Gypsy farmers in a field between Mosul and FOB Q-West

A flock of sheep and their herders.

FOB Q-West from the air. The white object in the middle ground is water palletized at the end of the runway.

AH-64 Apache ready-line at FOB Q-West. Oakes' unit's compound is just off to the right of the picture.

Oakes' superiors and Iraqi commanding general with assistant at a dinner at FOB Q-West in September 2005

Tigris river south of Mosul

Sandstorm approaching FOB Q-West

Spent shell-casings at the firing range at FOB Q-West. An M-249 LMG (Light Machine Gun) is in the background

IED damage done to a HUMVEE. The HUMVEE is loaded on a truck head south to FOB Balad

Iraqi guards at the rear gate of FOB Q-West looking south. Notice how flat the terrain is and the lack of distinguishing features.

Oakes at a refueling stop in Iceland on the way to Kuwait, the day after Thanksgiving 2004.

SSG Ortiz posing with the Iraqi Army soldiers guarding the rear gate of FOB Q-West