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The intense heat of Kuwait had turned us all into virtual sponges, forcing us to organize our daily routines around the consumption of large quantities of water, just to stay ahead of the constant sweating and dehydration. Perhaps if I had a large hump, like a camel, where I could store water, I wouldn't have to drink so much throughout the day, but that was not likely to happen now was it, probably quite unsightly too?
Fortunately, the army in its wisdom, knowing the importance of hydration, went to the trouble of putting a large ice chest in every tent for the purpose of cooling and storing numerous bottles of the life preserving liquid and resupplied the chest every morning with several bags of ice. The only problem with constant drinking is the frequent Mother Nature calls during the night to relieve ourselves. Throughout the night there was a steady stream, no pun intended, of soldiers making the trek in and out of the porta-pottie outside our tents, for most it was a nightly experience that happened more than once.
The time had finally come. All the months of intensive training and preparation were behind us and it was to time to leave for Iraq. On our last night in Kuwait, at Camp Buehring, we were going to celebrate by having a movie night, but no sooner did we turn on the DVD, then we realized we had better get some shut eye. We were scheduled to load our gear and board the buses around 0100 (1 am) and to depart for the airfield at Ali Ah Salim.
(For this very purpose I had taken the time to make some couches out of several cots, so that we might all be able to lounge (with back supports) around a laptop strategically positioned for a movie night. A few nights ago, when time permitted, I bought some microwave popcorn at the PX (along with a few other treats), popped it up over at the USO, grabbed several chilled Gatorade's, and invited everyone in our tent for a movie night, watching "The International", which turned out to be quite a nice event for everyone)
At around 2300, I naturally woke to run to the porta-pottie but realized I might as well stay up, since everyone was getting up in an hour anyway. One by one the soldiers awoke to make the final preparations for our eminent departure. With a quick shower and shave, we packed up our few remaining items, grabbed our two duffel bags, one rucksack, and a carryon and made our way outside to the rally point. It was 0100 but still everyone moved quickly with a purpose and in a matter of minutes the trucks were loaded and the buses packed with weary soldiers who were all ready and anxious for the next phase of this deployment to begin.
With the cots now all leaning up against the inside tent walls, the plywood tent floors were swept for the last time and with a quick once through, the tents were left as we found them some two weeks ago. They had served their purpose for this band of transient soldiers, providing us with a cool retreat during the scorching heat of a normal Kuwaiti summer. Hopefully I will never be back here again (some memories of the first time I endured this place back in 2003, still refused to fade or pass away).
With a renewed vigor and excitement we all departed that night, aboard buses bound for the airfield and onto our respective destinations in Iraq. Somewhat tired of the repetitive routine of intense training and preparations, we all shared the same mindset and feelings to begin the next stage and to get on with our mission at hand. Yes, there were still a lot of unknowns and a certain amount of apprehension but it was time to jump in with both feet, going all the way in. Hold your nose, close your eyes and jump into the deep end, going for it. Many of us have been here at this point before, for some it was our third or fourth deployment, so we know there is nothing like actually being there and doing it. OJT baby.
With our bags loaded onto the cargo trucks, our vests on, our weapons in hand and our carry-ons in our laps, bus curtains drawn, we drove off into the night each of us falling fast asleep for the quick hour and a half bus ride to the airfield.
In true Army fashion we arrived early so that we could wait for several hours in the departing soldier waiting room, in hopes that our flight would leave earlier than scheduled (which it did). There were two departing flights that day, splitting us into two groups, both of course going north into the Northern part of Iraq, one to Balad and the other to, my destination, Mosul. Before we knew it was time, our flight was called, the manifest was read and one by one we loaded the large military transport plane with the usual military configuration, that is palletized gear in the back, side seats facing inward towards a few rows of rolled in seating. Knowing what is best, I chose the seats on the side with the most leg room and we were off, once again sleeping for the entire duration of the hour and fifteen minute flight to Mosul.
At this moment I am propped up on a real bed (oh my gosh) typing this blog in my very own CHU (a military acronym, perhaps standing for a compact housing unit), made of what appears to be a 8' x 20' metal shipping container, or conex, all side by side in some kind of housing project configuration, surrounded by large cement blocks to protect us from any mortar attacks that might occur. At least it is my very own and I get to do whatever I want with it, let the fun begin.
At first glance the whole thing appeared to be like some unkempt dilapidated refugee camp, even the inside of my unit had a thick layer of sand and dirt on everything (even the mattress had a thick coating of sand), but with a little work I had the place looking quite satisfactory. My unit has two single wide beds, two small wall lockers, two plastic drawer sets, and two handmade plywood night stands. At least I am finally able to unpack my duffle bags and get settled into my own place.
Actually I am quite pleased with how I have fixed up my place, with convenience in mind and with a flare of creativity I have created quite a nice environment for myself; not bad for a guy. I think it is going to work out just fine. The community shower/ bathrooms are in a container right next to our units, which is doable, at least it is not a porta-pottie anymore (real toilets and porcelain sinks, yea).
With the purchase of an electrical convertor (going from 220 to 110), I am ready to rock and roll, with my IPOD boom box, my computer speakers and my blender for protein shakes, life is good (can't help but think of Jack Black in Nacho Libre saying that with his facial expressions). It has now all come down to the simplest creature comforts necessary to make life somewhat cushy in a war zone, but of course it is still hot, but I will take the 10 to 15 degree drop in temperature any day over Kuwaiti temperatures.
Now if I could only get some kind of flavor, seasoning or spice in my daily diet of bland army food. I will have to work on that one. In Kuwait I started eating what the Indian dining facility workers were eating for their meals after serving us, it was chicken curry and Dosha (thin flat bread), really fantastic.
With thoughts of my Intel collection plan swirling around in my head, I am finally ready to embark on my path, the next phase of this journey, to fulfill my destiny, whatever that might be. Stay tuned as that unfolds. Be patient (I am really talking to myself) as all things take time and happen at the speed of a baby learning to crawl and walk. We are now in a new phase of the Iraqi conflict, going from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn, as I am sure the President has announced, with the end of all combat operations. I will have to see how that is communicated to our enemies, who are still out there causing trouble? We will see if they have the same understanding, as I believe we are still on their target list.
Love all of you.
Chief Wiggles
Doing it the Wiggles way"
