Baghdad Mission - Alpha 2-147

SSG Michelle Smith, Blackhawk crew chief and door gunner, stands by to watch engine start at the beginning of a mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:26:19 -0800

Eric Bowen
SSG Michelle Smith, Blackhawk crew chief and door gunner, stands by to watch engine start at the beginning of a mission.

Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopters on the flight line in Balad, Iraq.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:13:53 -0800

Eric Bowen
Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopters on the flight line in Balad, Iraq.

The Iraqi countryside seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:14:11 -0800

Eric Bowen
The Iraqi countryside seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

SSG Michelle Smith, Blackhawk crew chief and door gunner, scanning constantly for ground fire.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:14:20 -0800

Eric Bowen
SSG Michelle Smith, Blackhawk crew chief and door gunner, scanning constantly for ground fire.

Iraqi school children socialize in the courtyard of their school while armed men stand guard on the roof.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:14:30 -0800

Eric Bowen
Iraqi school children socialize in the courtyard of their school while armed men stand guard on the roof.

The Iraqi countryside seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:14:37 -0800

Eric Bowen
The Iraqi countryside seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

Baghdad as seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:14:46 -0800

Eric Bowen
Baghdad as seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

Baghdad as seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:14:58 -0800

Eric Bowen
Baghdad as seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

A busy market Baghdad as seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:15:08 -0800

Eric Bowen
A busy market Baghdad as seen from the window of a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

SSG Michelle Smith, watches a passengers unload from her helicopter at an LZ at a major base.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:15:15 -0800

Eric Bowen
SSG Michelle Smith, watches a passengers unload from her helicopter at an LZ at a major base.

SSG Michelle Smith, Blackhawk crew chief and door gunner.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:15:24 -0800

Eric Bowen
SSG Michelle Smith, Blackhawk crew chief and door gunner.

CW2 Christopher Frazer takes a break in the cockpit of his Blackhawk during a short break between flight.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:15:34 -0800

Eric Bowen
CW2 Christopher Frazer takes a break in the cockpit of his Blackhawk during a short break between flight.

Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopters refuel at the FARP at Baghdad International Airport.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:15:46 -0800

Eric Bowen
Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopters refuel at the FARP at Baghdad International Airport.

An Air Force general catches a nap in the back of a Minnesota National Guard Helicopter in-route to the Green Zone.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:15:56 -0800

Eric Bowen
An Air Force general catches a nap in the back of a Minnesota National Guard Helicopter in-route to the Green Zone.

A mosque and cemetery in north Baghdad, as seen from the window of Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:16:08 -0800

Eric Bowen
A mosque and cemetery in north Baghdad, as seen from the window of Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter.

A Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk launches flares to decoy a possible surface to air missile north of Baghdad.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:16:18 -0800

Eric Bowen
A Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk launches flares to decoy a possible surface to air missile north of Baghdad.

A Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk crosses the river near Balad, Iraq, heading home after a long day in the air.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:16:29 -0800

Eric Bowen
A Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk crosses the river near Balad, Iraq, heading home after a long day in the air.

A Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk crew unloads weapons and equipement at the end of a mission.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:16:39 -0800

Eric Bowen
A Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk crew unloads weapons and equipement at the end of a mission.

SSG Michelle Smith, CW2 Gary Ng, CW2 Christopher Frazer, and SPC Joe Grabrick, all of Minnesota, prepare to shutdown for the night in Balad, Iraq.

nobody@smugmug.com (Eric Bowen) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:16:48 -0800

Eric Bowen
SSG Michelle Smith, CW2 Gary Ng, CW2 Christopher Frazer, and SPC Joe Grabrick, all of Minnesota, prepare to shutdown for the night in Balad, Iraq.