Basra, Iraq

Just got off the C-17. Finally, I entered Iraq!!!

2009-06-05T19:13:42Z

thejohnsonfamily
Just got off the C-17. Finally, I entered Iraq!!!

Traveling to Basra, Iraq from Camp Buehring, Kuwait on a C-17. We were sandwiched in the plane line sardines.

2009-06-05T19:13:07Z

thejohnsonfamily
Traveling to Basra, Iraq from Camp Buehring, Kuwait on a C-17. We were sandwiched in the plane line sardines.

My friend SPC Malz and me sitting next to each other on the C-17.

2009-06-05T19:20:48Z

thejohnsonfamily
My friend SPC Malz and me sitting next to each other on the C-17.

This is my soldier, SPC Ruebel. (He was promoted at this time but didn't have his new rank on hit IOTV (civilian terms = bullet proof vest))

2009-06-05T19:22:01Z

thejohnsonfamily
This is my soldier, SPC Ruebel. (He was promoted at this time but didn't have his new rank on hit IOTV (civilian terms = bullet proof vest))

Outside our chu's (living area)

2009-06-05T19:29:27Z

thejohnsonfamily
Outside our chu's (living area)

The entire room. We used to have 3 people living in this small area. Thankfully we are down to 2 now. Just SGT Garcia and me.

2009-06-05T19:30:45Z

thejohnsonfamily
The entire room. We used to have 3 people living in this small area. Thankfully we are down to 2 now. Just SGT Garcia and me.

Inside the chu (living area). This is my living space.

2009-06-05T19:29:57Z

thejohnsonfamily
Inside the chu (living area). This is my living space.

The chu's. Think of it as a small trailer house split into 3. We all have our own air conditioners so we can at least control the temp in our individual chu's.

2009-07-02T07:44:32Z

thejohnsonfamily
The chu's. Think of it as a small trailer house split into 3. We all have our own air conditioners so we can at least control the temp in our individual chu's.

Blimp

2009-06-06T22:10:25Z

thejohnsonfamily
Blimp

Sign on the COB

2009-06-06T22:02:17Z

thejohnsonfamily
Sign on the COB

US Embassy

2009-06-06T22:02:52Z

thejohnsonfamily
US Embassy

Our plane (C-17) to take us from Camp Buehring, Kuwait to COB Basrah, Iraq.

2009-06-08T16:38:22Z

thejohnsonfamily
Our plane (C-17) to take us from Camp Buehring, Kuwait to COB Basrah, Iraq.

To buckle your seat belt, insert the flat end into the metal buckle.

2009-06-08T16:50:53Z

thejohnsonfamily
To buckle your seat belt, insert the flat end into the metal buckle.

Loading the plane. Waiting for a seat.

2009-06-08T16:38:59Z

thejohnsonfamily
Loading the plane. Waiting for a seat.

Loading the plane from the back.

2009-06-08T16:45:54Z

thejohnsonfamily
Loading the plane from the back.

Loading the plane from the back.

2009-06-08T16:45:00Z

thejohnsonfamily
Loading the plane from the back.

Iraq Deset

2009-06-08T16:51:31Z

thejohnsonfamily
Iraq Deset

Iraq Deset and some kind of building in the background.

2009-06-08T16:52:16Z

thejohnsonfamily
Iraq Deset and some kind of building in the background.

T-Wall making facility. T-walls are made of concrete and are the walls around EVERYTHING here. This facility is on post. Enjoy the beautiful green grass.........

2009-07-02T07:43:41Z

thejohnsonfamily
T-Wall making facility. T-walls are made of concrete and are the walls around EVERYTHING here. This facility is on post. Enjoy the beautiful green grass.........

T-walls and more T-walls. I'm guessing these will be used for the new living area that I'll be moving to, LSA Sandstorm. Right now I'm in LSA Redbull. These are identifying names so peopl ...

2009-06-08T16:55:12Z

thejohnsonfamily
T-walls and more T-walls. I'm guessing these will be used for the new living area that I'll be moving to, LSA Sandstorm. Right now I'm in LSA Redbull. These are identifying names so peopl ...

MRAP (Mine Resistant Armor Protected) vehicle. These are the convoy security mainstays. They are heavily armored, and ride very high. Their “V” shaped hull deflects and blast away from t ...

2009-06-08T16:56:21Z

thejohnsonfamily
MRAP (Mine Resistant Armor Protected) vehicle. These are the convoy security mainstays. They are heavily armored, and ride very high. Their “V” shaped hull deflects and blast away from t ...

Loading the plane from the back.

2009-06-08T16:44:43Z

thejohnsonfamily
Loading the plane from the back.

LSA Redbull. Where I live. Again, please enjoy the beautiful green grass.

2009-06-08T16:59:14Z

thejohnsonfamily
LSA Redbull. Where I live. Again, please enjoy the beautiful green grass.

Bored Soldiers + rocks = rock castles

2009-07-07T05:01:15Z

thejohnsonfamily
Bored Soldiers + rocks = rock castles

Beautiful Iraq

2009-07-07T05:06:18Z

thejohnsonfamily
Beautiful Iraq

Porta potties outside our chu. In the back, you can see a white trailer and that's a latrine. To the right of this picture (which you can't see) is a shower trailer.

2009-07-07T05:05:51Z

thejohnsonfamily
Porta potties outside our chu. In the back, you can see a white trailer and that's a latrine. To the right of this picture (which you can't see) is a shower trailer.

thejohnsonfamily's photo

2009-10-23T16:51:00Z

thejohnsonfamily

thejohnsonfamily's photo

2009-10-23T16:51:46Z

thejohnsonfamily

thejohnsonfamily's photo

2009-10-23T16:54:28Z

thejohnsonfamily

thejohnsonfamily's photo

2009-10-23T16:54:18Z

thejohnsonfamily

thejohnsonfamily's photo

2009-10-23T16:56:54Z

thejohnsonfamily

October 31, 2009 - 10K (6.2 mile) run. I ran it in 54:32 and the Ugandan next to me ran it in 42 minutes and some odd seconds. That's like a 7 minute mile for 6 miles straight.....crazy. ...

2009-11-01T02:52:02Z

thejohnsonfamily
October 31, 2009 - 10K (6.2 mile) run. I ran it in 54:32 and the Ugandan next to me ran it in 42 minutes and some odd seconds. That's like a 7 minute mile for 6 miles straight.....crazy. ...

This is a whole wall of T-Walls that have shifted during the rain last night and has fallen because of the shifting.

2009-11-27T10:29:32Z

thejohnsonfamily
This is a whole wall of T-Walls that have shifted during the rain last night and has fallen because of the shifting.

Add 11 hours to the time. Someone woke my roommate and I up to let us know that because of the rain, the T-Walls are falling and we might want to get out of our chu. What a way to wake up. T ...

2009-11-27T10:29:11Z

thejohnsonfamily
Add 11 hours to the time. Someone woke my roommate and I up to let us know that because of the rain, the T-Walls are falling and we might want to get out of our chu. What a way to wake up. T ...