Well, we made it here, to Kuwait. We are officially in theater, and our 12 month clock has begun. What an incredible trip to get here - 21 hrs of travel. Leaving Ft. Sill, we passed over Chicago, then refueled at Bangor, Maine. Then to Shannon, Ireland for a quick stop, landed at sunrise, in the rain. Then on to Kuwait...this leg I saw the snow covered Alps, most of europe, and then we flew along the Black sea, over Turkey, and the entered the north end of Iraq. Flew right over Mosul, then saw our base at Balad, then Bagdad, and along the east side down the gulf to Kuwait. I was amazed, it looked pretty much just like we saw in that simulator at Ft Rucker.I was awake for the majority of the trip, couldn't stop looking out the window... We got here at 6:30pm (10:30am MN time) on Sunday. What a blast furnace!! 126 degrees!! Go turn on your oven to 125, then crawl inside...it's unbelievable! I'm adjusting fine, am grateful when it drops to about 90 at night. It's rather comfy at 0500, but by 0600, it starts warming about 6 degres /hr. It's toughest between 1100-1700 when the sun gets hazy in the dust and the temps start to
drop...remember, it's all relative. I have some photos to post at some point, I'm not on my laptop, I'm in a USO computer center, I get a quick 30 min to check email etc. The wind seems to never stop... Today they blew sirens for wind warnings...can't see more than 1/4 mile. Overall my spirits are good, one can't help but think about all the verses in the bible about going throught the deserts. Wow!, it's unbelievable to see this place...I'll have more later, we should get our aircraft in another day or so, and be here for a bit yet. Please pray for me and the gang, we're hangin...
Thanks.
12 comments:
Hey Dad! I am so glad to hear you made it safely! Thanks for the quick update!
Stay safe and email me when you can! I love you!!!
Lisa
Hi Brad,
Glad to hear you arrived safely. I have a post card rec'd from a soldier in 2004 that shows the cities in Iraq so I'm trying to pinpoint where you are. For extra encouragement go to Militaryprayers.org Keep strong in the Lord. We'll keep praying that the Lord will bless and keep you!
Dale & Barb
Hey pops! Happy Birthday today!! Woo-hoo! Hope that you have a great day today! (or already had, as it's now 1730 for you)
Thanks for the quick post here...glad to hear that you're getting adjusted, and that you made it there safely...
Pretty cool to fly over Europe, isn't it...glad you were able to look out the window at the Alps, different things.
Keep up the good work, look forward to chatting! Miss y'a, Dad...
We prayed for you in church last Sunday as you were getting settled in Kuwait.
You've probably heard about the I-35W bridge collapse in Mpls. That happened just as I dropped you off at the airport. While I was driving home I heard the first reports on the car radio.
We finished VBS last night and Stef had a blast. It was good to see Rhonda at the closing session, too. She's recovering well.
Be strong in the Lord, brother.
Pastor Paul
Take care, Brad. We are thinking of you all the time. Everyone is grateful to you and people like you who are willing to serve our country.
We took Randy and Mindy to the airport the other day. You are in our prayers.
Stay safe, Deadeye!
Mary and Phil
Hey Nature Boy!
We're very happy that you arrived safely. Reading your blog puts our mere 91 degrees in perspective...I'm gonna stop whining about our heat after reading about what you and the gang are dealing with.
Flying over Europe is something, isn't it? I've been to Paris a few times (visiting our exchange teacher Seb).
I hope that you're able to catch up on some sleep so that you will be at your physical best. We're praying for you and the people you're serving amongst. We trust in God and the promises in the Bible, and look forward to a joyful reunion with you! ;-D
WE LOVE YOU, MISS YOU, AND ARE PROUD OF YOU!!!
A friend from here in Waterloo is in the Guard and his job is working on Black Hawks. Some of his co-worker, buddies, are coming out to see you sometime in this next year it sounds like, but our friend hasn't heard that he's in that deployment. He's a full time guarder... Keeps him plenty busy!
Hi Brad,
Enjoyed the pics you posted. Would your base be near Kirkuk or Samarra? Our temps dropped off to the 80s today and rain is expected tomorrow and into Sat. Our grandsons went to Como Park Zoo today as part of a Kids First program. Tyler said it was a 12 hr. day. Last Sat. was Brandon & Jen Peterson's wedding, and this weekend is Bob Sayre's. Dale will drive motor coach for a group of "Buddies" on Sun. May the Lord put His angels around all of you! ~ Bj ~
Best of luck over there-- our thoughts are with you. Keep the reports coming.
We've been as fine as we can be in West Metro-- now doing sampling on Mississ. River (13 mi compared to much more Montrose has). Good thing we didn't lump in the downstream reach as well (which we had considered). State Fair duties start 8/22 for the Region (partic. E & W metro stations), and I have a day as "fish display custodian" on 8/31.
Our family's fine-- Brendan finally has had stitches out-- 3 ER visits in a 2-week period. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome isn't fun, but it's not autism, retardation, or more severe medical issue. We went back to area where I grew up for about a day (south-central Upper Mich.), then spent a weekend with my brother and family in Rhinelander, WI. Thompson Lake is nice.
Wishing you health and safety.
Taylor & the rest of the Polomis family
HI happy to hear you made it safely to iraq. i'm sure it will be very different. take care. OH , BY THE WAY , DIDN'T YOU FOREGET SOMEBODIES NAME IN YOUR LAST BLOG OF AUGUST 8 ????????.
Brad, you have a mailing address yet? We need to smuggle you some good stuff ( fish, milfoil, etc.)
Jason Jensen
Brad, thanks for your blog. I teach with Lisa at STMA. Your blog is such a good example of how the internet helps people communicate. My writing students will be visiting to check it out, and I will encourage them to comment. The pictures and the stories you tell give such insight into what it's really like for soldiers. Thank you for all you do.
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