My nephew, who recently spent 16 months in Iraq (NOT in the green zone) shared this with me tonight. I've removed some distances and dates per his request as he was not sure how much of it is still classified. I *do* have permission to release this info below.
The people on the Bimmerfest thread seem pretty nice. I think there was some confusion though as to where I was stationed, one of the people that replied thought those pictures were from the green zone in Baghdad. Truth be told I have never been to the green zone the closest I have ever been to it was BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) Most of the photos shown on that threat were taken about (XX) miles NW of the green zone.
The thing signifigant about that is that we were deep in Al Queda controlled teritory these were people who knew very little of what the U.S. intentions were. Because of that it was a major bed down location for insurgents in our area as well as a place for Al Queda members to retreat to after attacking key points in Baghdad.
Before we went to this location, a U.S. convoy could not drive more than (XXXX) meters without hitting a large deep buried Improvised explosive device, In fact a good friend of mine was lost to just such a devices 6 months prior to my unit taking over that area. Our expansion into that area would not have been possible without the surge of troops in Iraq.
Because of the surge we were able to focus on smaller previously ignored areas, and by doing so we were able to bring a group which had been one of our major enemies in the area over to our side and help us locate and defeat unreconciliable terrorist groups in our area of operations as well as areas around Baghdad, Ramadi, Fallujah, and Tarmiyah.
By eliminating these safehavens together we were effectivly able to nutralize Al Quedas ability to recoup, restock, and recruit in a major junction point into larger cities. (Sorry for the redundancy I've been talking to way too many officers in the last 15 months). Anyhow I hope this helps to clarify some of what was going on around that area the time that I was there, I know I've got alot more stories some good and some bad, and there's alot of photos I won't be posting online aswell, but I will try in the future to put more on this Myspace page I mean I did take over 2000 pictures in my last 9 months there.
Anyone who questions the validity of this can PM me and I'll put you in touch with him.
