28 JUL 06

These photographs document my time in Iraq during 2005 and early 2006. Although, my term as a Army Reservist is now up, my heart goes out to those who have yet to return home.

18 OCT 05

Recently, we spent eight days in northwestern Iraq near the Syrian border. We visited Tall Afar, Sinjar, and a few villages. We met a some Yezidi people, a shrinking tribe that has two million people left in the world. They have been persecuted for centuries for their unique religious beliefs. Americanism is spreading quickly in Iraq. Some of the children such as the boy above could pass as an American. The below paragraph about the Yezidi came from About.com
 

Yezidi beliefs are a complicated mixture of Islamic and Zoroastrian beliefs, with Gnostic, Jewish, and Shamanistic elements. Worship centers around Angels (Malek is from the Arabic word for 'angel'), the most important of which is named Melek Taus, or the "Peacock Angel," also known as Lucifer. Lucifer plays a different role in Yezidism, where he is considered the chief Archangel, and the creator of the material world. In Yezidi belief, Lucifer is not a fallen angel, or the enemy of God. In Yezidi cosmology, the universal Spirit (the Supreme deity) created a pearl, which became broken after a period of forty thousand years. Melek, or Lucifer, used the remains of the pearl to create the material world. After this creation, the Spirit created the remaining Angels. Yezidi theology claims that Lucifer was forgiven for his transgressions, and those who revere him are the spiritual elect of humanity. They are forbidden from referring to him as Satan.
 

Small sand funnels, such as the one on the right, are a common occurrence in northern Iraq. The large sand funnel on the left is not so common.

This is part of an unfinished Russian power plant. According to our sources it hasn't been occupied since the start of the ground war.
 

In September, there was a large effort to clean up Tall Afar. In essence they cleared out the city of approximately 100,000 people, searched the town, then allowed everyone to return. We visited Tall Afar just as people were returning. Many of the soldiers there are still living in the city performing security.

Soldiers enjoy a cool evening in a Ottoman Turk Castle in the middle of Tall Afar. Living conditions are quite austere. There are no air conditioners, bathrooms, or showers.

Many parts of Tall Afar are still deserted.
 

Awaiting a medical emergency, these Red Crescent trucks are ready to go 24 hours a day. While in Tall Afar a female suicide bomber blew herself up and injured many Iraqi's. The insurgents in Iraq have only recently started using females as suicide bombers. You can read more about this event.
 

As time passes Tall Afar returns to normal and people begin to go to restaurants such as the one above. Some soldiers occasionally try the local cuisine, which doesn't always end well.
 

As if part of a parade, Iraqi Police chant, sing and dance as they enter the city of Tall Afar to help in the effort to secure the city.

This picture was taken during an awful sandstorm in the International Zone in Baghdad. The news media reported this as the worst sand storm in two years.

It was a restless night for a colleague trying to rest in a tent, while waiting for a standby flight to Baghdad. We sometimes wait hours or days for a flight.

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