Catching Up on Things

Hi Everyone, 

 A few random pictures from along the way…

                                                     On the way to Kuwait for follow on training. 

                                                              Leaving from Fort Jackson, SC.

                                  Ran across a herd of camels while training out at the Udairi Range. 

                                                   Not a bad picture from the back of a Humvee

                                                            Sunrise in the desert at Udairi Range. 

                                                           Getting ready for convoy operations.

Cheers from Baghdad,

Jim

Hi Everybody,

All is going well here in Baghdad.   A little more insight into what my organization is responsible for in Iraq:

 The MNSTC-I Mission is to assist the Iraqi Government in the development, organization, training, equipping, and sustaining of Iraqi Security Forces and Ministries capable of defeating terrorism and providing a stable environment where individual freedom, the rule of law, and free market economy can evolve and, in time, will contribute to Regional Security in the Gulf Region.

Lot of energy from DoD/DoS Civilians, Army, Navy, Marines, AF, Coalition Forces, and Contractor community.   Interestingly we have a number of police officers and other law enforcement professionals leading the charge here, too.   Most of the day to day services are provided via contrator who hire from all over the world.  The security personnel are generally from Fiji and Peru.  The food service folks are from India, Phillipines and Nepal.  The world converges on Iraq!  

I work at Phoenix base, as you can see from the picture (oops), which is a 5 minute bus ride from where I live.  Everything happens at Phoenix base, so not much time in the hooch at FOB Blackhawk.   We have excellent chow at the DFAC (dining facility, army term), Sunday worship at the DFAC, and even a gym (not at the DFAC) on Phoenix. 

The work requires diplomacy, tenacity and patience.  As we construct facilities, we are sometimes engaging at the highest level of government over here.   Details down to the toilet type (Eastern or Western) are addressed at the Flag officer level at times… 

More to follow soon…

Hope you all are doing well, and I really appreciate hearing from you,

Blessings,

Jim

On the Ground in Baghdad (Finally!)

 Republican Palace, in the old days…

Hi Everyone,

I finally made it to Baghdad, Iraq on 9/7!  I am working for the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, also known as MNSTC-I (min-stick-ee).  My role is managing the construction of Minister of Interior Projects, like Police Stations, Border Stations, Ports of Entry, and other related facilities. 

I live and work in the green zone or international zone.  I live at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Blackhawk and work at Camp Phoenix.  Check it out on Google Earth/maps if you get a chance.  I live on the compound colocated with the Believer’s Palace, just down the street from the Republican Palace.      

The trek from Norfolk to Fort Jackson, S.C. to Kuwait to Baghdad, about 30 days,  was  fruitful and helped prepare us for the mission here in Iraq.  Kuwait, was a great acclimitization opportunity, with temperatures out at the Udairi Range at about 115-120 F.  Iraq has been mild in comparison, 80F at night and 105F during the days.  

My mailing address here is:

CDR Jim Scrofani

MNSTC-I / J7

APO AE 09348 

p.s.  I really appreciate all of your notes of encouragement and your prayers. 

Sincerely,

Jim