Saturday, November 29, 2008

Any Given Saturday

We started today off with a cool breeze rolling in to the base. The breeze turned up a lot of dust, to the point where we thought it could turn into a dust storm. It didn't though. The breeze persisted and the temperature dropped all day and a light rain set in by the evening.
Here's a picture from the front of my junker truck (we call her "Hotness") at the threat of a dust storm rolling in. It was nice to get out of the office today and do some site visits and check out a few construction projects.
Al Asad was Saddam's premier air base and he spent Billions of dollars on its construction. Just about every structure is hardened, buried, or appears to be fortified. This is the exposed part of a fortified bunker that the US dropped a bunker buster on during Gulf War I. I've got jobs at locations that look bomb-proof, but were no match for our bunker busters.

Dinner:
I have been working with two companies that I thought could help each other, one a very good Turkish company called "Lara Group" and the other an Iraqi company called "Al Folatheya." Al Folatheya means "like steel." I've been trying to introduce the two companies so they can partner on some projects, maybe the Turkish company could mentor the Iraqi company through some successful projects. The end state goal is to give the Iraqi company enough training and guidance to get better with their project management and construction technique, eventually making them a leader in the construction business when we all leave. In my "match making" endeavor, the Iraqi company invited me to bring the Turkish company to dinner, so we all came and met and then ate dinner together.
From left to right: Me, Azhar (Iraqi interpreter), Ali (owner of Al Folatheya - and our host for the dinner), Rabia (owner of Lara Group), and Tenet (Engineer at Lara Group - and husband to Rabia). Not shown are my two guards/escorts (not that I need them for security), AM1 Cotto and EN1 Harlow.

Pictured is a typical Iraqi meal of fresh fruits, flat bread, grilled lamb, chicken, and vegetables, and a pickled side veg. It is typical for all the food to be on one plate where everyone eats from it with their hands. Here, eating from the same plate makes you family. I appreciate the sentiment but am glad they give us a plate of our own to use! This is my third Iraqi meal so far, and ALWAYS delicious. The people here are more than gracious hosts...they often go overboard putting out their best for us!! They're great people and really appreciate us.

The negotiations:
It's difficult to work between Turkish to English to Iraqi translations. The talks were about an hour with plenty of misunderstandings, and edgy at times. I felt I had the role of intermediary, and had to ensure diplomacy because the Iraqi company has loyalties to their family companies, and he also doesn't want to appear to need the Turks. The Turks know they're the best company on base, and recognize they don't really need the Iraqi company, but they do want to help build the Iraqi capability. The Iraqi's need to save face and be seen as "partners" rather than enter a business relationship where they are treated like a little brother.

This is Ali, the owner of Al Folatheya, and he is a good man. He tries really hard and has had many challenges to running a successful Iraqi construction company. His heart is in the business, but he needs a lot of work to fulfill his potential. I think the measure of our success here in Iraq will be determined by our ability to help them recognize their potential and reach it.

Mucho Mustachimos! Chronicles Day 7

This is Greg...just wait until his business grows in ...he's going to look like Kip from "Napoleon Dynamite"
Day 7 of the cheesy 'stache "contest" This is Toy, that's his name, Toy. Day 7 of the flesh colored fuzz. He's tryin' real hard!

It's not cool to make fun of the Chaplains, but this 'stache has been growing for 20 years!!! I couldn't help but ask if I could take his picture and asked if he was in on the gag...he didn't know what I was talking about.

Again, hate to pick on Chaplains, but it's too easy!!! Chaplain Plummer at his one week mark!

Mine at Day 7...nice consistency, a little itchy, waiting for it to "fill in." I can't stand to look at myself with this atrocity!!! I'm already looking forward to shaving it off.
Here's Brian's "Old Man 'Stache." A little lop-sided but he definitely is showing the younger crowd how it's done.
Stay tuned for the next installment of the Mustache Chronicles...

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Wynnona wants her FMF Qualification

I guess I might as well tell you a little about two big issues here that I'm going through. The first is Wynnona, the Base Command Group's mascot, a big brown beaver - groundhog - chipmunk...whatever you want her to be. She's the mascot for our group and she came all the way from Ft. Dix, NJ just to be with us here. That's another story for another time. So here you can her atop the AC unit in my office. She's a 4 foot tall fiberglass beauty and attracts attention everywhere she goes. I wonder why, but everyone seems to want to touch her, take their picture with her, or wants to carry her.
So the other major event going on around here is all the Navy Officers going after their FMF (Fleet Marine Force) Qualification. It's a pin, similar to a warfare qualification, that demonstrates a broad and in-depth knowledge of the US Marine Corps' strategic and tactical missions and capabilities. It's only available within a narrow window of eligibility and we happen to fall within it here now. Honestly, everyone EXCEPT me seems to be going after this pin. It requires the applicant to attend several classes (weapons safety or defensive strategy for example), demonstrate different skills (set up a base camp or field strip your weapon), and observe several different USMC functions (like an amphibious landing or operations inside a Tactical command center). I'm not afraid of a challenge, it's just that I am so busy that I don't have time to go run off and attend a class on communications or take a "field trip" to watch Marines jump out of a helicopter. I wish I did though!
So here's where Wynnona and FMF come together...I figured I don't care so much about the pin, but why not let Wynnona get it?? So I decided to help her get the pin and will take her to EVERY required event, even the oral board at the end. So I already started! It will require her to go on a 6 mile hike in full "battle rattle" and complete a USMC PT test, including pull ups. I know she can do it!!
Here's a picture of the Command Chaplain spotting one of the JAG officers in beefing up for the big qual!! He has a long way to go... Wynnona has already started motivating folks to reach past their comfort zone!

Yesterday was Wynnona's first class. A quick tour of the CH53 Helicopter and it's capabilities, landing zone requirements, and basic uses, procedures, blah blah blah. The best part was that Wynnona was there...Everyone had fun!

Make sure to check back regularly to witness the triumphs of Wynnona's FMF Adventure. We have a little something for everyone here...Mustache Chronicles, Wynnona's FMF Adventure, and you still haven't seen where I live, work, eat, go to church, or my day-to-day stuff. There's going to be lots to write about! Please stay in touch.

Monday, November 17, 2008

The Mustache Mis-Adventure Chronicles ~ Day 1


It's mustache month here among my Department, and many of us are stepping up to the challenge. There is a challenge among the JO's to see how nasty the "trash stash," "nose bug," or "mobile tea strainers" can get. I'm going for the top prize! I will open it up to the forum to name my 'stach ...I think I like the name "Selleck" or "Escobar." I'll make sure to log the Mis-Adventures of the Mustache challenge right here. Stay tuned!

Just for the record


Saturday, November 15, 2008

Iraq Exit Strategy


I don't mind talking politics....
I think this guy has the right idea for our exit strategy.
The military has made some tremendous advances in camouflage pattern technology...











There is a "no alcohol" policy for the entire theater. People around here will go to great lengths to get a drink.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Marine Corps Marathon (forward)

The Marine Corps Marathon is one of the premier running events in the US. Usually limited to those who applied months in advance and are then selected by lottery, running "the people's marathon" is a tremendous experience. Since Operation Iraqi Freedom began, many race clubs have sponsored their events in the forward deployed area to run simultaneously with their main event. This year, the Marine Corps Marathon ran a "forward" version of the race, offering a certified course, official t-shirts, bibs, and race packets to anyone who wanted to run the race on base. I love this stuff---so of course I signed up...and the best part was it was FREE! This race usually costs $80-$100, and many races easily exceed that amount for entry.
Well, it turns out that the "rainy season" started the same morning as the Marathon! This turned into the USMC MUD RUN!! We had two inches of rain in the couple of hours before the race and it was a flash flood almost instantly. Many decided to stay home, but not I!
Good Stuff!!

An aid station at mile 4 or so. This area got hit the hardest because all the water started like a tidal wave at them here! I originally signed up to "work" the aid station but was later talked into running it. I would have been at this station if I worked instead of recreated that day.

My roommate offering to help these runners through the aid station!



The flash flood was not as bad as everyone made it out to be, only minor destruction, power loss, flooding of only a couple LSA's (Life Support Areas), a car being washed away, and a couple aid stations wiped out! I was truly disappointed when the race was cancelled. It was the perfect day to run...once the rain stopped. And the water would have eventually receded. It makes no difference once you're already wet.
So here I am finishing the cancelled race. They caught everyone at a turnaround point and directed us into the finish area. I was able to get just short of 10 miles that day, and I was feeling GREAT! That guy next to me was pooped out a mile earlier and I told him to 'go get it' and was yelling at him to run harder for the camera. These Marines love that crap!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Daily Life at AAAB

There's not any one thing that shows my typical day here. I am the Facilities Engineering Division Officer...but should more accurately be called the Construction Management Division. I manage all the Construction on the base, mostly by contract. I contract with "Troop Labor" (Red Horse and Seabee Battalions), Construction Companies from Iraq, Turkey, Norway, India, and the US, and a program called LOGCAP with KBR. There's a real initiative to go with "Iraqi First" in contracting, giving Iraqi companies the contracts in order to develop their economy, build their management and construction skills, and to establish an industrial base.
These contracts usually require A LOT of oversight, direction, and re-work! It's labor intensive to build even the most simple construction because they are not learned on US National Electrical Code (NEC), Fire and Safety Standards, Concrete Strength Requirements, etc etc. I have my work cut out for me!!

Sunset in the desert. Actually taken in the Udari Range in Kuwait. I love my M9 pistol. I'm thinking of buying one when I get home. I've already gotten rid of the "boonie hat" though...not my style, dude.

The two busiest guys on this base! Dave runs the Power Grid and Water Distribution System. I run construction. We easily touch every person on base with our services, and there are dozens here just to support our operations. It's nice to be needed, but it's already proving to be a lot of work. We're up to the challenge!

Here's me at my first "building acceptance" inspection and turn-over. This is "Boz" - his real name is Adnak- Herzgbra-something or another...he's from Bosnia, so we call him Boz! He works for KBR and is a real professional. KBR executes a lot of work here for us. It costs a good bit more for them to do it over a contractor, but they generally do it right and I don't have to worry about the details so much with them. This was "job complete" on an old Iraqi Army headquarters building that KBR performed a complete rehab on, bringing it into the 21st century.

My walk to work each morning. Maybe a 1/4 mile if I take the scenic route. I live right across the street from work pretty much.
Aerial view of only a small part of the airfield. The main part of the base is the dark area at the top of the picture. Running around the entire fence line is 27 miles...I plan to do it while here!
Some rescued art from an Iraqi Wall Mural. There's alot of history here...not all is good, but interesting nonetheless.
One point of friction here on the base is the waste management "program". They just burn everything! The base is constantly smothered in smoke smelling of burning plastic...air quality is awful. I have a couple projects to bring some incinerators with scrubbers online and to build a landfill on the base. This seems to be a problem that has a lot of visibility at all levels because I read about it in "Navy Times" too.
It's hard to enjoy running here when the air chokes. The garbage smoke, mixed with all the generators' exhaust and vehicle exhausts makes for a toxic mix.
There are old MIGs all over the base. Remember during Gulf War I & II when Saddam was trying to hide his jets under other planes, inside caves, and way out in the middle of nowhere? That was here. I found a MIG way up on top of a mountain in a quarry...we wonder how it got there. These litter the landscape here. They're "off limits" because some still have active ejection seats or ordnance. Plenty of people have been injured (even killed) messing around with them.

The old Iraqi flag on the tail of a MIG. The Iraqi flag has had many variations. The one seen here has the Arabic writing on it...the official flag had the writing in Saddam's own hand. The words are "Allah Akbar," meaning God is Great.

Here's a picture of my "courtyard" in my can city. My can is right behind the person in the picture. We have a palm tree and a couple other niceties. We are extremely fortunate...the bathroom is only about 20 yards away from our can.

Just a random picture of a site on the base. There's lots of sand, and lots of sun here!
Until next time, I miss you all and hope you are doing well. I'm fine here and plenty safe. I will make sure to blog my church experience here, my living quarters, the food, some crazy construction projects, and all the things to see eventually. I have to pace myself, I still have nearly 6 months here still. Meredith's keeping a count on her page. This place is ideal for the older couple without grown kids...both could work for a contractor and make lots of money and have no expenses. Otherwise it's pretty lonely.

How to catch a terrorist