Blowing Stuff Up

We were given a chance to go and blow up some things.  It was a good time.  We used bandoliers, C4, and TNT.  It was a good time…and very loud.

Getting ready to run the wire.

Connecting detonation wire to the bandoliers.

Not the best picture but this is one of the craters after the explosion.

Yes this is someone handing ME some C4!

I thought that this was funny.  On one side it said it was 1 pound of TNT and on the other side it is the it is “equivalent to two 1/2 pound TNT blocks.”  hmmm

This was a good time.  With how flat it is here we had reports over 50 miles away that explosions were heard outside of Najaf.  Always nice to be heard.

Bye.

American Flag

I flew a flag over our FOB for about a month.  It is dirty and a little worn because the wind never stops here.  I will proudly display this in my home.

And now a quote:

“ My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy. I confess I had no idea of it myself.” -Thomas Jefferson

Supporting NUCOR in Iraq

Below are some pictures of the NUCOR flag that was given to me by Stan Walker and Dave Olmsted. I thought that it would be fun to fly the flag here.

Bye

Sand Storms and Reconstruction

So we have had a series of sand storms come in. We have had just enough time, it seems, between them to pick up and get ready for the next. Thankfully we have not had one in the last week. But this last week has been spent fixing most of what was broken. I can talk about some of what was broke so here goes.

Our SF Team medic was helping to secure the roof sheeting with sand bags. I did not get pictures of what happen to the roof but let's just say that most of the roof you see now was not there after the next storm.

While we were putting up the sand bags this came in. We spent the next day and half in our rooms playing HALO because you couldn't see in front of you more than 2 feet.

Another picture from the other side.

After most the storms came through this is how we found our "securely covered" .50 Cal Machine Gun. This dust will get in every crack not matter how tight.

You might ask if this what fun to clean this and to answer your question I would probably slap you.

Well all that begins well ends well right. This is me bringing roofing sheets to an Iraqi "contractor." He was not the sharpest knife in the drawer. There were 2 of them and let me tell you if our buildings in the U.S.A. were built by these guys, well, God help us.

I was making fun of a commercial, I have no clue what this guy was doing. (hint: he is an Iraqi)

SPC Owen G. Tapp picking up busted roof sheets WITH NO GLOVES! Yes he cut his hand. I laughed at him.

And this one takes the cake. This is what these guys called a good weld. I am not sure about you but this is what Mr. Summers calls "Goose Shit." (Mr. Summers was my High School shop teacher)

Well it is fun out here. OK so I am lying but we are making the most of it. Thanks for all your support.

Bye.

This is What I Came Back To

Sand storms are so fun. The day after I came back this blew in and stayed to 2 days. Once it settled it covered the rocks with a layer of sand. When you walked over it there were foot prints like walking in snow. It was hot also so when you got all the dust on and in your shoes and then sweat, well then you have mud in your socks and shoes. No I do not like Iraq if that is what you want to ask. Right now it is nice. The sun is out and we have lows of 65 and highs of 90. So it is a lot the same temperature as home. Bad thing is that it is in April so that means that it will only get hotter in the coming months.

Bye.

Helicopters

Here at FOB Endeavor we don't have a landing pad just a big sandy area for the coppers to land. It is fun to watch them to come in because of all the sand it kicks up. They all travel in two and after the first one lands the seconds comes in to land but cannot because of all the dust. It is funny to see them have to take off and circle around and then try. The bad part is it leaves the dust in the air for about an hour.

Coming on it, cannot really see the dust but it is there.

This is one that had to circle around. You see all the dust in the air.

And now taking off.

Too much fun, bye.

Sand Storms

The sky is normally blue, but you add wind and the never ending sand and you get brown skies and dust all over everything. It is almost pointless to dust anything here because it just comes back 10 minutes later. I however being me dust all the time because I hate it. Here are some lovely pictures of what I mean with the not so blue skies we are enjoying right now.

Sorry so long between posts, it isn't like much is going on. I guess that is a good thing considering where I am at. Bye.