2008.12.15
15DEC08--Diesel Clean
A few weeks ago, the Iraqis found a series of caches of weapons. The Iraqi media even came to interview the commander. Today, a weapon from that cache was operational and in use. Read more »
2008.12.14
14DEC08--Targeting
The U.S. Army has a methodical method for...well, everything. The Iraqi Army, well, they have the Iraqi way. There way is not wrong per say, but my teammates and I try to at least introduce them to how we conduct business. We try our best to mentor and influence. Read more »
2008.12.13
13DEC08--New Iraqi Brigade Commander
The Iraqi brigade that my team mentors is only six months old but has made great strides towards independent operations. Within the last few weeks, a new commander arrived at the brigade, replacing an interim commander. Read more »
2008.12.12
12DEC08--Terp Fight
Michael and Evan, best interpreters ever or best terps having a rumble in the back of the MRAP on this day? Tough call. Here is why. Read more »
2008.12.08
Children Send Cards and Letters to the Team
Today, my team received a stack of letters of appreciation from children of a Texas elementary school. Some were funny, because kids say the darnest things. Most were touching. I am posting just a few. Read more »
2008.12.07
07DEC08--Stuck in the Mud
The last rain may have been over a week ago, but the any place with the slightest dip in the topsoil is still marked with a puddle. These small pools of water may not look deep, but allow me to share with you this: these puddles should be considered a sign that reads, "No Parking." Read more »
2008.12.04
03DEC08--Barefoot Movers and a Female Soldier
We arrived at the Iraqi base, and and I saw the the Iraqis carrying Hesco barriers across the road to abandoned buildings. I spent a lot of time discussing their plans. Afterwards, I noted how Iraqis interact with a female soldier and take to instruction on maintaining a truck. Read more »
2008.12.03
Train the Trainer: Bestowing the Ideals of a Valuable Sergeant
For two months Sergeant Kevin "KC" Connaughton of Texas has been working on a class, a map reading class for the Iraqi Army. The halfway success of this class, which was for the Iraqis by the Iraqis, explains a lot about the Iraqi Army. Read more »
2008.12.01
01DEC08--Two Go on Leave
Today, my team dropped of two members at Baghdad Internationl Airport (BIAP), which has US bases surrounding it. Four months into the deployment, we have now begun rotating guys on leave, or rest and relaxation (R&R), back to the States. Read more »
About this blog
Rich Connaroe graduated from Northside High School in 2000 and VMI in 2004. Now a Captain in the U.S. Army, Connaroe begins a one-year deployment to Iraq in August. During that time, he plans to make regular blog posts that he hopes will connect readers of the The Roanoke Times to U.S. soldiers who are deployed in Iraq.
