fullbattlerattle.blogspot.com
Full Battle Rattle: July 2009
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Friday, July 31, 2009. Ain't no cure for the summertime blues. July was a good month overall. It went by fast because we were busy, and that is a good thing. The workhorse of the military over here.the HMMWV 1151, aka "Hum Vee". These vehicles have performed wonderfully given the circumstances and the alterations that had to be made to these things. It is a great platform from which to conduct combat operations, as well as general transportation. Playin' a little "round ball" on a dusty, warm, July day.
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Full Battle Rattle: September 2009
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Friday, September 18, 2009. Our organization hosted a dinner for our Iraqi counterparts to celebrate the "breaking of the fast" during Ramadan. Because of that, the team I am assigned to was responsible for providing security because of the number of important guests that would be attending, from both the Coalition side and the Iraqi government side. It was decided that we would let the Iraqis (gulp) take the lead while we supported, if needed. Here we are in the final planning phases of the operation.
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Full Battle Rattle: April 2009
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Sunday, April 26, 2009. Luckily, the weather has not gotten hot yet, so we're able to take advantage of it. Here are some examples of things that go on here on our FOB. Recently, we had a Karaoke night. It was a lot of fun to see people basically make fools of themselves. The very next morning, we had Easter sunrise services (yes Mom, I went to Church) at the exact same place. I don't consider that wrong since lot of us actually prayed during the Karaoke contest. Posted by B.K. Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
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Full Battle Rattle: November 2009
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Friday, November 27, 2009. Believe it or not, we actually celebrated Thanksgiving here. Not quite the same as home, but it's better than nothing. Our turkey.fake of course. Our Commanding General visiting us on Thanksgiving. A view of our secondary dining room. Me and my boss enjoying dinner. Posted by B.K. Sunday, November 15, 2009. If Your Wheelchair is Made From a Lawnchair.You Might Be a Redneck. Here are the guidon bearers leading the graduation. Seeing the big-wigs off after the graduation ceremony.
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Full Battle Rattle: Santa Delivers Presents...and Death, if Necessary
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Friday, December 25, 2009. Santa Delivers Presents.and Death, if Necessary. Who says Santa doesn't come to Iraq? The "big guy" was lurking around our FOB recently. Not sure what he was up to, but he was prepared for the worst. Me trying to convince Santa that I've been a good boy this year. He knows better. My Christmas Tree.compliments of my coworkers back home. Thank you! My sad Charlie Brown Christmas Tree on Christmas Morning. First one up in my office to open presents. Merry Christmas to all!
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Full Battle Rattle: Day Trippin'
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Thursday, January 14, 2010. Our office TV is a PHILLIBS.the lesser-known, distant cousin to PHILLIPS. Hey, at least the Iraqis can't be sued for copywrite infringement. This is one of our NCOs struggling with the local directions. The greatness of the MRAP. Me chillin' out inside the MRAP. Here's a shot of our area as I lifted off the LZ in a helicopter. I had a rare opportunity to visit the area I was at during my last tour to Iraq. Here's my ride back to Baghdad. A view of Besmaya on our way out.
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Full Battle Rattle: May 2009
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Saturday, May 30, 2009. I'm halfway to the halfway point (does that make sense? Anyway, I was able to go on my 4-day pass in Qatar with some friends. Had a blast. Here's the aircraft that took us there from Baghdad. It felt like it was 300 degrees on that C130 while we waited for the pallets to be loaded and the sand storm to clear. Once I got down there, I got a chance to get out and go on a tour of the city. Here's a shot of a local market. A view of the city skyline from the Persian Gulf. Here on our ...
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Full Battle Rattle: October 2009
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009. What Goes Up, Must Come Down. The level of happiness you experience when you come home on Leave is matched only by the level of depression you feel when you have to go back to the battlefield. The only cure for it is time. You cannot describe to others; it must be experienced to feel it. However, I'm sure family and friends that are left at home in the wake of your whirlwind vacation feels it almost as much. Sunrise over Germany on the way back to Kuwait. Posted by B.K. Time ...
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Full Battle Rattle: February 2009
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Saturday, February 28, 2009. Left Ft. Benning for a 6 hour flight to Shannon, Ireland. There we endured a 4 hour layover, then it was another 6 hour flight to Kuwait. Luckily, I was able to sleep almost the entire flight. Posted by B.K. Labels: The Flight Over. Sunday, February 22, 2009. Posted by B.K. Labels: Training for Iraq. Friday, February 13, 2009. I found out before Thanksgiving that I was to be deployed AGAIN! Lucky for me, my other family (my co-workers) threw me a Going Away Party!
