Finally, A Way Ahead...

Well, I am not the type of person that likes to sit around.  So, as you can imagine, the last 3-4 days of uncertainty has been very frustrating to me -- although I did get a lot of gym/bazaar time.  Anyway, I finally have a way ahead, and I am pretty excited about the assignment.  I will be staying in Bagram, and I will be moving into a permanent party room over the next couple days.  So, I am excited to finally have a place to (fully) unpack, settle and get on with work. 

The experience here, so far, has been great.  I really enjoy the people I work with and the exposure to the locals (although small right now) is really unique.  I should have the opportunity to travel a bit, and I am excited about the opportunity to break up the daily grind.

I have not had the chance to take a ton of pics yet, but I will do my best to get the camera out and about -- it will be much easier when I get my laptop out here as well.  The one thing I cannot complain about are the options to keep in touch with my family.  They have gone out of their way to ensure we have access to our family and friends back home -- it is a lot different than my tour to Iraq in 2005.   



Finally BOG in Afghanistan as of 21 July 2011

After 6 LONG days in Kuwait, I finally arrived at Bagram Air Base on 21 July 2011 at midnight.  Aside from the annoying Army check in process at the air terminal, it was actually a pretty smooth process.  Shortly after arrival, I had a person from my office there to greet me and take me back to my room -- which, oh by the way, is not to shabby.  Needless to say, I was tired as heck once I dragged all my bags from the flight line to the truck and from the truck to the room.  So, I pretty much passed out immediately.

The day after my arrival, I spent the morning getting to know the people I will be working with here in Afghanistan.  The people here are very easy to get along with, and I have a feeling this will be a very good (and hopefully fast) tour.  It looks like I will be here for about 1 week, and I will be moved to another location to begin working (more details later).  I am still not 100% sure what my job will be, but I have been briefed on a couple options -- they all sound great.

The really cool part about today was meeting a huge pack of locals coming on the base while my friend and I walked to the bazaar.  They were incredibly friendly and really wanted to take pictures with us.  So, as you can imagine, I could not turn down that opportunity.  This should be an interesting year...I have a lot to learn, and I have a feeling it will involve some really unique experiences.  So, let the journey begin....

The Unseen Challenges

So...just to give a quick update. I am still waiting on a ride out of Kuwait. It is funny how we can hit a major holding pattern enroute. Overall, I can think of worse places to be stuck. Either way, we are not allowed to take pics on the base...so, I will make up for it once I get to Afghanistan. The one thing that seems to be the same everywhere in Kuwait is that it's hotter than hell and very sandy. I am used to chewing on sand at this point, and I cannot think of life without sand in my teeth. The good part is that I have a coffee shop and decent wifi available.


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Location:Kuwait

Life in Kuwait (Pic 8)

Stealing Angels in action...at the very least, we had some sweet seats.


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Location:Camp Virginia

Life in Kuwait (Pic 7)

There was a USO concert on Sunday...it was Stealing Angels - a country band. They were entertaining, but I still can't stand country.


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Location:Camp Virginia

Life in Kuwait (Pic 6)

Here is a look inside our barracks...not really that bad, and it has really good A/C.


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Location:Camp Virginia

Life in Kuwait (Pic 5)

Carlos and I outside Starbucks...oh yes, I said Starbucks.


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Location:Camp Virginia

Life in Kuwait (Pic 4)

This is us unloading the truck...see all the blowing sand in the pic? Crazy!


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Location:Camp Virginia

Leaving South Carolina

I will apologize up front because the pics are really out of order...I am have some serious issues posting the pics due to the lack of wifi bandwidth.  I really like this pic, so I wanted to post it.  This is a pic of Don, Fernando, and I just before we got on the plane in South Carolina.

A Classic Pin Up Squadron Patch

I posted this patch because I am a huge fan of classic military pin up art.  It is a huge part of military history, and I wish it was still common today.  So, when I see a squadron that respects its roots, I take pictures.


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Location:Germany

Life in Kuwait (Pic 3)

Don and I on the way to the MWR/USO facilities...took this primarily to show the extent of nothingness on the base (and sand).


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Location:Camp Virginia

Life in Kuwait (Pic 2)

This is me outside our barracks...weirdly enough, it's better than South Carolina.


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Location:Camp Virginia

Life in Kuwait (Pic 1)

Well, overall, the camp is really nice. We have the entire day off today...so, we spent most of it walking around, visiting the USO/MWR tents and getting haircuts. The amount of sand here is crazy. Also, as luck would have it, it is 120 degrees, and we are in wake of a sand storm (you can see the sand in the pics below). They definitely make it bearable with everything that is available for us to use. I will be here for a couple days taking care of some admin stuff. After that, it is off to work.


This was at a stopping point along the way...not really sure why we stopped. But, I stopped asking why a long time ago.

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Location:Camp Virginia

The Most Incredible Military Send Off in 14 years

After all the waiting and stress during the run-up to this deployment, I am finally on my way to Afghanistan - the official counter. Starts tomorrow. The 2.5 week basic combat course at FT Jackson was great. I really feel like I learned all the right skills that will ensure I am safe during my time in country. The Army Drill Instructors were incredible teachers and treated us like their own - even though Navy will still kick their butts in football next season.

The icing on the cake of this experience took place at the airport today. In over 14 years of service and multiple deployments, I experienced a send off like no other today. Military families (service members and spouses) experience many lonely moments during our time in the military...it is part of the life, and it can be very difficult. The people I met today at the airport were incredible. They were veterans, family members and civilians volunteering their time and effort to make one small portion of this trip bearable by showing that people truly appreciate what we are doing. It allowed us (even for a short time) to think about something other than knowing we will be gone from our loved ones for over 1 year, the massive travel day we are about to endure and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

We were showered with snacks, food, small pieces of home and most importantly with the caring of people who have been in our shoes. This is truly a lifestyle that can only be comprehended by those that live it. It is tough, and it takes a special family to make it from start to finish. I was truly moved by these people today. I saw compassion and concern in their eyes as I walked to the plane. We shook hands, hugged and walked by veterans that fought for the exact reasons we left today - they are true heroes that lived in a time when the military was not quite as respected. They sent us off to war with pride and the reassurance that we will return to the same incredible country we left and would sacrifice all to defend.

I think I can speak for all of us on this plane today that we are proud of what we do. I am proud of everyone of my service brothers and sisters. I am proud of my family for their unwavering support during the hard times and the shore (easier) tours. The bond we share is infinite and unbreakable. I tip my hat to the new generation of war fighters joining as I type. The road is long and sometime arduous, but I guarantee it will fly by. I hope to return the favor to service members after I hang up my uniform...the experience is truly one of a kind.

But for now...it's time to do what we do.



Getting ready to leave Camp McCrady.


These are the great people that met us at the airport in South Carolina.


This is our limo ride to Kuwait.


We had a veteran motorcycle escort from Camp McCrady to the airport...it was pretty awesome.

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Location:Leipzig, Germany

The Time is Here

Well, it is the night before I leave. I spent about 2 hrs packing today, and we have some cleaning to do tomorrow. Aside from that, it's time to get to work. I have quite the travel day tomorrow, and I am not excited about that. However, it is nice to finally start counting down the days. We are going to spend ample time tomorrow moving gear to the airport, planes and other locations. So, I am sure I will have some good pictures of us suffering. It is time to embrace the suck as we move into theater.


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Location:Camp McCrady

Final Battle Exercise

We did our final battle exercise today ("the super bowl"). To be honest, although it was still very good training, it was kinda anti-climactic. We did two separate convoys, and we found and reacted to some roadside bombs on the first mission. The second mission involved some engagements in a simulated bad guy town...unfortunately, I did not even get out of the vehicle or fire my weapon - the goal is to get to safety ASAP. So, it was essentially a top gunner show. Overall, we did really good as a platoon, but I was hoping for more action. Oh well, it was still fun. We also learned how to throw hand grenades - no boom though. Now, I am essentially 2 days from hitting the road, and I cannot wait to get to work. It also finally starts my return home countdown. :)


Alpha 3 platoon just before we departed on mission 1.


Me sitting in the rear scout seat on mission 2...I yelled at someone selling bananas in the simulated bad guy town. It is very important to keep people away from the trucks for our safety.


Loading up for mission 1.


This was our 5 truck convoy.

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Location:FT Jackson, SC

Pre-Final Battle Exercise Recon

We did a ton of cool stuff on Saturday. We did some convoy training in preparation for our final battle exercise on Tuesday. We also did some room clearing practice...that was an awesome experience. It is something I am certain I will never use, but it was still awesome. It really highlighted the degree of training and concentration required by people who kick down doors in order to get the bad guys. The margin for error is so small that it's almost scary. In any case, I am again in awe of those that do that work for a living...kudos to you and your teams. I can only hope some of my products will result in some kicked in doors and the apprehension of some bad peeps.


I am enjoying some fake fruit at the market in a town we will be rolling through during the final exercise...see any bad guys?


The city police station in the same town.


This is another building we will pass in battle drill lane.



This is the overpass in the town...a very tense spot due to the vantage point of the bridge over the road. I bet we will have some fun here. :)

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Location:FT Jackson, SC

Heavy Weapons Day - the last live fire day

We shot heavy weapons today...the .50 caliber, the SAW and the 240. We also did a reflexive fire shoot and stress fire shoot with the M4. All in all, it was a really fun day.





After my turn with heavy weapons.





The .50 caliber literally lifts the ground up in front of the muzzle. It was flipping awesome.





The SAW and 240 firing positions.





Me before the reflexive fire drill.





This is the reflexive fire drill...very cool.





The flipper dipper...it was required to lower our core body temperature.





Me after the stress drill...boy, it was hot.

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Location:FT Jackson, SC (Bastogne Range)

M4 qualification Day

Good news! I qualified on the M4. I needed 23 out of 40, and I hit 25 the first time and 33 the second time. It was a great day. After that, we did some combat first aid practicals followed by some convoy drills. We hit the big guns tomorrow (see pics below). It should be AWESOME. I hope to get some great pics tomorrow.


Waiting to get started.


A classmate qualifying.


:)


:)

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Location:FT Jackson, SC

M4 Pre-Qualification Day (The New Hottest Day)

We did the M4 pre-qualification shoot today. It was the hottest day so far...holy crap. I did not know it was possible to sweat so bad. If you add a little wet sand to the mix, it turns into a super nasty day. As far as scoring...not so hot. We need 23 out of 40 to qualify, and I shot 19. So, I hope the actual qualification day goes a little better tomorrow. I am not making excuses...just did not shoot well. After the range, we did some classroom stuff, and we finished pretty early today. Well, we have another 0430 day tomorrow...so, it is good they cut us loose early.


Just before my M4 pre-qualification.


The range firing positions...wet sand - so much fun.


1 hour later...holy crap was it hot. I am soaked head to toe.

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Location:FT Jackson, SC

A Smooth Day

We had a wicked early morning today...woke up at 0420 to get out to the rifle range. It was a pretty cool day at a sweet range called the locations of hits and misses range - shot 120 rounds. It has really cool technology that uses super sensitive microphones to tell exactly where the bullets hit - shoulder, head, arm, etc... After that, we did another armored vehicle roll over trainer (much better than the HUMMER trainer), and I didn't bust my lip this time - very happy about that. Finally, we had some IED training that was very eye opening, and we will be in an IED simulator later this week. We have another early morning tomorrow with M4 pre-qualification followed by M4 qualification on Thursday. There are only a 4-5 training days left, and I am off to Afghanistan.





0420...way to early.




Classmates shooting on the range.




Today's roll over trainer.




Getting ready to get in...I was the driver. Hmmm, I guess I flipped it.




We had to egress the vehicle as if it flipped on the roof.

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Location:FT Jackson, SC

Happy 4th of July

Well, they at least tried to make today good...we started the day with a 3.5 hour basic combat medical response course, and we had some admin stuff to deal with in the early afternoon (finished around 3pm). After that, the dining facility hosted a BBQ for the class, and we were able to have a couple beers - beautiful. The reality of a 4:30 wake up tomorrow morning set in as I realized I still needed to clean my M4 for tomorrow's range day - yuck! We are also receiving some additional roll over training on another armored vehicle tomorrow afternoon...I am sure it will be as much fun as the first one.



Having a beer at the BBQ.


Struggling through my first official M4 cleaning...yikes, I have to clean it tomorrow night also.

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Location:Camp McCrady

The Live Fire Range - GREAT TIME

We went to the live fire range today to group and zero our M4's and conduct the M9 qualification course. The pictures below go into detail on the M4 side, however, I did not have a dude to take pictures during the M9 stuff. So, I can say that I did qualify expert, and I will post the scores when I get them. It was scored out of a total 240, and I believe I got 234 and 236 during my qualification rounds. The other portion was an M9 stress shoot which required us to run from place to place and hit the target 12 out of 18 times. I hit it 17 out of 18... Not bad for someone that doesn't shoot a ton. However, we received excellent instruction from the drill instructors on how to shoot properly. So, I owe a majority of it to their ability to teach.





I am getting ready to hit the live fire range...thank God for the shelter. It was hot as hell for most of the day.





Here is the firing line...77 Sailors ready to rock.





This is a pic of my firing lane. The target is a tiny silhouette that simulates a man standing at 300 meters (see pics below for close up). The object is to hit the silhouette not the white part of the paper.





They do a drill called "group and zero." Basically, we are trying to get the rifles to hit the black silhouette every time. The drill instructors are amazing with this part. For example, my first shots were almost off the paper...well grouped but off the paper. They made one major correction to the sights, and I was nearly hitting the silhouette every time. I was very impressed at their level of knowledge and patience with us squids. The end goal was to hit the target 5 out of 6 times consecutively in that small 4cm circle.





This last target is what I did after they grouped and zeroed my rifle. While I did not hit the dude center mass every time, I was at least able to clip him...hey, I am sure it's hard to fight when your wounded.

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Location:FT Jackson (Range #1)