My address here is:
1Lt Amber Brinson
MNF-I (C2)
NIC/IFC
APO AE 09342
....don't forget to add "USA" at the bottom if it's coming from a foreign country. :)
8.02.2004
8.01.2004
I was going to put some pics on here, but it's not working.... if anyone wants some, email me. I know it's the tedious way, but that's what happens here on Army posts in Iraq.
I must be getting used to the heat. I'm not saying it's easy walking 100 meters outside at noon, but I don't feel as faint doing it anymore. I'm also getting used to the temperature in our tent. I put a work order in about the a/c not working and was pretty much chided by the maintenance man that "that's just the way it is." At least we finally got the lights to work. Although we had a few, for me to do anything I had to wear my headlamp.
Yesterday we formed up to find out they still hadn't assigned anybody jobs, and were given the days to "take care of things." Maj Dimech, SSgt Johnson, and I went to the Palace to take 'happy shots.' As I had said, it's gorgeous. We walked around everywhere, including around the third floor's balcony. The view was astonishing, and since this area of Iraq is flat, we could see for miles. There was deffinitely a battle fought here because some of the watch towers looked as if hit with 50 cals and grenades, and one of the bridges was pretty much broken apart. We spent about an hour opening little wooden doors (usually access to some sort of climate control system), climbing ladders that led nowhere, and acting like kids on an adventure. It was exciting. The excesses of the Palace really do make one think -- it was built after 1991, obviously with money that was meant to feed the population. The bathrooms really are made of marble, and the ceilings aren't just painted...they're carved, too.
Once we left the Palace and ate lunch, Maj Dimech and I rode the grey line bus to Victory Base North, where the "big" PX is. The bazaar is there, and I had heard they had shoulder harnesses for sale. (I had a suspicious feeling that my web-belt was part of my back problem.) We were told the bazaar pretty much just had cheap trinkets and fake military reproductions. Once we walked in (about two GPMedium tents put together), we were surprised. They had those trinkets, but they also had some very nice copper pots, tea sets, leather-ware, Iraqi currency, and other various items. It sort of reminded me of a souq in Bahrain, on a much smaller scale. They had everything from brass cups to batteries. I did find myself a harness for my M9. They only had two to choose from for lefties, so I picked the cheapest one. It's brown, and much more comfortable than what I was wearing. They also had a photo center set up, not unlike those old western portraits they have all over California, where you dress up in period clothing and get your portrait taken. Maj Dimech said we'll have to do that some time for our co-workers back in the States. After we were done I walked over the the BurgerKing trailer (yes we have BK) to get a milkshake. No milkshakes in Iraq, sorry. Just whoppers and fries, pretty much. Much disappointed, I got some gatorade from the PX and we caught the grey line back to our tents.
This morning we formed up again to find out the jobs weren't sorted out. I walk to the Chapel with another AF Capt. Having church in Iraq was ... different. For one thing, I had never seen so many heavily armed worshippers in my life. Have you ever been to church where everyone had either an M9 pistol or an M-16 rifle? There was an overflow, so we had the doors open and some people sat out on the porch. Since the door was open, it got rather warm in there, and those out on the porch actually got it a little better. I had forgotten my water bottle and was nearly dying by the time communion came around. Because General Order 1 states we will not consume any alchohol while in theater, I assumed it was grape juice. What a surprise. I was was thinking "grape juice, mmm, liquid" and instead it was, "oh my, that's wine" and it felt like straight vodka as it slid down and warmed me up (which I didn't need help with by that point). I walked back to my tent quickly and drank an entire bottle in about two minutes.
At noon we met up in the DFAC (what the Army, for whatever reason, calls the galley, chow hall, or dining facility) and they dispersed our jobs. Some people are working at the prison (yes, the infamous one) and will be moving out that way, some working in the international zone and moving out there (formerly the 'green zone'), and most of us will be working in either the Palace or some trailers nearby. I, unfortunately, don't get to work in the Palace. I don't even know where I'll be, but it's in one of those trailers I just mentioned. I'll be working in the Geo-Political cell. I don't know what I'll be doing, exactly, but I hope it keeps me occupied. I've heard that when you first get there, it's like standing along a river looking at people drowning in the water, and you don't know what to do, then suddenly you fall in and you're one of the drowning. Wonderful. :)
Well it's my time to get off the computer. This was long. Phew!
~ Amber
I must be getting used to the heat. I'm not saying it's easy walking 100 meters outside at noon, but I don't feel as faint doing it anymore. I'm also getting used to the temperature in our tent. I put a work order in about the a/c not working and was pretty much chided by the maintenance man that "that's just the way it is." At least we finally got the lights to work. Although we had a few, for me to do anything I had to wear my headlamp.
Yesterday we formed up to find out they still hadn't assigned anybody jobs, and were given the days to "take care of things." Maj Dimech, SSgt Johnson, and I went to the Palace to take 'happy shots.' As I had said, it's gorgeous. We walked around everywhere, including around the third floor's balcony. The view was astonishing, and since this area of Iraq is flat, we could see for miles. There was deffinitely a battle fought here because some of the watch towers looked as if hit with 50 cals and grenades, and one of the bridges was pretty much broken apart. We spent about an hour opening little wooden doors (usually access to some sort of climate control system), climbing ladders that led nowhere, and acting like kids on an adventure. It was exciting. The excesses of the Palace really do make one think -- it was built after 1991, obviously with money that was meant to feed the population. The bathrooms really are made of marble, and the ceilings aren't just painted...they're carved, too.
Once we left the Palace and ate lunch, Maj Dimech and I rode the grey line bus to Victory Base North, where the "big" PX is. The bazaar is there, and I had heard they had shoulder harnesses for sale. (I had a suspicious feeling that my web-belt was part of my back problem.) We were told the bazaar pretty much just had cheap trinkets and fake military reproductions. Once we walked in (about two GPMedium tents put together), we were surprised. They had those trinkets, but they also had some very nice copper pots, tea sets, leather-ware, Iraqi currency, and other various items. It sort of reminded me of a souq in Bahrain, on a much smaller scale. They had everything from brass cups to batteries. I did find myself a harness for my M9. They only had two to choose from for lefties, so I picked the cheapest one. It's brown, and much more comfortable than what I was wearing. They also had a photo center set up, not unlike those old western portraits they have all over California, where you dress up in period clothing and get your portrait taken. Maj Dimech said we'll have to do that some time for our co-workers back in the States. After we were done I walked over the the BurgerKing trailer (yes we have BK) to get a milkshake. No milkshakes in Iraq, sorry. Just whoppers and fries, pretty much. Much disappointed, I got some gatorade from the PX and we caught the grey line back to our tents.
This morning we formed up again to find out the jobs weren't sorted out. I walk to the Chapel with another AF Capt. Having church in Iraq was ... different. For one thing, I had never seen so many heavily armed worshippers in my life. Have you ever been to church where everyone had either an M9 pistol or an M-16 rifle? There was an overflow, so we had the doors open and some people sat out on the porch. Since the door was open, it got rather warm in there, and those out on the porch actually got it a little better. I had forgotten my water bottle and was nearly dying by the time communion came around. Because General Order 1 states we will not consume any alchohol while in theater, I assumed it was grape juice. What a surprise. I was was thinking "grape juice, mmm, liquid" and instead it was, "oh my, that's wine" and it felt like straight vodka as it slid down and warmed me up (which I didn't need help with by that point). I walked back to my tent quickly and drank an entire bottle in about two minutes.
At noon we met up in the DFAC (what the Army, for whatever reason, calls the galley, chow hall, or dining facility) and they dispersed our jobs. Some people are working at the prison (yes, the infamous one) and will be moving out that way, some working in the international zone and moving out there (formerly the 'green zone'), and most of us will be working in either the Palace or some trailers nearby. I, unfortunately, don't get to work in the Palace. I don't even know where I'll be, but it's in one of those trailers I just mentioned. I'll be working in the Geo-Political cell. I don't know what I'll be doing, exactly, but I hope it keeps me occupied. I've heard that when you first get there, it's like standing along a river looking at people drowning in the water, and you don't know what to do, then suddenly you fall in and you're one of the drowning. Wonderful. :)
Well it's my time to get off the computer. This was long. Phew!
~ Amber
7.29.2004
Camp Victory, Iraq! Finally. I left San Diego what, 11 days ago? Seems a lifetime ago. I'm not planning on typing much because I am extremely tired, need to shower, and really need to get to bed. Just letting you know I'm here. It's almost pretty outside -- such a drastic change from Kuwait, and it doens't seem as hot. At least, after eating dinner, it was only 95 degrees or so which is quite pleasant compared to the blasting heat at Camp Doha, Kuwait.
We flew here in a C-130. We were told they always get fired upon, but if it happened, we didn't hear it. It was an interesting, although warm and cramped, ride. Especially when we cirlced in for a landing. After that, we convoyed to Camp Victory. The Palace amazed me. It's beautiful, and right on a lake or river, complete with a boat house. The streets (if you can call them that) are lined with eucalyptus trees, and the canals (does Kuwait even have canals?) were lined with some sort of reed, maybe papyrus?
I am in a tent with all females, and I'm the only officer. So much for the Army reg they gave us at Ft. Bliss about officer and enlisted sharing living quarters being forbidden. Apparently in 4-6 weeks we might move into some trailers that are supposed to be nicer, and with beds. Right now I have a cot, and nothing else. I wish I had a locker or a footlocker. I am so tired of living out of duffle bags. Whatever I want is always at the bottom.
Well I'm going back to my not-so-hot tent. I'm sure I'll freeze tonight and then bake tomorrow.
Email me if you're reading this! I don't know if anyone is. ambotchka@yahoo.com
~ Amber Dawn
We flew here in a C-130. We were told they always get fired upon, but if it happened, we didn't hear it. It was an interesting, although warm and cramped, ride. Especially when we cirlced in for a landing. After that, we convoyed to Camp Victory. The Palace amazed me. It's beautiful, and right on a lake or river, complete with a boat house. The streets (if you can call them that) are lined with eucalyptus trees, and the canals (does Kuwait even have canals?) were lined with some sort of reed, maybe papyrus?
I am in a tent with all females, and I'm the only officer. So much for the Army reg they gave us at Ft. Bliss about officer and enlisted sharing living quarters being forbidden. Apparently in 4-6 weeks we might move into some trailers that are supposed to be nicer, and with beds. Right now I have a cot, and nothing else. I wish I had a locker or a footlocker. I am so tired of living out of duffle bags. Whatever I want is always at the bottom.
Well I'm going back to my not-so-hot tent. I'm sure I'll freeze tonight and then bake tomorrow.
Email me if you're reading this! I don't know if anyone is. ambotchka@yahoo.com
~ Amber Dawn
7.28.2004
I am in Kuwait right now. Either tonight or tomorrow we'll catch a ride on a C-130 and fly to Baghdad, so soon this trip will be over and I'll have a place to put my stuff (hopefully). It is unbelievably hot here. I'm sure everyone has said that before, so I'm just reassuring you it's that hot. Somewhere between standing in front of a hair dryer and getting blasted by an F-16 engine. Our flight from El Paso was very long. When we landed in Frankfurt at Rhein Main AB, the terminal was closed for repairs. We just stood out there on the tarmac for an hour or so. At first they had us walk up to an area surrounded by barbed wire. It was for the smokers, although they didn't say that to us non-smokers. To give you a better idea of what it look liked, think "POW camp." To top it all off, an AF MSgt (I named her Helga) was pretty much stripping us of our liberties by the minute. For instance, because it was 52 degrees outside (it was 0600), I wanted to stand in the sunlight, as did most people. She didn't want us too near the lane of traffic (if you can call the 1-truck-per-ten-minutes traffic), so she pushed us back from it by about 30 feet, into the shade. She also confiscated a football some of the soldiers were throwing around. (The yelled after it, "Wilson!") Then, because so many people were complaining about not having a restroom, or phones, or anything at all out there, she called the German police to keep us from getting rowdy. One of the Captains called her a traitor.
After flying to Kuwait, we spent the rest of the evening getting more gear. We got body armor (the bullet-proof kind) -- yes the troops are getting them now, so be relieved. We also got another duffel-bag full of gear, like two pairs of boots (very nice ones), underarmor shirts, goggles, and polar fleece outerwear for when it gets cold. I actually pulled on the fleece at night because it was so cold in the bay. Getting all of my bags (4 duffel bags at that point, a backpack, armor, and a laptop) to my cot was quite a struggle, and my back is still paying for it, but I made it. I walked with a Navy Chief to the PX and got some KFC (there's also Starbucks, Hardee's, Pizza Inn, Baskin Robbins, and Subway) because we hadn't eaten in 12 hours and were starved. Then I went back, took a much-needed shower, and went to sleep. Until 3 am. The soldier next to me said, "Ma'am, we have formation at 0700 if you're going to Iraq," after I stirred slightly in my sleep. I guess he thought I was awake. I told him, "I think I have enough time..." I got up, did some laundry, and then slept some more, until 0500. Most of today I have spent searching down an ice-pack for my back and sleeping. It hasn't been too bad. Don't know yet when we'll leave for Baghdad, but it should be soon.
After flying to Kuwait, we spent the rest of the evening getting more gear. We got body armor (the bullet-proof kind) -- yes the troops are getting them now, so be relieved. We also got another duffel-bag full of gear, like two pairs of boots (very nice ones), underarmor shirts, goggles, and polar fleece outerwear for when it gets cold. I actually pulled on the fleece at night because it was so cold in the bay. Getting all of my bags (4 duffel bags at that point, a backpack, armor, and a laptop) to my cot was quite a struggle, and my back is still paying for it, but I made it. I walked with a Navy Chief to the PX and got some KFC (there's also Starbucks, Hardee's, Pizza Inn, Baskin Robbins, and Subway) because we hadn't eaten in 12 hours and were starved. Then I went back, took a much-needed shower, and went to sleep. Until 3 am. The soldier next to me said, "Ma'am, we have formation at 0700 if you're going to Iraq," after I stirred slightly in my sleep. I guess he thought I was awake. I told him, "I think I have enough time..." I got up, did some laundry, and then slept some more, until 0500. Most of today I have spent searching down an ice-pack for my back and sleeping. It hasn't been too bad. Don't know yet when we'll leave for Baghdad, but it should be soon.
7.15.2004
I leave in three days, so I've been running around doing lots of errands. I've had to go to medical, dental, and legal... had to get inserts for my gas mask ... of course, they said, "which gas mask do you use?" Never having used one before, and not having seen which one I'll be issued, I replied with a blank stare. Fortunately, there is a generic set of inserts. They must be so attractive.
Sunday I fly to Ft. Bliss, which is near El Paso -- "car theft capital of the States." I was incredibly motivated and excited to leave for the Gulf two or three weeks ago, but not that the time has actually come, I've suddenly realized what being away for at least 6 months will mean. I'm going to miss a lot here in San Diego. To top it all off, Chewbacc won't understand why I'm not at home. Really, how do you communicate with a dog? Anyway, I am interested in what's going to be my life for the rest of the year. I want to record it all, every instance, every detail. Not only what it looks like there, or what my job is, but how I feel the whole time, and what's on my mind. I will also be working on my writing while I'm there (most of that won't get put on here, so feel relieved). Hopefully, we'll fly there via Germany and have a layover. Maybe it will be longer than the last layover I had in Germany.
Soon lunch will come, and then we'll all get together and have a meeting on the deployment. Then I'll finish up my errands and pack my bags so I can try to enjoy the last few days at home.
~Ciao~ ambotchka@Yahoo.com
Sunday I fly to Ft. Bliss, which is near El Paso -- "car theft capital of the States." I was incredibly motivated and excited to leave for the Gulf two or three weeks ago, but not that the time has actually come, I've suddenly realized what being away for at least 6 months will mean. I'm going to miss a lot here in San Diego. To top it all off, Chewbacc won't understand why I'm not at home. Really, how do you communicate with a dog? Anyway, I am interested in what's going to be my life for the rest of the year. I want to record it all, every instance, every detail. Not only what it looks like there, or what my job is, but how I feel the whole time, and what's on my mind. I will also be working on my writing while I'm there (most of that won't get put on here, so feel relieved). Hopefully, we'll fly there via Germany and have a layover. Maybe it will be longer than the last layover I had in Germany.
Soon lunch will come, and then we'll all get together and have a meeting on the deployment. Then I'll finish up my errands and pack my bags so I can try to enjoy the last few days at home.
~Ciao~ ambotchka@Yahoo.com
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