Just trying to pass the time.

Not much has been happening around here, at least not much out of the norm. I have found a new pass time and way to relax. I have never been one to lay out in the sun, I've always thought it would be boring. I have changed my mind about that after laying on the beach in Qatar, now I plan to go to the pool here on nice days. Who knew it would take me going to a war zone to appreciate something as simple as sunbathing? I have found it relaxing and rejuvenating, when things aren't exploding near by that is. :)

I also recently reached another goal of mine. The other day I finished my 2 mile run in under 13 minutes, which is good enough for the max, 100 points, on my PT test. Speaking of PT tests, I only have one person left to pass it on my remedial PT program. The other few have all passed. So that is some good progress as well.

The weather was warming up and was looking like we would be reaching the 100's soon. However, things have taken a turn and it appears as though they have an Indian winter here instead of an Indian summer. It has gone back to the cooler temps and rainy days we got used to this winter. I know it is still much better than what you all are experiencing, snow in April hasn't happened in a while. I'm sure the heat will be here soon enough, for all of us.

Work as usual.

Happy Easter

Wow is this deployment getting long! Now that we are starting to repeat holidays here in country that fact really hits home. We have been reflecting a lot lately with things like, "Remember what it was like last year at this time?" and "If I'm still here with you guys next year I'm going to be very mad!". We tend to joke about things getting worse so that they don't seem so bad now. We start new rumors about getting extended (again), I've said that if that happens I'm ordering a flat screen TV and surround sound system for my room. We josh each other about planning our next Christmas party together. Really, it's anything to keep our minds off of how long we have left, and to make light of the situation.

I just want to say that I miss you all and hope you are having a wonderful Easter. Since my favorite part of Easter (robins eggs) was sent to me, aside from the family time which is impossible to get here, I have everything I need. Thank you all again for your support.

A little bit of landscaping humor by the 148th Fighter Wing.

Hamsters In a Cage

Well I am back from my little vacation, sorry it took a little bit to post this. It was a combination of my internet not cooperating and being busy catching up with things here (Over 600 emails to sort through when I got back... ouch!)

I had a pretty good time, there is a trade off between the pain it takes to get there and the time you actually spend having fun and relaxing while you are there. It evens out to be a decent break from the routine and I am glad I got to go. My analogy for the experience is that of hamsters in a cage. You see, at work I feel like a hamster running on a wheel, most of the time I feel as though I've run a marathon and just want to sleep. Down there I was able to get off the wheel, but I was still stuck in the cage. They have many rules and guidelines which prevent you from doing a lot of things that you would want to do. Don't get me wrong, I still had a good time, but it is disappointing being treated like a little kid.

Some of the stipulations I thought were stupid were the drinking and clothing policies. We were aloud 3 drinks per night, which is just enough to wet your whistle. As a responsible adult who the army entrusts to lead troops, you would think I would be able to judge how much I can drink. I know how soldiers can be though. The second thing I found funny was the clothing policy, you are not aloud to wear anything that could identify you as an American (i.e. Minnesota Gophers t-shirts and such). I'm just about positive that everyone knew exactly who we were, it's kind of hard to fit in when you can only wear long pants, shirts with just about no writing, you have to be cleanly shaved and have a fresh haircut. Gee, who are all these English speaking people who just got off the tour bus? Give me a break!

Okay, now that I'm done venting, I was able to get off base and go baha-ing through the desert and go swimming in the Persian Gulf. Another day I went to a big mall in Doha, where I was able to see part of a hockey game, as there is an indoor rink in the mall. One thing I thought was funny is we have been away from home for so long that when most of us were given a chance to eat at some restaurants of the local culture we chose the American chains. Chili's, Applebee's, McDonald's, were my choices, that was our piece of home. On base they had movies playing 24 hours a day, comfortable sitting areas for reading, pool tables, even a batting cage. I took advantage of most of it, what I enjoyed most was just being able to do nothing. To lounge around in civilian clothing and do as I pleased.

Now I'm somewhat refreshed and back to the grind stone, hopefully we are under 100 days again, it's not as exciting this time. Enjoy the pics and take care.

Out in the desert on the way to the beach.

Stopped at a "dry lake".

They had a camp set up on the gulf for us.

Lunch was pretty good; shish-kabobs, some mixed veggies, rice, and flat bread.

Lounging after lunch, we are all just a little white.

Never thought I'd see a hockey game here!

Did I mention the pain of traveling around these parts?

Love those concrete floors!

Our Afternoon Field Trip

For the last month or so we have had some fellow Minnesotans here from the Air National Guard, 148th Fighter Wing out of Duluth. They have a much shorter stay here than we do, and don't think we are polite and don't give them crap about that. We recently took an afternoon and went over to see their operations. They provide air support for the troops around my area, we really appreciate what they do for us out there. Below are some photos of our "field trip".

The ironic thing is the prison I work at is just across the street from the airstrip these same jets take off from in Duluth. I watch them fly while I'm at work. Here, one of the routes that I run a few times a week goes right past them, so I see the same planes taking off here as I do at home.

One of the pilots was there and we were able to talk with him. We had a few guys with us that run missions outside the wire, they were anxious to pick his brain about ways they can work and communicate better.

It just so happens that this was the units youngest, and lowest ranking pilot, who is on his first tour here. However, he is the only one of them who has had the opportunity to drop a live bomb... Just a little bit of bragging rights for him.

I will be going on my little excursion to Qatar in the next couple of days, so don't be alarmed if you don't hear from me for a little while. I'm not sure what kind of internet access I will have.

Beginning Our New Year.

I have been staying pretty busy lately, time has kept on flying by, which is a welcome relief to how it was going a month or so ago. I have had a few milestones just pass that made me stop and reflect a little bit. Yesterday was supposed to be my brigades TOA (Transfer of Authority), in essence the "handing of the torch" to the next guys. The shock of these earmarked days has worn off and they don't really get me down anymore. We are just concentrating on doing our jobs and looking to the future for when we finally get to go home.

Today is the anniversary of boarding a plane in Mississippi and leaving the good ole US of A. We didn't actually land in Kuwait until the 20th, so tomorrow will begin the second year of our tour, this one better not be a full year! I am keeping hope alive to be home for my anniversary this year. Which would give Sarah and I a month together before she must go back to school for her senior year.

All of us here have been reminiscing about our training together; Our time at Camp Shelby, the rotation we did in "the box" at Ft. Polk. We had a lot of good times, drank a lot of beer, but it all seems so long ago! We are just amazed at how long we have been working together. My wife has said that she feels she knows all of them, and she has never even met them. I know I've said it before and I will continue to say it, the group I am with here is great, we get the job done but we always have a good time doing it. I know I wouldn't be handling this nearly as well if it weren't for the company I am here with.

Like I said before, time has been flying. This is in large part to a few new things I've been doing. I FINALLY got my Xbox 360 that I have been waiting over 2 months for. The first one got lost in them mail, so they had to send another. Let me tell you, there is no better way to mindlessly pass time than video games! The hours just disappear and before I know it, it's time to go to bed. Sarah also got me a new camera, so I have been figuring out what that can do, and also working on some new photo projects. It is also just in time for my upcoming trip to Qatar at the end of this month. (more to follow on this when I get back).

The other activity that has been occupying my time and energy is PT. I have been working out quite a bit already so this isn't a big change, but now I have company. There were a few individuals who didn't pass their last PT test. They are going to schools after this deployment and they need to pass it in order to attend. So my Sergeant Major and I are doing daily PT with them to get them into shape. PT is just so much more fun when you are running other people into the ground, something about their misery just spurs you on.

To answer a couple of questions from your comments; I am working on getting pictures of critters around here, but it seems that they don't like the cold and I haven't been seeing any lately. Secondly, it is not a chicken in the picture with the Governor. It is a combination of sunlight reflecting on the camera lens, and the magazine pouch on the stalk of his rifle for ammo.

Well, I suppose I have rambled on enough for one post, I hope you are all doing well. I will leave you with a picture of one of the many dangers here in this country, we must be very careful to avoid these.

The Dog and Pony Show

I had hoped to get this out sooner, I've been waiting for better pics of the event. I'm still waiting for those pictures so this one will have to do for now, and I will post the others when I get them. As many of you know we had some V.I.P's in our area last week; Lt. Gen. Blum who is the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

They had a breakfast planned for some of the MN soldiers and airmen who are stationed here. It was held in the fancy dining room of the mess hall, so we had tablecloths and real napkins and all that sort of stuff. It was kind of weird being at a "fancy" breakfast and drinking out of a juice box though. Even though the setting was fancy it was a casual breakfast where the Gen. and Gov. were able to express there appreciation for what we do and also their sympathy for the 1/34th BCT (My unit) which was extended. They expressed regret not only for our being extended, but for the way the news was broken. The two ensured us that they too had found out the same way, and they were upset by it as well. General Blum presented each soldier who was extended a decorative coin showing his appreciation.

After breakfast a group photo was taken with all who attended. Then it was back to work for me. We had an additional visit with our guests when they stopped in to see our operations. They were spending their remaining time on our post visiting the units from MN. The picture I have included was taken in front of my building as they were getting ready to leave.

I usually don't like the whole "Dog and Pony Show" when distinguished visitors come around, but I have to admit this time was different. They were genuinely here to see how we were doing and find out what concerns we have. Usually they are more concerned about what we do and make sure things are running properly and it is generally a pain in the arse.

On a separate note, we recently passed the date which was supposed to be our finish line. I had a countdown clock set to go off on our last day. We had stopped looking at it since it was no longer accurate, but yesterday it started chiming! It was a little depressing and sucks to think that we should be on a plane, but what do you do. I am actually glad that day has passed. Before we were still doing our normal year tour, and we had this extension hanging over us. Now I am at least able to think that we are in the final stretch. Below is an additional photo that we had taken a week or so ago. It is the group I am here working with. It is a rare occasion that we are able to all be together, since we work different shifts and the radios need to be manned at all times, so complete group pictures of us are rare.

The Dark Side of the Moon

We had a lunar eclipse here the other night, around 1:45 am. I wasn't motivated enough to wake up in the middle of the night to see it. However, one of the night shift guys had just gotten a new camera and was able to get a good picture of it, after about 70 tries from what he said.

Photo compliments of SFC Rene Montero.