Well, it's been a while. If you hadn't guessed yet from the title, my excuse is that I've been staying busy. No complaints though, anyone who's been through deployments knows that the best way to make the time fly is to stay busy.
Let me share with you a few highlights from last month. First of all, I actually had a chance to travel to Afghanistan!! It was only for a week, but it was an awesome opportunity.
For those of you who have been keeping up, you know that I'm currently stationed in Kuwait as a Chaplain on staff with the Warrior Transition Program. The WTP is where all of the Navy personnel transition home from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. Well, it turns out that that General Patraeus' Flag Writer is a Navy Senior Chief, and if you've been watching the news, you know that the General just had his change of command a few weeks ago. So, this Senior Chief was going to have to fly with him back to DC, then come back to Kuwait to go through WTP. Instead of doing that, I took the program to him.
The trip was certainly an epic journey. I left Camp Arifjan, where I am currently stationed, at around 1700 to go to the nearby air base and wait for a flight. I was able to get a seat on a C-130 the next day. While it was nice to catch a flight after less than 24 hours, it was not quite first class. To travel in theatre on a C-130 we have to wear our armored vests and helmets, about 45 lbs worth of sweat provoking gear. In the 120+ degree heat, we sat on the tarmac inside the no AC belly of the aircraft, motors running, waiting for over an hour. Hot, pouring sweat...most uncomfortable I've been since Marine Corps Boot Camp, Paris Island.
We arrived in Kandahar, AFG that evening where I slept on a bench outside until my next flight to Bogram which was scheduled to leave around 0300. It was delayed due to a rocket attack, which I saw and heard, no biggie, thankfully nobody was injured:)
THEN, I spent another 2 nights in Bogram on this lovely luggage rack in the helo terminal...
Finally, three days after leaving Kuwait, I arrived at my destination, ISAF HQ in Kabul, Afghanistan. Whew. Oh wait, I forgot the quick helicopter ride from Bogram to Kabul...Awesome! ~ 60's Rock music playing in the background.
And of course, a short car ride to my final destination...
Seatbelts? Why? Anyways, Once I got there, things immediately started looking up. They put me in VIP berthing where I had a nice comforter, mattress, pillow, and even my own bathroom!!
I had a great time while at ISAF HQ and had some great ministry opportunities with the Sailors there. I even had a chance to witness the change of command with General Petraeus, who is the new Director of the CIA, and USMC General Allen. Nice.
The trip home was more of the same, waiting around for flights, not really sleeping, and learning lots of patience and humility...
So, needless to say, I was pretty excited to be back at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait in my nice cozy tent. However, I'm always looking for another adventure:)
I suppose the next news-worthy item is the base soccer team, of which I am now a member.
We're a pretty good team with lots of talent, and about every other week we play a local national team, or teams from other local commands. The team manager and coach is a Petty Officer that I work with at the WTP. A couple weeks ago he asked me if I would consider taking over the team when he leaves in September, and today I finally agreed. Should be a good time:)
Last but not least, COFFEE!!! As any good Sailor should, I take my coffee seriously. Our command here sells T-shirts each week to classes coming through the program. With those proceeds we decided to purchase 2 nice Keurig coffee machines for staff and re-deployers to use. They are AMAZING!! We call them "The Twins."
Well, thats all for now, plus I have to leave a little to talk about in my next post, whcih will hopefully be sooner than next month;)
Thanks for tuning in. Until nex time, take care and God Bless!
