Welcome To The District Six Website

 

Visit to Iraq

Palace Compound

101st Airborne

Iraqi Police

Turning Over Vests

Kurdistan

Kuwait

"The progress and success in establishing peace and stability in the Kurdish area of Iraq is nothing short of amazing"
-Jerry Duncan

"We feel liberated. We're very very happy."
Dana Mohammed, manager of a fast food restaurant in Sulaimaniyah,

 

 Visit To Kurdish Iraq

Certainly one of the highlights of the trip was when we got on a US Army Blackhawk helicopter and went to the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah. There we toured an Iraqi police academy and visited the city of Sulaimaniyah. The helicopter ride itself was exciting as we had to stay between 100 and 300 feet off the ground and much of our trip was in the mountains. At the Academy we got to watch and participated in a graduation ceremony of 160 cadets were invited to a traditional Kurdish meal that was outstanding.

The Kurdish people love Americans and this is the only place in Iraq, not on a US Military base, where you will see a flying American flag.

Our visit to Sulaimaniyah was to be about a four hour visit but due to some weather delays we ended up there for 2 extra days. Fortunately because of the delays we had the chance to tour this thriving area. Sulaimaniyah is about as different from Southern Iraq as you can get. The Kurds are a very proud people who are not Arab. They were terrorized by Saddam but are now thriving in what can only be described as a boomtown. We saw construction everywhere and I mean everywhere. New homes, apartments, universities and even a performing arts center where all under construction. The town was clean, had flower gardens everywhere and was clearly an area that has already achieved what we all hope for the entire country. The people where happy, busy and bustling with prosperity. It was a remarkable place.

Unfortunately, since our national media is interested in only the problems in Iraq, Sulaimaniyah in the Kurdish region of Iraq is the best kept secret.

Click on picture to enlarge

Helicopter Fight to Kurdistan

To get to the northern part of Iraq we flew on this US Army Blackhawk Helicopter. The two hour flight was done at about 100 feet above the ground.

UH-60M Blackhawk Helecopter

The photo shows Fresno Police Officer Brain Burry and myself. We were required to wear our body armor and Helmets on the flight. The body armor was provided to us by Pinnacle Armor of Fresno.

Flight to Kurdistan

Taken through the window of our Blackhawk helicopter on the way to Northern Iraq you can see a farm in the Iraqi countryside. You can also see one of the two machine guns on board and the second helicopter that is part of our flight. In Iraq, helicopters always fly in pairs.

Sulaimaniya Police Academy Graduation

This is the parade grounds of the police academy at Sulaimaniyah in Northern Iraq. This is the only non-military base place in Iraq one will see the American flag. The flag and it's place between the Kurdish and Iraqi flag was done so at the insistence of the Kurdish Provincial Government. It is a show of respect and gratitude for what the Americans have done to free their country.

Police Academy Graduates

This is a photo from the graduation ceremony where we were the guests of honor. 160 Iraqi's graduated from the 10 week course on this day. The graduates are from all parts of Iraq and include Kurds, Sunni's and Shiites. Shortly after this ceremony was over, the graduates were sent back to their home towns to begin work.

Police Cadet Spectators.

As the graduation ceremony began, cadets at the police academy were allowed to watch.

Police Graduates Are Fresno Fans

Fresno Police Officer Brian Burry stands with the graduating class. When the banner from the Fresno Police Officers Association was brought out, the graduates eagerly displayed it cheered for Fresno and Operation Soldier.

Proud Iraqi Police Academy Graduates

The look on their faces says it all. These are the people that hold the future of Iraq in their hands.

Sulaimaniyah Police Academy Grounds

A view of the police academy grounds in Suliamaniyah in the Kurdish region of Iraq.

Goup Photo

Police cadets take a group picture

Police Cadets in Training

One of the ways the cadets learn to work as a team is through marching.

Cadet Lunch Time

All the cadets eat together. They line up, wait for the last cadet to take their place before they all sit down at once. They then get twenty minutes to eat their meal.

Group Photo With Peshmerga Generals

The Peshmerga is the Iraqi Provincial Militia of the Kurdish region. The gentleman in the middle is the head General for the Pashmerga, the gentleman on the right is the commander of the police academy. The others in the picture are Brian Burry, myself and Ron Sawl.

Kurdish Home

This is a photo of a house in Sulaimaniyah in the Kurdish part of Iraq. We saw dozens of beautiful homes just like this one all over the City.

Sulaimaniyah Street Market

This is typical of the many street markets we saw in Sulaimaniyah. The area was alive, vibrant and totally safe.

Sulaimaniyah Food Store

Fresh fruit and vegetables were plentiful.

Sulaimaniyah Markets

Another view of the market in Sulaimaniyah

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Iraqi Friend

This man came up to me, thanked me for what America had done to free his people and insisted I take a picture with him.

Huge market Area

This is a small part of a major market complex in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq. At this sprawling market you could find just about everything. We saw women dressed in everything from burkhas to punk rockers.

Kurdish Man

This Kurdish man just stood by us for several minutes. I asked him if I could take his picture and he immediately agreed. The Kurdish people suffered unimaginable horrors under Saddam Hussein. For perhaps the first time in his life, he is enjoying freedom.

Kurdish Vacation Area

This part of Sulaimaniyah is popular with honeymooners and vacationers. Guests will rent one of these houses for their get-away.

Two police Officers

Photo of two Kurdish Iraqi police officers in Sulaimaniyah.

Sulaimaniyah River Walk

A river goes through town and has been developed with walkways and restaurants.

Another View of Sulaimaniyah River Walk

There is also a large spring under this bridge that is a source for water along the Sulaimaniyah river walk area.

River Walk Restaurant

Colonel Curtis Holden and Ron Sawl stand in front of a colorful Iraqi restaurant located in Sulaimaniyah in the Kurdish part of Iraq.

Sulaimaniyah Waterfront Restaurant

A restaurant located on a lake at the Sulaimaniyah river walk.

Seabees In Iraq

This photo is me with a group of US Navy Seabees. When we were delayed by the weather, a group of US Navy Seabees, who are helping run an Iraqi prison called Fort Suse near Sulaimaniyah, came to visit for a few hours and we smoked cigars and had dinner with them.

 

Not paid for at taxpayer expense