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Counter These photos span my wartime deployments from Afghanistan to Iraq, flying 74 combat missions. I got my first real digital (Sony F707) just before I left for Afghanistan. We flew out of Manas, Kyrgyzstan down to Afghanistan over some of the roughest terrain on the planet. As it was, there was a lot of flying but not much work, so I took pictures, some 4000 in the air and on the deck. I got home to be redeployed to Kuwait four months later. Needless to say things were a bit busier there and photo chances rarely came. There were a few times the camera ended up in the back of the cockpit. The Sony F707 proved to be very reliable throughout the beatings and sandstorms. These photos aren't meant to express any sort of "pro-war" views. They are pictures from my office, mostly at 30,000 feet. I took pictures doing my job so my friends and family could see a portion of what I see and do on a daily basis. I also believe in what I did and did it so my kids can have a chance at growing up in a moderately peaceful world within a secure nation. Email any "America = Satan" comments to me if you really gotta express your opinion. I annotated some with a bit more info on what was happening at the time. Comments and critiques on style and editing are desired and welcomed. I will post more of the combat photos as well as some new efforts. Please take a second to use the link on the bottom of each gallery/photo to vote and/or leave a comment.
com) Date: 18-Jul-2004 05:18 Rob, your photos are amazing! Lori From: Bill Date: 18-Jul-2004 04:51 Fabulous photos! My favorite has to be the lighting during your refuling over Iraq. It's a good deed you and your fellow Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen are doing over there. Don't let the headlines fool you -- the people of America believe in you and your mission, and we're forever in your debt! From: Tammy Date: 18-Jul-2004 04:25 Your pictures are outstanding.
klopus Date: 27-Jun-2004 23:03 Another Israeli chimes in :) Excellent and vivid photos. But most of all thanks from the bottom of my heart for the job you're doing!
misty Date: 22-Jun-2004 01:17 Hi Rob, I would just like to say thank you and all the airmen the provide support to the guys on the ground (my husband is an infanry man) I know some of them. I love the photos, we don't get too many that aren't from the press, and these are refreshing.
Tony K Date: 10-Jun-2004 19:41 Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing the pictures. As a former shoe who served on a Cruiser and had a chance once to watch carrier landings aboard USS America during Gulf I - I have the utmost respect for what you do - even when you dump fuel on us tin can drivers....
com) Date: 07-Jun-2004 17:59 As a photographer: you have a great talent and proving it those higher ground is very impressive! As an 18 israeli who is about to join the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) in just a month: Thank you for your good work in Iraq and Afghanistan!
I admire people like you both as a photographer and as a first sergeant in the special ECM unit of the Israeli Air Force. God bless america and american troops wherever they are.
Keep the pictures coming, and if possible, a little higher resolution would be even nicer =) From: Joe Kosh Date: 24-May-2004 12:04 Great picures. Thank you and your borthers for making life in Israel a little more safe.
Sony Talk Forum Date: 05-May-2004 15:39 Thank you and God bless you! As a veteran myself, I know and appreciate the value of your efforts and I wanted to thank you for sharing this images. I feel that you have done so in a very respectful way and I commend you for doing so. As for your service, please remeber that when you are tired and dreaming of home, there are many, I mean millions of us Americans here at home who are truly grateful for it!
William Roberts Date: 13-Apr-2004 23:34 First of all thank you for your service to this great country, and for taking the time to post your pictures. I would also like to say that the people that come on here to post their negative feelings should realize if it wasn't for people like you and the other wonderful men and women that have served to protect us, we probably wouldn't have the freedom to complain, or we might be complaining in german or russian. Thanks again, and hope you have a wonderful and blessed life.
com) Date: 05-Apr-2004 13:56 Fantastic pictures and it is most heartwarming to read the responses. I did find the response from "nakedghost" on 4-5-04 to be puzzeling. He claims to be confused by the U S and Collition presemce in Iraq. Sadam did gas his own people and amimals as shown on film. The United Nations did ignore 17 or so mandates for answers from Sadam. Nakedghost has on line access and apparently does not use it to find the News concering Collition prescence. The message could be a hoax or just opposition to President Bush. After rereading his posting, I think the it appears inconsistant with usage of what appears to be broken English. After years of living the good life as Sadam's recruits or those who were deprived of their perks from Sadam after his removal from power one could expect upheval as a response to the Collition.
net) Date: 03-Apr-2004 08:09 This brings back memories of my years flying on the RC-135. Most people will never know how it feels to be doing something that makes a difference like this. I did in Desert Storm/Desert Shield and for years before that. For those who wish to detract from what we have accomplished remember this: The person who will not stand up and defend himself must either depend on better people to defend him or else learn to love his chains.
com) Date: 30-Mar-2004 21:09 Rob: I am both a private pilot (single engine, instrument airplane) and an amateur photographer; I particularly enjoy mountain mists, and morning tanking. I complement you on your work and I thank you for your service. If you get a chance, email me back, I'd be curious to see if you crossed paths with him. Take Care, and thanks again for both the pics and the service.
Jeremy Tepper Date: 27-Mar-2004 10:50 Sir, As a Marine myself, I first off want to say thanks so much for doing what you do. It takes a man of courage, heart, and love for our country to risk his life everyday to protect the United States, and you are the owner of these qualities. I hope for nothing but continued success for you and your Marines.
com) Date: 28-Feb-2004 08:46 I have been supporting the 1st Armor Division in Baghdad since Apr 2003. Im currenly trying to contact other photographers that would like to be a part of this project. I would like to thank Rob for sharing these wonderful shot with the world and invite him to become a part of my project. The ultimate goal is to produce a photo book of the best photos collected. I hope that we may be able to tell the true story of the soldiers and Iraqi lives that have been impacted by Operation Iraqi Freedom. com From: Gary Date: 27-Feb-2004 07:10 Than you for what you have done for our country.
LightWeavers Date: 22-Jan-2004 19:51 After viewing both of your galleries I must say that you sure captured a unique view of that part of our world, you showed some beauty when right now the news is filled with the horrors. I commend you and others like you who have chosen to serve our great country. I was once told that the price of freedom is never free. I want to thank you for serving our country and I want to thank your family for letting you risk your life for us and our nation.
net) Date: 11-Jan-2004 05:52 Rare in the course of human endeavors is it at all evedent the leignths men must go for freedom, the horror and the beauty the tension and the boredom. Once in a great while the modern warriors seek to capture and remember and share the time in there life when they served this great nation in maintaining the freedoms we all share. Nothing we will ever do will be for a greater cause and rare will there be anything else worth dying for. I salute you for taking the time to share the photos that reminds us of the glory and honor and beauty that comes from being awair of the Hand of God all around us. Settle in old warriors and know that peace and freedom will be pre...
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