MRAP being used as a float in a Mardi Gra parade held on camp shield -The Louisiana National Guard 39th MP Company held the first ever Mardi Gra parade in Iraq on Camp Shield in Baghdad. Beads shipped in from New Orleans a were thrown to onlookers on the base including security guards from Uganda, and members from other units. The king cakes shipped from New Orleans didn't arrive in time for the holiday but the mess hall cooks made their version of gumbo for the gathering after the parade.