In Mosul

We are currently in Mosul. Upon arrival in Iraq, the National Police brigade with whom we were going to be partnered was changed. We linked up with the outgoing team and signed for their equipment, but instead of assuming a partnership with their Iraqi counterparts, we were assigned to a new brigade which has never had a Transition Team before.

We signed for our equipment, did our driver's training, and conducted one combat control in Baghdad, and then headed out to Mosul. It took us two days to get up here--actually, it took us about five hours just to shake loose of Baghdad; I guess that insane heavy traffic is a good indicator.

We got to Mosul, checked in with our US "sponsor" unit, and then met our counterparts. We've been operating non-stop since we got up here. Things have been a little hectic. Our FOB is transitioning numerous units into and out of the AO, so when we arrived we got the "no room at the inn" story. We were allocated a condemned, ramshackle building that has, for all intent and purposes, been abandoned by the coalition. Except for the local latrine I had to bunk in one time in Kenya, it was the worst place I've seen someone try to stick US Soldiers.

The Mungadai did a great job getting the place shaped up (it's still a work in progress, and probably will be until we leave, but at least now it's livable). First, we acquired some mops, buckets and about 47 gallons of pine-sol. That got the first few layers of "ick" off of the floor. Top acquired cots, and a couple of hours later managed to procure some (brand new) mattresses. Of course, the cots are about 2/3 the width of the mattresses, so one has to tie them down to the cot in order to avoid unforcasted midnight ballistic impact with the ground.

Wheels and Maximum Lumber got hold of a carpentry kit. So benches, desks, and shelves were soon in all the rooms. We're working on getting internet, both official for the Command Post and personal for the Mungadai.

Our National Police Brigade, thus far in the operation, is pretty impressive. They are motivated, professional, and aggressive. They were moved up here to Mosul from Baghdad specifically to handle the toughest, meanest streets in Mosul. The Brigade Commander, General H., is determined to see Mosul purged of terrorists and insurgents, and is pushing all of his subordinate battalion commanders hard toward that end. He also provided a warm welcome to the Mungadai, and I think we won the lottery when it comes to partnering with a unit.

We have lots of pictures of our movement from Baghdad and our operations up here to post; unfortunately, we can't do it from the internet cafe. Once we get the internet up and running in our now-livable billets, we'll get them posted.

Also, your Mungadai now has a mailing address and should get it to you in the next couple of days. This is not a permanent mailing address, but should be good for at least the next month. I'll post plenty of warning before this address becomes void, sometime before we move back to Baghdad.