It's too dangerous for us to visit our projects very often. Most of the field inspection is done by local Iraqis who report back with reports and photos. When we do go out, we have a team of bodyguards that we take with us. 

The team of bodyguards is a real gang of characters, all ex-military. They have a true team ethos, eat together, and laugh often. To join the team, a person must have six years of military experience, two operational tours, pass the induction course on weapons and fitness, and be lucky.

The team is led by Daz. Daz is an ox of a man, all muscle, with a shaved head. He's Welsh, and he's been with us for two years. He admits he's never had a normal job, working mostly military and security. He's 38 years old and has a 10 year old girl at home.

Dif is from South Africa, where he attained legendary status in the South African special forces as a forward observer during the Angola War. He's a farmer, loves to work on engines, and has a photographic memory. He's married with five children at home. He's a good problem solver and has amazing BBQ skills. 

Craig we sometimes call Taf, since he's also from Wales. He served in the Royal Marines and is a proven leader. He's a perfectionist to a "T" and has a wicked sense of humor. His vice, I think, is his love of his X-Box. He's 28 and just married this summer.

Davie is a Jock, meaning he's from Scotland. He has a background in the Army and goes to the gym twice a day in his relentless pursuit of the six-pack. He has a wife and girl at home. 

JJ is also a Jock, and ex-paratrooper. He joined the team from Fallujah. He's built as solid as a cannonball with twice the energy. He's a passionate man, career soldier and totally unflappable. Someone once said of him that he's the sort of man you should put in a glass case with a sign that says, "In case of war, break glass."

Baz is also from Scotland. He's an ex-paratrooper with a dry sense of humor. He's methodical, unflappable, and he also just got married this summer.

Jamie is the only single one on the team. He's a Scouser, meaning he's from Liverpool. Ex-paratrooper. 28. He's a huge man, rippling with muscle. Scruffiest man I've ever met, but has an absolute heart of gold. 

Ginshy is the funny man on the team. Does impressions, walks. Always funny to be around. He's tall and also a Jock. 

Nick Hill is a lon-dah-nah. Which I figured out was a Londoner. He's all cockney rime, apples and pears and all that. 

"Old" Nick, named for his prematurely grey beard, is an ex-Marine and quiet man. He has a wife and kids, and being an Englishman living in Wales, is passionate about being English. When I asked about the score of the recent rugby match, he beamed. "62-5," he said.

Allister is very personable. He's never met a stranger and laughs loud and often. 

Ian, 25, is the youngest on the team. Short, but muscular, he's from Northern Ireland. He married an American girl from Mississippi who was stationed here. He's versatile in mechanics, medical training, and his face cream.

I ask Daz why he's here. He says, "If you're here for the money, you'll go home right away. There isn't enough money worth dying for. The guys here are here for the job. I love matching my wits against the terrorists -- planning routes, changing tactics. And so far we've been successful."

"Knock on wood," he adds, as he raps his knuckles on his bald head. 

-- Jeff Tidyman is a civil engineer working in Iraq.