Dec. 2, 2006 On My Way to the Sandbox

After filling out tons of paperwork, cheez, how many times can you fill in your name, SSN, address...ect...? Being an IT nut, I'd think there could be a database, fill in your vitals one time, and print out all the documents already filled in. Guess what, they would be able to read them too. Well I'm gone from that, hopefully they will figure it out one day.
Off to Kuwait, after sitting in the airport for 12 hours, waiting for a plane and the pilots to arrive. Found out the pilots were on a delayed flight and must have the required amount of sleep before taking off again. Required amount of sleep....hmmmm maybe we would like that too, in a bed and not on the floor.
Finally the plane is ready, note sunrise in the background. We arrived to leave at 5:30pm the night before.
Wow that wasn't a bad flight. We were all so tired, we just slept the whole way. I missed the airplane food due to my incoherent state of mind, not that I needed it. Next thing you know, we're landing in Budapest for fuel. Can't get off the plane, it's the middle of the night anyway, at least I can say I've been there. We're off again on our way to Kuwait. Couple more hours and we'll be landing in the sandbox.

Once we arrived, early morning. We're hustled off to a bus with curtians all around, so nobody can see in. Oh, and the busses were Mercedes, plush and comfortable. After about an hour we arrived at Ali Al Salem AFB where my In-Processing started. Tons more paperwork, yes, with the same information I complained about before. They claim it's to keep track of who's in country. With all that paperwork, how can they possibly track that? So we finally got assigned to our quarters (speaking of quarters, they have pogs for change here). Hey, we have AC, what for I'm not sure....it's the middle of winter.

Once I off loaded 40 lbs of kevelar and made my bed, I was off to explorer. Check this out. Now I am hungry and was ready to eat at the most famous fast food resturant on the Planet.
And here's a picture of our "Quarters", comfy. The pool and sauna are out back and not shown in the picture. What I really mean is the shower and latrines are out back, about a half block away...and it's really chilly outside. Makes your shower last a long long time. The guy in the picture is another ITT guy, one of those that has your back as I mentioned in a previous posting.
After a few days of ITT in theater briefings, we get ready to go to our final destination of which I had no idea. This is done for a reason, but it would be nice to have a clue. Oh, and of course you want to see the scenery around there. Here ya go.

For real, as far as you can see....sand, not even any sand dunes....with all this sand, where's the ocean?

Nov. 24, 2006 Arriving at CRC

Leaving was the hardest thing to do. Though I didn’t show it, my heart was breaking. I’m traveling away from the one person in my life that has shown me what true Love is.

See a few Pix at the end.

Arrival at the airport in Atlanta GA was uneventful. Cool trains take you to the other wings for departing flights. How fast can you get up to 50 mph and then stop? We’ll I can tell you it’s about 7 sec to reach top speed. And something like 3 sec. to stop. When the announcement to “hold on, train is stopping” heed their warning as soon as the announcement starts, not after it’s finished. You get the picture? Only a small bump, Thanks for asking. By the way, when I was in Korea, I really wonder what Duty “FREE” means. It was by far anything but FREE. $4.50 for a cup of NON-refillable coffee. Or so they said, I got refills. But I was good, no purchases were made. Ok back to Atlanta…I was in Atlanta for a couple of hours. I was wondering just where exactly I was headed. I was supposed to go to Ft. Bliss in Texas. It was obvious from my itinerary that is not where I was headed. Well anyway, they lead me out to the gate, there standing in front of me was an island hopper on steroids! A twin engine that would hold about 36 people. Being that it was actually Thanksgiving day, there were a total of 6 people onboard. The pilot, co-pilot, 2 stewardesses, a mechanic (what are you going to do? Fix the plane in flight?), oh yes and the sixth person was me. It was really funny and they were laughing the whole time giving the pre flight lecture prior to take off. In Flight service at it’s best. Two flight attendants, (I was not politically correct earlier) to service my every whim….of which there was non, as there is no in flight service for this 27 min flight. To where am I going? I asked. Columbus…Ohio?, No silly, Georgia, your in Georgia. Ah that would account for why everyone’s name is Darlin. So there is a Columbus GA. To quote my favorite talk show host, Johnny Carson, “I didn’t know that”. Turns out, Ft. Benning is a 200,000 acre (2nd largest) Army Training base in the world. Ok, now I’m in Columbus GA. Where is my rep? I stood in the middle of the airport, looked left, looked right. No rep (it’s not very big). There were a few Army personnel running around, so I hitched a ride with them. They took me to the CRC (CONUS Replacement Center). Wandered around for a bit, found an open door, and walla. I’m in Bravo Company known as BCO. HooAh. Here’s an interesting thing. I was able to get on base, get a room (by myself), get blankets and sheets, a meal card, and PX privlages without showing any orders or ID that I was supposed to be there. Pretty good Social Engineering don’t ya think. Turns out that my rep thought I was coming in the next day. He read I was leaving on the 23rd (Kwajanites know this is the 22nd). So I arrived on the 23rd not the 24th. It’s Ok, I get 8 hours for travel time and 10 hours pay for sleeping.
In the Classroom for more training

First Aid Training
To keep from using the First Aid Training

The Chaplin provides comfort in these times. What we do as a team, to protect the Freedom that we all enjoy. Let us not forget those that have paid the ultimate sacrafice. God be with us all and watch over each and every one of us and every one of you and your families and Loved ones. We are all supporting our Freedom in our own ways. No one is out of dangers way. Where ever we may be, someone will always have your back....God Speed.

Nov. 23, 2006 Leaving on a Jet Plane

After a brief stay at home in the Philippines, I'm finally on my way. I left Manila at O-Dark-Thirty on the 23rd of Nov. I'll be arriving at Ft. Benning on the 23rd (second time around) about mid-day on the 23rd. I'm currently in Korea waiting for the 16 hour flight to Atlanta GA. Man that is going to be a long one! My family is settled in, and are in the process of being domesticated. House with cable, shopping in MALLS!, and eating the most awesome food on earth. I'm really going to miss them all! Baby Kavin will have his 1st birthday on the 25th of November. We were able to celebrate an early Birthday a few hours before I left for the airport. That was really cool. We had a magician, and that had to be the most hilarous thing I've seen in a long time. Please don't watch the videos!!

Thanks for the comments. Mr. Erb, I appreciate all you did for me. It was a pleasure to work for you. Harris, old friend, How are you doing? I'll keep you posted as time goes on. Great to hear from you. Helmer, your right , Annie is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Angel....Nuff said!

About time to walk around and get ready for that 16 hour flight. We'll talk at you all later with more details. For now, God bless you all.

Nov. 9, 2006 - My First Entry

Well that was painless. Now I have one more thing to keep up on.
I'm going through the checkout from this beautiful place called Kwajalein. My time here has been very interesting to say the least. The highlight of my 8 years here has to be......The first person I met after stepping off the plane in 1998 was/is my Lovely Wife Annie. I have gone through many changes since then, and I'm a better man because of it. Can you believe it only took me 5 years to get up the courage to ask her for her hand in marriage. Best thing I have ever done. We now have 3 beautiful children, Bernard 9, Tyric 8, and Kaivan who will be celebrating is 1st Birthday this month. As far as I'm concerned this is the best place in the world for family, playing, and working. (note order of importance, don't forget it!)
I'm sad to be on a journey that takes us away. There wasn't anything here that provoked this move, but a "Green" pasture out there that I simply couldn't refuse.
Our emotional roller coaster has been quite a ride, but it's all smoothing out now. Packout is complete. Kitty (I'm going to miss him) will have a new home. It's better he stay here on Kwaj, after all he is a Kwaj Kitty.
I've got to run off and finish some more of my checklist. Ya think I could collect any more papers? I'll keep you all updated on our travels. We're headed for the Philippines and then I'll be off to the Sandbox.
For now, Please come to the Pacific Club for our PCS party on the evening of Nov. 12, 2006. We'd love to see you there.