31 Mar - Saturday

Four down and two to go. I have been in Iraq for 4 months as of the end of today and that means I only have two months of desert life to endure until I get back to the US.
Today was a very confusing day for me; let me explain. In the US, on 19 March the clocks jumped ahead one hour, in Europe the hour jumps ahead on 25 March - nothing out of the ordinary, right! The same process happens in Iraq, the time shift occurs on the 1st of April at 1 AM. However, somewhere in the US Chain of Command the decision was made to make the "leap ahead" at 1 AM on March 31st. So on Saturday morning the entire US military effort was on a different time line then the rest of Iraq. Not a big deal if you are surrounded by Americans and you work on Power Point all day. But if you are one of 23 Americans surrounded by 600 Iraqis who are on a different clock - your watch will only be right half the time. The confusion came as conference calls with US personnel were on one time line and meal times and Iraq meetings were on another time line. Definitely an interesting day - do not think I will ever see another day like today. Does the hop-scotch of repeating and skipping hours in the day qualify me as a Transient Time Traveler? There is another bullet for my resume - not sure where that will get me but it is defiantly a conversation piece if I make it to an interview. Until my next resume builder - have a great day....have a great day..hum!

30 Mar

TGIF, another Friday down and a few more to go - at least that is what I keep telling myself. Every Friday I try to sneak in an extra hour of sleep - I made the executive decision to have our daily morning meeting at 9 o'clock on Fridays vice at the normal 8 o'clock time. However, since there are now only three Marines at our location I was up at 7 o'clock with the other two Marines as we made our way to inspect a set of recently completed buildings. I let one of the Army Sergeant First Class Soldiers run the meeting and based on his report the event went well. As far as the buildings, they were the best I have scene in Iraq. This is not to say they are up to US standards but they were well constructed - or should I say well refurbished. That's about all from the land of the dust storms - have a good weekend.

29 Mar

Not too much happen today - I spent most of the day catching up on paperwork and preparing the Iraqi staff for our incoming visitors. All in all a busy but uneventful day - thank goodness. Lets hope the next few weeks are the same way - busy but not exciting - yea, how likely is that? Anyway, have a good day - the weekend is almost here.

28 Mar

We have another new captive; another happy camper has joined the growing list of convicts. This time from a member from the Equidae family has graced our presence. Apparently he was grazing on our base and for his own protection and in order to teach his owner a lesson he was relocated to our holding pen. I know the message to avoid our location is getting out because despite the increase in different species that have arrived at our "zoo" we are not seeing any repeat visitors. Thus far we have solved the sheep and goat problem but it seems like the animals are getting bigger. Maybe by the time I leave Iraq I will qualify to be a Zoo keeper - not what I had expected from my trip to Iraq but it could be worst. Have a good day.

27 Mar

Happy Birthday - we have a new addition to the "cow pen." A female calf was born in "captivity" today at our location. Unknown to us at the time of "arrest", one if the confiscated cows was pregnant and today at 1:43, Iraq time, we had a new prisoner. I just happen to be in the area talking with one of the Iraq Officers when one of the soldiers said, "Look the cow is giving birth." I looked over and sure enough the water had broke and nature was trying to take its course. As I observed the mother struggling to give birth I thought to myself - do I try to help? What could I do? Anything I could do would have been better then just standing there watching...right? I never had a pet - let alone helped an animal give birth. But then again nature is nature - right? So I went to the aid-station, grabbed some gloves and headed back to play Dr. Major Veterinarian. All the while I was thinking - there is no way I am going to do what Bill Crystal did in the movie City Slickers. When I returned to the scene an Iraqi Soldier was already helping the mother with so I stayed out of the way. Good thing he beat me to her aid because I was not prepared to render the assistance that he provided.

Oh - sure I could have helped deliver the new born but when the soldier gave the calf mouth-to-mouth I was speechless. If I was delivering the calf I probably would have tried to help him stand up a couple of times to get him to breath, even after he flopped to the ground once or twice - then I may have even tried to hit him on the butt to get him to breath; but mouth-to-mouth...not likely. Well I guess I learned something today - if I ever have a pet cow I will know what to expect if she ever gets pregnant. It took a 10,000 mile trip to Iraq for me to see the birth of a calf - I wonder what else I will see in my remaining two months...any guesses? Have a nice day.

26 Mar

On Monday, as I was walking toward my weekly Command meeting I noticed we had a few extra visitors in our Camp or should I say pen. As mentioned before - our live stock is continuing to grow one species at a time. I could not resist getting a picture of our new pets while they were "pulling weeds" for us. I am not sure when or how they arrived - I assume they were escorted in to our area "on foot" vice "in the back" of a pick-up like the sheep - but either way they are just as loud, annoying and smelly as our previous pets. It seems getting a picture with a camel is not as easy as I thought. Getting a picture of a turkey, a cat, a dogs, some sheep, a couple goats, and now some cows has not been a problem. But the one animal I thought I was sure to see - a camel - I have been unable to successfully locate - but my 6 months are not up so I am keep faith that I will get at least one camel pic before I leave Iraq. The only other bit of excitement is I have been recruited to act as Crash - Fire - Rescue for the wave of incoming aircraft over the next few nights. As the only aviator with access to a fire truck I am uniquely qualified to add one more task to my growing list of duties here in Iraq. So far I there has been no need for me to exercise my new fire fighting skills - and I am just fine if that day never comes. Have a good week.

25 Mar - Sunday

A feast for all; that is the best way to describe our dining experience Sunday night. Our new neighbors invited us down for dinner at "their place" for an "end of the week" cook-out. On the menu was steak - cooked the American way, not over done - shrimp, green beans, baked beans, and french fries. And of course a "Cheese Cake Factory" size piece of cake - your choice of carrot or chocolate cake, or strawberry or chocolate cheese cake. It was a great meal - and it was so good there was "standing room only" at the dining hall.
Okay that's a little misleading - the chow hall is actually designed as "standing room only." The tables were built much higher then the normal family style table - they are "bar-like" height. I believe this design was chose for a few simple reasons. First, if individuals are standing and eating it is likely that they will eat their meal and move on vice hang-around for an extended period of time. Second, it is much easier to move around the tables when there are no chairs to "scoot-behind." And third, no chairs means more tables can be set-up in the confined location; since their is only one chow hall and the everyone must cycle through its doors if they want to get a hot meal table space was more important then comfortable seats. So next time you have a meal that is not exactly what you were expecting - consider how lucky you are to be sitting vice standing with a weapon slung over your back or shoulder. Until tomorrow...

24 Mar - Saturday

I am the last person to tell someone how to cook. My wife will agree, that if it were up to me to cook family meals, my family would be the experts on microwave dinners because I am not much of a cook. With that said, I do know a few things about cooking - for starters the flame that is cooking the meal should NOT be hitting the ceiling. But that is exactly what is happening in this picture. The cook - notice I said cook not chef - was carving or more accurately trimming the hunk of meat as it rotates around the fire; the pic was taken at about 12:10 as he was preparing the main course for the dinner menu - lamb. If I did not point out the fact that he was starting to burn a hole in the roof I am not sure when or if he or the manger would have ever noticed the hole in the roof until the next rain storm. However, on the bright side - if you can call it "bright" - the cook chose to prepare the meat in the section of the kitchen that had a metal ceiling/roof vice the part of the kitchen that has a wood ceiling. Sometimes I wonder if natural selection is actually a good thing. Anyway - have a good day and do not take for granted your next American made meal.

23 Mar

Despite all the work that needs to be done we opted to take Friday as a sloooow day - its about time. However, it is clear that this break is the "calm before the storm." We have multiple guest arriving soon, and if all goes well April will fly-by. Come the beginning of May I will start to plan and pack for my trip back to the States - May can not get here quick enough as far as I am concerned. But for now I will just enjoy the day and take a very much needed break. Have a good weekend.

22 Mar

Thursday was catch-up day. After a day in the desert and a day in meetings its time to get organized for our arrivals. Initially we had plenty of time before the next batch of guest were to arrive; however, as always nothing is written in stone. So in true military fashion - it looks like they will be arriving earlier then initially thought. Therefore, we need to re-adjust our work priorities in order to get some "odds and ends" finished now rather than later. In addition to all these little projects that need attention I guess the Army felt there was not enough work for four Marines. One of the LtCol is leaving in the next few days so that leaves one LtCol, myself and a 1stLt to run the show. It almost does not seem fair...I mean to the Iraqi's - 3 vs 500...maybe another 1000 Iraqi's will balance-out the ratio? That's about all from Iraq - have a good night.

21 Mar

I guess since I was "out of the office" all day yesterday scouring the desert for cement blocks - it only seems right that my butt was planted in a chair for five different meetings today. My first meeting started at 8 AM and my last meeting ended around 11 PM. Nothing exciting about the meetings just the normal Iraqi Army training but with a few extra logistics meeting and issues thrown into the mix. Nevertheless it still makes for a long day. Good thing I do not need to deal with Southern California traffic 'cuz that would make for a long day. Speaking of day - have a good one.

20 Mar

Today was "moving day," we had to move about 150 blocks of cement - essentially numerous sections of broken curb. The previous large group of Iraqi visitors drove their vehicles in areas that were reserved for foot traffic only. So in order to ensure the walking area regains its "foot traffic" status we are placing these sections of broken curb around the perimeter to keep vehicle traffic from further damaging the area. As the senior man on this savaging expedition across our training area, I designated specific locations and suitable blocks of curbs that met our requirements. Once I had identified enough "curb" the working party of 25 Iraqi Soldiers relocated the blocks to pallets which were placed on the road. Later in the afternoon we had a fork-lift load the 13 pallets on trucks and relocate them to the their new home. By 5 PM the hard part was done; however, in the next few days we will need to spread-out the curbs in order to ensure the landscape of the new visiting quarters does not receive anymore "scars" from vehicle traffic. I believe I now meet the minimum requirements to be qualified as a "Property Protection Professional." Until my next resume bullet - have a good night

19 Mar

Another Monday down and about 11 more to go. Eleven does not sound so bad lets hope they go by quickly. Speaking of quickly, last night went by rather quickly. Just when I thought we would not have anymore midnight runs..WHAM...every one was up and helping unload stuff at 12:01 in the morning. We were up until about 2 AM but the good news is I got lots-o-mail; this weeks winners are the cousins from NJ. I got school supplies, lolly-pops, and more school supplies...did I mention lolly-pops? I also received a large supply of coloring books from a dear friend who lives in Japan - thanks to everyone, young and "not-so-young" who sent all the goodies for the Marines, Soldiers, and the local school kids. Although I have only about 70 days left in Iraq there are many Marines and Soldiers who would be more then willing to hand-out any and all supplies that arrive for the local kids. I calculate that I have at least one but maybe two more trips to the local school remaining before I depart Iraq, so any items that are sent my way will make it to the kids sooner or later. Again, thanks for all the goodies and have no doubt, that you have helped make a difference for the children of Iraq. The above picture is just a small sample of all the goodies that you provided - again, Thanks; and have a great day.

18 Mar - Sunday

The above picture is from the trip to the school last month - I have not taken too many pics in the last few days so I thought I would throw this one in to buy me a few more days.

In the last few days I have had the opportunity to get out and play a little soccer with some of the Iraqi Soldiers. The games are always friendly and it never really matters who wins or loses - and why should it if half the team is playing with no shoes and the other half is playing in combat boots. And I suspect that playing with a different ethnic group is just about the same anywhere in the world - everybody knows the new guy or in this case the "white" guy but to me they all look the same. Additionally, I never was very good at remembering peoples names right-off-the-bat but like any new player I politely introduce myself when I walk onto the field. But have no doubt that as soon as I get done shaking their hand - almost before our hands separate I have forgotten how to pronounce their name. It took me three days to correctly pronounce "good morning" in Arabic, how can I be expected to remember Aliwan Asriah Monahana in three seconds especially as I turn to meet the next player. So I politely smile, and with a friendly nod I secretly hope they do not ask me to repeat their name. And since everyday there seems to be a different group of players it makes remembering the names even harder. Well enough about my Iraqi greeting techniques - have a good night.

17 Mar - Saturday

As a result of the Army pilots inability to trust a Marine, I was up until three in the morning, Saturday morning, helping the incoming Army Soldiers to reach their final destination. You would think the Army would want to help-out their "own"... I guess that is what makes the Marine Corps, The Marine Corps. Because the pilots were unable to land at "their" LZ they needed to divert to the LZ about 2 miles away, essentially the LZ where I live. That meant the Army unit on the ground would need to shuttle people and equipment back and forth in order to get everyone over to the new area. The Army unit on the ground, the unit that was receiving the incoming Soldiers, consisted of about 5 people and 40 trucks - all the drivers were arriving on the inbound aircraft. So in order to do the right thing and help out some "brothers" in-arms, I used some of my assets to augment two of their trucks in order to expedite the movement of the troops and their gear from the LZ to the new area. The personnel arrival just before 2 AM and by 3 AM all the troops were moved and I was headed for bed. All this could have been avoided had the Army landed in the LZ I surveyed; oh well. After my "early" 8 AM meeting and making a few phone calls I took a little nap and by the afternoon I was good to go. It has been a while since I took a nap on a Saturday - I will have to try again after I get home. Have a good day.

16 Mar

As a helicopter pilot I know a thing or two about LZ's (landing zones), and as a Aviation Safety Officer I am qualified to evaluate and certify an LZ for helicopter operations. Even though I have operated a helicopter in both extremes, from densely forested areas in Asia to many hours of training in the deserts of Eastern California the Army chose not to listen to my advice and learned the hard way. Here is what happen. With the build of of personnel and supplies in our area, at the request of the senior man in-charge, an Air Force LtCol (the same LtCol we had dinner with last night), I took three hours out of my day to help map-out and certify an LZ adjacent to our new neighbors location. The Army chose a different area but it was also in the vicinity of our new neighbors. I disagreed with their choice because of the proximity to some recently built structures and the amount of dust that is created by vehicle traffic. Despite my recommendation they tried to use "their" LZ and sure enough when I spoke with the air crew after their attempted landing they said the LZ was no good for night operations - it is just too dusty. Well...how about that!!! News flash - dust in the desert at night...who would have thought that was possible. Oh well...maybe next time they will listen. Enough complaining for today - have a good weekend.

15 Mar

Today's activity involved using a 60 ton crane to move four big trailer type refrigerators. The entire event, which took about three hours, went off without a problem...for once. The only other point of interest was the arrival of an Air Force LtCol who joined us for dinner at one of our two weekly dinners with the Iraqi Colonel. It was good to "meet and greet" and share a meal with another American military member. Hopefully we will be able to have a few more American visitors come our way as the build-up of Coalition forces continues in our area. That's all for today - have a good night.

14 Mar

Today we had a two more "fire fights." Well actually it was just one fire to fight but at two different times. In summary, at about 11:30 AM a pile of "potato sack" type sand bags were set on fire; the culprit was caught and dealt with harshly. The fire trucks responded and the only damage was to the pile of bags. Although the fire was extinguished some hot embers continued to smolder deep within the pile and at about 7 PM some flames reappeared from the pile. The fire trucks and a "front loader" vehicle was brought to the scene. The pile was spread out and doused with water and dirt; the fire was finally extinguished. We are learning as we go - hopefully we can get some real firefighting equipment here once our new neighbors are all moved in. The fire was the only real excitement for today; until tomorrows adventure...have a good day.

13 Mar

There is more good news with the arrival of our new neighbors. No more mid-night deliveries for me and my crew. Our neighbors will now be acting as the receiving agent for all the deliveries to our area. Therefore, they will receive and park all the delivery trucks and we will off-load our items the morning after they arrive. Other than a slew of meetings today was pretty dull. I think I am getting burned out with all the meetings and constant baby-sitting of the Life Support Contract workers. I am very frustrated with the manager of the service workers; when an individual tells me they are going to do something I expect them to do it. And since there is nothing I can do about it, I become very frustrated. Although I have raised my voice in a few conversation I ensure that I keep my cool and finish the conversation on a positive note. However, there was an incident the other day that I did not get the chance to observe because I was in a different location.
The senior Iraqi Officer became extremely frustrated with the manager of the service workers and hit him twice; first with an open front hand and than with an immediately back hand. The manager fell to the ground and the entire room became empty instantaneously. This conduct is atypical behavior for the Iraqi Colonel but I am starting to understand his level of frustration. Had I witness this event, I could confidently state, "I have seen all types of leadership techniques." We joke in the military that, "the beatings will continue until moral improves" I think the Iraqi's are taking this too literally. Although I would never strike an individual out of frustration I can now see that physical harm is one type of "motivation technique" - one I will not employ but it is a technique. Had I seen this event first hand, it may have made my trip to Iraq worth it. That's all for today.

12 Mar

At some point in the future the Shepards will learn that we are serious about keeping them and their sheep off the base. Above is a pic of our recent "detainees" when they were let-out to have breakfast. I was informed that each sheep cost about $150 each. I do not know how long these "pets" will be with us but there is plenty of grass to keep them corralled for a few weeks if needed. We finally tracked down a reputable repairman to fix all the damage caused by our recent 1500 guests. We expect the repairs to only take a few days, the parts were the expensive part the labor with the labor only being two days with a crew of two. Anyone looking for some extra tax free work please let me know. Have a good week.