I have been issued ammo, and crossed the line of departure. I am officially in Iraq, though I can't say where. The day before I flew in there were 7 anti-aircraft missiles fired in Iraq... that makes you feel good. Then, we we arrived they said we didn't need to wear flack jackets and kevlar helmets walking around because the base had never been attacked... later that night machine gun fire erupted...

I have been doing the job of a Major until he can get out here. I have not been able to get to a machine that can email... so this is as close as I can get to getting a hold of my wife! (I'm ok sweetie, will email when I can. Pat the dog, bear hug to Harrison and big kiss for you!)

There have been a myriad of things going on out here. RPG attacks, rocket's, mortars, machine gun fights... All spread out over a pretty wide area, but they are there. A helicopter crashed the other day killing the crew. One pilot had a wife named Jenny... that hit a cord. He also had two kids. They were just weeks from going home! I hate that... They hit a power line. An accident that could easily have occured in the states. The good news is that the people are really getting behind us here. The government may not be convinced yet, but that is just how Japan is today. The people adore us and the press and the government hate us. Oh well. The people are our focus here.

Well, I've got to run. Will write when I can. Keep up the good work on the home front.

Semper Fi