133rd Engineering Battalion [Archive]

View Full Version : 133rd Engineering Battalion

Maine Finn

04-15-2005, 03:10 PM

Photos by the 133rd Engineer Battalion, Maine National Guard, taken from the MaineToday war gallery.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413troops01.jpg
A stryker vehicle, outfitted with a machine gun and grenade launchers.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413troops02.jpg
Members of the 133rd Engineer Battalion conduct a recon mission in a bad part of town.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413troops03.jpg
Captured Iraqi tanks sit in a field.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413troops04.jpg
A member of the Maine Army National Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion does some surveying in Iraq.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413troops05.jpg
A guard tower in Northern Iraq.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413troops06.jpg
A "Dozer 7" gets busy digging in Iraq.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413troops07.jpg
Captain Bouffard, an officer in the 133rd Engineer Battalion, takes time for a photo in Iraq.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413troops08.jpg
Major Drummond, Battalion Executive Officer of the 133rd Engineer Battalion, in Iraq.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413trooppics02.jpg
SFC Martel and Norm look at a roof project at a town hall.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413trooppics03.jpg
A typical roadside gas station - not EPA or OSHA approved. Gas costs eight cents a gallon.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413trooppics05.jpg
A picture of me (John Jansen, Commander of the 133rd Engineer Battalion, fifth from left) with the mayor of Irbil.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413trooppics09.jpg
The Irbil airport. We are being asked to look into the construction of a runway as well as other upgrades.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413trooppics10.jpg
A typical two-room school. Forty years old and in need of serious repairs. We hope to reconstruct six-room schools in a number of villages.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040416trooppics01.jpg
The Mosul Palace headquarters for Task Force Olympia.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/photos/00humvee.jpg
The journey continues....

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/photos/01dozer.jpg
SFC Martell on one of our D9 dozers.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/photos/02dozer.jpg
The heavy equipment transporter trailer needs 40 wheels for equipment such as the D9 Dozer. Troops used this equipment to construct portions of the Syrian border berm.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/photos/03choppers.jpg
Helicopters are the best way to transport troops to remote mission sites.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/photos/04mission.jpg
SPC Ardry, left, and SPC Grenham provide security for a mission at the Mosul Dam.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/photos/05weapons.jpg
SFC Kutz with a cache of recovered RPGs, mortars and machine guns.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040512iraq01.jpg
SPC Grenham. He should have been a race car driver.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040512iraq02.jpg
SPC Higgins is promoted to Sergeant at sunset on the roof of the Mosul Palace overlooking the Tigris River. He will be the only soldier to receive this honor. MSG Madore reads the promotion order and NCO creed at right.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040512iraq03.jpg
SPC Madison at the Mosul Palace.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040512iraq04.jpg
SFC Walsh on a project site at Camp Freedom.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040512iraq05.jpg
PFC Daniels at the Mosul Palace.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040512iraq06.jpg
Company B soldiers upgrade a soccer field at Camp Freedom.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040512iraq07.jpg
SPC Philbrook secures the PAO in an armored Humvee.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040512iraq09.jpg
MAJ Drummond gets liberated from Camp Marez and attends the grand opening of the Keiser Bridge. The $1.6 million project reparied a critical bridge destroyed by Iraqis attempting to prevent coalition forces from getting to Mosul during combat operations.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040521iraq01.jpg
SPC Kendall (Co. A): Primary gunner on one of our gun trucks.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040521iraq03.jpg
SPC Haskell, one of our great soldiers, with his new mascot. Go Red Sox.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040521iraq05.jpg
Company B soldiers receive coins and certificates from the Stryker Brigade commander for their outstanding work.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040521iraq06.jpg
The "gators" get ready for a mission.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq01.jpg
SPC Tripp (Company C) works on a supply building near the Syrian border.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq02.jpg
Two gun truck gunners.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq03.jpg
A storage building under construction by Company C -- a forward operating base on the Syrian border.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq04.jpg
Lt. Lewis (Company C) works at a remote cavalry forward operating base on the Syrian border. Company C constructed the building in the photo. It contains a kitchen, dining area, recreation room and a storage area. They are also installing AC units, rewiring buildings on site, installing showers and a bathroom, constructing a storage building and large generators on concrete pads. The CAV troop has lived in very austere conditions and the 133rd has truly made a difference for them.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq05.jpg
Company C cut and fill operations.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq06.jpg
The Company C team works together to make other soldiers' conditions better.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq07.jpg
Clearing fields of fire -- in this case, leveling a hill.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq08.jpg
Out with CSM Wilkinson at a Company C road construction project.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq09.jpg
SPC Spencer, a truck gunner, with an M249 saw and an AT4.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq10.jpg
Sgt. Ray, doing a tremendous job. His positive attitude is infectious.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq11.jpg
Sgt. Touchette, everyone's friend.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq01.jpg
Pouring concrete pads for Simelan School. From left to right are Specialist Lane, Rochester; Specialist Frisbee, Davenport, N.Y; Sergeant Goodwin, Skowhegan; and an unidentified soldier of second Platoon Alpha Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq02.jpg
Passing the block: Preparing the construction site at the Simelan School. From the front of the line to rear are Sergeant Long, Eddington; Specialist Frisbee; Staff Sergeant Harvey, Winslow; and other soldiers of Second Platoon Alpha Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq03.jpg
SGT Spaulding catches some shade and trades hats with Kurdish in Simelan.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq04.jpg
Storm swept: Soldiers rush back from covering cement bags to protect them from getting ruined in the rain. In the background, a pickup game of softball, hidden by dust was caught in the maelstrom, but continued without delay. On right of picture, from front to rear, are Sergeant Lawrence, Belfast; Sergeant First Class Sticht, Morrill; and Sergeant First Class Jollotta, Eastport (leg visible).

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq05.jpg
Sergeant Parker, of Smithfield; First Platoon, Alpha Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion, works on wiring during the Galalah High School renovation.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq06.jpg
Tucked in the truck, departing for the work day from FOB Round Top, Bapishtian, Iraq. From left to right are Specialist Frisbee, Davenport, N.Y.; Sergeant Samaroo, North Wickham, Conn., originally from British Guiana; Staff Sergeant Long, Edddington, Maine; and Sergeant Rios, East Hampton, N.Y.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq08.jpg
Sergeant Vashon, of Newport, fixes a desk during the Galalah High School renovation.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq09.jpg
In an armored Humvee with ballistic windows closed, full body armor, no AC, at 120 degrees, a bottle of ice helps a soldier keep cool while waiting for start of convoy. Pictured is Captain Mitchell, Freeport, Headquarters Support Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq10.jpg
Men at work: A view of the work site at Simelan School. Preparing the first of eight concrete pads for the school foundation are soldiers of Second Platoon Alpha Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040714iraq11.jpg
Soldiers of Horizontal Construction Platoon, Alpha Company, work at the Khalifan bypass road project.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040923_133rd_01.jpg
SGT Arbour, of Standish, on tower duty on FOB (Forward Operating Base) Marez. Equipment in front of the tower is improving the security measures of the base.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040923_133rd_02.jpg
HSC bulldozer at work on FOB Marez.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040923_133rd_03.jpg

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040923_133rd_04.jpg
SFC Dix, of Bar Mills, working on an oil leak under a vehicle.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040923_133rd_05.jpg

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040923_133rd_06.jpg

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041013maineflag.jpg
LTC Jansen, of Mt. Vernon, MAJ Drummond, of China, SFC Roy, of Lewiston, SGT Touchette, of Otisfield, CPT Mitchell, of Embden, CPT Steinbuchel, of Buxton, display some Maine pride at a project site next to the Syrian Border.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041013twocarpenters.jpg
SGT Boyce, of Waterford, and SPC Stevens, of West Paris, from C Co, 133rd, 2nd General Construction platoon during the construction/renovation of the chapel at Camp Diamondback.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041013castingcall.jpg
Medics SPC Cyr, of Augusta, SPC Lackie, of Orrs Island, SSG Sierra, from the 67th Combat Support Hospital, and SPC Waters, of Gorham, displaying the results of their class on setting casts, standing in front of the mural on the Battalion Aid Station on FOB Marez which was painted by SPC Lackie.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041013koreankurdme.jpg
Korean soldiers in tan, Kurdish Pershmerga in green, and an American soldier stop for a group photo during a middle of the night resupply mission in the Arbil.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041013loadingwater.jpg
As the morning lightens the sky, soldiers of Alpha Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion, based in Belfast and Skowhegan, race to load the last bit of water at the end of an all night resupply effort in Arbil.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050202iraq01.jpg
Captain Sivret and Sergeant First Class Keene discuss issues while repacking personal items after U.S. Customs inspections. 133rd soldiers are loading a portion of their personal items in shipping containers to send back home prior to our departure.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050202iraq02.jpg
Sergeant Haas, of Brunswick, operates a Five Yard Bucket Loader to help tidy up the battalion area at FOB Marez, for the incoming unit that will be replacing the soldiers of the 133rd Engineer Battalion.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050202iraq03.jpg
Left to right, Specialist Quang Le and Master Sergeant Moody watch as Captain Curtis discusses the contents of his foot locker with a Military Police Officer from the 330th Military Police Unit, who is holding the captain's copy of "The DaVinci Code."

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050202iraq04.jpg
Master Sergeant Madore and Sergeant First Class Berthiaume wait to depart Mosul for Kuwait to help prepare the133rd Engineer Battalion for its eventual move back home. They are the first two members of the unit to depart Iraq for reasons of unit redeployment.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050211snow01.jpg
Feb. 9, 2005: Private First Class Oliver and Specialist Bolduc, of HSC, 133rd Engineer Battalion, take time out to enjoy a rare snowfall in Mosul. The first of the winter at FOB Marez.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050211snow02.jpg
Feb. 9, 2005: Lieutenant Colonel Jansen and Major Nelson take a moment to enjoy the rare snowfall. The last snowfall was a year ago when the unit first arrived.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050211snow04.jpg
Feb. 9, 2005: Captain Doscinski slides down a ramp freshly covered with snow into the muddy courtyard. The area has experienced several days of rain.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050222iraq02.jpg
Lieutenant Colonel Jansen and Command Sergeant Major Wilkinson case the battalion colors at the Transfer of Authority Ceremony at FOB Marez in Mosul, Iraq on Feb. 19. The 94th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) from Vilseck, Germany officially replaced the 133rd.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050222iraq03.jpg
Sergeant Taylor of Albion, Maine enjoys a good book and some sun on top of a building at FOB Marez on Feb. 22.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050222iraq04.jpg
Colonel Brown, commander of the 1-25 Infantry Brigade "Tropical Lightning," speaks to a group of 133rd soldiers at FOB Marez in Mosul, Iraq on Feb. 18. He presented the members of battalion with a plaque and letter of appreciation for their support of the brigade and shoulder sleeve patches of the 1-25 Infantry, which members of the battalion serving in Iraq may now wear to indicate their wartime service in Iraq.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050222iraq05.jpg
133rd soldiers enjoying some sun and good conversation at FOB Marez, in Mosul, Iraq on Feb. 22. From center front, clockwise are, SGT Hendsbee of Glenburn, SFC Jolotta of Winslow, PFC Lambert of North Yarmouth, SGT Grotton of Union, SGT Furbush of Kittery, SPC Daniels of Gardiner, and SGT Wright of Readfield.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050222iraq07.jpg
Members of Headquarters Support Company, 133rd Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy), based in Portland and Gardiner, Maine, form up at FOB Marez in Mosul, Iraq in the hopes it will soon be time to go.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050222iraq08.jpg
Captain Mitchell, Commander of Charlie Company, based out of Lewiston and Norway, catches his soldiers pretending to pour water on him during a group photo. First Sergeant Brian Abbott is on the right. The water was a gift from Poland Spring.

Nugget

04-15-2005, 03:19 PM

i wouldnt mind doing some labor work for a good cause.

sweet pics maine finn

thanks

SdWaRrIoR

04-15-2005, 03:22 PM

Great pics keep up the good work!!! woot

joeserneem

04-15-2005, 03:38 PM

Photos by the 133rd Engineer Battalion, Maine

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040413trooppics03.jpg
A typical roadside gas station - not EPA or OSHA approved. Gas costs eight cents a gallon.

In The Netherlands we pay approx 4.80 euro..

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/photos/02dozer.jpg
The heavy equipment transporter trailer needs 40 wheels for equipment such as the D9 Dozer. Troops used this equipment to construct portions of the Syrian border berm.

Does anyone know exactly what they are constructing on the border with Syria, is it just a 'berm' or more? (no i'm not planning to try to cross that border with my truck full of 'medicines'...)

goldman

04-15-2005, 04:42 PM

WOW that is just awesome finn woot :hug:

Maine Finn

04-15-2005, 05:07 PM

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041109war01.jpg
SPC Brawn of Augusta, as "The Hand Grenade"

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041109war02.jpg
SGT Coffman of West Paris, as "Deputy" 1LT Flynn, the HSC Direct Support Maintenance Platoon Leader

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041109war04.jpg
SPC Trepanier of Limestone, as "the Guntruck".

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041109war05.jpg
Members of the 133rd Engineer Battalion on Halloween on FOB Marez in Mosul in search of goodies. (Left to Right) SPC Brawn of Augusta, SGT Coffman of West Paris, SGT Cody of Litchfield, SFC King of Wells, who had some treats to hand out, SPC Trepanier of Limestone, and CPT Steinbuchel, of Buxton, keeping the kids safe.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd01.jpg
Seasons Greetings from the Headquarters Support Company Equipment Platoon.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd02.jpg
Members of the DS Platoon pose for the holiday, Clockwise from bottom: Staff Sgt Chadwick, Spec. Raychard, Spec. Edora, Sergeant Clavette, Private First Class Spencer.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd10.jpg
Alpha Company, 133rd Engineer soldiers, Sgt. Perry, of Oakland, and Sgt. Ranta, of Munson, display some holiday cheer.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd03.jpg
Members of the 133rd Engineer Battalion prepare for an early morning convoy from FOB Marez, Mosul.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd04.jpg
The dramatic mountainous backdrop frames the new Sharokian Village Medical Clinic as soldiers of Charlie Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion and villagers celebrate the grand opening.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd05.jpg
Spc. Dziezyk, of Swans Island, Alpha Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion, hard at work keeping the equipment operational.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd06.jpg
Bravo Company, 133rd Engineer soldiers, SSG Garrigan, of Windsor, NY, and SSG Brown, of Oxford, NY, both originally from the 204th Engineers New York Army National Guard, working on a structure in the Dohuk Province, Iraq.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd07.jpg
The two useful Mallets at HSC spending some hangtime in their hammocks: Major(ly) Big Mallet on the top rack and Private Mallet, of Waterville, snoozing on the bottom rack.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd08.jpg
Chaplain Cpt. Sivret of Calais appears to be either surrendering to the Kurdish children - or giving away candy - on one of the 133rd's missions to the Irbil Province.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041230_133rd09.jpg
Pvt 1st Class Jipson, of Westbrook, Sergeant Brower, of Cornish, and Spec. Campbell, of Portland working in the material supply storage area.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041224herbest01.jpg
B. Herbest is up to his elbows in work.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041224herbest03.jpg
A stray cat from Mosul visits the unit.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041224herbest05.jpg
Spec. Raychard plays guitar at the base.

sin-R

04-16-2005, 05:10 AM

Really great pictures!

That D9 Dozer is HUGE! Wouldn't want to be in it's way!

I really respect the work that you are doing! Keep it up! :)

RGRBOX

04-16-2005, 05:46 AM

Great pictures.. did they all make it back to the states safe and well?

Maine Finn

04-16-2005, 12:30 PM

Great pictures.. did they all make it back to the states safe and well?

Most of them did, yes. Four from the 133rd were lost:

Sergeant First Class Michael Jones
Sergeant Lynn Poulin
Specialist Thomas Dostie
Specialist Christopher Gelineau

Later on I'll post a couple video clips and a few more pictures.

goldman

04-16-2005, 12:35 PM

Great Pics :hug: woot

Upfrontreporting

04-16-2005, 12:43 PM

Nice pics Maine Finn woot

G3 armed PMC/PSD guy
http://news.mainetoday.com/war/photos/04mission.jpg

regards
Upfrontreporting

Maine Finn

04-16-2005, 01:31 PM

Videos and more pictures here (http://news.mainetoday.com/war/)

Some pics from that gallery, taken by Gregory Rec.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050102iraqB.jpg
Sgt. Kirby Touchette of Otisfield hands out boxes of crayons in Kawnagund. Soldiers who hand out candy and other items are popular with the children.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/050102iraqE.jpg
A woman twirls a scarf during a dance at a wedding at Jundian Falls in northern Iraq. While working in northern Iraq, soldiers from the 133rd have been honored with invitations to a number of weddings.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041221attack01.jpg
Sgt. Dee Robinson of Gardiner looks back to the triage area as other 133rd Engineer Battalion soldiers load a wounded soldier into a humvee outside the dining facilty at FOB Marez. The facility was hit with a rocket shortly after noon on Tuesday, December 21, 2004.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041221attack02.jpg
An injured civilian employee who worked in the dining facility at FOB Marez is loaded into the back of a Stryker vehicle after an attack on the dining facility shortly after noon on Tuesday, December 21, 2004.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041221attack03.jpg
Soldiers look over the damage inside the dining facility at Forward Operation Base Marez from a rocket attack that killed two soldiers from the 133rd Engineer Battalion of the Maine Army National Guard.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041222iraq02.jpg
Workers pour the concrete roof of the new dining facility at Forward Operating Base Marez on December 22, 2004. The current facility is a canvas covered structure and is vulnerable to mortar and rocket attacks. The new facility, being constructed of concrete and steel, will offer more protection against mortars and rockets.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041222iraq04.jpg
Maj. John "Doc" Nelson, left, talks with medics in the treatment room at the 133rd Engineer Battalion's aid station on Forward Operating Base Marez on December 22, 2004. At right is Spc. Ronald Cyr of Lewiston.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041225iraq01.jpg
Soldiers from the 133rd Engineer Battalion pay respects to Spc. Thomas Dostie and Sgt. Lynn Poulin during a memorial service at FOB Marez on Friday.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041225iraq06.jpg
Spc. Sean Lawrence of Augusta, a close friend of Spc. Thomas Dostie, is shown during a prayer at Friday's memorial service for the two soldiers killed on Tuesday.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041225iraq07.JPG
Josie Dionne of Hollis, left, and Pfc. Tracey Jipson of Gorham sing a Christmas carol Friday in front of the Tactical Operations Center at Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq. Soldiers of the 133rd Engineer Battalion strolled the camp and caroled following Friday's memorial service.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041225iraq08.jpg
Sgt. 1st Class Scott Rodrigue of Auburn sings "Silent Night" during midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the Olive Garden Chapel at base Marez in Mosul, Iraq.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/041225iraq09.jpg
Seen through a night vision monocular, Maj. Dwayne Drummond, left, and Lt. Col. John Jansen of the Maine Army National Guard's 133rd Engineer Battalion give their soldiers a break by taking a Christmas Eve guard duty shift in a tower on the perimeter of base Marez.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040425iraq05.jpg
Spc. David Berry of Biddeford scans terrain outside a perimeter fence of Camp Marez from a guard tower during a 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. guard duty shift on April 22, 2004. Because a private firm supplies meals to the soldiers, Berry and other cooks of the 133rd Engineer Battalion are adapting to new duties, including guard duty. The sky lit up behind Berry is light from the city of Mosul, brightened and colored green by the nightvision goggles.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/040425iraqmemorial02.jpg
The Honor Guard of the 133rd Engineer Battalion posts the colors at the start of a memorial service for Christopher Gelineau, whose picture is projected on the wall, at Camp Marez on Saturday. Gelineau was killed in an ambush in Mosul on Tuesday.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/040425iraqmemorial03.jpg
Soldiers of the 133rd Engineer Battalion fill a just-completed building, designed for use as a movie theater or function hall, at Camp Marez for Christopher Gelineau's memorial service on Saturday.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/040425iraqmemorial06.jpg
Medals and other items left by soldiers of the 133rd Engineer Battalion surround the boots of Christopher Gelineau at Camp Marez in Mosul on Saturday.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040430iraq01.jpg
Spec. Kameel Farag of Damariscotta, right, translates a story for Sadeeq Eliyah while at Camp Patriot in Mosul on April 17, 2004. Farag is with Bravo Company of the 133rd Engineer Battalion and learned to speak Arabic while attending high school in Egypt. Because of his bilingual abilities, Farag has been pressured by officers in other battalions to leave the 133rd and become a translator.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040505iraq02.jpg
Sgt. Maj. Michael Brown of the Stryker Brigade, left, runs through a quick rehearsal of a ceremony with members of Bravo Company of the 133rd Engineer Battalion at Camp Patriot in Mosul on April 17, 2004. A detachment from Bravo Company built an interrogation room for the Strykers and the ceremony was to honor the completion of that project. Brown, who has been in the military for over 20 years, said that the 133rd is the best engineer battalion he's ever dealt with.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040505iraq03.jpg
Sgt. Eric Schnitzer of Lewiston gives Sgt. Stevie Bond a haircut outside Bond's barrack at Camp Marez on April 18, 2004. Sunday is a day off for most soldiers in the 133rd and a chance to catch up on laundry, work on personal projects and get an impromptu trim. Schnitzer is quick to offer haircuts to soldiers and his price is right - a cup of coffee. Bond served in Beirut, Lebanon with the Marines in 1985.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041229iraq04.jpg
At FOB Marez in Mosul, Iraq, Spec. Shawn Cote of Auburn, left, and Sgt. Pablo Rodriguez of New York work on the edge of a roof of a building that will be used at traffic checkpoints by the Iraqi National Guard. Cote is with the 133rd Engineer Battalion and Rodriguez is with the 204th Engineer Battalion, a detachment from New York serving with the 133rd.

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/041229iraq06.jpg
Master Sgt. Gregory Madore still has his Christmas decorations up - on his sleeve at least. The idea to decorate the pine tree on the 133rd's patch for Christmas occurred to Spc. Gregory Fiory of Standish in March.

RGRBOX

04-16-2005, 01:32 PM

LazerLordz

04-16-2005, 03:08 PM

Good work by the two commanders, they volunteered to do the Xmas Eve duties..Respect.

WolverineBlue

04-16-2005, 03:15 PM

thanks for sharing those pictures

MichaelF

04-16-2005, 11:53 PM

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq06.jpg

Anyone know what that perimeter wall, in the background, is constructed of?

Mike

RGRBOX

04-17-2005, 06:58 AM

lusk

04-17-2005, 07:11 AM

http://news.mainetoday.com/war/slideshows/photos/040601iraq06.jpg

Anyone know what that perimeter wall, in the background, is constructed of?

Mike

I don't remember the name of it., but they are large bags reinforced with mesh wire filled with sand, stacked ontop of concert from here from the looks of the picture..

Hesco Barriers?

Sgt. Kirby Touchette of Otisfield hands out boxes of crayons in Kawnagund. Soldiers who hand out candy and other items are popular with the children.

Why do you do that? Don't you never become annoyed with the kids always nagging about chocolate, dollars, water, camera, pen or whatever?

kayaker

04-17-2005, 07:28 AM

I think kids make a welcome change. Seeing smily, happy faces is infectious. It is more the adults who demand goods. McNAb wrote one such story which goes along the line:
"...and they would return to the fence of the camp demanding their share of our stuff. So out came the hexi tabs smeared with jam on. Thre desired result came about: after a few chews they would spit it out in disgust and not ask for more..."