Ich Liebe Deuchland

This is my second time through Leipzig, fifth time in Germany overall, and while it's not my favorite trip here (tough to beat the Bavarian Alps), it's always good to visit, even if it's just an airport lounge and gift shop.

I'm on my way home...

As the tailgate of the C-130 opened a Soldier shouted over the roar of the engines, "Is this still Iraq?" For a second I couldn't tell. Then the math started to add up: sand dunes, lush green foilage and cool, clean smelling air. We were in Kuwait. The destroyed bunkers on the flightline were a familiar sight from my last few times through Ali al Salem. It's a relatively small base with few amenities for the thousands of Soldiers 'just passing through'.

The transient life, living out of a duffel bag locked to a bare bunk, it less than desireable but it's just a short stop on my way home.

Drab

If you've never seen a T-wall before, come to Iraq. We have plenty.

It would amaze you how quickly you come to miss green grass, trees and everything else you expect to see in Minnesota. If you can, imagine a place void of plant life, fresh air and quiet nights. This is our home. What could be a still night is filled with the constant rumble of diesel generators and the rank smell of sewage. A few days ago I saw a row of palm trees and so badly wanted to pull over and enjoy the deep green color of their leaves. Sometime we'll have time, not today.

Welcome Back to Iraq

So, as you might know, I'm back in the sandbox for more of deployment fun. Our journey in-to-country was a bit different from the rest.Rather than stopping in Kuwait for five days to shoot ten rounds at the range, myself and few others picked up an almost direct flight from McChord to Basra International. It was a nice fight if you don't mind sleeping across the flight seats with a metal rod stuck in you spine. The other choice with the cold metal floor, which seemed to be surprisingly better. I was planning on getting photos of the scheduled midair refueling, but slept right through it.

The seats at our one stop, Ramstein, reaffirmed my belief that I may have joined the wrong armed force. Nice, soft chairs to sleep... Oh wait, time to get back on the plane. Nope, wait the flight is delayed. Back to the terminal for some more sleep in the nice soft... The plane is ready to go! Quick get to the... still delayed plane. Well, why don't you guys just wait on the plane, we should be ready to go, in about an hour. Maybe I was wrong about being wrong. Go Army. The last 5ish hour flight was smooth and uneventful.

We arrived at night and when the wheels had stopped and the doors opened the familiar smell of burning plastic, rotting garbage and dust filled the air. Our advanced party greeters picked us up and whisked us away to your new living quarters.

The Containerized Housing Unit (CHU) is a shipping container sized... container... that is split usually into three rooms accessible via doors on one side. I now sleep in a little box, with no lights.

Good times.

Iraq 2008 Begins

Greetings all-

By the time this delayed post goes out, I will have landed safely at our new place, Camp Basra, Iraq. I will try to call you all when I get there but if I don't, understand that it maybe tough as this place is brand new to the US and, from what I've heard, the connectivity just isn't there.

Talk to you all soon. Love-