troop letter: dirt sailor

November 08, 2008

Salaam Aleikum family and friends,

Greetings and I hope this update reaches you all in good health and happiness.

I have just returned from an R&R pass to the country of Qatar.  We flew into Al Udeid, Air Base on a C-17 in a quick 3 hours and 20 minutes. 

We flew into Al Udeid, Air Base on a C-17 in a quick 3 hours and 20 minutes.  I was invited by the pilots up into the cockpit.  Two of the three Air Force pilots had graduated from the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO.  I asked them for the benefit of my nephew who is currently seeking an appointment to that storied institution, what was the most challenging thing you had to endure at the academy?  The first pilot who was also on the baseball squad said, staying ahead of his studies-"I wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box”.  I was hoping at that point that I would not have to take control of the aircraft.  While travel with the team got him off campus, every minute of every day is scheduled and accounted for.  The other pilot said, “putting up with all the Bull Shit”.

After we landed, we were then bused to Camp As Sayliyah, Doha, Qatar about 30 minutes away.  The temperatures on a daily basis averaged 125F.  Don’t be fooled, it is a wet heat-humidity from the Gulf of Oman raised the temperature by 15+F.  In any event it was HOT!!!  As soon as I walked out of the air conditioned buildings, I immediately started perspiring.  The base has had a few changes since I was there over two years ago for the same reason.  A Chili’s restaurante has been built, the Burger King is gone.  The PX-Post Exchange store, has been expanded and remodeled.  An 8 lane bowling alley is also new.  Unfortunately for me, I was visiting during Ramadan, and the venues-trips off the camp, were limited and ones I had enjoyed during my last visit.  Needless to say, I restricted my comings and goings to the camp gym, DFAC-dining facility-that has FRESH MILK (lifes simple pleasures) and a great dessert selection (notorious sweet tooth), and my private room with TV-RHIP!!  It was a good visit inspite of the painful 5 hour return trip in a C-130, with troop web seating and limited leg room.  We were also traveling on the return trip with a DV-a female one star Admiral in charge of facilities contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan.  She and her strap hangers ended up obscounding our bus to the terminal-low priority returning from pass.  We ended up waiting an hour and twenty minutes for another bus.  A good relaxing and recuperating time was had by all.

If you all could please do me and all military people serving around the world on this 7th Anniversary of 9/11, a small favor.  Take a short moment and pray for them and their families for the hard work and sacrifice that they endure on a daily basis.  We in America are so fortunate for the Freedom’s we enjoy and take for granted on a daily basis.  Terriorist have tried and will continue to try and restrict and deny us of our way of life-not while the volunteers, great Americans, true Patriots and Heroes, young and old, who wear the uniform and colors or our great Nation, continue to make a stand and fight.  We will not forget why we must be separated from our families and friends, and we will endure these hardships so that others can live free.  Thank you all for your continued support, you will never know how much it is appreciated.

yours in service,

dirt sailor