25Dec11 Last Iraq Post

25Dec11 Last Iraq Post

I've not posted in a few months now. There's a reason as I've left
Iraq and have moved on to Afghanistan. I really didn't think my
departure from Iraq would be so sudden as the Army made all
indications that there would be a presence after December. The
sticking point was the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement). Iraq wanted
all US soldiers to fall under the Iraqi judicial system. That wasn't
going to happen so all US soldiers will be out of Iraq (except for
about 200 trainers) by 31 Dec. That directly affected my job.
So...one day in October I got a call saying that I had 5 days to
finish what I was doing and be out of Iraq by 31 Oct. Long story
short, I left and have moved on. It turns out that I probably could
have stayed. In fact there will be about 24,000 civilian contractors
that will continue to work in Iraq for the Department of State (yes,
24 thousand!) So remember that the next time someone tells you that
the US has 'pulled out of Iraq'. Anyway, above are some final pics
of my trip out of Iraq. In case you're interested. I'm now in
Afghanistan (cafghanistan.blogspot.com) So far I'm still trying to
get into a routine there so I've not been posting too much either.
But I'm still a contractor in the middle east.
R/Chris

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

 

062511 Why'd the AF turn off the hot water? To say 10 cents per shower...

062511 Why'd the AF turn off the hot water? To say 10 cents per shower...

Iraq is very much winding down.  The plan is to have all combat troops out of Iraq by 01 Dec (which is only about 5 months away).  Any 'combat troops' still in Iraq after that date will become 'training troops.  For most contractors and military personnel the drawdown has affected our housing.  The CHUs that we lived in WERE supposed to be moved to the  bases that will be maintained by DoS (Department of State) after the military departs Iraq.  But the rumor is that DoS didn't want them (not good enough) so our CHUs were still removed and then sent to the DRMO (the Army's version of a junkyard/disposal facility).  URGH!  So everyone had to double up in housing. The pics above are of the old housing areas.  If ANYTHING the AF here could have left the housing units in place for the incoming Iraqi personnel.  It just doesn't make sense.  And neither does turing off the hot water.
Now the AF is planning on turning off hot water to everywhere except the DFAC (dining facility) and the hospital.  Fortunately it's hot outside (at least 110 here everyday) and the cold' water isn't really cold.  While the nights cool to the high 80s and low 90s a shower in the morning will now be a tempid shower at best.  And no more hot water to wash your hands either.  All this to save about 10 cents per day per person (the facilities guy gave me that number).
Removing perfectly good housing units to just be sent to the junkyard and turning off the hot water are just dumb. Eh, we'll see how the drawdown continues...
R/Chris

053011 Memorial Day in Iraq

053011 Memorial Day in Iraq

Today is Memorial Day in Iraq and it's basically a day off (or at most half-ass effort day.)  Yesterday, there was a picnic for lunch followed by games, basketball, horeshoes and 'inspirational music and dance'.  BUT this was only for the military and DAC personnel.  As a contractor, if I wanted to participate I would not be allowed to charge for my time.  BUT there wasn't a rigid enforcement of this rule either so as in all, I suppose it all washes out (so to speak if you follow me here.) 
Anyway, today is the big pool day.  There will be water bottle boat contests (similar to milk carton boat race) later but overall the pool is just a great place to hang out (see pics).  In the pics above you can see the outdoor stadium next to the pool and I usually run stairs there on week days.  It's also about 110F (see pic) here today.  While that is hot, it's not 'hot-hot' (115F or so plus).  When it's hot-hot you can't touch metal since metal can get much hotter than the air temperature. 
R/Chris

052911 C Block is coming down

052911 C Block is coming down

 

As part of the drawdown at Balad, the housing areas are being dismantled and the hooches are being shipped to other sites.  What this means is that the boardwalks get ripped up, the steel stairs and railings are removed and the sandbags are emptied and disposed.  The windows also get boarded up.  (see pics above)  C block occupants had to move out over a month ago and either funding restrictions or 'something' prevented progress on moving the hooches to their new location.  As with a lot of Government projects, they sometimes just stop, with no explanation.  Progress will be made and the Army is on schedule to move out of JBB by the end of the year.  Honestly though, who knows what will happen.  The Iraqi government may as the US to stay a while.  Maybe the Department of State will work something in conjunction with the Army.  Honestly, I don't think anyone really knows.  Urgh, the life of a contractor overseas is fickle.

R/Chris

051611 There are some very interesting people in Iraq...like SGT C!

051611 There are some very interesting people in Iraq...like SGT C!

 

One of the cool things about working in Iraq is that you get to meet some very interesting people.  Last year I met 'LT Dan' (Gary Sinise) in the DFAC as he was signing photographs (dang he is short!)  I've seen more celebrities in person while in Iraq than I have in my entire life.  But there are some very cool people in the Army too here in Iraq.  The pic and story above is of SGT Cordell. An article came out in the Army paper and it's pretty interesting his life story and all.  What stands out is that he really likes being in the Army and being deployed here in Iraq. Well a few weeks back I'm in the gym and lo and behold there is the guy from the paper.  Pretty cool huh?  I said hi and how I enjoyed hearing his story and ask him if he really did like being deployed here in Iraq.  Well, all he had to do was say "yes, I really do enjoy being deployed and here in Iraq."   But after about at least a 5 minute answer (that did not seem to have an ending coming soon) I had to stop him and say 'I really do appreciate the reply but I do need to get back to my routine'.  Maybe he just felt the need to defend his answer but after being in Iraq for over 6 years now I somewhat have to agree with him.  It's not that bad and it can be very productive if your manage your time well.  I'm glad (no, make that damn glad) that I'm not in the Army or Navy but I do kinda/sorta like being deployed.  I'm ex-Navy, deployed and living the Army life here in Iraq and damn glad to be here.
R/Chris

051511 No more lattes? War is hell!

051511 No more lattes? War is hell!

JBB is scheduled to close at the end of this year.  At least that is the plan.  A lot of people recall the military mission into Bosnia during President Clinton's term.  Well, Camp Bondsteel is still there in Bosnia as are contractors. 

I'm just saying...the best laid plans of mice and men...

Anyway, as a continuing part of the drawdown to base closure is the closing of the fast food joints here.  Gone is Subway and Burger King that made up part of after DFAC-hours evening meal.  The last one scheduled to go is the Green Beans coffee trailers.  While they may not seem much they really are pretty damn good.  And I sure do enjoy a double venti vanilla chai espresso latte with sprinkles!  It's like liquid candy! Anyway, the article is in the link below.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110514/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq_gis_lose_their_joe

 

R/Chris

051111 Supporting the Warfighter!

051111 Supporting the Warfighter!

As a contractor, my job is to 'support the warfighter.'  In other words, contractors do jobs that either the military doesn't want to do (cooking/cleaning) or can't do as efficiently (IT and other specialty type jobs.)  The Army here puts out a publication that highlights some of the jobs that contractors have and how they support the warfighter.  It's an interesting publication and a tad propaganda but here are some of the more interesting pages.

R/Chris

041311 Iraq sucks but Afghanistan sucks more!

041311 Iraq sucks but Afghanistan sucks more!

The last few days have been nothing but blowing dust.  It's miserable to be outside and even inside at the DFAC you can see a lot of dust in the air.  Last night at the DFAC all the fire alarms were going off since the dust is so thick  the fire alarms think that it is smoke and thus it's a cacophony of beeps.  The  dust isn't good either.  Next week there'll be a surge at the TMC (troop  medical center) for upper respiratory infections (aka Iraqi crud or Kuwaiti crud.)
The pics are from a nearby camp that a friend took.  They go through the same thing in Afghanistan but they live in tents or SEAhuts there.  At least we have sealed hooches in Iraq.  So yea, Iraq sucks but Afghanistan sucks more!
R/Chris

040511 Mud, dust and incoming mortar rounds

040511 Mud, dust and incoming mortar rounds

 

The last few days have been dusty and last night was very dusty (see pics.)  This is pretty typical and when it's dusty and windy but still not too hot (summer just started), it'll also rain (which really falls as mud)  but only enough to get the ground wet.  And even then any moisture immediately dries up.  Soon there'll be afternoon lightening shows and we'll see and hear the rain but the ground will never get wet.  And as usual, when it's dusty, we get incoming.  Above are a few pics of one sprung that got 'hit' the other night.  In one pic the round came in the big hole on the left, and struck the concrete in the middle and then produced a large exit hole on the right.  And all those little holes?  That is shrapnel.  Fortunately the sprung was empty (this happened at night) and no one was hurt.  Otherwise a 'kill zone' is probably about 100 feet.
Such is life in Iraq.
R/Chris