It is now moving into rainy season here in Baghdad. Which means MUD….MUD GALORE. Fortunately for me, I have built up quite a connection with supply here and have 3 pairs of boots to get muddy. Along with every knife, multi-tool, flashlight, and other assorted goods to be acquired from supply. Being in comm. has allowed me to get treatment from customers that I wouldn’t had I been a maintainer or any other career field.
I recently was asked to accompany the base commander to a firing range on another base; to which I did not decline. This other base is the opposite of Sather AB (which is where I am). Bullets are not accounted for on this base. It’s ran by the Iraqi’s! At 0530 I drove to the gate and said (as instructed) a set of words to get in the compound. Next thing I know, a civilian escorts me to the range. Where I wait for the Sergeant Major in charge of today’s firing exercise. He arrives and we shoot all the guns that I have wanted to shoot from every video game I have played since I was a child. Chromed out .45 handguns , 4 different AK47’s, MP5, .9 mils, and even an old side loading World War II weapon. Like a kid in a candy store.
There have been several locations that I have gone to because of my “expertise” that most people while deployed here wouldn’t have. I have been in every of Saddam’s extravagant palaces. I have seen from the flares drop from C-130’s from the air traffic control tower. The list goes on, some of which I cannot talk about.
Recently, a bullet fell through a friend of mines “dorm room” or as they are called here, their “CHU” (pronounced chew). It fell from god knows where and pierced their ceiling and landed between their two beds, while they were sleeping. Scary stuff. Also, a mortar fell through a CHU on the other side of the complex, and the lateral explosion went right over the guys bed, close one. Other than stuff like that, it’s pretty safe here.
For the past month, I have been installing about 200 new computers around the base. Effectively, I have been in almost EVERY office on base. I have been coined 5 times since I have been here in Iraq, and been given a unit patch by one squadron. I recently have been awarded “Warrior of the Week”. Which is a funny name considering I am a computer guy. But it was awarded to me for “hard work and being an outstanding airman” according to the colonel.
One more week, and I will be able to say “I’m leaving next month”. That feels DAMN good. Until next time readers…stay classy.
