My Iraqi collection a work in progress.

[greg.hays]

Well as some of you know my second passion, after or almost equal to my IAB's, is Iraqi militaria. The following represents what I was able to aquire over the course of two tours down there. There is more yet to arrive in the last packages I sent home to Germany and stored with equipment still yet to arrive in Germany. So the display will grow in the coming weeks. I hope more take interest in this fascinating and virtually unexplored area of militaria. If anyone would like more info or close ups of anything do let me know as I love this stuff and hope others will too.

First shot is a view of my far wall in the "War room" there is some TR stuff on the right, the Iraqi stuff is in the middle and to the left. The flag is post Sadaam era, it was given to me by an Iraqi KBR security gaurd. It flew at the gate of a FOB (Forward Operating Base) that I worked at briefly.

[greg.hays]

Next is a shot of some patches and branch isignia framed on the wall. At the top is a set of Sadaam era Police Academy patches, next is a set of Sadaam War College patches and collar isignia, then a bunch of Sadaam era military branch insignia and the a couple of AK-47 bayonets complete with sheath and leather unit marked. Love these bayonets.

[greg.hays]

Moving in to the top of the cabinet in the background is an awards presentation case I picked up from a member of the Sadaam era military. The medals that were inside will be shown separate. They are mostly pre Sadaam medals that belonged to his father. Also shown is a nice Kevlar, probably dated sometime betwen Desert Storm and OIF. I found this on a FOB close to the Iranian border. Next to it is an Officers dress cap that I traded one of my DCU Boonie caps for this past year in Balad Iraq.

[greg.hays]

Next is the bottom shelf of the cabinet. Here is the awards that were conrtained in the case, mounted on felt among them are a WWII victory medal, a Flood rescue medal, and a medal for the Crushing of the Kurdish uprising. On stands beneath it are a medal for the war with Palestine, a general service medal, and the "Mother of all battles Medal ( Desert Storm)". Again if anyone wants specifics I'm more then happy. I should mention that all of the mounted medals but two are maker marked to as firm in Sweden, but most seem to have the incorrect ribbon. A definite source of confusion for all Iraqi collecters.

[greg.hays]

Next is the top shelf. These are some of my favorites, the framed patch is a "summer" armor unit patch I received from a former Republican Gaurd soldier in exchange for my unit patch. Then in front and on the sides is some liberated Republican Gaurd silverware from my first tour. And finally a pack of Iraqi cigarettes that cost me a pack of Marlboros in 2003 at Sadaam International Airport.

[Lucky Duck]

Kinda cool, I like the armor patch thats obviously a tradition based on the British tank of WW1.

What's more cool than the militaria is you're the proverbial "vet that brough it back". Even thou the WW2 vet was more fortunate in the quality of his souvenirs but dont look a gift horse in the mouth just thankful youre back ok, bro! good job!

Sincerely,
Ray

[greg.hays]

I'llmove on to a couple of uniforms. First one up I found in some Republican Gaurd Barracks outside of Sadaam Internationl Airport in 2003. That is other then the shoulder rank which I found separately and I have no idea what the rank is. Just threw it on there for a lack of anything else to do with it. The gasmask and carrier, as well as the RPG bag were in the room with it so I put them all together. The gasmask bag is unit marked but who knows what it means?

[GELIS44]

Great looking stuff Greg. I young friend of mine brought back a flag and a helmet and some other stuff I can't remember. Hope your collection grows without having to make any more tours.

[greg.hays]

Last one for tonight is a Fedayeen pilots jumpsuit. I believe that the yellow color of the jump patch identifies this as being an officers jumpsuit but I;mnot sure. A lot more research to do in that particular area. Either way I'm pretty sure two wings means pilot and one means "Aircrew" but either way I love it. It's from Balad Iraq which was of course was the site of the Iraqi Air Force Academy.

[greg.hays]

Ok I lied, one more shot showing a better view of the Fedayeen patch on the left arm. These guys were truely the bad asses of Sadaams military....now if only I could find one of those "Darth Vader" helmets to match it .

[greg.hays]

Thanks Ray and Nate for your kind words.

@ Nate, strangely enough sometimes I think I wouldn't mind one more trip for more stuff........then I remember what the hell am I thinkin' .

@ Ray, funny you would mention the British tradition as it is evident in a lot of Iraqi militaria.

[Matthew S.]

Wonderful! Iraqi militaria is definitely an under-appreciated field of collecting.

[greg.hays]

Thanks Matt, it is underappreciated and right now a bit misunderstood. But there is some great stuff out there. I'll post more as it arrives.

Wonderful! Iraqi militaria is definitely an under-appreciated field of collecting.

[Don D.]

Great display Greg. Glad to see you are home too.

[torstenbel]

Hi Greg, thanks for showing and very interesting items...not seen much of this stuff before...Cheers, Torsten.