Snow!

CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ - Believe it or not, but it snowed here in Camp Fallujah, Iraq! People who are familiar with snow, said it was actually sleet - but hey, when your from San Diego it's snow to you.

JPG Magazine

So I entered a contest, well not really a contest but a challenge to have a picture published in a magazine that I found, JPG Magazine. I have entered two photographs, both from the night range a couple weeks ago.

I would be greatly appreciative of anyone who would go to the site and vote for each of the two photos. Here are the links:

Picture 1

Picture 2

Happy New Years!

Well it's the new year, and we have much less than 30 days remaining here in Camp Fallujah. Then, time to take pictures back in the good 'ol USA! Yeah!

Here in Camp Fallujah we celebrated the new year when the artillery fired off a few illumination (illum) rounds and a controlled blast. Don't know if arty fired intentionally or just a coincidence - we all think it was planned; but the controlled blast was planned, or so we were told.

We also had a promotion, Sgt Brogdon is now SSgt Brogdon. He was happy, very long awaited, and deserved.

See ya'll soon!

Night Range

CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ - On December 21, 2007 MASS-1 had a Night Range, during which Marines got familiar with their M-16's and Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). Its not particularly simple to shoot using NVGs. First, you should also use a PAQ-2 Infrared Aiming Device, which illuminates the target with an infrared beam that is very easily seen with NVGs and not by the human eye.

Here are some of the pictures that I was able to get.

30 Days!!!!

This is it! 30 days remain until we are on our way out of Iraq, and on our way back to the good ol' USA!!! Awww.... No sand, Best Buy, HD Television, Mexican food, Italian food, and Super Bowl!!!! Wow can't wait.

Rain in the desert

CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ - Lightning was striking and rain was a falling in the desert of Iraq. Amazing. The first rain of the deployment so far, and we've been here 5 months... and people say it doesn't rain in San Diego! It's rains much less here. Click on the picture for a larger view of the picture.

Chieftain Run

CAMP FALLUJAH, IRAQ - The 11th Annual MASS-1 Chieftain Run, was held this past week; Nov 28 & 29. The Chieftain Run is in remembrance of two MASS-1 Marines who were killed to no fault of their own.

The first Chieftain Run was held to honor the memory of Cpl Hill who was killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1996. The Marines of MASS-1 conduct a 24-hour relay - signifying the mission of the MASS takes everyone to do their small part.
The second Marine honored by the Chieftain Run is SSgt Bryson. SSgt Bryson was murdered in the apartment of a friend in March 2006, after returning from his latest deployment to Iraq one month prior. His murder is still unsolved and being investigated by the Craven County Sheriff's Department.

More pictures of the Chieftain Run are available to view on Flickr. <<>