Finally: At final destination: Camp Bastion

Hard to believe but finally have arrived at final destination but after a 48 hour trip from Kuwait.  First stop was to Kandahar on a AF transport for about a 4 hour flight.  Arrived in Kandahar and checked in to hospital there (sight of command for medical Afghan South).  Then flight from Kandahar to Bastion arriving about 11 pm.  LONG TRIP.
Checking in and resting today.  Will give more details soon

Could be trouble in the sand trap

Ok so we were coming back from a briefing and saw a golf ball sitting in the sand.  All I can say...THAT IS ONE BIG SAND TRAP  :)

Happy Turkey Day from Kuwait

Well it is actually the day after turkey day here... 7:30 am.  They had big turkey (and ham and beef)  lunch/dinner for all on the camp here and it was pretty good.  It was also a day off which was nice since jet lag has pretty much got to everyone but seems better today.  Some admin stuff today and then we will see when we head to Afghan. Pic is on way back from turkey dinner.  Wanted to get pics of that but they dont allow pics of eating facility

On My Way: The Flight to Kuwait

Well after 24 hours of travel we arrived in Kuwait at 5 am this morning (see first pic). Started at midnight last might with wheels off at 3am, stop over in Bangor Main, Germany and finally Kuwait at 5am.  Time difference is about 8 hours ahead. Have settled in some today. MRAP training tommorw, Turkey Day here then out to final destination Sat. Second pic is of "food court" at the base  lol ie: Note the MaccyD Arches in background

Getting Ready to Fly Out

Well am back at Fort Dix after trip to TX for EMEDS training...you can see the pix. Got back 2 am Sat morning and are preparing to fly out of McGuire 3am.  We are all pretty tired.  Hopefully will update when can. Not sure how Internet is going to be on route.
Pic is of putting up tent at EMEDS in TX....basically setting up field hospital and doing disaster drills.

This pic is of stopcking the "OR"

1st Army Training #2 HUA!!!

Ok one more First Army thing! My new favorite expression. It is HUA (pronounced Whoo Ahhh) = Heard Understood and Acknowledge. But basically it means anything but NO!!! Just to let everyone know when I can back from this...this is what I am going to want to hear whenever I say something....lol

Pics

1st = getting ready for field exercise

 off to "village" to talk to elder and avoid IEDs!!!  2nd is our HUMVEE platoon   3rd is sunset over the FOB (at ft Dix))  where we stayed for last week of training

1st Army Training

So...Everyone who goes over (Afghan or Iraq) needs combat training first and that is what I did for the past 5 weeks or so at Ft Dix NJ: 1st Army!  Pretty intense with much of the days spent in full battle armor learning weapons, land nav, HUMVEE training, communications, IED avoidance training, close combat training...and more.   It was important just a little weird for medical people to be doing. 
Pics (in order)  Myself and my other surgeon getting ready for M16 quals (yes in full IBAs!!!). 2nd is going out for Land Nav  3rd = MRAP (Mine Resistant Armored Personnel Carrier)

The Start

OK so I decided to do the blog thing as a way to keep everyone up to date with what is/will be going on.  Hopefully I will be able to keep postings up so it stays current but we will have to see how it goes.  The first couple of posts will be on what has happened so far which is mainly my 1st Army Combat training at Fort Dix (and I will take a bunch of stuff from my FaceBook).  Just remember I did very bad in college lit classes and ABSOLUTELY no comments on my spelling  :)
Because this is an open posting I probably will restrict some things....and will be more likely to be a little more "liberal" on my FaceBook since it has somewhat restricted access.