Desert Dogs: The Marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom

 Text by Amy Goodpaster Strebe

Photography by Russ Bryant

 

    As America struggles to “win the peace” in Iraq, Desert Dogs: The Marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom highlights the human side of war, the day-in-the-life of U.S. Marines stationed in that volatile region.

Dramatic, harrowing, and simply unbelievable images of the Marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom, personal letters, and stories of coping with the pain of separation from their families and the horrors of war.

 

    Russ Bryant’s photography chronicles every aspect of the daily lives of these Marines: lazy camels amble by a cargo drop; blinding sandstorms threaten to blow away tents, supplies, and Marines alike; Scud missile attack sirens send Marines scuttling to their bunkers; sniper fire crisscrosses marine convoys moving into Iraq; tanks and bombs topple the portraits of Saddam that seem to loom over every Iraqi village; shelled-out tanks, armored vehicles, and even busses litter the road on the way to Baghdad; medical personnel attend to fallen Marines and prisoners alike; the occasional silent interlude allows time for prayer and remembrance.

 

As America struggles to "win the peace" in Iraq, Desert Dogs: The Marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom highlights the human side of war, the day-in-the-life of U.S. Marines stationed in that volatile region. Dramatic, harrowing, and simply unbelievable images of the marines of Operation Iraqi Freedom, personal letters, and stories of coping with the pain of separation from their families and the horrors of war. Russ Bryants photography chronicles every aspect of the daily lives of these marines: lazy camels amble by a cargo drop; blinding sandstorms threaten to blow away tents, supplies, and marines alike; Scud missile attack sirens send marines scuttling to their bunkers; sniper fire crisscrosses marine convoys moving into Iraq; tanks and bombs topple the portraits of Saddam that seem to loom over every Iraqi village; shelled-out tanks, armored vehicles, and even busses litter the road on the way to Baghdad; medical personnel attend to fallen marines and prisoners alike; the occasional silent interlude allows time for prayer and remembrance.

Amy Goodpaster Strebe

“Marina Raskova and the Soviet Women Aviators of World War II”

 

By Amy Goodpaster Strebe

 

Russian Life

January/February 2003

 

Famed Russian aviatrix Marina Raskova, who founded the Soviet Union’s first female aviation regiments, trains her airwomen for combat during World War II.

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“Airwomen of the Red Star: World War II Soviet Women Combat Pilots”

 

By Amy Goodpaster Strebe

 

Flight Journal

April 2006

 

During World War II, Russian women pilots fought bravely against battle-hardened Luftwaffe pilots and won! Read their true story of courage and sacrifice.

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“Russia by the Bay”

 

By Amy Goodpaster Strebe

 

Russian Life

March/April 2002

 

San Francisco was, historically, one of the first “magnets” for Russian emigration to the United States. So it is fitting that we begin our series on “Russian America” -- a look at the pockets of Russian culture in North America -- with this city, which over 200,000 Russians today call home.

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