14 May

With the first group of soldiers gone the goal was to move the second group out as soon as possible in order to conduct maintenance on the facilities before the next group arrives. As always this in never as easy at it seems. Due to some road construction it took the first group a long time to get from our location to their final destination. I mention this because the first group was escorted by a specific unit who was also slated to escort the second group to the same destination. Because the first group was delayed in arriving at their destination the second group subsequently delayed in leaving our base. Today the troops were packed, in their trucks ready to go, and waiting by the front door but their ride never showed - at least not today. So back they went into their rooms for another night. Needless to say food and water became an issue again but we managed to get through it. I wonder if this experience qualifies me as a Middle East Motel Manager? Just another bullet to add to my Iraq resume. Have a great week.