One month down…

   Good morning!  As we start April, I realized that I’ve been in theater for 1 month already.  The time has really flown by and this past week has been incredibly fast with all the “excitement” going on around us.  Luckily everyone here is safe and secure and we continue about our days.   You’ve probably all heard about the curfew in effect and that the Green Zone has been a big target.  I had two friends in the IZ wounded this week, but both are going to be fine.  We also took a few rounds around the installation, but luckily nothing inside and no one from our FOB was hurt.  I was in the middle of a meeting during the first attack and then having lunch during the second… getting between me and food is not a good thing, but the good thing was that it did shorten the meeting

   I thought that I’d let everyone know about the mission we’re doing here and how important it is to the overall war effort.  Our unit is responsible for coaching, teaching, and mentoring the Iraqi National Police and Provincial Police departments.  This includes everything from recruiting the officers to training them to equipping them to supporting them on the streets as they patrol.  We work with the Iraqi leadership to allow them to take the lead in these efforts.  If we are successful, then we can all come home.  I’m incredibly proud of the people of the people I work with…They are from all branches of service and nearly all the coalition countries.  My staff and I support them so they can go about their business not worry about things other than their work. 

   This week, I also made the PX run across the city.  It was very uneventful.  The great thing was that I got to drive.  While most of the time we drive through the IZ (secured area), we need to spend time on the roads in the Red Zone.  It can be pretty stressful, because in addition to driving and looking for pot holes, you have to look for other obstacles, like IEDs and people wanting to shoot at you.  Although, the traffic is much lighter than other places,  which makes for easier driving.  The bottom line is that I’ve completed two trips and both have been uneventful.  Although they are a relatively “routine” patrol, we still do everything required: Intel briefing, mission briefing, rehearsals of actions on contact, vehicle breakdown plans, etc. 

All in all, a great week and a great month.  A few of us are planning to head to Qatar for vacation, just not sure when yet.  

More questions answered:

These are all Yes or No….with a few commentaries

Keep a diary?  I guess this counts…. Yes.
Like to cook?  Absolutely
Exercise regularly? Just back into it more.
Sketch while you are on the phone?  Not really
Read a book in the past month?  Yes. I’m reading a book on terrorism right now.
Replace the toilet paper roll immediately? Yes
Like crossword puzzles? Hate them
Visited the Eiffel Tower? No
Secret never shared with anyone? Who doesn’t…Yes.
Wait until the last minute to fill car with gas? No
Snore?  How do I now?  I’m asleep.
Read in the bathroom?  Yep
A naked photo of ome exists?  I think there’s this one on a rug as a baby
Avoid paying full price? Not really
Like hiking?  When not done with a 120lb rucksack and a rifle, yes.

Everyone have a great day and be safe….. I’m thinking about all of you!

Fred