Block Leave

Well, I wanted to get this out before we went on leave, but there was too much going on right up to the last minute. We had more cultural briefs, and some other classes to attend. We also had to get our final packing done for the stuff we wanted to take home, things we definitely knew we wouldn't use overseas. There was a new class the trainers thought they would try out on us, and if it worked well, they'll use it for future aviation units when they mobilize. It was personnel recovery (downed aircraft), basically how to run, hide, and get picked up by the good guys.
It was very good training...it was exhausting, navigating through the woods, water (yes lots of hip deep water crossings), and fields, without being detected, using all our survival skills, and drinking lots of water. I drank 2.5 camel backs (250 ozs), and should have used more. It was about 3-4 mi of hiking, and then we get a lift from a friendly Iraqi, then more hiking to the pickup site, hiding in a safe house in an Iraqi village, room and building clearing, and last but not least, a trip in a convoy, where of course we had to try to avoid IED's, and we were ambushed, had injured troops (simulated), and had to set up for a evacuation to the hospital... What more could there be in a fun-filled afternoon? Kind of like a semester final for all we've done. I had to stop quite a few times and rest for a couple minutes, it was so hot, and we have our armor and flight vest on, it really makes you think about the difficulty of running, trying not to be seen, and all the other factors in case we do this for real. Incidentally if I do go down for maintenance reasons or "otherwise", there are folks looking for us within minutes, and the wheels of recovery process start turning. There should be some friendly aircraft overhead in a matter of minutes to provide additional fire support or come in and pick us up. All in all, it took about 8hrs, including a detailed debrief. Everyone seemed to like it, got through it, and we recommended they continue it for the next group (sure, why do we care if they get exhausted and worn out, we're out of here!). We did have about 6 heat casualties the first day, but none on our day (thought I was going to become one but didn't). Glad to have it done...

We did get to have an actual battalion picnic at a small lake nearby, complete with burgers, dogs, pop, water and lots of beer for those who required it. Lots of warnings about sunburn and use of sunscreen, but after the first couple hours, seemed to fall on deaf (numb)ears...end result? Lots of really sore soldiers whose pale little white bodies had been scorched. All in all, it was fun, I swam, tanned at the beach (yes I still believe in a nice tan), and played quite a while on the water slide...had some competition, once I found the secret to speed, I won quite a few of my heats (those 10yr olds didn't have a chance).

Now that we're leaving this army post soon, I'm reflecting on the good the bad and the ugly... We're all kind of tired of 7 in our small rooms, but we really got along pretty well most of the time. There were times where we hated it, but, we got through it. For a family of 440, there are times for lots of disagreements, but again, we worked through it, an did our jobs. One highlight for me is meeting people in the dining facility (DFAC..thought you'd get by with no new acronyms, huh?) I usually try to sit near the TV so I can catch even a glimpse of what's going on in the rest of the world. I have dined with a lot of Marines...there is a 5 wk course here in artillery for them. They are pretty dedicated, and they look very young, some are only 17. I enjoyed hearing where they were from, hobbies back home, etc. Then I dined with the Navy...there is a group of reservists, (46) that are going to Kuwait. Their skills range from electronics techs, mechanics, and junior lawyers (yes, like JAG Merijo). Guess what they will be doing? They are training at the detention center (the pen) here on post to be prison security personnel...boy it sucks to be them, huh? Then there's the folks from Virginia, Nat Guard, for their 2 week annual training, filling in for the army band from Sill who went overseas for some ceremonies there. I dined with a cellist, clarinetist, and a drummer. Of course we talked lots of musical notes and rests (based on my vast experience from church choir at home). (Oh Brother!)

It's time for me to go, lots to do at home, a final list of things to bring to Kuwait/Iraq, etc. Taking care of some medical issues at home, spending a bunch of time with my little girl (8), and my other kids as well. I'm really glad to be done with part 1, and ready to start part 2. The sooner we go, the sooner we get back... We will be in Kuwait for a few weeks, to acclimate, and do some more flight and weapons training, then we push north to Iraq. No dates for this yet, but I'm guessing we'll be doing some actual missions by the middle of the month. Not sure when I'll be updating the blog, might be a bit until I get near the Internet. I will have it in my quarters once we get settled in. Stay tuned. Thanks for your comments, thoughts and prayers. Me and all my Battle Buddies need them. I can tell already that time is going quickly, until we fly back to Ft. Sill on the 1st... Thanks, and God Bless you guys...

Out of the FOB...

8 days and nights of very busy day training, and hot conditions for sleep in tents at night. Basically, it really sucked...really bad. There was a day or two I wasn't sure I could survive the heat, all dressed up, and drinking over 200 ozs of water every day. We started out with 4 days of IED (improvised explosive device) training, then 4 days of convoy operations, and some weapon firing. I was surprised to find out the Army is performing mostly law enforcement duties, and trying to let the Iraqi's take over with more tactical stuff when they can. Army folks are doing more finger printing & processing of detainees. We started out with lots of videos of IED's, vehicle borne (VBIED'S), and suicide bombers. There are robots they use to investigate some of the roadside IED's. We covered the laws of war, ROE(rules of engagement), and sniper operations. We set up entry control points, EOF (escalation of force), use of stop strips. That led us into vehicle inspections, and searches, and personnel searches, and detaining or collecting EPW's (enemy prisoner of war). We also covered civil disturbances and crowd control. Did you know we don't use warning shots? If a vehicle is fast approaching a checkpoint, and ignores the visual and audible signals, they get one round (shot) into the engine block...if they continue, next one's on them...

We put all this stuff to use by driving all around different routes and practiced finding IEDs early on, avoiding land mines, and dealing with COBs (civilians on the battlefield)...actual Iraqi Americans who work here as actors and actresses, how to deal with their needs and even simulated Iraqi army checkpoints, and how to get our convoy through. We weren't allowed to take photos of the cobs because most of them have fam back in Iraq yet. We fired blanks the first 3 days, then used real live ammo on the last day. Pretty cool to shoot again...

About the last thing we did at the FOB (forward operating base...don't you love all the acronyms?) was we came under fire and had to defend it, and launch our QRF (quick reaction force). Yes, we were able to defend it ourselves, without Chuck Norris, or Steven Segall. One thing I didn't care for at the FOB was at least twice a day the OC's (operator controllers) played these Islamic chants over the PA system...similar to what we'll have to listen to overseas. There are a lot of Iraqi's and TCNs (third country nationals) working on the bases there, so I guess we try to be more tolerant of their habits...we are a "kinder gentler army" these days. (oh brother)

Human nature notes - boy, some things never change...picture this. We're all sitting on the ground at these outdoor classes at the FOB, and we get a 5-10 min break about every hour or so. Remember how the boys would tease the girls with bugs and snakes in grade school? Well, a few guys have continued the fun, yes even many years later, of scaring some of the females with these large beetles, or a spider. Once the screams start, it's hard to not want to participate. (I only threw a small beetle, the other guys did the big cockroaches)(really).

DNR notes - While on break between classes we have seen some cool stuff...the toad in the pic and quite a few tarantulas along the roads... I saw some quail and turkeys, too...even a 6ft green snake at the firing range.

The last 2 days after the FOB have been classes on combatives, how to defend ourselves and gain the upper hand in a one on one encounter with an insurgent. We also covered detainee operations (cuffs and stuff), chain of custody, and use of force. I found out (as a victim) there are a lot of pressure points available to get your captive individual to move or do what you need them to do, even when they are uncooperative. We all took turns to learn these. That wraps up a very busy 10 days or so. The week before the FOB, there were 2 of us selected to take a couple days training to become suicide prevention counselors. Not a very nice topic, but there have been cases in theater. We will hopefully be able to get the individual to see things differently. The national average is about 14%, and the mil is only slightly better at 12%. Kind of surprising stats to me.

With all this, the reality of war is about to become every day life. We will be in Kuwait in early Aug. Spend a few weeks training, flying, and adjusting, then we move to our base at Balad, Iraq. With the schedule as its been, we've had little real time off. Worked right thru Mem day, and Jul 4th. So, tonight for the first time, we were allowed to go as a company, and have a nice dinner in town (yahoo!), and wear civilian clothes! Those who desired could have 3 alcoholic drinks. It was great to see everyone's attitude perk up, and the food was great! I enjoyed sitting, and people watching as all my battle buddies were having fun. I was grateful for all of them, even though we don't all get along some times, but we will get the job done, no matter what it is. I then made sure my van load was home safe, as I was the designated driver...

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, and comments...it's great to read them. I'll try one more blog before we go on block leave the 23rd. See ya.