Operation Iraqi Freedom

<p><strong>From family in Georgia to leading a convoy in Iraq I faced relentless danger executing missions under fire enduring IED attacks and surviving a severe injury that required evacuation. My journey reflects resilience and commitment in a war zone.</strong></p><p>Leaving behind my loved ones I embarked on a mission that would test my limits and redefine my understanding of courage. As I led the first heavy truck convoy from Kuwait to Baghdad in May 2003 I was thrust into the heart of <em>Operation Iraqi Freedom</em>. The mission was not just about transporting supplies; it was about establishing a foothold in a country on the brink of transformation. Over the next few months I executed suburban missions escorting personnel and equipment five times a week playing a crucial role in the startup of the Organization for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA).</p><p>By July 2003 my responsibilities expanded as I collaborated with the army running multiple missions daily from the Green Zone to Baghdad International Airport. Each journey was fraught with peril as I navigated through a landscape riddled with IEDs ambushes and RPG attacks. The constant threat of indirect fire loomed over us yet we pressed on driven by a sense of duty and purpose.</p><p>The culmination of my service came on September 3 2004 when a devastating IED explosion changed my life forever. Severely wounded I was evacuated through Germany ultimately returning to Georgia with a new perspective on sacrifice and survival. My story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity capturing the essence of what it means to serve in a conflict zone.</p>