Ten Years Ago, in Iskandariyah, Iraq

Yesterday, I posted a short piece with photos to my wordpress blog marking the 10th anniversary of my first day in Iraq.

The following is an expanded gallery of images from that first "embed" with 1st Battalion/2d Marine Regiment. For captions, just hover your cursor over the large image.

U.S. Marine convoy north from Kuwait to Iraq, July 18, 2004

Marines from 1/2 AAV section during convoy north to Iraq from Kuwait, July 20, 2004

Iraqis harvest salt just across the border from Kuwait, July 21, 2004

1st Battalion/2d Marines AAV section arrives in Iskandariyah, July 21, 2004

1/2 weapons company marines sleep after convoy from Kuwait, July 22, 2004

Iraqi man detained by Iraqi soldier after argument, Iskandariyah, Iraq, August 5, 2004

Marine searches local sheikh and Iraqi power plant workers entering FOB Iskan, which encompassed Musayyib power station, August 7, 2004

Marine major from Civil Affairs Group poses with sheikhs after reviewing their weapons permits, FOB Iskan, August 7, 2004

Marines aboard Chinook CH-47 before night mission (scrubbed), FOB Iskan, August 7, 2004

Boy on construction team for birth center funded then defunded by U.S. Army. Marines promised to resume support — if local leaders cooperated. Jurf-al-Sakhar, Iraq, August 8, 2004

Marines from 1/2 Bravo Co., 2nd Platoon, checking for IEDs during a routine patrol, Babil Province, Iraq, August 20, 2004