Not all that much to really report as going on here. Things overall have continued to calm down here in terms of casualties - haven't had one of those angel flights in quite a few days actually. As you may have seen in the news, we do continue to get the daily reminders from Sadr City that there is still a war going on in the form of reminder rockets and mortars.
Luckily they remain more of a nuisance without any casualties, just the occasion to get our heartrates up and run into the bunkers or into the closest building.
We did have a nice sandstorm for a few days. Really more of a duststorm in all honesty. Cut .JPG)
visibility quite a bit and at times so much you could barely see 20 feet in front of you. Kind of like thick fog back home, except you could feel the sand get sucked in as you breathed and taste it whenever you opened your mouth. Lots of people with breathing complaints as you might imagine.
I did have the opportunity to celbrate Passover relatively close to where the actual event took place 3000 years ago - being in the middle east and all. There was actually a seder held right here in the International Zone that drew a fair number of people from the local area and from some of 
the other surrounding FOBs. About half the people were US military, the rest a mix of State Department, Australian military, and even a few Iraqi Jews. I hadn't realized there were any left in 
this country. Got to go with a bunch of people from the hospital - some fellow tribe members, others who were just along for the experience. Overall it was a lot of fun - and definately a change from the usual around here.
the other surrounding FOBs. About half the people were US military, the rest a mix of State Department, Australian military, and even a few Iraqi Jews. I hadn't realized there were any left in 
this country. Got to go with a bunch of people from the hospital - some fellow tribe members, others who were just along for the experience. Overall it was a lot of fun - and definately a change from the usual around here.We did have an interesting day a few days ago when we were given the opportunity to explore one of Saddam's palace's - actually the Republican Guard's palace and the bunker complex beneath it that was supposed to serve as a nerve center for the government if there was an 
attack. Apparently the government fled the city, though, prior to the actual invasion of Baghdad by the US troops. The doors were 'unlocked' by the first forces in the city to find an abandoned complex including everything from kitchens to dorms to media and lecture rooms. Supposedly 
meant to withstand a nuclear blast - a bunch of American doctors were able to 'conquer' it without oo much problem. It was built in the late 1990's and finished in 2000 (so much for the embargo) by a German company - can't recall which one it was. Anyway - it was definately an interesting trip. The palace itself (sitting on top of the bunker to disguise it) was hit pretty hard during the bombing campaing prior to the invasion and offered an up close view of some of the destruction that follows when one of those things hit.
attack. Apparently the government fled the city, though, prior to the actual invasion of Baghdad by the US troops. The doors were 'unlocked' by the first forces in the city to find an abandoned complex including everything from kitchens to dorms to media and lecture rooms. Supposedly 
meant to withstand a nuclear blast - a bunch of American doctors were able to 'conquer' it without oo much problem. It was built in the late 1990's and finished in 2000 (so much for the embargo) by a German company - can't recall which one it was. Anyway - it was definately an interesting trip. The palace itself (sitting on top of the bunker to disguise it) was hit pretty hard during the bombing campaing prior to the invasion and offered an up close view of some of the destruction that follows when one of those things hit.
Part of the day was actually a farewell to a good friend who is rotating back home to Walter Reed. Although we affectionately called him 'Melon Head', we will definately miss Pat Hickey as he heads home to his wife and kids. As a 
pediatric infectious disease doc - he only had a 6 month deployment, but we try not to hold that against him.
pediatric infectious disease doc - he only had a 6 month deployment, but we try not to hold that against him.That's it for now. Hope you are all well.
--
Jason Cohen, DO
CPT, MC
Emergency Physician
United States Army
86th Combat Support Hospital
Task Force Baghdad
Ibn Sina Hospital
APO AE 09348
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