East Point Resident Visits Home of Former Dictator

Sunday, April 20, 2003

Saddam Internation Airport Main Terminal

Knowing that news footage of the War in Iraq has died down a it, I decided it was time to share something with the public on my own. 

I'm not sure how many soldiers who live in East Point are here in Baghdad, but a few of the officers and soldiers assigned to HQ 3RD US ARMY at Fort McPherson, currently known as CFLCC (Coalition Forces Land Component Command), have relocated to one of Saddam's Palaces in Baghdad. 

Myself, I'm a contractor working for CFLCC, a computer support technician making sure that LTG McKiernan, Commander CFLCC, and his staff can communicate effectively on their computers no matter whewre they are.  I just bought a house in East Point, although I've only had the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks in it, mostly renovating to the taste of my wife, Constanze. 

The day after we moved in, we had our first visitor, GEN Tommy Franks and a host of coalition commanders.  The fact that the Coalition Commander came to visit a location in Baghdad says a lot about our progress in securing the city.

Al-Saw Palace

Anyway, just wanted to share some pics with East Point public.  Despite the fact that this is a palace, it's a pretty austere environment.  Most of the windows are broken, and the power and water are no longer working because we sent Saddam a TLAM message on part of the building.  Still, it's pretty impressive, although such a waste for the whim of one person. 

"TLAM Wing"

Security provided by Apache

Hope to be home within the next couple of months.  I will try and update the page occasionally during that time.

Michael Johnson, CFLCC-FWD, Contractor