Sketch for today

I drew this today from a photo I'd taken while out on a patrol through an Afghan town (Garmsir, I believe). The man, who seemed like a very important part of the community, was dressed impeccably in a radiant white dishdasha, and had an entourage with him. When he spoke to the Marine patrol leader, people gathered around to hear.

FOB Architecture

In the wild west, they had wooden forts-- today, in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have the HESCO FOB.
Golf Company 2/8 Marines depart on patrol from PB Hassan Abad, Garmsir District, Afghanistan

In my travels to Iraq and Afghanistan, I have always liked the many creative ways the HESCO barrier can be used, and how Marines make FOBs, PBs, and guard posts out of them. And I have always loved to see and draw ruins also, whether the Alamo, or the Alamo-esque buildings used to form much of FOB Delhi near Garmsir, Afghanistan.

A shot-up archway at FOB Delhi, near where they kept the cold water, and had the improvised chow hall...

Post #3 at FOB Delhi (the cammie netting which hung about it had an organic quality, and reminded me of webs and Spanish Moss):

Post #5 at Delhi (I was drawn to draw the post because of the improvised stairway, and the HESCO stamp on the barriers...)
Here's an old drawing I did of a post in Saqlawiyah, Iraq; interesting because of its ingenious use of stilts and several kinds of barrier, including Jersey walls, HESCOs, and good ol' sandbags.