Firstly, to Gabe, Butch, Andy, MS, MG, and the rest of ya's, greetings from FOB Union III here in sunny but cool Baghdad!

 

I had met Gabe early in our tour here in Baghdad, and he rotated out in late November, now safely at home with his wife and son. Good on ya Gabe, and I am happy to see you are going well, and so happy you escaped this place safe and sound.

 

Gabe was his Unit's armourer, and as armourers do, we traded and scrounged to help each other out. Over time we became good friends, and he would often visit us here in ANZAC Cove, and I would make the odd appearance to his Unit too.

 

When time permits, I'll post some pics, and Gabe, when you read this, feel free to post some pics too. Gabe introduced me to a minty TRW M14, with selector lock, and reminded me of my own selector locked M14, a Winchester, which I used to own in my Canadian days. I regret selling it, even though I no longer lived there, I should have kept it to stay in that catagory of rifles, regardless.

 

Well Gabe, its the same ole shyte here, today, at about 1120h this am, while on top of the Baath Party HQ Bldg, we observed a huge blast followed by a mini-Hiroshima 'mushy' cloud out near....... you guessed it, Sadr City. I guess we'll have to watch CNN later today for the media INTSUM of todays 'unhealthy' activities conducted by our enemy, ha! 

 

We are past the midway point on our tour now, and before one knows it, it won't belong before we leave, and head home to Australia.

 

I have now 11 AKM bayonets which I have had given to me and/or scrounged up. Russian, Tabuk (Iraqi) perhaps made on Yugoslavian machinery (both are Type II bayonets), Romanian (Type 1), and East German (Type 1).

 

I have also picked up other stuff to, some helmets, some badges, rank, some razor wire from Saddam's courthouse, plus a few unique things too. I am sure Nancy will be inpressed, ha!

 

AK wise, I haev many pics of different captured ones we have, plus many pics of RPGs, some Russian, some Chi-Com, some Iraqi made too. The most unique AKM we have is a bewt, a sub-carbine, a Tabuk, Iraqi made, all 100% gold plated, and a personal presentation from Saddam to one of his 'Cronies'.

 

We also have some Iranian G3's, Stevens No4 Mk1 .303's, PPSH 41's (1944 Russian) Port Siad 9mm SMG's too. Of course a few pistols too, including th ever present TT-33, in 7.62x25mm, this one a Yugoslavian copy. Seems to be a lot of Yugoslavian influence here, ranging from weapons to bomb shelters, to power grids, sewer systems, etc.

 

Gabe, we are all fine here, and stuck into our routines being ever careful not to get complaicent, and staying alert. Patto, Andrew and the rest of the guys in teh RAEME Det say hello, and wish you well.

 

The new US Unit that replaced you, is settling in, but so things different than you guys did, and I have not had a chance to scope out the new armourer yet, but we have invited some of the new guys over for a liaison visit, but no one has showed up so far. 

 

Less than a week out til Christmas, and we all wish you and all the members on here a most joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year too.

 

We'll be enjoying a Christmas Dinner in that DFAC we all know so well, you know the fans at the exit blowing all the plastic plates and empty cups off your tray, and have some little dude quickly sweep up after you, or that familiar stack of Stars and Stripes at the front as you go in. Nothing has changed.

 

Take care of yourself, adn good luck in your new posting.

 

Cheers from you know where,

 

Wes

 

PS - excuse the spelling, as I am rushed.