and foreboding. The sunrise was filtered through a dust-filled sky.

Our team, and several like it, have arrived in Iran to destabilize the nation and make it easier for pro-western elements to take over the country. Iran is a big country. Destabilization is a big word and a much more difficult task. Iran is already filled with foreign security teams, many European nations have employed them to defend Iran's oil interests from folks like us. Looking at the weapons they carry is just one telltale sign of who they work for. That and simply watching long enough to see who doesn't touch their knees to the ground, shout "Allah ackbar!" and bend over towards Mecca.

French teams, Russian teams, heck - even Chinese mercenarial forces are employed securing the Iranian infrastructure. We've been here two years, but we've been informed some effete, hairspray glazed bozos at ABC got it into their head to try and destabilize us. Just great. Nothing is better than having a naive nation, filled with folks living in a media induced stupor, getting shafted by the entire world and then having these media bozos try and make sure the people say 'thank you' for it.

It just makes our job that much more dangerous. Already mercenarial forces augment Iranian security forces. After the British surrendered to the Iranians, they have been celebrating. Having the British Empire on their knees, begging for mercy, was pure ecstasy for them. We could have freed them had we wanted to, but our mission was more important than a few soggy Brits, wet behind the ears. The Queen's visit to the US was payback for our looking over their kids, and 'being there' if needed. Iran knew they had a limited timeframe to exploit these kids and then they would reap the whirlwind.

Meanwhile 'the big R' has found himself a new job. Less public, less irritating and no press conferences. A liaision position between off the radar US proxies and the Executive Branch.

Summer comes early to the desert and we are equipped with the latest edge - refrigerated armor. A thin freon cell membrane sandwiched between kevlar and ceramic plates absorbs heat and is condensed and heat is disspelled from the back of the armor and the ceramics are cooled to about 60 degrees. Each suit has a pricetag upwards of $50,000US, as acquired, but it could probably only costs the maker a third of that price. However when 125 degrees is made to feel only like 75 degrees, and the chobham style armor is only an additional 15-20 pounds, it gives an edge that is well worth the price. The fact that the suit stops a 7.62 round at point blank is an added bonus. I wish all our troops stationed in Iraq had similar gear.

But time for journalizing is over...we got a mission to do this morning.

Wish us luck!