"Day in the Life" of a typical 2004 Kiowa Warrior pilot from Samarra, Iraq, 2004

[@SonarTravels]

I’m guessing there’s a reason this popped up in my feed so close to Memorial day 2024. Not sure if you knew him or not but my roommate in the Marine Corps at Las Pulgas 11th Marines was Lance Corporal Matthew Lourey. This was back in 1984-1985. Matt then went on float and then got out of the Marine Corps, learned to fly and then joined the army and became a 58 Kiowa pilot. I still have pictures of the flight suit and helmet He bought out in Oceanside and we dressed up as aviators in our room. so anyway, he was an awesome guy who served a long time in the army and was shot down May 26th, 2005, and died the next day May 27, 2005. He was 82nd. We used to hang out and a funny story. We all went out one night, went out the next night and there were three marriages from a dance club in San Bernardino called the pink elephant. One of those marriages is still around but Matt and I did not last with ours. Matt did get married again to an army officer and CWO 4 Matthew Lourey from Minnesota is now buried at Arlington. I have a lot of pictures of us and some fun memories. And because of two kids fooling around in the Marine Corps barracks, I also ended up getting my private pilot certificate. PP-ASEL. I drink and raise a glass to him every year. So I don’t know you, but thank you for showing what it was like over there. This really touched home for me. So thank you and welcome home. Oh and Hi Matt. Miss ya man.

[@paulprigge1209]

Thank you

[@emerkamp1]

Dang, thanks for the backstory. Got to admit, kinda wish I hadn't though. Much respect to Matt and yourself

[@jaybeez99]

Good job dude, some day these types of videos will be used for reference to help historians and even film makers. Some day the Kiowa and their operators will get their due!!

[@Ryan-ny6lt]

Awesome footage man! Brought back a lot of memories, I was a 58 crew chief with 82nd CAB OIF 05-06. Mosul and Tal Afar.

[@d_pete361]

I was there with ya, I was a crew chief for A trip 2/17 from 05 to 06. Fob McKenzie, lsa anaconda and fob warrior.

[@LightsOut08]

​@DP-fk3es i was in A troop during that deployment

[@jpope-ster1274]

“Skylights courtesy of the US Air Force!” That’s hilarious. Great video

[@Soulessdeeds]

Hey I served in Anvil Troop Anvil Maintenance. I was SGT Allen one of the Bradley mechanics. Thanks for posting this. We were lucky to have you Kiowa guys with us during the deployment. Edit: @5:30 we lost one of the civilian contractors Mr Mike Copeland. He was a Bradley FSR and one hell of guy. A rocket attack hit him in the Maintenance chiefs office. He died on the medivac out as we learned. Piece of shrapnel passed between the hesco barrier and the hanger wall and through chiefs office. I think a soldier another time took shrapnel from a rocket attack another day if memory serves. But was only wounded. I think you guys were WAY on the other side of the FOB because our side took allot of rocket attacks. Usually how we knew it was getting dinner chow time. The Insurgents were like clock work. Also if you guys ever heard music in the distance. It was my guys working LATE into the night fixing Brads lol. I had a car stereo in my M113 and home speakers wired up in it. My guys blasted music through the maintenance hanger.

[@Barundus]

I remember those rocket attacks, and hearing about Copeland's death. Shook us all up. Thanks for reaching out, and thanks for your service. _Forward!_

[@paulprigge1209]

Thank you from the weekend warrior in the 80s. Between Nam and Gulf war one. I don’t regret missing any of this. God bless

[@anaxis]

My first deployment was at Anaconda from Jan 04 thru Mar 05, we ran convoy & route security with our craptastic guntrucks up Tampa to Tikrit regularly. Many times you guys were flying over us, especially around the Samarra bypass & around Balad. Also a pair of OH-58s smoked some hajis at night who trying to breach the wire near our hooches, which was an awesome fireworks show on my birthday. I always saluted whenever I felt like y'all were watching. Good times. I just wish I had taken more pictures, and not lost most of the ones I had.

[@johnandrobinmccoy8305]

This brought back many memories. I was a UH-60 crew chief out of FOB Speicher, to your north. I went through FOB McKenzie several times a week, so it was nice to see it all again, I spent plenty of time at your FARP too! I was OIF 3, I arrived in December 2004, so we were the guys who relieved the 1st ID, I was the 42nd ID. We did have some involvement with the KW guys, as far as I'm concerned, you guys are pure bad ass. We always said if the -58 guys weren't involved in some kind of action, they would make some. If memory serves, the guys who relived you were the 82nd OH-58 guys, and were attached to our Aviation BDE at Speicher. Great video, damn if those weren't the days!

[@AryehH]

One of the first vloggers!

[@Delatta1961]

I’ll never understand the logic of requiring all uniform sleeves down during Cat IV conditions. Great presentation. Thanks for sharing. Gerry Owen!

[@ditty96]

I was at FOB Mackenzie in 2006. What a flashback! And also things didn't improve on the FOB in the 2 yrs after this footage was recorded.

[@McKronenberg]

Barundus you are the best. Awesome vid

[@Ohheyitsmoo]

Super cool stuff sir! I deployed to Iraq twice with 101 CAB! Thanks for giving me a good reminder of the sandbox! I read a previous reply of yours, congratulations on your retirement!!

[@Barundus]

Nice of you to say! And thanks for your service too!

[@sax003]

Man that takes me back. Deployed to Balad in 06. Thanks for the video and the memories, bud.

[@bpslick4565]

I went there once for a few days to pick up new ASVs. I got to take a dump indoors. Awesome.

[@bluntcabbage6042]

Never served but always liked Kiowas. I hear many good things about Kiowa jockeys and this vid is a great glimpse inside of what I think is one of the most underappreciated combat air arms (light scout/attack helis) outside the service. The AH-6 may get all the spotlight but the Kiowa remains my favorite!

[@huyhuynh312]

Thanks a lot for the video Barundus, such a good insight into the life of a Kiowa pilot, now I can partly understand why you are supporting Polychop doing the Kiowa so much! Thanks again!

[@cotybowman8825]

Great video. Thank you for your service. My father was a Federal Agent that was killed in a crash in a Kiowa Warrior when I was 9. When I saw the thumbnail, I had to watch the video. I am so grateful to you and your comrades for keeping us all safe at home. Take care, my friend.

[@BlueSkiesVinny]

Thank you for sharing with us Barundus! This looks like an awesome job! Glad you made it back home! Looking forward to more Kiowa content! Best wishes from PA

[@bensabulsky1178]

this is an amazing insight to a world that not many people get to see. thanks for the fantastic videography and detailed descriptions of what all the abbreviations and various buildings were for :)

[@user-vg3yc6gk5f]

Thank you for giving us a look into a part of your day, and thank you for your service most of all!

[@fullmetal_vet]

I served from 2000-2013 in the Army. As one of those guys on the ground I can't tell you how good it felt when y'all were covering our movements, THANKS! I was in Tikrit, Adwar, Poliwada in Balad, Joint Base Balad back in 08-09.

[@assassin246810]

I have been getting into DCS the bast few weeks and i got the OH 58 and Ive been learning everything that's modeled in it. I'm so glad i was recommend this video, thanks for making it and sharing it!

[@austinrothjr]

Former 11B turned 60 SP/IE. I was at Patrol Base Uvanni Jan-Dec 2005. Watching the KWs buzz around the Samarra was one of the highlights of my deployment. Just got into DCS too and enjoy your content.

[@Barundus]

Fantastic! Samarra had a couple "special" days for me, lol. Glad you followed your dream and achieved something as impactful and meaningful as becoming an SP/IE. Love to learn about these anecdotes. This vid is picking up views as a result of the KW release teasers. I guess people are searching out KW content. Welcome to DCS. Don't be surprised if you're poor next year, lol.

[@austinrothjr]

@@Barundus Luckily I’m at the airlines now so I can spend all my CW3 retirement check on modules and maps. 😂

[@streetlifetv9241]

Thank you for your service sir

[@miketuttle5926]

Great video, glad you made it home. In 2004 I was at LB Seitz not far from BIAP. We loved all you Cav guys because when the birds were in the air, the mortars never came. About the only time we could s#!&, shower, and shave in peace was when the Cav was in the air. My unit recovered a 58 that went down in Abu Ghraib during the April 04 attacks, not sure if the crew made it, hope they did.

[@Farmer_1776]

Thanks for a detailed mini doc. Thanks for your service.

[@TheStowAway594]

This is super cool in so many ways! It's a piece of history, and an insight into what your guys lives are actually like. It must of been kinda surreal flying over all those ancient buildings, so much history in that part of the world.

[@Matti0503]

Man this must've been a lot of effort to film

[@Barundus]

Everyone looked at me sideways when I was going around with my 8mm digicam, lol. I'm glad I did though.

[@MarcusAurelius7777]

@@Barundus Amazing history. Thanks for posting!

[@Tarzander]

​@@Barundus thanks for your service brotha! Ive Always been grateful of you guys. Hope you are doin good in life now

[@Ryan_Christopher]

@@BarundusNever Deployed but I often had my 35mm Nikon SLR with me on all squadron events starting in '03. Even on wing events I'd be snapping away.

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

A lot of effort and stares, but the guys are sure happy there is a record and vid so they can show their kids and grandkids what they did when they were young.

[@AeroWrench84]

Great video! Wish I had had this much foresight on any of my deployments. Thankfully took lots of photos at least. I never miss a chance to thank a Kiowa pilot, so thanks! I was an 11b in 1CD, but your counterparts there were absolute animals and saved my rear end more times than I care to count in Sadr City and Saladin province. Much respect and hope you're doing well in 2024.

[@rkoczewski1]

This video should have many more views. Thanks for your effort.

[@Wolfhound_81]

Great video Barundus, and I did notice the non-FADEC startup :D way too nerdy, I know.

[@rockabllyrebl]

They were I models no fadec. 1-4 had India models and hadn't fielded the R model with the upgraded fuel control.

[@kenrodrodgers3508]

My dad has the warrior instructor patch too for 2003 to 2007

[@thetruthseeker5549]

Thanks for posting this brought back memories. Sometimes it was awefully good to hear You guys over Us, especially at night, especially when bullets were going both ways.

[@nathancathey4282]

Thanks for sharing. And thanks for the service

[@Donaldwpierce]

Thank you for documenting all of that as a marine Iam thankful

[@thestatpow5]

Just got the new Kiowa module in DCS. Really enjoying this aircraft. Very beautiful and cool!!

[@Sabre1ewan]

Thanks for uploading this, it's great to see a different perspective. Very interesting. :)

[@innaclouds8977]

very cool. hope Kiowa comes to DCS sooner than later

[@Zatracenec]

Really cool! Thanks for giving us a peek. I also like the information in the description. :-)

[@rickysneaks7424]

Thank you for doing this video. Most of all, thank you for your time away from friends and loved ones while serving us back home. Thank you for what you provided and served. 🇺🇲

[@robh4671]

Excellent, thanks for posting, from the uk.

[@jtegnerud72]

Such a great video! Can’t wait for the DCS Kiowa to come out! Thank you for your service!

[@Elfrontu_1972]

I was a combat cameraman throughout 2004-2007 in Iraq. 2007 was my last trip with the Green Berets, and it was always a relief to hear aircrafts above our heads to let us know we were never alone. Nice clip Sir!

[@jeff7329]

I really enjoyed watching this video thank you for sharing and your service of course

[@volkvoort]

Cool vid. Why the immediate hop over the FARP for re-arming, rather than it having already been re-armed & refueled at the flight line? You indicated (at least from the electronics/electronically measured bits there's rarely faults), so probably not too high a risk of the craft not turning out to be mission capable after signed off from inspection. Is it just communal storage of the weaponry at a safe distance?

[@Barundus]

Was early in the conflict. We hadn't settled on procedures. A lot of holdover peacetime "safety" procedures crept into the real-world mission in the war. Later, we got smarter, and sat armed in the parking pads. But the safety-nazis are ever-present, and silliness pervades into everything. Like wearing reflective belts in a wartime theater.

[@BrianWeaver-c6t]

At BIAP we removed the weapons whether 50 cal, rockets or hellfire for safety purposes. They were usually stored near the aircraft. It's the adage, if it's in the safety manual it's happened already. 50 cal rounds can get heated to a point to detonate. Rockets can be set off by static or a spark.

[@Coledavidsonart]

army infantry veteran and this is the first time i created a save category of favorite i only served 2011-2014 so idk what it was about this but it felt so connected

[@Barundus]

Hey man, thx for what you did. And thanks for the sentiment

[@gregorygehrke1850]

Thank you for your service, and for the sacrifice your family made to keep us safe stateside. Hope your doing well

[@UtopianMatt]

The music really set the scene and period, what a life!

[@shagrat47]

Hi Barundus. I really dig this stuff. Thanks for the effort and sharing.

[@Barundus]

Nice of you to say. Glad it's of interest!

[@phoff75]

Thanks for uploading this documentary!

[@SkyriderOfficial]

Awesome video, and love the music.

[@MikeyD142]

Man this brings back so much memories

[@legendhasit2568]

Great video, glad to have found it! 👍

[@jamesboaz4787]

Man I will say this war was BS as are most, but I love the how you did this. It takes me back, and how I feel about war doesn't matter but this is still really cool.

[@pedrogunner9750]

I’m a ten year Air Force Pedro gunner. I love these old school videos from our time in the beginning of the GWOT. What are you up to now?

[@Barundus]

Retired in '22. Work for industry now. Thanks for your sevice!

[@kietastgeorge9367]

Thank you for posting, I don't have any pictures from my army days, pre social media days.

[@kellyabercrombie9769]

Awesome video. Hope you’re doing well today.

[@Darko7]

I really enjoyed this, thanks!

[@stefanosemisa9288]

This video is amazing. A life like your its simply a dream for a guy like me. Enjoy your life in the fullest way possible, God bless you, and thanks a lot for your service! Army Aviation best generation.

[@Shoes_Gone]

“The buildings have skylights, courtesy of the U.S. Air Force” awesome🤣 thank you for this amazing video. Welcome home sir, thank you for all you have done for everyone of us.

[@EPA3]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing and I’m glad you made it home in 1 piece

[@JoshBryan]

Nice to the patch that P.B. And I designed in 2004 at Hanchey AAF as your avatar :)

[@Barundus]

Must've just missed you. I taught at Cobra Hall Oct 05 to Nov 08

[@JoshBryan]

@@Barundus I left in '06. Pat Backmann did much of the design work. I'm sure I know you.

[@Barundus]

ya man. Bernd here

[@JD-xh3ex]

great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@chadweber8427]

Had some Kiowa's cover a few missions we did up that way during that time. Was based out of TQ in 04. One particular mission one of the little birds dropped down when we were on the west side of the lake. Next thing ya know both crew got out and took a piss haha. I got pictures of it. Wouldn't be a chance it was you?

[@ziadoonhamad6930]

I used to stand at the cliff waving off to the low flying kiowas was fucking aviation fan teenager ❤ good old days falks

[@Barundus]

If you mean you were a kid in those days, as we flew over.. We used to drop bags of candy occasionally to hopefully cheer someone's day.

[@ziadoonhamad6930]

@@Barundus oh yeh granola bar was my favorite lol, along with some stinger and flairs, few years after I had my own care package 😉 mission support role.

[@zero_udk]

i was in samarra in 04 on the ground at the cop by the dam and inside the city after the big push.

[@dj9632543]

Good video and I hope to use this on one of my educational livestream in the future. I do a chat that allows anyone to talk about life.

[@gcm747]

Man what a great video. This would have been an epic effort to film and edit on 8mm.

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

I wish i would have taken more photos and videos when i was deployed to iraq. I remember not wanting to take many pics or videos. just wanted to get it over and forget my time there. But now the many years later. All i have are the memories and not much more then a few pics and items. Really wish i had taken more pics and videos to remember that time in my life.

[@noway57]

All for nothing, don't you feel? We have so e many traitors in office

[@steezzee]

Amazing video, thanks for the upload. Out of interest, and assuming that you're no longer serving, did you continue flying in any capacity after getting out?

[@Barundus]

I retired September, '22. Nearly 29 years. Not flying now, though it's calling me...

[@tylerw1418]

Great documentary 🇺🇸

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

I deployed for OIF 07-09 and had lots of the famed Apache/Kiowa HK teams for CAS.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Thank you, what a gift for posterity

[@Casperthefriendlyghost82]

Thanks for the top cover. Most appreciated. From C co 1/26 IN

[@Barundus]

Dude! Were you in the TIC that happened in Samarra on 11 April '04 (Easter)? Big fight downtown. Apache got shot up, then yours-truly afterwards. Landed next to the convoy on the outside of town for my ride in the FLC, lol.

[@Casperthefriendlyghost82]

@Barundus yes I was. It was a very bad week. Big battle on Easter Sunday. We lost PV2 Brown. I am glad you are it out of there. Yes I went to secure that downed bird and site

[@Barundus]

Wow, small world. That aircraft was me (Darkhorse 15), and my trail (Darkhorse 35) stayed in the air and circled after we landed. I ended up in the back of a HMMWV with a nice morphine shot, and the convoy drove right back through the town back to the COP, lol. That was a nerve-wracking experience. My right-seater determined the holes in the aircraft were not catastrophic and flew it back without me. The Doc that bandaged me up at the Aid Station was LT J Light - with whom I in-processed 1ID and Conn Barracks, lol. He was surprised to see me rolled into his aid-station. I owe you guys a beer!

[@terencewhite363]

Thank you for your service

[@kb198219k]

"The eye in the sky" that would always show up when you where trying to drop a deuce in a wadi. I spent 03-04 in Samarra with 1-66 AR 1st BDE 4th ID.

[@freighterjohn]

Thanks for the video. Never had the opportunity to do something like this myself in Afghanistan, or Iraq, was always down in the dirt. Cracks me up to hear air wingers complain about their chow and facilities… Go trade places with a Marine grunt like me. We would’ve loved having rhe luxury y’all did! Regardless, everyone does their part brother. Thanks again for the video!

[@Barundus]

There's a reason I wasn't a Marine grunt. An Army flight school started(s) every two weeks...

[@SonarTravels]

So @freighterjohn. Go read the story of CW4 Matthew Lourey, he was my roommate in the Marine Corps Las Pulgas, 11th Marines, and guess what we were both cooks. Matt got out of the Marine Corps became an OH 58 Kiowa pilot for the army and was shot down in Iraq in 2005. So as far as trading places he walked that walk, and he knew all about chow facilities. Anyway, Semper Fi Marine.

[@pinnychet2681]

There was a merchant in Baghdad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions and in a little while the servant came back, white and trembling, and said " Master, just now when I was in the marketplace I was jostled by a man in the crowd and when I turned I saw it was Death that jostled me. He looked at me and made a threatening gesture, now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city and avoid my fate. I will go to Samarra and there Death will not find me " The merchant lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it, and he dug his spurs in its flanks and as fast as the horse could gallop he went. Then the merchant went down to the marketplace and he saw Death standing in the crowd and he came to him and said " Why did you make a threating gesture to my servant when you saw him this morning ? " That was not a threatening gesture, said Death, it was only a start of surprise. I was astonished to see him in Baghdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.

[@Tyler-vu3ur]

thanks for sharing awesome video

[@JHillNC]

Wow! So cool seeing this 20 years later. Thank you so much for having the forethought to film this and also adding the commentary. Love seeing the Kiowa up close and hearing the armament details. This video is solid gold and wonderful history. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@vz6235]

Thank you for your service 💪💪

[@sandman11]

Thank you!

[@katmanna350f]

The Kiowa is one hell of a helicopter, I wish I could fly it but sadly we don't have 'em in Germany.

[@208flatheads3]

Well y'all do have em in country they just aren't yours lol

[@indyjons321]

Kinda wish I was born earlier so I could have been a 58 pilot.

[@SkyriderOfficial]

Awesome video

[@Treasuremonk]

I was a Civilian contractor paramedic for a UXO team on the Brit base in Al Amara 2004-05. Why didn’t you come up help us out lol

[@KGSpradleyAuthor]

Brought back some memories for sure.

[@SteonCZ]

Great video

[@alwaysready4017]

Good vid man..

[@timhodson4578]

Nice. I went over with the Australian army in 06

[@GunstockBayA90]

I am retired 82nd para. We couldnt, wouldnt go to sleep wo Kiowa or a10 over head somewhere in the distance. The ultimate piece of mind. Thank you

[@FarmerDrew]

Everybody's getting these videos because it commemorates obsolete equipment, and even the AI can commiserate now, since even all the MQ-8C Fire Scouts are being retired.

[@braddywarbucks]

Hey you are a pretty good filmmaker.

[@a.common.American]

10:50 cracks me up. Reminds me of the scene from a movie I can't remember which one but the guy sits on his helmet. Everyone asks why, and he says because he doesn't wanna get shot in the balls. Everyone slowly starts sitting on their helmets 🤣

[@andylikesyourkite]

This is super strange, but the 1SG handing out your jerky/steaks is my father, and I'm currently in the process of trying to become an Army Aviator in the NG. What a small world.

[@Barundus]

Wow! That is great! It certainly is a small world! Thank you for reaching out! Good luck with the WOFT application !

[@RINO711]

We were doing God’s work then…or so we were told and thought. I look back on these days with both nostalgia and sadness. Great video. I can smell it.

[@Dieseloctane688]

blast from the past! whats the song at 20:40?

[@raven126entertainment]

You were providing Air Support for us, 1-26 IN. Did your Kiowa ever go down on mission??? I remember we had to cut our down time short, cause a Kiowa landed in a field due to Maintenance problems. They deployed us immediately cause we didn't have enough manpower for a dedicated QRF.

[@Barundus]

As a matter of fact, I took a zinger to the leg in support of 1-26 INF over Samarra, lol. Big ambush on a 1-26 patrol on 11 April '04. Couple of Apaches were on-station supporting the patrol, they got all shot up, then we showed up to relieve them and promptly got shot up too, lol. We landed next to the patrol on the outskirts of the town, and they patched me up and evac'd me out in an FLA back through Samarra to FOB.. Warhorse? Can't remember the name. Was just on the other side of the river.

[@raven126entertainment]

@Barundus Yeah, that Easter Sunday attack was CRAZY! I was guarding the ODA compound inside the city. We hear over the radio that our Mech patrol got hit HARD. Shortly afterwards, they tried to overrun the ODA compound. Yeah, I remember those Apaches getting shot up. As an Infantryman, we definitely APPRECIATED the Air support. Made us feel a bit safer, if that was possible in Samarra. And the base that was across the river.....if it was the small one that used to be the ING HQ, that was PB Razor. We had our main FOB Brassfield-Mora outside the city. PB Uvanni was established inside Samarra after Operation Baton Rouge AKA Battle of Samarra. Then we had our PARADISE right down the road aways, LSA Anaconda. Whenever we got the chance, loved going to that place to get good chow. Ha ha.

[@raven126entertainment]

@Barundus I ended up getting hit too. While delivering School Supplies; the Insurgents shot a RPG and hit me and 2 other guys. I just about lost my leg from the shrapnel.

[@Barundus]

@@raven126entertainment Same day? I ended up at the Tikrit field hospital, next to an E5 with about a 1000 shrapnel wounds in the bed next to me.

[@raven126entertainment]

@Barundus Damn! Yeah, I seen some guys that were blown to hell and back while at the CSH unit. It is truly a miracle some of those guys even made it. The 3 of us were all injured on December 18th. Sucked cause it was right before Christmas. That was one call with my mom that I'll never forget.

[@kamraam1464]

"The other half have skylights, courtesy of the US Air Force" haha I love it!

[@xyzaero]

amazing stuff

[@NateGoesOutside]

Great film! Semper fidelis!

[@ciaranmcginn2234]

20 years ago, bit seems so recent. What are these places like now in 2024, what evidence remains there to show that all these people existed in these places doing what they did.

[@Barundus]

None. Same with Afghanistan. It's like it all never happened. Lots of personal sacrifice, friends lost.. Essentially for nothing. Not bitter though. Nope.

[@Conraildan]

You are living like a king. I was a Marine grunt there and it was all MRE’s and living like a homeless man 😂