This is my final blogpost. I have no manifesto, no grand finale to offer.
Simply put, I feel this blog met it's purpose...to keep people informed of what I have been up to for the past 12 months.
It's been a long journey...technically speaking...3 continents (North America, Europe and Asia), 7 countries (United States, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Germany, Ireland), 11 US States (Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennesse, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisana, California, New Hampshire, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin)...and approximetly 35,000 miles traveled.
I have formed some very strong opinions along the way in regards to this War. I have strong opinions on our overall conduct and execution, strategy, operations and tactics. I have some opinions reagrding many of my leaders...(President Obama, Secretary Gates, and General Petraeus) that may surprise many of you. However, I don't think this is the place for those opinions. If you want to know, just ask and I will be more than happy to oblige. Only hint I will offer is that my opinions are mixed...
The War rages on. Only 4 days ago, TF RED BULLS lost another Soldier, Sergeant First Class Terryl Pasker, in Afghansitan. How hard it must be for his family to watch us come home while they are grieving and planning a funeral this late in the game.
God Bless to all. Thank you for the support. See you this Summer. Finally...done.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
contacting me....
Just an FYI...I have no intention of having a "real" cell phone again until October. I do have a pre-paid phone that is hit and miss for service...515-508-1991.
If you are unable to reach me at this number, give Jessica's cell or our home phone a try.
I will be checking my gmail account while I'm on leave.
If you are unable to reach me at this number, give Jessica's cell or our home phone a try.
I will be checking my gmail account while I'm on leave.
Welcome Home Ceremony
The welcome home ceremony is now official...This Thursday, July 14th at 1pm at the High School in Boone. It's hard to believe that the end is finally here.
I think I speak for Jessica and the kids when I tell you that we are exhausted...physically, mentally and emotionally.
We ask that everyone respect our decision to go straight home from the ceremony, and give us a couple of days. I'm very much looking forward to seeing everyone soon, perhaps even this weekend if anyone is up for it.
I think I speak for Jessica and the kids when I tell you that we are exhausted...physically, mentally and emotionally.
We ask that everyone respect our decision to go straight home from the ceremony, and give us a couple of days. I'm very much looking forward to seeing everyone soon, perhaps even this weekend if anyone is up for it.
that took awhile...
Okay, I'm finally able to update my progress. A quick explanation...military networks tend to block access to blogs, and I have been constrained to military only networks since leaving Bagram...until this evening. It's been an awfully long past 10 days...
On July 2nd, we checked in for our flight out of Bagram at 9:00am. We finally left Bagram at 7:00pm that evening. We arrived in Manas, and were told that we would have to wait 4 days until our flight to the United States. I never thought that I would spend the 4th of July in a former Soviet Republic....but we did.
On July 5th, only hours before our departure, we were advised that our clearance to fly over another country had been denied, and our flight was cancelled. We were rebooked for the July 7th. After arriving and boarding our plane on the 7th, we were advised that our aircraft was overweight. We then proceeded to drop fuel, aircrew members and 150 bags so we could depart. We made it out with only 45 minutes to spare, and the aircrew was soon encroaching on their crew rest cycle.
Due to the limited amount of fuel on board, we were unable to fly as scheduled non-stop to Ireland...so we stopped for an hour in Germany to refuel, then proceeded to Ireland. Upon arrival in Shannon, Ireland, we were advised that customs officials in Wisconsin would not be ready to recieve us until the next day, so we settled in for a 9 hour layover in the airport. While we were there, we were ordered to move due to the arrival of a "VIP." Turns out that Colin Powell was passing through on his way to Africa, and apparently walked right by me while I was sleeping on the floor. He took the time to pose for pictures, and speak to our guys (those who were awake) for about 20 mins.
We finally departed Ireland, and landed at Volk Field, Wisconsin the morning of July 8th. Major General Orr greeted us, and it was very evident that he was pleased to see his Brigade finally returning home.
Since arriving here, we have been going through our various de-mobilization tasks...mainly medical and pay out-processing. I was advised today that I do not need to return to work until September 12th...what in the world I'll do with 8 1/2 weeks paid off is beyond me...but I'm in no way complaining.
I think I'll work on my beard...
On July 2nd, we checked in for our flight out of Bagram at 9:00am. We finally left Bagram at 7:00pm that evening. We arrived in Manas, and were told that we would have to wait 4 days until our flight to the United States. I never thought that I would spend the 4th of July in a former Soviet Republic....but we did.
On July 5th, only hours before our departure, we were advised that our clearance to fly over another country had been denied, and our flight was cancelled. We were rebooked for the July 7th. After arriving and boarding our plane on the 7th, we were advised that our aircraft was overweight. We then proceeded to drop fuel, aircrew members and 150 bags so we could depart. We made it out with only 45 minutes to spare, and the aircrew was soon encroaching on their crew rest cycle.
Due to the limited amount of fuel on board, we were unable to fly as scheduled non-stop to Ireland...so we stopped for an hour in Germany to refuel, then proceeded to Ireland. Upon arrival in Shannon, Ireland, we were advised that customs officials in Wisconsin would not be ready to recieve us until the next day, so we settled in for a 9 hour layover in the airport. While we were there, we were ordered to move due to the arrival of a "VIP." Turns out that Colin Powell was passing through on his way to Africa, and apparently walked right by me while I was sleeping on the floor. He took the time to pose for pictures, and speak to our guys (those who were awake) for about 20 mins.
We finally departed Ireland, and landed at Volk Field, Wisconsin the morning of July 8th. Major General Orr greeted us, and it was very evident that he was pleased to see his Brigade finally returning home.
Since arriving here, we have been going through our various de-mobilization tasks...mainly medical and pay out-processing. I was advised today that I do not need to return to work until September 12th...what in the world I'll do with 8 1/2 weeks paid off is beyond me...but I'm in no way complaining.
I think I'll work on my beard...
Friday, July 1, 2011
gone..
Bags are packed, only my laptop is left. Will update in a day or two from Manas. My 21st and final month spent in Afghanistan (including 2004/2005) is complete. Ready to come home.
finally...
I was just notified that we are confirmed for departure to Manas in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan tomorrow evening. 24 hours in Afghanistan to go. I can't believe it's finally time to leave.
wrapping things up...
Some final pictures to share from Afghanistan.
CPT Chris Johnson and I at Ft. Hood, Texas in 2004, just prior to deploying to Afghanistan with TASK FORCE 168.
Chris and I yesterday here at Bagram. We've been through a lot of Army stuff together since meeting in 1997.
Our Operations section photo.
COL Amundson is hilarious. Just as the presentation ceremony was beginning and I ran up to report to him, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He looked at me and said, "I have to check my email." I was like thinking...what? here? now? Turned out they forgot to have the photographer present, so they used his phone to take pictures of the presentation.
CPT Chris Johnson and I at Ft. Hood, Texas in 2004, just prior to deploying to Afghanistan with TASK FORCE 168.
Chris and I yesterday here at Bagram. We've been through a lot of Army stuff together since meeting in 1997.
Our Operations section photo.
COL Amundson is hilarious. Just as the presentation ceremony was beginning and I ran up to report to him, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He looked at me and said, "I have to check my email." I was like thinking...what? here? now? Turned out they forgot to have the photographer present, so they used his phone to take pictures of the presentation.
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