An Iraqi military barracks Rob had built

video

Here are 2 videos Rob took in this one clip. The first is a helo ride to Taji and going over the Tigris River.
The next video is how the Iraqis test a smoke detector. One man stands on the ladder and holds a thin pole up to it. Then another man stands at the bottom, smokes a cigarette, and blows smoke up the pole. If the detector goes off, they know it works! Good work boys, good work. (Rob saw this when they were inspecting one of the buildings he had built. After he saw it the first time he had to get it on camera. Funny!)




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The Mackey boys take over Kuwait

This is a photo of Matt and I about ten minutes before I left. It was a great time, he looks good and I believe will have a great tour. I miss you bro!!!!!

This is Matt and I in his barrack. I made sure he was geared up.

Two tough guys in a Kuwait Starbucks there on base. I read somewhere that real men drink passion fruit smoothies. Chuck Norris has nothing on these two.

more pics

rob's barracks

Inside the PAX terminal, where you fly in and out, at Camp Liberty where Rob was.

The old waiting area at the PAX terminal.

Of course Rob found an area to golf. Their range rules... love #2.

Rob in Saddam's chair in AL Faw palace.

VIctory over America Palace

This is what's left from the Victory over America Palace. Rob went on one last palace tour right before he left. Saddam started building this palace when the US forces left after Desert Storm. He felt since he was still in power after we left that he won. He wasn't quite finished building this palace when Pres. Bush gave him 48 hrs to surrender. When that didn't happen, we bombed this palace. Again, this is what's left.

Rob's friend, Tom, on the tour with him.

Everything was made from marble.
Arabic writing in the marble

an update....

Rob is officially out of Iraq. Woohoo. He's met up with his brother in Kuwait and enjoying their time on the other side of the world. Rob will be leaving Wednesday afternoon, Middle East time, to make his way home. First, he'll go from Kuwait to Germany. Then from Germany to Virginia to give back all the gear and get everything settled... and then come home Friday around 530!!! Yeah.

the latest...

having fun... except he's covering up the funny part of the sign.

iraqi tank

heading out of camp

Rob met General Petraeus!

Nothing like shaking hands with the man in charge, General Petraeus.

iraq sunset

beautiful!

looking good and coming home soon:)

Inspecting a site

Rob in Ramadi checking on a couple of his sites.

more softball

thanks to the PA officer we have more softball pics...

1st base coach

swing batta, batta

just b/c he's tall doesn't mean you stick our baby in the back:)

pool party

rob went to a pool party for memorial weekend. he didn't swim since he decided that water was probably from the lake where the animals drink and bathe:) but it was a chance to slow down and enjoy new friends.

The Last Day in my 20's!!!

What to do with the last day in my twenties. I took a trip to the IZ to try to chase down a photo Matt had taken three years ago. The photo above is of me at the famous parade grounds in
Baghdad. This is the location that Saadam would have his troops march back and forth. The video of him shooting the rifle is in a press box in the background. There are two crossed sabers on each end of the grounds. It is a safe place.

So the story is three years ago Matt sent me a photo with this same sign on our birthday. I searched ALL of Baghdad and found it on the last day. Happy Birthday Bro, you still rock, this palace was hard to find!!!!!

Ok, Mom you are not allowed to read this one.... Twice when we were up there we took incoming. They have bunkers everywhere. Above is the first time, this time we luckily were about twenty yards from one and scurried over. The second time we were about fifty yards, I have never moved so fast in my life.

This is my buddy Tom and I as were were getting ready to leave, that is actually him smiling. He is a cool dude. Two guys in the back of a Excursion getting ready to roll, what fun.

your happy 30th bday video... this is great:)

This is awesome, typical Mackey style...

Happy 30th birthday Daddy!!! We love you!!!

Happy Birthday Kale!!!!!

Heavy Metal, these boys were parked on base, too cool.

This is the palace of the former Baath Party, it is right across the street from Saddam's big palace.

This is just one of the three photos of Saddam's downtown palaces, the place is huge. Inside is more marble and gold than you can ever imagine, no photos allowed, but hey I had to sneak one.

This is a neat arch near the palaces, I think it is kind of like the Arc De Triumph in Paris but really smaller. Yes I was standing in the middle of the road for this one, but Baghdad is a safe place guys.....promise.

Today is my big girls sixth birthday. I have been out and about again this past week but luckily I could be "back at the house" here is Baghdad for my girls big day. I recently took a trip to the IZ which was formally the Green Zone, now I refer to it as the Impact Zone, every time up there we get excitement. I can now unfortunately tell you what a mortar round sounds like on approach and impact. The pictures above were some I took while we were out. Miss and love you all. Dad

April photos

All in a day's work... and looking good!

Leaving for a trip away from camp.

Some of the guards that keep our boy safe when he's out of camp. Thank goodness for spare tires!

A weather blimp, one of many according to Rob.

Baghdad buckeyes

Contrary to popular belief, buckeyes can make the trip, they don't last long but they do make the trip. Thanks again.

My hooch. inside and out.

Here are some more pictures of Iraq and my recent trip to the International Zone. I just got into my room when they called for incoming. I start taking pictures..... go figure.

Nice Day

Hey guys, tried to load this a few times but who knows. The camera is perfect, it really is orange. I will try to load more later.
Love
Dad

Random pics from Camp

Rob in one of Saddam's palace chairs

A hilltop view

Another hilltop view

A mosque