*I updated this post. I did the math wrong...an average of 50 hits a day for 200 days is 10,000ish hits, not 50,000.
I was noticing the gadget titled "hits" that I placed on the blog when I first set this up (scroll down to the lower right of this blog). This counter and others have proved to be fairly inaccurate, as they are reset from time to time and not all areas will register. For instance, there are several people in Afghanistan that read this blog, and none of their hits are registering. Also, it shows only 1,800 hits from the United States, and I know the number from the U.S. is more in the 10,000 range.
What I found interesting is that 2 hits from outside the United States are registering...Qatar (which was my own log-ins while at al Udeid), and Siberia? I set this blog up so it will not register in Google and other search engines. I also disabled the random "take me to the next blog" icon on blogger...So I'm not quite sure how someone stumbled across this.
Now I'm paranoid...as the title to this post suggests.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
pictures from today
The snow continues to melt...causing some minor flooding
In-between the barracks
The sun beginning to set on the mountainsbrainwashed.
Through the years, one of the things I've realized about the military is how good they are at brainwashing me, even when I'm watching for it. It all starts in basic training...
For example, wake-up (in basic training) is at 0330hrs (3:30a.m.) throughout the 9 weeks you're there. Later, when you arrive at your permanent unit following training, first formation is held at 0630hrs (6:30a.m.). This is how they trick you into believing that you have finally arrived...as you believe you are now sleeping in.
Never mind the fact that prior to basic training you considered 9:30a.m. early. They do it to you slowly...just like the cold-blooded frog that is slowly boiled to death in science class. Only after time do you realize when they have struck again.
Well, I realized just recently they have struck again with this mobilization...here's how. I've caught myself numerous times recently saying how this is only a 12 month mobilization. Not so bad considering the last one was 16 months, right?! Darn it, they got me again! Only 12 months...I'm brainwashed.
This got me to thinking about how much time I've spent in recent years doing Army stuff...it really is something when you take the time to write it all down. I decided to figure out how much I've been gone for Army stuff, beginning in 2003 (the year Jess and I got married) to July 2011 (Projected end of this mobilization).
Following the years listed below is the number of full months I recall being gone...not including business trips, conferences, drill weekends, etc.
2003: 4 (Infantry Basic Course)
2004: 11 (Glenwood, IA/Texas/Afghanistan)
2005: 5 (Afghanistan)
2006: 0
2007: 1 (Minnesota, Annual Training)
2008: 1 (Flood Duty & Annual Training)
2009: 1.5 (Presidential Inauguration, Infantry Advanced Course, Minnesota, Annual Training)
2010: 6 (Minnesota, Annual Training/Mississippi/California/Afghanistan)
2011: 7 (Afghanistan estimate)
So, the way I figure it...rounding down, this July I will have been gone for 36 of 103 months...35% of the time.
Wow...and the toughest end of this is at home. Thanks for all you do while I'm away Jess. None of it would have been possible without you. You are a patriot, and the most supportive wife I could ask for. I am blessed. Happy Valentine's Day. I Love you.
(No Jess, I wont detail how many Valentine's Days, Anniversaries, Birthday's etc. I've missed through the years).
For example, wake-up (in basic training) is at 0330hrs (3:30a.m.) throughout the 9 weeks you're there. Later, when you arrive at your permanent unit following training, first formation is held at 0630hrs (6:30a.m.). This is how they trick you into believing that you have finally arrived...as you believe you are now sleeping in.
Never mind the fact that prior to basic training you considered 9:30a.m. early. They do it to you slowly...just like the cold-blooded frog that is slowly boiled to death in science class. Only after time do you realize when they have struck again.
Well, I realized just recently they have struck again with this mobilization...here's how. I've caught myself numerous times recently saying how this is only a 12 month mobilization. Not so bad considering the last one was 16 months, right?! Darn it, they got me again! Only 12 months...I'm brainwashed.
This got me to thinking about how much time I've spent in recent years doing Army stuff...it really is something when you take the time to write it all down. I decided to figure out how much I've been gone for Army stuff, beginning in 2003 (the year Jess and I got married) to July 2011 (Projected end of this mobilization).
Following the years listed below is the number of full months I recall being gone...not including business trips, conferences, drill weekends, etc.
2003: 4 (Infantry Basic Course)
2004: 11 (Glenwood, IA/Texas/Afghanistan)
2005: 5 (Afghanistan)
2006: 0
2007: 1 (Minnesota, Annual Training)
2008: 1 (Flood Duty & Annual Training)
2009: 1.5 (Presidential Inauguration, Infantry Advanced Course, Minnesota, Annual Training)
2010: 6 (Minnesota, Annual Training/Mississippi/California/Afghanistan)
2011: 7 (Afghanistan estimate)
So, the way I figure it...rounding down, this July I will have been gone for 36 of 103 months...35% of the time.
Wow...and the toughest end of this is at home. Thanks for all you do while I'm away Jess. None of it would have been possible without you. You are a patriot, and the most supportive wife I could ask for. I am blessed. Happy Valentine's Day. I Love you.
(No Jess, I wont detail how many Valentine's Days, Anniversaries, Birthday's etc. I've missed through the years).
Sunday, February 13, 2011
snow
It snowed here for the past 3 days, and it's a mess. There is flooding everywhere as the snow is quickly melting...thankfully our living quarters and work area are dry.
The motorpool as the snow began..
Outside my room tonight
The motorpool as the snow began..
Outside my room tonight
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Salerno 2
While waiting to fly from Salerno to Bagram, I took some pictures around the FOB. I was surprised at how little Salerno has changed in the last 6 years. It remains a muddy mess with the view of a mountain chalet.
The hospital we stayed in. Ironically, this is the same hospital that I had surgery in 6 years ago following an incident on the range.
Jingle Tractor
For my family in West Virginia...looks like there are some W.V. National Guard folks stationed in Salerno.
The hospital we stayed in. Ironically, this is the same hospital that I had surgery in 6 years ago following an incident on the range.
Jingle Tractor
For my family in West Virginia...looks like there are some W.V. National Guard folks stationed in Salerno.Salerno 1
As I mentioned earlier, our 5-6 hour flight from al Udeid to Bagram turned into a 48 ordeal.
While in flight, our crew made the decision to pick-up one additional passenger at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Salerno in Khowst Province. Due to concerns about the security of the air space, our C-130 cork screwed down out of the sky over the FOB, and made a very hard landing on the gravel airstrip. I have flown a lot through the years, and I have never experienced an approach or landing quite like we did a couple of days ago.
While in the cork screw decent, I was only hoping that I wouldn't throw up. When we finally landed, the C-130 bounced twice on the runway before finally gripping the ground on the third touch. It was obvious to all that there was a problem as the plane began to slow down and taxi. Sure enough, we had blown a tire. The next 48 hours consisted of fixing the plane and waiting for the weather to subside. We finally made it into Bagram Monday morning.
Hand me a 9/16"....wait a minute, this thing is metric. Hold on...
C-130
While in flight, our crew made the decision to pick-up one additional passenger at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Salerno in Khowst Province. Due to concerns about the security of the air space, our C-130 cork screwed down out of the sky over the FOB, and made a very hard landing on the gravel airstrip. I have flown a lot through the years, and I have never experienced an approach or landing quite like we did a couple of days ago.
While in the cork screw decent, I was only hoping that I wouldn't throw up. When we finally landed, the C-130 bounced twice on the runway before finally gripping the ground on the third touch. It was obvious to all that there was a problem as the plane began to slow down and taxi. Sure enough, we had blown a tire. The next 48 hours consisted of fixing the plane and waiting for the weather to subside. We finally made it into Bagram Monday morning.
Hand me a 9/16"....wait a minute, this thing is metric. Hold on...
C-130Qatar to Afghanistan
A couple of pictures to share from the flight...
Western Pakistan. Very desolate.
Western Pakistan. Very desolate.
dubai
On the flight from Qatar back to Afghanistan, we flew over Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The view out the window was amazing. Dubai is well known for it's man made "palm islands."
Palm Jumeirah
I was also able to get a picture of the Burj Khalifa, although it's a little difficult to see in this picture. Even from the air, the building appears to tower over the entire city. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, and the tallest man made structure ever built. At 2,717 feet, it is over a half mile in height.
Palm Jumeirah
I was also able to get a picture of the Burj Khalifa, although it's a little difficult to see in this picture. Even from the air, the building appears to tower over the entire city. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, and the tallest man made structure ever built. At 2,717 feet, it is over a half mile in height.Monday, February 7, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
almost home...
Long story short, I made it back to Afghanistan yesterday...however we didn't make it to Bagram.
Enroute to Bagram, we stopped at a remote Forward Operating Base in Khowst Province to pick up an additional passenger...and blew a tire on landing. Hoping to make it up to Bagram tomorrow. I'll fill in the details, along with pics in the next few days.
Enroute to Bagram, we stopped at a remote Forward Operating Base in Khowst Province to pick up an additional passenger...and blew a tire on landing. Hoping to make it up to Bagram tomorrow. I'll fill in the details, along with pics in the next few days.
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