In 2003 the United States began the largest combat mobilization of the Army National Guard and Army Reserve since the Second World War to fight in Iraq.



This book is a photo essay that tells the story of a few typical days in the life of some of those National Guard soldiers.



The 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion deployed to Iraq in September 2007 for a one year tour of duty. In that time they transported troops and material to all corners of Iraq.



They flew routine milk runs, shuttled generals and politicians to meetings. They also conducted air assault operations inserting elite 82nd Airborne soldiers on combat raids to capture and kill insurgents. Sometimes all in the same day...



They flew missions at night and through sandstorms, and came under fire numerous time but never lost a soldier or an aircraft.





Authors Note: John Camp's story is included with permission, but the book was created without his direct participation, and as such all errors and omissions are mine alone.



-Eric Bowen