18 Oct 09 - Greetings

I've been on the road the past two weeks visiting and inspecting units. Most of my travels have been by helicopter whether it is a Blackhawk or the much older age defying Chinook. Sorry about how long this blog posting is. I suggest you go to the bathroom, grab a beer and settle in for my update!


Journal entry 5 Oct 09: Today we flew by Blackhawk to base Hunter and did an inspection. The guys there were glad to have us and were very accommodating. Talk about being a long ways from the flag pole. Note to self next time soldiers complain about how rough they have it at Basra they need to come here. Food is prepared inside of Mobile Kitchen Trailer (MKT’s) carried across the way to be eaten inside of the newly built plywood palace. Two hot meals a day guaranteed and warm water in the showers if you’re lucky. Notice I didn’t mention indoor plumbing? Yep it’s all about porta-potties and being smart enough to use the ones located in the shade. I’ll be waiting until Adder before I do my business guaranteed!


Journal entry 6 Oct 09: We finished up our inspection and left later in the night for Adder on a Chinook helicopter. While we were waiting on the landing pad at Hunter the Chinook came in without lights on and was silhouetted against the night sky, it was awesome. The air movement from the propellers sent some stumbling from the air and some baggage was sent rolling by the air turbulence. Let me just say it’s weird flying aboard a helicopter without any lights on. It’s totally tactical and the pilots and door gunners use night vision goggles to see. It was only 45 minutes at best but in a Chinook you ride inside without the luxury of being able to look out. Just picture riding in the trunk of your car where you got in at one place and came out somewhere else.

Journal entry 7 Oct 09: Thank god it was a light day. I'm pretty sure I needed it after flying during the previous night. It wasn’t just the walk from the airport to billeting and then finally to our rooms all while wearing your body armor, helmet and carrying your duffel bag. I had another personal mission while I was there; I wanted to find the memorial wall with my friend Mikes name on it. I was told it was there so I looked far and wide. It took me a while but I finally found it. Seeing his name there before me on the wall was sad. The wall was dedicated to all the men and women that had died in Iraq that called Adder their home. This was the place where Mike had died serving his country. My emotions were mixed and I was glad that I could read his name and remembered the man that had been my friend. Mike was the soldier that I wanted to be like, he was sharp, knowledgeable, and believed that we could make a difference. His passion was like the common cold, you caught it and you believed. He made you want to do the right thing by the soldier and for all. He truly was the leader whether he was in the back of the room or in front. Most of us remember the man and his slight smile. It was sometimes very frustrating when after we came to a solution he would look at us, smile knowingly and offer his advice. Leave it to Mike to make us change always for the better.


But wait a minute out of the corner of my eye I spotted the names of other soldiers I knew that had fallen. My eyes misted over as I read the name of SGT Brent Koch who I had the honor of being both the Casualty Notification Officer as well as the follow on duties of the Casualty Assistance Officer. I had forgotten that he served here as well. I wondered how his family; as well as the other families of those on the wall was doing. More importantly how their lives had changed since the funeral of their loved ones. I said a mental prayer as my thoughts went to the next name I recognized.


SGT Joshua Schmit, his father was a soldier that I had served proudly with back home. If his son was half the man that his father had been he would be greatly missed by all that knew him.
It was very sad for me to face the wall and know that some gave all, and others gave everything to serve in this land far from home. I should say I was very honored as well as humbled to be here in the presence of those that had given so much of themselves so others could know what it was to live free. To be here in this place that they gave their lives was very hard. So many had died but their memories would live on in all of us forever!


Journal entry 8 Oct 09: The inspection we did, started with the usual in brief, followed by the inspection, and concluded with the results being briefed later that night to the Battalion Commander. I know it sounds weird but I could feel the presence of more that those with us physically in the room.


Journal entry 9 Oct 09: Friday we returned back to Basra until our flight out the following Monday. It was my birthday and my daughter was on pass, and my immediate family was in a land far from here. When I got to my desk to write my reports I found the birthday cards and present from friends and family. You will never believe this Jacki got me the 20th anniversary edition of Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader. How could she have known? Another birthday, another year older, celebrated in a place far from home. Oh well it’s nice knowing that tomorrow morning I will be in the next Army age group for Physical Fitness. Another minute or two to run, a few less push ups, and yes five less sit ups does life get any better? This kind of motivation makes me want to go do my work out right now. (Not)


Journal entry 10-11 Oct 09: This weekend will be spent catching up on my E mails, messages to my family, and typing up the previous week’s reports. Not to mention the three Army meals of the day whoopee! I’ve died and gone to heaven! So many E Mails, so many responses required what should I do? Yep you guessed it take part of the day on Sunday to go to church and later go to the Bazaar. Who would have guessed that LTC Mary Muskrat and SSG Saundra Urbacke would want to each ride a camel? I was standing in the front, their cameras at ready watching their ride (Pictures to follow). Each of them I’m sure had different expectations. Saundra rode horses and thought it wouldn’t be so bad. What it actually looked like was that scene from the Urban Cowboy where people were riding the mechanical bull. When the camel got up with Saundra on board Saundra went forward, then snapped back wards as the camel got awkwardly to his feet. I was thinking to myself it was a long ways up to where she sat but a lot farther down. Wait a minute! No need to worry this was the very same Camel that had given Jacki a love nip the week before.


Mary on the other hand benefited from Saundra’s ride before her. Then again the look on her face as the camel rose to his full height was priceless. You could learn a lot from Mary, she was out for 17 years when she came back in to deploy with us. She is the kind of person who when given lemons makes lemonade. She steps up to the plate time and again with such enthusiasm it’s almost contagious. While walking with her she knows just about everyone’s name, if she doesn’t I’m sure she will soon.


Journal entry 12 Oct 09: I woke up not liking Willy Nelson very much. I kept thinking of that song on the road again! Another day, another adventure awaits. I was off to Gary Owen (Near the Iran border) for my last inspection for a while. Looking out the window of the helicopter at the landscape below took me mentally back to what must have been the start of the war. You could see the emplacements of where the soldiers had dug in and could visualize the war from above. Here it was years later and still the sites were visible. I was thinking to myself that was where the tanks were; over there the artillery; and that below me was definitely where the infantry must have waited for who knows how long. The sands of time hadn’t erased it yet, but in another few years the physical remains would be erased. However the damage done by war would be forever carried in their hearts. When our helicopter finally got there after going to Bucca, Hunter and finally Gary Owen my first thought was not good. I thought to myself Self “Self Hunter was bad but this place ranks right up there with voluntarily going to the dentist”.


Journal entry 13 Oct 09: Waking up I wouldn’t have minded Willy Nelson to give me a hand getting off that lovely cot. Note to self “Self, there should be two sizes of cots one size for those young kids wet behind the ears, the other size for us mature figured men over 5’10”. I’m now more than convinced that Soldiers living at Basra have it great. I again made a mental note to wait until running water and porcelain to do whatever business I may have. I also knew my Bathroom reader would be waiting for me as well as the now much appreciated phone booth sized bathroom stall complete with running water. The next day was the inspection the rest of today was spent becoming familiar with the surroundings and preparing for the inspection.


Journal entry 14 Oct 09: Another inspection that left me impressed with my guard unit back home at Basra. I guess I thought that the active duty guys would have this down pat. I was wrong most of the units did fairly well but a few need much improvement. I need to write this one up in such a way that their higher headquarters steps up to the plate and helps these guys. The potential is there but the emphasis on Logistics seems to be lacking. It’s never about the logistics of things until it’s too late. Played some Cribbage with Chuck Madden and taught him a lesson about winning and losing. (I have pictures of my victory over Chuck if you’re interested).


Journal entry 15 Oct 09: Woke up very early and the labor pains were five minutes apart. For a brief moment I thought I might actually give birth to a turtle if you know what I mean? There was no waiting for the porcelain it was now or never. Between the labor pains I grabbed my flashlight; the roll of hoarded toilet paper and I was off. There they were waiting for me Jimmy’s Johnnies all in a line. I felt like little red riding hood as I opened door one (no lock); door two (no toilet seat); Door three seemed to be just right, the perfect place to give birth. I’m not sure if I screamed or not but I almost passed out. Thank god it was over and I could return to my cot. I thought about waking up my travel companions but deep down inside I knew better.


All kidding aside I knew that soon I would be back to Basra, my mattress on my man size bed, my family and my friends. Life at Basra was living the life that others only dreamed of.


I have to add I like getting out and working with the troops. Even though they are getting inspected doesn't mean that you can't assist them and follow up on issues with their higher headquarters that they might have.

Man I miss home I just have to tell myself that each day down is one step closer to coming home. Unfortunately the holidays are rapidly approaching. During my stay in Adder while traveling on the base bus system the radio announcer said that if you wanted to get cards or packages home for Christmas you have until 20 November to do it. Man talk about rushing a guy!

That is all,


Dave