Author Topic: VWE001 in Iraq  (Read 2169 times)

VWE

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #45 on: August 19, 2007, 12:20:04 AM »
Yeah, sorry... I can't read arabic.

Offline Mister Fork

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #46 on: August 19, 2007, 02:15:55 AM »
Wow VWE.  I haven't been to Iraq since 1988 when I was stationed there with the UN.  They were still fighting when I got in theatre (Iran/Iraq 10 year war).  

I was stationed at first in Baghdad, then to Qalat Saleh and Amarah.  Used to take our days off in Basra (BEAUTIFUL city).  Iranian snipers used to shoot at us when ever we drove up to the border at first for our first inspection.  Took a few 'correcting' negotiations to resolve future incidents - if you know what I mean.  But what I would give to go back when it settles down years from now.

I remember the Kurds, Shi'ites and Sunni's hated one another back then. Took Saddam and a a lot of secret police to keep one another apart. - but I tihnk that Saddam himself was Sunni (minority) and was pretty brutal on the Kurds and Shi'ites.  Take away the power void (sheithead Saddam), and presto - Shi'ites hatred comes full swing - and I really can't blame them.   Saddam killed thousands of Kurds and Shi'ites.  We also got to experience it first hand on what a brutal dictator he was - he used to play games all the time with the Canadian military. Take away our leased UN vehicles,  withhold/delay supply shipments, restrict our movement, disallow all photography, change our accomidations, videotape and record our crypto gear before it got off the plane, custom officials would rob us blind at the airport, lost mail, lost supplies, dipliomatic bags searched at the airport...guy was a real gem.

Too bad, Iraq is a BEAUTIFUL country.  They might have to break it up into religious states or provinces for it to exist peacefully.  The secular violence we're seeing now has been going on for um... around 6-700 years now. Perhaps a lot longer if you base it on the tribal family lines (thousands of years).   I used to drive all over Baghdad and down that highway/road of death back in the 80's - visiting neighbourhoods and villages, talking with elders and secular leaders.  I have some pretty beautiful picutres of the place - perhaps when I get time I'll post them.

Good luck over the VWE - keep ur head down mate!  Don't forget to take pictures of the landscape when you're out and about
« Last Edit: August 19, 2007, 02:25:16 AM by Mister Fork »
"Games are meant to be fun and fair but fighting a war is neither." - HiTech

VWE

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #47 on: August 20, 2007, 07:02:57 AM »
Basra is not a happy place to be right now though the Brits have leased the same defensive gun I'm on and are using it to great effect several times a day. The sky was overcast this morning, first clouds I've seen in 4 months. The rainy season is just around the corner, when it rains here think "mudd bog racing" and you'll have a great visual picture of this place.

storch

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #48 on: August 20, 2007, 10:50:06 AM »
well don't get them sargeant stripes dirty bucko.  congratulations on rejoining the ranks of the NCOs, the hardest working members of the armed services.

Offline Stampf

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #49 on: August 20, 2007, 11:12:45 AM »
Big <> VWE.

Be safe, Kick Arse, Come Home.
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Offline ergRTC

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #50 on: August 21, 2007, 10:05:47 AM »
Very nice pics.

VWE

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #51 on: September 17, 2007, 12:46:19 PM »
O.k. I've added a couple cool pictures and about a dozen new videos.

http://profile.myspace.com/182976832

Offline Panzzer

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #52 on: September 17, 2007, 02:34:15 PM »
Thanks VW, stay safe.

Although I wasn't able to browse through the photos, "The user you're trying to view has set all their photos to private."

edit, Videos were cool though! Thanks.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2007, 02:50:47 PM by Panzzer »
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VWE

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #53 on: September 17, 2007, 04:28:48 PM »
Quote
"The user you're trying to view has set all their photos to private."


Fixed, you should be able to see em now...

Offline Panzzer

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VWE001 in Iraq
« Reply #54 on: September 17, 2007, 06:28:08 PM »
Pics are visible now, thanks.

, stay safe!
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