Getting ready for TDY next week

This is a cool picture of the inside of a C-17. I flew in one of these from Ali Al Salem Kuwait to BIAP (Baghdad airport). These are a little nicer than the older C-130s. I found this picture on a Navy site. I did not take pictures the last time I flew. So next week I fly out to my new assignment in Tallil or FOB Echo. This is a link to a website that explains all the Military Bases in Iraq. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/iraq-alpha.htm A FOB in just another name for a Base (Forward Operating Base) Here is are some good maps of FOBs in Iraq. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/iraq-maps.htm So this week is about getting ready to leave on the 25th.

It has been a might dusty the last couple of days. It makes my hair stiff, but helps cover my bald spot. My hair color is brown without using hair coloring. All the flights out of BIAP are grounded Fixed winged and Helicopter. I think the dust has pasted though, you could see the moon tonight. I am out y'all. More to come.

The Heat in Baghdad

It has been cooler lately, only a 109 or so and it feels cool to me. It has not been 120 plus this week. Someone at Fort Benning GA (CRC) where I had to train before I came out to Iraq, described the heat of summer. He said take an oven and crank it up to 500 degress and then get a fan and put it in front of the oven. Then put your face down in front of the fan and that is what the heat is like in Iraq. The heat is kind of like that, the dry heat hitting your face feels like it's burning and of course you are hot all over. I can see why people wear scarfs over their face. I am doing better and think I am getting more aclimated to the weather; it takes awhile though. This a picure of the inside of Al Faw palace.

A needed day off

I had the day off from work today. Not that there is much to do, but being new helps. There is really no way to go outside the wire. The only way out is through the Baghdad International Air Port better known as BIAP. I took some picture of just my surroundings today. Click on this link to see more pictures. http://picasaweb.google.com/aubuchonz/CampVictory# This is my trailer, better known as my hooch. I share one of these rooms with Matt my roommate. Today I slept in and went and got coffee at the Green Bean. I did my workout looked at the shops and got my laundry. We get free laundry service at Victory. It will most likely not be as nice at Tallil but similar. Most people try to get into a routine with their days to make the time go by faster. I am still trying to find my routine and get used to everything. A standard work day is 12 hours long and 6 days a week. The work helps the time go by. I have been working out in the gym every other day. The people here say you can go two ways. You can either bench press 250 lbs when leave or you can weigh 250 lbs when you leave. I think I will try to keep working out.

Life at Camp Victory

Camp Victory is built around Al Faw palace one of Saddam's old digs. There are US Government offices there now. It is beautiful inside all marble and inside toilets. The only inside toilets at Camp Victory I know about. The palace is the landmark and everything is in walking distance and every one walks everywhere. I have some blisters on my foot to prove it.
I found out that I am to go down south to Tallil on the 25th to cover for someone going on leave. I am to stay there afterwards to help Ron install some hardware in Bucca. Tallil is close to the temple of UR where they say Abraham was born. Father Abraham is the Father of Judaism, Christian and Muslims faiths.

I am sorry, I have neglected the blog. I have busy trying to learn a new job. I guess like most jobs its kind of over welming at first. I get my first day off on Friday and I will post more then and take some more pictures.

Camp Victory

I finally made it to Camp Victory Baghdad. I caught a mil-air flight the next morning at 5:30 AM. I watched the Mizzou /Illini game at 4 in the morning. That was fun for me. I think Chase Daniels needs someone that can catch the ball, but hey they won. I have a trailer in a place called Dodge City North. This is a picture of where I live. There are 20' blast walls that sorrounding the trailers, so there are trailers inside these T-walls. The rest on Camp Victory has the same 20' T-walls around the other buildings too. It easy to get lost when all you see is T-walls. There are two chow halls the Coalition DFAC and the Sports Oasis. The food is good and allot of it. My next adventure is to find the gym.