5 Mar 2009
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Building Basra, American-style | |
The COB (Coalition Operating Base) is in full tilt expansion as the American forces are making ready to assume control from the British. UK forces have done a great job in Basra, and now we must keep up their momentum, and ensure that the Iraqis can peacefully exist, even thrive, without us. There's a lot that has to happen, though. We'll be living in Containerized Housing Units (CHUs) instead of tents, which offers nice privacy, and much better insulation against the heat and cold. Popular British jokes, that we laugh at too, include poking fun at us for building a bigger fuel farm to power our oversized vehicles, adding deep-fat fryers to the dining facilities, and putting in hamburger and pizza joints because we just can't eat enough in 3 meals a day. Plus midnight snack. Sooo true! Here you see lots of CHUs being placed, over a setting, hazy sun. |
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Army Deployment , General | |
posted by henry at 13:24 | permalink | trackbacks [13] |
24 Feb 2009
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Running in Circles? | |
I blogged previously about a fun run in Basra- well not to be outdone, ACI’s Laureen Fleming has entered herself, her husband and her best friend in a TRIATHALON! Way to go, Laureen! And thanks to Anne Clelland, we enjoy your blog and the recent content you provided in Valley Business Front (it’s a real, honest-to-goodness print magazine that ran several pieces on blogging for business in its second edition). Now wouldn't you know it? Anne runs, too. Triathalons and any old whacked out race. She blogs on blogging, blogs about running, and runs on about other blogs. Now I've blogged too much. |
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ACI , Army Deployment , Family , General | |
posted by henry at 13:13 | permalink | trackbacks [1268] |
22 Feb 2009
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Catch and Release | |
Catch and Release: the Best Strategy for Sustainment I've blogged before about how we call ourselves "Convoy Catchers" - carrying this analogy a little further, I'd like to apply it to a favorite pasttime: fishing! Catch and Release, Convoy Style
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ACI , Army Deployment , Family , General | |
posted by henry at 10:47 | permalink | trackbacks [70611] |
20 Feb 2009
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Valentine's Day Presents | |
Don't think I forgot about Valentine's Day! No way- I had a package in the mail to Lisa two weeks ago, plus called her and talked with the whole family. But it turns out, there was something from Uncle Sam waiting for me... at least this time, it wasn't a mobilization order! I received promotion orders for Lieutenant Colonel! The Army holds a board annually to review the records of Majors who have completed the required military education, years in service and officer efficiency reports. I was notified in January that I had been selected for promotion. While I was in the Individual Ready Reserve, promotions happened in late September. For deployed reserve soldiers, however, Uncle Sam takes care of us and makes the promotion date mid-December, 2008! We had a great ceremony yesterday, and I was very honored to have Major General Robert B. Newman, Jr. do the promotion. MG Newman is The Adjutant General (TAG) for the state of Virginia, and was here visiting the 226th Military Police unit from Manassas. |
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ACI , Army Deployment , Family , General | |
posted by henry at 04:29 | permalink | trackbacks [141] |
13 Feb 2009
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Our Iraqi Friends | |
Our Iraqi Friends For those new to my blog, the military in Iraq requires a LOT of logistics support! Part of my job is to ensure convoys arrive, download, upload, and depart efficiently as the Basra base grows. While the U.S. is fully equipped to do this mission, it’s in everyone’s best interest if we make maximum use of the businesses and citizens of Iraq. Logistics is a great place to do that! Several Iraqi logistics companies are involved in transporting our supplies, and they are doing an excellent job! Early reports said the Arabic culture really doesn’t include the kind of time synchronization we’re used to in the military, but I want you to know, the drivers running our equipment are all about being on time, minimizing everyone’s wait (including their own), and getting the job done! Note in above photo: Iraqi driver supervising the loading of his truck, and a British soldier (bending down) inspecting the vehicle. Why are the Iraqi truck drivers breaking from tradition and becoming great at time management? Well, we pay them for one. Good old capitalism works! We treat them with respect, and we show our appreciation for a job well done with repeat business. In the continuity of Full Spectrum Operations, we’re at the tail end: transitioning a former battlefield into a self-sufficient economy through stabilization and reconstruction. Our weapons are more carrots than sticks: the economy, infrastructure, media and politics. Certainly we’ve got our heavy arms nearby, but what really makes this work is instilling a desire to succeed in this country. It’s working, too. I get to have dinner from time to time with the pilots who have been here for almost a year. They tell me that from the air, it is clear that what was once a quiet ghost town has come alive with citizens moving around, shopping, working and making Basra the thriving metropolis it should be. Furthermore, last month’s general election bore this out. The citizens voted for the leaders who have a vision for infrastructure and growth. The Seattle Times did a great Op Ed piece that sums up the election situation: Give Iraq Credit for Holding an Election that Butresses Democracy |
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Army Deployment , General | |
posted by henry at 06:57 | permalink | trackbacks [163] |
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