tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62155803300542941362024-03-13T04:28:06.844-07:00My Trip OverseasI am a Navy Anesthesiologist deploying to Kabul, Afghanistan as a medical mentor.DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-70472477091270807912009-07-31T05:56:00.000-07:002009-08-05T10:22:24.324-07:00Day 95 (Thursday July 2, 2009)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Dust everywhere...</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Having completely lost track of time, we arrived in Kuwait sometime after midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Prior to departing the plane, once again, our temperatures were taken to rule out the potential of Swine Flu…they take that pretty seriously over here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We moved directly onto a bus and were taken to a staging area, waiting for a couple of hours and finally moved into Base Ali A-Salam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even in the middle of the night it was quite warm out…likely 90 degrees…and the lights in the horizon glowed with a halo as dust swirled through the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">At approximately 0500, we were greeted by our Navy Liaison Team and moved through some brief in-processing before grabbing breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The DFAC (dining facility) was pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All the food overseas is catered by a company called KBR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just following breakfast, our Navy team along with the Air Force and Army personnel on the airplane, unloaded the baggage from the trucks and began sorting the bags into teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once accomplished, we reloaded the bags onto the trucks and were bused to Camp Virginia, where we would be staying for the next few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Our barracks during these days were 12 man (no gender discrimination implied) tents with cots for beds.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luckily, as part of our gear, we were given a sleeping bag and Thermarest ¾ inch inflatable mattress pad.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s all good.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm93Zo79QI/AAAAAAAAAik/dEufOaxk_pY/s1600-h/DSC01573.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm93Zo79QI/AAAAAAAAAik/dEufOaxk_pY/s320/DSC01573.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366529190461699330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Everyone getting settled in the 12-man tents)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm93AXGJ3I/AAAAAAAAAic/8_OUdYFCbeo/s1600-h/DSC01572.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm93AXGJ3I/AAAAAAAAAic/8_OUdYFCbeo/s320/DSC01572.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366529183675983730" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Because we had arrived so early, we had one more task for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This evolution was similar to the Hum-V rollover training we had at Fort Riley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>However, this training was for the MRAP…a bigger Hum-V, if you will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm-JyCACMI/AAAAAAAAAis/eMAFBsZDaR0/s1600-h/DSC01574.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm-JyCACMI/AAAAAAAAAis/eMAFBsZDaR0/s320/DSC01574.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366529506246920386" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Working on 40 hours without real sleep...Jerry doesn't look happy)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm-KJzFFlI/AAAAAAAAAi0/UEy9o_dQdOk/s1600-h/DSC01581.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm-KJzFFlI/AAAAAAAAAi0/UEy9o_dQdOk/s320/DSC01581.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366529512626787922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Andrew sleeping...but hard to tell with the shades on...)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm-KX9bh7I/AAAAAAAAAi8/hpJ2uNyJrM4/s1600-h/DSC01584.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm-KX9bh7I/AAAAAAAAAi8/hpJ2uNyJrM4/s320/DSC01584.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366529516428298162" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Inside of the bus we took to the training site)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm_DbL2EwI/AAAAAAAAAjE/skqczUHjzI4/s1600-h/DSC01579.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm_DbL2EwI/AAAAAAAAAjE/skqczUHjzI4/s320/DSC01579.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366530496546607874" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(40 plus hours up and I'm a little numb at this point)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Completely baked from a long trip, having been awake for 48 hours, nothing left to do but go to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By the way, for my own memory, my feet were so swollen from being up on them most of the trip I thought congestive heart failure had set in…yikes! </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-61103518510096818842009-07-31T05:55:00.000-07:002009-08-05T10:08:06.054-07:00Day 94 (Wednesday July 1, 2009)<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b>I'm hot and sweaty...not in a good way</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">As we were getting ready to take off from Baltimore, I received a text message from Andrew congratulating me on my promotion from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thanks Andrew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>July 1<sup>st</sup> was my effective date of promotion.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Flying overseas, 4 movies later and countless attempts to fall asleep, we landed in Germany at approximately 1500.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a 6-7 hour flight, but Germany is 8 hours ahead of Baltimore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once in Germany, I made my way to the bathroom and freshened up, as so many of the troops were doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again, the USO had some hygiene supplies for brushing your teeth, washing your face and putting on deodorant…love that USO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Two hours later, we boarded the 767 again and set out on another 5 hour journey to Kuwait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On the plane, the first movie showed was Ironman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was somewhat ironic considering the opening scene in Afghanistan.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <!--EndFragment-->DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-32295621737803421272009-07-31T05:53:00.000-07:002009-08-05T10:05:18.967-07:00Day 93 (Tuesday June 30, 2009)<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Here we go..</b>.</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Big Day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The trip overseas truly began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We loaded our bags onto the bus at about 0830 and left Fort Riley by 0945.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Each one of us (25 in all) had 4 sea bags (green duffel bags), 1 ruck sack (like a large mountaineering backpack) and a carry-on bag (personal backpack) for the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In addition, as a team, we also had 12 gun cases with our personal weapons inside (locked of course).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mind you, that’s 125 large bags weighing around 40-70 pounds each and 12 more gun cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This will be vital information as the trip progresses.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As a means of loading them, we formed a line and handed the bags one by one down the row to the last person, who would place them in the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It may not sound like much, but it took us about 15 minutes and we were all a bit sweaty by the end...glad I put deodorant on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm2spnuxpI/AAAAAAAAAgs/1ztSlfqvIg0/s1600-h/DSC01557.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm2spnuxpI/AAAAAAAAAgs/1ztSlfqvIg0/s320/DSC01557.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366521309191653010" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Bus trip from Fort Riley, Kansas to Kansas City International Airport)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Traveling by bus to Kansas City International Airport, we watched “Wedding Crashers” on the overhead monitors for the entire trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It certainly helped pass the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By 1200, we reached our destination and unloaded our baggage onto the curb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm2s_iS-FI/AAAAAAAAAg0/oZkUIjM9uac/s1600-h/DSC01559.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm2s_iS-FI/AAAAAAAAAg0/oZkUIjM9uac/s320/DSC01559.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366521315074439250" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Curbside at the airport)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm2tD0-ryI/AAAAAAAAAg8/GBTw-12wWVI/s1600-h/DSC01560.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm2tD0-ryI/AAAAAAAAAg8/GBTw-12wWVI/s320/DSC01560.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366521316226543394" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The following process I am about to describe is quite complex and likely took years of education to procure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(no sarcasm at all)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm3uf3ibrI/AAAAAAAAAhM/AYRkKKeEZGQ/s1600-h/DSC01562.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm3uf3ibrI/AAAAAAAAAhM/AYRkKKeEZGQ/s320/DSC01562.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366522440444964530" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(It may not look like much...but that's my luggage for the deployment)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">On a large, wheeled cart, we loaded the equivalent of 2 team members’ gear and pushed it into the Southwest Airlines terminal where we unloaded them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>13 trips later, all the baggage was in the terminal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Subsequently, all the baggage was tagged in the same manner one would see on any airline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This next part is fabulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After tagging all the bags, we (again) loaded them onto the wheeled carts and moved them 30 feet to be scanned by the X-ray machine and finally loaded on the plane (I feel bad for the poor souls that had to load all our bags onto the plane…they probably needed a massage afterwards).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Obviously, I’m writing this in retrospect, and the continual movement of these bags from point to point throughout our journey was 1) laborious 2) never ending and 3) riddled with poor planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sometimes it’s best to work smart…not hard.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We chose the latter. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Following a quick bite of lunch, we all moved past the security lines and into the gated area where many of us, including me, Skyped our loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By 1450 we were flying to Baltimore and landed around 1830.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The trip was uneventful, yet as the passengers were set to depart the plane, the Southwest Airlines flight attendant made an announcement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In honor of our country’s armed forces, they would allow us to depart first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everyone on the plane clapped in approval.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve heard stories of this happening, but to actually be there; I was honored.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We claimed our bags, put them on carts and wheeled them from one end of the airport to the other, to a terminal I had never heard of…Air Mobility Command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is apparently the main airline tasked with sending our troops overseas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After checking all my bags, I made my way down to the USO site and proceeded to Skype once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love this Skype; what a great tool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By the way, the USO (Uniformed Services Organization) is an organization that, by way of donation, provided free creature comforts to service men and women in different venues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They offered free sodas, juices, candy, soup, sleeping accommodations, showers, a place to watch movies and free internet wi-fi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What a wonderful thing to provide our troops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm338vg1KI/AAAAAAAAAhU/2JAAYiZ7xK4/s1600-h/DSC01563.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm338vg1KI/AAAAAAAAAhU/2JAAYiZ7xK4/s320/DSC01563.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366522602814756002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Rob and Holly pushing luggage in the Baltimore airport)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm34AafljI/AAAAAAAAAhc/Z2EbosyNtPQ/s1600-h/DSC01565.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm34AafljI/AAAAAAAAAhc/Z2EbosyNtPQ/s320/DSC01565.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366522603800335922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(That's a lot o' luggage)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm4MY93fuI/AAAAAAAAAhk/Xvkbvnm6guU/s1600-h/DSC01566.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm4MY93fuI/AAAAAAAAAhk/Xvkbvnm6guU/s320/DSC01566.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366522953988538082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Wolf lookin' tough)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm5HGpIIII/AAAAAAAAAh8/sR5CDvKhYjw/s1600-h/DSC01569.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm5HGpIIII/AAAAAAAAAh8/sR5CDvKhYjw/s320/DSC01569.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366523962681991298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Both Lach and Travis are pointing...but one can you see which finger Travis is using?)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm5HdoGzrI/AAAAAAAAAiE/WUV49IQAsxQ/s1600-h/DSC01567.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm5HdoGzrI/AAAAAAAAAiE/WUV49IQAsxQ/s320/DSC01567.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366523968851726002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Fascinated by pictures with luggage...?)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Always pushing the time limits, I just made it through the security line in time for our flight to board.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We stepped inside the plane at roughly 2230.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a 767, chartered flight for military services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As I sat on the plane, talking with Isabella, time seemed to drag on with no advancement in our position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Approximately one hour later, the attendants informed us that there was a weight and balance issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Over the course of the next 2 hours of waiting, the 15-20 civilian passengers were asked to exit the plane and the attendants counted the passengers about 20 times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It became humorous after a while, watching the attendants continually walk up and down the aisles, pointing at the passengers, silently mouthing numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wanted to randomly shout out various numbers to throw off their count, but after 3 hours of waiting, my patience was growing thin and I simply wanted to get in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Finally, by 0130, we took off and made our way to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm5HkyhA4I/AAAAAAAAAiM/osEg2GK49zs/s1600-h/DSC01570.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm5HkyhA4I/AAAAAAAAAiM/osEg2GK49zs/s320/DSC01570.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366523970774434690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Chief D givin' the thumbs up on the plane)</p> <!--EndFragment-->DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-83665685325284535512009-07-31T05:48:00.000-07:002009-08-05T09:40:17.535-07:00Day 91-92 (Sun-Mon June 28-29, 2009)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Sunday</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Back at it...</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Realizing this day would come; I was still dreading it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had enjoyed a fabulous 3 weeks off in which I was able to visit family and friends and spend some much needed time with Isabella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This morning, she took me to the airport at 0630, and after a difficult goodbye, I hopped the plane returning to Fort Riley, Kansas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The day was filled with travel as Andrew, Mike and I all left San Diego, spent a few hours in Denver and eventually landed in Kansas City where we were met by the Navy Liaison Team and transported another 2 hours back to Fort Riley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Considering the 2 hour time difference from San Diego to KC, we traveled for about 10 hours and arrived in our barracks at 2030.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After unpacking we felt the need to burn a little energy and worked out for a couple hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I made a few calls and then hit the rack.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Monday</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b>Packing and taking my temperature...</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">We awoke this morning with a few items on the agenda.<span> </span>We checked out personal weapons out of the armory, ensured our military IDs were encoded properly for checking into Kuwait, had our temperatures taken to see if we had the Swine Flu (apparently, if you had a temperature, addition testing and quarantining would occur) and received our finally itinerary for the big trip to come, beginning tomorrow morning.<span> </span>In between all of these little tasks, we all spent some time packing and repacking our sea bags for the trip.<span> </span>The packing strategy involved ensuring accessibility to 5 or so days worth of clothes, bathroom supplies and whatever else one wanted…in case we couldn't get to our additional sea bags, or the bags were lost in transit (how’s that for a comforting thought…apparently, it doesn’t only happen on commercial flights).</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm1dmfWaHI/AAAAAAAAAgc/icIdokjnhsw/s1600-h/DSC01554.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm1dmfWaHI/AAAAAAAAAgc/icIdokjnhsw/s320/DSC01554.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366519951141529714" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(40 man barracks at Fort Riley nearly empty as we pack up our bags)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm1eHu2rzI/AAAAAAAAAgk/MtS0StLJoEw/s1600-h/DSC01555.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snm1eHu2rzI/AAAAAAAAAgk/MtS0StLJoEw/s320/DSC01555.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366519960064929586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p></p> <!--EndFragment-->DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-61248314689198588892009-07-23T10:29:00.000-07:002009-08-05T09:34:10.817-07:00Days 69-90 (June 6-27, 2009)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">A Very Welcome Vacation From Training...</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Returning home from training was fantastic. I don't plan on writing much about this, because I assume no one wants to hear about the family visits and personal things...or do you? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, after being home for a few days Isabella and I went back to Montana to visit my family once more before heading out. We had a great time and saw a bunch of family. We even sat in the hot tub was awesome...gotta get one of those.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snmw-qp9zjI/AAAAAAAAAf0/Eo1Ec3_vhJM/s320/DSC01129_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366515021637340722" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snmxpj8sA3I/AAAAAAAAAf8/xmvAC5NDMh4/s1600-h/DSC01053.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Snmxpj8sA3I/AAAAAAAAAf8/xmvAC5NDMh4/s320/DSC01053.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366515758571193202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Just the girls...and Maddex at Zoo Montana)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Keeping with the plan of traveling and having a good time, Isabella and I spent the next week in Los Cabos for our anniversary. As usual when I visit a tropical place I turned several colors...pale white to raspberry red to bronze...nice to have some color, but gotta watch that sun. We had a great time and didn't feel like coming home.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SnmzpCOG8CI/AAAAAAAAAgE/8jDqL9E0p5I/s1600-h/DSC01325.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SnmzpCOG8CI/AAAAAAAAAgE/8jDqL9E0p5I/s320/DSC01325.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366517948540710946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SnmzpixmgrI/AAAAAAAAAgU/G58rArI-u_M/s1600-h/DSC01466.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SnmzpixmgrI/AAAAAAAAAgU/G58rArI-u_M/s320/DSC01466.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366517957279515314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SnmzpRSCWiI/AAAAAAAAAgM/5aOTLA8hYxk/s1600-h/DSC01541.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SnmzpRSCWiI/AAAAAAAAAgM/5aOTLA8hYxk/s320/DSC01541.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366517952583719458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">The last week of vacation was filled with me tying up loose ends and Isabella and I relishing our last few days together. It was a good vacation but the end meant one thing...the real deployment was eminent.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-35800981981445674182009-07-20T12:21:00.000-07:002009-07-20T12:23:54.227-07:00<div style="text-align: justify;">Hi Everyone,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, I'm finally done with my late posts for Fort Riley. There's quite a few there I know. I have been keeping up with the current stuff, so you can look for those posts very soon. All is well in Kabul. Thank you all for the emails and facebook messages...they're greatly appreciated. Take care.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Deej</div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-90529588369354794462009-07-03T13:17:00.000-07:002009-07-20T12:17:51.936-07:00Day 68-69 (Fri-Sat June 5-6, 2009)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmTCHVnfrLI/AAAAAAAAAfU/cif89ov-mrQ/s1600-h/Navy+ETT+Class+71+Graduation+Pic.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmTCHVnfrLI/AAAAAAAAAfU/cif89ov-mrQ/s320/Navy+ETT+Class+71+Graduation+Pic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360622887795403954" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Graduation...been a long 10 weeks</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Graduation day!!!! All of class 71 showed up at the gym where we initially entered Camp Funston and lined up for the ceremony. With all of us standing at parade rest, a few words were said by the chaplain and the Executive Officer of Camp Funston. Next, with the audio tape playing in the background, the Army units sang their Army songs, the Air Force sang a verse of their song and then…the audio tape quit…no Navy love. So, in fine fashion as would be expected, we as 25 strong Navy sailors belted out Anchor’s Away…without music. Afterwards, CDR Troup (the head of our Navy Liaison Team) said that our version was by far the best he’d heard in his time at Fort Riley. Go Navy!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmTCiOHiheI/AAAAAAAAAfc/HOkjtocyTww/s1600-h/DSC00928.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmTCiOHiheI/AAAAAAAAAfc/HOkjtocyTww/s320/DSC00928.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360623349638792674" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmTCi1134VI/AAAAAAAAAfk/P2PbbaoTTxU/s1600-h/DSC00934.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmTCi1134VI/AAAAAAAAAfk/P2PbbaoTTxU/s320/DSC00934.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360623360302113106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmTCjIosL6I/AAAAAAAAAfs/jO6jQUCALXI/s1600-h/DSC00931.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmTCjIosL6I/AAAAAAAAAfs/jO6jQUCALXI/s320/DSC00931.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360623365347094434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All in all, the graduation took 7 minutes. The most efficient evolution we were ever a part of at Fort Riley. Time to go home for a few weeks. Oh yeah, after the graduation, we were informed that our I-stop time would be extended from 16 to 22 days off. Sweet. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Having packed everything up, we boarded a bus for Kansas City International Airport at midnight. We arrived at KCI by 0300 and by 0630 we were heading home. What a good feeling.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-81534848370703981782009-07-03T13:15:00.002-07:002009-07-20T12:11:09.758-07:00Day 67 (Thurdsay June 4, 2009)<!--StartFragment--> <b>Here you go, I don't want it anymore...</b><br /> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This day was dedicated to turning in all our equipment (Hum-Vs, Radios, CrewServ weapons, etc.). Not much to talk about other than we all started packing up our things to head home for a few weeks. This was called our I-Stop (Individual Stop). </span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-49059612712664064562009-07-03T13:15:00.001-07:002009-07-20T12:09:52.251-07:00Day 66 (Wednesday June 3, 2009)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Capstone...bout time</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, fantasy;font-size:medium;">Well, the big day arrived. The Capstone Course was the pinnacle of our training; testing all of the skills we acquired over the 10 weeks at Fort Riley. It was a live, role playing set of scenarios in which we needed to travel to 3 different villages and complete predetermined missions. Both us, and our enemies were given “blanks” to fire for the day.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, fantasy;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS-5e7DTQI/AAAAAAAAAes/MU_IpfPnOxA/s320/DSC00903.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360619351240297730" /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;">(Mike's wearing the "nut-hugger" gun turret harness while Jerry is happy for him)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS-5k-z6AI/AAAAAAAAAe0/vGGFa6P2rZI/s1600-h/DSC00906.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS-5k-z6AI/AAAAAAAAAe0/vGGFa6P2rZI/s320/DSC00906.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360619352866678786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;">(Me, Andrew and Mike)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS_R-RKzOI/AAAAAAAAAe8/pWtbXCJ00s4/s1600-h/DSC00910.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS_R-RKzOI/AAAAAAAAAe8/pWtbXCJ00s4/s320/DSC00910.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360619771971423458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;">(Travis enjoying his coffee and a peace sign...but notice the reflection in the window...I look like a tourist)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We saddled up the Hum-Vs and headed up to the yet another range where we received our briefing and made plans for the mission. Every person on our Team of 14 had a job. In each of the three vehicles, there was a driver, a TC or truck commander who sat in the front passenger seat, the gunner in the turret and two dismounts. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS_SN2EyEI/AAAAAAAAAfE/ddx3-7bukVI/s1600-h/DSC00913.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS_SN2EyEI/AAAAAAAAAfE/ddx3-7bukVI/s320/DSC00913.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360619776152750146" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Notice the cigarette hangin' out of Sgt. P's mouth...classic)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I was a dismount and along with Jerry, Sgt Plewniak (who was affectionately deemed Sgt. P), and CDR Glover. As dismounts, we were the ground security for CDR Heimer, who was accompanied by his personal security, LCDR Shadley. In the first village, our mission was to facilitate the last of our Leader Engagements in which CDR Heimer and LCDR Shadley met with the village leaders inside a village building. The four dismounts, including myself, proceeded to cordon (secure) the building with our M4s in hand. We each took a corner of the building and maintained site of one another to ensure communication. Meanwhile, the village people (not the musical group) who were all paid actors, roamed around the building trying to walk in back doors and distract us. Some acted mean while others curiously investigated every inch of the surrounding territory. Even in the setting of a pretend scenario, it was quite nerve-racking keeping tabs on all of the villagers. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After the meeting, all 4 dismounts pushed through the crowd to bring CDR Heimer safely to the vehicle. However, while we were occupied with the meeting and internal security, our Hum-V crews (providing outer cordon) were dealing with a rogue vehicle with known enemy affiliations. Unfortunately, the vehicle made it past the outer cordon and in the process, one of our teammates, CDR Foster was shot (make believe). Because I was also the “medic” for the team, I ran to CDR’s aid. But, as I was running to CDR, Jerry and I took on fire from the rogue vehicle (basically, the insurgent was firing at us with a rifle from behind the driver’s door). We both immediately stopped and returned fire, but in real life, I would have been a goner. Lesson learned…don’t forget to keep your head on a swivel. None the less, I made it to the CDR and fixed him up for transport. Eventually, we used what is called a 9-Line Medivac request to call in the Blackhawk medivac helicopters to transport our wounded CDR. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Moving on to the next village, we were informed of hostile intentions within. All the dismounts moved to the village center where we had a task of which I can’t remember. Yet, in the midst of our objective, the crowd turned aggressive. Additionally, in a building across the road, a sniper was firing on us. I was hit and needed medical attention. Since we were all trained in CLS (Combat Life Support), Sgt P tended to me and then to CDR Glover who was also hit. While we were being helped, our gunners in the Hum-Vs targeted the sniper and terminated him. Let’s get the crap out of here…</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The final village was also hostile in nature. Dismounting again, we all provided security for CDR Heimer to meet with the village elder. During this scenario though, while walking through the main part of the village, we took on fire from a sniper in a second story window. Strategically, we maneuvered ourselves behind buildings and returned fire. The sniper was captured and brought down from the building and a I reinvented my roll as “Tactical Questioner”. Though, I didn’t get anything out of him…I suck. But, the sniper was identified as an insurgent and taken in for professional questioning. Phew, the course ended there and we returned to base for our “hotwash”. This didn’t go as well due to a suspected case of fratricide, but the 1</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">st</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Sgt was mistaken and we moved on. End of the day…thank goodness. Being a dismount was not very easy…but it was kind of fun. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; font-size: 16px; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS_Sc9iahI/AAAAAAAAAfM/rmfPB1DStbw/s320/DSC00915.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360619780210584082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;">(This is what the villages looked like...and no, I don't think that is a piece of crap on the hood...we had just gone through a muddy field...)</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-56084496595250732932009-07-03T13:13:00.000-07:002009-07-20T11:55:40.143-07:00Day 65 (Tuesday June 2, 2009)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Are we about done with these?...</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, fantasy;font-size:medium;">In the morning we had Leader Engagement #8 where Andrew was the lead and Jerry was his “henchman”. They did well, but could have used the “Water Specialist”…that was me from a previous leader engagement.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, fantasy;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS7MkR-dsI/AAAAAAAAAeE/yKxEVniT2Ow/s320/DSC00882.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615281049630402" /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;">(Andrew and Jerry on the couch with the interpreter)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS7M_MtQBI/AAAAAAAAAeM/H1w3LyOFFA0/s1600-h/DSC00888.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS7M_MtQBI/AAAAAAAAAeM/H1w3LyOFFA0/s320/DSC00888.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615288275288082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;">(Mike...riveted)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS7NUDgR9I/AAAAAAAAAeU/UbRgad3rNXQ/s1600-h/DSC00889.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS7NUDgR9I/AAAAAAAAAeU/UbRgad3rNXQ/s320/DSC00889.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615293873833938" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;">(Tim...just happy to be here)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS7Nlu_AtI/AAAAAAAAAec/C_NW8VeOrLI/s1600-h/DSC00890.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS7Nlu_AtI/AAAAAAAAAec/C_NW8VeOrLI/s320/DSC00890.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360615298619605714" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;">(Travis and Josh...shear jubilation)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, fantasy; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS8JvO0m4I/AAAAAAAAAek/A_z2CDQ6xH8/s1600-h/DSC00897.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS8JvO0m4I/AAAAAAAAAek/A_z2CDQ6xH8/s320/DSC00897.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360616331961211778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;">(I think Jerry is giving me a signal???)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Come afternoon, as a Navy Team, we prepared for the upcoming Capstone Course. I’ll go more into that tomorrow.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-56066308255942388552009-07-03T13:11:00.000-07:002009-07-20T12:19:52.806-07:00Day 64 (Monday June 1, 2009)<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">...I can't think of a title for this...other than, I ROCK AS A DISMOUNT!!!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This morning we went to one of the many ranges for what was to be known as…</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mounted Combat Patrol Live Fire Exercise.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS0Wr45msI/AAAAAAAAAcU/-mScL4M5K6c/s320/DSC00836.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360607758309235394" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Morning ride with the back open on the Hum-V...our A/C)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS0W_s04OI/AAAAAAAAAcc/f3zUveX1iAo/s1600-h/DSC00840.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS0W_s04OI/AAAAAAAAAcc/f3zUveX1iAo/s320/DSC00840.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360607763627303138" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Just another Hum-V pic)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS0rAjp2XI/AAAAAAAAAcs/sLDhSBK-Ap8/s1600-h/DSC00847.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS0rAjp2XI/AAAAAAAAAcs/sLDhSBK-Ap8/s320/DSC00847.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360608107454650738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(It was a georgeous morning...that's looking out the back of the Hum-V)</span></span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The range was set up as a course in which our mounted combat patrol proceeded past several checkpoints engaging enemy forces (pop-up targets and automated moving trucks) and even encountered an IED. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS0q6jZrfI/AAAAAAAAAck/RaikajXoK6s/s1600-h/DSC00848.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS0q6jZrfI/AAAAAAAAAck/RaikajXoK6s/s320/DSC00848.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360608105842978290" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Lining up to go on patrol)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS1JyiGFpI/AAAAAAAAAc0/XqJFtBBId4E/s1600-h/DSC00852.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS1JyiGFpI/AAAAAAAAAc0/XqJFtBBId4E/s320/DSC00852.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360608636265961106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Mike giving the patented thumbs up sign)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS1KXJ3MNI/AAAAAAAAAc8/qfuuBgsU-qw/s1600-h/DSC00857.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS1KXJ3MNI/AAAAAAAAAc8/qfuuBgsU-qw/s320/DSC00857.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360608646096433362" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Jerry ready to roll)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS2fnt2h5I/AAAAAAAAAdk/huwZcrwpa4k/s1600-h/DSC00855.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS2fnt2h5I/AAAAAAAAAdk/huwZcrwpa4k/s320/DSC00855.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360610110831232914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Dismount...always the last one in)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In a convoy of 3 Hum-Vs, we moved through 3 checkpoints with the gunners in the turrets firing upon the aforementioned targets. At the 4</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> checkpoint, I was one of 3 persons (the other 2 being CDR Foster and CDR Harbison) to dismount our vehicle, move on foot to a side road and upon an explosion, shoot the pop-up targets. We all fired our weapons from the prone (lying on our stomach) position. Admittedly, I wanted to be sure to shoot all 20 rounds in my M4, so I put the firing mode on “burst” which fired 3 rounds at a time…I burned through my magazine pretty quick. Cool. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Having moved past one more checkpoint where the gunner fired on the enemy behind us, our middle vehicle was hit by an IED (imaginary) and I had to get out of our Hum-V (which was in front of theirs) and hook up the tow strap…easily done in under 10 seconds…I should have gone NASCAR...either that or rodeo. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS1Ko3I_TI/AAAAAAAAAdE/WjuvLxbx7oA/s1600-h/DSC00858.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS1Ko3I_TI/AAAAAAAAAdE/WjuvLxbx7oA/s320/DSC00858.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360608650849746226" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Proud dismount)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After we finished with the course, we received our “hotwash” and learned of our good and bad points. Overall, we didn’t do too bad…even for a bunch of medical personnel. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS2AMBtSlI/AAAAAAAAAdU/F7U1enH86-A/s1600-h/DSC00865.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS2AMBtSlI/AAAAAAAAAdU/F7U1enH86-A/s320/DSC00865.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360609570822376018" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Our "hotwash" building)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS1_UWSgkI/AAAAAAAAAdM/ihjgeXllTug/s1600-h/DSC00869.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS1_UWSgkI/AAAAAAAAAdM/ihjgeXllTug/s320/DSC00869.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360609555876315714" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Steve, Beth, and Dennis...Dennis looks like he's about to mug Beth)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS2ArM-CII/AAAAAAAAAdc/tSl7ahspYzw/s1600-h/DSC00870.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS2ArM-CII/AAAAAAAAAdc/tSl7ahspYzw/s320/DSC00870.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360609579191109762" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(Travis...he didn't draw that stuff on the board, despite what he tells you)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This evening we had two events to celebrate 1) Andrew's birthday and 2) Josh's promotion to LCDR. And, in predictable fashion, we ended up at Famous Dave's BBQ for some good ol' ribs. Afterwards, dessert...Baskin Robbins...31 flavors of course.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS5fXckv5I/AAAAAAAAAds/aRuX8vFO6e4/s1600-h/DSC00878.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS5fXckv5I/AAAAAAAAAds/aRuX8vFO6e4/s320/DSC00878.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360613404998680466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS5f7W8kdI/AAAAAAAAAd8/hLTocRF26ME/s1600-h/DSC00879.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS5f7W8kdI/AAAAAAAAAd8/hLTocRF26ME/s320/DSC00879.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360613414638752210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS5fg3bvtI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ssHfbSENdm0/s1600-h/DSC00880.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmS5fg3bvtI/AAAAAAAAAd0/ssHfbSENdm0/s320/DSC00880.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360613407527255762" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(L to R: Andrew, Rob, Less, Jerry and Travis)</span></span></p></div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-26494447379244778812009-07-03T13:10:00.000-07:002009-07-20T11:05:57.132-07:00Day 63 (Sunday May 31, 2009)<b>R & R...</b><div><b> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> didn’t do much today. I think I slept in and worked out at the gym. Movin’ on….</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </b><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-37766586299303670552009-07-03T13:07:00.000-07:002009-07-20T11:04:22.960-07:00Day 61-62 (Fri-Sat May 29-30, 2009)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">What's it really like?...</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On both Friday and Saturday, we were briefed by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CSTC</span>-A (Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan). A LT Colonel in the Air Force (a physician) and a civilian physician presented information on what was the state of Afghanistan as pertained to the medical mission. I can't go into details about this, so this blog is going to be pretty short.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">However, Saturday being a half day, in celebration of the penultimate weekend as we approached graduation, some of our Navy team members coordinated a BBQ fiesta with the Army Reservists who were in their barracks. The food was awesome. Here are some pix.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvEcA78EI/AAAAAAAAAbc/5oWOmOCcaK8/s1600-h/DSC00821.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvEcA78EI/AAAAAAAAAbc/5oWOmOCcaK8/s320/DSC00821.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360601947252191298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">(Mike, Steve, Josh, and Neil...you can tell they're hungry)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvEvzwIOI/AAAAAAAAAbk/e-AjzmPHXMY/s1600-h/DSC00823.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvEvzwIOI/AAAAAAAAAbk/e-AjzmPHXMY/s320/DSC00823.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360601952565600482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">(Rob, just wanted to show he's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">competent</span> in the kitchen.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvaP-hmmI/AAAAAAAAAbs/_Japg2WuD4w/s1600-h/DSC00825.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvaP-hmmI/AAAAAAAAAbs/_Japg2WuD4w/s320/DSC00825.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360602321977973346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">(Tim, I think I've seen that hand sign before...)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvacbXAjI/AAAAAAAAAb0/C8xy5098Mpc/s1600-h/DSC00828.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvacbXAjI/AAAAAAAAAb0/C8xy5098Mpc/s320/DSC00828.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360602325320139314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">(Mike and Jerry...Thrilled I'm taking a picture of them.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvagrhDeI/AAAAAAAAAb8/ITURwDqnqNQ/s1600-h/DSC00831.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvagrhDeI/AAAAAAAAAb8/ITURwDqnqNQ/s320/DSC00831.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360602326461648354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">(Less and Dennis..."I once caught a fish this big...")</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvuv9JTDI/AAAAAAAAAcE/NynYPRky4pE/s1600-h/DSC00832.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvuv9JTDI/AAAAAAAAAcE/NynYPRky4pE/s320/DSC00832.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360602674159504434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">(Motley Crew)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvu_hbkYI/AAAAAAAAAcM/6-hqNCkxzzc/s1600-h/DSC00833.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmSvu_hbkYI/AAAAAAAAAcM/6-hqNCkxzzc/s320/DSC00833.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360602678338228610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">(Obviously myself, Jerry above and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Lach</span> next to me.)</p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-39724161939401583372009-07-03T13:06:00.000-07:002009-07-18T10:21:40.566-07:00Day 60 (Thursday May 28, 2009)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Video games are for kids...or are they?</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our first evolution of the day was the Mounted Combat Patrol Class. Here, we learned how to look at a village and prepare a mission to engage it. We determined how to set up cordons (security posts) around the village and within it, and how to utilize our assets (soldiers, vehicles, etc.) to complete the mission. This was all done inside a classroom. Afterwards, we went outside to set up our mission for the upcoming Capstone Course (a course designed to test the skills already taught).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC9D0a29vI/AAAAAAAAAY8/Dy4yqXhSjUw/s320/DSC00786.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359491429879445234" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(CDR Foster describing our route and tactics.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second half of the day is where the fun began. We were bused up to Custer Hill, where we originally stayed in our first week of training, and received a brief on the dynamics of the simulated mounted combat patrol. This was a video game designed to simulate the movement in hostile territory, where strategy was imperative to maneuvering through villages and past traffic and hostile engagements were likely. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC-f00kI_I/AAAAAAAAAZU/hstyGkuzrJw/s1600-h/DSC00798.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC-f00kI_I/AAAAAAAAAZU/hstyGkuzrJw/s320/DSC00798.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359493010535228402" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(An intrigued crowd during our simulation briefing.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were broken up into teams of 5 which included a driver, a TC (truck commander, sitting shotgun), two dismounts (backseat ride alongs) and a gunner (up in the turret). We all sat at computer terminals in the layout of the truck. On each individual's screen was their point of view in the vehicle. You also had the option of viewing the vehicle in first person (inside the Hum-V) or via third person (like an angel from above...cue the Gregorian Chant). We spoke to one another through headsets. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC-40jy2nI/AAAAAAAAAZk/0TsxHbci-Jg/s1600-h/DSC00808.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC-40jy2nI/AAAAAAAAAZk/0TsxHbci-Jg/s320/DSC00808.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359493439961619058" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(First person view from inside the Hum-V...yup, I was in the back seat.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC-5IvdmXI/AAAAAAAAAZs/tGX5lZWYypk/s1600-h/DSC00811.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC-5IvdmXI/AAAAAAAAAZs/tGX5lZWYypk/s320/DSC00811.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359493445379266930" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Third person view...or "Angel Vision".)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The missions began with us maneuvering our animated soldiers into the vehicles and driving in a convoy with the rest of the teams until we reached our destination. There certainly was some hostile fire along the way and our gunners did a great job of taking care of us. Yet, while every silver cloud has it's lining...it's a cloud none the less, and fate wielded it's ugly hand. Jerry, our gunner for the mission, had developed a knack for getting shot and today's mission was no different. From up in the turret, he fought valiantly but in the end, perished. Sorry Jerry. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC9qNCz-iI/AAAAAAAAAZE/z19O4vlYztk/s1600-h/DSC00801.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC9qNCz-iI/AAAAAAAAAZE/z19O4vlYztk/s320/DSC00801.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359492089324501538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Travis and I as backseat dismounts...there wasn't alot to do for us.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC9qTeoBrI/AAAAAAAAAZM/2onsdw7cfGo/s1600-h/DSC00802.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC9qTeoBrI/AAAAAAAAAZM/2onsdw7cfGo/s320/DSC00802.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359492091051771570" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(How the simulation was set up for the 5 teams.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC-4sX2KRI/AAAAAAAAAZc/h2huiY5EGfA/s1600-h/DSC00817.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmC-4sX2KRI/AAAAAAAAAZc/h2huiY5EGfA/s320/DSC00817.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359493437764020498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Travis in the driver's seat...who's watchin' the road?)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's enough for today.</div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-56570733640538540072009-07-03T13:04:00.000-07:002009-07-18T10:21:15.334-07:00Day 59 (Wednesday May 27, 2009)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Wax bullets hurt, just ask Jerry...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today we participated in Glasshouse instruction, Battle Drill 6, and Force on Force.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Glasshouse instruction was essentially teaching us how to enter a room or building safely. I think it's called "Glasshouse" because they use movie theater line barriers as the walls so the audience can see what is going on. We were taught to enter a room 4 at a time. The first person determined the state of the door (open, closed, locked or unlocked), the second person, standing immediately behind the first, had their weapon pointed over the shoulder of the first to engage the enemy from that direction. The third person pointed their weapon upwards to guard for enemy attackers from second story buildings. The fourth had their back against the third person and faced towards the back with their weapon also pointed in that direction. By design, provided 180 degree security while against a wall. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmIBMBbzBgI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/--YPDOEWMG4/s1600-h/DSC00768.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmIBMBbzBgI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/--YPDOEWMG4/s320/DSC00768.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359847812579395074" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Left to Right: Chief Erhard, LCDR Riggs, CDR Myers, and LT McClure)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hand signals were passed down the line to signify the state of the door and when the team was ready to enter the room/building. Upon entering, the first person usually took the right side, the second took the left, the third stepped inside the doorway and to the right and the fourth stepped inside the doorway and to the left. Each individual had a sector of the room and called out their security in the order they entered. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmDBQYTzEuI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/XHqc7uiZDS0/s1600-h/DSC00764.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmDBQYTzEuI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/XHqc7uiZDS0/s320/DSC00764.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359496043718447842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Here is the same group above demonstrating positions inside a room.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmIBhRGlBsI/AAAAAAAAAaE/eMayh3YUbqU/s1600-h/DSC00772.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmIBhRGlBsI/AAAAAAAAAaE/eMayh3YUbqU/s320/DSC00772.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359848177562617538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(CDR Myers (top) and Chief Erhard (bottom) moving around a corner.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmIBhiTqgUI/AAAAAAAAAaM/C34aV-WP0zM/s1600-h/DSC00775.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmIBhiTqgUI/AAAAAAAAAaM/C34aV-WP0zM/s320/DSC00775.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359848182180905282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Mike and Andrew storming the castle.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Further teaching demonstrated movement down hallways and up stairs as well, but I'll spare the details for now. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Battledrill 6 and Force and Force was a live combat situation in which our 25 team members were divided into 2 teams (each team took a turn). We engaged a building where there were know enemy...with wax bullets themselves. They also had protective gear on but instead of Army attire, they wore dark blue robes to simulate the enemy. After putting on our protective head and face gear, we loaded our M4s with wax bullets. (Every time I say wax now I can't help but think of "40 Year Old Virgin" where Steve Carell's character gets a wax job..."we gonna need mo waaax".) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our team moved down a dirt road to a building sitting by itself. Upon an explosion, we tactically moved to the building for entry. I was part of the initial 4 troops to enter the building. Once inside, we moved through the first and second rooms, shooting some cardboard cutout enemy. The second team moved in behind us, however in the process of moving past the underside of a stairwell, a couple of team members were shot and had to sit out. There was an insurgent lying down in the dark stairwell plucking off anyone who came around the corner. This individual was difficult to see and shoot but eventually, we got him. Unfortunately, one of my teammates was the victim of fratricide (friendly fire). "Jerry, tough luck...how's your butt?" Because 6 of our 12 team members had been wounded, and I was the medic for the team, I had to disengage the fight and tend to the wounded. I pretended to treat their wounds and everyone survived...hooray for me. The exercise continued for another 10 minutes in the upstairs of the building and in the end, we won...at least, that's the way I'm going to remember it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmICq30_RjI/AAAAAAAAAaU/NAMG_dkSmVI/s1600-h/DSC00777.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SmICq30_RjI/AAAAAAAAAaU/NAMG_dkSmVI/s320/DSC00777.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359849442088273458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(This is the protective gear for our heads. I'm in the middle and I think Jerry and Travis are my sides.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Immediately after the exercise, we were taken to another building to have a "hot wash". This is a post-exercise evaluation and critique. We didn't do so well in the grand scheme of things, but being our first time, and being a bunch of medical personnel to boot, we received some praise. </div><div><br /></div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-8870700755877266102009-07-03T12:59:00.000-07:002009-07-14T11:03:56.912-07:00Day 58 (Tuesday May 26, 2009)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Welcome to the Gun Show...</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today was interesting, and probably one of the most useful days if one considers carrying a weapon. We went to the Short Range Marksmanship Range to learn how to tactically use our personal weapons, the M4 and M9.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SlthSJTcqtI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/x3UYAzea0LA/s1600-h/DSC00723.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SlthSJTcqtI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/x3UYAzea0LA/s320/DSC00723.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357983146050366162" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Where would we be without another Hum-V picture? Left to right, Jerry and Andrew)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As with all the previous ranges, we were briefed ahead of time on the safety fundamentals of the range. Shortly thereafter, we split into 3 groups of about 10-12 (some of our Air Force compadres were with us) and instructed on the different elements of the range. First, my group went down to the, what I will call "tactical movement" area and learned how to fire behind objects used for cover. Next, we were taught how to move with and draw our M9 pistols while engaging the targets and switch to our M4 immediately. Finally, we learned how to engage a target with our M4, while we were moving. I will explain each of these in more depth as they come up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being in the first group, about 15 of us headed down to the range. There were orange cones set up at 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5 meters from the "black paper on wooden targets". Each one of these distances would be a spot from which we would engage the target. Initially, we started at 5 meters with our M4. This part of the exercise had us begin with our weapons in the "low ready" position. This means having our weapons pointed at the ground...so as not to shoot thy neighbor...I joke, but serious stuff. The instructor, over a loud speaker, would then say "Target......Up". On "Target", we would look at the target and on "Up", we would aim and fire a "controlled pair". A "controlled pair" is two rounds fired at the target in about 1 second intervals. Then, everyone would turn to their right and face their neighbor's back (again, weapon always in the low ready position). As before, the instructor would call out "Target......Up" and we would view the target, move from a 90 degree angle to the to facing the target, raise our M4s and engage the target with a controlled pair. We did this facing left and 180 degrees away from the patient. Additionally, we engaged the targets by walking towards and away from them. Mind you, we didn't walk backwards and fire, rather, we turned and stood still while engaging the target. This is very difficult as one tries to steady your aim while moving. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sly81GcrgVI/AAAAAAAAAYk/OrtXamFFqfI/s1600-h/DSC00747.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sly81GcrgVI/AAAAAAAAAYk/OrtXamFFqfI/s320/DSC00747.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358365277114040658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After practicing on the black paper targets, we were given white paper targets with a yellow triangle at the head, a red circle on the chest and a black square in the abdomen. Standing at either 5 or 10 meters (I can't remember), we began in the low ready position and upon the loud speaker command, we would engage the target. However, you couldn't just shoot where ever you wanted; you needed to shoot at the target declared by the loud speaker. For example: "yellow triangle...bang bang, red circle...bang bang". (The "bang bang" was me shooting...in case that wasn't clear.) We fired 20 shots and counted our results. 19 in the target zone for me...not quite sure where that 20th shot went though...hmmmm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sly81iGKR8I/AAAAAAAAAYs/LZc8a-Uw8lI/s1600-h/DSC00749.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sly81iGKR8I/AAAAAAAAAYs/LZc8a-Uw8lI/s320/DSC00749.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358365284535781314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The next exercise was practice at switching from our M9 to our M4, repeatedly. We were given two targets dressed in "very distinct attire", 5-10 meters away, and placed next to one another. On the command from the loud speaker, we shot a controlled pair with our M4 at one target, placed the weapon on safe (this is a very important concept), switched to our M9 and shot another controlled pair at the second target. Each target fell if hit twice. We repeated this process as the targets alternately popped up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The last and most exciting exercise was a course with three shooting stations. Two participants started out lying on their stomachs, awaiting the "go". Once released, the pair ran to a four-walled enclosure with no roof and two windows facing the targets. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SlthRH1X-uI/AAAAAAAAAX4/25jTvWkwfwk/s1600-h/DSC00757.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SlthRH1X-uI/AAAAAAAAAX4/25jTvWkwfwk/s320/DSC00757.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357983128475925218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Here are Mike and Andrew waiting to run.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Each participant took a window, used the walls for cover, and fired a controlled pair at the targets. To make this more interesting, each person approached their window from the wall in the middle of the windows. Thus, one was required to shoot left-handed from the left window and right-handed from the right window. After the first controlled pair fired, the two participants switched places and repeated the process. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SlthRc3VNNI/AAAAAAAAAYA/vboSRoLRpEA/s1600-h/DSC00739.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SlthRc3VNNI/AAAAAAAAAYA/vboSRoLRpEA/s320/DSC00739.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357983134121276626" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(You are seeing the left window.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Having finished, the participants ran out of the enclosure and over to 2 orange barricades (one for each). They fired from the right and left sides of the barricades in the same manner as in the enclosure, and then moved onto the last station. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sly80xii8yI/AAAAAAAAAYc/DwwHypCpC1s/s1600-h/DSC00736.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sly80xii8yI/AAAAAAAAAYc/DwwHypCpC1s/s320/DSC00736.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358365271501501218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The final site was an old vehicle. The participants lined up side by side, leaned over the hood of the vehicle and fired their controlled pair at the targets...taking great care not to shoot the hood. The instructors yelled and screamed and threw smoke bombs in the area to raise the level of excitement. All good fun. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Please check back to see the video below. It shows a full run through the course. Unfortunately, the internet is a little slow and not allowing me to post it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SlthRxLLaQI/AAAAAAAAAYI/a9cJxAHTMzY/s1600-h/DSC00737.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SlthRxLLaQI/AAAAAAAAAYI/a9cJxAHTMzY/s320/DSC00737.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357983139573229826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-40026155090605953912009-07-03T12:55:00.000-07:002009-07-23T10:23:00.658-07:00Days 54-57 (Fri-Mon May 22-25, 2009)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Memorial Weekend in Nebraska...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Friday, May 22...Excited to start the weekend with my wife and go see some of my greatest friends, I discovered an alarming absence of water flowing from the faucets in our room at the Navy Lodge. Crap! A shower is one of the few luxuries I enjoy to get my day started...and they robbed me of it...whoa is me. As it turns out, the Fire Department was working on one of the fire hydrants this morning and they underestimated the duration of the draught. Fortunately, within an hour and a half, we were blessed water once again and I could resume my day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before heading out of Manhattan, Isabella and I decided to head back to The Chef restaurant for breakfast. We had visited this place once before on Isabella's previous visit and enjoyed it thoroughly. This time was no exception.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By 1100, we hit the road and over the course of 2 hours, found our way to the Payne's house in Lincoln, NE. After settling in and introducing Isabella to Dylan and Drew (Brian's boys), who affectionately called her "Abella", we all piled into the Payne minivan and headed to the Embassy Suites Hotel to link up with John and Hilary Hutt, their kids, Ryan and Lindsey and John's parents. We sat in the lobby, ate Italian food and soaked up the moment...what a good night. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltWDyowwQI/AAAAAAAAAVo/rGaWJdxnMZk/s1600-h/DSC00585.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltWDyowwQI/AAAAAAAAAVo/rGaWJdxnMZk/s320/DSC00585.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357970804819673346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltWESf4tOI/AAAAAAAAAV4/gNj_ij0fV9U/s1600-h/DSC00594.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltWESf4tOI/AAAAAAAAAV4/gNj_ij0fV9U/s320/DSC00594.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357970813372380386" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Me with Drew, Dylan and Ryan)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltWFSFrRbI/AAAAAAAAAWI/PMaTtPl7FSU/s1600-h/DSC00597.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltWFSFrRbI/AAAAAAAAAWI/PMaTtPl7FSU/s320/DSC00597.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357970830442317234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Me, John and Brian...been a long time since we were all together.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday May 23...This morning, the Payne's invited all of us to the YMCA for their weekly getaway, where the kids played in the pool and Isabella and I worked out. Afterwards, we returned to the Payne's house for a Memorial Weekend BBQ. This was fantastic! Melissa, Brian's wife, had her family over and in addition to the Hutt's, John's parents came as well. Great food and wonderful friends...tough to ask for more than that. The night ended with Brian and I meeting up with John at his hotel and an opportunity for the guys to grab a beer and reminisce. Having known Brian and John for the better half of my life and growing up with them in Billings, it has been remarkable how close we have remained despite our geographical distances. I couldn't ask for better friends.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltX10ooccI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/LcSIn6QZDrA/s320/DSC00618.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357972763861086658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(John with Ryan and Lindsey at the YMCA pool.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltX2NJAyoI/AAAAAAAAAWY/qkMbYweYkWM/s1600-h/DSC00622.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltX2NJAyoI/AAAAAAAAAWY/qkMbYweYkWM/s320/DSC00622.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357972770439350914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">("Abella" with Dylan and Drew...pay attention Drew.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltX2kMxCwI/AAAAAAAAAWg/IsbQ7820ThA/s1600-h/DSC00626.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltX2kMxCwI/AAAAAAAAAWg/IsbQ7820ThA/s320/DSC00626.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357972776629111554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Drew and I...that is one crazy smile)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltX3K1pjpI/AAAAAAAAAWo/Kg4fPT5Jrl0/s1600-h/DSC00635.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltX3K1pjpI/AAAAAAAAAWo/Kg4fPT5Jrl0/s320/DSC00635.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357972787001134738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Brian and John watching over the kids.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltX3WBseCI/AAAAAAAAAWw/OihDdfAwmiU/s1600-h/DSC00656.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltX3WBseCI/AAAAAAAAAWw/OihDdfAwmiU/s320/DSC00656.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357972790004447266" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Awww, my sweetheart.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday May 24...The Payne's were kind enough to let Isabella and I accompany them to church this morning. Following the service, Isabella and I ventured off on our own. We headed into downtown Lincoln and made our way to Haymarket Farmers' Market; a very cool area of downtown with some trendy spots to eat. We enjoyed a great afternoon together and after picking up some souvenir Nebraska Cornhusker gear, we headed back to the Payne's. Come evening, we met up with the Hutt's and we all went to Chucky Cheese for pizza and "good times". The kids had a blast. As an added bonus, Brian's sponsor family from his days at the Air Force Academy were driving through Lincoln and were able to join us for pizza. They were incredibly friendly people and fun to visit with. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltY_6licdI/AAAAAAAAAXI/DfB-zY-9QPc/s1600-h/DSC00664.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltY_6licdI/AAAAAAAAAXI/DfB-zY-9QPc/s320/DSC00664.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357974036769042898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltZADyDBsI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/B-FD4Oxu1nI/s1600-h/DSC00668.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltZADyDBsI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/B-FD4Oxu1nI/s320/DSC00668.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357974039237428930" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltZAQ4cEXI/AAAAAAAAAXY/-5dJPt3M6Oc/s1600-h/DSC00676.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltZAQ4cEXI/AAAAAAAAAXY/-5dJPt3M6Oc/s320/DSC00676.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357974042753896818" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">("I feel uncomfortable...")</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltaAaCp1MI/AAAAAAAAAXg/oMSjgDSckzU/s1600-h/DSC00701.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltaAaCp1MI/AAAAAAAAAXg/oMSjgDSckzU/s320/DSC00701.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357975144724288706" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(The Paynes and Brian's sponsor family.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Monday May 25...Last day in Lincoln before heading back to Fort Riley. With the Hutt's and us leaving today, we all decided to head to the park for a picnic...and to let the kids play. The park was set near a lake and quite beautiful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltaAioozHI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Cxp3Aw9O93w/s1600-h/DSC00716.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltaAioozHI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Cxp3Aw9O93w/s320/DSC00716.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357975147031088242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Isabella and I had a wonderful time and are so thankful to have had the opportunity to spend the weekend with two of my closest friends and their families. </div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-27146558333683194012009-07-03T12:37:00.000-07:002009-07-13T07:42:55.965-07:00Days 50-53 (Mon-Thurs May 18-21, 2009)(Unemphatically)<b> Yay, lectures...again</b><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Once more I find myself uninspired to expound on the details of these days. In a lecture series entitled "ECADC"...I have no idea what that stands for...as is the case for many of the acronyms in the military...we learned about insurgency, counter-insurgency and strategic level processes. Honestly, while I believe I could recall and demonstrate the proper action illustrated in these classes should the need arise, for the life of me, I cannot describe their content. So, let's leave it at that and chalk it up to a week indoors. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, given the gloomy, "sour-puss" nature of the first paragraph, the end of the week brought anticipation and elation. As you may have noticed, our week ended on Thursday. The Army, in all their splendor, granted us a 4 day weekend beginning on Thursday at noon...very cool. Isabella flew in that evening and after her drive from Kansas City International Airport, she picked me up and we had some BBQ at the Whiskey Creek Steakhouse. I have been incredibly lucky to have Isabella come out to visit. She's awesome! After dinner, we returned to the Navy Lodging to relax before leaving for Lincoln, NE in the morning to see the Payne and Hutt families. </div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-85095194240138192942009-06-12T11:42:00.000-07:002009-07-13T07:34:45.056-07:00Day 48-49 (Sat & Sun May 16-17, 2009)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Aaahhh, the Weekend...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Boredom had set in...no commitments or requirements for us. I believe we passed the time on Sunday by going to the new Star Trek movie.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltDwwxU0eI/AAAAAAAAAVY/40z0CRDrYTs/s320/DSC00581.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357950686691906018" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Mike is trying to look smart by reading a book...clever.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltDxWzPCTI/AAAAAAAAAVg/JOsq-_BoU54/s1600-h/DSC00582.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SltDxWzPCTI/AAAAAAAAAVg/JOsq-_BoU54/s320/DSC00582.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357950696900462898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Yup, these are me feet. Oh, I can't remember if I mentioned this, but half way through our training, Mike and I had an agreement that we would switch beds (top to bottom). So, my little Hooch was lost. However, in the spirit of the Hooch, I strung up these sheets to provide a bit of privacy and shelter from the glaring florescent bulbs above. Ingenuity at it's worst.)</div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-2655520418556182542009-06-12T11:41:00.000-07:002009-07-13T07:20:42.953-07:00Day 47 (Friday May 15, 2009)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">I Got Frisked...and then Drank Beer</span><br /><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Today was all about tactical questioning and detaining. We began with a few classes on how to detain suspicious individuals (for example) in a village and refer back to previous training on search and seizure of worrisome items and people. At some auspicious point in the lecture, I was volun-told to be the “bad guy”, introduced to the front of the room and in an awkward haze of giggles and snickering, I got frisked. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls_gYoKiaI/AAAAAAAAAVI/4nhFNBow7Ik/s1600-h/I+got+frisked.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls_gYoKiaI/AAAAAAAAAVI/4nhFNBow7Ik/s320/I+got+frisked.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357946007286614434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Now I know how my dog felt after a good petting…but not in a good way. They also discussed what laws govern us during these operations. Finally, we were given a lecture on “tactical” questioning. This is not interrogation, merely information gathering of a specific nature. They stressed this point. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">In usual fashion, following the lectures, we were taken out for a practical exercise to demonstrate our understanding. In one of the mock villages on base, there were paid actors who come from a nearby town (Junction City) to play the part of Afghans. Our task was to secure the village, detain the individuals suspicious of terrorist activities, gather information from them and search the premises for contraband. My job was “Tactical Questioner…Extraordinaire”. After posting security at the exits to the village, we moved into the small compound (walls surrounding a two-story building) and lined up the “Usual Suspects” about 5-10 feet apart, on the wall. I think there were eight of them. Four members of our team maintained security in the compound, keeping the suspects under control. One suspect was particularly unruly, yelling and trying to walk away at every chance. Another 3-4 team members went into the building and began the contraband search while I remained outside with HMI Gann as my recorder. We proceeded to question the most dubious individuals first. However, that little idea of mine turned out to be unsuccessful, as we didn’t even get to the informative individuals until the end. By the way, it’s much more difficult to come up with productive questions when the suspects are good at deception. I could never be an interrogator. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls-2joUZVI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Zj-rXXrNs5k/s1600-h/IMG_0142.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls-2joUZVI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Zj-rXXrNs5k/s320/IMG_0142.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357945288685544786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(This is team 2...not mine...they were next to our compound.)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls-2_n9vdI/AAAAAAAAAU4/qZRmq5Kudlc/s1600-h/IMG_0144.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls-2_n9vdI/AAAAAAAAAU4/qZRmq5Kudlc/s320/IMG_0144.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357945296200252882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Here, HM1 Weber is securing the suspect...nice job HM1.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">In the end, we detained the correct individuals and released the rest to the Afghan National Police…I guess that’s how it normally happens. End of the workday.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Having "kicked" down doors and berated the "village people"...not the ultra-sensitive, costume-wielding, all male musical group...we prepared for Friday night. One of our Chief Petty Officers, Chief Carter, arranged for as many of our team members as were willing to attend the Tall Grass Brewery Tour. This was fantastic! Not only did we get some great beer, but they had a local establishment, Pat's Blue Ribbon BBQ, cater the soiree. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls-3FBmwoI/AAAAAAAAAVA/JPXRKzPC8V8/s1600-h/IMG_0150.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls-3FBmwoI/AAAAAAAAAVA/JPXRKzPC8V8/s320/IMG_0150.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357945297649975938" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Good times...good times. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls_guZIbcI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/vp486fY2oZE/s1600-h/IMG_0151.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls_guZIbcI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/vp486fY2oZE/s320/IMG_0151.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357946013129141698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Following the "tour", the brewery arranged for an Aggieville Pub Crawl to follow. Aggieville is Manhattan's version of a college tourist attraction...or <i>multiple bars easily accessible and arranged in close proximity to one another</i>. Having previously and successfully tested my ability to handle small but effective doses of alcohol (on a few notable occasions in the past), I refrained from over consumption and "enjoyed" my night. One of our compadres, who will remain "nameless", did not fare so well; or maybe very well, depending on one's point of view. I think we meandered through 5-6 bars over 3 hours and for a few of us, the night ended with a ride back to Camp Funstun via a shuttle bus. Everyone made it home safe after a good night.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Of note, to facilitate my own memory many years down the road as I look back on this, one of my "nameless" team members lost something on the bus, but with the astute attention to detail of another team member, he found the lost item. The name of the individual and his item have been left out to protect the innocent...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-53408189959620074802009-06-12T11:38:00.000-07:002009-07-13T06:50:50.328-07:00Days 45-46 (Wed & Thurs May 13-14, 2009)<b>"Come in Radio...don't call me Radio, Unit 91...then don't call me Unit 91, Radio"</b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-Supertroopers</span><br /></b><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">May 13...BASIC FIRE SUPPORT</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Already trained in the art of "deadly combat" (yeh, that's right), our sights shifted to learning the art of "calling for help" (not as "sexy" as the former, but just as necessary). In this class, we were given the basics of how to call in fire support, due to being in a compromised position (enemy attacking) or in the orchestration of a strike from a distance. Using a wall of one room as a projection screen, a large but real picture of a territory with buildings, roads and vehicles was displayed; much like a view of the countryside from a hilltop. In front of us, on the table, was a topographical map of the same territory with coordinated grids. Through our teaching, we were given a target on the wall projection and asked to find the coordinates on the map. Subsequently, we used a special set of binoculars with measurement lines in the optics and our maps to determine the distance and angle of incidence (what direction we are pointed). After determining the distance from us and the coordinates, we called in the air strike to the command center, requesting the attack. Essentially, we sat at our table and pretended to use a radio to call in the attack while two individuals sat at the computer, spoke back to us and entered the command into the computer. Then, an attack plane would sore across the projected wall image and drop bombs on the target. Very much like a video game for training. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">May 14…Engaged in Leadership...and Lectures</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Another day of lectures. I'm not going to bore you with the details, but here are the class names: ROE (Rules of Engagement), Law of War, Code of Conduct, Graduated Response, and Media Awareness. Enough said. As the last exercise of the day, we had one of our Leadership Engagements. Below, you can see Josh and Travis sit with an interpreter between them discussing made up issues with the village leaders…riveting. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls7JJN9D7I/AAAAAAAAAUg/zJOxVnHecLI/s1600-h/IMG_0140.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls7JJN9D7I/AAAAAAAAAUg/zJOxVnHecLI/s320/IMG_0140.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357941209966645170" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Check out the fascination of the audience.)</p> <!--EndFragment--> </div></div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-33028240892268413912009-06-02T19:04:00.000-07:002009-07-13T06:53:00.858-07:00Day 44 (Tuesday May 12, 2009)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Saving lives and blowing things up...No contradiction whatsoever</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today was interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not only did we “learn” about saving lives, military style, we were introduced to the MK 19 (pronounced Mark 19).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is a big gun used to fire grenades…cool.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The morning was fairly relaxed; no 0400 wakeup call, no Hum V preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instead, our team met up at one of the warehouses on Camp Funstun where we were informed of our last “Combat Life Saver” evolution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I realize I haven’t spoken of this in a while, so let me get you up to speed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Combat Life Saver course is designed for every soldier heading into war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They teach the basics of medical response as it pertains to the military and combat care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few principles include the “Golden Hour” (a finite period of time in which a critically wounded soldier should be medically evacuated to a medical facility for advanced care to increase the chances of survival), “Care under fire” (just as it sounds; first and foremost, return fire and provide security prior to administering care), and “Tourniquets are invaluable”…OK, you won’t find that last one listed anywhere, but it’s true…so they say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This evolution was a practical exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were given a scenario in which a large piece of machinery had blown up on our base and the explosion and fire had injured multiple people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our medical contingency consisted of 14 Navy (all medical) and about 15-20 Army (not medical) personnel to handle the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Following a siren to simulate an alarm for the explosion, we all headed outside to assess the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As a means of providing the Army team more medical experience <i>(aren't we generous)</i>, we let them be the first responders and treat the patients initially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Subsequently, they brought the wounded soldiers to us and we triaged them for further medical need and evacuation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ultimately, we prioritized each of the eight patients for transport via a Blackhawk helicopter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The exercise only lasted about 30 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The second scenario (for our two teams) depicted a mortar (bomb) exploding in a cafeteria injuring several people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again, to offer our Army counterparts more practice, our Navy team acted as “couriers of wounded” and mentors to assist in triage and treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To enrich our experience, the instructors set off explosions every 3-5 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No destruction occurred via the explosions, lest a little bit of my hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All of the injured soldiers were actors and one gentleman in particular was acting deranged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was quite humorous for the first few minutes as he yelled expletives; though eventually, he just became annoying.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I suppose that was the point; how to deal with the “crazies”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SloFWJezyiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/X6MlIp9ztNo/s1600-h/DSC00561.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SloFWJezyiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/X6MlIp9ztNo/s320/DSC00561.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357600584771029538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Josh and Mike giddy about the range.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">While the Combat Life Saver evolutions took up the morning, we were rife with anticipation for the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You see, we were headed to the range to fire the MK 19 grenade launcher…and as a bonus, we didn’t have to clean the weapons afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Air Force got stuck with that duty, since we cleaned all of the CrewServ Weapons the prior week...we still got the short end of that deal.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Essentially, this was a fun day on the range.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SloGcKpjCRI/AAAAAAAAATY/sVE6A1MGNXI/s1600-h/DSC00566.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SloGcKpjCRI/AAAAAAAAATY/sVE6A1MGNXI/s320/DSC00566.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357601787675347218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Me just gettin' a feel for the MK 19.)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SloJclD64OI/AAAAAAAAATo/sVDFAjflhpA/s1600-h/DSC00574.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SloJclD64OI/AAAAAAAAATo/sVDFAjflhpA/s320/DSC00574.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357605093300166882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Grenades!!!!)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">By the time we reached the range, the wind was whistling and cloud cover had drowned out most of the warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bundled in our rain gear (though it never did) we all gathered around the instructor and learned about the “ins and outs” of the weapon, referred to as PCM (Preventive/Prevention Cleaning and Maintenance).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Following this, we picked up our ammunition and headed to the Hum-Vs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They mount the MK 19s on the Hum-Vs, just like the .50 Cal and other CrewServs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We were each give 32 rounds to fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While aiming is possible via “traverse and elevation” dials, this is certainly more of an “area” weapon and shooting for vicinity is common.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Basically, when it was my turn, I blasted off my 32 rounds with reckless abandon and burned through my ammo in less than 2 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I liked it...i</span>t was fun.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you paid attention, as you stood behind the Hum-V watching others shoot, you could see the rounds as black dots in the air and follow their trajectory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SloGzEpY0mI/AAAAAAAAATg/N3RXUxAqAsU/s1600-h/DSC00569.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SloGzEpY0mI/AAAAAAAAATg/N3RXUxAqAsU/s320/DSC00569.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357602181201056354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">(Just waiting our turn.)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls8E4dQnUI/AAAAAAAAAUo/zfEXomJ5y2I/s1600-h/DSC00578.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/Sls8E4dQnUI/AAAAAAAAAUo/zfEXomJ5y2I/s320/DSC00578.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357942236259589442" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Again, it was fun, but it was cold out and everyone was a bit tired from the long day at the range yesterday. With that, we called it a day.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> </span></p></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-62620721756233378012009-06-02T17:03:00.000-07:002009-06-09T19:43:09.582-07:00Writer's BlockHi All, <div><br /></div><div>I apologize for being so "delinquent" on my blog for the past 3 weeks. I have been remarkably unmotivated to write anything. However, I have continued to take many pictures and am in the process of writting again. Geez, I sound like a novelist with writter's block. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you get time, check back soon and I will have plenty more to show you. Take care and I'm thinking of you all as I finish up my last week here in Kansas and prepare for deployment. </div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-19994390509421782932009-05-21T13:27:00.000-07:002009-06-02T19:03:41.568-07:00Day 43 (Monday May 11, 2009)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Let's shoot more stuff...</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">M9 Qualification</span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After a short, but entertaining weekend, we're back at it again. This time, we were heading to the range to fire our personal weapons, the M9 (9 mm pistol) and M4 (rifle...similar to the M16). Our wake up call for this evolution was not quite as bad as the 0430 alarm just a few days earlier for our range day on the big weapons. And, in standard fashion, you can see I was sporting the "cup o' Jo" again. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> We're really roughin' it, huh?</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF7dXQGBsI/AAAAAAAAAQw/Rp68n2eufw0/s320/Day+2+on+the+range+with+java.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341686377426060994" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(That's not a gang sign...alla <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Ironman</span></span>...it means day 2 on the range.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our first task for this morning was to qualify on the 9 mm pistol. After the safety brief near the bleachers, we moved out in groups to receive our magazines with a particular number of rounds loaded into each one. Magazines, in this case, are the cartridges full of ammunition that are loaded into the weapon...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">not variably interesting viewpoints by journalists assimilated on paper..</span>.sorry, bad attempt at humor...this journaling thing is tough. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Approaching the range, there were two rows of mounded dirt at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 meters intervals, in front of each firing sector. (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">see the first two pictures below</span>) The sector (or lane) is the area an individual will fire in. Having been given a chance to fire a few rounds for familiarization, we proceeded into the qualification. Unfortunately, I can't remember the sequence of the pop-up targets, but the general idea was have our pistols at the "low ready" position (which means pointed at the dirt...away from your neighbor) and fire upon the targets as they popped up. As the targets pop up, one only has a few seconds before it disappears...so you have to be on your toes. For anyone who hasn't fired a pistol...or even those that have, it's not as easy as it sounds. But, we all qualified and moved on to the M4 evolution. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9NbRFs4I/AAAAAAAAARw/LwlsnCQ-Us8/s1600-h/View+of+M9+range+2.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9NbRFs4I/AAAAAAAAARw/LwlsnCQ-Us8/s320/View+of+M9+range+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341688302649324418" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9NZ4h1DI/AAAAAAAAARo/fLWRcGK3cJ8/s1600-h/View+of+M9+range+1.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9NZ4h1DI/AAAAAAAAARo/fLWRcGK3cJ8/s320/View+of+M9+range+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341688302277874738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF7eHtxGVI/AAAAAAAAARQ/1huMgAeSmew/s1600-h/Me+at+M9+range.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF7eHtxGVI/AAAAAAAAARQ/1huMgAeSmew/s320/Me+at+M9+range.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341686390435420498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ready to draw my "9". </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9NO3V50I/AAAAAAAAARg/royUlTMe9t8/s1600-h/Our+team+hanging+around+after+shooting+M9.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9NO3V50I/AAAAAAAAARg/royUlTMe9t8/s320/Our+team+hanging+around+after+shooting+M9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341688299320108866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Part of the team waiting around after shooting the M9.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">M4 Qualification</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9M5PAnjI/AAAAAAAAARY/JCo7syrduPY/s1600-h/Our+team+getting+ready+for+M4+range.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9M5PAnjI/AAAAAAAAARY/JCo7syrduPY/s320/Our+team+getting+ready+for+M4+range.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341688293513797170" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(M4 firing range beyond the tower.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The M4 range was a bit more complex than the M9. Having traveled up the road to a different range (actually, it was range next door), we began by "sighting in" our weapon. Initially we sighted in our "iron sights". Sounds tough, doesn't it..."iron sights". Truth be told, these are the sight posts anchored to the weapon; one near the barrel and one near the trigger. We fired at a paper target approximately 25 meters away. Initially, we shot for a "group", which means we fired a single round, three times and walked to the target to check our marks. If our group was within a 4 cm square area, we would start adjusting either our far "iron sight" up or down, or the near "iron sight" left or right. Each time we would fire three single rounds and check our positioning. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiXVHAucFHI/AAAAAAAAASo/bbIADhSPyTk/s1600-h/M4+Iron+Sight+Targeting.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiXVHAucFHI/AAAAAAAAASo/bbIADhSPyTk/s320/M4+Iron+Sight+Targeting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342910849375540338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Sighting in the "iron sights"...the first group is in the lower right corner and the next two groups show me moving closer to center mass.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After this was accomplished, we sighted in our M68...the laser scope. With this scope, we don't use our iron sights at all. Rather, once the laser is sighted in, we look through the scope and put the little red dot on the target and fire. I believe this was made for goofballs like me who have rarely fired a gun...very easy. The "sighting in" portion of the M68 was very similar to that of the iron sights. Again, first we shoot for a "group" and then adjust a "traversing" (right or left) or "elevation" dial to march our group closer to the "center mass" of the target...center mass basically refers to the bull's eye. The only way this works, is if the shooter has the same sight picture every time. This means, I will always look at the same point on the paper target (center mass) and shoot my three rounds. Therefore, the targeting mechanism moves, not my view of the sight picture. I know I didn't explain that very well, so feel free to ask me about it later.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiXVHQUOX5I/AAAAAAAAASw/Xl-bJdruhGU/s1600-h/M4+M68+Sight+Targeting.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiXVHQUOX5I/AAAAAAAAASw/Xl-bJdruhGU/s320/M4+M68+Sight+Targeting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342910853560557458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(M68 Laser sighting in...progressively, each group moves towards center mass.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once our M4's were sighted in, we moved down to the qualification range and collected our ammunition. There were between 16-18 lanes on this range. As we moved out to our respective lanes, we were met by an instructor who would be with us during the entirety of the shoot. His job...as was the case, all were men...was to help us maintain safety with the weapon and direct us as to which targets were going to pop up. These targets were set between 50 and 300 meters, at intervals of 25-50 meters. Honestly, I can't remember where each one was. Anyway, the targets were green silhouettes of people that would fall down once hit, though I think many of my targets that were broken...because they didn't go down...OK, maybe I'm making that up. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the qualification, the initial phase was spent standing in a fox hole (a cement box built into the ground) with our M4 supported on sand bags.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF7dtkJ8NI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/eOEpgJXZS1w/s1600-h/Fox+hole+for+M4+range.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF7dtkJ8NI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/eOEpgJXZS1w/s320/Fox+hole+for+M4+range.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341686383415783634" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(My teammate firing from the "fox hole" and the instructor to his left.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We used one 20 round magazine for 20 targets. The second phase consisted of a 10 round magazine for 10 targets in the fox hole, unsupported by the sand bags. Finally, the third phase was conducted out of the fox hole, in the kneeling position; firing 10 rounds for 10 targets. This last position of firing was the most difficult. It's amazing how tired one becomes over the course of the qualification and how hard it is to steady your weapon without any support. But, I believe this is part of the intent, to familiarize us with the weapon, our proficiencies, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">and</span></span> limitations. Overall, I shot 31 out of 40 targets for a designation of "Sharp Shooter". Not bad for my first time. We have some pretty good shooters on our Navy-Army team, and a couple scored at the Expert level...36/40. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were done with the daytime qualification by 1100 and headed back to the barracks for a little "R & R". As with the larger "Crew Serve" weapons on the prior range day, we still needed to come back for the nighttime qualification. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back at the range by 2000, we received our safety brief and had our PEC 2 Infrared Lasers sighted in by the instructors. Wait a minute..."what is a PEC 2?" you ask. Well, this is another laser sight on our M4 that allows us to target objectives at night, while wearing our night vision goggles (NVG's). It's a very cool device. Essentially, while wearing the NVG's, you turn on your PEC 2 and point your weapon down range. Once you see the bright, light-green dot on the target...Fire! Due to the nature of this laser, you don't even need to look through your sights, rather you can "shoot from the hip" so to speak. One interesting point about this night shoot is that unless there is some ambient light source creating enough light to see the target, or the target is holding a light, you can't necessarily see them. So, as each target popped up, a flashing light would appear, center mass. Now, because most of our enemy would not click a flashlight on and off at us repeatedly, the flashing light was to simulate gunfire from the end of their weapon...clever. Again, we had 40 targets. However, all of our shots were from the standing fox hole position. And again, I got a "Sharp Shooter" classification...couldn't break into the Expert level. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was a lot of fun and my instructor, Staff Seargent Keller, was very cool and very helpful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To top it off, we weren't out at the range until 0500 the next morning either. I think we finished up by 2300 and were home by 2330...beautiful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF7d-pdI6I/AAAAAAAAARA/ishUg_QyiHQ/s1600-h/Josh,+JC,+McClure,+Sgt+Barnes+and+Chief+E+at+M4+range.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF7d-pdI6I/AAAAAAAAARA/ishUg_QyiHQ/s320/Josh,+JC,+McClure,+Sgt+Barnes+and+Chief+E+at+M4+range.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341686388001416098" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Some of my teammates hanging out in the bleachers following their qualifications.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9NtfzNsI/AAAAAAAAAR4/RuQq8-ygQYY/s1600-h/Mike+relaxing+at+M4+range.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF9NtfzNsI/AAAAAAAAAR4/RuQq8-ygQYY/s320/Mike+relaxing+at+M4+range.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341688307542865602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(Mike, aka "Fifty Cal", just chillin'.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF7d6-kksI/AAAAAAAAARI/ro8M54Y3Kp4/s1600-h/Me+at+M4+range.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/SiF7d6-kksI/AAAAAAAAARI/ro8M54Y3Kp4/s320/Me+at+M4+range.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341686387016241858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(I don't know who this is, but he keeps popping up in my pictures.)</div></div></div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6215580330054294136.post-29087919944145148292009-05-21T13:06:00.000-07:002009-05-21T13:26:32.396-07:00Day 41-42 (Sat & Sun May 9-10, 2009)<div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday was a nice, relaxing day. I think I slept until 1030...fantastic! After doing very little, aside from a light workout, some of our team members were going to make margaritas outside around dinner time. As luck would have it, another group of Army Reservists, were also planning a little BBQ. Forces collided, stars aligned, the heavens were appeased...in other words, we combined efforts and had a big ol' BBQ with alcohol. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/ShW3zmh78HI/AAAAAAAAAQM/It77eIfLlbs/s320/BBQ+with+Army.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338375030461689970" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Following the BBQ, a few of us went to the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">LT Dan Band </span>concert being put on for free on base. The band is named for it's base player, Gary Sinise. Ring a bell? Gary Sinise is a movie and TV star from such shows as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">CSI: New York</span></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Apollo 13</span></span> and probably most notably, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Forrest Gump</span></span>...hence the LT Dan reference. They sang music from the 70's all the way up to contemporary. It was great. And, after learning that Gary and his band do free concerts for the troops and their families, and how supportive and grateful he is...I am a huge fan. Thank you Mr. Sinise. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/ShW30cWboLI/AAAAAAAAAQk/O4L2bmpXAL8/s1600-h/Stage+for+LT+Dan+Band.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/ShW30cWboLI/AAAAAAAAAQk/O4L2bmpXAL8/s320/Stage+for+LT+Dan+Band.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338375044908949682" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/ShW3z0BvfNI/AAAAAAAAAQU/8eV4jf_-fsg/s1600-h/Gary+Sinise+in+the+crowd.jpg"></a></div><div>Stage for the band.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/ShW3z0BvfNI/AAAAAAAAAQU/8eV4jf_-fsg/s1600-h/Gary+Sinise+in+the+crowd.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/ShW3z0BvfNI/AAAAAAAAAQU/8eV4jf_-fsg/s320/Gary+Sinise+in+the+crowd.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338375034084752594" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>Gary Sinise playing in the crowd.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/ShW30Ac1OFI/AAAAAAAAAQc/RoMJ9v8MWJM/s1600-h/Gary+Sinise+playing+on+stage+with+one+of+the+singers.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OgmmNkd7qC8/ShW30Ac1OFI/AAAAAAAAAQc/RoMJ9v8MWJM/s320/Gary+Sinise+playing+on+stage+with+one+of+the+singers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338375037419599954" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Gary Sinise playing on stage with one of the singers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday...more sleeping in. I was very lazy today.</div>DJ and Izzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995106654250477194noreply@blogger.com0