pics from iraq and kuwait

[MiniMurray]

wanted to share some pics with you of our tour in kuwait and iraq. it was such a life experience i'm still digesting. while the traveling, schedules, and conditions were the most exhausting we've ever experienced as a band - meeting and experiencing the collective with the enlisted, volunteers and contractors really brought alot of meaning to why. every small detail is now packed somewhere in the grand schema that seems bigger than all of us but yet so integral and influential in every moment of our daily lives. with that, here are some moments i captured:

 

[MiniMurray]

from amsterdam to kuwait - 4 hours to land on moon

 

[MiniMurray]

this was how we traveled to baghdad from kuwait after our first show at camp arifjan - you can see the forklifts unloading the two pallets of gear.

minutes later the troop limo is filled again:

 

[Metallicat180]

These pics are awesome!!! That plane is huuuuuuuge!!!!!!!!

Keep 'em coming Sara!

 

[MiniMurray]

the 5 km road to camp victory from baghdad airport

 

[MiniMurray]

theres a huge man made lake with lots of hussein palaces along it - we were lucky to stay at a smaller one there on the right. the majority of folks stationed there live in tents with a/c.

 

[Metallicat180]

It really is like the moon isn't it!!

How come everything is all misty? Is that just the sand getting blown about?

 

[MiniMurray]

later that day we visited al faw palace - now headquarters for the army

thats where we stayed behind chris

 

[MiniMurray]

It really is like the moon isn't it!!

How come everything is all misty? Is that just the sand getting blown about?

the sand filtering the sun yes - makes for a surreal day huh like an eclipse

 

[MiniMurray]

inside al faw

 

[Metallicat180]

the sand filtering the sun yes - makes for a surreal day huh like an eclipse

Pretty much looks like Scottish skies most days, except with us it's rain not sand!!

It's a completely different world there. The landscape is so different. What's the heat like?

 

[MiniMurray]

we traveled by blackhawk to visit several bases that couldn't accomodate the larger plane w/equipment

6 AM breakfast with the 1st battalion 87th infantry regiment on fourth of july at fort mchenry - debbie shared a hearfelt moment w/these soldiers thanking them for their hardwork w/ operation iraqi freedom

 

[MiniMurray]

later that day we landed in a field and ran across it to our waiting patrol of super hummers to visit with the 19th bushmasters. this unit had just lost their sgt a month prior when an insurgent car bomber infiltrated their base w/2000 pounds of explosives. only a square mile, you could hear the goats and chickens of the neighboring iraqi on the other side of the fence.

 

[MiniMurray]

we visited with the guys who hadn't seen a day off for months, signed a couple missiles, then borrowed some acoustics and played children of the damned, wasted years, the evil that men do, and even crazy train hahah

hot! 115 F most days

 

[maiden1]

You took some great pics

Looks like you had a fun, but hot time (weather wise)

 

[Metallicat180]

we visited with the guys who hadn't seen a day off for months, signed a couple missiles, then borrowed some acoustics and played children of the damned, wasted years, the evil that men do, and even crazy train hahah

That's very cool!!!

 

[HobbesDawg]

Woot! Great post!

 

[A7]

Wow, you guys really had an adventure over there. Thanks for sharing the pics, Sara.

 

[Red Shirt]

Great pics! Kudos for putting that together and going out there for our troops. Having not a day off for months AND in 115 deg temps...oh man...F'n Hella Trooper man, thanks for your support!!!!

On another note, the big transport plane (C-17) is made right here in our yard in Long Beach, California.

 

[Maiden Afganistan]

Very nice pix, Sara!! Like the one of the bad ass "school buses"! Those are the latest and greatest beasts that, until I seen your picture, were only a rumor out here!
Very cool that Chris (EL Dumpero!) made the trip with you all! Did he meet up with his brother? Why doesn't he post anymore?
I think you all are wonderful to take the time to entertain the troops and all in Iraq!