My tour of Iraq

Before I write anything, just wanted to let you know not to send anything more to the address that was posted. I will be moving bases here shortly, and will update the address once I can. Thank you all who have sent care packages and letters. It really does make my day.

So I have been all over lately and realized a couple of things. (1) The FOB (Forward Operating Base) that I am on is the earth compared to the Sun. (2) If I were on one of the last two FOBs I have been on, I would be (a) fat, (b) poor, (c) in a lot of trouble, or (d) all of the above. I literally run the perimeter of my FOB for PT... and its just over a mile. The FOB I'm at now, it take 15 minutes to drive to the PX (department store). I spent a couple of days on a nice one up north... with a pool. That's all I have to say. I'm glad I am where I am... even though I will probably move eventually. Seriously though, politics are bad on big FOBs, like much worse than the US in election year. There are people here who have nothing better to do than read every Army Regulation and stop everyone for every small thing. You get away with much much more on small FOBs. Like I can wear civilian clothes at night on Saturdays. I can wear baseball caps on Sundays (except that my blue and white Cardinals hat is MIA), along with a couple more perks (like not a lot of brass).

Since I have been in Iraq, I have seen some decent sand storms. It usually just gets dusty one minute and you really don't see it coming. Yesterday, for the first time, I saw a sandstorm approaching that scared the living hell out of me (not really, I just wrote that for emphasis). If you have ever seen The Mummy, the first one, it looks like that without the big Pharaoh face flying out of it trying to kill you; however, you could use your imagination. Let me tell you something... I hate running... but I never ran faster than right before it hit. My dumb ass was out there with my camera like rednecks watching a tornado right before it hits the trailer. "Billy, you gotta look at this... maaan shes a mean one." "Well damn Bobby, don't it look like its comin right for us" "Aw damn... I didn't thank about that one der...I need somthin to cover my beer." That was me and all the guys. Notice: The actual dialogue was changed in an attempt to make this funny. I don't think it worked. It was more like... " HOLY SH!%, that is going really going to suck. Yep.. Here it comes. Damn, I hate Iraq!" So, it was interesting to say the least. I will put some pictures up here once I get a chance.

I have to run.. But I will update here soon. Hopefully I get to go play on a Black Hawk sometime soon, and will definitely have some pics to put up of that.

I hope all are doing well. I can't wait to see you guys

Phil

Ya ya, I know, It's been a whlie.

Hey everyone. Ya, I know once again it has taken me forever to do a post. The internet hasn't been the best here. Honestly, there haven't been an awful lot going on. Missions have been going well here, there really haven't been many incidents close to me, which is definitely a good thing. Just north of here has had some stuff, but that's also the provincial capital. People out here are mad right now because they have indefinitely postponed elections, just before elections were supposed to take place. I can understand there anger, however large public gatherings are what we like to call targets of opportunity.

I am an uncle again... Congradulations to Dave and Amanda. Emma looks beautiful.

I can't wait to get up there and meet the addition to the family.

I am going to be taking some college classes here soon. I want to pass the time quicker, and I would feel bad having down time and not doing something productive, which is why I work out about 3 hours a day too. Trying to prepare myself for getting back in the swing of things once I get home.

Anyway, I miss everyone. Hopefully.... hopefully, I will end up getting leave. Right now it is up in the air.

Talk to you all soon.