I got into to work this morning at approximately 8:05am Bagdad time and the first thing I hear out of my Commissioning Managers mouth is, "An American contractor working in a Power Plant(not our plant) here in South Bagdad got kidnapped yesterday". My first impulsive vocal reaction was, "FCUK"!!!!

This response was wholly out of my experience lastnight here in the office alone trying to finish up some personal emails prior to going to my "prison cell".

I was sitting at my desk and about 10:15pm a burst of gun shots rang out on the westside of the power plant. I promptly packed my sh*t, never mind properly closing down websites...so if you seen me on TF, I probably wasn't really on....grabbed my computer case and hauled a** to my room.

The gun play, which is common all around the city, was so close this time, that I thought it was happening here inside of the plant. It could have been a number of things. Could have been the security on our outer perimeter running some people off, could have been a military sweep of known insurgent areas(NEAR US!!!!), or someone being executed.

But when the Manager stated that a contractor had been abducted made me cringe at the thought of it being me.

Everyone understand and knows the reasons for the abductions/kidnappings on the terrorist parts.

However, I questioned the security of that power plant:

1)Where in the hell was the security?????

2)How in the hell did they get into the plant(if so)?

3)Was it an inside job(could have been)?

4)Or did he break security procedures and/or rules and explore outside of the camp or jobsite himself.....We had one co-worker do the same thing. They put his crazy a** on a plane when the sun came up.

5)How is it that no one saw him being abducted?

There is a long list of "questions" that I could ask. But can't ask them now..shoots just fired...Who would you question?

Gotta run

yesus what a story, lets finish this commissioning quick, it's not safe there, i hope they pay u enough. My company still refuses business in Irak.

But we will have some projects in Pakistan where we also need to do the commissioning, nobody wants to go there,are u interested?

Anyway at this moment not 1 of our Thai engineers even want to commission in South of Thailand

Sympathies, Scoop -- I don't think it's worth the money, quite frankly. You're a braver man than I.

Hang tough, man!

God bless you Scoop and the job your doing !

Be careful out there.

Be safe!!!!!!

i feel your pain brother. a lost boy in Najaf

Thanks My Brother in Najaf!!!

Amst, I wish I could dude. I wish I could click my heels like Dorthy and be back in the LOS.

I'm Home Sick

Thanks guys,

CS3602001, if I wasn't highly requested by the sites Commissioning Manager, I would have told them to FCUK OFF and would have been joining in on some more TF events...lol.

Mendez, I really wish it was just a story. Just happen to be a true story. Finishing a job like this, which started Jan-Feb last year, is going to be a huge milestone to make. When working in environments like this, it's difficult to get materials and equipment into a place like this. I am taking my R&R in May and contemplating whether I will return or not. But I really don't want to leave the CM hanging. He is a real good friend of mine. The decisions we sometimes have to make.

Oh yeah, Pakistan would probably be a little better than this place. The commissioning activities are for what type of project?

Dexlowe2004, the money is NOT worth it. I am doing a favor for a friend. I was in Northern Iraq last year and made more money than I am making now. So, money really wasn't the issue on this one. Friendship and the cliche, "favor for a favor" were the reasons. But believe me, before I came, I made sure all the precautions of safety and the environment were questioned. And it's not to bad where we are. We have CP(Close PRotection) everywhere we go. We take a ****, he's there to hand us toilet paper with the AK47 in the other hand. Now that's close. We don't go anywhere without them. And we can only be on the site. Like a prison. Once your in, your in!!!!

We also have Nepalanse, some little bad M.F's, on the inner and outer perimeter of the plant 24hours a day. So this one is not to bad. But the thought of a contractor being caught is what shook me up.

My little Mongolian Babydill, I will be back in May to be your personal guide

Panyan, thanks dude.

Khung Lung, I'm hanging every which way I can. Believe that. If I have to put on a turbine and become a deaf mute, I'll bullshit my way outta here.

P.C. MUCH APPRECIATED DUDE. I have alot of reasons why I am doing what I do.

Namie, thank you very much

Thanks to all that have read this journal.

I have lost five friends here in 13 months, three murdered and two in traffic accidents. the money is not worth it but the job satisfaction is. keep your head low and your spirits high.

Jay, you damn near hurt my feelings....and I ain't even got any....lol. I'll catch you later ball boy....

Liebe, thank you very much sweetheart. I'll be as safe as I can.

Thanks Som Tam. We've probably crossed somewhere. Just can't put my finger on it. YOu stay safe as well. And you are right, the money really isn't worth it.

Thanks

It will D. I been in this situation before. But one can not help but think about the worst. That's just the kind of person that I am. Of course not wanting or anticipating to expect it, but to know that all is possible can kinda take it's toll on ya......especially when it's happened to someone else in the same vicinity.

Big up's D.

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