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Mission completed, the Dust Devil 35 flies back to base in Balad.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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The Dust Devil 35 in flight over Baghdad.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Refueling is a frequent necessity during missions.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Cattle and goats eat garbage in Baghdad.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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The Iraq countryside.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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The mysterious package is delivered to Camp Liberty.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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The ever-present "gravel" at the LZ in Baghdad. Soldiers jokingly complain about the havoc the gravel at the bases wreaks on their ankles.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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One of Saddam Hussein's palaces in Baghdad, now known as Camp Liberty.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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The crew arrives in Baghdad.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
(10 of 23)
Two soldiers carrying gas masks and wearing gloves pick up a mysterious package at the LZ in Sadr City -- the purpose of the day's mission.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
(11 of 23)
An Iraq police station in the heart of Sadr City.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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A view of Sadr City from the Blackhawk helicopter.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Capt. Ourada in flight.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Capt. Ourada's good luck charm, "Little Princess," rides shotgun.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Reporter John Camp takes his place in the helicopter.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Spc. Grabrick, door gunner, ready for the day's mission.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Capt. Andrea Ourada, Lucan, Minn., reviews maps in the cockpit prior to takeoff.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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The Dust Devil 36 crew makes its final preparations before takeoff.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Sgt. Vue checks his gun prior to departure.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Spc. Joe Grabrick, Isanti, Minn., checks the ammunition for his door gun before departing on the day's mission.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Maj. Manke washes the cockpit windows before takeoff.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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Maj. Shawn Manke, Andover, briefs the battalion on their mission.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
(23 of 23)
The day starts early and Sgt. Bloung Vue of Columbia Heights gets some rest before the battalion's mission briefing begins.
MinnPost photo by Eric Bowen.
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