This photo essay tells the story of a typical mission day in Iraq for the 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the Minnesota National Guard. The mission included a highly unusual landing at an Iraqi Police station in the heart of the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad. The complete collection includes 50 photos, but due to bandwidth limitations it may take a few days to get them all uploaded. And there is also some "spirited debate" going on between me and the S-2 (Intelligence) section and various Public Affairs Officers over whether or not some of my pictures can be released to the public... http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0231/242919808_YMDYf-Ti-1.jpg http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/gallery/4160248_7pAXr/ 2008-01-17T16:27:59Z Copyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved. SmugMug <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SGT Vue waiting for the mission briefing to start.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242911701_hmPDo" title="SGT Vue waiting for the mission briefing to start."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5570/242911701_hmPDo-Th-2.jpg" width="150" height="99" alt="SGT Vue waiting for the mission briefing to start." title="SGT Vue waiting for the mission briefing to start." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5570/242911701_hmPDo-Th-2.jpg 2008-01-12 08:30:49 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SPC Grabrick checks the ammo for his door gun.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919798_3fvY8" title="SPC Grabrick checks the ammo for his door gun."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0223/242919798_3fvY8-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="SPC Grabrick checks the ammo for his door gun." title="SPC Grabrick checks the ammo for his door gun." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0223/242919798_3fvY8-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 09:47:31 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />CPT Andrea Ourada, loading her M4 carbine onto the helicopter "just in case".</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919808_YMDYf" title="CPT Andrea Ourada, loading her M4 carbine onto the helicopter "just in case"."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0231/242919808_YMDYf-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="CPT Andrea Ourada, loading her M4 carbine onto the helicopter "just in case"." title="CPT Andrea Ourada, loading her M4 carbine onto the helicopter "just in case"." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0231/242919808_YMDYf-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 09:48:47 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SGT Vue loading his M4 carbine onto the Blackhawk.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919814_K5RbZ" title="SGT Vue loading his M4 carbine onto the Blackhawk."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0233/242919814_K5RbZ-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="SGT Vue loading his M4 carbine onto the Blackhawk." title="SGT Vue loading his M4 carbine onto the Blackhawk." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0233/242919814_K5RbZ-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 09:49:13 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada, performing the pre-flight inspection on her aircraft</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919816_vM7iH" title="Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada, performing the pre-flight inspection on her aircraft"><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0237/242919816_vM7iH-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada, performing the pre-flight inspection on her aircraft" title="Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada, performing the pre-flight inspection on her aircraft" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0237/242919816_vM7iH-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 09:49:59 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SGT Vue checks his gear in preparation for the mission.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919820_zcyV7" title="SGT Vue checks his gear in preparation for the mission."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0244/242919820_zcyV7-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="SGT Vue checks his gear in preparation for the mission." title="SGT Vue checks his gear in preparation for the mission." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0244/242919820_zcyV7-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 09:50:33 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Blackhawk pilot MAJ Shawn Manke, perfoming the pre-flight inspection on the rotors of his aircraft.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919824_VKj3K" title="Blackhawk pilot MAJ Shawn Manke, perfoming the pre-flight inspection on the rotors of his aircraft."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0248/242919824_VKj3K-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Blackhawk pilot MAJ Shawn Manke, perfoming the pre-flight inspection on the rotors of his aircraft." title="Blackhawk pilot MAJ Shawn Manke, perfoming the pre-flight inspection on the rotors of his aircraft." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0248/242919824_VKj3K-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 09:50:45 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />CPT Andrea Ourada, washing the cockpit windows in preparation for the mission.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919834_yBFyV" title="CPT Andrea Ourada, washing the cockpit windows in preparation for the mission."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0273/242919834_yBFyV-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="CPT Andrea Ourada, washing the cockpit windows in preparation for the mission." title="CPT Andrea Ourada, washing the cockpit windows in preparation for the mission." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0273/242919834_yBFyV-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 10:03:54 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Pre-flight complete, windows washed, equipement loaded, CPT Andrea Ourada waits for the final crew briefing before the mission.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242911712_jJkNy" title="Pre-flight complete, windows washed, equipement loaded, CPT Andrea Ourada waits for the final crew briefing before the mission."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5624/242911712_jJkNy-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Pre-flight complete, windows washed, equipement loaded, CPT Andrea Ourada waits for the final crew briefing before the mission." title="Pre-flight complete, windows washed, equipement loaded, CPT Andrea Ourada waits for the final crew briefing before the mission." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5624/242911712_jJkNy-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 10:06:10 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />MAJ Shawne Menke washing the cockpit windows on his Blackhawk.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242911715_aXBWx" title="MAJ Shawne Menke washing the cockpit windows on his Blackhawk."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5628/242911715_aXBWx-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="MAJ Shawne Menke washing the cockpit windows on his Blackhawk." title="MAJ Shawne Menke washing the cockpit windows on his Blackhawk." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5628/242911715_aXBWx-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 10:06:48 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />MAJ Shawne Menke gives the final crew briefing.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242911720_kf5Z5" title="MAJ Shawne Menke gives the final crew briefing."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5636/242911720_kf5Z5-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="MAJ Shawne Menke gives the final crew briefing." title="MAJ Shawne Menke gives the final crew briefing." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5636/242911720_kf5Z5-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 10:16:51 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />CPT Andrea Ourada, reviews maps in the cockpit before the mission.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242912998_xftX4" title="CPT Andrea Ourada, reviews maps in the cockpit before the mission."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5642/242912998_xftX4-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="CPT Andrea Ourada, reviews maps in the cockpit before the mission." title="CPT Andrea Ourada, reviews maps in the cockpit before the mission." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5642/242912998_xftX4-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 10:28:13 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SGT Vue double checks his door gun in preparation for the mission.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913025_nym9X" title="SGT Vue double checks his door gun in preparation for the mission."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5647/242913025_nym9X-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="SGT Vue double checks his door gun in preparation for the mission." title="SGT Vue double checks his door gun in preparation for the mission." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5647/242913025_nym9X-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 10:28:41 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />The Dustdevil 36 crew makes final prepartions before takeoff.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919843_PGg9d" title="The Dustdevil 36 crew makes final prepartions before takeoff."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0287/242919843_PGg9d-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="The Dustdevil 36 crew makes final prepartions before takeoff." title="The Dustdevil 36 crew makes final prepartions before takeoff." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0287/242919843_PGg9d-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 10:56:49 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SPC Grabrick, door gunner, ready to rock.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913030_2pUEF" title="SPC Grabrick, door gunner, ready to rock."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5662/242913030_2pUEF-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="SPC Grabrick, door gunner, ready to rock." title="SPC Grabrick, door gunner, ready to rock." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5662/242913030_2pUEF-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 11:05:22 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Dustdevil 35, the lead Blackhawk on the mission through the right door gunners door.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913032_vz6dC" title="Dustdevil 35, the lead Blackhawk on the mission through the right door gunners door."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5694/242913032_vz6dC-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Dustdevil 35, the lead Blackhawk on the mission through the right door gunners door." title="Dustdevil 35, the lead Blackhawk on the mission through the right door gunners door." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5694/242913032_vz6dC-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 11:39:16 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />CPT Andrea Ourada's lucky "Little Princess" riding shotgun on the pilot's door.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919852_Ak6B3" title="CPT Andrea Ourada's lucky "Little Princess" riding shotgun on the pilot's door."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0334/242919852_Ak6B3-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="CPT Andrea Ourada's lucky "Little Princess" riding shotgun on the pilot's door." title="CPT Andrea Ourada's lucky "Little Princess" riding shotgun on the pilot's door." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0334/242919852_Ak6B3-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 12:24:05 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913037_chq8h" title="Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5733/242913037_chq8h-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter." title="Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5733/242913037_chq8h-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 12:39:54 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913043_tY2wu" title="Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5736/242913043_tY2wu-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter." title="Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5736/242913043_tY2wu-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 12:40:03 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />An Iraq Police station in the heart of Sadr City, Baghdad.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913051_6xqF3" title="An Iraq Police station in the heart of Sadr City, Baghdad."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5747/242913051_6xqF3-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="An Iraq Police station in the heart of Sadr City, Baghdad." title="An Iraq Police station in the heart of Sadr City, Baghdad." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5747/242913051_6xqF3-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 12:44:05 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Two soldiers carrying gas masks and wearing gloves pick up a mysterious package at the LZ in Sadr City.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919858_mPZE2" title="Two soldiers carrying gas masks and wearing gloves pick up a mysterious package at the LZ in Sadr City."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0356/242919858_mPZE2-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Two soldiers carrying gas masks and wearing gloves pick up a mysterious package at the LZ in Sadr City." title="Two soldiers carrying gas masks and wearing gloves pick up a mysterious package at the LZ in Sadr City." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0356/242919858_mPZE2-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 12:47:10 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />One of Sadam's palaces in Baghdad, in what is now known as Camp Liberty.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913063_dokob" title="One of Sadam's palaces in Baghdad, in what is now known as Camp Liberty."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5784/242913063_dokob-Th-2.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="One of Sadam's palaces in Baghdad, in what is now known as Camp Liberty." title="One of Sadam's palaces in Baghdad, in what is now known as Camp Liberty." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5784/242913063_dokob-Th-2.jpg 2008-01-12 12:56:38 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />The mysterious package gets off the helicopter at the Camp Liberty LZ.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919864_zJbDp" title="The mysterious package gets off the helicopter at the Camp Liberty LZ."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0393/242919864_zJbDp-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="The mysterious package gets off the helicopter at the Camp Liberty LZ." title="The mysterious package gets off the helicopter at the Camp Liberty LZ." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0393/242919864_zJbDp-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 12:59:42 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />The ever present "gravel" at an LZ in Baghdad.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913068_Mytni" title="The ever present "gravel" at an LZ in Baghdad."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5793/242913068_Mytni-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="The ever present "gravel" at an LZ in Baghdad." title="The ever present "gravel" at an LZ in Baghdad." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5793/242913068_Mytni-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 13:20:07 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Baghdad from the air.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913073_EBJPc" title="Baghdad from the air."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5807/242913073_EBJPc-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Baghdad from the air." title="Baghdad from the air." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5807/242913073_EBJPc-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 13:27:09 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Civilian traffic backs up behind a US military of convoy MRAP mine resistant vehicles in Baghdad.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242913079_9JXa4" title="Civilian traffic backs up behind a US military of convoy MRAP mine resistant vehicles in Baghdad."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5812/242913079_9JXa4-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Civilian traffic backs up behind a US military of convoy MRAP mine resistant vehicles in Baghdad." title="Civilian traffic backs up behind a US military of convoy MRAP mine resistant vehicles in Baghdad." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5812/242913079_9JXa4-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 13:28:24 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />MAJ Shawne Menke waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ..</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#244596197_PbDeP" title="MAJ Shawne Menke waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ.."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5831/244596197_PbDeP-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="MAJ Shawne Menke waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ.." title="MAJ Shawne Menke waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ.." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5831/244596197_PbDeP-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 13:35:09 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />CPT Andrea Ourada waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ..</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#244596218_UYWnS" title="CPT Andrea Ourada waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ.."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5832/244596218_UYWnS-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="CPT Andrea Ourada waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ.." title="CPT Andrea Ourada waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ.." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5832/244596218_UYWnS-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 13:35:27 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Cattle and goats eating garbage in Baghdad.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919868_vmNbh" title="Cattle and goats eating garbage in Baghdad."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0426/242919868_vmNbh-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Cattle and goats eating garbage in Baghdad." title="Cattle and goats eating garbage in Baghdad." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0426/242919868_vmNbh-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 13:49:53 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242923962_yg2SS" title="Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5844/242923962_yg2SS-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside." title="Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5844/242923962_yg2SS-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 13:53:52 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919872_ecZLN" title="Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0447/242919872_ecZLN-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside." title="Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0447/242919872_ecZLN-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 13:55:47 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Passengers getting off Destdevil 36 on an LZ in Baghdad.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242923971_H2iJf" title="Passengers getting off Destdevil 36 on an LZ in Baghdad."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5856/242923971_H2iJf-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Passengers getting off Destdevil 36 on an LZ in Baghdad." title="Passengers getting off Destdevil 36 on an LZ in Baghdad." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5856/242923971_H2iJf-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 14:15:20 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SPC Joe Grabrick in his "Darth Vader" mask.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242923975_J5EjD" title="SPC Joe Grabrick in his "Darth Vader" mask."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5882/242923975_J5EjD-Th.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="SPC Joe Grabrick in his "Darth Vader" mask." title="SPC Joe Grabrick in his "Darth Vader" mask." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5882/242923975_J5EjD-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 15:00:38 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />John Camp riding in the back of a Blackhawk over Iraq.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242923980_ScEbT" title="John Camp riding in the back of a Blackhawk over Iraq."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5885/242923980_ScEbT-Th.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="John Camp riding in the back of a Blackhawk over Iraq." title="John Camp riding in the back of a Blackhawk over Iraq." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5885/242923980_ScEbT-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 15:05:48 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Dustdevil 35 makes a right turn over a junkyard of old Iraqi military vehicles.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242923982_jfkoG" title="Dustdevil 35 makes a right turn over a junkyard of old Iraqi military vehicles."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5897/242923982_jfkoG-Th.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Dustdevil 35 makes a right turn over a junkyard of old Iraqi military vehicles." title="Dustdevil 35 makes a right turn over a junkyard of old Iraqi military vehicles." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5897/242923982_jfkoG-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 15:08:14 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Dustdevil 35 and 36 refuel at that FARP in Tagi.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242923988_4YxvP" title="Dustdevil 35 and 36 refuel at that FARP in Tagi."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5904/242923988_4YxvP-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Dustdevil 35 and 36 refuel at that FARP in Tagi." title="Dustdevil 35 and 36 refuel at that FARP in Tagi." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5904/242923988_4YxvP-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 15:13:00 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />CPT Andrea Ourada shares her stash of Hot Tamales with the passengers.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#244596283_YHeJV" title="CPT Andrea Ourada shares her stash of Hot Tamales with the passengers."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5945/244596283_YHeJV-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="CPT Andrea Ourada shares her stash of Hot Tamales with the passengers." title="CPT Andrea Ourada shares her stash of Hot Tamales with the passengers." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5945/244596283_YHeJV-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 15:30:12 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SGT Bloung Vue take a break for an energy bar, while waiting for passenger at Washington LZ in Baghdad.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242923993_FVrd5" title="SGT Bloung Vue take a break for an energy bar, while waiting for passenger at Washington LZ in Baghdad."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5952/242923993_FVrd5-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="SGT Bloung Vue take a break for an energy bar, while waiting for passenger at Washington LZ in Baghdad." title="SGT Bloung Vue take a break for an energy bar, while waiting for passenger at Washington LZ in Baghdad." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5952/242923993_FVrd5-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 15:50:11 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada in the cockpit of Destdevil 36 in Baghdad Iraq.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919878_7LVhN" title="Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada in the cockpit of Destdevil 36 in Baghdad Iraq."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0485/242919878_7LVhN-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada in the cockpit of Destdevil 36 in Baghdad Iraq." title="Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada in the cockpit of Destdevil 36 in Baghdad Iraq." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0485/242919878_7LVhN-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 15:54:48 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a> </p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#244596300_46HkT" title="Eric Bowen's photo"><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5959/244596300_46HkT-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Eric Bowen's photo" title="Eric Bowen's photo" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5959/244596300_46HkT-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 16:15:57 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SGT Bloung Vue at his door gunner station.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242923997_Fsj5e" title="SGT Bloung Vue at his door gunner station."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5989/242923997_Fsj5e-Th.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="SGT Bloung Vue at his door gunner station." title="SGT Bloung Vue at his door gunner station." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB5989/242923997_Fsj5e-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 16:40:54 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />Dustdevil 35 heads home to Balad on the last leg of the mission.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919883_8MTvU" title="Dustdevil 35 heads home to Balad on the last leg of the mission."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0511/242919883_8MTvU-Th-1.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Dustdevil 35 heads home to Balad on the last leg of the mission." title="Dustdevil 35 heads home to Balad on the last leg of the mission." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0511/242919883_8MTvU-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 16:58:27 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />The Dustdevil 36 crew unloads gear at the end of the mission.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242924008_mdkA2" title="The Dustdevil 36 crew unloads gear at the end of the mission."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB6014/242924008_mdkA2-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="The Dustdevil 36 crew unloads gear at the end of the mission." title="The Dustdevil 36 crew unloads gear at the end of the mission." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB6014/242924008_mdkA2-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 17:17:14 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SGT Miranowski refuels Dustdevil 36.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242924015_YUGEz" title="SGT Miranowski refuels Dustdevil 36."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB6026/242924015_YUGEz-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="SGT Miranowski refuels Dustdevil 36." title="SGT Miranowski refuels Dustdevil 36." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/EAB6026/242924015_YUGEz-Th.jpg 2008-01-12 17:19:37 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SSG Robert Glazebrook starts performing maintenance immeadiately after Dustdevil 36 land to make sure it is ready for the next mission.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919886_87DiR" title="SSG Robert Glazebrook starts performing maintenance immeadiately after Dustdevil 36 land to make sure it is ready for the next mission."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0519/242919886_87DiR-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="SSG Robert Glazebrook starts performing maintenance immeadiately after Dustdevil 36 land to make sure it is ready for the next mission." title="SSG Robert Glazebrook starts performing maintenance immeadiately after Dustdevil 36 land to make sure it is ready for the next mission." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0519/242919886_87DiR-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 17:24:13 <p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com">Eric Bowen</a><br />SSG Robert Glazebrook drains hydraulic fluid from the tailrotor for testing.</p><p><a href="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/4160248_7pAXr#242919891_FKBFq" title="SSG Robert Glazebrook drains hydraulic fluid from the tailrotor for testing."><img src="http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0528/242919891_FKBFq-Th-1.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="SSG Robert Glazebrook drains hydraulic fluid from the tailrotor for testing." title="SSG Robert Glazebrook drains hydraulic fluid from the tailrotor for testing." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-11-15T09:32:17Z Eric Bowen http://scrappydog.smugmug.com http://scrappydog.smugmug.com/Military/Iraq-January-2008/Sadr-City-Mission/DSC0528/242919891_FKBFq-Th-1.jpg 2008-01-12 17:25:56