011711 Expeditionary Times - Keeping Informed

011711 Expeditionary Times - Keeping Informed

 

The Army does a pretty dang good job of keeping people informed via the Expeditionary Times.  This paper is published by the PR side of the Army and here is nothing but good news in it.  The Stars and Stripes is an independent paper that get funding via advertising and the DOD (Department of Defense).  So every now and then the Stripes will 'bite the hand that feeds it.' 

I suppose any information is better than no information.  Still I can only read so much of the Expeditionary Times before I feel a sugar overload coming on.  Anyway, above are some of the pages from this month's ET that I thought I'd share.
R/Chris

011611 So you think you know your co-worker - 'Contractor Hid in Iraq for Seven Years Over US Rape Charge'

011611 So you think you know your co-worker - 'Contractor Hid in Iraq for Seven Years Over US Rape Charge'

 

I have, er, 'had' a coworker I've been working with for about 4 years now.  He's not in my office but rather the next office and I've seen him just about every day I've been here for almost 4 years now.  That doesn't include my R&R times which I take about every 6 months.  My coworder Dan, rarely took vacations and he would brag about how long he'd go between his R&Rs (which were maybe once a year).  Well, he evidently did this for good reason!

 

DANG was I surprised!  Dan was big and goofy and he had his quirks but I certainly would not have guessed this!  It's funny now that about a year ago Dan and I were arguing (friendly) over who would be in Iraq the longest!  Dan wanted a digtal clock on my desk and I told him if I left before him, I'd give him my clock.  Dan, in kind, said that if he left early I'd get his 27" Flat Panel TV that was on his desk.  I just found out about this today.  So when do I get my TV!

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/01/contractor-hid-iraq-seven-years-over-us-rape-charge#

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Contractor Hid in Iraq for Seven Years Over US Rape Charge

— Courtesy Norfolk Police Department

The excellent contracting watchdog, Ms. Sparky, drew my attention to this developing story: A Norfolk, Virginia, man was arrested on a military base in Iraq and brought back to the States in police custody this weekend for allegedly raping a "juvenile female," then hiding out in the Middle Eastern nation as a contractor for the US government.

For seven years.

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010911 Iraq sucks but Afghanistan really sucks!

010911 Iraq sucks but Afghanistan really sucks!
As a contractor in Iraq the conditions under which I (and soldiers) live are not the best but they certainly are better than Afghanistan.  I know several other contractors and a few soldiers that have (for various reasons) moved on to Afghanistan.  One contractor is at FOB (Camp) Sharana and is now living in a tent with 15 others (whoopie!)  For him the showers are about 150 yards away and he says it is cold now.  The camp is at about 7500 feet and it is hard to breath.  Fortunately he says that the camp has not been hit for some time and he hopes it stays that way.  Yeap, sure sounds like Iraq circa 2004-2005.  Frankly come June he'll be dang glad to be that high up.  Attached are a few pics of the camp.
R/Chris

010211 Where's Waldo?

010211 Where's Waldo?

About once a month or as needed the Commander will hold a group meeting for all the contractors on this base that work for him.  Since this is a maintenance battalion (vehicle and light/heavy equipment repair) most of the contractors are mechanics.  The meeting will be billed as a 'Safety Standdown' and in the pic above the Safety guy is tell us to be careful in the cold weather (bundle up, wear layers, drink hot liquids, etc.)  But REALLY, 'cold' weather in Iraq means it may get to the 30s or 40s at night but it will still warm up to 70 or so during the day!  And where is Waldo (me)?  I'm in the red pullover fleece jacket on the far left.
R/Chris

010111 Happy New Years! What Do We Do New Year's Day?

010111 Happy New Years! What Do We Do New Year's Day?

It's 010111, the beginning of probably my last year in Iraq.  But until then, I still have 
one more year here.  One of number one questions I get is "What Do We Do New Year's Day" 
(or any other holiday)?  We work every single day here.  Now, on any given holiday, things 
really are not too busy so working on a holiday isn't really that bad.  Besides, what else 
would I do?  There was a New Year's Eve 'Bash' last night and fortunately we were not 
interrupted by any undesired explosions.  In fact, it rained much of yesterday here at 
Balad.  Attached also is a pic of Mike in Afghanistan celebrated. It's not much but like a 
lot of things here in Iraq and Afghanistan, you make do with what ya got.
Happy New Years!
R/Chris