The Planetarium

Here I sit in the dark at almost 1am in my little 4 foot by 6 foot space.  I am under 2 layers of cover due to the overactive ECU, and my somewhat stinky PT clothes dangle 12 inches over my head because thats the only hook I have in my spot. There are 8 other people in the newly dubbed “Planetarium” sleeping quietly in their own little 4×6 spaces on their own cots, probably freezing as well.

Funny thing is, its probably in the mid-70s to low 80s in the tent, but we are so used to 120+ degrees that 80 feels more like an Alaskan winter than a Florida summer.  There are low rise concrete barriers surrounding the tent, and we hope to get the insulating foam covering sometime this week.  Wires run absolutely everywhere in order to keep this operation running.  Power cables, 240v and 110v electrical wiring, lights, radio antennas, and just about every kind of wire other than ethernet.  Interestingly, way out here on FOB Sandflea the ISP uses wireless internet.

Why have we named the living quarters end of our lovely tent “The Planetarium?”  Well not too awfully long ago the bad guys decided to try and land some Indirect Fire (IDF) directly into our beds.  Once again, and lucky for the crews, the bad guys are pretty bad shots and although they got close, they missed by about 6 feet.  That’s where those low rise barriers surrounding the tent come in. The crater is exactly halfway between the low barriers and the higher T-walls that surround the FST complex here on this mini-FOB.  The barrier took the brunt of the shrapnel, protecting the crews while they slept in their bunks by directing the remainder over their heads and through the tent. 

That’s why it was named “The Planetarium.”  There are so many little holes (and not so little) that when the sun comes up and shines through them it looks like a star field simulation along the walls and roof of the tent.  Lucky for us, its not the rainy season and our new foam insulation shell should be on before the rainy seasons hits. 

Its now after 1am and I am still awake, laying here waiting for the incoming alarm to go off yet again, so I can spend a few more minutes on the floor of my cubicle, then even more time in the concrete shelter outside.  Funny, thing is – I like it here.  This place for all its little problems, is relatively comfortable, we have our mission, and its pretty much exactly like i expected it to be.  While its not a big FOB with CHUs, and all the amenities (if you can consider a PX and Green Bean amenities), its a shot better than the 2007 version of FOB Sandflea I was at last time I was here.  I have even offered to move out here permanently, not just on the regular rotation, but alas, the command has yet to see it my way.  The Army way and all.

I guess thats it for this bout of insomniac writing.  I will try to get some rest now, at least till the next incoming alarm.