Balad

I was at Balad for 16 out of my 26 months in Iraq and Kuwait. I was an Army Contractor there. At times it was surreal, with all the T-walls and bunkers, incoming rockets and mortars, mixed with Taco Bell, Burger King, Pizza Hut and first-run movies in the AAFES theater…against a background of Jet and helo noise 7/24. Just a crazy, weird mix of war and small-town America. I met great people there that I miss terribly. I miss my hooch, especially. It was a world within a world that was at once a little risky, but also very safe and secure at the same time.
It changed my life because I went there a few days after my marriage of 17 years ended. Having been in-theater before, I knew the controlled environment would be good for me. I went there to heal, and Anaconda healed me. It’s kinda funny to think a person would go to Iraq to heal, but I did. I love Anaconda and my good memories of it will be with me forever.

balad AB is not so bad has almost anything you could need while deployed

This place was a resort compare to the rest of the country. Being in iraq ain’t all that bad. it’s nice! but not worth visiting. Great Sunsets though! if you take out the IEDs’ and MOTAR ROUNDS then it might be worth visiting.

Spent my stint here May to September. Very unique place and rather glad I had the chance to experience it. Most complained about the heat but I enjoyed it. The only down side is when the AC breaks and you’re sharing a tent with a handful of stanky individuals trying to catch a Z or two. Hah, oh well, what can ya do?

I’ve spent almost two years in this area and at least one whole year in Balad airbase.
It’s really hot and busy place.

Place is full of dust :) This is picture of my office back then :)

I went to LSA Anaconda/Balad AB this summer for what was suppsoed to be a short trip (less than 24 hours) to write a story and take photos of the Australian Medical Detachment at the Air Force Theater Hospital there.

We got stranded due to wicked dusts storms and finally left several days later. At least, if we had to get stuck somewhere away from “home,” this was a better base to be stuck at.

Well, for the next year or so it’s my home. I’m not out and about in Balad, but living and working on Camp Anaconda / Balad Air Base. One thing I can tell you is that it is F$^%**@! HOT!!! It was 121 F in the shade today, and almost 140 F in the sun. Sad part is that the hottest month of the year is August. I’m enjoying it though.

The picture is of a camel spider that was hanging around outside my hooch last week. It’s the best close-up that I’ve gotten so far. They’re not poisonous, but they’ll take a chunk out of you, and they’ll chase you too. This was just a little one that would probably cover the palm of my hand.