Been a long time since anything new went up here. Deployments kinda do that. Anyway, I received an email from our guest author who wished to tell the story of how he is dealing with the things that happened to him on deployment. So, I agreed to let him tell his story here in hopes it might help someone else.

Anyone else who would like to get a story out, feel free to email me.

Every time I go to make a post from my journal, I decide against it. Either the articles are too personal, have possible OPSEC issues, or reveal too much about the people involved. It kinda sucks for the old blog, although it works out for me as I am not watching over my shoulders.

I can’t say it more.. I HATE PACKING!!

I had a thought the other day and it’s been kinda bugging me. I look at all the Vietnam vets and all the problems they have had. Most were draftees, and/or one tour soldiers. Most of the OIF/OEF soldiers are multiple tour soldiers, and multiple front veterans. This is something that hasn’t really been seen since WWII.

I have to wonder how anyone expected these soldiers to remain well adjusted individuals after so long in combat and the sudden life-changing adjustments that have to be made every 12-15 months. This is a big adjustment both coming and going, not just because of the experiences in combat, but the pure change in stance. Personally, I will have spent more time gone than not here very shortly and I know how hard it can be to adjust.

Anyway, it was just a thought I had and not a very complete discussion point on my part, but at least you know I am still out here now. At least for the moment.

A “New Dawn,” huh!?

So that’s the name the powers that be came up with for OIF now that we are no longer “engaged in combat operations.” First off, that name sucks! New Dawn sounds like some hippie festival in the California desert. And here I thought “Provide Comfort” was the cheesiest operations name to date.

How do you know a deployment is getting close? Words like “Family time,” half days,” etc start getting pushed about.

Thought I would share a few pictures from my flight the other day. These were taken at about 6500 feet when we landed on a little plateau. The area had a herd of Dall Sheep on it, but they ran down the mountainside out of view before I could get any pictures.

Back to the war zone for a third time in what will be 5 years by the time this tour is over.

I do know when and where, but I will leave it at that for now.

Today I flew. And I do mean flew. Over six hours of continuous flight. We were doing specialized High Altitude training. The flight included learning how to fly and maneuver around high mountain peaks, glaciers, and in the high winds of big mountain ranges. I have to admit, placing one wheel down on a high craggy peak of a mountain that can’t be reached by conventional means is always fun, and the views are magnificent.

However, after that much flying in the cold (think sub freezing) and in the bouncy, noisy, crew seat of a helicopter, I am pretty wiped. However, I figured I would share some of the views I saw today. The things we see flying through the remote mountain peaks a glaciers are awesome, and you can’t help but think about how few people have ever set sights on such things or been to such places.

Arriving on the Scene

I spent about half my day today doing hoist MEDEVAC operations with another unit. They would call in a 9-line MEDEVAC over the radio, and we would respond. Depending on the patient scenario, I would either hoist in and evacuate the patient via SKEDCO and JP, or we would evacuate them via litter. It turned out to be some really good training for everyone involved, including my Crew Chief who received some extra training by giving IVs to the “patients” under my instruction.

I thought I would share a few more pictures from today as well, so you’ll find them after the jump.