Iraq War Photos. A collection of photographs from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Kosovo
Iraq War Photos. A collection of photographs from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Kosovo in 2000. William E.Thompson is the photojournalism instructor at Randolph Community College in Asheboro North Carolina, NC. Photojournalist for stock and assignment photography
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"As an Iraq war veteran, I am very proud of the rebuilding efforts my Civil Affairs team accomplished and I will always remember the kindness and hospitality of the Iraqi people I can now call friends" - William E. Thompson

More Videos of Downtown Baghdad
Cost of the War in Iraq
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Operation Iraqi Freedom
A Unique Perspective...
This site was created after photographer, photojournalism instructor, and Army Reservist, William E. Thompson returned from Iraq after a 7-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The photographs on this site are a portfolio of images Thompson made during his deployments not only to Iraq in 2003 but also Kosovo in 2000.
In January of 2001, William E. Thompson began teaching photojournalism at Randolph Community College in Asheboro, North Carolina. He took this position after a 6-month tour in Kosovo in 2000 as a Public Affairs officer for the U.S. Army Reserves. Before Kosovo, he was an award-winning news photographer for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

In Iraq, Thompson was the Civil Affairs team leader for Direct Support Team-1, part of the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion (the first Civil Affairs unit in Baghdad). During the 21 Days to Baghdad, DST-1 was attached to the 2-7IN Battalion. This battalion was the first to secure the parimiter of the Baghdad International Airport. During the battle, SFC Paul R. Smith was killed only 300 meters from Thompson and his team. Smith was the only soldier to recieve the Medal of Honor for the 21 Days to Baghdad invasion.

While in Baghdad DST-1 worked closely with the Director General of the Rusafa District, the central most district in the city, to help to reestablish basic infrastructure needs for the district's population. These needs included trash service, water, electricity, sewage, fuel, medical and education. During the first few months in after the war, Thompson and his team delivered $1.4 million to the more than 18,000 teachers over three months until the school administration and the banks reopened for business. To ease the frustrations of coordinating with the 1st Armor Division and ORHA during each week, the team would take their Saturdays and escort sewage trucks around downtown Baghdad just to feel like they were getting something done.

When William is not behind a camera or computer (which is rare), he is building a wooden sailboat or fixing up their nearly 100-year-old house. His wife Theresa, their two teenage sons, and brand-new baby boy hope you enjoy and appreciate this website.
The publication of these images is encouraged,
Please contact: William E. Thompson
"In January of 2003 I was deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM with the U.S. Army Reserves. I returned home August 25th 2003 to a wonderful welcome from my family, friends, coworkers and students at RCC. I would like to thank everyone in Asheboro who has been so supportive of me, my family and our soldiers."
Thanks, William E. Thompson
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All Images © William E. Thompson/PhotojournalismStock.com