Xmass eve in Basra

Made it to Baghdad- and on to Basra in time to do my X Mass holiday shoot of the National Guard- for them- as my gift to them.
Images to follow after this post. Travel here was intense to say the least- had to take the RHINO line back to camp Victory.
It is a 20 mile ride, one of the most dangerous routes in the world-though not really anymore sure some route in Afghanistan must be worse...... 4 helicopters circled the convey ( armored buses with MRAP- mine resistant armored protective) as we drove to BIAP. No sleep at all that night, as we went from bus stop to airport and then caught the first plane out to Basra - AC130 this time. Had to wear the Kevlar gear the whole hour flight. Kind of feels like what I image being entombed would be like. My vest weight about 30 plds.
After getting acclimated and sleeping a couple hours, Phin and I kicked into high gear and got Xmas eve shoot set up.
At first some of the soldiers didn’t want to have their picture taken-but by the end most consented happily and even wore my velvet Santa Claus hat. Phin was able to get the photo uploaded to Fox 8 in New Orleans-no small feet.( think it should be on their website but not sure)

Christmas Day- I’ll be shooting the football game they are playing here at Camp Charlie and adding more to blog later-including a video clip if I can pull it off.

images- 2228 th MP company at Camp Charlie, a Christmas tree on a Hesco barrier- on xmass
me at tourist attraction in Bagdad in the Green ZOne , Sadam's Swords- where rallys were held

Flight to Germany in route to Iraq

I woke up somewhere over the Atlantic and climbed out of my sleeping bag. Who knew sleeping on a metal floor could be so comfortable. I didn’t miss the constant interruptions of a stewardess waking me throughout the flight with offers of food and items to buy. The other passengers, military, and family members related to someone in the military, spread out causally on the floor. One family had its’ own air mattress. Some had big ear protectors. My fellow passengers struck me as experienced travelers.

At the airport in Ramstein, Col David Buck worked out logistics for Phin and I for the next day before taking us to the Air Force Inn. We have slowed him down since we have unique paper work.

After a night on the town with members of the Air Guard, I got a little better picture of what we are flying into- but really wont know till I get there. From Ramstein, more flights are going to Afghanistan then ever. The Air guard move supplies and patients back and forth from both countries. Later today we fly onward to Iraq where we will be credentialed. I will get to take pictures in the cockpit of a C-17 on the way.