Sadr City Mission

SGT Vue waiting for the mission briefing to start.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:58:02 -0800

Eric Bowen
SGT Vue waiting for the mission briefing to start.

SPC Grabrick checks the ammo for his door gun.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:18:54 -0800

Eric Bowen
SPC Grabrick checks the ammo for his door gun.

CPT Andrea Ourada, loading her M4 carbine onto the helicopter "just in case".

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:18:55 -0800

Eric Bowen
CPT Andrea Ourada, loading her M4 carbine onto the helicopter "just in case".

SGT Vue loading his M4 carbine onto the Blackhawk.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:18:55 -0800

Eric Bowen
SGT Vue loading his M4 carbine onto the Blackhawk.

Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada, performing the pre-flight inspection on her aircraft

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:18:56 -0800

Eric Bowen
Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada, performing the pre-flight inspection on her aircraft

SGT Vue checks his gear in preparation for the mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:18:57 -0800

Eric Bowen
SGT Vue checks his gear in preparation for the mission.

Blackhawk pilot MAJ Shawn Manke, perfoming the pre-flight inspection on the rotors of his aircraft.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:18:58 -0800

Eric Bowen
Blackhawk pilot MAJ Shawn Manke, perfoming the pre-flight inspection on the rotors of his aircraft.

CPT Andrea Ourada, washing the cockpit windows in preparation for the mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:18:59 -0800

Eric Bowen
CPT Andrea Ourada, washing the cockpit windows in preparation for the mission.

Pre-flight complete, windows washed, equipement loaded, CPT Andrea Ourada waits for the final crew briefing before the mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:58:03 -0800

Eric Bowen
Pre-flight complete, windows washed, equipement loaded, CPT Andrea Ourada waits for the final crew briefing before the mission.

MAJ Shawne Menke washing the cockpit windows on his Blackhawk.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:58:04 -0800

Eric Bowen
MAJ Shawne Menke washing the cockpit windows on his Blackhawk.

MAJ Shawne Menke gives the final crew briefing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:58:05 -0800

Eric Bowen
MAJ Shawne Menke gives the final crew briefing.

CPT Andrea Ourada, reviews maps in the cockpit before the mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:34 -0800

Eric Bowen
CPT Andrea Ourada, reviews maps in the cockpit before the mission.

SGT Vue double checks his door gun in preparation for the mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:39 -0800

Eric Bowen
SGT Vue double checks his door gun in preparation for the mission.

The Dustdevil 36 crew makes final prepartions before takeoff.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:00 -0800

Eric Bowen
The Dustdevil 36 crew makes final prepartions before takeoff.

SPC Grabrick, door gunner, ready to rock.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:39 -0800

Eric Bowen
SPC Grabrick, door gunner, ready to rock.

Dustdevil 35, the lead Blackhawk on the mission through the right door gunners door.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:40 -0800

Eric Bowen
Dustdevil 35, the lead Blackhawk on the mission through the right door gunners door.

CPT Andrea Ourada's lucky "Little Princess" riding shotgun on the pilot's door.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:01 -0800

Eric Bowen
CPT Andrea Ourada's lucky "Little Princess" riding shotgun on the pilot's door.

Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:40 -0800

Eric Bowen
Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter.

Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:41 -0800

Eric Bowen
Sadr City, Baghdad from the window of Blackhawk helicopter.

An Iraq Police station in the heart of Sadr City, Baghdad.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:42 -0800

Eric Bowen
An Iraq Police station in the heart of Sadr City, Baghdad.

Two soldiers carrying gas masks and wearing gloves pick up a mysterious package at the LZ in Sadr City.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:02 -0800

Eric Bowen
Two soldiers carrying gas masks and wearing gloves pick up a mysterious package at the LZ in Sadr City.

One of Sadam's palaces in Baghdad, in what is now known as Camp Liberty.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:43 -0800

Eric Bowen
One of Sadam's palaces in Baghdad, in what is now known as Camp Liberty.

The mysterious package gets off the helicopter at the Camp Liberty LZ.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:03 -0800

Eric Bowen
The mysterious package gets off the helicopter at the Camp Liberty LZ.

The ever present "gravel" at an LZ in Baghdad.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:44 -0800

Eric Bowen
The ever present "gravel" at an LZ in Baghdad.

Baghdad from the air.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:44 -0800

Eric Bowen
Baghdad from the air.

Civilian traffic backs up behind a US military of convoy MRAP mine resistant vehicles in Baghdad.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:01:45 -0800

Eric Bowen
Civilian traffic backs up behind a US military of convoy MRAP mine resistant vehicles in Baghdad.

MAJ Shawne Menke waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ..

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:45:11 -0800

Eric Bowen
MAJ Shawne Menke waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ..

CPT Andrea Ourada waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ..

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:45:20 -0800

Eric Bowen
CPT Andrea Ourada waits at the controls of a Blackhawk on pad at Washington LZ..

Cattle and goats eating garbage in Baghdad.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:03 -0800

Eric Bowen
Cattle and goats eating garbage in Baghdad.

Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:28 -0800

Eric Bowen
Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside.

Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:04 -0800

Eric Bowen
Dustdevil 35 flying over the Iraqi countryside.

Passengers getting off Destdevil 36 on an LZ in Baghdad.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:29 -0800

Eric Bowen
Passengers getting off Destdevil 36 on an LZ in Baghdad.

SPC Joe Grabrick in his "Darth Vader" mask.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:29 -0800

Eric Bowen
SPC Joe Grabrick in his "Darth Vader" mask.

John Camp riding in the back of a Blackhawk over Iraq.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:30 -0800

Eric Bowen
John Camp riding in the back of a Blackhawk over Iraq.

Dustdevil 35 makes a right turn over a junkyard of old Iraqi military vehicles.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:30 -0800

Eric Bowen
Dustdevil 35 makes a right turn over a junkyard of old Iraqi military vehicles.

Dustdevil 35 and 36 refuel at that FARP in Tagi.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:31 -0800

Eric Bowen
Dustdevil 35 and 36 refuel at that FARP in Tagi.

CPT Andrea Ourada shares her stash of Hot Tamales with the passengers.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:45:52 -0800

Eric Bowen
CPT Andrea Ourada shares her stash of Hot Tamales with the passengers.

SGT Bloung Vue take a break for an energy bar, while waiting for passenger at Washington LZ in Baghdad.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:31 -0800

Eric Bowen
SGT Bloung Vue take a break for an energy bar, while waiting for passenger at Washington LZ in Baghdad.

Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada in the cockpit of Destdevil 36 in Baghdad Iraq.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:05 -0800

Eric Bowen
Blackhawk pilot CPT Andrea Ourada in the cockpit of Destdevil 36 in Baghdad Iraq.

Eric Bowen's photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:46:00 -0800

Eric Bowen

SGT Bloung Vue at his door gunner station.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:32 -0800

Eric Bowen
SGT Bloung Vue at his door gunner station.

Dustdevil 35 heads home to Balad on the last leg of the mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:06 -0800

Eric Bowen
Dustdevil 35 heads home to Balad on the last leg of the mission.

The Dustdevil 36 crew unloads gear at the end of the mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:33 -0800

Eric Bowen
The Dustdevil 36 crew unloads gear at the end of the mission.

SGT Miranowski refuels Dustdevil 36.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:30:33 -0800

Eric Bowen
SGT Miranowski refuels Dustdevil 36.

SSG Robert Glazebrook starts performing maintenance immeadiately after Dustdevil 36 land to make sure it is ready for the next mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:06 -0800

Eric Bowen
SSG Robert Glazebrook starts performing maintenance immeadiately after Dustdevil 36 land to make sure it is ready for the next mission.

SSG Robert Glazebrook drains hydraulic fluid from the tailrotor for testing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:19:07 -0800

Eric Bowen
SSG Robert Glazebrook drains hydraulic fluid from the tailrotor for testing.