENT – During my thirteen months in Iraq, there were 998 United States or Coalition Military & Civilians, 164 Coalition Contractors, 17 Aid Workers, 14 Journalists, 1,509 members of the Iraqi Security Forces, at least 7,543 Iraqi Civilians, and an estimated 16,298 Insurgents killed.

## (end of Weeks 56 Memorials)

## (beginning of weekly email)

Week 57: 14 July 2005

Sunday (July 10th), I spent catching up on jet lag by sleeping. I got a room in the Inn at Fort Bliss and rested. On Monday morning, got over to the personnel office, and waited two hours before we began to process in. I am not sure what the folks sitting there were doing for two hours, it took us only 45 minutes to do our paperwork. I then found out that I had to show up for overall processing on Tuesday morning, equipment turn-in on Wednesday afternoon, and if all went well, final out-processing on Thursday afternoon.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – It seemed a little strange to me to that demobilization was rather disorganized compared to the mobilization process. Granted, they did not know who was going to show up when, but everything we did on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday could have been done in one day, minus any special medical or dental care and tests. I was appalled by all the young men and women who decided to not get any tests or checks regarding their health and fitness – they were quite anxious to get out of Dodge, and they had to wait until at least Wednesday before they could, so they might as well take advantage of free care. Oh well.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 57: 14 July 2005

Tuesday morning started at 5:30 am lining up to get into the processing center. They finally opened the doors at 6:15 am, and then until 9:30 am we sat, received nine briefings and filled out many forms, and then went through personnel, finance, legal, and medical stations. I received two more vaccinations and a TB test and was referred over to the dental clinic and troop medical clinic. I spent the afternoon over there – and found that my demobilization would be extended to at least Monday in order to get the dental and medical appointments in.

## (to be continued)

COMMENT – Hurry up and wait, the military way. At least I had a rental car that would take me where I needed to go, rather than walking or trying to figure out the base bus system. Had I not asked for stuff, I would have been done by about 10 am on Tuesday, and still had to wait another day to turn in equipment.

## (the weekly email continues)

Week 57: 14 July 2005

Wednesday (July 13th) was spent first at the troop medical clinic doing lab tests in the morning. In the afternoon, got to stand in line for two hours out in the sun (about 105 degrees) with all my equipment stuffed in a shopping cart, and take about an hour to turn-in everything. At the end, I still had goggles, gloves, and black winter jacket, which I found out was now mine as it touched skin.

## (end of weekly email)

COMMENT - That ended my weekly emails with the Week 57 report. I would stay another week at Fort Bliss receiving dental and medical care and tests. The issued me my DD 214 for my military service on July 21st, and then I was released to return to home on leave until I was officially demobilized on August 13, 2005. I arrived home on July 22nd, catching a red-eye flight to the Midwest. This made my time on active duty at almost 15 months long. Funny, my demobilization orders had me still assigned to the III Corps.

COMMENT – Well that ends the story of my time in Iraq. I returned back to my lovely wife, our home, and then my job at American Electric Power. I worried for some time that I would be recalled to active duty, as I knew how short the military was in my area of expertise. But no mobilization orders came, and in 2007 I retired from the Army Reserves. Many of my friends at work awaited me writing this book, but it did not seem right for many years to do that. I am proud to have served over in Iraq, and proud to have served in a coalition of many countries trying to restore their country and help individual Iraqis. This book represents a small sliver of that effort. Be safe everyone!!!

THE END

Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, won't you please take a moment to leave me a review at your favorite eBook retailer?

Thanks!

Mike Belter

**About the Author**

Mike Belter is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also holds graduate degrees from Ball State University and Syracuse University. Mike has worked many years for one of America's largest electric utilities in a variety of roles. He is heavily involved in the Baldrige process, being a volunteer in the national Baldrige Performance Excellence Program; state/regional programs supporting Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Kentucky, Arizona, and Washington; and the Alliance for Performance Excellence, the network of all state and regional Baldrige-based programs. Mike is a retired Army Officer, having served in active Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard units as a Finance Officer, Operations Research Analyst, Inspector General, and Comptroller. He served in Desert Shield at Norfolk Naval Base and in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad. Mike and his wife live in the Midwest with their two pound-puppies, love to holiday in Bermuda, and have been empty nesters since 1998.

**Another book** by Mike Belter, available as either a free eBook or you may buy it as a paperback:

A Forgotten First National Championship: The 1914 Army Football Team

See how the Army college football team was able to win all nine games during the 1914 season. Army decisively played and defeated teams from Rutgers, Colgate, Villanova, Notre Dame, Navy and others. The team was later named by the NCAA as one of three national college football champions for 1914. Players included future Generals Bradley and Van Fleet and Hall of Fame coach Bob Neyland.

