At the moment, those are my two most favorite words these days. Of course, it refers to our battalion getting closer to completing its year long deployment in Iraq, and heading home. Hallelujah!! From today, we have around 27 days until folks start leaving for Kuwait. We are all anxious to be away from here, and out of harms way. Most of us are getting pretty tired of dodging the daily mortars and rockets fired
at our base. We are continuing to fly our missions, and keeping people busy.
The weather is a different story...I never would have expected that June would be our worst time to fly, due to dust storms. We've had quite a few days of 'no flying' and very poor visibility. It's pretty warm here too, getting up to 110-115 degrees or so a few times so far. We know it's only going to get hotter, but that's o.k. - means we're closer to going home.
We're still seeing more progress in Baghdad. Even after the latest uprising from Sadr City, things have quieted down, and the majority of the people are returning to their former activities. The people want to just live and work without fear. There are more little shops opening up, and even a couple pools have opened up again...seems that Iraqi kids like to play in water too...go figure.
I just finished up a long stint in the AMR cell, building more mission sets that we fly. Probably my last time, as I now return to the Company to fly again, and see if I can get a little more flight time. I've only flown about half of everyone else, due to my job in the AMR cell. So tomorrow, I get to fly...I'm really looking forward to it. We still have folks down at Basra (see last months blog). In fact, they will likely stay there until our replacement types show up. There is going to be a larger, full time presence there to help the area get back on its feet. Our replacements will probably be split with some here, some there to support the continuing effort. We'll look for more good news from there as time goes on.
Riding the 'A' bus to the other side one day, I heard other soldiers talking. It was sure nice to hear someone else talk 'newbie on the base' stuff: where things were, what bus to take, etc. Nice to see more new people coming in all the time, and patiently watch as we get closer to leaving. Nice to be the big dogs on the base.
Of all the things there are to spend money on here, you'll be happy to know, I've fought off the urge to get a tattoo (not really that tough). Don't laugh, lots of our folks are coming home a little more colorful than when we left...must be a combat zone thing, I guess.
DNR NOTES -- Not a whole lot to mention here, still seeing the usual birds, especially the English Sparrow. Way too many of those, and obviously they've spread a bit too far. I have seen a Kestrel like bird around the tall roof lines of the DFAC, but I can't seem to locate nests
anywhere. I'll be busy looking for more stuff when I fly again. Had a bit of a concern a while back, seems there was a cobra snake roaming around our housing area at night. We were advised to always carry a flashlight and walk carefully. Thankfully, they wouldn't be interested in us, but if someone stepped on one by accident, that would not be cool. And did you know that only Chuck Norris can prevent forest fires??
We've heard that our replacements are soon to arrive in Kuwait, and the early advance group should be here in about two weeks...means as more start trickling in, and get up to speed on the
missions, we start trickling out (same as last year). Boy does that sound nice. We're all ready to start doin' some chillaxin'...
Once again, thanks for the thoughts and prayers, it means a lot to have your support whilst we do a difficult job. We will continue to stay mission focused, and keep dodging whatever they may shoot at us, until the aircraft are shutdown and ready to be loaded on the ships in Kuwait. We are making a difference here, and it shows. God Bless, and be safe at home........ Thanks.
Now if I can get my son to post some more pics on here before Sept. (haha) you'll be all set... : )
at our base. We are continuing to fly our missions, and keeping people busy.The weather is a different story...I never would have expected that June would be our worst time to fly, due to dust storms. We've had quite a few days of 'no flying' and very poor visibility. It's pretty warm here too, getting up to 110-115 degrees or so a few times so far. We know it's only going to get hotter, but that's o.k. - means we're closer to going home.
We're still seeing more progress in Baghdad. Even after the latest uprising from Sadr City, things have quieted down, and the majority of the people are returning to their former activities. The people want to just live and work without fear. There are more little shops opening up, and even a couple pools have opened up again...seems that Iraqi kids like to play in water too...go figure.
I just finished up a long stint in the AMR cell, building more mission sets that we fly. Probably my last time, as I now return to the Company to fly again, and see if I can get a little more flight time. I've only flown about half of everyone else, due to my job in the AMR cell. So tomorrow, I get to fly...I'm really looking forward to it. We still have folks down at Basra (see last months blog). In fact, they will likely stay there until our replacement types show up. There is going to be a larger, full time presence there to help the area get back on its feet. Our replacements will probably be split with some here, some there to support the continuing effort. We'll look for more good news from there as time goes on.
Riding the 'A' bus to the other side one day, I heard other soldiers talking. It was sure nice to hear someone else talk 'newbie on the base' stuff: where things were, what bus to take, etc. Nice to see more new people coming in all the time, and patiently watch as we get closer to leaving. Nice to be the big dogs on the base.
Of all the things there are to spend money on here, you'll be happy to know, I've fought off the urge to get a tattoo (not really that tough). Don't laugh, lots of our folks are coming home a little more colorful than when we left...must be a combat zone thing, I guess.
DNR NOTES -- Not a whole lot to mention here, still seeing the usual birds, especially the English Sparrow. Way too many of those, and obviously they've spread a bit too far. I have seen a Kestrel like bird around the tall roof lines of the DFAC, but I can't seem to locate nests
anywhere. I'll be busy looking for more stuff when I fly again. Had a bit of a concern a while back, seems there was a cobra snake roaming around our housing area at night. We were advised to always carry a flashlight and walk carefully. Thankfully, they wouldn't be interested in us, but if someone stepped on one by accident, that would not be cool. And did you know that only Chuck Norris can prevent forest fires??We've heard that our replacements are soon to arrive in Kuwait, and the early advance group should be here in about two weeks...means as more start trickling in, and get up to speed on the
missions, we start trickling out (same as last year). Boy does that sound nice. We're all ready to start doin' some chillaxin'...
Once again, thanks for the thoughts and prayers, it means a lot to have your support whilst we do a difficult job. We will continue to stay mission focused, and keep dodging whatever they may shoot at us, until the aircraft are shutdown and ready to be loaded on the ships in Kuwait. We are making a difference here, and it shows. God Bless, and be safe at home........ Thanks.
Now if I can get my son to post some more pics on here before Sept. (haha) you'll be all set... : )
6 comments:
Hey Nature Boy!
Man, it's nice to even read the words "Next month" so I can't imagine how it must feel to be living them! ;o) We're going to double our prayers for your safety until we know you're back on MN soil, when the prayers will turn into shouts of thanksgiving!!
Sorry I haven't written for a while. May was a rough month - my mom was back in St. Mary's in Rochester. We all feared another knee infection, which would've meant left leg amputation, but this time it was in her bile duct...weird!
At home, we're living in chaos as we prepare for a kitchen remodel. For the first time in 29 years, we're also going to have a blacktopped driveway - I believe we're one of the last hold-outs in Baxter - and will say goodbye to "Lake Oh-Be-Gone" which forms in front of the garage after every rainfall...
God bless you as you continue your mission but prepare to come home. Can't wait to give you a hug!
Love, Julie
Brad,
So proud of you and the job you continue to do each and every Day.
When ever I get discouraged I Read and re-read your posts. It's like I'm almost there with you. Can't wait for the Captain of the Guard to return.
love Ya brother
In Christ
Mike L.
Dear Cous,
Ever so glad the time is passing and it is just a matter of days. May God be with you each and every day and in each activity. A Bible is still open to Psalm 91 in prayerful support for you and has been for months. It is setting on the piano and will be there until you come home. In a matter of days we will be going to TN and we will miss your antics when the family gets together.
Thinking of you,
Steve
Hi Brad,
Such good news that you'll soon be home. Our prayers for your safety will continue.
We had VBS, Meals on Wheels to deliver, a fly-in and air show, Hat Daze events and parade, a Mem'l Service and a funeral to attend, an auction and farewell dinner, and 2 wk. of grandsons, which included baseball practice and games, plus Dale's bus trips. Whew! Now, I "think" things will slow down for a while. It's all good, but I wish things didn't overlap and get so hectic.
Take care and God bless and keep you. ~ Bj ~
Greetings
I am the flight surgeon for Iowa. Mr. Thoren gave me your blog URL. I have been following your adventures and praying for all of you to return safely. I rotated through your AO in 2003-04 and 2005-06. How time flies! Be careful especially en route to Q-Wait and hope to hear from you once back in the Great Mosquito Haven.
Brad,
My name is Jocelyn Green and we have a mutual friend in Amy Lanser, who now attends church with me in Waterloo, Iowa. I'm contacting you because I'm writing a book about stories of faith and courage from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and I thought you may have some stories to share with me about how you've seen God's faithfulness during your deployment. If you are interested in the least, please email me for more information: jocelyn@jocelyngreen.com.
Thanks!
Jocelyn
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