The news...

Now that's a war face!

Some of you might have read in the news about a rocket attack on Camp Victory last week. I didn't want to talk about it right away for two reasons. First, I couldn't due to operational security, and second, I didn't want to worry anyone. The Associated Press released news of the attack only two hours after it happened, and my resourceful wife found it almost immediately on her own (go figure...). Also, I see from the comments section that my mom read about it USA Today. So I guess the cat is officially out of the bag!

The bottom line is that I'm obviously ok. Let's just say that it was a close call and hopefully the last time it happens while I'm here. I'll tell the full story down the road sometime. You can read the AP news release by clicking here.

The attack came from rogue elements of Jaysh al Mahdi (JAM) who disobeyed the ceasefire order from Muqtada al-Sadr, a radical Shiite Cleric and leader of JAM. Iran (predominantly Shi'a) is believed to be encouraging these types of attacks and providing weapons and money to those who will disobey the ceasefire. Three days after the attack, al-Sadr extended his army's ceasefire for an additional six months. This action was to his political advantage because it gives him a position of power to leverage the US and Iraqi governments in the future. The US has praised the six month extension - the original ceasefire has contributed significantly to the reduction of violence in Iraq and will likely continue to do so. We'll see what happens, but it should be interesting.

BT - Break Transmission

Ok, ok, I'll get off my soapbox for now. Onto some good news: Friday we will find out if we are having a boy or a girl!! I'll be sure to post the results tomorrow night so stay tuned...

Also, HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY TO MY LOVELY WIFE!!! You're almost thirty, you're almost thirty haha! (hey she did the same to me in November).

Ok, gotta catch some z's. Stay classy San Diego.

I love you all, please keep us in your prayers...

TLA = Three Letter Acronym

The AL Faw Palace


Onboard a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter

Hello everyone! I'm sorry I haven't posted in a few weeks. This website is blocked at my office so I can only post new messages from my trailer. The last two weeks have been pretty uneventful. A new corps staff (XVIII Airborne) has taken over the Multi National Corps Iraq mission, and they will have it for 15 months. That basically means a lot of change to the battle rythm, and a load of new acronyms to memorize. For those of you that don't know, the military uses acronyms for almost everything to minimize message traffic. So far I have a list of about 500 acronyms that are used in Iraq. Fun stuff.

Most of the Army deployments since the last surge have been 15 months. It makes my 6 months (5 to go Whoo-hoo!!!) seem like spring break. The pressure to extend is already coming down, but I've already told them they can go pound sand. I will be home in August for the arrival of my son or daughter!

Well that's all the time I have for now! I love you all and thanks for the comments; they help maintain my sanity!!! haha Take care all...

Battle Rhythm

From Left: Iraqi interpreter, my predecessor, and me

Saddam's Throne (above) in the Al Faw Palace

Greetings from Camp Victory Complex, on the west side of Baghdad. I landed eight days ago, and hit the ground running. Battle rhythm is a term used here to describe the work environment. It consists of working 12-16 hour days, with one half day off per week. Today is my half-day and I will go into work sometime after lunch. This is the first opportunity I have had to add a new post, and I have a lot to talk about.

First things first, here is my mailing address:

ENS Jeffrey J. Watson
MNC-I C7 RECON
APO AE 09342

I have been placed in a staff officer position in the engineering section of Multi-National Corps Iraq. I work near the Al Faw Palace, one of Saddam's luxurious playgrounds. My job has not been fully defined yet, but it is very likely that I will be covering infrastructure security, specifically electricity. I am quickly coming up to speed on the subject.

Most Iraqis only have electricity to their homes for a few hours each day, depending on the stability of a very frail and insecure power network (frequently targeted by extremists). Clean water is in high demand, and trash removal and sewage treatment are major problems. Iraq has the third largest oil reserves in the world, yet its infrastructure is so damaged that it cannot export enough oil to generate the revenue required to rebuild itself. After decades under a ruthless dictator, 12 years of international sanctions, and now an infestation of radical extremists, the Iraqi culture is plagued by an ingrained sense of fear. Al Qaida in Iraq is on the run, after an awakening of concerned local citizens in 2007 in the Anbar Province who stood up to the enemy. With the assistance of Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, the people of Anbar effectively forced Al Qaida out by helping find and eliminate numerous weapons caches, hideouts, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This, in combination with a ceasefire announced by the Shia extremist group Jaysh al Mahdi (JAM), led to a relative calm in violence in the second half of 2007. Prime Minister al-Maliki has stated that 2007 was the year of security for Iraq, and 2008 will be the year of services for the Iraqi people. As we continue to hunt down al Qaida while they scramble to take hold of other regions through the country, resources are shifting from providing security to the people to increasing essential services. Electricity will be at the forefront of this initiative, along with development of the oil and transportation infrastructure.

I have experienced the best and the worst in Iraq in only the first week. I am blessed to have a warm bed to sleep in at night, hot showers, free laundry service, air conditioning, you name it. There are many soldiers and marines on patrol bases here who do not have these amenities. Please let them know you care by sending them a care package here.

I love you all and miss you very much! It's great to be able to hear from everyone through your comments. Take care everyone!