It seems like a lot of the media focus is on Afghanistan now.  However, this upcoming election in Iraq is truly a historic time.  It will be our real transition to stability operations there with Iraqis in the lead.  I follow Tom Ricks blog over at foreignpolicy.com - he really thinks that Iraq is unraveling and will erupt sometime soon.  He is a very smart and knowledgeable guy so let's hope he is wrong.

In an unclassified portion of a meeting, I came across a crazy figure about Iraq.  We will be moving over 1 million pieces of equipment out of Iraq by 1 SEP.  It sounds like a crazy number but it was clarified by a smart General that I have worked with before.  Much of that large number will be on the soldier's person.  In other words, it is weapons, ruck sacks, body armor, sleeping bags, etc/  Still, a huge number.

On another note, it made my day today and maybe the highlight of my deployment so far to be in a direct email chain that goes back to Gen Petraeus.  It was a benign email about logistics, etc.  But, still it shows the level of people and officers that I am working with - the highest.  The meeting I just came from had 3 Generals in it and I was one of only maybe 4 other people in the room.  Just hard to explain how unique that is for someone at my rank.

Lights glow during an evening view of the Gates of Babylon restaurant aboard Camp Slayer, Iraq, Feb. 25, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Anita VanderMolen.