Many of the men and women serving in today's military have spent many days/months/years in Iraq, so this puzzle is a special tribute to all who have served in the country.
Iraq is a country in Western Asia encompassing the Mesopotamian alluvial plain, the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, and the eastern part of the Syrian Desert.
Iraq borders Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Jordan to the west, Saudi Arabia to the south and southwest, and Kuwait to the south. Iraq has a narrow section of coastline measuring 58 km (36 mi) on the northern Persian Gulf. The capital city, Baghdad is in the center-east of the country. Two major rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, run through the center of Iraq, flowing from northwest to southeast. These provide Iraq with agriculturally capable land and contrast with the steppe and desert landscape that covers most of Western Asia.
Iraq has been known by the Greek toponym 'Mesopotamia' (Land between the rivers) and has been home to continuous successive civilizations since the 6th millennium BC. The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is often referred to as the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of writing. At different periods in its history, Iraq was the center of the indigenous Akkadian, Sumerian, Assyrian, Babylonian-Chaldean empires. It was also part of the Achaemenid, Hellenistic, Parthian, Sassanid, Roman, Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, Mongol, Safavid, Afsharid, and Ottoman empires, and under British control as a League of Nations mandate.
Iraq's modern borders were mostly demarcated in 1920 by the League of Nations when the Ottoman Empire was divided by the Treaty of Sèvres. Iraq was placed under the authority of the United Kingdom as the British Mandate of Mesopotamia. A monarchy was established in 1921 and the Kingdom of Iraq gained independence from Britain in 1932. In 1958, the monarchy was overthrown and the Republic of Iraq was created. Iraq was controlled by the Ba'ath Party (Iraqi-led faction) from 1968 until 2003. After an invasion led by American and British forces, the Ba'ath Party was removed from power and multi-party parliamentary elections were held. The American presence in Iraq ended in 2011. Iraq is home to two of the world's holiest places among Shias: Najaf and Karbala.
This is the ninth cache in this series and it is dedicated to the men and women in the armed forces...and especially to those young men and women who have aspirations to join the active services once they enter their adult years.
Turkey Kirkuk Dohuk Babil.Saladin Dohuk Diyala
Jordan Diyala Saladin Dohuk.Arbil Al Anbar Arbil
Please observe the posted park hours, avoid muggles, and bring your own pen!
Added 3/14/2016: BTCO was the owner of this military series of 26 caches either through the initial publication or through adoption. When he moved to Iowa he did not think he would be able to continue to properly maintain the series. As I had served 27 years in the Air Force he thought I would be a logical choice to assume the ownership of the series. I agreed with his assessment and I adopted the series from him.
Congrats to da_ewoks, Mr_Ewok, and Monty12 for co-FTF honors!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
Adopted by a Nebraskache Member