100th day??

Hello All,

I am checking in from Talil, Iraq aka Camp Adder. I think according to Jess I am approaching the 100th day mark for my deployment. We have spent most of the time up until now working to be ready for our "special purpose". We are still unpacking boxes and cleaning/rearranging our shop to our liking.

Living conditions in Camp Bashra are improving. It had been under British control up until now. I am not sure what they soldiers on this base were used to, but there is not much as far as extra activities to keep urself busy. It is by far the most basic base I have been to on this journey. They are in process of expanding the PX here. Right now they have problems keeping many items in stock for soldiers to buy. At Bashra, I couldn't buy a broom for my room or even an air freshener. You can imagine how we get to start smelling after a long days work outside. But they have told us that they will be building one of the biggest PX's in Iraq by the end of July/August.

I should have an internet connection to my room within a week....I should have much more time to keep updated on the internet. I also have a TV coming from Jess (thank you to Best Buy for paying for shipping)....things should be on the up n up with in a week or two.

I miss everyone and cant wait to enjoy a summer at home....I will miss spending Memorial Day with family up at the lake.

Thats all for now,

Sam

Updated Address

Here is a poster i found in one of the shower/latrine trailers. I did not have the temptation to wash my feet in the sink because I used my hands to wipe. lol.


Anyway the moral to my new post is that my mailing address has been changed slightly for increased effientcy in receiving mail.

The new address is:
Holl, Samuel
HSC, 34th ID, MAINT 1, UNIT 117
APO AE 09374

Feel free to mail away.....I will be at that address soon.

Kuwait Freeways

Hello Everyone,

Just taking some time to update my blog. I recently had the chance to drive on Kuwait Freeways for the first time. I will have to admit I was a little nervous the first time out. Not nervous for IEDs or gunshots, but nervous for other drivers, speedbumps, and unfamiliar roads. I was able to get a fair amount of drivetime on the roads and can say that I am used to the traffic patterns. I had to go to another drivers training class when I arrived in Kuwait for my NTV license (non tactical vehicle) and they warned us about the speeds and habits that others exhibit. For one example, so matter how many lanes are marked on the road, there are always room for more. Stop signs off post are mearly a suggestion. It is acceptable to tailgate and flash your brights when you want to pass. It is allright to flash your brights toward oncoming traffic for no reason. The fast lane is the fast lane so stay out unless ur in a race. I have heard that these roads are some of the deadliest in the region.....but all are human error. I personally saw a mid size truck sitting perpendicular on a guard rail about 20 feet from the hole that it placed in it. Anyway, I just stay out of the way and mind my own business when on the road.

I am still not in my job role as a wheeled mechanic, but am tasked with misc logistical operations. It is something to do for now, but I am looking forward to getting my hands dirty some vehicle work. Everyday is hot here and I have been able to experience my first sunburn. i am hesitant to relay specifics of where I am or what I am doing so do not think that my blog is extremely boring.

I am doing well and miss everyone extremely.

Later,

Sam

Still In Kuwait

Hello Everyone,

I have spent about two weeks here in lovely Kuwait. I think my body has adjusted to being off by about 8 hours. The days here continue to be busy (I like busy days). I have been working on misc duties to help process our soldiers thru here to Bashra. It looks like will will be here past the 1st week of May. Things are going well and drinking lots of water. My workout routine kinda took a dump since I got here, because there is no real routine to my day to day operations. I hope to get back in the swing of things when I get to iraq....most days when I get off duty, I am exhausted. For the most part, I am just happy that I am busy doing something, becasue I would go crazy sitting n doing nothing.

Thats all for now.

Sam

hello kuwait

Hello Everyone!

I have made it to my new home in Kuwait. Things have been going pretty well. I have adjusted to the time change pretty well. I have finished up the required training in Kuwait and am ready to start working. The base here is pretty nice....I am sitting in a Starbucks using the wireless service they have on base. There are all sorts of little shops and services for soldiers here. They really treat us nice here, much better than the environment in Washington. Kinda wierd. I still have one more class that I have to take....it is a NTV (non tactical vehicle) drivers training.....basically a class to allow me to drive regular ol cars on base here. The weather here is nice, sunny and hot. The only thing that could make it better is a pool n a corona. (the only thing this base does not have is a pool now that I think of it). The picture I posted is of the PX (post exchange)...there is all sorts of normal stuff inside and outside they have bazaars with misc vendors. Kinda fun to walk n look. (Randy-they had a hooka both there). Well my battery is running low and I dont have much more time.

Will post more later.

Later,

Sam

goodbye FT Lewis?

I just finished up my pass in Seattle....other than the homeless n bad weather it was allright. It was weird to adjust to civilian life and now back to military life. I spent most of the time with Jess and another couple that was on pass too. I had my first beer in 8 weeks. It was fantastic...lots of cool little places to eat n drink at. The top picture is one of my bags that weighs alot. It is 1 out of 4 bags that i have packed up that are ready to go. I was able to draw my M249 saw again today....I was given a brand new one. We will see how this one works....I liked my last one.

another quick week

Hello All,

This has been another week that has flown by. We are getting closer and closer to wrapping up the training phase in the states. A couple pics of interest: The bottom left is from the turn in facility where we inspect vehicles for turn in. The last day I was there, a stryker unit was shipping out vehicles for a training exercise....it was pretty cool to see them all lined up. There are interesting looking vehicles...what is wierd that they are even more quiet than our trucks. The picture of the sticker is pretty much the symbol for the 34th Infanty Division "Red Bulls".....I have put up countless amounts of those stickers on all of our shipping containers (placed on all four sides). The last picture is of my squad leader, Jason, posing next to the air filter from the fork lift we are using from Ft Lewis.....that was the dirtiest air filter I have ever seen, litterally. We are not assigned to maintain the forklift, but needed to troubleshoot why is was running hot.....it turn out when there is little to no air flow it doesnt want to run right. We have most of our vehicles turned in and there is not much work at the shop left other than clean up. We have had a couple half days at work and is nice to be rested up for the pass we will get. I plan on spending some time in Seattle having a fun time. The next hurdle for me is to get all the of the gear that they have issued me packed up....this will be quite a feat. That is all for now...I am sure I will have some more time in the next couple of days to add another post.

'Till next time,

Sam