Iraq Diary: Welcome To Baghdad

Landed at the Balad base 40 miles north of Baghdad about 11 PM local time Friday night. Smooth ride but after we touched down the crew let us know that “the flaps had decoupled.” Not quite sure what that means but some things are better not to know until after you land. Quick stop by the media HQ where at midnight two airmen, in honor of Veterans’ Day, marched back and forth in front of a memorial to veterans, a display reminiscent of the sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.

View video here.

Then a quick C-130 ride over to BIAP - Baghdad International Airport. Blackout conditions on board but we could see the lights on the ground. Tremendous activity at the air base even at the late hour. Efforts were made to get us on a helo to the International [Green] Zone, which we’ll call the IZ, but when the last helo left at 4 AM we packed it in and got a couple hours sleep at a tent city. While we waited, Lt. Schultz pointed out a table of paperback New Testaments with a camo cover. I picked one up and with eyes closed picked out a verse. With Lt. Schultz as my witness the verse contained a mention of . . the Euphrates.

Helo’d into the IZ this morning where we were met by a cheerful Maj. Hernandez of the Combined Press Information Center [CPIC]. The Major and his staff have been doing a great job of arranging opportunities for us. As we speak, teammate Dave Kelso, the disc jockey from Oklahoma City, is fulfilling a dream by broadcasting a show live on the Armed Forces Network. I am keeping my fingers crossed on some interviews in the works.

Toured one of Saddam's palaces, and word of the incredible opulence is not overstated. This contrasts with the difficult circumstancees in which many Iraqis have lived, visible from the air as we zoomed in from the airport to the IZ.

Lunch in the cafeteria: food is incredibly plentiful, varied and good. A mix of nationalities. Seems most of the media types try to blend in, but spotted one fellow in gray ponytail and shorts having none of it.

A sidenote: much of the security is provided by Peruvian civilian contractors, former military. My Spanish came in handy as I chatted with a 22-year old guard from a remote area of his country. His dream? To join the US military. We remain the land of opportunity for so many.

PS: it was cold last night and when we emerged from our tent this morning - the puddles had frozen!

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill