Get Some!

The title is in reference to a scene from Full Metal Jacket where they're flying in a heilo (Helicopter for you weenies out there) and the crazy door gunner is shooting and yelling. My day today was very similar, except for, well... most of it. But wait, I'll start at the beginning.

Call it foreshadowing, bad luck, or jinxing myself - but I can now sleep peacefully at night knowing that a car driving by is just a car, a jet taking off is just a jet, and a rocket attack is a unique beast unto itself. Strange, I know, but it brings some degree of peace. It also makes people very sleepy.

Today I got to travel to my first FOB (Forward Operating Base), which is a smaller base out in the middle of nowhere (could you get anymore nowhere than Kandahar? You bet!), where smaller units live and conduct operations. I have 5 under my responsibility, and I have to visit them all somewhat regularly.

When you're as cool as I am, or pretend to be, there's only one way to travel - UH60 Blackhawk Helicopter! While waiting for my ride, I got to hang out on the flight line and see all sorts of aircraft, both manned and unmanned, take to the skys. The heilo ride was great, especially because I love helicopters. Strangely enough, the only time prior to this I rode in a helicopter, I was the one flying it. Not so in this case. We were crammed in there in full gear, but I got to sit up next to the door gunner - now you might get the title reference.

The FOB... well, nothing like going to a place that is bleak and ouster to the Nth degree to make you appreciate small rooms and the aroma of feces in the air back at your camp. They've got some good projects going on out there, and some awesome people, but I'd go nuts if I had to live there.

The ride back was super awesome as it was just those of us on the trip and we spent a little time cruising the country side in the heilo. It was incredible to say the least, although hot as hell. I don't think I've EVER seen a place as barren as Afghanistan. It boggles the mind why people live out here, or even how they live out here. I saw my first animal today, it was actually somewhat shocking. The vast spances of nothingness, dirt, sand, and sun baked earth are incredible. Then, as if a mirage, small little patches of green surrounding housing compounds pop out of nowhere. I took photos, and will post them once I get situated.

As for getting situated - I work from 0700 to 2000 or later every day (including the weekends) and don't get much time off in that block. Today was 0630 until 1900 when I had to go give a brief to a bunch of USFOR-A (US Forces - Afghanistan) big wigs, which lasted about an hour. As part of my job, I have to give one of these briefs for each of my FOBs every other week, so I'll be quite busy (on top of the already being busy part). I tried to call home today from the MWR phones but after 40 minutes of not being able to get through to an operator, I gave up - sorry mom. I'm using my roommate's computer because I haven't had time to get mine hooked up here, but maybe I'll have a minute somewhere in life. To top it off, the power in the building has been out most of the day, but I think they're going to have that fixed soon enough.

All in all, and despite all the potential doom and gloom, spirits are high. I am exhausted, but I guess that makes up for my inability to make it to the gym. 3 days down, it already feels like 3 months - I hope I can keep up the pace, the energy, and my health and see this to fruition.