Stryker Brigade in Iraq

1Lt Ryan Townsend

Stryker Brigade

Alpha Company, 2-3 Infantry Battalion, 3rd Brigade

2nd Infantry Division, I Corps

Fort Lewis, Washington - Now deployed in Iraq

Lunch for the construction crew may be a bit bleary because I took it as we were driving by but I think it captures the mid day siesta. Between noon and 1400 here in the summer you will find the locals sprawled out in any piece of shade they can find. They will eat, laugh, wrestle, and relax. Always willing to share any food they have and no matter how hot is it, boiling hot Chi (sp?) tea will be served.

This is a picture of me with our company interpreters. From left to right we have, Ahmed, Nahill, Abdul is hiding behind Nahill, Fadi, Salam, Ammar, Me, Ralph, Jerry, and some guy who didn't speak English so we fired him after this picture was taken. These guys work six days a week full time. They live with us and go out on every patrol and raid. A couple of them do it because they are true patriots and believe in a new Iraqi (those are the Kurds), the others do it because they get paid $600 a month which is about twice as much as a doctor makes here. If you don't think a capitalist economy will work here you have met these guys. Also, if you think that Apu from the Simpsons is a bad stereotype then you haven't met Ammar. He runs a little "hadji shop" here in our CP, he gives you "best price" on "anything you want" you "can't find it cheaper" because he is "your man."

Mosul is cut in half by the Tigris River. The Biblical city of Nineveh, I've also seen it spelled Ninava, was located on the Eastern Side of the river and some of the walls still stand today. In modern times the Western side of the river holds what is considered downtown and the main government buildings. This is a picture taken from waters edge facing West. I wish it had sound because all of the Mosques were preaching and it really gives you a feel for the culture. Prayers, or reading from the Koran is done five times a day from most of the Mosques. Their loud speakers blast for the whole neighborhood to hear. You can actually listen to what is being said and determine which Mosques and therefore neighborhoods are pro or anti American.