2009.07.31
30JUL09--Reunion in Virginia
Stepping off the plane in Richmond, my stride was a bit faster than normal. After all, I had not seen my wife and two kids since February or lived with my family in 15 months. Read more »
2009.07.29
28JUL09--Redeployment Notes
My team arrived at Fort Riley, Kansas a few days ago. We will fly home tomorrow to our families, as we are in the unique situation of not being stationed at the base from which we deployed.
This post is a few notes from throughout the redeployment: Read more »
2009.07.25
25JUL09--Kuwait; Next Stop U.S. of A
My team arrived in Kuwait last night and prepares for the coming jet lag of traveling back to the States in the immediate future. We are all excited and very much looking forward to seeing our families.
Most of us will see them midway through this coming week after we out process from Fort Riley, Kansas and fly out to finally return to our homes at our next places of duty.
2009.07.22
22JUL09--Baghdad International Airport
For the past few days, my team has been at the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) waiting for flights and transportation back to the States. However, it is not like we are sitting in the seats of an American airport literally waiting for our plane to board. Read more »
2009.07.17
17JUL09--Farewell with Interpreters; Posturing for Redeployment
The time has come to turn the page on this deployment. Yesterday evening was my last at the patrol base that my team built and included several farewells. This morning, half my team took its last mounted combat patrol along with half of our gear to the airport, where we await the rest of our team and our flight date. Read more »
2009.07.16
16JUL09--Red Pigeons
Today, one of my interpreters explained to me about a common Iraqi hobby: pigeon training.
My interpreter tells me that every large city will have pigeons circling the skies in accordance with their training. The flocks will likely contain 'hamrohwees,' which are red pigeons. Read more »
2009.07.15
15JUL09--Hail and Farewell
Today, my team made its final introductions of the new team to the Iraqi Army and said its farewells. Read more »
2009.07.13
13JUL09--Introduction; Attacks on Churches
Today, my team introduced the new team to the Iraqi Army. However, many officers were away, reacting to rather serious situations to include attacks on churches. Read more »
2009.07.11
11JUL09--Replacements Arrive
This evening was full of excitement and handshakes, as my team is one step closer to redeployment. The team that replaces my team arrived at our base today via Blackhawk helicopter fresh for duty. Read more »
2009.07.10
10JUL09--Rifle Training and Naming Rights
Over the past year, I have discussed conducting a marksmanship range on numerous occasions, but the other day it finally worked. Also, I had an interesting conversation with an Iraqi officer about his soon-to-be born son. 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.
