Military members have always had a reputation for being inventive. The article below is a great example of not only the inventive nature of Soldiers, but of their dedication and willingness to put their money where their ideas are.
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/01/25/targeting-taliban-iphone-app/
Sunday, January 30, 2011
yet another update.
The surgeon directed that I stay one additional week. I'll be returning to Bagram next weekend. In the meantime, I have signed up for a couple of trips into Doha City. I'll post pictures afterward. Lee.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
50%
Half way there...The toughest part right now is to not count the days...but to make the days count.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
doing fine.
Not much to report on right now. My recovery has been great. There's a chance I could return to Bagram (I hope) this weekend, but the decision (and flight schedule) is not up to me. I have a follow-up appointment on Thursday, and should know more then. Lee.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
al Udeid
Here's some video and pictures from al Udeid...it's like a resort, only an Air Force base...one in same?! Also, I embedded a photo album from photobucket to the right.
"Jersey" barriers are meant for force protection, but here in al Udeid, they are used as a canvas for unit paintings (similar to what units do at NTC) This one is from the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing based at the Des Moines Airport.
Here's the other angle of the 132nd Fighter Wing's jersey barrier.
This is the main outdoor common area. For obvious reasons, they call it the "bra." (see next picture below)
The mall. Yes, they actually have a mall here.
All the walkways here are paved...very nice.
The hospital where I had my surgery.
The dayroom (lounge) for OEF Soldiers recovering from surgery.
I actually had real pizza the other night. It was SO good!
Outdoor bar and big screen TV.
Patriot Missile batteries keeping watch.
"Jersey" barriers are meant for force protection, but here in al Udeid, they are used as a canvas for unit paintings (similar to what units do at NTC) This one is from the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing based at the Des Moines Airport.
Here's the other angle of the 132nd Fighter Wing's jersey barrier.
This is the main outdoor common area. For obvious reasons, they call it the "bra." (see next picture below)
The mall. Yes, they actually have a mall here.
All the walkways here are paved...very nice.
The hospital where I had my surgery.
The dayroom (lounge) for OEF Soldiers recovering from surgery.
I actually had real pizza the other night. It was SO good!
Outdoor bar and big screen TV.
Me sitting by the pool. I know, these pasty white legs have a ways to go.
Patriot Missile batteries keeping watch.ATV's
This post is for Grant. As most of you may know by now, he really likes anything with wheels...particularly ATV's. I took these pictures around al Udeid today for him.
I know buddy, it's not an ATV. It's a light set...on wheels!
I know buddy, it's not an ATV. It's a light set...on wheels!Wednesday, January 19, 2011
B1B Lancer
6 years ago when I was in Afghanistan, there was a mountain pass my platoon was unable to avoid on our way to a village in Paktika Province...the pass was going to leave my platoon very exposed, and we had no other option but to go through it.
With no other options available, we radioed a request to our B1B air support that was on station that morning for a show of force through the pass. The B1B crew obliged, dropped out of the clouds and sprayed the pass with flares, before hitting the afterburners and disappearing back into the clouds.
The sight and deafening roar of that plane is one of my more significant memories from the 2004-2005 deployment. I'll never forget the look on the villagers faces after we arrived. They honestly thought we had control of some sort of God like force that could come down out of the clouds and do whatever we asked.
It probably goes without saying that nothing happened to us while we traveled through the mountain pass.
This evening, I had the opportunity to go on a tour of a B1B Lancer here in Qatar, where many B1B's are stationed. Below are some pictures and video. Many thanks to "Butters" and "Joker" for the tour, and for helping a slightly disabled Captain around their plane.
Also, as you'll be able to tell from the video, I think "Butters" and "Joker" are barley out of high school...They look no older 18-19 years old.
B1B LANCER
B1B Front
B1B Crew and some dumb Army guy
Seriously, they use duct tape all over this thing.
The bombardier's seat in the back
View of the flight line from the co-pilot's seat
I have no idea what all the buttons are for.
More duct tape?! In the cockpit no less!
Me taxiing for takeoff...okay, not really.
More buttons. No clue what they do, but they sure look important.
"NUC" is for nuclear bomb. The B1B was designed to be a strategic nuclear bomber. It has since been converted for conventional use. This button is now used for dropping 2000lb bombs.
2000lb bomb from the RED BULLS
2000lb bomb from Matt, Tiff and Owen
2000lb bomb from Mom and Dad
2000lb bomb from Jon, Heather and the family. Sorry, I butchered Kailie's? name!?
2000lb bomb from Papa and the 25th ID
2000lb from Wade, Steph and Whitney
2000lb bomb from my family
Signing the bombs.
I was up there awhile.
The B1B crew advised that in the last 90 days, their squadron has dropped over 300 bombs on enemy positions in Afghanistan. These bombs will likely be dropped before the end of this month.
With no other options available, we radioed a request to our B1B air support that was on station that morning for a show of force through the pass. The B1B crew obliged, dropped out of the clouds and sprayed the pass with flares, before hitting the afterburners and disappearing back into the clouds.
The sight and deafening roar of that plane is one of my more significant memories from the 2004-2005 deployment. I'll never forget the look on the villagers faces after we arrived. They honestly thought we had control of some sort of God like force that could come down out of the clouds and do whatever we asked.
It probably goes without saying that nothing happened to us while we traveled through the mountain pass.
This evening, I had the opportunity to go on a tour of a B1B Lancer here in Qatar, where many B1B's are stationed. Below are some pictures and video. Many thanks to "Butters" and "Joker" for the tour, and for helping a slightly disabled Captain around their plane.
Also, as you'll be able to tell from the video, I think "Butters" and "Joker" are barley out of high school...They look no older 18-19 years old.
B1B LANCER
B1B Front
B1B Crew and some dumb Army guy
Seriously, they use duct tape all over this thing.
The bombardier's seat in the back
View of the flight line from the co-pilot's seat
I have no idea what all the buttons are for.
More duct tape?! In the cockpit no less!
Me taxiing for takeoff...okay, not really.
More buttons. No clue what they do, but they sure look important.
"NUC" is for nuclear bomb. The B1B was designed to be a strategic nuclear bomber. It has since been converted for conventional use. This button is now used for dropping 2000lb bombs.
2000lb bomb from the RED BULLS
2000lb bomb from Matt, Tiff and Owen
2000lb bomb from Mom and Dad
2000lb bomb from Jon, Heather and the family. Sorry, I butchered Kailie's? name!?
2000lb bomb from Papa and the 25th ID
2000lb from Wade, Steph and Whitney
2000lb bomb from my family
Signing the bombs.
I was up there awhile.
The B1B crew advised that in the last 90 days, their squadron has dropped over 300 bombs on enemy positions in Afghanistan. These bombs will likely be dropped before the end of this month.
Doing Well
Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing fine following surgery. I am off pain meds, and I was able to go for a 1 mile run/ 3 mile walk today. It looks like I'll be here in Qatar for awhile. The doctors are insistent that the water source in Afghanistan is too dirty, and have directed that I stay here until my incision heals up. It could be another 10-14 days until I return to Bagram. In the meantime, there is plenty to do here. I'll keep you updated. Lee.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
update
My surgery is scheduled for 12 hours from now (11pm Monday evening Iowa time). I have no idea what kind of shape I'll be in for the first 48 hours following...I'll update when I feel able to. Thanks in advance for the prayers and support. Lee.
1st Platoon Bravo Company
I ran across this video on my hard drive a couple of months ago, and I finally have a fast enough internet connection here in Qatar to upload it. This is a snap shot of my platoon that deployed to Afghanistan from 2004-2005. I couldn't stop laughing when I first watched it last November. What a difference in deployments, that's all I can say.
16 years.
In the fall of 1995, I received a mid-morning phone call from Staff Sergeant Quentin Lyons, an Army recruiter stationed at North Grand Mall in Ames. I can’t remember if it was me who begrudgingly picked up the phone, or if it was my mom who put the phone in my face in an effort to wake me up...either way, it was a phone call that was life changing.
I remember saying “Hello,” to which SSG Lyons responded, “Is this Lee Vandewater? You better wake up, we just drafted your “butt”...Do you always sleep in this late!?” I have no idea what I said in response, but I do distinctly remember, and will never forget SSG Lyon’s blunt greetings on behalf of the US Army. This was my introduction to the strange world that is the Army, and I have been along for the ride ever since.
I think most (normal) people probably would have hung up the phone, too busy with everything they had going on. Come to think of it, most people wouldn’t have even been home to answer this particular phone call. It was the middle of the week, and most people were at work or school or had a life or something (my mom worked nights, so she had an excuse if it was her that answered the call). This may be the reason why I didn’t hang up...I really didn’t have anything going on that morning, or any other time either. In fact, I had just recently dropped out of college...if you consider “recently” as being that very morning that SSG Lyons called.
Over the course of the following few weeks, I agonized over what to do. I must have agonized more than most people, because I do recall SSG Lyons frustration with me. I think he was pretty close to putting a gun to my head. I don’t recall when or exactly how I finally came to a decision, but I do remember the prevailing factor that outweighed all other factors...putting off College for the next 3 years.
In November 1995, I finally signed the paperwork (much to SSG Lyons’ relief) and entered into the delayed enlistment program. I made a deal that I would ship to basic training after Christmas in 1995...SSG Lyons wasted little time. Soon after signing my enlistment contract, I was provided a plane ticket and orders to active duty dated January 17th, 1995.
As I write this 16 years later, the good has definitely outweighed the bad. There have been many changes both personally and professionally. I have watched the Army as a whole convert from a peacetime force trained in the conventional war fight, to a highly proficient Wartime counter insurgency (COIN) fighting force. I have also been able to play a role in the conversion of the National Guard from a strategic reserve, to an operational force that deploys regularly...a no notice transition that began on September 11th, 2001.
I’m not sure how much longer I’ll stick around. Life changes and spiritual maturity will absolutely play a much larger factor in my decision to stay or go as it did when I first enlisted. Only time and prayer will tell. We'll see.
I remember saying “Hello,” to which SSG Lyons responded, “Is this Lee Vandewater? You better wake up, we just drafted your “butt”...Do you always sleep in this late!?” I have no idea what I said in response, but I do distinctly remember, and will never forget SSG Lyon’s blunt greetings on behalf of the US Army. This was my introduction to the strange world that is the Army, and I have been along for the ride ever since.
I think most (normal) people probably would have hung up the phone, too busy with everything they had going on. Come to think of it, most people wouldn’t have even been home to answer this particular phone call. It was the middle of the week, and most people were at work or school or had a life or something (my mom worked nights, so she had an excuse if it was her that answered the call). This may be the reason why I didn’t hang up...I really didn’t have anything going on that morning, or any other time either. In fact, I had just recently dropped out of college...if you consider “recently” as being that very morning that SSG Lyons called.
Over the course of the following few weeks, I agonized over what to do. I must have agonized more than most people, because I do recall SSG Lyons frustration with me. I think he was pretty close to putting a gun to my head. I don’t recall when or exactly how I finally came to a decision, but I do remember the prevailing factor that outweighed all other factors...putting off College for the next 3 years.
In November 1995, I finally signed the paperwork (much to SSG Lyons’ relief) and entered into the delayed enlistment program. I made a deal that I would ship to basic training after Christmas in 1995...SSG Lyons wasted little time. Soon after signing my enlistment contract, I was provided a plane ticket and orders to active duty dated January 17th, 1995.
As I write this 16 years later, the good has definitely outweighed the bad. There have been many changes both personally and professionally. I have watched the Army as a whole convert from a peacetime force trained in the conventional war fight, to a highly proficient Wartime counter insurgency (COIN) fighting force. I have also been able to play a role in the conversion of the National Guard from a strategic reserve, to an operational force that deploys regularly...a no notice transition that began on September 11th, 2001.
I’m not sure how much longer I’ll stick around. Life changes and spiritual maturity will absolutely play a much larger factor in my decision to stay or go as it did when I first enlisted. Only time and prayer will tell. We'll see.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
CJTH
The hospital at Bagram is called the Craig Joint Theater Hospital, and is named after a medic (SSG Heathe Craig) that was killed while attempting a complex hoist rescue in Afghanistan a couple of years ago. Prior to leaving Afghanistan yesterday, I was required to stop by Craig Hospital and receive a final consult from a surgeon there. When I arrived, the surgeon was appropriately enough in surgery with another patient, so I took a seat in the ICU while I waited.
I wish many of the critics of this War could have seen what I'm about about to describe...All too often, our Country takes a beating in regards to human rights and decency. Most of the world only knows what the media tells them, and often they do not receive the truth. If only they could have seen what I saw yesterday...
I took a seat at the end of a bench with 3 open seats. Soon after sitting down, two burka clad women came in and sat down beside me. I could hear them silently crying, and speaking to each other. Not long after they sat down, it was apparent why they were there. A young Afghan boy, no more than 3-4 years old was wheeled into the ICU with severe burns. There must have been 10 military doctors and nurses working on the boy. I have no idea how the boy was hurt, or if he survived his injuries. But I can tell you, the ICU at CJTH was working feverishly to help him.
I really didn't want to watch what was going on myself, and I wasn't about to try and console 2 women in Burkas, so I decided to move to the other side of the ICU and give them some privacy.
While making my way to the chairs on the other side, I was forced to weave my way through several "detainees" (you know, those guys we used to call the enemy). Detainees are not too difficult to spot, they are the guys in leg shackles, wearing blacked out goggles and ear muffs to keep them disoriented in the event they return to the battle field.
Each detainee had a guard and an attending nurse assigned to them. Some of the detainees were wheelchair bound, while others were standing silently. What was most notable was the treatment I saw them receive. The detainees had been standing there awhile, and one of the guards led his detainee over to a chair so he could sit. The guard then peeled back the earmuff and spoke to the detainee in Dari, returning with a cup of water for him. What a difference from the treatment our service members receive when taken prisoner, if they are not killed altogether.
I mean, our guards are speaking the detainee's native language, offering them to sit and drink water while they await some of the best medical treatment available anywhere!
I know we have made some mistakes in this War regarding the treatment of the enemy, but the instances are minimal and most often they occur in the heat of battle. The caring and decency I witnessed at CJTH is what the actual norm is regarding treatment of the Afghan people and our enemies...too bad those stories are not told more often.
I wish many of the critics of this War could have seen what I'm about about to describe...All too often, our Country takes a beating in regards to human rights and decency. Most of the world only knows what the media tells them, and often they do not receive the truth. If only they could have seen what I saw yesterday...
I took a seat at the end of a bench with 3 open seats. Soon after sitting down, two burka clad women came in and sat down beside me. I could hear them silently crying, and speaking to each other. Not long after they sat down, it was apparent why they were there. A young Afghan boy, no more than 3-4 years old was wheeled into the ICU with severe burns. There must have been 10 military doctors and nurses working on the boy. I have no idea how the boy was hurt, or if he survived his injuries. But I can tell you, the ICU at CJTH was working feverishly to help him.
I really didn't want to watch what was going on myself, and I wasn't about to try and console 2 women in Burkas, so I decided to move to the other side of the ICU and give them some privacy.
While making my way to the chairs on the other side, I was forced to weave my way through several "detainees" (you know, those guys we used to call the enemy). Detainees are not too difficult to spot, they are the guys in leg shackles, wearing blacked out goggles and ear muffs to keep them disoriented in the event they return to the battle field.
Each detainee had a guard and an attending nurse assigned to them. Some of the detainees were wheelchair bound, while others were standing silently. What was most notable was the treatment I saw them receive. The detainees had been standing there awhile, and one of the guards led his detainee over to a chair so he could sit. The guard then peeled back the earmuff and spoke to the detainee in Dari, returning with a cup of water for him. What a difference from the treatment our service members receive when taken prisoner, if they are not killed altogether.
I mean, our guards are speaking the detainee's native language, offering them to sit and drink water while they await some of the best medical treatment available anywhere!
I know we have made some mistakes in this War regarding the treatment of the enemy, but the instances are minimal and most often they occur in the heat of battle. The caring and decency I witnessed at CJTH is what the actual norm is regarding treatment of the Afghan people and our enemies...too bad those stories are not told more often.
snow...finally
The mountains surrounding Bagram finally have snow on them.
I recently saw online where the Air Force proudly published many pictures of the flight line here at Bagram. I guess if they're not concerned about pictures of their planes, than neither am I. All that said, this is probably the first photo I've published of the mountains to the South.
I recently saw online where the Air Force proudly published many pictures of the flight line here at Bagram. I guess if they're not concerned about pictures of their planes, than neither am I. All that said, this is probably the first photo I've published of the mountains to the South.
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