Kuwait - I have arrived!

12AUG
I left Ft Sill Oklahoma on 10AUG and arrived to Camp Buehring Kuwait at 120330AUG08; for as fast as those two days went, they sure felt long. We flew on a DC10 with some Marines, Navy and Air Force soldiers; we were all just one big happy family. I did not sleep on the flight from Minnesota to Bangor Maine, but choose to watch the on board movie, “Fools Gold,” I thought it was ok. We had a 2 hour lay-over in Maine. We had a nice reception, there were prior Vets, VFW, Legion, and civilians there all through the day greeting soldiers and thanking them for their service. We used this same airport for when I came home from Bosnia. I used my time to send out a few quick emails and to also try and get my video player to work. I downloaded the latest codecs and drivers, but no luck…I was hoping to finish watching “The Godfather Part II.” Can you believe I have never seen those movies, well to say the least, I will get the whole series completed while here in Kuwait. Our next stop from Maine was Shannon Ireland, the movies for this round were “I am Legend” and “The Contract.” This was a 4.5 hour flight to Ireland where we were going to have a 2.5 hour layover there and again, I used the time to send out some quick emails, I think it was 0330 on 11AUG, I had been up for 20 straight hours at this point.

By this time I could not take it, I was getting easily annoyed and crabby. I decided to find I nice row of seats in the airport and passed out. I think I was able to squeeze in a 45 minute cat nap! I was awaken and told to get on the plane, next stop Kuwait, just 6.5 more hours to go. I do not know what it is, but my right knee just starts aching if I have to sit for more than a couple of hours, it is probably just old age settling in, I’ll have to ask MSG Olsen about that….I decided to get some more sleep because I knew once we got to Kuwait, it was going to be a long day. I woke up a couple of hours later to see my battle buddy resting nice and comfortably on my right shoulder, awww he was so cute, until I pushed him off of me….just joking! We both woke up and finished watching the movie, “Oceans 13 or 14 or 15,” one of those….

Once we made it to Kuwait, we had few stops before making it to our final destination, Camp Buehring. We unloaded the plane and immediately got on the bus, drove for a little while; I could swear they had speed bumps every 100 meters! We stop for a piss, smoke and water break. I think it was still on the Kuwait Airport. Next we drove to Camp Victory, there we unloaded our gear from one truck, got rid of the Marines and Seamen, loaded our gear on to another truck and headed North to Camp Buehring. Oh, Amy, I got a rock for you from Kuwait, there is nothing cool about it, other than it will be from Kuwait.

I think I slept most of the way; it was a quick 45 minute drive. Besides the first thing that comes to your mind when you think desert, that is exactly what this part of Kuwait looks like. A light tan, real fine sand, almost like the texture of cinnamon, but does not taste the same what-so-ever. How do I know you asked, because it is breezy here and any little gust, if your mouth is open, you’re getting some sand. The sun is also extremely bright here, I think it is because of the reflection off the sand, also the analogy of the blow dryer I stated in my last Blog, TRUE; it was 119 degrees today!

Upon our arrival, we got scanned in and brought to our new home for the next few weeks. After we unloaded our gear and got our living quarters situated (see pictures) we went and got some breakfast.

I had an omelet made my way (ham, cheese, green peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes) umm, umm, umm, plus some wheat toast with honey. I am going to have to start running soon, or the 15 lbs I lost will be found in no-time!! After breakfast we had time to shower and catch a nap before our next event, the welcome briefs ….. they went over dos and don’ts, possible threats, and safety concerns…dam it was tough to stay awake after only 4 hours asleep for the last 48….well, I made it….after which I went to the PX to get some supplies, then to dinner, then did some S6 (computer account stuff) wrote my blog and now I am going to bed, need to be up by 0300 to drive a hour into the desert to shoot my weapons, to ensure they work…..until next time – GOOD NIGHT!

One last thing, I have a new favorite song, hopefully it will be out on Karaoke by the time I get home next year, it is “All Summer Long” by Kidd Rock…I have a link to the video under My Favorite Songs.