Bob had only a few moments to write yesterday, but sent this email...
We have been in Eastern Baghdad now for a few days. We are with Major Sean Ryan and the 2ID/2BCT from Ft Carson of Colorado Springs. Our first day there, Major Ryan was our first guest. He shared some background of their time here and the progress they have seen.
Yesterday we went out on a convoy into Eastern Baghdad and spent some time with our troops in two large outposts. Outpost Sullivan holds both American and Iraqi armies together. Outpost JSS holds U.S. Army and Iraqi Police, all working together. We were able to interview some of the soldiers in-between their convoys, and had a number of shoutouts, too (where the soldiers said hello to family and friends).
We tried to get video as we drove through Eastern Baghdad in the convoys but the window in the humvee is just so small. But I think we got some. We will see later, when we go over the videos.
We are now back at FOB Loyalty. Tomorrow we will be interviewing some personnel from the 2/17 out of Ft Carson, who we spent some time with over the past few days. The 2/17 was originally deployed to Ramadi from Korea, then came to Ft Carson after that deployment. Now they are back in Baghdad doing a great job. They seemed glad that we are here to give the troops the opportunity to tell their positive stories to the American people in their own words and to say hello to their families.
We will be driving back into Eastern Baghdad to document more progress stories. Driving through Baghdad is an incredible experience. Business seems to be booming in this large metropolitan city, and we have heard the population could be as much as 6 million people. As we drive through the streets children wave at us, give us the thumbs up. People see me wave at them through the window and wave back. We see many Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police Checkpoints, and the streets are very busy with traffic and people.
Once again,the perseverance of our troops in not-the-best of living circumstances is amazing to me. Meals are brought out to the Outposts from the main base once a day. Fortunately, we could also see many boxes of care packages from back home.
[Bob cut this short, as he had to dash.]
Showing posts with label U.S. Military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Military. Show all posts
August 25, 2007
August 20, 2007
Reconstruction and Redevelopment in Iraq
[Bob's latest report from Iraq follows. The interviews and encounters he describes below will be available online soon after he returns - FbL]
Hello everybody,
We have not had much Internet access time for the past three days, but I have a few minutes on a computer here in Fallujah. Once we leave here, I am not sure how many days before I will be able to get online again (we will be on the move again).
The past three days have been a whirlwind of information. We told the people who approved us coming back for our third trip that we wanted to focus on reconstruction... progress... the positive stories. I can tell you that we are getting far more of those stories to bring back to the American people than we had imagined, and we still have many days left.
We have spent a lot of time with North Dakota National Guard, and other military and civilians who work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Jim and I had no idea the huge role the Corps has had and continues to have in the rebuilding of Iraq:
We have talked with a doctor who is over 60 years old and is doing remarkable work on reconstruction, and civilians with USACE who have been here for over a year, fully engaged in reconstruction. We talked with Iraqis--one of those interviews was audio only and may by now be available for all to listen on this blog. If not it will be soon or available on our our website [I'm waiting for it to be uploaded, but should have it by the end of the day - FbL].
On one day we visited a new Telecommunications Center and Post Office being built in Baghdad a few miles from the International Zone. These two new 7-story buildings are being built side-by-side with a Belgian Company, USACE, and many Iraqis, and will greatly help the people in Baghdad and Iraq.
We also visited a Childrens Hospital. Our footage from the hospital will be incredible to listen to on the Internet, but everyone will also want to watch this on their TV's--either when it comes out on cable on Altitude Sports and Entertainment or when we get the DVD's ready.
We also heard about 80-100 reconstruction projects in Baghdad alone. We are hearing stories about water and sewage treatment plants, new schools, new health clinics, a new fire department and much more.
On the domestic side of the Baghdad International Airport (BIA), we watched as people from many countries flew in and out. The security is much tighter than anywhere we have seen, but they have had no problems. We also went to a new terminal that is about to open after having been completely renovated, another of the many projects we are bringing back reports on.
We did interviews and filmed footage of a huge new convention center being opened up near BIA. The Baghdad Chamber of Commerce, USACE and more are all teaming up on this project.
Recently we left Baghdad and headed for Falluja, where we have heard so many more stories of reconstruction and progress in large areas of Iraq. We have covered the opening of a new Large Police Training Academy and a new Tank Maintenance Facility for our Marines in Camp Fallujah. And we talked with a Lt. Cdr. with the US Navy who shared even more reconstruction stories.
I can say this: anybody who has wondered when the good positive stories will be heard in America well hang on.. they are heading your way. We all have an opportunity--all of us--to bring a whole new perspective on what is happening in Iraq to all of America. You will be as surprised as we have been, as day after day we hear more and more of these stories.
I would type more now, but we have to leave this computer. We will try to get back online in a few days in one of our new locations.
By the way, driving around The city of Baghdad has been an incredible experience. We will be doing a lot more of that.
Keep us in your prayers. And please tell others about this blog. Also thank you again to Soldiers' Angels and Patti Bader for being the main sponsors of this, our third trip to Iraq.
Blessings
Bob Calvert, Host
Talking with Heroes
Hello everybody,
We have not had much Internet access time for the past three days, but I have a few minutes on a computer here in Fallujah. Once we leave here, I am not sure how many days before I will be able to get online again (we will be on the move again).
The past three days have been a whirlwind of information. We told the people who approved us coming back for our third trip that we wanted to focus on reconstruction... progress... the positive stories. I can tell you that we are getting far more of those stories to bring back to the American people than we had imagined, and we still have many days left.
We have spent a lot of time with North Dakota National Guard, and other military and civilians who work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Jim and I had no idea the huge role the Corps has had and continues to have in the rebuilding of Iraq:
We have talked with a doctor who is over 60 years old and is doing remarkable work on reconstruction, and civilians with USACE who have been here for over a year, fully engaged in reconstruction. We talked with Iraqis--one of those interviews was audio only and may by now be available for all to listen on this blog. If not it will be soon or available on our our website [I'm waiting for it to be uploaded, but should have it by the end of the day - FbL].
On one day we visited a new Telecommunications Center and Post Office being built in Baghdad a few miles from the International Zone. These two new 7-story buildings are being built side-by-side with a Belgian Company, USACE, and many Iraqis, and will greatly help the people in Baghdad and Iraq.
We also visited a Childrens Hospital. Our footage from the hospital will be incredible to listen to on the Internet, but everyone will also want to watch this on their TV's--either when it comes out on cable on Altitude Sports and Entertainment or when we get the DVD's ready.
We also heard about 80-100 reconstruction projects in Baghdad alone. We are hearing stories about water and sewage treatment plants, new schools, new health clinics, a new fire department and much more.
On the domestic side of the Baghdad International Airport (BIA), we watched as people from many countries flew in and out. The security is much tighter than anywhere we have seen, but they have had no problems. We also went to a new terminal that is about to open after having been completely renovated, another of the many projects we are bringing back reports on.
We did interviews and filmed footage of a huge new convention center being opened up near BIA. The Baghdad Chamber of Commerce, USACE and more are all teaming up on this project.
Recently we left Baghdad and headed for Falluja, where we have heard so many more stories of reconstruction and progress in large areas of Iraq. We have covered the opening of a new Large Police Training Academy and a new Tank Maintenance Facility for our Marines in Camp Fallujah. And we talked with a Lt. Cdr. with the US Navy who shared even more reconstruction stories.
I can say this: anybody who has wondered when the good positive stories will be heard in America well hang on.. they are heading your way. We all have an opportunity--all of us--to bring a whole new perspective on what is happening in Iraq to all of America. You will be as surprised as we have been, as day after day we hear more and more of these stories.
I would type more now, but we have to leave this computer. We will try to get back online in a few days in one of our new locations.
By the way, driving around The city of Baghdad has been an incredible experience. We will be doing a lot more of that.
Keep us in your prayers. And please tell others about this blog. Also thank you again to Soldiers' Angels and Patti Bader for being the main sponsors of this, our third trip to Iraq.
Blessings
Bob Calvert, Host
Talking with Heroes
August 18, 2007
In Iraq and Ready to Go
Here is Bob's follow-up to the report from Kuwait...
We decided to stay awake all night in the hope that we would be able to catch a C-130 early the next morning--Mission Accomplished on that. We arrived at BIAP around 8 or 9am Iraq time. We were told that we should go to Camp Stryker (at BIAP), and from there start making contacts with the wonderful people at Media Embed, MNF-Baghdad, CPIC (Combined Press Information Center) and other parts of the military who have made this trip possible.
We finally made contact with the Captain at CPIC, where we are to get accredited. We once again decided to stay awake, under the hope that we could catch a BlackHawk helicopter from Camp Liberty (where we were brought from BIAP) to the International Zone. Sure enough, later in the day we were able to get on a helicopter with the soldiers. What an experience to fly over Baghdad in broad daylight! You could see some damage from the bombings, but mostly what we saw was a very large, bustling city.
By the way, the heat today 114 degrees. On the helicopter... well, another reporter here described it as having a hair dryer blowing hot air on your whole body with no way to turn it off. Definitely hot. Hopefully on our next helicopter trip we will be able to take pictures.
We are now at the CPIC. Tomorrow we will be accredited. We are eating and we will get some sleep here shortly.
Next stop tomorrow is to meet Grant Sattler with GRD, North Dakota National Guard, Civil Affairs and Engineering. With them, we will be covering progress in Baghdad (what we should be hearing on all the nightly news).
Think about all of America hearing about these mostly untold stories! We can alter the conversation in America... all of us together. This is not about Bob Calvert or Jim Martin. This is about all of us!!!!
Until later...
Blessings,
Bob Calvert
Host, Talking with Heroes
P.S. Be sure to listen to the incredible stories from some of the top leaders of Soldiers' Angels, as they share stories about supporting our troops and their families this coming Sunday night at 5pm PST. Go to Stardust Radio Network, click on "Talking with Heroes," and enjoy. Thank you to Holly Aho for hosting this talk show.
We decided to stay awake all night in the hope that we would be able to catch a C-130 early the next morning--Mission Accomplished on that. We arrived at BIAP around 8 or 9am Iraq time. We were told that we should go to Camp Stryker (at BIAP), and from there start making contacts with the wonderful people at Media Embed, MNF-Baghdad, CPIC (Combined Press Information Center) and other parts of the military who have made this trip possible.
We finally made contact with the Captain at CPIC, where we are to get accredited. We once again decided to stay awake, under the hope that we could catch a BlackHawk helicopter from Camp Liberty (where we were brought from BIAP) to the International Zone. Sure enough, later in the day we were able to get on a helicopter with the soldiers. What an experience to fly over Baghdad in broad daylight! You could see some damage from the bombings, but mostly what we saw was a very large, bustling city.
By the way, the heat today 114 degrees. On the helicopter... well, another reporter here described it as having a hair dryer blowing hot air on your whole body with no way to turn it off. Definitely hot. Hopefully on our next helicopter trip we will be able to take pictures.
We are now at the CPIC. Tomorrow we will be accredited. We are eating and we will get some sleep here shortly.
Next stop tomorrow is to meet Grant Sattler with GRD, North Dakota National Guard, Civil Affairs and Engineering. With them, we will be covering progress in Baghdad (what we should be hearing on all the nightly news).
Think about all of America hearing about these mostly untold stories! We can alter the conversation in America... all of us together. This is not about Bob Calvert or Jim Martin. This is about all of us!!!!
Until later...
Blessings,
Bob Calvert
Host, Talking with Heroes
P.S. Be sure to listen to the incredible stories from some of the top leaders of Soldiers' Angels, as they share stories about supporting our troops and their families this coming Sunday night at 5pm PST. Go to Stardust Radio Network, click on "Talking with Heroes," and enjoy. Thank you to Holly Aho for hosting this talk show.
August 17, 2007
Talking with Heroes Arrives In Kuwait
FbL: Bob and Jim have arrived in Baghdad and are settled in the Green Zone. Below is his report of the arrival in Kuwait...
We arrived Kuwait in the evening and were told up front that it was about 110 degrees out. Welcome to the world of hot and sand--or as some call it: The Sand Pit. We could see what looked like clouds, but was the fine powder sand. I hope I do not get sick, like the first time when we were in Al Qaim for three days due to the sand storms.
How our troops get through this day by day is amazing to me. Coming here now, our third time, causes me to want to shout from the rooftops to all of America: we need to be out there from one end of American to another, showing--not just talking--showing our support for all our troops and their families back home!
How about all of us together getting the word out?
Once we deplaned in Ali Al Salem Base, we (the only civilians) and the troops were loaded into big buses... bus after bus of troops heading back into Iraq. For some of them this is their 2nd, third our fourth tour. Some are coming back from R&R's.
We waiting in a holding area for a long time... seemed forever--especially when you are trying to stay awake. But not a complaint on the bus at all; everybody is there to do a job... serving our country and the Iraqis and--for those going to Afghanistan--the Afghan people.
What a privilege to mingle with and talk with our military... men and women of all ages, backgrounds, races, religions... Americans standing up once again for what is right.
To me they are all heroes no matter whether they are in combat or not. My daughter who never made it to combat but served well... she is my hero. My son-in-law who finished a one-year tour and is close to his second (15 months this time)... they are all our heroes. Having had the opportunity on the second of our trips here to Iraq to interview Iraqis, I can share that they are amazed at the sacrifice of so many from a country called America so that Iraqis can have the freedoms we all take for granted.
Being at Ali Al Salem in some ways was like coming home. We have been there twice, and knew a little more of what to do next then the first two times. And SGT Kevin Buckly, SSG Phillip Eugene and their team met us after awhile and took good care of us.
Our goal was to leave Kuwait as soon as possible, get to Baghdad International Airport, then to the International Zone to get our Press Credentials. Until we have those we cannot start any interviews.
Again, it is amazing to be here and do what our troops have to do. It makes you really appreciate more and more, over and over again, their sacrifices every day. And oh, the heat! Wow... how they can survive a year or more is incredible.
We arrived Kuwait in the evening and were told up front that it was about 110 degrees out. Welcome to the world of hot and sand--or as some call it: The Sand Pit. We could see what looked like clouds, but was the fine powder sand. I hope I do not get sick, like the first time when we were in Al Qaim for three days due to the sand storms.
How our troops get through this day by day is amazing to me. Coming here now, our third time, causes me to want to shout from the rooftops to all of America: we need to be out there from one end of American to another, showing--not just talking--showing our support for all our troops and their families back home!
How about all of us together getting the word out?
Once we deplaned in Ali Al Salem Base, we (the only civilians) and the troops were loaded into big buses... bus after bus of troops heading back into Iraq. For some of them this is their 2nd, third our fourth tour. Some are coming back from R&R's.
We waiting in a holding area for a long time... seemed forever--especially when you are trying to stay awake. But not a complaint on the bus at all; everybody is there to do a job... serving our country and the Iraqis and--for those going to Afghanistan--the Afghan people.
What a privilege to mingle with and talk with our military... men and women of all ages, backgrounds, races, religions... Americans standing up once again for what is right.
To me they are all heroes no matter whether they are in combat or not. My daughter who never made it to combat but served well... she is my hero. My son-in-law who finished a one-year tour and is close to his second (15 months this time)... they are all our heroes. Having had the opportunity on the second of our trips here to Iraq to interview Iraqis, I can share that they are amazed at the sacrifice of so many from a country called America so that Iraqis can have the freedoms we all take for granted.
Being at Ali Al Salem in some ways was like coming home. We have been there twice, and knew a little more of what to do next then the first two times. And SGT Kevin Buckly, SSG Phillip Eugene and their team met us after awhile and took good care of us.
Our goal was to leave Kuwait as soon as possible, get to Baghdad International Airport, then to the International Zone to get our Press Credentials. Until we have those we cannot start any interviews.
Again, it is amazing to be here and do what our troops have to do. It makes you really appreciate more and more, over and over again, their sacrifices every day. And oh, the heat! Wow... how they can survive a year or more is incredible.
August 15, 2007
Back to Iraq to Talk with Heroes
For those who are hearing about the Talking with Heroes Internet talk show for the very first time I am Bob Calvert, the host. What we do is not about politics. It is all about supporting our men and women in uniform, and their families.
Since Dec. 2005 we have been interviewing our military so that they can share their mostly untold stories of helping the people in the areas of the world in which they serve, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan after the earthquake, Louisana and other states after Katrina, etc.
When we started Talking with Heroes we never expected that it would take us to Iraq itself, but that is what we did in Oct 2006 and then again in Jan 2007.
On the second trip, Jim Martin, CEO of Altitude Sports and Entertainment Cable Company (based in Denver and covering 10 states), accompanied me to Iraq. The audio from all of our talk shows--including those from Iraq with both American military personnel and Iraqis--are all in our "past shows archives" section of the Talkingwithheroes website for you and all Americans to listen to 24 hours a day. And for the past six months Altitude has been airing 30 minute segments from our interviews, convoys, Iraqi school grand-openings and more.
People losing their lives and people being injured is bad. We hear about that on the news all the time. But what we do not hear a lot about--at least on a scale of 50/50--is that there is in fact a lot of progress happening with reconstruction, training and more.
Soon you will be hearing more stories as Jim and I go back to Iraq again. Keep an eye on this Blog as FbL, the veteran Soldiers' Angel and blogger, posts our messages here for you and all Americans to read while we are gone. When we get back, millions will have an opportunity to hear the audio stories we will have collected.
And we will be depending on each and every one of you to help us get the word out.
A special thanks to Patti and Jeff Bader and Soldiers Angels for being the main sponsor of this upcoming trip to Iraq. And thank you to all those who have been supportive of this project, some for short periods of time and others from the very beginnning back in 2005.
To all of our troops be safe... stay alert.
[FbL adds: Bob will be spending most of his trip outside the "Green Zone," joining patrols and meeting with military personnel and Iraqis at/near outposts throughout Iraq. I'm sure he'll have some great stories to share as he travels.]
Since Dec. 2005 we have been interviewing our military so that they can share their mostly untold stories of helping the people in the areas of the world in which they serve, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan after the earthquake, Louisana and other states after Katrina, etc.
When we started Talking with Heroes we never expected that it would take us to Iraq itself, but that is what we did in Oct 2006 and then again in Jan 2007.
On the second trip, Jim Martin, CEO of Altitude Sports and Entertainment Cable Company (based in Denver and covering 10 states), accompanied me to Iraq. The audio from all of our talk shows--including those from Iraq with both American military personnel and Iraqis--are all in our "past shows archives" section of the Talkingwithheroes website for you and all Americans to listen to 24 hours a day. And for the past six months Altitude has been airing 30 minute segments from our interviews, convoys, Iraqi school grand-openings and more.
People losing their lives and people being injured is bad. We hear about that on the news all the time. But what we do not hear a lot about--at least on a scale of 50/50--is that there is in fact a lot of progress happening with reconstruction, training and more.
Soon you will be hearing more stories as Jim and I go back to Iraq again. Keep an eye on this Blog as FbL, the veteran Soldiers' Angel and blogger, posts our messages here for you and all Americans to read while we are gone. When we get back, millions will have an opportunity to hear the audio stories we will have collected.
And we will be depending on each and every one of you to help us get the word out.
A special thanks to Patti and Jeff Bader and Soldiers Angels for being the main sponsor of this upcoming trip to Iraq. And thank you to all those who have been supportive of this project, some for short periods of time and others from the very beginnning back in 2005.
To all of our troops be safe... stay alert.
[FbL adds: Bob will be spending most of his trip outside the "Green Zone," joining patrols and meeting with military personnel and Iraqis at/near outposts throughout Iraq. I'm sure he'll have some great stories to share as he travels.]
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