Volk Airfield, Wisconsin: Journal 10/20/05
It’s been too long since my last entry. I blame it on exhaustion and apathy. The last 10 days were pretty intense. It was back out to the field to learn how to conduct a proper vehicle convoy. Reactions to IED’s, enemy fire, bombs, and interaction with civilians. It was a lot to process in the 5 days of convoy training. One thing I really learned from it is you can instantly see who can handle stressful situations and who can’t. It’s interesting to see that some people just can’t multi-task…. Some people can’t make a decision on instinct. Tunnel vision is a serious problem when lives are on line. Reports and information get sent incorrectly which screws up the next persons decision. I’d love to go into more details but honestly, convoy training is the last thing on my mind right now.
Family day was 5 days ago. It was amazing. So good to see my father and step mother. So great to see Betsy, Nicole, and Amanda. I suppose you can only imagine how it feels to see people that you love after being gone for 6 weeks. The day was spent with the family while the night was left for us girls. We sat around the hotel playing card games, drinking, and talking. It was exactly what I needed. A moment of normalcy for me. I could all of a sudden be as candid and honest as I wanted to be. No need to censor my words or actions. It felt nice to be back in my own skin. 30 minutes after I was dropped off by my gang the next morning, we were geared up and back into training. 24 hours is all we had for our final face-to-face goodbyes.
Two days later my brother made a surprise trip to see me. I was so overjoyed that he made the effort to send me off. We really needed that. We miss each other so much yet neither one of us is willing to admit it to each other directly. He hung out with myself and the rest of the company at a bar on post. I was happy he got to meet a few people in the company…..my extended family….the ones watching my back and me for them. The last thing I wanted to do was let him leave that night. But goodbyes are inevitable.
Right now I’m sitting on the hangar floor of Volk Airfield. There are two other companies waiting for the jump over the big pond. There must be at least 200 people here right now. We arrived around 1700 and our flight isn’t scheduled to take off until 2200. Late flight, eh? We will touch down in Kuwait tomorrow night. That’s including the 19 hour flight time (plus layovers & refueling) and the 9 hour time change. I can’t even imagine how intensely annoying it’s going to get on that airplane. I’m sure it’ll hit me at around the 6th hour. In preparation, I’ve taken the liberty of buying sleeping pills and nicotine patches. Not necessarily for myself…rather I have entrepreneurial intentions. With the 747 filled to capacity, I assume a large number of them smoke. At their most intense moment of withdraw, I’ll whip out a patch and offer it to them for the low low price of $5. Can’t sleep? Well! I just happen to have something that’ll knock you out for the next six hours! All for the insanely low price of $2 a pop! It’s working wonderfully so far, in case you were curious.
I’m not nervous. No. The only thing I’m worried about right now is conserving my iPod battery long enough to make it at least half way through the flight! The weather in Kuwait will be 80/90 degrees through the week. That’s relieving. We’ll be arriving in the night time so it’ll actually be fairly cold when we step off the plane (60 degrees). Perhaps I’m in denial again about my situation and any potential danger I may find myself in the way of. More accurately though, I think I really do trust the people I’m with. I know we would all do anything to keep each other safe. It’s hard for me to explain that to people outside of the company. But it really is true. And I don’t see this in every company. Considering the situation, I’m feeling quite lucky. I have a competent and caring commander, platoon sergeant, and everyone in between.
It’s odd looking around though. The hangar has this old WWII air about it. Not the décor, but the actual vibe. As if we’re all waiting for our troop ship to come into harbor so that we can begin our long journey ACROSS the ocean. Instead, we’re waiting for a commercial 747 to land so that we can start our flight OVER the ocean. I suppose the situation is generally the same as it was in WWII for troops like me, only speedier and streamlined.
By the way, today marks the official day 1. It’s finally day 1! I just finished 6 weeks of day 0 and we can finally count towards our 12-18 months in the middle east. I am excited…a little anxious…definitely curious about what’s to come. I am ready. As ready as I’ll ever be. It’s time to start this so it can end.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Other Posts You May Enjoy!
Shari on 
Tha Potion on 
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment