lucky 21...

I have now been to 21 countries, as I stopped in England and Albania on the way here. wahoo!

Home sweet home...??

I arrived safely late on 23JAN. I was instantly up to speed and working (a benefit of having been here for almost a full year!) immediately. It is cold, like in the teens and twenties, although everyone in MN will say that that is balmy! jk

I am glad to be back to pitch in for these thirty days, as this place does many things right.

If you have been texting me on my cell, please be patient, as I am working out with T-Mobile the details of why it isn't working yet. There is service here, I just cannot get my phone to grab on.

Thanks for the emails (sans forwards, DAD!, haha!) and I will be back before you know it!

KIA: U.S. ARMY SGT JAMES K. HEALY, 7JAN08

I had the pleasure of working with SGT Healy in AFG. He was a U.S. Army EOD operator, also assigned to CEXC. While I met him around AUG/SEP timeframe, I last saw him around OCT as he would often pass through BAF, awaiting flights to his job at JAF. We talked for sometimes hours at a time as he would have nothing to do while waiting for his flights out. Ironically, one of the few things I remember about him specifically is him commenting on how he had just re-enlisted in the most dangerous career field in the Army.

Apparently he was just home at the end of 2007 on RnR visiting his wife Shannon and celebrating the 1 year birthday of his son. He was very knowledgeable and was truly a pleasure to know.

Cheers,
John H.

Links:

http://newsenterpriseonline.com/articles/2008/01/11/news/news02.txt

http://www.hesperiastar.com/onset?id=1463&template=article.html

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/3299076.html

http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/8476/

Ok, so the last 60 days in the States has been a whirlwind of traveling for work, the Reserves, etc. Even so, have a wonderful, Merry Christmas, and an even better, safe, New Years Holiday! :)

Also, I will be headed back to AFG in Jan, but only for 30 days this time. Then, back here to continue work in Virginia.

Cheers!

fini in sight...

Only a week to go, this will be my last post for a few days. I will be leaving for another Middle Eastern country in about a week, to await further transportation home. I am excited, but still staying focused on what remains.

Overall, I have experienced many things...and this trip was definitely worth the experience. I am glad to have experienced the following:

• my 1st earthquake,
• many indirect attacks: motars/rockets,
• photographing thousands of pieces of evidence,
• completing a marathon at nearly mile high altitude,
• meeting and working with people from: DOD, DOJ, CIA, etc.,
• working in a joint environment, with all branches, civilians, officers and enlisted alike...
• meeting and working with people from many different countries: Poland, Norway, Romania, Germany, Finland, Egypt, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Pakistan, Turkey, etc.,
• photographing evidence, only to have piece of it (a cell phone) ring: scared as %&*#!,
• looking into the eyes of the most evil men I will likely ever encounter,
• seeing the remains of young, misdirected suicide bombers,
• photographing activities outside the wire,
• smelling death for days on end...

It was a great 8 months, and my coworkers/friends are the ones who made it bearable. Also, anyone who took the time to send a package/write/email, and ESPECIALLY those who did, and did not get upset when I didn't return the favor, THANK YOU!!

the "sexy" scoop...

If you read this article about CEXC-Iraq, you will have a much better understanding about me and what I do. While I am not in Iraq, the setup/purpose/etc. is the same, just a much different country.

"T minus fifteen..."

Almost there...only a few more weeks.

"CSI Afghanistan"...?

Often, that is how our Lab is referred to. Thankfully, there are no season-long DVD sets. jk

In these pictures, I am working the night shift. I am wearing the new Air Force ABU (Airman Battle Uniform). I am trying to kill two birds with one stone and do a few hours of Reserve duty, in addition to my normal daily hours as a DOD Contractor. It makes for some long days, but it will be worth it in the end.

Hope you are all doing well. I am "getting short"; down to about 25 days left here.

Take off, hoser! (part deux)

And another.

Take off, hoser!

Lance,

It has been a pleasure. Thanks to you for your friendship and to your family for their support. Farewell, Canuck! Get home soon.

Long live Jack Bauer and Dexter!!

"T minus thirty..."

Less than 30 days to go. Not that I won't (slightly) miss this place: the friends, the experience, the opportunity to continue my photography, no rent, "the horrible commute", etc.

All in all, it has been great, and while I am not done yet, I am getting to the point where I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Happy Birthday to...

...the United States Air Force! Today, September 18th, 2007, is the service's 60th anniversary. Read here.

I remember being active duty and stationed in Florida for the 50th anniversary in 1997. Here is to hoping I am around and still in (the Reserves) for the 70th. That means I will be past retirement age (38) and eligible to retire. :)

a 10K a day keeps the doctor away...

Ok, maybe not. But the base had a nice 9/11 memorial 10K today. Other than the fact that I have not run since 4JUL, I did OK. My time was about 3 minutes slower than I wanted, but I still did fine: 50:54.

I hope all is well, and I will have pictures up soon! :)

thankmntroops.org Video

Very nicely done:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMjLxZUar6k

courtesty of: www.thankmntroops.org

Bad day at the office...?

Well let's all be thankful that we are not the individual(s) who prompted tonight's announcement over the base PA: "Attention, attention, Task Force Med (the hospital here) is in short supply of type 'O Negative' blood. Contact them to donate ASAP.".

Anyway, keep that in mind the next time you think things are going bad for you. Don't forget all of the fallen comrade ceremonies that occur here 24/7/365 (nothing like seeing several hundred (thousand?) people lined up and saluting, along a darkened road waiting for a hummvee with a flag draped casket to pass by. The most recent was a coalition (Polish) KIA.