photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Rob T | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Afghanistan to Iraq tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Afghanistan to Iraq

These photos span my wartime deployments from Afghanistan to Iraq, flying some 104 combat missions.

I got my first real digital (Sony F707) just before I left for Afghanistan. We flew out of Manas, Kyrgyzstan down to Afghanistan over some of the roughest terrain on the planet. As it was, there was a lot of flying but not much “work”, so I took pictures, some 4000 in the air and on the deck.

I got home to be redeployed to Kuwait four months later. Needless to say things were a bit busier there and photo chances rarely came. Rather they were there; I just had more pressing things to do. There were a few times the camera ended up in the back of the cockpit. The Sony F707 proved to be very reliable throughout the beatings and sandstorms. I took a Cannon 10D with me for the second trip to Iraq. It proved to be very reliable inspite of the harsh conditions and treatment. The camera does not like g's however and managed to go to sleep. The lenses I brought were not as versitile as the Sony's in my opinion. That is a matter of my pocket book more than the lenses.

A word: This is not intended to be a political forum. These photos aren't meant to express any sort of "pro-war" views. They are pictures from my office, mostly at 30,000 feet. I took pictures doing my job so my friends and family could see a portion of what I see and do on a daily basis. I also believe in what I did and did it so my kids can have a chance at growing up in a moderately peaceful world within a secure nation. I did it for your kids too. We all did. Email any "America = Satan" comments to me if you really gotta express your opinion. We can talk that way.

Lastly and mostly, enjoy the photos. I annotated some with a bit more info on what was happening at the time. Comments and critiques on style and editing are desired and welcomed. I will post more of the combat photos as well as some new efforts.

Please take a second to use the link on the bottom of each gallery/photo to vote and/or leave a comment.

Over Afghanistan
:: Over Afghanistan ::
Combat over Iraq
:: Combat over Iraq ::
Combat Over Iraq, part II
:: Combat Over Iraq, part II ::