Furlong in Iraq

Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2010 by Furlong

By Anthony Furlong

I just returned from the Middle East, where I went on a USO mission to visit troops deployed in "Operation Iraqi Freedom." When I was first told about the trip, I was super-into the idea of going and showing support for the people that fight for our freedoms as well as others' across the globe. Whether you support the war or you don't, you have to respect the people who put their lives on the line everyday over there in the gnarliest heat, sketchiest conditions, and super volatile situations.

I experienced 135 degrees on a daily basis, flew in cargo planes and Black Hawk choppers with full guns ready to go, met colonels, majors, and sergeants, did random demos, signed autographs, hung with the most appreciative soldiers and genuine people, shot guns, rode in tanks, played with bomb detecting/disarming robots, got chased by trained canines, ate lunch with wounded vets who had lost legs/arms/full movement, and ultimately, I was humbled beyond belief.

I just wanted to share, with fellow skaters, my experience through some of my pictures. I hope you enjoy. Maybe next time you see an Army/Marine/National Guard/Navy/Air Force man or woman you'll walk up and say "thank you" for what they do.

One of the certificates I recieved from a Major General in the Army. Pretty proud to receive this and the others I got.

Pic of camels from our view in the sky.

Some of the veterans were passing their new limbs around the c-130 cargo plane for us to sign them. UNREAL.
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These guys were hyped on Rockstar Energy Drink, so I passed some stuff out.
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Shooting the 240...this was my favorite gun.
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Shooting the M-4. This is the gun most of the soldiers carry 24/7.
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My crew and I with some soldiers at the firing range. They let us hold guns to feel tough, ha.
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Talking on the microphone, just thanking all of our soldiers for what they do.
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Noseslide on the make-shift street set-up.
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In a Black Hawk talking to the pilots.
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View out the window of a Black Hawk as another flies along with us. They fly in pairs in case one is shot down. The other can retrieve the fallen.

Another view of the Black Hawk outside our window and desert below.

Shooting the 50 cal. This is the gun on top of the Humvees and some other armored vehicles. They're no joke.
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Pushing 135 degrees.

This building got mortared by some Iraqi/Al Qaeda insurgents the day before I was at the base.

Pyramid contraption made of steel that was welded by the Army overnight on an Iraq military base. Seeing a tank roll in with this hanging from it was insane.