http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Middle East , Iraq , West en-us Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:28:50 BST Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:28:50 BST Today I left for a conference in Baghdad. I was there about a month ago but another opportunity came up for me to attend a Commanderrsquos conference. I sure do hate to travel but I enjoy seeing new things. We left for the military passenger terminal at 2300 on the 29th and departed very early the next morning. I flew on a Sherpa. A Sherpa is an Army aircraft that is used primarily to trans http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-313969.html Happy 30th Birthday. Just another day in Iraq. I did not even sleep in. I did want to plan a good birthday party so on my day off we will celebrate. I have received lots of great gifts for my birthday. My coworkers sent me two birthdayrsquos in a box. It had all of the items that I would need for a party candles streamers balloons plates hats blowers etc. They also sent some funn http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-313066.html Today we finally received the Yeti. If I havenrsquot told you the story of the Yeti yet let me elaborate. In the 24hour plane ride to Kuwait Mark and I did every activity that one can do on an Airplane. We watched movies listened to music read magazines talked with other soldiers went to the bathroom walked around etc. We kept looking at Sky Mall magazine and laughing at all of the r http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-313061.html Independence Day in Kuwait. Not my first choice. I have a flight scheduled for tomorrow so I checked into the temporary billeting in Kuwait to get some much needed rest. I slept almost 8 hours catching up for the last 4 days. The base in Kuwait is much safer so it is a more relaxed environment. I put on my PT uniform and got out to explore what Independence Day activities that were being offe http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-310447.html Tried to get out all last night. I am still sitting at the airport. My back hurts from sitting on the concrete all night. July 3 Still stuck. I made friends at the Airport. In the movie Fight Club Brad Pitt talks about single serving friends these are becoming several serving friends. We are all stuck together in a perpetual sleep and eat cycle. The only flight I can get is to Kuwait la http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-310445.html Today I was supposed to fly back to Al Asad. When I emerged from my tent I was greeted with a sandstorm. I went to the military passenger terminal and learned that my confirmed flight had been cancelled and now I would need to try to get a standby flight when I weather cleared. I chose to hope on the bus system and explore Baghdad sandy or not. I rode over to Camp Slayer to see Saddamrsquos http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-310440.html The reason I traveled to Baghdad was for the Medical Service Corp inservice. It was designed to be for all Medical Service Corp to network and share ideas. The conference was a good experience. I met lots of my counterparts who operate at various bases in theater. I even ran into a LT who I attended officer basic course with three years ago. She taps me on the back and says do you remember m http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-310435.html Today I left for my trip to Baghdad. The way you travel in theater is quite different than you will travel in the way you would travel in the US. It is a long everchanging process. You cannot make travel reservations more than 4 days before your intended trip but not less than 3 days before you plan to leave. Then in order to catch your flight you have to arrive at the airport three hours be http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-310431.html Mark and I decided to take another bike ride around the perimeter of the base. We took off about 1800 just as the sun fell below the ridge. We rode all the way to the end of the base before ascending to the top of the ridge. We made good time past the old bunkers and were enjoying the cooler temperature 110. As soon as we got to the halfway point of our ride Mark got a page to return to the http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-310430.html My Dadrsquos care package arrived today. Because of the sandstorm all of our mail was delayed so today there was a huge pile in the mailroom. I goy some really cool stuff. Lots of food and snacks to include my favorites pistashios wasabi almondssplenda and MMs. I couldnrsquot eat it all before returnng from deployment. I shared with Mark and my staff. The folks I work with were qui http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-290208.html Holy sand batman. Today we encountered the worst sandstorm yet. There has been light sand for the last few days. This morning I got up and gathered my things to go shower and as I opened the door I was greeted with a wall of sand. The sand was so thick that you could not see to the end of the row of CHUs that I live on. I dawned my baclava and wrap around glasses and headed to work only to ge http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-290202.html Today my first care package arrived. I was so excited like a kid at Christmas. Kristen sent me a package with my Army Times weekly newspaper for the Army some things I left at home and Lizzie sent me a Mickey Mouse fan and Cinderella Postcard. I am sure that my friends think I am a little weird newspapers and a Cinderella postcard. It made me happy.Everyone who has read my blog knows t http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-290201.html Fatherrsquos Day and my first day off this deployment. I planned to get up after sleeping in a bit and go for a bike ride on the ridge of the base. I woke up to the radio walkie talkie and thought I was getting a call. It was not for me but since it was the evening at home I decided to get dressed and walk to the hardstand. I called home and talked with my girls. That made my day even t http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-290199.html Happy Birthday to the Army. She is 233 today. Since today is Groundhog Day we didnrsquot know that it was the Army birthday today until we saw the email from the Sergeant Major of the Army. Oh Happy Birthday we muttered. The excitement came at chow time. When we got to the DFAC dining facility there were lots of patriotic decorations. The tables were covered in red white and blue tabl http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-289582.html A power outage today. The hospital is new to Al Asad. It was built last year. It has all of the modern hospital equipment. We have xRay CT Scanner Pharmacy Laboratory Blood Bank ER OR and Dental Clinic. The hospital is wired with 110 volt and 220 volt power. Many instruments have been lost by plugging into the wrong outlet. I work in the Hardstand which is the old Saddam hospital. http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-289578.html Today we gained a new addition to the hospital a mascot of sorts. Even though we are not allowed mascots under General Order 1 the same order that prohibits Alcohol Sex Fun etc. we adopted a bat for the afternoon. A small fuzzy bat perched himself on the windows in the main hallway. He hung from the aluminum frame of a large window. At first I thought it was a huge bug but it was a litt http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-289517.html Hump day. I used to go by the days of the week. Wednesday was two days until Friday which meant time home with my girls. I usually donrsquot know what day it is. Our wives laugh at us because we donrsquot know what day it is. I have heard many soldiers say ldquoMy wifegirlfriend thought I was giving her a hard time on the phone because I said that I didnrsquot know it was Wednesday http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-289516.html Today the weather cleared. The concert is on. Puddle of Mudd a rock band from Seattle came to Al Asad tonight. Everybody is glad to see anything other than work and sand. Mark and I went early to get a good seat. The concert was held at the old stadium build by Saddam. We secured seats in the stands and what a good thing. The sand picked up a little and the band was delayed getting in. http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-289513.html Another sandstorm today. A band was supposed to play for us tonight but they were not able to fly in today. Hopefully tomorrow they will offer the concert. The sand storm is really interesting. It blows sand into every crevice and crack in the buildings. You will spend hours cleaning and a sandstorm will blow through and negate your work in minutes. I suppose that you just have to live with http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-289512.html Today was a very exciting day. One of the Doctors Dr. W works in the hospital. He is an Iraqi civilian. Dr. W was born and raised in Iraq his family left when Saddam took power in the 1970s. He moved to Montreal Canada to escape the oppressive government. He lived in Canada until 2003 when Saddam was removed from power. Dr. W returned to Iraq to work with the new government and help his http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-289274.html Today was SGT Brundlersquos birthday. He failed to tell us ahead of time so that we could prepare a proper celebration. We found out from one of his friends. MSG Master Sergeant and I went out to the PX and searched for anything that resembled a birthday cake. There was a scarce selection at the PX big surprise. We found a frozen tiramisu chocolate brownie and a bag of chex mix. We s http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-285266.html Cheerleaders Cheerleaders Cheerleaders. Today the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders came to Al Asad for a visit. Everyone was quite excited to see their name on the bill even if you aren't from Philadelphia. The Eagles are doing a 12 day tour of Iraq playing shows at several bases. They spent the first few minutes doing a cheerleading routine. We of course enjoyed that. Next they spent som http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-285264.html We are transitioning quite well since our arrival. Each day we report to our duties we take a little more responsibility from the unit that is leaving. As I said before they have shorttimers disease and their symptoms grow worse every day. I can't say as I blame them for itching to go home. I am happy to be here and excited to begin a new experience. As I manage soldiers I use my personal le http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-284878.html The unit that is leaving is counting days until they leave. My unit members are counting days already a little early and depressing if you ask me. My company commander is counting Cigars. He smokes on cigar a week on Fridays so he says 39 cigars till we go home. I like that. I have been busy at my new job but am coming along nicely. I have a great staff and hope to help them get even be http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-282816.html A meloncollie day today. I was promoted to Battalion S3 which is quite exciting. My boss was promoted which opened the position I am in now. Usually the S3 position is reserved for a Major or Colonel so as a Lieutenant I have huge shoes to fill. I am honored excited and aphrensive at the same time. I can't speak specifically to what I do on a day to day basis but I ensure that the hospital http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-282814.html Spent most of yesterday and much of the evening organizing my room. I live in a CHU pronounced CHOO like Ah Choo or Choo Choo. CHU stands for Compartmentilized or Continerized Housing Unit. It is a railroad shipping container with a door. You have seen them on giant container ships railroad cars or on Semi Trailers. They are not too big when you put two people in them. I have a door w http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-282812.html First morning in Iraq. I got up and went for a walk with Mark. We explored all that the base has to offer. There is a small outdoor courtyard that has a Burger King and Pizza Hut. You order at a window and pick it up at another similar to a drive in like Sonic. Since we lack cars we eat outside a picnic tables. The heat of the day keeps most away until night time. Next door there is a PX P http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-282810.html Showtime finaly. We left today for Iraq. It is a meloncolie feeling to finally go we have trained so hard for this moment yet it is a little stressful knowing that we will be responsible for real lives. The decisions that the medical staff makes will determine life and death every day. I am weighed with the burden of taking care of the medical staff so the circle is of influence is quite larg http://www.travelblog.org/Middle-East/Iraq/West/Al-Asad-Airbase/blog-281489.html