Well here is another post. How's everyone doing? Here, not too bad although I don't feel real well today. Have a headache and so forth. Today was rather fun though. Several of us had the opportunity to train some Iraqi medics/nurses and civilian medical folks on medevac procedures. Afterwards, we took a flight around Baghdad. Pretty cool. I flew last year on my Balad deployment with the Charlie Co. medics so this was a refresher. Got some great shots. Hopefully, if my internet will cooperate, I can send some via email. Stand by for that because internet is really spotty around here most of the time!
Life here at Sather: Well it varies really. Some ground rules are that we can't travel off base without weapons and ammo, our Body Armour, and a buddy. We don't have to carry weapons around here all the time so they stay locked up in the armory. Our medical facility has sick call hours from 0700-1100.
OK, so we just took incoming fire and we have to get into ready positions. I'll write more later.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Deployment to Sather AB, Iraq - 9
04March09
Well, sorry folks, its been a long time since I wrote here, but hopefully that will change. I am on my own laptop now and can connect to the net a little more than before, so keep tuned to the blogs!
I stated in my last blog that we would discuss some of the good we are doing here in Iraq, particularly the things you may not hear about. One is the rebuilding. We are helping to not only build bases, supply routes and so forth for our own military use, but also schools, hospitals, refurbishing even mosques. Landmarks that have been around for thousands of years are part of this. We are teaching things to the Iraqis such as agriculture, business, government, human resource management, and even census. These are all things that don't show up in our "playbook" but we are doing them and more. We had a group of surgeons from the states here not long ago to teach the Iraqi physicians surgical techniques to include trauma. So when you hear about all the bad things on TV, please remember the good things that are being done.
Well things around here have been a zoo. Very busy to put it differently. We are still working a million hours a week trying to keep up and move ahead at the same time. Some changes and developments coming down the pipeline are a main focus and prep work for that is insane! I cannot really discuss it at this point, but trust me, its a big move. We are also preparing for a new group of people coming in and some others of our group leaving. That happens in the next couple weeks. We have also been moving around our living quarters quite often lately as well. Some of us in tents are waiting for the permanent trailers to be made ready. The tents we are in now are being torn down and sent to Afghanistan. One war to another. Even the tents are doing it.
I am now 4 days smokefree. I decided I was done with it and ready to make a clean break. It hasn't been easy, to say the least! Sunday and Monday were horrible. I had a short temper and concentration was minimal at best. I found, however, that the following 2 days went very well. It was relatively easy the 3rd and 4th day. That was a relief. For anyone wanting to quit smoking, stick it out a few days and you'll have it made. Trust me, if I can do it, you most certainly can! My main problem wasn't the habit or really the nicotine addiction. Its simply that I love to smoke. Despite the money, health, etc as reasons to quit, I just really love to smoke. Hopefully that goes away and I can enjoy the money and better health even more.
I have also started the process of going back to school to get my RN degree. Yes, even over here, you can go to school. Its a great benefit even in a deployment zone. I should be underway in a couple weeks. Thats a relief. Its great to know that even in a deployment zone, we can do so much to better ourselves. Better health, saving money, going back to school, etc. It's what you make it here. It can be 6 months in hell. Or it can be productive.
Next time, I will go into more detail on what life is like here. Stay tuned and I hope all is well!
Ricky...
Well, sorry folks, its been a long time since I wrote here, but hopefully that will change. I am on my own laptop now and can connect to the net a little more than before, so keep tuned to the blogs!
I stated in my last blog that we would discuss some of the good we are doing here in Iraq, particularly the things you may not hear about. One is the rebuilding. We are helping to not only build bases, supply routes and so forth for our own military use, but also schools, hospitals, refurbishing even mosques. Landmarks that have been around for thousands of years are part of this. We are teaching things to the Iraqis such as agriculture, business, government, human resource management, and even census. These are all things that don't show up in our "playbook" but we are doing them and more. We had a group of surgeons from the states here not long ago to teach the Iraqi physicians surgical techniques to include trauma. So when you hear about all the bad things on TV, please remember the good things that are being done.
Well things around here have been a zoo. Very busy to put it differently. We are still working a million hours a week trying to keep up and move ahead at the same time. Some changes and developments coming down the pipeline are a main focus and prep work for that is insane! I cannot really discuss it at this point, but trust me, its a big move. We are also preparing for a new group of people coming in and some others of our group leaving. That happens in the next couple weeks. We have also been moving around our living quarters quite often lately as well. Some of us in tents are waiting for the permanent trailers to be made ready. The tents we are in now are being torn down and sent to Afghanistan. One war to another. Even the tents are doing it.
I am now 4 days smokefree. I decided I was done with it and ready to make a clean break. It hasn't been easy, to say the least! Sunday and Monday were horrible. I had a short temper and concentration was minimal at best. I found, however, that the following 2 days went very well. It was relatively easy the 3rd and 4th day. That was a relief. For anyone wanting to quit smoking, stick it out a few days and you'll have it made. Trust me, if I can do it, you most certainly can! My main problem wasn't the habit or really the nicotine addiction. Its simply that I love to smoke. Despite the money, health, etc as reasons to quit, I just really love to smoke. Hopefully that goes away and I can enjoy the money and better health even more.
I have also started the process of going back to school to get my RN degree. Yes, even over here, you can go to school. Its a great benefit even in a deployment zone. I should be underway in a couple weeks. Thats a relief. Its great to know that even in a deployment zone, we can do so much to better ourselves. Better health, saving money, going back to school, etc. It's what you make it here. It can be 6 months in hell. Or it can be productive.
Next time, I will go into more detail on what life is like here. Stay tuned and I hope all is well!
Ricky...
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Deployment to Sather AB, Iraq - 8
Hello All. Hope you are well today. I am not, LOL! I'm sick as hell with what we call the Sather Sludge (cold and flu type crap)! I'm 3 days into antibiotics, so its getting better.
Well, the Iraqi elections came and went and all was relatively peaceful. Not much to report in the way of casualties. It was worse on the civilian side and alot of ativity in Tikrit, which, if you don't know, was Saddam's hometown, but then they always get frisky over there! Its the most worthless town on this earth, by far! But, we survived just fine and only minimal sounds of fireworks.
And the Super Bowl is tonight. A bit of breakdown from someone who knows football: Pittsburgh is going to take this as long as Big Ben doesn't choke and their defense shuts down the running game of the Cardinals, which they will in a big way! The cardinals will be lucky to rush for 50 yards on the night. Without it, they will wish they had Payton Manning slinging it instead of Kurt Warner! Pittsburgh by a 10 point margin in the win! :) We will be having a SB party here on Sather, but ours is at 1 am about 10 hours ahead of ya'll. We'll be watching it at the same time but just at different times, if that makes sense!
Lets see, what else. There are people waiting on computers so I have to be brief here this time. The weather is about the same except that its getting more and more windy, consistent with the summer season where we will see an increase in dust storms. We call them Shmauls here in Iraq, cuz...thats what they are called here. They can get pretty nasty! If you haven't seen pics of it, I'll try to get some running for ya! Yeah, you ain't seen duststorms till you get a load of these! We'll get em soon, for sure!
The schedule for us Medics will be changing soon to 24 hours on and off hopefully. That will make it more consistent and allow us to have a more even hand when it comes to sleep and other activities like the gym and errands, some of which, like sleep, we have not been able to do just yet! Everyone likes the idea, except for the Chief Nurse, who gets to approve it before it becomes law. She has, I don't mind saying, been about as worthless in work as she has been in thinking. When its really busy, she thinks its more important to catch people in action and take pictures than to help out! I have almost killed her and hidden the body many times! Pretty soon, she will either put up or shut up and I will enjoy going over her head again to the Commander if she disapproves this schedule! She really has become unnecessary in the grand scheme of things here at the hospital!
I am joining a smoking cessation class this coming week, so I can be in an even WORSE mood than I already have been! LOL! It'll be interesting to see if it works. I have tried to quit smoking several times and it never lasted obviously, but, we'll see. There is actually alot of support here for people who want to quit, so maybe it'll be easier. I will keep you informed of that! :)
I better go. The natives are growing restless! Ya'll enjoy the Super Bowl or whatever activity replaces it and I will say more later. Next time we will discuss the burning question: Are we making a difference here in Iraq? Yes, we sure are, and I will explain how that is.
Peace!
Ricky
Well, the Iraqi elections came and went and all was relatively peaceful. Not much to report in the way of casualties. It was worse on the civilian side and alot of ativity in Tikrit, which, if you don't know, was Saddam's hometown, but then they always get frisky over there! Its the most worthless town on this earth, by far! But, we survived just fine and only minimal sounds of fireworks.
And the Super Bowl is tonight. A bit of breakdown from someone who knows football: Pittsburgh is going to take this as long as Big Ben doesn't choke and their defense shuts down the running game of the Cardinals, which they will in a big way! The cardinals will be lucky to rush for 50 yards on the night. Without it, they will wish they had Payton Manning slinging it instead of Kurt Warner! Pittsburgh by a 10 point margin in the win! :) We will be having a SB party here on Sather, but ours is at 1 am about 10 hours ahead of ya'll. We'll be watching it at the same time but just at different times, if that makes sense!
Lets see, what else. There are people waiting on computers so I have to be brief here this time. The weather is about the same except that its getting more and more windy, consistent with the summer season where we will see an increase in dust storms. We call them Shmauls here in Iraq, cuz...thats what they are called here. They can get pretty nasty! If you haven't seen pics of it, I'll try to get some running for ya! Yeah, you ain't seen duststorms till you get a load of these! We'll get em soon, for sure!
The schedule for us Medics will be changing soon to 24 hours on and off hopefully. That will make it more consistent and allow us to have a more even hand when it comes to sleep and other activities like the gym and errands, some of which, like sleep, we have not been able to do just yet! Everyone likes the idea, except for the Chief Nurse, who gets to approve it before it becomes law. She has, I don't mind saying, been about as worthless in work as she has been in thinking. When its really busy, she thinks its more important to catch people in action and take pictures than to help out! I have almost killed her and hidden the body many times! Pretty soon, she will either put up or shut up and I will enjoy going over her head again to the Commander if she disapproves this schedule! She really has become unnecessary in the grand scheme of things here at the hospital!
I am joining a smoking cessation class this coming week, so I can be in an even WORSE mood than I already have been! LOL! It'll be interesting to see if it works. I have tried to quit smoking several times and it never lasted obviously, but, we'll see. There is actually alot of support here for people who want to quit, so maybe it'll be easier. I will keep you informed of that! :)
I better go. The natives are growing restless! Ya'll enjoy the Super Bowl or whatever activity replaces it and I will say more later. Next time we will discuss the burning question: Are we making a difference here in Iraq? Yes, we sure are, and I will explain how that is.
Peace!
Ricky
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Deployment to Sather AB, Iraq - 7
Good morning Everyone, I hope this finds you doing ok. For you all, its evening I am sure! Things are okay here except that I am sick as hell and of course sleep deprived still! No surprise there! Yeah, the crud is going around base like a wildfire, but thats not unusual on deployment. It is a standard induction to any base, especially here where there's all sorts of funky crap to contract! We call it the "Sather Sludge".
General Bishop joined us yesterday for a visit. He's a great guy. Very much enjoys talking to everyone and anyone, especially about history and philosophy. He doesn't act like a general. I should explain who he is. He is the Wing Commander, our base commander's boss. One of his favorite topics is the Tuskeegee Airmen. If you've never heard of them you should do some research and even read up. They are a fanscinating story! The first all black squadron of fighter pilots, they fought in WWII and had ultimately the best record of any squadron in the air during the war. Anyway, he is very supportive of the medical mission here in Iraq, something that gets very little recognition or notice around here. Until they need us, of course!
The nights are getting warmer and its about time for the weather to change. We will probably see high temps coming up soon. Not sure if I mentioned that, LOL! But the days are gorgeous around here for the most part.
I had one chance yesterday to get a few hours sleep, mid shift. Yeah, that didn't happen. I was about 10 minutes dozed off, and the HVAC (heating/air) people came by to try to hook something up in our tent. They made enough noise to wake the comatose! I very unpolitely told them to leave a number of times before I became unbelievably pissed. By the time they left, I was too mad to sleep, so I went back to work and 17 hours later, here I am. Its almost midmorning here into my third shift. We will see how the rest of today works out. I am waiting on the commander to go to a series of meetings so I can leave here. If he gets moving, I can go sleep for a few, maybe. I may have to duct tape his ass to the roof of the ambulance and drive him 15 yards to the admin building!
It seems, as if I haven't already said so, that the last rotation of people that we replaced left us with quite a mess in all departments. We have been so busy trying to get things caught up and in order, that even our daily tasks take a few extra hours each day. And all of our days off. Hopefully in a couple more weeks things will iron out and we'll be able to maintain all departments easier with minimal work, at least less than we are doing right now. A couple hours of my day are spent doing records management. Going through old records and trying to find out where these people are and where to get their records sent to. Its really aggravating but I don't think the last group filed one single piece of paper into anyone's medical record!
Okay, enough griping. My boss is leaving and I am off to hide for a bit! Hope all is well! I should be able to start sending pics in the near future. Take care!
Ricky...
General Bishop joined us yesterday for a visit. He's a great guy. Very much enjoys talking to everyone and anyone, especially about history and philosophy. He doesn't act like a general. I should explain who he is. He is the Wing Commander, our base commander's boss. One of his favorite topics is the Tuskeegee Airmen. If you've never heard of them you should do some research and even read up. They are a fanscinating story! The first all black squadron of fighter pilots, they fought in WWII and had ultimately the best record of any squadron in the air during the war. Anyway, he is very supportive of the medical mission here in Iraq, something that gets very little recognition or notice around here. Until they need us, of course!
The nights are getting warmer and its about time for the weather to change. We will probably see high temps coming up soon. Not sure if I mentioned that, LOL! But the days are gorgeous around here for the most part.
I had one chance yesterday to get a few hours sleep, mid shift. Yeah, that didn't happen. I was about 10 minutes dozed off, and the HVAC (heating/air) people came by to try to hook something up in our tent. They made enough noise to wake the comatose! I very unpolitely told them to leave a number of times before I became unbelievably pissed. By the time they left, I was too mad to sleep, so I went back to work and 17 hours later, here I am. Its almost midmorning here into my third shift. We will see how the rest of today works out. I am waiting on the commander to go to a series of meetings so I can leave here. If he gets moving, I can go sleep for a few, maybe. I may have to duct tape his ass to the roof of the ambulance and drive him 15 yards to the admin building!
It seems, as if I haven't already said so, that the last rotation of people that we replaced left us with quite a mess in all departments. We have been so busy trying to get things caught up and in order, that even our daily tasks take a few extra hours each day. And all of our days off. Hopefully in a couple more weeks things will iron out and we'll be able to maintain all departments easier with minimal work, at least less than we are doing right now. A couple hours of my day are spent doing records management. Going through old records and trying to find out where these people are and where to get their records sent to. Its really aggravating but I don't think the last group filed one single piece of paper into anyone's medical record!
Okay, enough griping. My boss is leaving and I am off to hide for a bit! Hope all is well! I should be able to start sending pics in the near future. Take care!
Ricky...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Deployment to Sather AB, Iraq - 6
Good morning from Iraq! Well, its morning here, anyway. Just finished another very long triple shift and I just MIGHT have today off! LOL! Whewwwwww! That would be cool, but I won't know what to do with myself. I was supposed to be off almost 2 hours ago, but they threw an exercise in at the very minute I was about to get off shift. Figures.
I have been asked before "what do I miss"...I miss a stove top stuffing commercial on TV. Or any commercial. Here they have propaganda military ads about not drinking and driving, wearing seat belts, prevent sexual harrassment, etc. They aren't commercials. I miss driving a vehicle that doesn't outweigh your house. Here we drive ambulances and large humvees and trucks. Back home I drive a two door convertible! I miss wearing civilian clothes like jeans and a t shirt or slacks and a button up shirt if Im going out (another thing I miss!). Here its either your uniform or your PT (physical training) shorts, running pants, etc. They get boring after awhile! These are just a few things we ALL miss around here. Soon, we will be watching the Super Bowl and we'll miss the beer and other refreshments that go with it. You can't drink alcohol here in the war zone.
I wanted to also let ya know that the military computers don't allow us to access certain sites, like this one, and we also cannot plug SD cards or flash drives into any computers here on base or military wide due to some bug that was put in some of them at the manufacturer. So, I have not been able to do anything with the pics I have taken so far. I'll try once I get a laptop here. Plus, we are experiencing a shortage of CD-R disks on base and in country, and thats our only way of saving the pics. Lovely, eh?
Not much else to report, really. We are gearing up for the elections to be held in a few days. That should be fun, as mentioned in my last post. So far its been relatively calm. Now that I say that...
We are also gearing up for the big General's visit this week sometime. We've been cleaning house and making things sparkle as best we can in this toilet. I guess I shouldn't say that. Its growing on us. HaHa! I can say this: Time has sure gone fast! Its already been 2 weeks. I guess we are too busy to know what day it is or how long its been most of the time.
Well I will send more later. Hope all is well! Stay well, stay safe and keep in touch! Much love!
Ricky...
I have been asked before "what do I miss"...I miss a stove top stuffing commercial on TV. Or any commercial. Here they have propaganda military ads about not drinking and driving, wearing seat belts, prevent sexual harrassment, etc. They aren't commercials. I miss driving a vehicle that doesn't outweigh your house. Here we drive ambulances and large humvees and trucks. Back home I drive a two door convertible! I miss wearing civilian clothes like jeans and a t shirt or slacks and a button up shirt if Im going out (another thing I miss!). Here its either your uniform or your PT (physical training) shorts, running pants, etc. They get boring after awhile! These are just a few things we ALL miss around here. Soon, we will be watching the Super Bowl and we'll miss the beer and other refreshments that go with it. You can't drink alcohol here in the war zone.
I wanted to also let ya know that the military computers don't allow us to access certain sites, like this one, and we also cannot plug SD cards or flash drives into any computers here on base or military wide due to some bug that was put in some of them at the manufacturer. So, I have not been able to do anything with the pics I have taken so far. I'll try once I get a laptop here. Plus, we are experiencing a shortage of CD-R disks on base and in country, and thats our only way of saving the pics. Lovely, eh?
Not much else to report, really. We are gearing up for the elections to be held in a few days. That should be fun, as mentioned in my last post. So far its been relatively calm. Now that I say that...
We are also gearing up for the big General's visit this week sometime. We've been cleaning house and making things sparkle as best we can in this toilet. I guess I shouldn't say that. Its growing on us. HaHa! I can say this: Time has sure gone fast! Its already been 2 weeks. I guess we are too busy to know what day it is or how long its been most of the time.
Well I will send more later. Hope all is well! Stay well, stay safe and keep in touch! Much love!
Ricky...
Friday, January 23, 2009
Deployment to Sather AB, Iraq - 6
Well its a little after 3am here in Baghdad. I've been on my normal 3 shifts in a row type deal. Seems like joining the military means there is no need for sleep anymore! LOL! People have asked me many times on past deployments what a "typical day" is like here. I'll try to tell you, but it varies a little each day. All times are approximate and this may not be an everyday thing:
0800: Roll call. Most of us are on shift anyway, so we sit through the pass ons and such.
0830: Run patient labs and do wound care.
0900: Meeting with the Commander and his senior staff on something I am unable to discuss right now. Its a secret.
1100: People start going for lunch breaks so I do admin duties such as charting, filing, returning phone calls, etc.
1300 (1pm): If the Commander has meetings and such, this will be the area of time her has them.
1600 (4pm): start doing medications, more wound care, dictations, meetings with enlisted personnel.
1800 (6pm): Break people for dinner and prepare for shift change. Patient care, sick call, and ambulance/vehicle checks.
2000 (8pm): Shift change, Laboratory essentials, charting, filing, dictations, vaccinations, sick call,
2200: Start over for the night shift. All the above just slower and more at our pace.
Depending on the activity, many things carry over from shift to shift and we stay at it until its all done. Other things come up such as patient transfers to other bases, ambulance calls, etc. So by the end of a day, we are usually pretty backed up. Eventually, I want to start adding eating and gym and sleep time into this schedule, LOL! We'll see how that works!
I should expain how things look around here as far as what's in the area without saying HOW its all layed out. First, know that there are several bases around this area we call BIAP (Baghdad International Airport). Its also called the VBS (Victory Base Complex). There are several places such as Camp Liberty, Camp Victory, Camp Slayer, Camp Stryker, Camp Cropper, Sather AB, etc. All of it is Army except Sather AB where I am. Each camp has its own function which I won't go into for security reasons and such or how its all specifically laid out. Just know its all in the area around here. Also in this area is the Green Zone and the IZ (International Zone where the UN offices sit and so forth). Its quite the area. Then, in the same area, is downtown Baghdad. One wrong turn off this base and you CAN find yourself there, LOL! If you start driving down crazy ass streets and passed guys on the side of the road smoking and holding AK-47 assault rifles, you'll know you are in downtown Baghdad! Its happened here before, just not to me yet. The last clue you will get is if they start pointing those rifles at you. Then, if the lightbulb hasn't gone on, you have bigger problems than being about to die. But you have to be an absolute moron to turn down that wrong way. Its marked "WRONG WAY" and "DO NOT ENTER BAGHDAD". So, Im not sure what clues you need. If you stay off that road, you can't get to Baghdad from the base. Its really hard to make this mistake!
We have our weekly BBQ's on saturday nights. Tonight will be our second since being here. I was ok with this happening as long as I didn't have to organize or shop for it. Others had to step up and take ownership of it cuz I have way too much to deal with! Everyone does, for the most part, but if others want that extra duty, let em have it. But they are a good time. We invite other areas, like the gate guards, communications, firefighters, and such to these functions. Its a good way to network and get to know the folks we work with on a daily basis and build a relationship that pays off if we or they ever need something. Its also where we celebrate birthdays for the week, special events such as reenlistments, new births in the family (our commander is about to be a grandfather again, and he is tellin everyone!), etc. We buy premium, really high priced cigars for cheap as hell (Im talking Cubans and such), sit around a bonfire, cook up some burgers and dogs and so forth, and chill for a couple hours. Its a nice break from the ordinary, and the crazy. It goes over pretty well!
Well, I just re enlisted here this past week. I will be in for another 6 years at least, probably more. I plan to make a career out of the Air Force. Its a good career and I still enjoy it, most days. I guess with anything, you hold onto something like a job or a car while you still enjoy it.
Better run. Have a few things to do this morning. Its closing in on 4am and Im sure the medics are wondering where I escaped to! Ya'll take care and be well! I'll send more later. Peace!
SSgt Ricky Tiernan
0800: Roll call. Most of us are on shift anyway, so we sit through the pass ons and such.
0830: Run patient labs and do wound care.
0900: Meeting with the Commander and his senior staff on something I am unable to discuss right now. Its a secret.
1100: People start going for lunch breaks so I do admin duties such as charting, filing, returning phone calls, etc.
1300 (1pm): If the Commander has meetings and such, this will be the area of time her has them.
1600 (4pm): start doing medications, more wound care, dictations, meetings with enlisted personnel.
1800 (6pm): Break people for dinner and prepare for shift change. Patient care, sick call, and ambulance/vehicle checks.
2000 (8pm): Shift change, Laboratory essentials, charting, filing, dictations, vaccinations, sick call,
2200: Start over for the night shift. All the above just slower and more at our pace.
Depending on the activity, many things carry over from shift to shift and we stay at it until its all done. Other things come up such as patient transfers to other bases, ambulance calls, etc. So by the end of a day, we are usually pretty backed up. Eventually, I want to start adding eating and gym and sleep time into this schedule, LOL! We'll see how that works!
I should expain how things look around here as far as what's in the area without saying HOW its all layed out. First, know that there are several bases around this area we call BIAP (Baghdad International Airport). Its also called the VBS (Victory Base Complex). There are several places such as Camp Liberty, Camp Victory, Camp Slayer, Camp Stryker, Camp Cropper, Sather AB, etc. All of it is Army except Sather AB where I am. Each camp has its own function which I won't go into for security reasons and such or how its all specifically laid out. Just know its all in the area around here. Also in this area is the Green Zone and the IZ (International Zone where the UN offices sit and so forth). Its quite the area. Then, in the same area, is downtown Baghdad. One wrong turn off this base and you CAN find yourself there, LOL! If you start driving down crazy ass streets and passed guys on the side of the road smoking and holding AK-47 assault rifles, you'll know you are in downtown Baghdad! Its happened here before, just not to me yet. The last clue you will get is if they start pointing those rifles at you. Then, if the lightbulb hasn't gone on, you have bigger problems than being about to die. But you have to be an absolute moron to turn down that wrong way. Its marked "WRONG WAY" and "DO NOT ENTER BAGHDAD". So, Im not sure what clues you need. If you stay off that road, you can't get to Baghdad from the base. Its really hard to make this mistake!
We have our weekly BBQ's on saturday nights. Tonight will be our second since being here. I was ok with this happening as long as I didn't have to organize or shop for it. Others had to step up and take ownership of it cuz I have way too much to deal with! Everyone does, for the most part, but if others want that extra duty, let em have it. But they are a good time. We invite other areas, like the gate guards, communications, firefighters, and such to these functions. Its a good way to network and get to know the folks we work with on a daily basis and build a relationship that pays off if we or they ever need something. Its also where we celebrate birthdays for the week, special events such as reenlistments, new births in the family (our commander is about to be a grandfather again, and he is tellin everyone!), etc. We buy premium, really high priced cigars for cheap as hell (Im talking Cubans and such), sit around a bonfire, cook up some burgers and dogs and so forth, and chill for a couple hours. Its a nice break from the ordinary, and the crazy. It goes over pretty well!
Well, I just re enlisted here this past week. I will be in for another 6 years at least, probably more. I plan to make a career out of the Air Force. Its a good career and I still enjoy it, most days. I guess with anything, you hold onto something like a job or a car while you still enjoy it.
Better run. Have a few things to do this morning. Its closing in on 4am and Im sure the medics are wondering where I escaped to! Ya'll take care and be well! I'll send more later. Peace!
SSgt Ricky Tiernan
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Deployment to Sather AB, Iraq - 5
Well its almost 2 weeks here now. Still lovely freakin Sather AB, right in the middle of hell. Still have people trying to piss everyone off, but this time, now that the old rotation is gone, others are stepping up to do the job they were doing. Piss us off and keep us from sleeping. The Chief Master Sgt decided to do this morning roll call thing. We are required to be there even if we are not on shift, such as a day off. This, just as we were starting to get everyone days off. So, even if you haven't slept or had just gotten to sleep, you have to get your ass up, attend the briefing and roll call, and if you get a chance, go back to bed. Its not like walking across the street. Its walk across the compound. We've already had people miss the roll call or be late and he's handing out LOR's (letters of reprimand) like candy at halloween. I'm arguing that its not fair to those who aren't required to be there and here's why: the very second a person steps into the facility, they are trapped! You can be off shift, on call, or on shift and if you go into the medical facility, you ain't leaving anytime soon! Yesterday. My day off started after working a double shift (24hours +). I stayed for roll call. I ended up travelling to other bases, back to the clinic, got stuck doing admin stuff, worked a cardiac emergency, got stuck in the lab, and did not leave the building until 4pm. This after having worked a double shift the day before and still had had no sleep. Its that way with everyone. So, I argue, if you don't have to be there, you shouldn't have to go there. Its a fight I'm willing to have and will keep you updated.
Not much new otherwise. Iraqi elections are coming up the end of this month and we are gearing up for several days of escalating violence surrounding them (Jan 31). It happens everytime and we will see how this one goes. If the Iraqi government would stop having elections every few months, we could avoid all this BS. Just get to freakin work, take back the country, and kiss and make up. Its about responsibility and getting it done. These dumbasses would rather piss, moan, and argue then get any problems solved. I say take away the life jacket and see how long it takes to learn to freakin swim!
Okay, enough for now. I'll stay in touch. Recognize, I can only get on this blog from the morale computers at another part of base. The military computers don't allow access here, so whenever I have a few minutes, I will get on here to keep you informed.
Take care Everyone and stay in touch!
Ricky...
Not much new otherwise. Iraqi elections are coming up the end of this month and we are gearing up for several days of escalating violence surrounding them (Jan 31). It happens everytime and we will see how this one goes. If the Iraqi government would stop having elections every few months, we could avoid all this BS. Just get to freakin work, take back the country, and kiss and make up. Its about responsibility and getting it done. These dumbasses would rather piss, moan, and argue then get any problems solved. I say take away the life jacket and see how long it takes to learn to freakin swim!
Okay, enough for now. I'll stay in touch. Recognize, I can only get on this blog from the morale computers at another part of base. The military computers don't allow access here, so whenever I have a few minutes, I will get on here to keep you informed.
Take care Everyone and stay in touch!
Ricky...
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