Getting Close to leaving

Hey everybody, its been awhile since I have last posted anything because I have been out at the forward operating base (FOB). For all you non-miltary people, ha which I guess is all of ya that means I have been out training in an area with tents, a perimeter, and lots of sand! Basically it is a place that is simulating the conditions in Iraq, which is not that great. I get to shower usually once a week, twice if I am lucky. I also live in a tent that is about 20 by 30 feet with others soldiers from the Headquarters platoon. Here are some pictures of what we are doing, its challenging but fun. I cant really discuss much else right now, for a few reasons most prevelant is this is a public blog which means anybody including the individuals who wish harm upon U.S. Soldiers can see it, and also I don't know exactly where we are going because though there are speculations anything can change in the Army. To address the first issue I am going to make this a private blog, so you will have to use your email address to access it. For those who I am in contact with via email dont worry about providing me one but those who wish to keep seeing this when I hit country should go through the people they know and get and email address to me. Once this happens I will be able to go into more detail and post pictures of stuff that the general public should not see, so enjoy and write comments so I know what you all think.

some of the buildings 

going over the plan to take the city 

do you think anyone going to get by these guys? 

the "city" of balad, this city was full of insurgents and our teams had to clear every building and find the high value target 

training for an urban environment 

soldiers working on their batton training, can we say ouch!

thats my prisoner, sadly I had to let him go 

soldiers working on their application of the "body handcuff" (looks comfy huh?) 

my fellow gunners and their machine guns 

convoy training 

convoy training