In and Around Ramadi

"Originally published by the New York Times on May 8th, 2006

Today, I will venture to give you some description of my temporary home in the deserts of western Iraq — the weather, the surrounding area, and the general feel of living in Ramadi, where I have been stationed for the past 9 months.

Geographically speaking, a F.O.B. in Iraq is a mere circle in the sand. Spanning out in all directions are countless cities, villages, rivers and vast expanses of desert. We’re about 60 miles west of Baghdad. Falluja is nearby. If you were to land at BIAP (Baghdad International Airport), you’d pass Falluja on the way to Ramadi. And if you could simply drive as you do back home, it would take about an hour. But with military convoys, vehicle checkpoints, and various other safety measures, the trip takes about four hours. Any trash, rock, dead body (human or animal), piece of a tire, discolored dirt, or even a stray object mere inches in diameter could be hiding an I.E.D. "
Wordsmith at War