“Marsh Arabs” of Iraq

The marshlands of Southern Iraq near the border with Iran, known as the Cradle of Civilization, is the nomadic territory of the Marshland Arabs, who rose against Saddam Hussein following Desert Storm. Saddam Hussein retaliated by engineering the largest act of eco-terrorism in history, cutting off the natural water supply to the marsh. In a few months. his acts transformed a lush and green oasis into a barren, arid wasteland, unsuitable for any form of life.This act of vengeance greatly damaged the eco-system, and came close to wiping out the oldest living civilization on the planet, along with its culture. After Saddam’s fall, the dams were broken and the area re-flooded. The marsh has only partially been restored. A drought over the last two years has made recovery in the area slow, and climate change makes a full recovery of the marshlands improbable.

War Games/Iraq Style

Live fire exercise went off despite the threat of a dust storm.

Helicopters dropped off VIPs at site of CALFEX – combat arms live fire exercise.

After eight months of planning the Iraqis conduct a livefire exercise attended by

the Iraq defense minister, dozens of sheiks, and General Oates, head of Iraq’s Southern Division.

FOX8 Profile on Embedded Film Makers

NEW ORLEANS FILMMAKERS IN IRAQ (FOX8 STORY)

This was a story we sent back to FOX8 in New Orleans in the form of scattered and varying video and stills from our embeds, and anchor John Snell and the FOX8 team put together a great piece, which explains why we went to Iraq in the first place.

“MOJO VOODOO/The 244th Air Batallion”

MOJO – 244TH LOUISIANA AIR GUARD HELICOPTER BATTALION

Phin spent a few weeks in Balad, embedded with the Louisiana Air National Guard 244th Air Battalion. Going under the call sign MOJO, this unit performed more flight hours than even active duty units, and were the first line of rescue during Katrina in New Orleans. Their missions in Iraq are varied, but they all have one thing in common; the pride of Louisiana.