Iraq: Soldier’s Soundtrack

Producer/photographer Jake Warga was embedded with the 3rd Infantry Division, US Army, Baghdad, in Dec 2009-Jan 2010. He plugged into the soldiers’ iPods, asked them about their music and lives (stories below), and snapped their photos (click right-thumbnail):

Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad
Photo by Jake Warga, in Baghdad

Select a Soldier’s Story/Song:
Song: “Indestructible” by Disturbed from Indestructible

“You got to show people that soldiers aren’t just war fighters, they’re peace keepers too…”

Song: “Home” by Blake Shelton from Pure BS

“Home is sitting at my mom’s, waiting for her to finish cooking dinner. All the family’s starting to come over; my kids are running around…”

Song: “Send in the Clowns” by Barbara Streisand from The Broadway Album

“They’re not really geared towards a democratic or republic sort of society… the biggest issue will be trying to keep Iran or Syria from moving into the power vacuum when we leave…”

Song: “I Love The Name Jesus” by Douglas Miller from (Sung by Sgt Richardson)

“I think that we’re in spiritual warfare all the time…most religions are the same, they teach about peace…”

Song: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen from A Night At The Opera

“The United States Army can go anywhere at anytime or anyplace…I learned that during the first war. I wouldn’t want to be anybody that had to face the United States…”

Song: “Raindrops” by Stunt (DJ Alex K remix) from Raindrops

“I think the country will survive; they’re a thriving, caring, generous people…”

Song: “Undead” by Hollywood Undead from Swan Song

“I’ll always remember my buddy that got killed, how young he was. I don’t think you get over having a friend get killed for trying to better another country…”

Leaving Iraq: About-Face

Back & front perspectives by Jake Warga. Click soldier’s images for about-face:

Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga
Soldier photo by Jake WargaSoldier photo by Jake Warga

All photo/audio © Jake Warga. See Jake’s “How To Embed” at Transom.

Image Gallery adapted from FrogJS by Eric Puidokas. Iraq CIA map from U of TX.