No Snobby Pup

Here he is, the stray. It really blows my mind how an animal so well behaved and gentle can come from a hostile place such as this. This little guy really is a sweetheart. Not liking him is impossible.
I'm hoping we can find a farmer or sheep herder around here that we can give him to. He reminds me more of an Australian Shepherd more than anything.

He really does cheer us up.

Augments

Two days until Christmas but it is business as usual here. Actually, we have ramped up our mentoring efforts and are now spending more time at the IA compound. As we are planning on spending 16 or more hours a day at the IA Brigade, we are getting 4 additional augmentees for our team to let us catch a break occasionally. Now we just need to move a chu out to Dezil so we have somewhere other than our trucks to hang out in. Getting chow and somewhere to put the discharge is another issue.





My mother says I don't post enough pictures of myself. Well, at least my nephews will like this picture.

Here at COP Meade we aren't allowed to adopt a stray, but a stray seems to have adopted us. We drive the roads everyday and see all the dogs, mutts all, and wish we could have one to guard our compound and cheer us up.

When we returned today, there under our shower chu was a small dog. At first we thought he was injured, but he turned out to be merely terrified of us. After some coaxing and two bags of beef jerky we were able to convince him that we were friendly. He seems to have been abused, as his tail seems to have been lopped off (I'm convinced he didn't receive a tail from one of his parents). He is about 4-5 months old, and seems to never have met a kind person in his short life. Willy, one of our interpreters, named him "Penkish," but "Punkass" works too. It's hard not to get attached to him, and I fear he may just wander off after tomorrow. Perhaps getting attached would be bad since leaving a dog here would be heartwrenching. But he really is a cute little guy, with an excited smile and a constant butt wiggle from trying to wag the tail that isn't there.

SFC Parker couldn't find the back door to his truck, so he went out the escape hatch in the top.

SGT Kessinger is pretty much like me; highstrung with not enough to do. Except SGT Kessinger is quite a bit more hoah than I am and really into the Army. He seems really happy to be with us as we are to have his help and expertise.

SGT Khoubeche (I cant spell my own name sometimes) speaks Arabic and several other languages. It's nice having him on the team, taking away the need for a native interpreter.

SPC Chase, originally from Montana is a great asset to our team since he is a former armorer. This guy is really easy going and a welcome member of the team.

This is the best photo I have taken so far of SPC Huddleston. A cook, he wasn't happy with his job and is not intending on re-enlisting. SGM Clark, the 4-27 FA top NCO sent SPC Huddleston to us to see a different side of the Army. From the Houston area, we all have to listen to Hudd and Maj Brott reminisce about "back home" all day long. From what I hear I could navigate my way through Houston without a map.

We lock our office chu from the outside with a combination lock. After our morning brief and the order to be "red-con-one" in ten minutes we were all, well, almost all loaded in our trucks and ready to go.

After putting on my headset I heard Major Brott call over our internal net for Jedi Fox (CPT Connaroe) to come unlock the door. It honestly didn't occur to me what was going on until Major Brott called a third time for someone to come open the door. I initially thought he needed someone to open it for him (this was before I finished my coffee) since maybe he had his hands full. SPC Chase reminded me that for Major Brott to call over the net he would have to be in the office.

Major Brott was the first person to get locked in the office. I told everyone my truck that perhaps we should move to another truck, but Major Brott took it well and was able to joke about it.

I was surprised to get a package today from my cousin, Jeff, who I haven't seen in several years. I was pleased with the package and even more pleased with how considerate he and his wife are. Thank you Jeff and Lori.

Thanks also to my Mother for the Christmas presents, they will help cheer me up on Christmas morning.

I would also really like to thank Wendy J Jones, Glen and Elizabeth Hammond for the goods.

And as always, my beautiful wife. Without your support I couldn't make it through, I love you.

Well spellchecker isn't working and it's late, so I'm going to post it anyway. Sometimes my attempts to post end up as drafts and I get to feeling guilty for slacking, so forgive my sloppyness.

Stuck

I should have posted this sooner, but as my excuses go, I was busy.

Sometimes our mornings go fast and we can get out the wire pretty quick, sometimes they take a little longer. This particular morning took quite a lot longer. It started out with comms issues, then the quagmire talked KC into directing his truck into it's grasp. Mind you, this was only about 75 yards from where we park our trucks. This particular mission was our routine one to resupply and allow our church goers the opportunity. Needless to say, they were late.

Normally KC wouldn't have posed so proudly for this photo, but I convinced him that I humbly would have. Ha.

The M-88 had some problems but finally got the truck out.

The thing with these trucks is their weight and high center of gravity. Pulling it out takes some care. Our interpreter, Michael, was a little upset. He was due to go on leave.

Now this is how we know when Major Brott isn't happy. He stands apart from everyone with a frown on his face, most likely contemplating how best to deliver an @$$ chewing.

Yep, it's stuck. Here the dirt has a clay consistency and is dificult to dry. It takes a lot for the ground to absorb water, but when it does, it stays there, hiding itself with a dry outer layer.

Tune in next time for more wacky adventures...

Back to business.

This is either a huge cache, or a combination of smaller caches.

This is a 50 caliber round, likely for a DSHKA heavy machine gun.

It's good to know there are fewer RPG's out there.

Notice the RC remotes at the top right. These are often used to remotely detonate IED/EFP's.

We are often asked to trade our 9mm's for these AK-47's. Nobody is touching my nine.

Look, my mortar tube is larger than his... ahem, I'm propping my foot on a 120 mm mortar tube.

Mortars. Lots of them. I like them better laying on the ground in this picture than flying in the air towards my general direction, or wired to a cell phone.

Here are the multiple flags of the 55-17 IA Brigade.

Well we are back to business here. The days go by and we go to work. Our first few have gone on leave for Christmas already, and I have less than 90 days for my turn.

Hold down the homefront for us...

Congratulations to Major Aaron Wentworth

Some quick instruction for SFC Connaughton. This was the third time Major Brott had to tell him how to turn it on.

As Captain Dresh prepairs to adjust the wiring of the light fixture to light up the promotion ceremony I question his drinking an N/A beer while doing so.

Here is SFC Colon cooking on his new grill. Okay, I say it's his because he is usually the only one cooking. He prefers the small weber because he can put the lid on it.

Major Brott seems to be singing some praise for Major Wentworth (prior to frocking).

Major Brott got the honor of pinning the gold oak leaf on Major Wentworth.

Major Wentworth receives a plaque from 55-17's XO, Col Hadaer.



Congratulations Major Wentworth!!!

Not so weather proof

This is a nice photo of our trucks preparing for their bath.

Here is our new compound, notice the looming rain clouds that penetrated our CHU’s like they were submarines with screen doors.

Our compound is quite nice now. We have gone a long way to improve our living conditions, too much probably since everyone else on the COP is envious of our compound.

Ah yes, running water in my Chu.

This wasn't near as unpleasant as waking up to a cold shower right above my bed. Part of the reason I got a cold shower while I was sleeping was due to the fact that I jacked up the front part of my chu, placing a 2x4 under the feet, to make the water run off the top instead of pooling while gravity forces it to find a way down. The seams in my ceiling gave way to a puddle above.

Yes, some flooding outside as well. As much as I love the rain, I prefer keeping mud outside my room. However, I did consider fishing in our small pond...

Yes, I nearly got stuck. To the left of the truck are the "hesco" barriers, which were filled before any compacting could have been done. DC was quite amused at how the truck started sinking as he was backing me up.

I took this photo from VBC, near Camp Stryker. Rarely do you see the moon, Jupiter and Venus lined up like this.

I believe this view could have been seen from North America in the early morning, while here we viewed it in the early evening.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Captain (then) Wentworth savors his turkey while SFC Parker looks around for something else to consume.

This pair are the newly acquired working dogs here at Meade. Both are beautiful dogs, which make me miss my own. We wanted to accidentally adopt a mascot, but there is a strict, no dog policy here. For the best I guess, it would be hard to knowingly leave one of my friends here.

Remember this guy? He was the one previously in agony from his teeth. Abu Amir as I like to call him, he is one of my favorite IA soldiers and one I actually look forward to seeing. Here he is demonstrating to me how they make the bread that they eat with every meal.

Yet another magnificent structure under coalition control. Supposedly coalition troops are no longer to be occupying territory in cities by June, 2008.

Wow, what is going on here? Are they really polluting their own atmosphere? Nope, that's coming from Mega-Fob Victory. Not a daily thing, but not pretty either.

Welcome to my humble abode. I still have it better than most. Our supply guys spoil us. Yes, that's a fly strip. It's nearly full.

This little philly was brought over to our side by the 1st BN commander's brother, part of his personal security detachment. The horse was apparently gift from someone to the commander...

She bites and she kicks. But she really likes apples. She wanted me to keep her, but as you can see from my humble abode, there isn't much room for a horse. The guy leading her is the colonel's brother, part of his PSD, which is a trend. While we are the MiTT for the Brigade, our compound is connected to the Brigade's 1st Battalion.

Happy Thanks Giving! Let me catch you up.

Col. Maruade, the 55 IA Brigade Cdr, is no longer the commander. We now have an interim commander, Col Rasheed, who is filling in for the incoming Cdr, Col Abdulah. Col Rasheed is a man of action, we are glad to see an IA commander concerned with more than his own well-being. We are eager to meet Col Abdulah and see how well he commands his brigade.

Since we have been here at COP Meade, our trips outside the "wire" have been greatly reduced; mileage and time. Spare time, however, has been dedicated to improving our new compound. Those pictures are yet to come. Our reduced time on the road came just in time, in spite of the protests of the signing of the SOFA between the US and Iraq. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1862660,00.html

Holidays away from home are no fun for anyone. Thanksgiving with the team was not quite as enjoyable as it would have been with my family. We spent some time in line to get some turkey and fixings, which the Dfac here at Meade did a great job preparing. Unfortunately I only got a small piece of Turkey. During our dinner, I found out the hard way why not to tell anyone who would remember anything about my birthday. Near the end of dinner, the team started belting out "happy birthday" to me at the top of their lungs. I must say, it was quite embarrassing.

I know it's not easy for any of the family members who have us deployed. I feel worse for my wife who enjoys the holidays more than I do, and my kids who aren't being spoiled by the holidays as I was growing up.

Having said all that, I'm most thankful for my family. Starting with my wife, Dana, Shelby, Spencer, my Mom, Dad, Mike, and of course the rest of the people whom I hold dear, I'm sure they all know who they are. Hopefully one day I'll be able to move back home when all is said and done... And thanks for the cookies and bread, Angela, Aunt Rose, and Nicole :) ( I didn't see the cards until we had consumed all the goods)

Well, I have another post planned, so keep in touch. Until then, hold down the homefront for us...

Moved to COP Meade...

Ah, so that's why they call me "Gilligan."

I could probably lift it alone, but the 30 ton jack helps.

"Okay, now Ray, you hold the 2x4 while I apply the glue..."

It seems Major Brott got himself lost in the maze of our neighborhood.

SFC Colon, aka Cone Head (notice the nice bump on his head, I like to take credit for that), providing a typical look.

SFC Parker lifting the shower CHU all by his lonesome.

Sometimes the sunset is quite nice. Nothing like Missouri though.

This is one of the early photos. Soon I'll post an ''after'' photo.


We have finally moved to COP Meade, and honestly, we are all quite happy. One of the first things we accomplished was the installation of our internet. It's amazing how reliant we have all become on the internet. We still haven't gotten our AFN satellite dish up, and won't for a few more days.

The shower CHU finally got hooked up. The first few days were rough, having to walk about 300 yards to take a cold shower. Now we have our own hot showers. However, we are still making our deposits in wag-bags.

All of our individual skills are coming out during this move. We all seem to want to build things but have little resources.

Anyway, things have been really busy. There haven't been many photo opportunities, therefore few postings. With the upcoming holidays there should be more photos...

Hold down the home front for us.