Mission Iraq - Round 2

Home at Last

2007-08-20T16:10:00.000+04:00

From the time we went into Customs lock down until I stepped off the plane to see my family waiting...it took 45 hours to finally be home. Good flights and the good company of my AF brethren, who deployed on this mission with me, helped pass the time and the miles.

JM, Gio, Foggy, Orto, and Dozer I wish you all the best of luck and continued success in your careers and endeavors! "Tail Winds and Clear Sky" my friends.

My family, neighbors and church have treated me to a hero's welcome and I am grateful. Time to focus on our move. The packers arrive in two days and then it's time for our next adventure.

Once again, thank you all for your prayers, words of encouragement, and for following my adventures.

Remain vigilant and may God continue to bless America!

Last Thoughts

2007-08-06T00:44:00.000+04:00

This will be my final posting from Iraq. As such, I will leave you with a few parting thoughts:
The personal sacrifices of your men and women of the United States Armed Forces are great and many. Long missions without sleep, no showers, an undefined adversary, sniper fire, roadside bombs, and the single unified prayer of returning to base alive and in one piece as they often find themselves fighting for their lives on the streets of Iraq. Their lives have been put on hold for 12 months and now involuntarily extended to 15 months for a mission in a hell hole defined by the gruesome reality of a fight for stability and security akin to the biblical battle of David and Goliath. Time will tell whether we are David or Goliath. Maintain positive thoughts for these kids and keep them in your prayers.
For the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, their death is not in vain but rather in the provision of hope for the citizens of Iraq to lead a better life – one lived freely and without fear of oppression and arbitrary torture or execution by government death squads.
There are sights, sounds, and smells that define our experiences here in Iraq. There are ones we wish to remember, many we wish to forget, and some we will never escape as long as we live. Such is the reality of war. While on this mission, we gave our all...inevitably leaving a bit of ourselves behind while a part of our hearts dies within for the comrades who will never return.
Until we leave Iraq, may the Lord bless our troops. May those called home to the Lord be honored and their families comforted. To them, we will always owe our debt of freedom.
To my family, church family, and friends who have followed my mission - my sincere gratitude and thanks for your prayers and good words. They have gone far in upholding my spirit and determination.
Apart from returning home in the near future, I am now: MISSION COMPLETE.

Remain vigilant and may God continue to bless America.

Stoli...out.

Decompression

2007-07-30T20:40:00.000+04:00

I have been looking at pictures of my youngest daughter who just turned 1 last Thursday. When I left for this mission, she was a little ball of flesh. Now she is nearly walking, has about 4 teeth, and is using sign language to communicate for "more" or "all done"...when she feels like it. All four children have been on fast forward development since I have been gone...most all of it good. Although I lament my seven month absense from family, I know I have less of a reason than my Army colleagues who are here for twice as long - 15 months.

This upcoming year will be one of critical decisions for the future of my family. We'll be happily moved in our new home just long enough for the Air Force to decide what it wants to do with me when the next promotion board meets in November and the results are released in Mar 08.

The Air Force has also reduced it's allotted recovery time for us from six months down to four. The flesh peddlers who sit at their desk all year and don't deploy feel 120 days at home is enough for any one to be rested before being selected for the next 180 - 365 day deployment to where ever a warm body is needed. Long story short, I'll know right around Christmas time this year if I am selected to deploy again. The fact that I have been gone for 330 days out of the last two years is only an unfortunate trivia nugget for the Air Force.

Switching topics to the US Congress. There was a recent victory in the passing of a Homeland Security bill based on most of the recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. Fortunately, we've had relative safety - enough for the ordinary American to become apathetic and complacent about terror acts in the US - for the last 5 years to get these measures identified and now signed into law by President Bush. In my opinion, the two most important features will be an upgraded and mostly state of the art communications capability and the scanning of shipping containers at sea. Any law enforcement, emergency management, explosive ordnance, and/or military professional will tell you nothing means more than the ability to clearly communicate in the fog of war and crisis. I can only hope the new law will provide for many agencies the new equipment and survivable backbone necessary to carry out their duties. Also, the sheer brute number of shipping containers entering our country daily is a harbinger of doom for port security and US safety. Any number of weapons or terrorist teams can be sneaked into the country with relative ease. You've seen it in the movies and episodes of 24...it's not far from reality. The ability to scan these containers at sea and prior to docking in a US port will be a great improvement in deterrence.

One last thought on Sen Murtha's bill to have US troops begin pulling out of Iraq in 2 months and allowing the President a.k.a the Commander-in-Chief to decide the final withdrawal dates. Based on what I have seen and experienced here in Iraq, nothing would be better than to call mission complete and pack up for a speedy return to the States. It's just not that easy.

Even though the Iraqi Parliament has done nothing to help itself and decided to break for the entire month of August in a spiteful move against President Bush, the United States of America is a super power in this world and it has the responsibility to finish what it started and not be a cut and run country. Just as we have checks and balances in our government, the United States Armed Forces provide a check and balance to this region keeping countries like Iran and Syria in line and from carrying out, to the fullest extent, their devious and nefarious plans for conquering and dividing this region.

Strangely enough, this is no longer the 1200's time period where kingdoms conquered other kingdoms just because they could. Most nations in this world are pretty happy with peaceful coexistence today. I can't place my finger on it, radical Islam or the heat baking their little brains, but there is something about this region that stopped evolving hundreds of years ago.

On top of that, you add the radical Islam plan for world domination, an Iranian leader is who is bent on bringing back the 13th Imam (lucky 13!) through fire and chaos, and you have a region creating a worldwide powder keg. For those who believe in the End Times, this may be just the beginning if we don't keep this region in check.

Enough politics and world events for today. Time keeps on ticking...(come on, sing the rest) in to the future. My time on station is shortening and the date of departure is nearing. The military calls it decompression: I am enjoying being able to sleep whenever I am tired and basking in the quiet of my trailer in between meals, working out at the gym and checking email at the morale tent. We will have packers arriving within four days of my return home. I need to out-process the base before our move. There will 5 very special people and 2 dogs battling for my attention and time as I try to make up for lost time with my family. I think this is very likely the calm before the proverbial storm!

Stay vigilant and God Bless America.

Cresting the Summit

2007-07-22T17:30:00.000+04:00

The weather is just plain hot. Orto and I were discussing the other day the best way for folks to understand the sensation of our weather. We decided you should have a friend turn a hairdryer on you full blast and then toss bits of sand and dirt in the air flow...now you're in Iraq!

I took Michael's advice, maintained focus and ensured my replacement had the full benefit of my experience and corporate knowledge. Fortunate for me, Bear is a smart man, an experienced Officer and a quick study. I have been relegated to less than part time assistance and advisory services. In this case, it's good to be excess baggage.

Since I began my work with the Squadron, I have kept track of the human cost during my mission here. According to the Stars & Stripes newspaper daily article, US Deaths in Iraq, 473 US Service men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice and over 3,400 have been wounded in action. Unfortunately, my job included reading and knowing the details of the why's and how's for those men and women. My heart goes out to the families left behind to deal with the tragic loss of their loved ones.

Pressured by the need to show strength and progress to the International Community, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki announced earlier this week Iraqi forces are ready and foreign troops may leave"anytime they want". As he has softened his stance, we have also heard from one of the deputy Prime Ministers lamenting the early US withdrawal would be a disaster for Iraq and the region. There is great fear in learning to go it alone without the handholding of a super power nation like the US. In my opinion, our presence here only minimizes the Iranian and Syrian efforts to undermine and adversely influence Iraqi police, military and every echelon of Iraqi government. The Shia's still thirst for revenge for the years Saddam (a Sunni) kept them oppressed. If the US removes combat troops soon, the extra judicial killings and potential ethnic cleansing will be unreal and force the country into a real civil war. This region has been governed for centuries by brute force and the "might makes right" rule. How can we expect them to know or conduct themselves any different?

I saw a picture of an Iraqi detainee weeping while being questioned by Iraqi soldiers. The other Iraqi soldiers in the immediate vicinity looked at him with a combination of curiosity and disdain. From my position it is easy to refer to every Iraqi with our slang word, Haji, and believe they are all guilty and rotten to the core. I am reminded by viewing this picture of the weeping man that it is the corps of rotten, filthy, bastard extremists and radicals who are truly the enemy here. They will force the average Iraqi - who is just trying to survive and provide for his family - to carry out acts of violence against Coalition Forces. Although he normally wouldn't do this, he has been coerced through the threat of his entire family being exterminated (while he watches) if he doesn't submit to the radicals. This example is one of many factors seated in the heart of failure for this region.

One last thought pertaining to success v. failure for Iraq. For those members of Congress trying to "help" US troops by clamouring about bringing troops home early...one phrase for you ..."Silence is golden". Actually, I mean to say "Shut your pie hole" but this is a family friendly blog. The enemy here knows there will be a critical report due to Congress in September and they are doing all they can to turn up the heat and lethality. Senator Clinton, this may be hard for you to understand from your plush office in Washington D.C., however, YES you provide aid and comfort to the forces bent on our destruction with your overt political wrangling for troop withdrawal plans. It takes more than your 36 hours on the ground in this combat zone for you to understand this fact. But then you and your husband never cared for the military anyway. We are no more than a political pawn on your chessboard of selfish gain and your worldwide taxi service.

Have a great start to your week, stay vigilant to your surroundings, and may God continue to bless our country. More posts in the days to come...

Maintaining Vigilant Focus

2007-07-15T22:56:00.000+04:00

Thanks to my family & friends for the comments on my last blog and for your emails of encouragement. With regard to the count down clock, I have been advised it is an operational security risk indicating when personnel will be moving from the area of operations. Speaking of operational security, I can no longer blog from work either and must come to the MWR tent to compose my blog. Believe me, you'll know by my blog entry the day I am headed home.

A big event in the news lately. The Dept of Homeland Defense has publicized the findings of a draft National Intelligence Estimate. "Among the key findings of the classified estimate, which is still in draft form and must be approved by all 16 U.S. Intelligence agencies:
— Al Qaeda is probably still pursuing chemical, biological or nuclear weapons and would use them if its operatives developed sufficient capability.
— The terror group has been able to restore three of the four key tools it would need to launch an attack on U.S. soil: a safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areas, operational lieutenants and senior leaders. It could not immediately be learned what the missing fourth element is.
— The group will bolster its efforts to position operatives inside U.S. borders.

In public statements, U.S. officials have expressed concern about the ease with which people can enter the United States through Europe because of a program that allows most Europeans to enter without visas.

The document also discusses increasing concern about individuals already inside the United States who are adopting an extremist brand of Islam.

National Intelligence Estimates are the most authoritative written judgments that reflect the consensus long-term thinking of senior intelligence analysts."

This report is not to be taken lightly. There is no better defense for America than an alert public willing to call the authorities about suspicious or out-of-the-ordinary activities.

The Liberal Left and ACLU will call this Profiling, but what the heck, it's our country! If you see people of Middle East appearance acting suspiciously, have a mosque in your city, or if you know of Americans who have converted to Islam...keep a watchful eye. The jackasses who carried out the Sept 11 attacks lived quietly in our neighborhoods & enjoyed our freedoms while they deliberatley planned their attacks with a money stream piped in from the Middle East.

Who staged the first World Trade Center attack? Who staged the USS Cole attack? Who blew up two US Embassies in Africa? Who crashed the jets in to the World Trade Center towers? Who are we fighting over here every day after they stream across porous borders? I am afraid the answer is not some red headed freckled face European. No. They were radical Islamists from the Middle East. In Afghanistan and here in Iraq we roll up saudis, yemenis, syrians, iranians, pakistanis, afghanis, morrocans, algerians to mention a few. Are they white and pure as apple pie? Uh, NO.

Bottom line: We all need to maintain our vigilance. The US government takes this very seriously and so should every American. Our own porous borders and inability to account for the numerous people illegally in our country only aids the enemy in their plans to bring destruction to our country. As I have mentioned before, this world is becoming polarized and the radical Islamist absolutely seethes with hatred for America. It is my belief they will attempt an attack or series of attacks to dwarf the consequences of Sept 11, 2001. We can only do our best to identify them before they strike.

Transition Time

2007-07-10T13:51:00.000+04:00

The light at the end of the tunnel has gone from the width of a pin, to the width of a pencil, and now I'm seeing light of day.

My replacement, Bear, has arrived and is currently in our progammed class for all new members of the squadron. Sunday will be a day of rest for everyone.

Effective Monday, I'll be in the teaching phase for one week and then shadow phase for the next. Lastly, I get some down time to decompress, rest, and change my sleep pattern in order to be on Mountain time when I return.

The fatigue has taken its toll and my last several posts have been from a soap box and have not been kind to the country I love. My place is not and should never be from a soap box. This is the life and duty I volunteered for and the freedoms I swore to preserve and protect. I have found the humble side of me and wish to thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

Operation AMERICA RISING

2007-07-09T20:04:00.000+04:00

Troop Rallies Held Across U.S.
Associated Press
July 09, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY - With a son-in-law in Iraq and a son who served in Afghanistan, Kathy Johnston says she wants to make sure her five grandchildren know it's important to support U.S. troops, no matter how they feel about the war.
That's why she, her daughter and daughter-in-law took them Saturday afternoon to the Oklahoma version of Operation America Rising, a nationwide event touted as a nonpartisan way to express appreciation for the job that U.S. Soldiers are doing.
"Her husband wants to be here (at home)," Johnston said, motioning toward her daughter-in-law, Melissa Morning of Fort Bragg, N.C. "But he knows what he is doing is right.
"There is a lot of good going on over there, and we hear about it firsthand, even if the media doesn't report it," she added.
The rallies - some numbering in the hundreds, others with a handful in attendance - took place from California to Connecticut.
The Oklahoma event, held at State Capitol Park, included three speakers and six bands. All the participants offered their services for free, said Ren Schuffman, the lead singer for Oklahoma City band StoneWater and one of the event's organizers.
"It's not anti-war. It's not pro-war," Schuffman said. "It has nothing to do with war."
In New Hampshire, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and his rock band, Capitol Offense, entertained 600 to 700 people beforehand, event organizer Jennifer Horn said.
"Good people can disagree about policy and politics, but ... when we have children or neighbors or co-workers who are serving in active duty, we stand united behind them," Horn said. "We don't ever want there to be any misunderstanding that as Americans we are a united nation."
In Bristol, Conn., several hundred people milled under tents, ate picnic food and listened to bands on a school lawn. In Sacramento, Calif. about 600 people, including 16 military and veterans groups, gathered near the state Capitol, event organizers said.
Hundreds of motorcycle riders from a group of Harley-Davidson owners roared past the city hall in Dover, Del., carrying American flags.
At least 100 people gathered in Baton Rouge, La., next to the plaza where the battleship museum USS Kidd is docked. Organizer Janet Broussard described it as "speeches, music; just a good-time kind of get-together visit with our veterans."
The names of the 182 Pennsylvania service members who died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan were read aloud to a silent crowd in Ford City, Pa. The Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guard then fired a 21-gun salute.
Speakers told the crowd that they can support the troops in tangible ways. Navy Warrant Officer Willie Grier, who served in Iraq, said troops look forward to getting packages containing everything from baby wipes and candy to paper and pens.
"Nothing goes wasted over there," Grier said. "If we do have an abundance of stuff, we'll give some of it to the Iraqis, the children. It's great for morale."
In Colorado, Douglas County sheriff's officials estimated 60 people attended a four-hour event at a park south of Denver, with musicians and speakers.
"One of best things about the event, even though it didn't turn out as big as I would've liked, is the people who were there were genuine and care more about supporting our troops and being there for others than they do about their own comforts," said Robyn Hill, 44.

Guardians Angels on Duty

2007-07-07T18:33:00.000+04:00

Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

Had the closest call yet two days ago. Orto and I had just dropped a friend off at 1st Cav HQ. As we made a turn on to the main road, our perimeter defense weapon fired and blew a 107mm rocket out of the sky over our heads. Had we lingered any longer with our friend and if the rocket weren't intercepted we would have been on the receiving end of that rocket. Unfortunately more rockets came a couple hours later and 1 Soldier was killed and another 10 people wounded. So much for thinking, "big base, little me".

The news from America hasn't been positive lately with many people going missing & murdered, flooding, heat waves, fires, brutality to children, tainted toothpaste, 2 teenage kids kidnap the neighbor's 1 yr old and hold the baby for $200,000 ransom, and the political mud slinging well in advance of the next elections. What are we doing to each other? As we can see, only horrific and violent tragedy makes headline news.

4th of July

2007-07-04T11:58:00.000+04:00

This is the day when it all began. 231 years ago, our founding fathers declared they would not live under tyranny or oppression.

From David McCullough's book 1776:

"In a ringing preamble, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, the document declared it 'self-evident' that 'all men are created equal' and were endowed with the 'unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' And to this noble end the delegates pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor."

It is with great honor that I continue the tradition of protecting our freedom whether it is at home or across the seas helping further freedom in a land once oppressed. Our freedom is the envy and ideal of many countries in the world and the scourge of the so-called peaceful religion of Islam.

I am an American and completely proud of it.

The honor of carrying the lit torch of freedom, paid in full by many who have given the ultimate sacrifice, is mine on your behalf.

Enjoy this day and all of its meaning to you, generations to come, and our country. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offencesFor abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Iran is Making Trouble

2007-07-02T15:25:00.000+04:00

First, thanks to all for the emails of support and care!

Second, how can we expect to make progress over here with security and stabilization if the Iranians keep messing with the works. The are taking advantage of the situation and doing their best to destabilize the region and challenge us for the regional power.

Read on from the Associated Press report:

Iran Linked to U.S. Troops' Deaths

Associated Press July 02, 2007

BAGHDAD - Iran is using the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah as a "proxy" to arm Shiite militants in Iraq and Tehran's Quds force [Special Forces] had prior knowledge of a January attack in Karbala in which five Americans died, a U.S. general said Monday.

U.S. military spokesman Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner said a senior Lebanese Hezbollah operative, Ali Mussa Dakdouk, was captured March 20 in southern Iraq. Bergner said Dakdouk served for 24 years in Hezbollah and was "working in Iraq as a surrogate for the Iranian Quds force."

The general also said that Dakdouk was a liaison between the Iranians and a breakaway Shiite group led by Qais al-Kazaali, a former spokesman for cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Bergner said al-Kazaali's group carried out the January attack against a provincial government building in Karbala and that the Iranians assisted in preparations.

Al-Khazaali and his brother Ali al-Khazaali, both captured in March, have told U.S. interrogators that they "could not have conducted it (the Karbala attack) without support from the Quds force," Bergner said.

Documents captured with al-Khazaali showed that the Quds Force had developed detailed information on the U.S. position at the government building, including "shift changes and defense" and shared this information with the attackers, the general said.
U.S. officials at the time of the Karbala attack said it was unusually sophisticated, with the attackers dressed in U.S. uniforms to get close to the building, and suggested Iran may have had a role in it.

The U.S. military in the past has accused the Quds Force - the external arm of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards - of arming and financing Iraqi extremists to carry out attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces. Tehran has denied the U.S. accusations.

Bergner said Iraqi extremists were taken to Iran in groups of 20 to 60 for training in three camps "not too far from Tehran." When they returned to Iraq, they formed units called "special groups" to carry out attacks, bombings and kidnappings, he said.

Dakdouk helped train and organize the groups, making four visits to Iraq in the past year after a May 2006 trip to Iran, the general said. Hezbollah, he said, helps the Iranians as a "proxy ... to do things they didn't want to have to do themselves in terms of interacting with special groups."
"Our intelligence reveals that the senior leadership in Iran is aware of this activity," he said. Asked if Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could be unaware of the activity, Bergner said "that would be hard to imagine."

Blog Interview

2007-06-29T15:25:00.000+04:00

It's almost the end of June already...one full month left before the out-processing and travel begins. My replacement is going through his weeks of combat training as I had to do before arriving. My patience is wearing thin as the fatigue grows in the monotonous daily routine of a combat zone. I can't imagine what the Soldiers endure as they spend their 12 turned 15 month tour in this place. I guess it's different when you train your mind and spirit to expect a certain amount of time being deployed.

I received an email from a gentleman who writes a weblog called VAJoe. He cruises through all of the military blogs and highlights the ones that have caught his attention. The address is www.vajoe.com/blog/ if you are interested in checking out blogs authored by military personnel.

Here's the excerpt of my interview found on the 26 Jun entry of VAJoe's blog:
June 26, 2007
Stoli of Mission Iraq - Round 2

Posted in: Military Bloggers, MilBlogger Interviews, Iraq, Air Force — valane @ 11:06 am

Stoli talks about his milblog Mission Iraq - Round 2.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?
I have been blogging since January 07 when I started this deployment. This is an easy way for family and friends to stay up with what I am doing in Iraq.

Question: What is your military experience?
I have been in the Air Force for 16 years and have worked many different types of jobs…although lately been doing a lot of staff work. I have been to Korea, Japan, England, Germany, Italy, Bosnia, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq.

Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?
The One Wire, The Landlocked Sailor, and the AF EWO in Iraq. They are linked on my blog. I should probably expand my blog horizons and check out some others.

Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?
My children are growing up without me while I serve over here. Thus, the blog lets them see what I am doing, seeing, and thinking while 8,000 miles away from home. It gives them something tangible to keep for later in life in addition to memories of my phone calls and emails.

Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you, your blog, or your readers?
I really appreciate the random emails of support and thanks from people back in America. Our presence has become unpopular both in America and in Iraq, yet it’s good to know we have a loyal following of support from home.

My last two answers are important to me on several levels. When I finally return home from this mission, I will have been gone for 207 days from my family. In the last two years, I have been away from my family for a total 330 days. Having this blog, pictures, emails, and daily phone calls has helped me stay in touch and be a part of my wife and children's lives. My legacy will be in the way my children grow into adults and the path they choose for their lives. I can't be a part of their development when I am constantly 8,000 miles away. It's a painful reality.

My folks have been with me the whole way with daily emails and helping to take care of my family in my absence. I owe them a great debt of gratitude. The commitment and bonds of family have escaped my sister though. I called her last night out of concern for the flooding I have been reading about where she lives. She and her family are fine, but she just didn't think I was in harms way here in Iraq. That must be the reason I haven't received even an email of encouragement from her.

For the rest of my extended family, in-laws, friends, and those of you I have never met...a heart felt Thank You for your letters, emails, cards, and care packages that have raised my spirits and let me know we are still supported and prayed for back home.

Some Food for Thought

2007-06-25T13:32:00.000+04:00

It's been a deadly week in Iraq as the Army prosecutes its operation to rid the Diyala Province of al Qaeda in Iraq insurgents. On our way back from lunch today we saw two separate plumes of smoke and the Medevac choppers moving at top speed to get where they are needed.

I am anxious to return home and separate myself from the news for a week or two in order to balance out the last 5 months of death and destruction. Speaking of going home, I am a step closer as time requires my efforts in double-checking the change over list and briefing for my replacement.

I read this article last week and would like to put some of the pieces out for you to read, think about, and maybe even pass it on. The article is written by Melvin Rhodes and can be found in the Good News periodical.

Here's the link to the entire article:
http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn62/worldwar.htm

Has World War III Already Begun?

What's behind the call by Iran's new president for the United States and Israel to be wiped off the face of the earth? Are Western nations blind to the growing threat from radical Islam?

by Melvin Rhodes

"On Oct. 26, in advance of Jerusalem Day—instituted by Iran 's religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 to express the Muslim world's ambition to "liberate" Jerusalem — Iran 's new president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for the complete annihilation of the nation of Israel.
...Not only did President Ahmadinejad promise the annihilation of Israel, he also assured his followers that the world would also soon be rid of the United States and Britain.
...Threat to the West
A little over 25 years ago America was first confronted with militant Islam when the pro-Western shah of Iran was overthrown and U.S. embassy personnel there were taken hostage for 444 days by followers of the late Ayatollah Khomeini. The theocratic Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979 and has been a thorn in the side of the United States ever since.
It has also helped spread radical Islam and aided militant terrorist groups in repeatedly attacking Israel . Present at the "World Without Zionism" (meaning "without Israel ") conference at which President Ahmadinejad made these comments were representatives of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Society for the Defense of the Palestinian Nation, three terrorist organizations. Also present were members of the Islamic Students Union and hundreds of other students.
What makes this verbal attack particularly frightening is that Iran is, in the estimation of many national intelligence agencies, working on developing nuclear weapons in flagrant defiance of international law...When it has nuclear arms, Iran could easily use them against Israel , only 500 miles away at its closest point. ( Iran could also target American bases and oil supplies throughout the Middle East .) No wonder that former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for immediate action to be taken against Iran before the possibility of a nuclear attack on his country.

...Short memories and long memories
Most people in Western countries like the United States and Britain have very short memories. Many people sincerely believe that the threat from Islamic terrorism is due to the actions of the Bush administration, when the immediate problem goes back decades and the roots of these difficulties go back thousands of years.
While the West may have a short memory, this is not the case in the Middle East, where some Muslims trace their own family history back to the time of the prophet Muhammad in the seventh century. Memories of the European Crusades against the Islamic world almost 1,000 years ago are often invoked to justify fears of the modern state of Israel today.
Notice how far the Iranian president went back in this section of his speech: "In this historical war, the situation at the fronts has changed many times. During some periods, the Muslims were the victors and were very active, and looked forward, and the World of Arrogance was in retreat. Unfortunately, in the past 300 years, the Islamic world has been in retreat vis-à-vis the World of Arrogance . . .
"During the period of the last 100 years, the walls of the world of Islam were destroyed and the World of Arrogance turned the regime occupying Jerusalem into a bridge for its dominance over the Islamic world . . . This occupying country [ Israel ] is in fact a front of the World of Arrogance in the heart of the Islamic world. They have in fact built a bastion [ Israel ] from which they can expand their rule to the entire Islamic world."
When Mr. Ahmadinejad refers to "the situation at the fronts" changing many times, he is referring to the 1,400-year history of the recurring conflict between Islam and Christendom.
This is a perspective on history that is not shared by people in the West who in the last 40 years have increasingly embraced idyllic multiculturalism. The basic theory behind this ideal is that all peoples are basically the same and that all people, no matter what their religion or culture, can live peaceably side by side.
History does not support this idea, particularly where Islam and Christianity are concerned. These two civilizations have clashed repeatedly, starting in the years immediately after the death of the founder of Islam, Muhammad, in 632. As the new religion spread across the Middle East and North Africa, it came into conflict with both the Sassanid Persian Empire and the Christian empire of Byzantium , the eastern division of the Roman Empire.
These were the two superpowers of their day. Both suffered defeat at the hands of Muhammad's forces within a few years of his death. Eventually, both fell as the Islamic empire expanded.
...A new period of conflict
Waves of conflict followed by periods of peace have been the norm between these two religions. Europe today can hardly be called Christian, but its secular values are, if anything, even more offensive to the Islamic world, and a major clash seems inevitable.
Indeed, it is already taking place. Britain and Spain have experienced devastating terrorist bombings by Islamic radicals within the last two years. In October and November, cities across France suffered three weeks of nightly riots by young, mostly Muslim immigrants who are unable to reconcile their religion with the values of secular French society. The Islamic element has been downplayed in the media, which is dominated by multiculturalists who cannot seem to face what is really happening.
When the Iranian president refers to the "World of Arrogance" he is primarily speaking of the United States. But his references to historical events centuries ago, events that predate the existence of the United States as a country, show that in his mind the United States is simply a continuation of the European Christian powers that sent the Crusaders to the land of Islam almost 1,000 years ago. "

The world is polarizing. Today we see an Islam v non-Islam conflict on a low boil growing stronger. The Muslims have immigrated to every country possible, procreated with reckless abandon in order to out number the non-Muslim population, hold nations hostage if anyone dares speak out against Islam, and will eventually position themselves to offer surrender to the rest of the world.

In Islam, surrender is offered before warfare where the recipient chooses to convert to Islam, pay heavy fines for the rest of their life, or die defending their religion.

We can no longer deny the threat of Islam looming on the horizon. In our country, we will have to eventually choose sides and defend ourselves, once again, for the freedoms that make our country so great.

Payback, the Threat, and Jackassery

2007-06-21T11:06:00.000+04:00

From Fox news:
"BAGHDAD — Thousands of U.S. and Iraqi troops pressed forward for the second day Wednesday with an operation aimed at clearing out a Sunni insurgent stronghold northeast of Baghdad. The U.S. military said at least 30 Al Qaeda fighters were killed and several bombs and weapons caches destroyed as the soldiers fought their way through the streets of Baqouba.
The U.S. military operation that involves some 10,000 American soldiers in Diyala province, an Al Qaeda bastion to the north and east of Baghdad, matched in size the force that American generals sent against the insurgent-held city of Fallujah 2 1/2 years ago. By late Tuesday, the military had reported only one American death, a Task Force Lightning soldier killed by an explosion near his vehicle."

Thank goodness the Army has finally found some teeth, working some payback, and are taking the fight to the enemy. It has been frustrating watching the Army convulse from inaction while the insurgents continually pound away at us. I guess the Army finally found its "De Cohones Acero".

Speaking of the threat out there...this is from a Time Magazine article due out this week. It is probably the most descriptive I've seen to demonstrate what your armed forces are facing on a daily basis.:
"Saif Abdallah says his inventions have helped kill or maim scores, possibly hundreds, of Americans. For more than four years, he has been developing remote-control devices that Sunni insurgents use to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the roadside bombs that are the No. 1 killer of U.S. soldiers in Iraq. The only time he ever felt a pang of regret was in the spring of 2006, when he heard that the Pentagon, in a bid to fight the growing IED menace, had roped in a team of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Abdallah, an electronics engineer by training, once dreamed of studying for a Ph.D. there. "I thought to myself, If my life had gone differently, who knows? I might have been on that team," he says, his eyes widening as he imagines that now impossible scenario. Then he shrugs. "God decided I should be on the other side."
...The insurgents have upgraded their weaponry. A field commander of the Islamic Army told me his men had produced "hundreds" of huge IEDs more destructive than the armor-piercing bombs that, the U.S. believes, are being smuggled into Iraq from Iran. He said the new bombs are being buried deep in dirt tracks on the outskirts of Baghdad that are likely to be used by American patrols. Some of the bombs are planted in sewers and irrigation culverts; their concrete lining would direct most of the force of an explosion upward — enough to "turn an Abrams tank into an airplane."
...General Richard Cody, Army vice chief of staff, told Congress in April that finding and defusing roadside bombs is not a long-term solution. "The real issue about defeating IEDs ... is not at the point of impact," he said. "We have to go and find the guys making them and kill them. We have to find the guys who are getting ready to place them and kill them. That's how you defeat IEDs." Abdallah concurs. "They are not going to defeat me with technology," he says. "If they want to get rid of IEDs, they have to kill me and everyone like me." If they don't, Abdallah is only going to get better at what he does, with deadly consequences for American soldiers. The terrorism geek has come a long way since our previous meeting. To demonstrate his prowess, he produces a black briefcase-size device with Japanese markings and flicks a switch on its side. He claims that the device is similar to those used by U.S. troops to block cellular signals around IEDs and disable bombs wired to detonate with a cell-phone call. Abdallah says he was given the device by a Saudi militant who asked him to find a way around jamming signals. He invites the four people in the room to try to use their cell phones; none of us can get a signal. "I've jammed you all," he says, tapping the black device. But his own phone, a cheap Nokia, shows a full-strength signal. "I made a few small changes inside," he says, holding up the phone and grinning triumphantly. "It took me just one day to figure it out." It is grim evidence of the perils facing the U.S. in Iraq that men like Abdallah can still make killing Americans look easy.

The other Jackasses who are killing America are Sen John Kerry and Sen Edward Kennedy. I have previously mentioned the Immigration topic is going to be a hot button of debate and campaign trails. These two have captialized on the misery of one woman and are using it to grandstand the Immigration topic. If you read the following, it's obvious they dug this one out like the underhande swine that they are:

WASHINGTON — The wife of an Army specialist missing in Iraq could be deported because she is an illegal immigrant, but U.S. authorities say they have no intention of doing so in the foreseeable future, FOXNews.com has learned.
Army Spec. Alex Jimenez, 25, has been missing since May 12, when his unit was ambushed by insurgents. His wife, Yaderlin, was a resident of the Dominican Republican and entered the country illegally in 2001. The two married in 2004 and now live in Lawrence, Mass.
Procedures that could lead to her deportation began in 2006, but U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials alongside the Jimenez family attorney halted those proceedings before a deportation order could be issued, ICE spokeswoman Jamie Zuieback told FOXNews.com.
Yaderlin Jimenez's lawyer says she could still face deportation because ICE could reopen the case, but the case is in an inactive status in a New York immigration court, Zuieback said. "There would have to be a proactive effort to reopen it, and that's not something that's been done in the last year and a half," and there are no plans to do so, Zuieback said.
The case has drawn the interest of Massachusetts Sens. John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, both Democrats. Kerry on Wednesday sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security asking that Yaderlin Jimenez not be deported while the search for her husband continues, and Kennedy said he has been in contact with DHS and is "very concerned" about the situation.

I am anxious to come home from this tour. I am however, disgusted by the state of our country.

Too many people are overly concerned about what's happening in their soap operas, the life of the rich, spoiled actors, and what's happening on their favorite comedy show on Fox or the WB. Jay Leno goes out to the streets to make fun of people who have no idea of geography or current events.

While all this is happening, colossal asses like Kennedy and Kerry run amuck soiling our country with their antics...amoung many other members of Congress. The fact they are elected by the people to represent the people baffles me and makes me wonder what type of people are actually voting for these low lifes.

The worst part of all is the number of kids whose ultimate sacrifice, in the name of freedom and democracy, has paid for their fellow Americans to be apethetic and free to not give a s#!& about what's really important and worth caring about.

My Tribute for Father's Day

2007-06-17T14:46:00.000+04:00

Advertisements for Father's Day gifts have traditionally been about golf accessories and BBQ equipment. Although my Dad played golf at one time and can grill a mean steak, his life is not defined by golf or cooking on the grill...he's a Family Man.

His care and love for his family extended into his professional life at Proctor and Gamble where he was well and widely known for his professional acumen, fair accountability, and his personal skills treating office and international colleagues as brothers and sisters. He is directly responsible for the promotion of many skilled office colleagues through the ranks of P&G by his own mentoring.

Dad has been my coach on the field for countless seasons of soccer, baseball, basketball, and football. He's most importantly been my coach and mentor off the field passing his beliefs and advice to me as I grew into a man, Officer, and now as a father to my children. My most fond memory of growing up is in the midst of post-dinner homework time (for both of us) I'd grab a seat in Dad's den. We'd talk about everything and anything for an easy hour. Thankfully, those conversations have never stopped and continue to this day.

For everything you have taught and passed down to me; making me the man I am today...Thank you, Dad! You are more than a mentor, you're my best friend. I love you.

Explosions and Geese

2007-06-14T14:23:00.000+04:00

Yesterday was a bit of a close call with inbound 107mm rockets. We had one drop in 900ft W/NW of our building and another drop in 1/4 mile at the water purification plant! Good stuff.

On the flipside, our boys were returning the favor with large diameter artillary this morning...at 5a.m.!! Talk about a rude awakening. The artillary is just across the way from we live so when they go off, it's as if they are just outside my door. I was in the midst of prairie dogging from behind my concrete barrier when the 3rd round went off. In the still of the morning air, I could hear the round after it exited the tube and arced overhead on its way to make a bad day for Hadji. It was a really neat sound that I am unable to do justice in words. Of course all outbound artillery rounds are awesome, but in the stillness of the moment this one was really cool.

I went out looking for the blast crater of the 107mm rocket that landed near us today before lunch. It's miserably hot outside (110 degrees in the shade) and a strong hot wind like car exhaust blowing in your face. I was sidetracked by the fix-it lot for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. The picture below is one of their response vehicles. It was hit by an EFP (copper spear shaped slugs traveling 4,000ft/sec, slices through armor like a hot knife through butter, and igniting the inside of the cabin on fire as it passes through). They have stripped it down for spare parts due its unavailibility for salvage.

Along my travels in search of blast craters, I came across the Camp Victory Geese Family.

Heading into the pond for a little cooling off.

The adult geese provide barrier defense and keep the youth close to the shore.

Sleep is good for growing and weathering the heat. I would like to have nap time again!

Current Events & Some Opinion

2007-06-10T17:37:00.000+04:00

Well, it's about time I typed something up!

Things are runnning smoothely here and the light at the end of the tunnel has grown from the width of a pin to the width of a #2 pencil.

We have begun our negotiations with the AF folks who own us at Balad AB (primary AF base and hold on all things AF in Iraq) for the outbound journey. As of today, I should be rolling home in accordance with my count down timer.

Interestingly enough, the Sunni tribes in Baghdad have declared they are more interested in fighting the al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) than the Coalition Forces. They realize we will eventually leave, but the AQI may never leave unless driven out or killed. That's good news for Coalition Forces in the near term.

The Shia, heavily controlled and financed by the Iranians, are recruiting young Iraqi teenagers (cheaper than hiring foreign fighters) to battle Coalition Forces and are even approaching elementary aged school kids - in school- to tell them the U.S. is their greatest enemy and the Iranians are the way of Iraq's future.

It's a sad day in American news reporting when Paris Hilton is the top running story. What has happened to us? Why should we care about the high maintenance, ignorant daughter of priviliege doing jail time? She broke the law and probation(twice) and is being measured under the law like everyone else...albeit her treatment in jail is far from common. I don't care much for Martha Stewart either, but at least when it was time to go to jail, she did her time quietly and moved on. Unfortunately, I think too many Americans have latched on to really bad role models. On the other hand, the folks doing good, moral, and charitable things aren't geting any press either.

Two big issues for the upcoming elections will, in my opinion, be the American troop presence in Iraq and laws on immigration. No mater how you slice it, we will be in Iraq for quite some time in one fashion or another to preserve the government model we have helped to establish and maintain a regional influence against Iran.

On immigration, I recently read an opinion piece discussing how America has created a welfare state for illegals (what part about ILLEGAL doesn't register with people??) to receive health care, schooling, and benefits that should be reserved for American citizens. I am in complete agreement!

On top of that, instead of my children learning Spanish out of pure curiosity, they will have to learn it out of necessity because ILLEGAL immigrants refuse to learn English. Although I serve this country as an Officer in the USAF, with the oath of my office to protect the Constitution and the rights it preserves, I take great umbrage to ILLEGALS flying their national flags to demonstrate against how America has treated them and for how we may dare to enforce the immigration laws. We are a great nation of ideals and way of life. Along the way, we will have to get strict and clean house for America's financial and security sake. Just my opinion.

I leave you with one of our former President's belief on immigration to America:

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Grandmas

2007-06-06T08:26:00.000+04:00

GRANDMOTHER by Sheria Barnett

Her words were like a golden thread that bound our family, her wisdom like an art she shared so generously, her feelings like a quilt that warmed us like no other, the hands of one so dear- the one we call Grandmother.

Today, my Grandma, Ernestine, would have been 100 years old.

The summer marks a birthday and passing of 3 of my 4 Grandmothers with February closing out the four. Ernestine, Anne Marie, Edna and Ruth all grew up and endured two World Wars and the Great Depression among many World shaping events. Whether it was on a farm, post-war Germany, or post-war America, they raised their children with strict love and sacrificed their own well-being to feed and clothe their family without ever a complaint. They each had a tenacity and inner strength that defined their generation.

One fond memory for each among many pleasant:
Ernestine- your homemade donuts for my visits
Anne Marie- the snowballs you made as large as softballs with bare hands at my bus stop
Edna- your perseverance and your love for the birds & Pelican talks to the school kids
Ruth- your love you poured out to every infant in the family and church nursery

To these fine women, a loving tribute to their incredible strength, enduring love and grace. You are infinitely missed. We are much better people for the gift of You given so lovingly to us.

4 Days of Rest & Relaxation

2007-06-05T18:17:00.000+04:00

Back in the saddle now that I have had four days off from the constant grind. It is quite amazing what sleep can do for a person. I realized this when I stopped in to work on Sunday to teach a class to our new EWO's. My colleagues sat at their desks with obvious fatigue in their faces and demeanor. Orto said i could come back on Tuesday and make fun of the tired people in the office. I replied, "No way! Y'all are tired, cranky, and heavily armed!"

My days were spent rolling out of bed around noon, grabbing a bite to eat at the dining facility, visiting with my Ugandan friends, working out at the gym, hanging out at the Morale tent checking email, grabbing some dinner, calling home, and then back to my trailer to read the book 1776. I did accomplish the complete cleaning of my trailer by sweeping and mopping, arranged my gear for turn in when I arrive in Kuwait, and packed a few boxes to ship home.

The war continued without me with tragic results and great violence. Just as the War on Terror has reared its head with the plot to blow up the fuel depot for JFK airport. The fight is not dead no matter where we go. We hadn't dealt with any terrorists from Trinidad...thus the term Global in the Global War on Terror.

Until next time, when I should have some pictures to share, God Bless America!

Pictures

2007-05-30T19:02:00.000+04:00

The dragonflies are out in abundance around here. This one was hanging out on the aerial of our truck for a while. This is 16x digital zoom from my Canon Power Shot A630.

Our Camp Victory baby geese are growing up quickly!

US Military forces have captured the sister of Khalid Sheik Mohammed.Thought to have known about the destruction of the WTC's on 9/11 as well as helping to hide and secure her bother she has finally been found!

She is best at spreading lies and deceit - for years she has been known as the "Mother of Propaganda."

Sorry! I really just couldn't help myself on this one!

Some thoughts and Memorial Day

2007-05-27T19:32:00.000+04:00

There hasn't been much happening since my last post. We call it Ground Hog Day - comes from the Bill Murray movies where he wakes up repeatedly on Ground Hog Day in PA and won't move on in life until he becomes a better man. I find it to be a hilarious movie and a convenient description of my time here on some days.

Earlier this week, the Department of Defense released a story about a captured Al Qaeda Torture Manual discovered in one of the raids. The story was presented along these lines:

"In a recent raid on an al-Qaeda safe house in Iraq, U.S. military officials recovered an assortment of crude drawings depicting torture methods like “blowtorch to the skin” and “eye removal.” Along with the images, which you’ll find on the following pages, soldiers seized various torture implements, like meat cleavers, whips, and wire cutters."

My first thought was, "How terribly inappropriate to release this story when two of three soldiers from the 10th Mountain are still missing". Their families don't need to read about such things in this time of crisis. I am glad to see this received only one day of press and I had to work at finding it again for this post.

My second thought: "This, my fellow Americans, is what we are up against here in this forsaken land." I have previously written about this region's lack of compassion and value for life. They do this to each other - the pictures in this manual show Arab men as the victims. You can bet your retirement on the treatment rendered to American soldiers is extra-judicial in the application of the torture techniques. No matter how many insurgents we pick up or kill, there are at least 2 more to take the last ones place. It is akin to a virus spreading through your computer infecting and corrupting every file until you are left with nothing but a box and no internal workings.

It's hot here. It was 112 in the shade at lunch, there's is no wind today, and the amount of dust and pollution in the air has created a low ceiling that traps the heat between the earth and the solid haze that hangs over us. With no relief from the heat, it's no wonder people fight all the time. Their brains bake in this heat and they can't think straight.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. If you would, please take an extra moment of quiet thought and say the word "Thanks" for the kids who have paid the ultimate sacrifice here and for the brave American men and women who fought and forged our nation and this world through their efforts, tenacity, ingenuity and sacrifice. Land of the free and home of the brave. America's freedoms and rights of the individual are the example and the hope of every nation on this planet. To my fellow Veterans and their families who endured...Thanks! May God continue to bless our country.

My Mom's Birthday and the Toby Keith Concert

2007-05-24T00:06:00.000+04:00

First and formost, Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mom...she's 65 years young! My card may not make it to you on time, but I'll call you bright and early to be certain I am the first to wish you a good day!

Happy Birthday also goes out to Andra's Dad, Bill! His birthday was on the 20th.

Last night we were entertained by Toby Keith. He put on a one hour show for us and really put his heart in to it. I am not much of a country music fan, but I will gladly listen to any Toby Keith music from now on. There were around 400 soldiers and civilians who came out to hear the show. He's travelled all around the Middle East playing for soldiers in some of the most remote areas on his USO tour. He told us 21 days out of his year was the least he could do for the rest of us serving over here away from our families and in the name of American ideals and freedom. He even sat in on a re-enlistment of a bunch of soldiers too.

Enjoy the following pictures...

Leave it to the Aussies to bring the fun to the party! It was a matter of 10 minutes from when the crowd formed for the concert that they produced the Aussie flag beach ball.

Toby was given an ACU uniform shirt with his name and bunch of unit patches. He opened the concert wearing the shirt and a 3rd Infantry Division hat for about 5 numbers. It was still around 95 degrees at 8pm when the show started!

With little vinettes between songs, some of the numbers he played were: A Little Less Talk and a lot More Action, Not as Good as I Used To Be, Whiskey Girl, Runnin' Block, and about 12 more. I was about 125 ft back from the stage but was able to get good digital zoom with my camera for these pictures.

One more week until my 4 day pass. Those 4 days will be the only days I have had off since my arrival and the only ones I'll get before I leave Iraq in August.

100 Days

2007-05-21T09:53:00.000+04:00

Now that I have gone back and used spell checker and clarified my thoughts: 100 Days revised

Normally in the government sphere, there is some significance about the "First 100 Days". Being the captive audience, government employee that I am, I'll reflect on my first 100 days on this second trip to Iraq.

My first observation is that I have actually been gone from my home for 122 days. The first 22 days of training didn't count into this deployment...they were just combat and electronic warfare training. The clock finally started ticking when we set foot in Kuwait for our advanced training before arriving in Iraq.

I read through five different intelligence summaries called INTSUMS (creative, huh?) every day and three of them have, on average, 25 post-patrol reports. To date, I have read through 156 INTSUMS and 5,750 patrol reports about IED's. It's through these reports that I learn about the loss of soldiers in horrific detail and pictures. Those details, pictures, and some times the names of the lost are snapshots in time that will never leave and forever weigh heavy on my heart and mind.

My schedule runs about 13 hours each day. It could be much more, but at a certain point, you just have to say 'enough' and know that everything will still be there in the morning. The length of time spent at work is exacerbated by the fact that I work in a Navy-run organization. They have the "Boat Mentality". When you are adrift in the ocean with nowhere to go, you simply stay at work for 18 hours and then go back for a couple hours of sleep and do the same thing the next day. I do my best to be an example to my colleagues and break that paradigm of endless droning hours at work in order to go back to my trailer and have some 'non-work just me reading a book or calling home ' time. Working 7 days a week with no days off, you'll drive yourself into an unstable state of mind if you can't change focus. It's all about Balance, Grasshopper...

Both during and after work, I have availed myself to the gym and to church. Both locations are a salvation in and of themselves. Although I read from the Bible nightly, I can't always say the same for going to the gym. I'll have to make the change to my schedule in order to make more time to work out. Sunday's church services and fellowship have been good for a spiritual uplift from the death and destruction I read about and report everyday.

Technology is a wonderful thing...when it works...and resources must be used to the fullest extent. Networks are set up for people to share information and there is often a share drive set up on the server for the network. Golden rule #1 ALWAYS back up your files to an outside source such as CD or the share drive. One never knows when a hard drive for their computer will suddenly become corrupted and all the hours and effort of creating and saving for future reference is forever wiped away. So now, I copy every new document over to my folder on the share drive...

Being deployed exposes you to so many new people. I am very fortunate to work with the personalities of the men in my office. Granted there are days when the humor and farting is a bit too much to handle (results of my own fatigue) but across the board I am fortunate to work with top-notch professionals who make being at work as worthwhile as the mission we complete.

I am also very fortunate to be friends with the Ugandans who provide security on our base. Magala, JohnBosco, Festo, Joseph, Emmanuel, and Allen are just a few who have befriended me and work to help me become fluent in Swahili. They all have great personalities and are happy to meet me half-way in learning not just the language, but about their tribes and country. These men are all very educated and unfortunately do not have many jobs to choose from in Uganda. Thus, they take contract jobs outside the country for work and money. Magala and his friend have started a school in their village. His work here earns money to pay for the land and building of their school. My family and I have committed to supporting his school with supplies and books in the near future.

Lastly, is close encounters of the explosive kind. Throughout the day we hear explosions and gunfire on the other side of the perimeter wall...from which we are situated about 75ft away. Volume and shock wave are the two factors we use to judge the proximity of explosions. Inside our office, we have a dry erase board hanging in front of our window. Explosions that are close enough will actually bow the window and shake the white board. We'll look at each other with raised eyebrows and say,"Nice one!". Two nights ago, I had the utmost in "Holy Smokes!! I need to duck" experiences ever. Usually, I go prairie dogging after an explosion, but not this one...at least not for 5 minutes! At 1:40 in the morning, this explosion actually lit up the inside of my trailer -despite the brown towel I have hanging in the window to block out morning sunlight - and the shock wave went through my trailer like an earthquake. I actually expected to see some huge smoking hole in front of my trailer. I don't know what it was or where it took place, but it was by far the largest explosion I have been exposed to yet.

Basically, I am safe where I work and do not face the dangers and death that Army kids deal with day in and day out for their 15 months here. I often feel guilty for my desk job and leaving after only 6 months. As Pastor Mike prayed over me before my departure in January, "The Lord has a plan for my presence here..." I keep praying for the insight to realize the Lord's plan and His intentions for my personal and professional work. I am satisfied and content that I have valuable work and contribute to the counter-IED mission...albeit from a desk. I have supplied intelligence directly to units used for mission planning and have been pleased to read the results of their missions.

This was once the fertile crescent and the birthplace of humanity...with the believed location of the Garden of Eden. This country (and the entire region of the Middle East), in my opinion, is the belly of the Beast. We are trying to provide Western values and policies to a place so locked in an environment that stopped evolving over a thousand years ago. The disparity is so great that we can't expect to succeed in my lifetime. The biggest difference we face is in the value of life. Western cultures cherish it and the hard liner's & extremists see other's lives (not their own) as expendable...using women, children, and animals to blow up American soldiers. I have no answers (other than the use of fissile weapons to wipe the slate clean) but know the battle will continue for a very long time. If the mass populace wants a real reason to complain to their Congressman about the US involvement here, have them complain loudly about the Iranians. While they are at it, they should also ask our courageous Democratic led House and Senate "leaders" to take a break from bashing the President and come up with a plan to deal with filthy Persians. Just my opinion.

100 days down, 82 to go...

CAT and Geese and Mourning

2007-05-16T21:04:00.000+04:00

My cousin, Kevin, works for CAT and travels the world over. Thought he would like to see there are CAT heavy lifters here too. Come to think of it, my cousin Jeff works for CAT too. Enjoy lads!

On my way to the palace today I had the opportunity to see the Camp Victory geese and their new arrivals taking a field trip. I think they were off to swimming lessons...

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Lord giveth and He taketh away.

This week we will mourn the loss of USAF SSgt Self who was killed in an EFP attack on his Military Police convoy. If he is the same fellow I am thinking of, we just gave him a farewell at church where he played guitar and sang with the Praise Band Joyful Noez. I'll find out for certain on Friday. Either way, I saw the post blast analysis and my heart goes out to his family as they too mourn his loss.

Life is fragile, friends. Enjoy the blessing of this day.

My Tribute for Mother's Day

2007-05-13T14:43:00.000+04:00

The formative period for building character for eternity is in the nursery. The mother is queen of that realm and sways a scepter more potent than that of kings or priests. ~Author Unknown

My beautiful, loving and strong wife, Andra, is indeed the Queen and the Source of all things good in the Stoller household. With great patience and equality, she is raising and home schooling our four children by example of love and Christian values. Due to my constant deployments, Andra has accomplished this monstrous and phenominally important task single-handed and with great finesse. Andra is also my very best friend and complete balance. She is always the logical to my emotional, the brains to my brawn, and a staunch supporter when I venture out with another new idea. Bless her heart, she still laughs at most of my jokes too. We have undertaken the biggest adventure of our lives...married each other for better or worse, expanded our union with 4 uniquely different children and always dealing with changes of duty station and deployments at the whim of the Air Force. I couldn't imagine going through this life without the blessing of Andra by my side. Thank you, my Love, for being the awesome friend, counselor, wife, and magnificent mother you are and for the way you have made all of our lives so much better with the depth and strength of your heart.

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother. ~Abraham Lincoln

My Mom, Inge, is the other Saint who has blessed my life beyond measurable bounds. She has been my solid rock of support and best of all...my greatest fan. Not one concert or ball game was missed by Mom...ever. I am fortunate my Mom stopped working at Proctor & Gamble and essentially went to High School with me. She managed the sports team pictures, ticket sales for all the sports game at lunch time, and dedicated herself to chauffer duties for both my drumset and me. We were named co-Best Spirited for the senior class of 1987. In college, Mom suffered as much and most likely more than I did with each end of quarter final exams. Throughout the my time in the Air Force and the rasing of Andra's and my children, Mom has always been there with advice and help that came straight from her heart and with immeasurable love. On top of all she gives to my family and me, she has over 11,000 hours of volunteer time at Anderson Mercy Hospital in the Surgery Waiting Room where she keeps order and takes care of each family as if they were her family waiting in the room. At times, Dad will say, "You're just like your mother..." What better compliment could I possily ask to receive? I love you Mom for all that you are and all the love you have to give so unselfishly to all who receive it.

Kodak Moments

2007-05-11T20:04:00.000+04:00

I was taking a training class over the last three days and went walking around Camp Slayer during an extended lunch break. Luckily I took these pictures on a good day. The weather hasn't been all that stellar the last two days with the wind blowing the dust in and everything seemed to be in a haze. Enjoy some the pictures below:

Mom, Dad, and the kids out for a paddle.

All the trees and bushes are now in full bloom.

Victory Over America Palace in its still unfinished state reflected nicely off of calm waters.

Cool looking red flower...

Camp Slayer Mosque

The Perfume Palace

It's Officially HOT

2007-05-08T10:42:00.000+04:00

It's already 90 degrees at 9:30am this morning on the way into work.

Last night on our way to dinner at 6:30pm, it was 100 degrees in the shade of our front awning to the building. Yesterday's high was 112, no clouds, and the wind felt like a hair dryer blowing in your face. Spring has sprung and left us high and dry for the heat of summer. I am convinced the persistent problems of the Middle East are exacerbated by the heat slow cooking the brains of everyone out here until they can't think straight. Just an opinion.

There was a USO concert here on Sunday by the all female rock group named Bandshe. The flier that was distributed around base looked kind of 80's ish and so we checked them out on Google Images. Frightened by what we saw, we checked out the concert after dinner out of pure morbid curiosity... and long enough for a couple of pictures.

Google image:

the actual band who performed:

Objectively, they were a talented group who sang everything from the Allman Brothers to Christine Aguilera. They chatted up a couple guys from the audience in between songs. The keyboardist on the right is a 40 something school teacher from California...said she hoped her students would take some pride in their country and serve like we are doing now. Nice touch...she is leading her students by example.

The following photo was posted on the Multi-National Corps-Iraq website. We have a few organizations on base (not sure which ones) who make their way out to the community orphanages and local communities. Yet another example of Americans opening their hearts to the locals, making a difference, and you'll never see this on CNN or the liberal news media who only want to sabotage what we do.

Enjoy the heartfelt smile of joy on this child's face.

Thank you Miss Suzie and Kacee

2007-05-04T18:02:00.000+04:00

I had the pleasure of receiving rice krispie treats from Suz and a nicely crafted card from Kacee in her class. Note Suz's nifty powder blue construction paper wrapping in the right of the picture. Thank you both for your thoughtful card and kitchen prowess! :)

This is approximately 2/3 of the treasure trove of Vita Splash my Mom sent to us. We had received a couple boxes from someone else in a care package and I mentioned to my folks how much we liked it. Mom went immediately to the Vita Splash website and arranged a plethora for us. My office is the envy of the unit and there was much rejoicing when the box arrived.

I have been experimenting with some of the Google Gadgets for weblogs. I appreciate your patience as I work out the new functionalities for this blog. For some things, I should just stick with the tried and true...like the clock. So back to basics for that one, the count down timer stays, and the new weather that updates itself will stay as well.

It's Friday...I finally broke into double digits for the countdown...my hair is growing back...what a great day!

A- ILUSMIJCSI!!

Places and People Pictures

2007-05-02T16:02:00.000+04:00

Picture of the Al Faw Palace compliments of globalsecurity.org
The reason the Al Faw Palace was built on what is now Camp Victory.

The following is a translation of the etching in the wall of what is now the Commanding General's conference room. Saddam didn't really get religious until the late 90's according to reports. Not totally sure of the veracity of the translation. Either way, something new to look at.

Looking up one of the marble-lined pillars to the ceiling of the Palace foyer.

For all you SOUTHPARK fans, I found this fitting patch at one of the vendors on base.

My Swahili instructors and Ugandan friends, Edward and Obidiya (missing are JohnBosco, Festo, and Emmanuel). Each morning after breakfast, Orto and I spend 10-20 minutes visiting with Edward and the gang discussing our countries, language, and customs. As Edward was pointing to my map of Uganda, he showed us the warring North, oil fields in the West, the Industrial East around Lake Victoria, and the area in the South where it costs 20 cows to get married!

Quick Swahili lesson:

Kufa tatukafu wote = if it means death then we die together
Taku wanana badai = we'll see each other again

Iraq is not all death and struggle, in the car port to our building, we have a momma mourning dove sitting on a couple of her baby birds.

enjoy the pictures.

I am getting close to double digits before I can come home. When the countdown time reaches 97 days and 12 hours...I'm half way home!

"Shout out"

2007-04-30T17:06:00.000+04:00

Work is pretty busy, so let me give a "shout out" to some deserving folks:

Brother Muj - thanks for following my travels...I rest easy knowing you have my back. I found this .gif file on a weblog and couldn't resist putting it on here for you.

Reminder to all the men out there: Mother's Day is just around the corner. Send your cards or if you are flowers minded, here's a 20% off coupon code for Teleflora: 7MD20

Jim and Deanne - thanks for taking our son for the day on Saturday...I am hoping you experienced the cute and charming Nikolas for the day . . . still, we owe you big!

Megan in Ms Alton's class: thanks for your wonderful letter to my family. It was a very nice, thoughtful and maturely written letter.

Birthday greetings go out to Uncle Rich...meeting the young age of 63. Good luck with seeding the crops and out-running the rain.

Aunt Joan - glad to hear the knee surgery has gone well and recovery is moving along at a good clip.

I purchased a new digital camera recently. Kudos go out to ClickforDigital - they called us to confirm the order, ensure it was our credit card, and then bumped up the shipping time for free. There will be more pictures as soon as it arrives. In the mean time, I have to get some new batteries into my current camera for more happy snaps and kodak moments.

As Gramps says, "Bye for now"

Rainy Friday

2007-04-27T11:40:00.000+04:00

As the weather bubba advertised...it is indeed raining today. First it was breezy, then it was gusty, and then we had the deluge of sand gusts to precede the rain. We now have the promise of puddles and mud as I have blogged about before.

Adding insult to precipitation injury, it was incredibly warm in our office. The AC has been on continuously for days. Closer inspection revealed the dust had caked up inside the filter and we had a slight ice issue to deal with..pictured below.

Orto wrote a very sincere and accurate depiction of the military spouse. When you get the chance, roll over to the AF EWO in Iraq (link at the right) and read on. Not to be a day late and a dollar short... Andra, my military spouse, deserves great praise as well.

Most of you have heard me refer to Andra as the Source of All Things Good in our family. Indeed she is and then some. Right now, she's home schooling & raising our children, caring for & developing our infant, getting the kids to where they need to be for Scouts and dance, active in Church and Bible study, and preparing our home for sale as we anticipate our move to Colorado Springs. Beyond the Scottish and German genes (stubborn tenacity) Andra is an exceptionally strong, competant woman whom I admire greatly. Truly my gift from God.

Combat isn't just for soldiers around here. This morning in the breakfast line, I met a contractor from KBR who has been here for 18 months working vehicle recovery. He drives this Mad Max looking humongous vehicle wrecker and goes out after our vehicles that have been blown up or disabled along the road. "There's a very distinct sound to 7.62mm bullets when they impact your cab", he told me. This poor fellow has to spend his time during attacks down by the floor boards while the military lights up the attackers. He is one of many brave Americans who are over here making great contributions to our military effort.

Learned something new

2007-04-25T15:03:00.000+04:00

Orto's Cindy told us of a cool feature she found on his weblog. Take a close look at the counter down on the right column of this blog.

Under the number is the word"Stats". You can click on that word and then have the choices to see when the most traffic on this blog occurs by hour, day, and week. You can also see what web browsers are looking at the weblog as well.

The fact there are unidentifiable entities checking my blog, I'll never reveal what my real job is over here. Instead you will have to settle with a good deal of human interest type stuff.

Some days, I feel like the kid stuck in the chair...

71 of 182

2007-04-23T09:51:00.000+04:00

Slowly creeping to the halfway point of this deployment. Of course my departure date is set in jello and can always change...one would hope for sooner as opposed to later. This is Iraq and nothing is concrete. Whenever I leave, I won't miss the smell of burning metal and fuel in the morning air like we had today. The air was incredibly thick with it.

My colleague, Ian, passed on an idea his lovely and much better half :) sent him the other day. It's called Daddy Dolls. I know there is a pretty good network of servicemen and spouses linked to our pages here so I'll put the information out for the common good.

The deployed person takes a picture of themselves from head to toe, specifies whether they wish to have a 12 in or 17in doll, and sends it in to the company. In return, the service member's children have a doll replica of their parent to take with them to the store, church, bed, etc. Great idea...pictures below. It can even work in reverse...kids send service member dolls of themselves to keep service member company while deployed.

www.daddydolls.com

"Yesterday, Sen. Reid said the war 'is lost.' Today, Sen. Reid has tried to back off from that egregious comment using smoke and mirrors. It's impossible to figure out where the Democrats stand and there's no telling what Sen. Reid will say tomorrow."
– White House Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino, 4/20/07

SEE THIS MAN, KNOW THIS MAN...HE IS THE ENEMY WITHIN.

Sen Reid from Nevada is, in my humble opinion, a two bit political hack and quite frankly...a colossal ass.

I invite this insignificant little man to come out to Iraq, spend more than the customary Congressional 36 hours on the ground (because it's dangerous and what would happen if a member of Congress were hurt out here?!!? Oh my!!). It's okay for military members to risk their lives daily from 4 - 15 months on the ground though.

Yes, Senator Reid should take at least a month off from his political attacks to come over here and see what is really happening... how we are training the Iraqi's to fend for themselves, how the Iraqi people are rallying to the side of Coalition Forces to rid their communities of foreign fighters and Al Qaeda in Iraq, how we are returning electricity, water, phone service to communities. YOUR men and women of the United States Armed Forces are accomplishing great things while being shot at by snipers, maimed and killed by IED's, only to return the next day and keep doing great things.
There is no doubt we are in harms way...most times at the disadvantage because we follow the rules of armed conflict while the enemy does not. We are Americans and we do not accept defeat.

Off of my soap box now.

Thanks go out to Aunt Joan,Uncle Juris & Aunt Jane, Aunt Lois for your generous care packages. The Lemans candy and chocolate chip cookies are much appreciated and have been graciously consumed!

A-ILUH&S
N,A,A,G & J,R> miss each of you terribly

Sandstorms 'R Us

2007-04-20T15:44:00.000+04:00

Take a good look at the picture in my last post where you can see the sky, clouds, and sun by the mosque. This picture was taken at 2 p.m. a couple of days ago. Everything had a yellow-orange glow as the sand storm made its way across the Baghdad area. It wasn't until around 10pm that all of this had blown over and we could see the stars in the night sky.

Time keeps on ticking

2007-04-17T20:27:00.000+04:00

This is the part of a deployment that can be considered as "the lull". Not a whole lot new each day as I work some big projects, keep up with trend analysis, and play Dodge'em with incoming mortars. We had four drop in while we were having breakfast. After a while, unless it's really close, you just keep doing what you are doing and go about your day.

Orto and I are working on a Friday patch for our uniforms. Something creative, tasteful, but not quite authorized. Fridays around here are normally Flightsuit Fridays so the aviator types can still feel like their wings haven't been clipped by flying a desk. I still have my ACU's with lots of velcro, so I will be able to wear my Friday patch around the squadron, but change over to official patches when go to the dining halls.

I have mentioned Victory Church before. I have included a picture below. We were bursting at the seems with standing room only for Sunday's service. The news of the 3 month extensions has hit a lot of Army soldiers hard. Our sermon was about God's plan not ours and how through Him we grow in the midst of adversity.

I have made a change to the comment system for this weblog. Registration is no longer required and you can fire at will with whatever you want to say. Hopefully, the change is a good thing...

Saw this sign on the back of a vehicle at the dining facility. It encourages the locals to report information to help Coalition Forces via telephone or a yahoo address.

A-ILUSVM!

Thanks!

2007-04-14T11:50:00.000+04:00

I need to take a moment to say thank you to a bunch of folks.

Thanks to Laura, an awesome friend, for keeping tabs on me. I had broken my consistent trail of entries and she made sure I was doing alright and still able to blog. I promise a short note for future blogs if the my workload becomes too great and I can't update the blog for a reasonable amount of time. :)

Thanks to my folks for spending 3 weeks at my home to help with the kids and make it possible for Andra to travel and see her family in Florida. Your help, love, and advice is always appreciated!

Thanks to our church for making special efforts to help my family as we prepare to move. I appreciate your love and support.

Thanks to Suz's 8th grade class for your comments and being entertained by my blog. Suz is a great teacher - you just need to come to school ready to learn and she'll take care of the rest!

Had a troubling night last night as 3 sets of convoys returned to base with sirens blaring. This is indicative of the rush to get injured soldiers to the medical facility. It's unusual to hear three sets of sirens in one night. Around 1am we had a huge blast in our vicinity that shook my trailer and then again around 8:30 this morning a couple of mortars dropped in for a real attention grabber.

This picture is from last night. We were picking up pizzas for pizza/movie night when this truck rolled over to the food court area with a jazz band on the back. The morale folks are really great about using soldiers with music talent to form bands and have them go from dining facilties to open public areas to perform. These folks started off with some Latin jazz heavy on the trumpet and it was awesome!

We drove by this one the other day and had to get a picture. The majority of our living and working areas are protected from mortar and rocket blasts with 8-10ft T walls of concrete. They either keep the shrapnel out or contain the blast within the walled areas. Anyway, one of the acronyms we use to describe car bombs is VBIED - vehicle borne improvised explosive device. Someone had this no parking sign made up and posted it on the T wall outside their place. Situational humor!!

This afternoon we went driving around a little and meandered over to Camp Slayer to check out their market. If you have seen one market, then you've seen them all. Rumor has it - the view from on top of Signal Hill at Camp Slayer is exceptional. We figured since we were there, we should check it out. We weren't disappointed in the least. We could see all of Camp Slayer, Camp Victory, Baghdad International Airport, and the surrounding Mansour District of Baghdad OUTSIDE our perimeter walls. Of course, timing is everything. Ian made the observation, "They can see us as well as we can see them. We probably shouldn't be here much longer." Snipers are a problem throughout all of Iraq. Captured by Daves running video camera, not more than 2 minutes after Ian's statement, a rifle shot rings out from the neighborhood below us. The last part of that sequence of tape is dave saying,"Yeah. It's time for us to leave." I can't say they were shooting at us since we didn't hear a hiss or doppler shift...but the timing was priceless!

1. Mansour District

2. Perfume Palace

3. Camp scenery

A-ILUH&S!!

Puddles are great, if...

2007-04-12T10:50:00.000+04:00

...you are a duck! It rained and then rained some more. The following pictures will show the extent of the rain we just had dump on us. It started the evening before last, lightening and thundered around 3 am, and then hailed around 7:30am. Ahhh, the sound of hail on a tin roof!

Of course the insurgents have to get in on the act during rain storms and we took mortar fire at the same time. There was a round that hit not too far from us. It gave my trailer a pretty good shake when it hit. They (the insurgents we lovingly refer to as Haji - I know...so politically incorrect and insensitive of me. For those offended - you come out here and get shot at and mortared - see how you feel about it) like launching on us in the bad weather. Unfortunately, bad weather hasn't slowed down Haji's efforts at roadside bombs. Ever since al-Sadr told his Shiite minions to double their efforts at killing American forces ("their archenemy") they have done themselves proud.

Sorry, I digress...we were talking about bad weather.

puddles outside the dining hall

my feet in water up to my ankles last night walking back from the phone center.

Lastly, no rainy day is complete around here without the silt turned into pudding thick mud...

2007-04-08T09:26:00.000+04:00

Happy Easter!! I enjoyed a great message and celebrated the risen Lord this morning at the sunrise service at Al Faw Palace. The gospel choir was in great voice and there was over 100 personnel in attendance. Unfortunately, the sun was blocked by low hanging clouds. It would have been asthetically perfect to have the first rays of light shine down on our congregation. No worries, a solid message and His presence set the day right for us all.

Some additional pictures:

Our Camp Victory Post Master unit doing their impression of Australian road workers. Two fellows were packing 3 crates of outbound packages on to a truck while this group of at least 8 were watching with mild interest and amusement.

The Green Bean Coffee trailer I have mentioned before. My colleague, Tater, gets his morning MOAC (Mother Of All Coffee) from here. He has six shots of espresso in a large cup and topsit off with the house blend coffee. My recent favorite has been the Chai Espresso...Chai powder & milk mixed with an espresso shot or two.

Disclaimer: I have yet to find a coffee drink better than any served from the Holy Grounds at Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene. Not to worry, Dave, I am only settling for second best while deployed! ;)

Mortars and Trailers Don't Mix

2007-04-06T13:56:00.000+04:00

This was just the other day. We heard a mortar hit and felt a little vibration. Small diameter mortar.

Actually, small or not, any mortar is going to ruin your day if it hits close or in this case . . .
in your trailer.

Luckily, no one was home during this random mortar attack. When I has here in 2003, we used to set our watches by the attacks in the morning. Right after first prayer call, a couple of jihad waging guys would go out to their mortar tubes and launch a few our way for Allah. Meanwhile, when our alarm clocks would go off, we'd reach for our helmets and body armor...laying the armor across our chest and resting the helmets on our heads. If the first explosion was close, we would hit the floor. If not, we'd just leave everything in place until the last explosion and then set it back on the ground and reset the alarm clock. The pictures above are from an area no where near my trailer.

Next picture is unconfirmed, but popular urban legend. It is rumored ol' Saddam was housed in this complex on Lost Lake on the Victory Base compound. From the exterior, it looks quite dilapidated, but I haven't been inside to see what it looks like. I'll put that on my To Do list.

= = = = =
5 Day Forcast
FRI06APR. Cloudy High90°F/32°C Low57°F/13°C
SAT07APR. Cloudy High90°F/32°C Low63°F/17°C
SUN08APR. Cloudy High90°F/32°C Low62°F/16°C
MON09APR. Cloudy High90°F/32°C Low72°F/22°C
TUE10APR Cloudy High78°F/25°C Low69°F/20°C
= = = = =

I enjoyed a moving Good Friday service at the Victory Chapel from the entire Chaplain's staff. We recapped Christ's last few days through scripture, song, and shared communion. My small sacrifice for today is fasting. Easter sunrise service will be great on the front porch of the Al Faw Palace. The rising sun seems to add extra significance to the service and celebration. On this Good Friday, I leave you with Christ's last words, "Father, in to Your hands I commit my spirit."

Prime Time

2007-04-05T09:55:00.000+04:00

Our unit has made the cover story of the Navy League Sea Power magazine. Go to the following link and learn a little more about our mission here:

www.seapower-digital.com/seapower/200703

You can click on the Table of Contents tab and then select Cover Story.

I have also added 2 blog links of my colleagues serving in Iraq. You'll enjoy their view points and experiences as well.

Just had some huge explosions on base. Good segway into today's photo taking opportunity. We've been pushing hard on some projects and have a light day ahead of us. Thus, a chance to go get some pictures. If I don't, y'all will start reading the other blogs I've linked because they have better pictures. My only draw back is that I have no reason, as of this moment, to leave the base... so I won't have some of the cool pix from downtown or elsewhere.

Last night's sunset...
post dinner coffee from Green Beans, cool breeze, wispy clouds
this would be a nice place if it weren't Iraq!

Living with change...

2007-04-04T23:13:00.000+04:00

We're in to our DCU's now. The sign we are holding references Chuck Norris..."So NOT Chuck Norris...in fact Chuck weeps". For some unknown reason, Chuck Norris is a bit of a phenomena around the base. The porta-potties are graffiti filled with quotes about Chuck "counting to infinity twice", "armor is made from Chuck Norris' dry skin", etc.

Life continues on at a decent clip. The days continue to pass by and I remain very busy doing threat analysis and assessments. The folks who started this organization 1 year ago are departing for home and the entire organization has new life and fresh patience for dealing with the Army and each other.

For continued entertainment, be sure to check out the link to the right to the Land Locked Sailor. Grease Domzal has some really cool pictures and commentary. I'll be linking another 2 or 3 blogs from fellow JCCS-1 colleagues to provide their perspectives.

First Signs of Spring

2007-04-01T18:05:00.000+04:00

I had Night Watch again last night. The unit had our usual Saturday Movies and Pizza - a double feature this time: Wild Hogs with John Travolta, Tim Allen, William Macy, and Martin Lawrence (highly recommended!) and The Boontown Boys. Once we cleaned up and everyone left, I was able to watch the Nikolas Cage, Eva Mendez recent release Ghost Rider.

The other beauty of Night Watch is uninterrupted phone calls. I was able to reconnect with my college friends Mike and Michelle Haskins. They are a great and admirible couple that I'll always want to stay in touch with. Also had a chance to call home...as I do most every day.

Since I slept most of today, I have a picture of the first signs of Spring I noticed on my walk into work this afternoon. This place has the potential to be really green again.

Going Down in Flames!

2007-03-30T20:04:00.000+04:00

It seems as if I will have to face the fact that I can no longer wear the ACU's. By order of the CENTAF Commander, I have until 27 Apr to be in Desert Combat Uniform. I'd rather walk around in just my boots and a Viking helmet if that would help make me stand out as an Air Force person...but not so lucky. A terrible thought isn't it?? :P

Perhaps, I may be on the receiving side of the new Airmen Combat Uniform. Looks just like the DCU's without any new functionality and has really silly looking blue digital tiger stripes. The silver lining is the new uniform will cost a little over $100 for the pants, shirt, t-shirts, rank, and hat. I can have one set for free. A small pittance for the 7 months away from home and the extra added gluteus maximus pain from this entire ordeal.

A big hello to my Anderson High School classmates tuning in to my blog. I received an email from my classmate and friend Colleen Hines about the plans for our 20th year reunion. I have been out of high school for 20 years!!!! Holy smokes, I am old! However, in retrospect, I have accomplished a great deal, traveled the world, supported 2 combat campaigns, and have been blessed with a beautiful family, loving parents, and great in-laws throughout the extended family. Not bad for 38.

This weekend I will head over to the Chaplains office. They have a program where you can have 30 minutes of time with a video camera. I am going to read some books for my children and then send the book and the dvd back home so they can see and hear me read to them. Every so often, we are able to webcam as well.

The uniform ordeal has been an unfortunate distraction. Rest assured, we are all focused- intensely - on doing our job to protect our brothers and sisters in harms way. Seeing them each day in the dining facility in reward enough. The Lord has His own plan and calls his children home when it's time. There's nothing I can do about it. The real reward is having one of the soldiers see my JCCS-1 patch on my shoulder and thank me because our equipment saved them from being caught up in an IED explosion.

Thanks go out to Ivan Shetler for teaching the kids how to rope at the recent Cowboys and Cowgirls theme birthday party for Alex and Nikolas at our house. Hello to Uncle Russ and Aunt Deanne in Largo, FL. I am going to fly a flag over the Al Faw Palace and send it to my cousin Darcy's class as thanks for staying in touch with me on each of these deployments. Hello to the Stoller's in IL and FL! Hello to Colleen Hines' dad...thanks for explaining the death spiral cork screw approach into the airfield here in Baghdad to Colleen.

Complete Buffoonery

2007-03-28T19:14:00.000+04:00

This will be somewhat of a rant...but a clean one.

The last I checked, there is a war going on over here. There is an Air Force run base to the north of us called Balad. They have the responsibility to oversee every AF person deployed to Iraq.

Okay, Administrative control is fine...as long as they stay out of our way. Not so lucky.
When not working on keeping Coalition Forces protected from certain types of IED's, I have to deal with threatening emails from the admin glorified clerks up north telling us what uniform we have to wear. "That's so incredibly insignificant and stupid", you must be saying to yourself. I know I did!

The picture to the right shows me in the Army Combat Uniform. I have it written in my orders to wear the Army ACU for duty. A 3 star general signed off on us wearing these while assigned to the mission we are doing. The clerks from up north are saying we have to wear the desert battle uniform - the usual brown one you see on TV.

They sent an email threatening us that if we don't change our uniforms, they will send us home with administrative reprimands (Article 15) for failure to obey orders. Kids are dieing every day and these ___clowns are worried about whether we're dressed properly for the fight. Aaaaaggggghhhhhhhh!

The fellows with stars on their shoulders are being pulled in to this quagmire. I am hoping for quick resolution (in my favor).

= = = = = = = = = end rant = = = = = = = = = = =

So I am at the coffee shop the other day called the Green Bean. I was one of many to be entertained by an enterprising young enlisted fellow playing guitar and harmonica. He can actually sing too. He's pictured below. He walked away with a guitar case full of tips...not bad for a couple of hours doing what you like to best. He plays every Tues and Sat if you want to come over and listen!?

I have been remiss in adding pictures of my surroundings. Here are a few:

This is a mosque we have on base and sets about 100 meters away from where I work.

Side view of the Al Faw Palace. Once used by Saddam to host the Arab League of Nations. 3 levels, lots of rooms, and where we all originally slept shoulder-to-shoulder, toe-to-toe when we first rolled in 2003 before Tent City and trailers were brought to the base.

Thanks to EWODAD for writing. Thanks to JJ's and Suz for continuing to read and comment. Hi Gramps. Thanks to my folks who are helping my family out right now. Thanks to all for prayers. Pastor Mike - I am working my way down the Lent list from the Lent package.

Dining Facility Musings

2007-03-22T18:58:00.000+04:00

Our dining facilities are worked by men from Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and a few other countries. I showed up right at the end of US breakfast because at 0830, they get to have their breakfast after serving us. A couple big hits for these fellows are:
- huge bowl of grits to dip french toast in to
- Cocoa Puffs and Apple Jacks (a true race of about 8 fellows to the cereal tables is fun to watch)
- curiousy enough, they put their cereal with milk into the microwave and nuke it for one minute. To each their own, I guess.
- some have been truly corrupted by the American diet as they chow through breakfast burritos and hash browns.

I can also tell the kids who have just returned from midnight convoys. Besides being dirty, most are outwardly still wired on adrenaline. By the time they have finished their meal, they are very calm and almost sedate in their post-mission body crash. My heart goes out to these kids because I know they are going out again tonite to face the danger that awaits. There are many young ladies mixed in to these units. I know how my folks must feel for me being here as I envision my girls potentially being in the same place in about 12 years. I have a lot of respect for these brave young ladies! These seemingly demure girls, throw on their body armor & helmet, adjust their pony tails and climb up into a gun turret behind a 50 caliber machine gun - standing ready to lay down a wall of death to whomever challenges the security of that convoy. Keep them in your prayers.

The team guarding our dining facilities, as I mentioned before, are African. I have found out they are from Uganda doing their part for the Iraqi effort. They still light up and greet me before I can get to the entrance. I have been teaching Swahili to my office colleagues who want to say hello in Swahili too.

My days have been very busy writing threat assessments and pouring through daily reports from many agencies. Our adversary is very well trained and have many advanced techniques and weapons at their disposal. It's obvious they watch us very closely and plan their attacks carefully to exploit weaknesses they see in our operations. There are no good answers for what we can do. The tide is turning in some places as the locals are enjoying more freedom of movement. They go out of their way to warn some units of bombs, caches, and the location of insurgents.

No matter when we leave, I truly believe U.S. forces will leave Iraq a much better place than when we rolled in...even if the press won't report it.

More Life Change

2007-03-18T20:58:00.000+04:00

First and foremost, I should tell you of my Permanent Change of Station orders.

The Battlelab where I work is being closed by the Air Force (along with the other six Battlelabs). It's among the many cutbacks in personnel, programs, and overhead functions the Air Force needs to discontinue in order to pay for the new fighters, bombers, and other high tech weaponry we need to remain Super Powers in the years to come.

Anyway, I am headed back to the Mother Ship. We are being posted to the Intelligence Directorate at US Space Command in Colorado Springs, CO. Our report no later than date is 30 Sep. Theoretically, I should return to Mountain Home mid to late August. Thus, there should be ample time to out-process Mountain Home AFB. The Battlelab will have closed their doors and turned out the lights on 1 Aug...so I am not so sure who is going to in-process me from deployment. I am sure that will be figured out on 31 July!

It rained yesterday and the dust became 4in thick squishy mud that sticks to your boots and feels as if you were wearing ankle weights. The picture below is the sand storm that preceded the rains. The background color is sand. The cloud deck yesterday was 3,000 feet...meaning everything underneath was blowing sand and dust.

Today was very bright and clear as the rain cleared the sky for a couple days. Pretty much washed us clean!

My cousin, Darcy, is a school teacher in IL at Heartland Private School. I was pleased to receive an envelope filled with letters from the children in her class. These were the same kids who wrote to me the last time I was deployed here to Camp Victory. Thank you Darcy and to all the wonderful children you teach. I'll have a reply to their letters this week and see what kind cool things I can send them Iraq this time. In 2003, I was able to get my hands on Iraqi money with Saddam's face on the bills and sent them to Darcy's class as a gesture of thanks for thinking of me and writing.

This coming Wednesday is Operation PwGP day. That stands for Picture with General Petraeus day. Providing his security detail doesn't throw me down and handcuff me, I will attempt to get my picture taken with the Commanding General of Multi-National Forces in Iraq. He really seems like a soldiers soldier...soooooooo, I am hoping he doesn't mind a 30 second delay in his schedule for a picture.

Church service tonite focused on Ezekiel 33 10-16. Many Christians are plagued with phantom guilt of sins committed in their past. They need to realize the Lord has forgiven those sins and press on. Same goes for the folks who have rested on the laurels of the past. The Lord requires us to be full time servants. No matter which side of the coin, we may be rejected on earth, but will be forever accepted in heaven.

Blessing to you and have a great start of the week!

Sitting the Watch

2007-03-15T05:07:00.000+04:00

It's 3:52 in the morning here in Baghdad. We all take turns being available to answer the Admin phone in case the Red Cross calls or some other emergency occurs. Tonite, as I sit Watch, I viewed the 1976 film "The Eagle Has Landed" based off of Jack Higgins novel of the 3rd Reich idea to kidnap Winston Churchill. A few of you may remember it...starred Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, and Donald Sutherland.

When that finished I took a look around the building for our 8 lbs rat. That's another part of the night watch...seeing who spots the rat. Nothing so far. We have a cat without a tail that hangs around our building. Apparently he hasn't been so lucky catching the rat either.

I am now playing the DVD of Norah Jones Live in New Orleans. Her report with the audience isn't that great but her voice is just as pure live as on a mixed and professionally recorded CD. It reminds me of a Friday night in Clearwater, FL when I first listened to Norah Jones CD with Andra after we put the kids to bed. We liked the music from the first song. In fact, Alex and Ava have had Norah as their going to sleep music. Within the first 15 seconds of hearing her music on the radio, Ava will shout out "Norah Jones!"

Anyway, it's starting to warm up over here. Afternoon temps are reaching the mid-80's and it seems as if the rainy season has ended. A lot of dust gets kicked up by all of the vehicles around here. The civil engineers have water trucks come around and wet the roads down a little to pack down the dust.

Andy Gibbons and I found a local national store on base that sells DVD's for 2 dollars. Available to us, fresh from the theaters via videotape and digital reproduction, every movie that has opened up in the States within the last 2-6 weeks. I think I side-stepped the whole black market moniker there pretty well. :) It's just funny to see people still trying to find their seats silhouetted by the movie screen. What can one expect for $2.00???

Another quick look for the rat has revealed my Girl Scout cookie bait has been snatched from the kitchen corner. In fact he's in the middle of the room swaying his head side to side with Norah Jone's music. Just kidding. I have my camera ready though. If I see him, I'll post his picture. The silly muses of one who has been awake for 22 hours! Speaking of GS cookies, we are supposed to receive a package with 200 boxes of GS cookies in the next week or so. Extra time in the gym here I come!

Work continues to go well. Spending a lot of time pouring through reports to look for trends or emerging changes in tactics or equipment in the counter-IED fight. Still very disheartening to read patrol reports where an IED detonated and the wounded in action have their status changed to killed in action. The only limit to the enemy's tactics is their imagination. It makes trying to shut down these animals akin to chasing a demon...forever running and forever haunted.

Movie and Pizza Saturday

2007-03-11T22:14:00.000+04:00

Just like home, we had the weekly movie and pizza night. We watched the movie The 13th Warrior and enjoyed pizza from the Pizza Hut folks here on Victory. To long to go into here, we found interesting parallels to the plot of the movie and our presence here in Iraq.

Speaking of movies, the Comms folks have installed a streaming video capability and the choice of about 10 different channels for news, sports, and other interests programming. I find I can punctuate my day between meetings and meals by watching a movie. Whatever it takes to make the days go by...I am not ashamed!

I have run across the Commanding General, General Petreaus, twice now. On Wednesdays, he's in the conference room prior to one of my working group meetings. Sometime in the near future, I am going to finesse my way into a picture with him. Give me about 3 weeks to work it out. He's a nice, competent and self-assured fellow.

One of my new hobbies is learning a few phrases of conversational Swahili. There is a new team of guards at the dining facilities and base perimeter. They are most likely from Kenya or Ethiopia. I sheepishly tried out the one greeting phrase I know in Swahili and they perked up, smiled big, and were very happy someone made an effort to speak to them. Now I am brushing up on more conversational phrases. They look for me now and greet me before I can greet them. I am enjoying the exchanges. The funny part is watching the look on every ones face as this very white officer carries on a short conversation in a language many have never even heard before. Ahhhhh, making friends and influencing people the Stoller way. Mom and Dad would be proud. Actually they are very proud of me....they tell me every time I call home. :)

Went to the 6:30 pm Praise Worship at the Victory Chapel tonight. It was very similar to my church back home...the Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene. Good praise band, contemporary Christian music like we sing back home and hear on 89.5 KTSY. Helped me forget I was in Iraq for an hour. Our message was on "The highest Call from God is to Worship - genuinely and whole hearted". Scripture was from John and Romans for the 3 main points: 1) Worship is relational 2) Worship is empowered by the Holy Spirit and 3) Worship is the Truth and Knowledge of Jesus Christ. We'll have a sun rise service on Easter Sunday just outside the Palace along the waters edge. Something to look forward to.

Those who read this blog are in different walks with a power they believe in. I don't mean to get over religious with this blog. I only wish to make a point that it is my relationship and walk that gets me through each day away from my family; in harms way with mortar and rocket attacks; and helps me center myself after reviewing multiple daily intelligence reports (with pictures) on the effects IED's are having on the brave young kids I work and live with who go out everyday to patrol the streets or provide security for convoys.

Moment of serenity...

Entrenched

2007-03-08T16:07:00.000+04:00

I have had several days to delve into the daily patrol and explosive ordnance reports. There is so much the public doesn't know as far as the magnitude of IED's exploded and/or cleared along the main supply routes. We have immediate feedback on the wounded and casualties. I have also been privy to sniper reports and captured insurgent sniper video. It took a long time to fight back the urge to vomit. This is a forsaken place.

Walking back to work from lunch today I saw black smoke billowing from an IED just outside the compound. The helos were obviously called to med evac an unfortunate soul. Pictures below: (click on the picture to enlarge)

I am busy each day with meetings and introducing myself to folks in the many organizations dealing with countering IED's. Andy and I are continuing our Body For Wife program by working out first thing before breakfast and then returning to the gym in the afternoon to exercise on the ellyptical trainer or treadmill. We have recently invested in wireless internet for our trailer and found out last nifght we have the capability for web cam.

Here's a happy snap from a couple days ago of the full moon.

Moving Forward

2007-03-06T12:14:00.000+04:00

I am officially moved into my trailer..unpacked, sorted, and it looks a little like home with a new 2x3 throw rug in front of my bed and the new bed linens I bought back in Janury while at training in MD. Andra sent my GPS to me and I measured the distance between my trailer and my building: 4.1 miles. So far the office has been pretty good about giving Andy and me a vehicle to get back and forth.

Directly across the street from our trailer is a dining facility, AT&T calling center, Morale tent with computers, voice over IP phones, large screen tv's, movies; next to the Morale tent is a brand new gym; and there is a KBR laundry service. Laundry has been tough for my clothing. My previously white underwear is now a tie-die assortment akin to camouflage. The kids tie-died my underwear once before and Ava named them my Earth underwear. Well, now I have about 8 more pair of Earth underwear compliments of KBR laundry services! On the bright side, laundry is only 24 hours instead of 72 hours when I was last at Victory.

Now for work. I am trying to get a hang of the Navy way of doing things. We are a staff, but we really aren't...so chain of command is kind of loose and folks seem to be in your back pocket. I'll chalk it up to them being helpful to the new guy for now. I have a threat assessment to look forward to writing in support of a new concept of operations. There are a lot of data bases and assessments to jump in to in order to be up to speed on what I need to be smart on. I'll also be lining up trips with the route clearing teams and getting together with Explosive ORDNANCE (now spelled correctly thanks my most favorite EOD tech Ms Laura Turnbull-Peters) Disposal teams, and a forensics team.

This will be the first time in about 5 years that I am able to get back to basics and be a real intelligence analyst. Very exciting stuff!

It's March Already

2007-03-04T10:46:00.000+04:00

First and formost: prayers go out to LCDR Jason Domzal who was whisked out of here 2 days ago at the news of his father's passing. We found out around 9pm and by 4:30am he was on a plane to Kuwait connecting to his home.

We just took our end of course exam to conclude Phase 4 training. I think I will actually get down to Intel work tomorrow. We have been training since the 21st of January. Needless to say, we're all chomping at the bit to finally do "the job" we were sent here to accomplish.

The other good news is that I am now the proud occupant of a trailer and can unpack my stuff for a couple of months. Its called a wet trailer which means a full bathroom separates the 2 occupants. Lucky for me, my friend and colleague LCD Andy Gibbons has the right half of the trailer and I have the left half (roughly 15x15ft). It sure beats the 8x3ft space we have lived in since January. Our next challenge is to acquire a set of wheels as we are located about 5 miles from the HQ building where we work.

Phase 4 and Empty Nest Syndrome

2007-02-28T10:19:00.000+04:00

After 1 week of waiting for Phase 4 training, we are now in the full swing of classes and dieing a slow death by PowerPoint. A lot of this is a recap of our phase 1 trainng in Maryland. Recap is good due to all of the other things we've doing since then.

The first half of our group has finished their training and are flying out to their foward operating bases. Once 82 stong, we're down to 36 and very empty tents. We've become a very cohesive group since the 21st of January when this adventure began. We've gone from superficial conversation about jobs and progressed to asking about the welfare of each others families.

Lately for dinner, the price of admission has been the filling of a sandbag. This is a common occurance as the weather breaks down the sandbags filled last year. Speaking of dinner, I have found the strawberry milk in the drink coolers. It's the small things in life that keep you happy.

I have moved up the housing list from 19 to 12 in my patient wait for a 10x10 trailer to call home for the next 5 months. The trailers are one of the many improvements to this base since I left. There are rows upon rows of trailers all secured by 10 foot concrete barricades. Just being able to finally unpack will be great. I have been living out of duffel bags since January. I have given the Air Force 4 free weeks of time and finally had my time on deployment start counting on the 15th of February. The current belief is I will be flying home on or about the 12th of August.

LCDR Andy Gibbons and I were able to attend church on Sunday. The sermon was from Deuteronomy 29 and focused on grace in the midst of hardship to open our eyes to the real blessings of each day and in life. Great message and very well tailored to our existence here in Iraq.

Thanks for tuning into my blog. I now have a desk in the staff headquarters building as the JCCS-1 Intelligence Officer. The communications bandwidth is so much better here than at the morale tents. You can expect more timely updates from here on.

Disclaimer

2007-02-23T17:55:00.000+04:00

My posts have contained misspelled words and fragmented sentences.

Sorry.

There is only so much bandwidth for the number of computers and Voice Over IP phones on base. The later we get here, the more saturated the bandwidth. One simple email may take almost the full 30 minutes we are allowed on the computer at one time. Thus, I have to publish as quickly as possible without the luxury of spell checking.

I are educated. :)
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I also just want to go on record to say the coffee places here in Iraq have absolutely NOTHING on Dave Holland - coffee Barista extraordinaire - at the Holy Grounds Coffee Bar at the Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene!

Rainy Days and Down Time

2007-02-22T18:19:00.000+04:00

Our group is so big we had to split in half for Phase 4 training. Thus I am hanging out this week doing shelf checks at the BX and diving into my Body For Wife gym program. We start our training next week and conclude with a 100 question test.

This is the rainy season and once again the base is a soggy soup of mud. You get used to it after a while and forget about the mud streaks on your pants and tracking gravel and mud everywhere. This place is still better than when I left it in 2004 which keeps me happy.

I now have a mailing address:

Maj Mark Stoller
MNC-I / TF Troy / JCCS-1
APO AE 09342-1400

I am not in needof anything, but have never been known to pass up brownies or chocolate chip cookies. :) Letters will also make my day too!

For the first time, in the 5 days we've been here, we watched as 3 mortars dropped in on the base. Most likely 62 or 84mm. The third one landed near the palace with a deep thud and grey smoke. All necessary units were dispatched. We'll get the skinny on it later and will go exploring the 1/4 mile down the road to see the damage. Life in a combat zone.

Then and Now

2007-02-19T17:12:00.000+04:00

We flew into Baghdad Saturday evening after a typical day of flight delay and rescheduling. To my relief, we did a little evasive maneuvering on the descent instead of the "death spiral" corkscrew combat landing.

We were greeted by the command staff of JCCS-1 (Joint CREW Consolidated Squadron-1), our parent unit at Baghdad International Airport. After finding our pallet and gear, we were bussed to our temporary lodging on Camp Liberty.

This Camp used to be referred to us as the North 40 - an undeveloped area of Camp Victory without much infrastructure. Camp Liberty now has a Post Exchange (military WAL-MART) as big as any Wal-Mart in the US, Taco Bell, Cinnabon, Burger King, and a Green Bean Coffee shop. The PX has so much to offer in electronics, magazines, books, apparel, military gear, knives, flashlights, etc. Enormously wonderful.

Generally, we refer to the place we eat as the chow hall. In this case we would be doing an extreme unjustice to the dining facility...aka 4 star restaurant. There is a main line, short order line for burgers et all, a station for stir fry, indian cuisine, dessert bar, ice cream bar, salad bar. When i was last here, we had a triple-wide trailer to eat in serving normal cafeteria food. One of the Command Sergeant Major's has heard to complain that his soldiers are becoming soft and fat with such ammenities available to them. Hitting the gym is definitely of the utmost importance or else I come home big enough to be 2 of me!

We should be learning some time today what our assignments will be out of here. The current rumor is that I will remain on the JCCS-1 staff as the Senior Intelligence Officer. Since they've never had one before, I get to make up my job description as I go. I hope this is the case and I can be given the professional latitude to develop this position. Since there is 24 hours in a day, the staff isn't in much of a hurry to tell folks of their jobs despite our restless curiosity.

So much has changed for the positive at Camp Victory. A little switch has flicked in my cranium and it's almost like Homecoming being back here. I have slid into the deployed lifestyle as if i never left it and absolutely appreciate all of the improvements in living conditions the government has put into this camp.

One last thought. Almost every vehicle passing in and out of this base is up-armored and carrying equipmet to help defeat/delay the IED threat. There are many, although not quite enough, of the new Couger and Buffalo IED resistant vehicles. I saythis only to make the point that the new technology and equipment is flowing to theater to help protect the brave men and women who do convoys as a daily business. There are still a lot of young kids out here and they look 10 years advanced of the chronological age. This is a tough environment.

Thanks again for everyones prayers for Andra, the kids and for me.

Training Phase 3 - Complete

2007-02-15T01:01:00.000+04:00

We arrived in Kuwait Sunday morning around 11:00 local time and were taken to Camp Virginia in order to stage for our third phase of training. I'm not at liberty to talk about what we did, but I can kind of paint a picture of the living conditions.

Imagine light brown sand for as far as you can see, dotted with gentle rolling 4 foot dunes, bedouins, and camels. No kidding kind of Lawrence of Arabia looking stuff. In the middle of the sand, we had a plowed out compound where four 20x40 concrete pads held a 20x40 tent on it. This was both our classroom and sleeping quarters. This time of year, the temperatures range from 70 to 35 F. Each tent had a few folding tables and 50 plastic patio chairs. We had classroom instruction/planning and then practical application and execution out in the dessert ranges. We weren't allowed to eat inside our tents to avoid having critters come snooping for food while we slept on the floor in our Army modular sleeping system (aka sleeping bag with liner). The first evening was rather nice realizing I was in the middle of the desert, with clear skies above, and eating MRE's as if on a picnic. This interesting notion turned sour the next morning as we were standing outside in 35 degree weather at 4:00a.m. eating more MRE's. Thankfully, it warmed quickly throughout the morning and our ballistic goggles provided adequate protection from the sun glare off the sand. We did not have running water - only bottled water. Porta-potties were the only form of comfort as making a puddle in the sand was strictly forbidden. Our training lasted 3 days and 2 nights.

We find ourselves back at Camp Virginia and strangely pleased to sleep on our Army cots as if it were a treat. Sleeping bag or not, I'm getting too old to spend an entire night on a concrete floor. Tomorrow is admin day where we start our pay benefits of Hazardous Duty pay, Hostile Fire pay, Family Separation pay, etc. We should also find something about our transport into Baghdad in the next 48 hours.

I was able to do laundry upon our return, leaving weapon cleaning/sand eradication as the priority for tomorrow.

Phase 2 Training - COMPLETE

2007-02-10T06:39:00.000+04:00

An easy day today with packing our bags and cleaning the barracks as Prioirty 1. The mood was really light as we listened to music while cleaning, packing, and laughing out loud poking fun at each other. Our bags are on a truck awaiting delivery to the airport for weight and loading.

6 hours and a wake-up until we are on buses headed for the airport and out 27 hour journey to Kuwait.

I am not sure what conectivity I'll have in Kuwait. While berthed at Ali Asalem, there should be some internet cafe available. Once we go to the Udari range for 3 days of advanced combat skills training, I'll most likely be out to touch until we return to Ali Asalem.

Keep my folks and my family in your prayers. I know from experience when Andra deployed to Saudi and I stayed home...it's hardest being the one left behind.

Winding Down

2007-02-09T04:38:00.000+04:00

Today was a great deal of fun as we fired the heavy weapons I have been describing in previous posts. The smaller Squad Assault Weapons were fun...high rate of fire and tracers to track your aim. The real fun came with the .50 caliber machine gun and the Mk 19 Grenade Launcher. The .50 cal bullets are about the length of your hand from the base of your palm to the top of your middle finger and as round as your middle finger. The 40mm grenades for the Mk 19 are about the size of the 4 oz soda cans. It's one thing for me to talk about how far these weapons shot their ammunition. It's a whole other (and eye opening) world to see the no kidding distance the bullets and grenades travel. The range we went to today had old armored personnel carriers for targets arranged at varied distances. We were able to engage each target and light it up with each weapon.

Our final training for the day and for this 2 week course was the Fundamentals of Hand-toHand Combat. The moves and holds, sanctioned by the Army, come from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (www.ufc.com watch the video and see some moves). We learned how to gain dominant position, get out of a non-dominant position (read: on the bottom and getting your hiney handed to you); a couple of flips and holds to choke an opponent out; provide bodily harm to make the opponent submissive or pee a lot of blood if he survives the encounter, and most importantly, the ability for us to survive.

Tomorrow is admin wrap up day and loading the trucks with our bags. We'll dress out in our uniforms, carry whatever knives and gels over 3oz that we want to and start our journey. (unlike when I started this whole trip and had my tooth paste amoung 4 other items confiscated by the TSA agent at Security in Boise airport).

This has been some spectacular training over the last 2 weeks - real warrior stuff I could never get from computer based training while flying my desk from home station. My hats off to the Army for the training and the Navy for providing the logisitics and opportunity to do all of this.

Reality Check

2007-02-08T04:41:00.000+04:00

Today started with our 5 mile convoy and combat patrol. It was a very educational event simulating the confusion that ensues when several roadside bombs explode and an ambush has been set on both sides of the road. As a platoon, we handled ourselves well with good communication and field of fire discipline. We still have a lot to learn from the folks who do this almost every day in country.

Land navigation practical application came next. We went out to the wooded area of base; plotted the 4 points given to us on a map; measured distance and azimuth, and then went in search of those markers. My 4 man team was the last of 10 teams to go into the woods and the 2nd to emerge.

In retrospect of the last 2 days, I find that surprise has the greatest impact in warfare. While practicing entering and clearing rooms yesterday, we had the element of surprise. We were formed up and carried out our mission with speed and accuracy. Granted for team member #1 going through the door, it is life or death in the blink of an eye - if you don't have surprise on your side. Likewise, it's life or death on the road as the insurgents have the element of surprise with well placed bombs and organized ambushes.

For lunch we had a Meals Ready to Eat (MRE). This is only the second time we've had them since we've been here. Normally we receive a bag lunch from the dining hall. The bag lunches are fine, except they digest quickly leaving 2 hours of hunger before dinner. MRE's stick to your ribs and last you through out the day. They are also affectionately called Meals Refusing to Exit...because they stay with you for a long time. You have to frontload about 4 glasses of water before eating an MRE because they are so full of fiber.

We topped the day off with a little chemical warfare training.

Lastly, we received our official itineraries. We go wheels up at 7:30am this Saturday, routing through Bangor, Maine and Koln, Germany for fuel on our way to Kuwait. We should arrive around 1100 a.m. on Sunday, have 7-8 hours of acclimation time and then start in our advanced combat training. I'm not sure what access I may have to a computer, thus these updates may be rather sporatic once we leave here.

Tactical Tuesday

2007-02-07T04:01:00.000+04:00

After a mandatory (and extremely boring) briefing on the Law of Warfare, we road marched out to the urban operations village built out on a remote part of the base. We had a rousing time kicking down doors and learning to clear rooms, eliminate resistance or take prisoners, team movement from building to building, entry control point procedures, processing an enemy combatant from initial take down to placement into transport to a detention or medical facility.

Tomorrow will be Convoy Day! We have been given our operation order for 7 vehicles, heavy weapons, patrol route, air support from a either a Blackhawk or Apache helicoptor, med evac procedures, and much more. We will have to drive the route, respond to roadside bombs, ambushes, obstacles, maintain accountability of our teams and med evac the simulated wounded. Should be total fur ball of confusion, educational, but a lot of fun!

No pictures today...battery failure. Will try to get pix from someone else soon.

Qualification and Heavy Weapons

2007-02-06T04:52:00.000+04:00

Today was a typical Army training day...long periods of inactivity with spurts of productivity that makes one feel as if something were accomplished. I shot Expert on the 9mm pistol today placing 36 of my 40 rounds on target from the standing, kneeling, and prone position. My next accomplishment was receiving training on the Mk19 40mm grenade launcher, the .50 caliber machine gun (with a range of 4 miles), and the M-249 Squadron Assault Weapon. Really cool stuff and will be fun to shoot tomorrow. These are called heavy weapons...because they are heavy. Really. Normally, they are mounted on top of Hummers and are manned by someone standing through a hole in the roof and shooting from the top of the vehicle. We need to be familiar with these weapons in case the gunner is hit on a convoy and we need to stand in his/her place. Lastly, we did Flex fire. This is quick reaction, instinctive, and relatively unaimed fire. (See picture above)

My 12+ hour day is complete and time to give up the computer to one of a bunch of people standing in line.

On the 7th day...we rested

2007-02-04T22:07:00.000+04:00

I just learned how to insert pictures into my posts. Disregard the date on the picture. The camera automatically goes to that date when you change batteries. :)

Despite my 3 hours of sheer boredom while accomplishing weapons and fire watch, I sewed a cloth rank emblem on to my patrol hat, wrote letters home, did my laundry, and still had a decent night's sleep.

I attended the Protestant service at the chapel this morning where we focused on our walk with God using 1 John 1: 5-10 as a guide for the sermon and finished up taking Communion with 7 others. It was good topic for those of us leaving. I still feel connected while here in the Carolina's but that sinking feeling of distance and isolation take hold as you tack on the miles between you and home.

Although a day of rest, today will be busy sorting throug my belongings to identify the items I'll send home to lighten my burgeoning 200lbs load, put my uniform together for the coming week, and clean my weapons after rolling through the sand during qualification.

On a personal note, "Thank you" to all who have prayed for Andra, our children and me; and to those who have been keeping tabs on both of us. The long haul is coming with our departure from this great country next Saturday. Thanks for keeping us strong and being strong in your support for us.

Don't ever make fun...

2007-02-04T04:25:00.000+04:00

Today was M16 qualification day. We have been fortunate enough to shoot at immovable targets prior to today. Our qualification range, as Emiril would say, "Kicked it up a notch". We had 40 targets to shoot at with 40 rounds. These targets would pop-up intermittently at 50/100/150/200/250/300 meters on the left and right of my firing lane. A very humbling experience as it took 3 tries to qualify. Now as I mentioned above, dont make fun of others peoples shooting ability or God will blow your bullets everywhere. A couple of us were giggling a bit at one fellows inability to even hit the stationary target...anywhere. Low and behold, despite my accurate successes in the last couple of days, my bullets did not run true to their targets. My Drill Instructor, SSG Serna, has had plenty of combat experience and imparted upon our humble 4th platoon the age old lesson, "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying." Thus when he was my safety officer for the 3rd go around, he handed me an extra 20 rounds and said,"Sir, don't stop shooting until hit the damn things!" Only 3 times did I have to expend 3 rounds on any one target. Most were single and double shots to take the target down.

Tomorrow we have the day off. I have my turn at weapons and fire watch tonite from 1200-300 a.m. That still gives me time to sleep in a little and make it to church by 1000. The rest of the day will be spent culling out the things I won't need to take on the rest of this adventure. We found out that we leave on Saturday via chartered commercial airlift. Next week, we will work on convoy operations, urban operations (read: kick in doors and foot patrol), and get to fire the BIG guns: .50 caliber, Mk19 grenade launcher; M249 squadron assault weapon, and a few others. I truly miss being at home with my family and church family - but your tax dollars are going towards paying me to blow stuff up for the sheer fun of it! How great is that??!!!

Shooters, lock and load & commence firing

2007-02-03T05:30:00.000+04:00

We spent the entire day on the firing range. This morning 130+ of us shot to sight in our weapons. This is where you shoot at the sighting target and see where your shots are grouped. Based on their location on the target, you know whether to move your sights up/down/right/left. No matter if the rifle is new or really old, sighting must be accomplished to fit the shooters style of firing.

This afternoon, we went to a firing range where laser sensors provide the exact location your bullet hits the target at 75, 150, and 300 meters (225ft/450ft/900ft). It was very gratifying to hear the controller for my firing lane call out, "head shot...critical mass...neck shot...below critical mass in the belly, etc" for each shot. That was probably the coolest range I've shot on.

Tomorrow we work on flexive fire. This is where you walk with your M16 in front of you, bring it quickly to shoulder height, fire 2 rounds without putting your face to the sights, and then return to the ready position. This would be used in a patrol situation in a hostile environment where unfriendlies could jump out at any minute and you try to get the first shot off at them.

Rainy Day

2007-02-02T06:31:00.000+04:00

A cold front is moving through again and the rain has been falling since 7am this morning. We had classroom instruction today on Personnel Recovery, Land Navigation, and Army Communications. In Personnel Recovery, we learned how to prepare ourselves emotionally and with proper equipment to escape and survive being captured outside our bases while on patrol. Land Navigation class consisted of learning the parts of the map, determining azimuth, distance, and using a compass to get from point A to point B. In order to make up for the lost training yesterday, 45 of us went to the computer simulated firing range to fire the M16. The gun is a replica and simulates the sound of a real shot. The only difference is we are shooting laser at a screen simulating pop up targets at 50/100/150/200/250/300 meters.

It will still be raining tomorrow, but we must stay on schedule. All 4 platoons ~125 people will all go to the range, zero their weapons, and shoot pop-up targets to qualify for this deployment. We will have 40 shots from various positions and must knock down at least 23 targets to qualify. I shot 26/40 tonite on the range...hopefully it translates to doing well on the course of fire tomorrow.

A Day in the Life...

2007-02-01T03:45:00.000+04:00

At one time, the Army motto was "Be All You Can Be" and has changed within the last couple of years to "An Army of One". No matter what polish and propaganda you use to motivate people toward the Army, the blunt, no kidding reality of the Army's motto is"Hurry Up and Wait...and then wait some more". It's been cold here in the Carolinas over the last couple of days with highs around 38 F. Today we spent from 7:30am until 1:00p.m. doing nothing much of anything. All 4 platoons were to have range and computer simulation time today. We didn't get ours...we just stood around waiting for our turn. Finally at 1230, we marched over to the rally point for the buses to take us to the medical facility where we repeated a bunch of our previously accomplished medical appointments. Enough whining. Hooah!

Beyond the training, there is the personal side of each day. I live with 41 of my closest friends in a Korea War era open barracks. By the time I checked in last Sunday, all of the bottom bunks were taken. The top bunk mattress sits at a height of about 5 ft (up to the top of my shoulders). I didn't realize the gymnastic and Herculean effort it would take to catapult my 257 pounds of rock solid love to the top bunk! Needless to say it's a sight...one that my bunk mates all enjoy watching as if it were a spectator sport. :) From the top bunk I have a view of the world and the auditorium seat of the Century for the snore fest that occurs every night. Not quite a symphony, but a synchopated rythem similar to a pasture of happy cows mooing. I find the more tired I am each night, the easier it is to ignore the chorus. Chow still remains tasty.

Our friendships are forming and we are becoming a cohesive group of Officers and Enlisted interested in helping each other and getting through the day with mutual support. I lend my casual style of dry, sarcastic humor which goes a distance to keep folks smiling in uncertain and physically burdensome times. I will take my camera out tomorrow and hopefully have some pictures to add to this site tomorrow.

Make a Soldier outta you...

2007-01-31T02:11:00.000+04:00

Surprisingly enough, we're done early on Day 2. Yesterday, we spent the majority of the day with uniform issue and high speed combat equipment issue. We were issued Army Combat Uniforms (the new digital design), body armor, elbow/knee pads for urban ops, camel back canteen (back pack canteen), personal first aid kit with the newest in trauma treatment, M16 rifles, 9mm pistols, socks, 2 sets of boots (bringing my personal inventory to 4 sets of desert combat boots), silk long johns, wick-away shirts for under the uniform, newest in kevlar helmets and night vision goggles, ballistic goggles for day patrol, tons more stuff and a wonderful fleece jacket that come in more than handy on these latest very cold Carolina days and nights.

Today we focused on combat life saving and marksmanship. There is a huge difference between qualifying with my weapons in just a regular uniform as opposed to qualifying with 65lbs of armor and a helmet. Our combat life saver training consisted of quick and efficient ways to manage bleeding, wound treatment, wounded evacuation, and battlefield tracheotomies (sp?) for soldiers wounded in the neck, face and head from roadside bombs. Depressing academics, but deadly serious stuff. We also accomplished Army by-the-numbers physical training. For as messed up as the Army is, they really do try to be organized. We march to and from academics and to chow...been 16+ years since I last had to "form up" to go anywhere. It's all coming back. Tomorrow is medical stand down day for dental and medical required items prior to going in to country.

They are estimating that we will finish our training on Feb 9 and be wheels up to Kuwait on Saturday 10 Feb. Cetainly no languishing. I am fortunate to be training with some top notch professional military personnel and our drill instructors wil be certain we are combat ready by the time we depart.

Training Phase 2 of 4

2007-01-29T04:19:00.000+04:00

My folks and I enjoyed a few days together driving from DC down here to Columbia, SC. The weather has been exceptional and our day in Charleston was very much enjoyed. All good things come to an end as Mom and Dad had to deliver me to Combat Skills training this morning.

I'm checked into Ft McCrady - the National Guard training annex of Ft Jackson. A very typical Army day...hurry up and wait for administrative in-processing and then sound off every 5 minutes or less with "Hooah". It's an Army phrase that can be adapted to everything from "yes, I understand" to "knock off your meaningless drivel and sit down". To the Army's defense, the food has been better than advertised. Thankfully, we are being treated as adults and not 18 year olds who need their spirits broken for team unity. There are 57 drill instructors with 10+ years each experience as a drill instructor and combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are in good hands and should learn a lot. Tomorrow starts at 4:45am for breakfast and then transportation to the clothing and equipment issue location for new Army Combat Uniforms (ACU's) and about 60-90lbs of armor, weapons (M16 & 9mm) and gear that we are required to wear all day, everyday.

Training Phase 1 of 4

2007-01-26T05:07:00.000+04:00

We, a class of 70, have finished our first phase of training at the Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technical Division at Stump Neck, MD. We have learned how improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are made and how we use electronic warfare to defeat radio controlled IED's. There are 2 main types of IED's - Victim activated (pressure switch and trip wire) and radio controlled (garage door opener, key fob, radio controlled car, cell phone). We focus on the latter IED and utilize strategically placed jammers within a convoy to block out detonation signals sent to blow up the roadside IED's. We utilize the acronym PIES to dissect the construction of an IED: Power (9 volt battery - car battery); Initiator (blasting cap); Explosive (C4 or any available mortar); Switch (cell phone, light switch, key fob, etc). Very simple stuff.

Being in this sleepy little rural Maryland town has been personally rewarding. The area is sooo steeped in colonial history. For example, on the way from my hotel to the class, I go by Thomas Stone's house...he was an original signer of the Declaration of Independence. One of many cool historical places to see.

Life goes on and so does training. My folks picked me up in DC and we are now headed to Columbia, SC and Ft Jackson to drop me off for Training Phase 2: Arrrrrmy training, Sir. (insert fond memories of Bill Murray's movie, Stripes.) I can look forward to combat life saving skills, individual & team movement techniques, M-16 & 9mm qualification at the pop up target range, close combat reactive fire, land navigation, army communications, urban operations, convoy ops, isolated personnel recovery, and last but certainly not least...arab culture awareness.

Final Preparations

2007-01-18T00:54:00.000+04:00

Welcome! I created this web log for everyone to check in from time to time and read how life is going on this deployment and for me to one stop shop keep you included.

Thank you all for the continued prayers and support. Andra, the kids, and my folks will really need your continued prayers as they deal with me being gone until August. The good Lord has a plan for all of us and this is just one more adventure in my walk with Him. The work I will be doing is serious and dangerous but I feel protected by all of your prayers.

Sunday, I leave for one week of explosives training, followed by 2 weeks of Army combat training (heavy weapons, close combat, land navigation, squad tactics, throw hand grenades, combat life saver skills, etc). Around the 9th of February, I will be provided transport to Kuwait for convoy training, and then on to Iraq to participate in Counter-IED operations. First stop is my old stomping grounds at Camp Victory and then it will determined whether I stay at HQ or move to a Forward Operating Base.