Greetings From Home!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

It is great to be back among family and friends! The time away always makes the return that much sweeter.  I returned on the 20th of February, via Kuwait and Ramstein, Germany.  During the landing approach, it was a beautiful sight to see a snow flurry from the cabin window.  BWI airport never looked so good!

As I reflect upon the last 7 months, I realize that your prayers, notes, care packages and encouragement were instrumental in keeping me safe and motivated, resulting in a successful mission complete.  I am grateful for your support and thank you ALL.

We are blessed in this country with freedom, security, and many other benefits that we don’t even recognize.  Glory be to God for His grace.

Jim

Out at the Job Site

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December Birthday Celebrations

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“The security improvements in most neighborhoods are real”

I get this same sense from where I sit. 

Cheers,
Jim

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Hope and Unity in Iraq

Michael Yon’s iconic image of hope and unity in Iraq

By Michelle Malkin  •  November 7, 2007 08:50 PM

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Michael Yon: Online Magazine

Greetings from the IZ,

I thought I’d include a link to an “on the ground” reporter, in theater.  National media outlets tend not to get this close to the action. 

Michael Yon: Online Magazine

A different perspective!

Jim

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Combined Review and Release Board

Hi Everyone,

Just spent the last 3 days serving on a detainee review board, called the Combined Review and Release Board. A few links below offer some differing viewpoints about the process.   Our board reviewed about 200 detainee records.  A who’s who in the field of terrorism and a testament to the great risk your soldiers experience everyday out in the field.

Detainees Release Following CRRB Review

Release Ceremony for Almost 500 Detainees Overseen by Iraqi PM

Are Iraq’s Detainees Treated Fairly?

More later,
jws

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The J7 Crew

A Little More on What We Do…

Dear Family and Friends, 

I am now in Baghdad (1 month of a 6 month assignment).  I have made it to my Individual Augmentation assignment at the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq (MNSTC-I).  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.

MNSTC-I is located within the IZ, as well as my billeting area, Forward
Operating Base Blackhawk.  

Specifically, my responsibilities are to enable the Iraqi Ministry of Interior to defeat terrorism and provide a stable environment by constructing both national and local police infrastructure; police training academies; ports of entry; and interestingly, intelligence facilities.  My staff is small but very capable, comprised of personnel from the Army, AF, and contractor community.

Security at construction sites is among our greatest concern.  Sectarian influence and corruption are a constant threat.  The work is performed by Iraqi subcontractors and their safety is always at risk.

Progress is steady here and it is my hope that the Iraqi people will embrace the rule of law, and the concept of individual freedom.  Being here really magnifies the great blessings we experience in the United States.

God Bless,
Jim

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