Operation Iraqi Freedom
December 15, 2008
Today we came home! It all started a few days before with us heading to Kuwait. There we waited around in tent city, just kicking it, desert style. We were all very antsy to be back on US soil. We finally got called to go through customs. There we dumped out everything we had so carefully and meticulously packed. They US Navy customs inspectors checked through all our gear, insuring we weren't trying to sneak some good old contraband home. Out come the memos signed by our commander for automatic opening knifes and other fun items. Then we sat in some more tents, (imagine that) for what seemed forever. Probably more like 20 hours in real life. This was a place called "Freedom City". Kind of a weird name for a place that locks you down with concentina topped chain link fencing all around it. Yeah, lots of freedom there. But that is the gateway to the true land of freedom, the USA! We jumped up when we heard the Navy people telling us that now is our time. We scurry out onto the busses that are awaiting us. They bring us to Kuwait City International Airport. We stop in a few European countries, then to Richmond, VA. Finally we touchdown in NC. Woohoo, we did it, 15 months of fun is now behind us. Upon returning home and reintegrating, we remember those who sacrificed, especially those that gave all. The soldier's memorial above is in loving memory of MSG Anthony Davis, one of the Army's most professional senior NCO's.
October 20, 2008
I have been designing a website for the MiTT (Military Transition Team) that I am supporting. It showcases the local schools of Bi'aj and some work the MiTT has been doing in the area. Click the Mustang above to be taken to the site.
October 10, 2008
Tonight was interesting, Franco comes in asking if we are out of water (running water) already, and we think not, so he checks the water pump and it is smoking and burning up due to electrical fire, so he shuts that off. Hopefully the Iraqi contractor (who is the all in one handyman here, cooks, is an electrician, generator maintenance guy, carpenter, everything) will take care of the pump. Anyways, a few minutes later the beverage fridge gets twice as loud as it normally is, which is pretty loud already, so I go check that, and it is smoking and burning up. I kill the power to the freezers/fridge. I'm like huh, all the electrical appliances are burning up, no good. Then Sam says something and we both realize the frequency is probably too high. So I go and check the meter and it is at 59 and climbing fast. It gets to 66 in a few seconds of me standing in front of it. It should only be 50Hz. So I run to the generator and throw the big circuit breaker before everything in the building goes. So as the building lies in darkness, the generator gets really crazy. This sucker revs up super high RPMs and is spinning at "terminal velocity", sounding extremely noisy and sure to explode and catch the hundreds of gallons of diesel right next to it on fire at any moment. Others start trickling out wondering why they have no power. They might have also realized the generator was sounding like a freight train engine. We are trying to shut off the generator before it burns itself out, but it is going full throttle to the max. We turn the key and pull it out of the ignition, which did nothing. We then push the emergency stop which did nothing, then found another emergency stop which also produced the same results. At this time we are ripping out wires, pulling relays, trying to kill it anyway possible. The problem is the sides were locked so we could disconnect the fuel hose. This thing gets crazy, so I run inside and grab a camera and set that up to record in case anything crazy happens. So we all evacuate the generator area and let it run its course. Sparks are flying out the exhaust since it burnt its muffler out. Eventually it quiets down, but smoke is pouring out of it as it burns its oil and coolant off. They jimmy the lock on the side and get in to it and rip the fuel line out. It is finally off. So no cool fire/explosive footage, but that is good, since no one got hurt, and no property damage besides the suicidal generator. The diesel generator is in a metal container about the size of a short minivan, and provides power to our whole building. We have backups, so we are on one of those now.
September 24, 2008
Here is a photo of my computer set-up on our table in the back. I have my Apple PowerBook and my Asus EEE PC, each with an external monitor attached to them. It makes for a nice layout.
September 8, 2008
Tonight we went to a dinner party put on by the local sheiks. The sheiks are the regional tribal leaders and have a lot of influence in their area. We ate lamb and rice from a big, shared platter with our right hand. Then we finished up our dinner with a cup of chai tea.
September 1, 2008
We went to the range this evening and fired several different weapons. We shot an M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon), M9 9mm handgun, and M4 and M16 assault rifles.
August 29, 2008
For the last couple days we have been painting our clubhouse. We have decorated the outside walls with our nicknames and unit.
August 27, 2008
We are moving into our own room now. We started out living in the open bay, but now we will have a clubhouse made out of plywood walls.
August 23, 2008
Today we had a nice dust storm. At 1pm this is how it looked outside. Who would of thought you could stare straight into the sun, and not even flinch since the air is so saturated in dust?
August 23, 2008
We were greeted with another dust storm tonight. This one had much more powerful winds and inside the building it looked like it did outside yesterday. It was during our dinner time so we all got a lot of extra natural seasonings added to our food.
August 20, 2008
Today, my CPN team and I arrived at COP Nisr, near Bi'aj, Iraq. We set up our Ku satellite dish and our stack of routers and switches and brought in communications. We are supporting an American MiTT (Military Transition Team) and PTT (Police Transition Team). These groups are here to train the IA (Iraqi Army) and IP (Iraqi Police) respectively.
August 15, 2008
Today we put up another COM201 FM radio antenna. Here are some shots I took while we all participated in raising it up.