Here are some pictures of what I did in 2004 when I was in Iraq (March - October.) I was augmenting a reserve infantry battalion, 3rd Bn, 24th Marines (abbreviated 3/24. Note that in Marine-land 3/24 sounds like "three - twenty-four" vice "third of the twenty fourth" as in Army lingo.) I ended up as an infantry platoon commander of 30 mortar and Javelin Marines who were serving as provisional infantry vice their official job. I guess that was fitting because I was a former reserve chemical warfare defense specialist (5711) who had been originally commissioned an artillery officer (0802) who had spent the 6 month prior to the deployment becoming a communications officer (0602). Odd, I know, but that's life as a Marine Officer (I guess that's why one of the unofficial mottoes of the MC is Semper Gumby [always flexible]!)
So anyway, here are some pictures from when I was there in 2004. I doubt there will be anything as interesting to take pictures of this time, but only time will tell.
On two different occasions, my platoon provided security while CB's dug up dead Kuwaitis. These were Kuwaitis that Saddam grabbed when they pulled out in 1991. When we stopped ourselves and there was no need for human shields, he killed them, a few at a time, in pits around Iraq. We dealt with two of mass graves that held about 50 people in each.
This is from one of our first big weapons caches we found.
Here are some photos of me throughout Iraq.
Here is the link to this album and others I have posted.
When I saw the first pic. I thought right away, MAN THAT'S A HELLOFA FOXHOLE!!
aLL GOOD PICS. lIKED THE ONE OF THE DUDE SITTING AND HOLDING HIS WEAPON. Who could that be!! Rocky
Roque J.(Rocky) Riojas
Wow, who's that handsome dude? Oh, it's our very own Captain! Well shiver me timbers! 
Thanks so much for sending me all you have lately. I am only beginning to play catch-up. I just returned from a five-day trip and am trying to get back up to speed with email, web uploads, reading all the new posts, etc.
Sure am glad you are posting this for everyone. The finds are extraordinary, and disturbing. The photos are superb, as I have come to expect from you.
Well, more later, but wanted to make at least SOME comment. Have to get back to speed with so much this morning, including all my local sites. Seems there were a few deaths while I was away, and I have to post the funeral arrangements etc., on our local website. Ah, back to work. Where do I begin???
Thanks Todd. Nop-notch! 
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
When I saw the first pic. I thought right away, MAN THAT'S A HELLOFA FOXHOLE!!
Certainly not an OSHA approved fighting position!
The photos are superb, as I have come to expect from you.
As a photo major, I should hopefully be able to squeeze of a good pic now and again! I'll have to post some of my more "artsy" pictures. (That's opposed to my arty pictures, of which I have a lot, too!)
I will admit to not having taken this picture, I certainly didn't have this good of a camera or the time to take pictures as this was taken. It was taken at Fort Bragg in October of 2002 (on actual film!!) by one of the combat correspondents for the base paper. He took several that are really well done; he had a good eye and a great camera!
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
Certainly not an OSHA approved fighting position!
As a photo major, I should hopefully be able to squeeze of a good pic now and again! I'll have to post some of my more "artsy" pictures. (That's opposed to my arty pictures, of which I have a lot, too!)
I will admit to not having taken this picture, I certainly didn't have this good of a camera or the time to take pictures as this was taken. It was taken at Fort Bragg in October of 2002 (on actual film!!) by one of the combat correspondents for the base paper. He took several that are really well done; he had a good eye and a great camera!
That, Field Piece, is it bigger than a 155,? First time ever I see a projectile leaving, just heard them in comming. Rocky
Roque J.(Rocky) Riojas
Todd,
Thank you for sharing photos with us.
I liked watching them. my favorites is that of you!!
WOW WOW , What a very very handsome Marine . 
I liked the 3rd I will make a poster !! 
Vee 
Under every white cross of American Cemetery of Colleville (Normandy), sleeps a piece of Freedom
Capt0; Just brought up pics of the M198- one had a short barrel the other a long one. Question; Same piece but
the barrel canbe extended for farther range or just two different ones. just curious. Roque
Roque J.(Rocky) Riojas
I assume you are talking about this picture?
The reason this one may look as though it has a shorter barrel is because at that moment it was recoiling from the shot. There are couple of nitrogen cylinders (equilibrators) that put it back into the original position (put it "back into battery" in arty lingo.) Judging by the elevation of the tube and the distance it is going back, they are maxing out the range on the gun (22,400 meters [13.92 miles] for normal projectiles, 30,000 meters [18.64 miles] for rocket assisted projectiles.)
Here is a picture showing where the tube was normally. Note there is a protective cover over the end of the gun were the breech and firing mech are.
What mainly dictates the range is the type of projectile (due to weight and shape), charge (amount of propellant), and the elevation of the tube. There are several other factors but those are the biggies. If you are really interested, I can tell you how the rotation of the earth can affect arty projectiles in flight (really). Back to the picture, the more propellant you use the further the gun will recoil. I've seen occasions when guns had to dig pits below their guns because they were firing max charge at max elevation. Without the pit, the recoiling gun tube, going at a steep angle straight down, could be damaged if it hits the ground.
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
I assume you are talking about this picture?
The reason this one may look as though it has a shorter barrel is because at that moment it was recoiling from the shot. There are couple of nitrogen cylinders (equilibrators) that put it back into the original position (put it "back into battery" in arty lingo.) Judging by the elevation of the tube and the distance it is going back, they are maxing out the range on the gun (22,400 meters [13.92 miles] for normal projectiles, 30,000 meters [18.64 miles] for rocket assisted projectiles.)
Here is a picture showing where the tube was normally. Note there is a protective cover over the end of the gun were the breech and firing mech are.
What mainly dictates the range is the type of projectile (due to weight and shape), charge (amount of propellant), and the elevation of the tube. There are several other factors but those are the biggies. If you are really interested, I can tell you how the rotation of the earth can affect arty projectiles in flight (really). Back to the picture, the more propellant you use the further the gun will recoil. I've seen occasions when guns had to dig pits below their guns because they were firing max charge at max elevation. Without the pit, the recoiling gun tube, going at a steep angle straight down, could be damaged if it hits the ground.
ROGER ON THE --RECOIL-- FORGOT ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU SIR, ROQUE--------HIT THE DECK!!! INCOMMING!! ROQUE
Roque J.(Rocky) Riojas
WOW! great photos CaptO!! I've always thought that the noise of war must be beyond any civilian ability to comprehend. Those M198 howitzers must get into your head after awhile.
Love the pic with you wearing shades :armata_PDT_25: :glasses: :glasses2: ! More proof that we not only have the very BEST military in the world - we also have the HANDSOMEST! 
mary ann
I've always thought that the noise of war must be beyond any civilian ability to comprehend. Those M198 howitzers must get into your head after awhile.
There are actually 50 foot lanyards that are for the larger charges (i.e. bigger propellants) vice the standard 3-4 foot ones. There are regulations that state how many of those larger charges you can take per day at least in peace time. The Concussion messes you up after too many of those a day.
Love the pic with you wearing shades :armata_PDT_25: :glasses: :glasses2: ! More proof that we not only have the very BEST military in the world - we also have the HANDSOMEST!
For the second time today, I'm blushing! Here is my wife's favorite from when I was gone:
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
Love the pic with you wearing shades armata_PDT_25.gif glasses2.gif glasses9.gif ! More proof that we not only have the very BEST military in the world - we also have the HANDSOMEST!
I'll second that!!!
I can see why your wife loves the one above. It is too cute. Just look at those kids. That one's worth a million bucks. 
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Well, I got some good news the other day. I will only be in Iraq for only about 6 months vice 13. I feel like a slacker, but when it comes down to it, HQ Marine Corps calls the shots, and in this case - they want me to move summer of 09. It turns out that I have two things going on in my case that makes it so I have to move: I've been at Camp Lejeune since December of 03 (in 5 different units), and I have been in the operating forces (vice supporting like recruiting or HQMC in Quantico) for 9 1/2 years. Normally officers would have normally had 1 or 2 non-fleet Marine Force tours by where I am in my carrer. So anyway, the command here tried to stabilize me for the deployment so I would go for the whole time, but that failed.
Where I'll be going next summer, I'm not sure, but I will have to move as soon as I get back. Hopefully that won't add too much stress to the re-connection process. That's usually more stressful than one would think.
Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
Just keep your head down..kiddo.
A Moose no longer alone in the Wolverine State.
