Fallujah
The day of deployment is a bitter sweet moment. While it’s wonderful to see family and friends gather in celebration of your accomplishments and forthcoming deployment. The underlying tone is still a bit grim. Belonging to a Infantry unit is a unique experience within the Military, perhaps more so in the Marine Corps. Because of the harsh realities of our job. Deep personal bonds are formed, extending to each others family. A support network is formed, everyone knowing that there is a possibility that some of us may not return.
Fathers, sons and brothers. Now in more recent times, females in ground combat roles. Each knowing what could happen.
The trip to Fallujah where the same sequence of events of my last deployment. Fly to Maine, transfer flights and head to Germany. From there, we refuel and travel to Kuwait. Before you know it, your living in Dreamland.
Lake Baharia aka “Dreamland”, was a resort commonly used by Saddam Husseins Ba'ath Party. When I got there, not so much. It housed Civilians, Marines, Navy S.E.A.L.S, Army, and Contractors.
We only stayed for a week or so. Further into our deployment, we returned here to live, just before leaving to go back home.
The city of Fallujah has been the subjected to heavy fighting since the beginning of the war. When I arrived, in the Fall of 2008, the major combat was long gone.
Now, don’t get me wrong. It was by no means a calm, safe environment. Due to the effective onslaught of the U.S military. The combat devolved into I.E.Ds, small but intense skirmishes and snipers.The new base we inhabited, a Marine unfortunately was killed only a few weeks earlier. During my first night, one of our trucks hit a IED. It only stopped when we altered the terrain around our base The bulldozers hit a few bomb as they cleared the road. I know it’s a bit cliche, but it true. “War is long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror “
I’ve chosen to keep to blog SFW, because showing graphic images without a context just becomes war porn.Combat Obscura is the film you should watch if you really wish to see what I and many other Infantry Marines had to experience, granted at many different levels. That film is defiantly not for the faint at heart, trust me. While I was viewing it for the first time. I found it very odd and shocking, witnessing someone experience the same type of events I did at the age 19-23 years old. If that is too heavy for you. The closest a movie has ever got to getting it right for my era, is Generation Kill on HBO.
Even with all that has happened to us. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for your average Iraqi citizen. We at least had the reassurance of going home within 7 months. For them, there is no escape from these awful conditions. This was about 5 years before ISIS, and unfortunately the city of Fallujah was one of the first locations they captured and had under their control. I and many others spent a vast amount of time, energy, blood, sweat and tears invested to the betterment of Iraq and it’s people. Unfortunately in this case, politics supersedes reality.
If there is one thing I learned during my time overseas. There is a certain trait that inhabits all humans. No matter what may transpire, we all process a special knack that allows us to adapt to any situation that presents itself. Even if you have to rebuild from the ground up, people always find a way.
No matter how unorthodox the methods may be.
The first thing I noticed about this deployment was the overwhelming scale and man power involved in this conflict. My first deployment was totally different. We lived in a small base, more so on our own. We lived in the city and conducted countless foot patrols, daily. Here in Fallujah, everything was mounted in trucks and the distances we patrolled where a lot longer.
But as they say, War never changes and I felt right at home.
We guarded one of the main routes to the city for about a month. Only military vehicles were allowed to use it, so it was a obvious target.
Night and Day , we would stand post, rotating after 5 hours. One relief would arrive, you where left to occupy your time with sleep, low quality movies, and the worst porn you’ve ever seen. In my case books, music and photography
Post is a vulnerable position to be in. You stand in a little box (target) for hours. It’s hot as hell, and boring as all fuck. The only temporary relief comes in the form of smoking cigarettes or sneaking your helmet off for a few minutes. Besides keeping the base safe. I found that the main benefit came from observing the locals and having a birds eye view of everything. A passive observer of different social customs.
You also are tasked with logging any abnormality you witnessed. Time and event is written down hourly, along with radio checks and patrol departure and return.
As I mention earlier. Unlike my last deployment, patrols are now mounted. Using the ol’ MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected), we drove all over the Fallujah countryside. I would always ride lead vehicles because I had a lust for life. Watching for IED’s, stopping traffic, and waving at people are the main duties.
Side duties
Having the role of up gunner, for me, was a peaceful position to hold. Inside of the truck was too claustrophobic. I got to stand up inside of turret that covered my body up to my shoulders. A machine gun is mounted in front of you and a sniper cover over your head. All with a nice view of the country side, unsullied by the lens of bulletproof glass and metal.
During my time off, I just would walk around our small base. Not really knowing of any techniques to isolate and practice. I would just mentally visualize images and try to recreate them. It was a lot of trial and error, supplemented with imagination.
Since I’ve been reintroduced back into photography. I’m giddy as a school girl to learn and improve. Like the old saying goes, “The more I see, the less I know”. Ani’t that the truth.
Happy Thanksgiving! Yeah, the food sucks over there. Every now and then we would have a BBQ or have some massive food tuck that looked more like a armored ice cream truck. Unfortunately, our diet consisted of MRE’s, frozen mini pizzas and powdered Gatorade. (Side Note: the local food was amazingly good. 10/10. Would differently give the Iraqi Police ’s $10 again to pick me up some Lamb, Falafel and Flat bread!)
“Yes, London. You know: fish, chips, cup 'o tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary fucking Poppins... LONDON. “-Snatch.
The same could be said about Iraq, Sandstorms suck!!! High winds combined with dust and sand that gets everywhere! Fortunately they make for interesting photos
Post, duty calls.
When I arrivied in Fallujah, I always found a guitar laying around. Wilbanks showed me a few chords and some simple country songs.
You had to occupy your time in some way, for me the sillier the better.
Of course, more post.
Surrounding the main city, where lush farm lands and small villages. Like any other location, individuals go about their daily life the best they can.
Despite our random check points, invasive patrols and questioning. Most people where friendly and cordial. Now, I’m not that naive to say that everyone didn’t hate our guts or talk shit. I guess that’s the benefit of walking around armed to the teeth, people tend to want to be on your good side.
Guns and bombs aside. If you’re a decent human being with a good level of empathy and mutual understanding. Having that basic level of respect can help you transcend the situation of your interaction.
Photography is an example is how cultural and circumstantial barriers can be broken.
Especially in some country’s where it’s uncommon to have digital media constantly at your finger tips. This was like mid 2008 so i think Facebook was the only big thing, most of the cell phones out here where old Nokia’s or flip phones.
Having your picture taking was not a everyday occurrence like it is now. Even with that being the case, somebody is always ready to smile and brighten up for the camera. It’s almost universal reaction.
No matter where you are in the world, people always are alway down to get there photo taken. It might take a bit of work to find a unique subject, but trust me. There is one in every crowd.
So next time, when sombody asks to take your photo…..
Don’t be shy or embarrassed. You don’t even have to wear a plastic smile…..
Just be yourself.
Honestly, I’ve been having difficulty summarizing this post. There are so many ways to close this, I’m having trouble choosing what route to take. I could talk about adjusting to being back home, and how people change mentally and emotionally. My own opinions of the war and how it’s conducted. The way America treats veterans. The list goes on! So, in the mean time. Until I have a appropriate conclusion for this post. I’ll just leave this monologue right here.
‘Unill next time. Up next is a tale about compulsive car buying.
