The reason they didn't fly the MIGs is because ... [Coalition forces] had complete and total air superiority, and one big Psy Op message we kept sending was [a warning against flying].... [It] worked, they never tried. Another huge Psy Op success, especially with the 3rd ID, was taunting the Fedayeen with the Humvee loud speakers.... Up to this point no Psy Op troops have been killed, a few slightly wounded. One [Psy Op] humvee was destroyed in an ambush by a command detonated mine (crew survived with concussions). One loudspeaker system was shot off the Humvee by an RPG [rocket-propelled grenade], and one man pack speaker system was destroyed by 7.62 mm fire, but as far as I know, that was the extent. The effect on the battle field was huge, and I'm convinced saved lives on both sides. The leaflets took a toll and are scattered everywhere. I'm convinced at some point some colonel is going to hand us trash bags and a stick with a nail in it and say, "Somebody needs to police up all this doggone trash!" I have sent several leaflets that I scooped up home in various letters to you and, trust me, can get lots more. So if anyone wants some, let me know. I didn't mean to talk all this battle trash on Easter, just got off on a tangent.

We are getting ready to move, this time "for good" to _______ . . . [which] is still in pretty good shape, even had a flush toilet. . . . I did use my travel dvd last night, which was awesome. . . . The job they want me to do . . . is Operations NCO for Current Operations . . . that will require me to get out in the field (if only occasionally) to see how the troops are actually carrying out the [mission]. Rumor has it we will live/work in _____, . . . [but] I'll have to tell you when I arrive there, and no doubt it will turn out to be an old warehouse that used to hold spices back in Nebuchadnezzar's day. Supposedly we'll have the same phone and email access, but we'll see. . . . Oh yeah, the mail address may change with this move too, but I'm not sure.

[Regarding the picture Eddie spotted in the NY Times on April 12]: It is me. It is not in Mosul though. Wish I had actually been doing something at the time the photo was taken. Don't remember this particular moment, but do know what day that was. It was not a good day.

I have some digital photos of some EPWs the 5th SF guys captured.... There is one shot of our Col. (soon to be General) Mulholland, who is probably the greatest unsung hero in America's history. He ran the SF/Spec Ops show in both Afghanistan and here, and is in large part responsible for the speed (and low US casualties) of both. He may not look it (ought to be cast as Perry White in a Superman movie), but he is a phenomenal warrior, and I'm in awe to be around him. When he asks me questions (about using Psy Ops), it makes my year.

... The stress levels have dropped tremendously from ten days ago. Has it been that long? Probably not, I have no idea of the days going by. ... Supposedly May 15 will kick off Phase 4 so they need to have the final dispositions in place like yesterday to meet that timeline.

I probably won't be making any purchases other than [cigarettes] for a while. The field PX doesn't stock much more than smokes, soap, and flip flops. When I can use [the ATM card] for cash, I'll withdraw some to start mailing some stuff (booty) home.