It all started out about 11 PM (2300) on 23 DEC 08, we had to go up to Bagdhad to draw 2 new vehicles, replacing two of our 1st generation MRAPs. Because we were bringing two vehicles back and couldn't leave our old vehicles up there we had to hitchhike on a late night convoy up to Bagdhad and spent the night there. We ended up getting there about 4 am, and had to draw the vehicles at 0630, so really short night. The vehicle draw went just fine, the vehicles are the latest and greatest things for anti-IED protection and even had the new car smell to them.
After we had the vehicles, we decided to crash for a couple of hours, naptime in Iraq. Most of the major bases have transient quarters (tents with cots, mattresses and that is about it) set up for soldiers wandering around, so we just crashed in one of those. We had chow, and started to head on back to the country when we one of our new vehicles sprung a leak. It is kind of strange when you are up on a different base because you don't know anyone there and don't have your normal support units around. We lucked out though and found a maintenance unit that is attached to our parent unit (maintenance unit = HHC, 1st Battalion-6th Infantry Brigade; parent unit = 2d Brigade 1st Armor Division) and the mechanics there found the problem and fixed it in about 45 minutes, great support to be honest, we have been other places that didn't help us out as much.
We got back on the road and started to hustle back south because: Traffic can get pretty crummy about 5 PM, it was getting dark (crazy things happen at night and driving is a little more difficult at night) AND the General had Christmas Eve Dinner ready for us and our Task Force (1st Battalion, 35th Armor Brigade - - the TF 1-35 in my mailing address). For those of you that read my blog regularly (thanks mom, Julie, Melissa and Aunt Faye), you will remember that the General had been raising 4 turkeys for Christmas Dinner.
Before:
After (this is the big one):
It was actually a whale of a party, the General normally throws a pretty good feast, he had all of his staff and commanders there. We had the team and a lot of the TF 1-35 staff folks as well as the commander of the Task Force. Check out the decorations, the General went all out.
I gotta be honest though, I really wanted to go back to our building and crash. After the party we stopped off at the TF base and picked up mail, water and went on back to our side of the compound. In the mail we pretty much got Christmas: Most everyone got a package (thanks Dad and Sheri for the dried fruit, nuts and beef jerky) and Superman's wife (Mrs. Superman? Holly?) had sent each of us a present for Christmas, which was very cool and thoughtful. We also got some packages from OPERATION GRATITUDE, an organization that sends out holiday packages to soldiers that are deployed, pretty cool. 
After that, we finally got to crash, and I slept til 9 AM on Christmas morning. Merry Christmas!
2 comments:
Merry Christmas (it is about 7am on he 25th). I'm anxiously waiting in the living room for the girls, Julie and your mom to make their way down. I can hear stirring so it shouldn't be long. Big turkey dinner later today. I'm sure it won't be as good as the general's though. Hey I read your blog too. You know the guy that is smoking you in FFL. I'm looking forward to your post next week announcing the finishes for the 3 way race, feel free to leave out the overall standings. Wade
Merry Christmas!!! I hope you and your men had a great time. The turkey looked great. Mom is here. We are having a peaceful morning. Abby screeched with joy over the Charmed sets. Syd is very excited about the shorts. Well done Uncle Fritz.
Take care!!!
luv,
j
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