I'm so happy about this particular post for several reasons. The title gives one of them away I'm sure. Yep, it's getting that time. Soon soon soon!!!!!
Second, I have no deaths to report from our team. Woohoo!! We've been kicking ass and staying safe. I love it. Not to downplay the others here. They are remembered and their families. But it's just awesome when our team can really do good stuff and nobody gets hurt for a change.
Third, I just survived another trip into the "weeds". We made a whirlwind trip around B'dad consisting of a MH-53J Pave Low helicopter with our own USAF folks. Of course it was dark and no photos. Sorry folks. Every ride we took either was dark or in an area where no cameras could be used. I did a few shots when I could safely and legally. Took another UH-60 ride. That was the roughest helicopter ride I've had since working in Southern Command. Nobody was shooting at us, (that I know of) it was the wind that was beating us down. Imagine a roller coaster coming off the track and you can imagine the sensation of riding in this thing. Oddly enough, I had a blast with it. I'm pretty sure I had a grin the whole time that swung from "Yeehaw!" to "Holy Shit!!"
Then we couldn't get a rotary ride back to where we were supposed to be so we ended up waiting it out with the USAF at the fixed wing terminal at BIAP (Baghdad International Airport). Waiting it out there, we ended up on a C-130, flew to Kuwait, then back to Iraq.
So you have the air travel story. While on the ground, we did a convoy that was pretty uneventful with one exception. We were escorting a couple of trucks when the load on one started shifting so we had to stop in a less-than-ideal location. The young man I had with me got a real kick out of having to pull security on the convoy outside while we fixed the load. 10 minutes, which is a lifetime in an unsecured area, and I was back behind the wheel and we were rolling.
I have to make a note here. While we were puling security we couldn't help but notice the Iraqi civilians driving by. The look of fear in their eyes. I can't imagine having to live like that. You have to keep in mind, they weren't scared of us so much as afraid to be around us while we were stopped. That was evidenced by the fact that when I could make eye contact, I would smile and usually get a smile back. A small wave, and they would wave back. Amazing. It's the same when were were driving, a smile and wave at the folks on the streets was almost always returned.
And all of this happened in 72 hours. What a good time. Now for the ironic part. During this trip, I got the only set of civilian clothes I have filthy, we were smelly and dirty as hell when we got back to our FOB to find that the showers are all closed as well as the laundry. Yippee!! And all the baby wipes that people had been sending to us, we had given most of them away to folks who travel out a lot. So, unless they turn on the showers and laundry soon, we are going to come home smelling like a bunch of goats. Man I love this lol!! You have to laugh at these things. Doesn't do any good to get angry or bitch and whine. That just gets everyone all down and who the hell wants to live like that? Suck it up and move on... that's what we do.
I feel like I'm leaving something out but this has to be enough for now.
New photos posted - http://picasaweb.google.com/drjones2005
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
getting really really close.... maybe
Time is running out, we should be going home soon. I'll believe it when I get on an aircraft and land somewhere besides this god-forsaken desert.
Speaking of desert, the movies are all full of sh*t! There are no rolling dunes of sand, no burning temperatures by day and cool at night. No camels everywhere either. Lots of sheep and some scrawny cows. Now this doesn't mean that it's a bad thing that these things aren't true. I've been told that it does get hot as hell here in the summer. However, it doesn't mean that what is really here is any better. LOL. It's been raining most of the night making a total mess out of everything. But things have warmed up a bit which is nice. It actually snowed here last week which for me was absolutely horrible. I hate snow and everything about it but I can't seem to get away from it. I've heard all about the snow at home... and I know the kids are all happy about it so they get out of school.
Well, enough of my mindless whining about the weather. If you haven't figured it out by now, there's nothing really for me to talk about over here. Nothing that I can talk about that is. It's been busy. I'm really tired but I'll get over it. Gonna go to the gym again in a little bit and that'll wake me up again.
Once again I have to end on a sad note. We lost another of our guys. Once again, please remember Justin and his family in your prayers and such.
While we're praying, let's all pray for justice and death to the gd terrorists who keep this shit up. Yes, I'm a little cranky and tired but this is my forum and this is how I feel. :->
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11632
RIP warrior
Speaking of desert, the movies are all full of sh*t! There are no rolling dunes of sand, no burning temperatures by day and cool at night. No camels everywhere either. Lots of sheep and some scrawny cows. Now this doesn't mean that it's a bad thing that these things aren't true. I've been told that it does get hot as hell here in the summer. However, it doesn't mean that what is really here is any better. LOL. It's been raining most of the night making a total mess out of everything. But things have warmed up a bit which is nice. It actually snowed here last week which for me was absolutely horrible. I hate snow and everything about it but I can't seem to get away from it. I've heard all about the snow at home... and I know the kids are all happy about it so they get out of school.
Well, enough of my mindless whining about the weather. If you haven't figured it out by now, there's nothing really for me to talk about over here. Nothing that I can talk about that is. It's been busy. I'm really tired but I'll get over it. Gonna go to the gym again in a little bit and that'll wake me up again.
Once again I have to end on a sad note. We lost another of our guys. Once again, please remember Justin and his family in your prayers and such.
While we're praying, let's all pray for justice and death to the gd terrorists who keep this shit up. Yes, I'm a little cranky and tired but this is my forum and this is how I feel. :->
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11632
RIP warrior
Sunday, January 6, 2008
It's not over...
Well, the New Years has come and gone. We came to work, we went to bed.... pretty much the extent of it. No big holiday party or fireworks or shooting off our weapons in celebration. Sent a few emails, tried to make some phone calls but the trunks were pretty much jammed.
It did warm up finally to about 50 at night and 75 or so during the day. Then about 2 days ago we went in the gym around 9:30 and it was nice out, a little cloudy but warm, came out at noon and it was raining and freakin cold! It has been cold as crap since. Even tonight since I've been on shift it's dropped from about 28 to about 18. And the wind is blowing. But at least we aren't in tents. That's about the only thing that could make it worse I reckon.
Looking forward to getting home.. not sure when that's gonna be but soon. I can't give you any dates so please stop asking. Most of you reading this have been in the military long enough or around it long enough to know better. When I'm home you will all know it. :)
Finally, we end this on a sad note. I decided not to start off as I've started the last couple off this way. This doesn't take away from the respect for the fallen in anyway, just changing things up.
We lost a friend and fellow warrior to a non-combat related accident on Jan 2nd.
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11600
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_546003.html
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks all for your support.
Sorry, no new photos or videos.
It did warm up finally to about 50 at night and 75 or so during the day. Then about 2 days ago we went in the gym around 9:30 and it was nice out, a little cloudy but warm, came out at noon and it was raining and freakin cold! It has been cold as crap since. Even tonight since I've been on shift it's dropped from about 28 to about 18. And the wind is blowing. But at least we aren't in tents. That's about the only thing that could make it worse I reckon.
Looking forward to getting home.. not sure when that's gonna be but soon. I can't give you any dates so please stop asking. Most of you reading this have been in the military long enough or around it long enough to know better. When I'm home you will all know it. :)
Finally, we end this on a sad note. I decided not to start off as I've started the last couple off this way. This doesn't take away from the respect for the fallen in anyway, just changing things up.
We lost a friend and fellow warrior to a non-combat related accident on Jan 2nd.
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11600
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_546003.html
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thanks all for your support.
Sorry, no new photos or videos.
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