02 Aug 11 Kuwait sucks

02 Aug 11  Kuwait sucks

The first stop on my R&R is Kuwait.  Civ and mil from both Iraq and Afghanistan fly to Kuwait in order to catch either a commercial flight (United 981 KWI to IAD non-stop) or the freedom flight (mostly military) to either Atlanta or Dallas and generally not non-stop.

By Kuwait, I mean the Ali Al Salem airbase about 60 miles west of Kuwait City in the middle of the desert.I have to stay here in a tent until my flight is ready and Ali has been here for years now.  Some of the tents are getting pretty raggy and as you can see need to be replaced.  Also you can see what it looks like in side.  It's pretty much just bunk beds and a bare mattress.  Any sheets or blankets you may want you'll have to purchase at the PX.  Also the weather in Kuwait (on this trip) was particularly bad.  It was blowing dust and sand during the day and again, damn hot.  With my 'bank robber' mask I'd be sucking in a lot of dust and there is some bad stuff in that dust.  New guys here get the 'kuwait-crud' which is your basic upper respiratory infection.  Fortunately I'm either immune to it or the bank robber mask worked. 

R/Chris

02 August 11 A short R&R

02 August 11 A short R&R

First, again I've been remiss in updating and while I have excuses, it's really no excuse.  So I'm posting and stuff again.  So here goes.
As a contractor in Iraq, we get a break either every 4 or 6 months.  It just depends on your contract, etc.  Soldiers also get a 6 month break but many (but not all) get a 'weekend pass' in Qatar at the 3 and 9 months mark.  BUT of course with the drawdown everything is changing.  The main action is Afghanistan and NOT Iraq.  Whether or not the US will have any presence in Iraq after December in 5 months is anyone's guess.  (I think there will be such.)  But my last job will be closing this contract and moving on, when that happens. 
Anyway, I got a whole week off in July and got to fly to the US mainly to get some needed dental work. (Bridge fixed and a cleaning.)  To get out of Iraq I have to take milair (military aircraft) and above are a few pics inside the cramped C-130.  Under the new DoS (Dept of State) contract, we'll fly 'Embassy Air' (whatever that is.)  You can see how packed we are and honestly, it's dang hot and muggy inside (since it's 120F outside).  Our luggage is on a pallet in the back and you can see they threw a body on the very top! (Actually one of the air crew napping during the flight.)

I'll post more soon.
R/Chris