The semi-truck of the sky

So, I finally got to Salerno. . .Yeah!!! Let the celebration begin, I can finally start to do my job. The flight here was interesting, and included a ride in my 2nd Military aircraft ever. The C-130 is one of the oldest airframes still in use, and is considered by me as the semi truck of the sky, carrying cargo and (sometimes) people to their destination.

The flight left at dusk. As I buckled into my jumpseat, which was located in the center of plane facing out, I realized that I had never even seen a buckle design like the one in front of me. I hesitantly attempted several configurations to get the buckle on, and finally one of the Staff Sergeants looked at me and said, "That's it, now just push it down till it snaps." And the first feat was accomplished.

I started to read my book, as I sat there holding my M-16 against the forward bulkhead, and the plane started to taxi. The plane was moving when one of the flight crew shut the rear cargo door. The same Staff Sergeant turned the lights from white to green. Figuring that I would have to stop reading, I was happy to continue under the glow of the green light. My happiness soon turned to sadness as the combination of riding sideways, feeling every bump on the runway, and little air circulation culminated as an uneasiness in my belly. So, I did what every grown man should do. . . I put away the book and watched the world drive by through the porthole in left side of the plane. Yet another mistake, as it turns out, because the roar of the engines picked up as the C-130 rolled down the jetway and took flight, immediately making a hard bank. The world outside my porthole was no longer normal, but rather was ground moving away from the plane at a high rate of speed. Further exacerbating the uneasiness in my tummy.

I got out by iPod and unwound my headphones (Shure earbuds. . .sound suppressing, the best $100 I've ever spent) and fell into the sound of Maroon 5. Closing my eyes momentarily, I leaned against the parachute hanging on the forward bulkhead next to me. When the plane stabilized out, I opened my eyes and found the eary green light inside the plane giving way to the pink hues of the sunset on the clouds outside my (now) favorite porthole. As the darkness took over, I could see lightning in the distance. (At least I hope it was lightning and not anti aircraft fire)

The plane continued along its course, bobbing and weaving like we were playing football, and performed a perfect carrier landing in the darkness. I couldn't see the carrier anywhere, but am sure that is where we landed, because I have never felt a plane intentionally land that hard. The night outside the plane was still pitch black. After the cargo was unloaded the passengers, 12 total including myself, exited the plane. I nearly fell and cracked my bottom at my first step on the cargo ramp. The runway was gravel, and all I could see was a small blue light in front of me, so I followed it hoping not to hit a sinkhole.

Having been told about the night lighting policy, I brought along my Gerber headlamp and flicked on the green light. I followed the others to the Salerno PAX Terminal, a small building with a wrap around porch that looked like a stage coach stop from the old west. Again the only visible light was from cigarettes and the occasional opening of the front door. Having signed in, I waited out front for my four seabags, one rucksack, and a ride to my new bed.

The night sky here is amazing. Having no light pollution at night, the number of stars visible are just amazing. I will send a picture when I get a chance.

My new home is a tent, 30 Ft long by 15 Ft wide. It houses 6 people with six cots and six wood bookstands. The floor is wood, and a small alcove prevents significant dust from entering the tent. My first full day here was interesting as I was shown around the base, and had dinner with some of the guys I went through my training with. The day was topped of by the first significant rainfall I have seen since leaving Norfolk in July. Apparently there is a lot of that here, a fact that actually makes me a little bit happy. After all, I did live in Seattle for several years, I grew to like the rain.

That is all for now, there is more to come at some unspecified time. Perhaps I will even include some pictures, if I ever get my computer working.

Its been a long time

Well this week has passed rather uneventfully and slowly. I have been unable to update this blog due to some severe computer difficulties (No, I did not throw it across Afghanistan, though I want to right now). I am actually coming to you live from a computer in a friend's B-Hut (I don't know what that actually stands for, but it is a wooden structure that has been compartmentalized into eight individual living quarters). The place is cozy, but also small.

This week saw the passing of my 10th anniversary in the Navy. Sadly, my pay raise is not as impressive as it once was, but it is a raise none the less. With the anniversary came a small celebration on my part. I prepared for the day by waiting at the Passenger Terminal, where I found out once again that I did not make a flight to Salerno, and then commenced celebrating by hitting the rack. They call it the hooch in the Army, whatever that is referring to. I proceeded to sleep for a good bit of time, until the next roll call at the Passenger terminal, where I waited with great determination.

Don't get me wrong, there was definitely some reminiscing throughout the day. I remembered back to the day that I left for bootcamp. Having gone to the Red Lion Inn in Downtown Portland, I was met for dinner by Rachel (we went to Red Robin I think) and then I returned to my room to wait for the plane ride the next day. I arrived at Boot late that night, to wait in a hallway, where I met my would-be drill instructor, he was nice and asked questions. The one of note to me was, "Are you good with your hands?" To which I replied, "That depends on how you mean." Thinking this an insufficient answer (now knowing it to be the best answer that an Economist would give) I worried about it for about a day. There were many such stories roaming through my head that day, but that one stuck out the most to me.

Another debacle that I encountered this week was my focus to leave Bagram and travel to Salerno, my new home. In preparation I sent out an email giving everyone my new address, and I packed my bags. Having taken all of my bags, including 4 seabags, a rucksack (that's Army for backpack and I don't know why they don't just say backpack), my riflecase and folding chair (I bought this for $7 it is pretty much garbage, but I will take it with me till it falls apart). I have been to the airport like this about four times, which was two too many, and have been emptyhanded too many times to count. I was about to get on a plane last night (in fact, I had the C-130 clearly in my sights through the bus window), when the driver said that the flight was cancelled, and subsequently turned the bus around. I took my small car full of gear and called my firend, Matt (another submarine officer doing the same thing I am) who came (laughing) to get me from the terminal.

I have to also say that the Girl Scouts either had a bad year selling cookies, or got a big contract with the Gov't. Earlier in the week I saw a flatbed truck come dring up with four pallets of girlscout cookies. I have seen them at every meal in the galleys. Sadly, I believe that everyone knows the intoxicating effects of Thin Mints. . . they are the Devil, but man they are good. In fact, I don't really want to buy girl scout cookies for the next decade (though I probably will).

Having an extra day in Bagram to take in the sights, because the last 21 were not enough, Matt, Mike and I went to the bazaar (this is a weekly gathering of local merchants to pawn their wares) I have mentioned this earlier, but must reinterate that the local wares bare a striking resemblance to bootlegged DVDs, blackpowder rifles, rugs and jewelry (with a smattering of FROLEXes in the mix). Among these honest and dedicated merchants - you shouldn't laugh some of them might be honest - stands a man and his camel. He is at every bazaar, and earlier one of the other guys panned his video camera across this camel, deeply offending the owner, who quickly required $6. Today, my friend Matt decided was the day to get a picture with this camel, and that is the picture seen in today's blog.

That was my week, though not exciting, it offered an array of frustration and laughter. I am trying to post more regularly, but am unsure when I will up next. Till then, just think of the camel, and wonder what would happen if someone put a bunch of camels on a plane? I think that Samuel L Jackson might have to put that plot down too.

End of Training

We finished training and now are off to new and exciting locations trhoughout the country. I'm going to Salerno, a base along the Pakistan Border. I tried to get a flight out there last night, but all flights were Cancelled due to weather, sucks! I am number 140 on the waiting list, so I have no idea how long it will take for me to get a flight, but I'll keep checking every so often to see.

A couple of days ago Brad stopped in to see me. He was en route to Quatar for his four day, he should be back tomorrow, but who knows with these flights. He was here for almost a day and a half, so we got some good hanging out time. He is doing well for those of you that know him. For those that don't, Brad was a JO on my boat. He was my mentor, along with Tony, he endured the Ratliff years.

Tomorrow is the aniversary of my 10th year in the Navy, it is interesting to think that I have been in for ten years. I am not sure where all of the time went to, but am glad to be at the half way mark already. It sure makes the decision to stay in alot easier. Don't get me wrong I mostly enjoy my job, but there are parts that pretty much suck.

I suppose that is all until I get to Salerno. Enjoy!

Battle Rhythm

A term that is used a lot in the Army, and as I discovered just a couple of years ago, with the Air Force is Battle Rhythm. Just saying the phrase brings a bit of excitement into your mind. However, the phrase is just a trumped up way of saying. . . your routine. Talk about a let down, I am a bit sour over that, but I will live, as always, with my disappointment.

Since arriving in Afghanistan, my Battle Rhythm has not really changed. I get up around 7 to start training around 8. The showers here are interesting, to say the best. They are affectionately refered to as the cell block. The building is two stories, eight conex boxes wide and two connex boxes deep. The bottom level is just tanks for the potable water and the resultant grey water. The upper level contains the showers - as you walk in the doors the entire right hand sie is open, with a few benches. Meanwhile the entire left hand side are "showers in a box." The single wide conex cells contain four sinks and six shower stalls. The floors are metal covered with a wood grate system. I prefer cell 7, because it has normal shower heads, as opposed to the military, dare I say boat-style shower heads.

The training is always overscheduled, so I am done by 10-1030 just in time for my nearly three hour lunch and nap period. The afternoon training starts about 1330 and continues, less a short period for dinner, until around 2000. I could only wich that the rest of the time here would be so easy. The training is interesting, but leaves me wondering how I am supposed to be the expert they want me to be.

After class I will usually got to the USO. The Pat Tillman USO center was named for the football player who died in combat in Afghanistan a few years ago. Because of this the NFL donated $250,000 for the building and amenaties. It is one of the better USOs that I have ever visited. It has a lodge feel to it, with an loft level set up with small cafe style tables. So far it is the only wireless place that I have been to.

The MWRs are good, they have DSN phones and desktop computers hooked up to the internet. They also have movie rooms where they play movies on a large screen almost continuously all day long.

From the USO I will go to back to my double wide conex box, with six of my closest friends and sleep for the night.

Reality Check

I have worn my body armor once since I've arrived in Afghanistan. In fact no one here wears their body armor. There is effectively no need unless going within close proximity to the wire. Yesterday, amid a fury of powerpoint slides and training, an announcement came over the basewide PA having all persons report alongside Disney Ave. Note that Disney avenue, being the main drag though base, was named after a fallen soldier. SPC Disney was KIA in Semptember 2002 and in the tradition of the Military service, a street was namedin his honor. All of the buildings, camps, and streets here are named in that same manner.

Standing alongside Disney Ave, the reality check hit pretty hard. The street was lined with servicemembers from the whole base. It was then that I took part in a ceremony that no person wants to be the recipient. . . the Fallen Comrade Ceremony. No traffic drove along Disney until a single MP truck drove along with its lights flashing. All persons came to attention and rendered a salute. Following the white pickup were three open bed humvees. In the bed of each humvee lay an aluminum casket with an American Flag draped across the top.

These three soldiers died in small arms fire on a convoy in northeastern Afghanistan. That is all that I know of their honorable demise, that is what The Stars and Stripes tells me. Now they are headed home, to a place where their loved ones will mourn them and where journalists and protesters will add their name to a list. The purpose of which is to dishonor them and all of the other fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen of this war on terror.

For now, I rest comfortably in the bosom of the safest base in theatre. The mood was somber the rest of the afternoon, returning to its normal din after some time.

The Country Club

One of my favorite quotes from the Vietnam era TV shows that hit the airwaves in the 80's was "Welcome to the Country Club." I don't remember the show, but I certainly felt that way when my Air Force C-17 landed in Afghanistan around 0130 on 7 August. The pic above is of the in-flight entertainment for the roughly four hour flight. We watched "Monte Python and the Holy Grail." Since we did not have speakers, we actually read the subtitles. Saldy many people read them aloud and with the appropriately poor English Accent.

Upon arrival we had some excited Navy guys waiting for us, along with an hour and a half of paperwork. After finding our home for the next two weeks, we finally got to sleep around 4am. The barracks housed six people and is in a double wide conex box. The room was absolutely dirty, every surface was layered with dirt. The next two days were pretty much a rest, recouperate and adapt timeframe allotted to us prior to starting our in-theatre training. During this time we explored the base in a failed attempt to find the best DFAC to patron, sadly they were all pretty much the same. Of course, I also made my first in country purchase. . . a brrom and a swiffer wet jet with which to clean our covered barracks.

One of the evenings we enjoyed the hospitality of the UAE. They open up their DFAC on certain nights to all of the coalition forces, and we got in to enjoy the good food. I had the best hummus I have ever had, plus a great mango juice.

We enjoyed the food of the Korean DFAC yesterday, but I was not as impressed. The food was good, but the best part was the rice. I just don't think I have the stomach for Korean.

I went to the Bazaar here on base the other day. I was able to pick up a few items, but I was overall unimpressed. If you want a rug, pre-1898 rifle, or bootlegged DVDs then it is the place for you, else there is not much differentiation in the goods available, though there certainly are alot of options.

That is it for now, I will keep you posted on other neat things as time goes on.

I will leave this message with acknowledgement to the author of the Desert Periscope, a blog by another Submarine Officer who is currently serving in Iraq. Had I not run across his blog I may not have decided to do this webpage, thus preventing a good, true accounting of my activities.