Laughing Wolf
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Some Notes On Iraqi Homes and Architecture
A story on a night raid I went on will be posted later today (today? Does anyone really know what time it is?), at Blackfive and I thought it would help to describe some of the details of Iraqi homes here.
What is standard in North America is not standard for a good bit of the world. In Iraq, the homes follow a pattern I’ve seen across Europe and even into Asia a bit, particularly in warmer climates. That is, the home and yard are surrounded by a wall that is at least six feet high, if not higher, and entry is usually through a single gate. A basic home is actually built right up against the neighboring home, and may even share a wall, with the couryards also sharing a common wall. The courtyard is small in a city or basic home but can include some grass, garden or other. The bathroom for the home is most often outside, against the outer wall. The home itself usually has a large common room, where the family will sleep and eat, and then several smaller rooms inside and away.
This mirrors the sheik houses, which often feature a large “sheik” room (as one Iraqi called them) where the people under the sheik can come for meetings and such. The sheik room can be a separate building in some cases, or, when part of the home, has no doorways into the home from it. For while hospitality here has very open rules (someone can drop in and visit, and one may not ask them why for three days, at least in some Sunni homes, for example), the home is sacred and only family may enter for the most part. It can be very rare for women and children to come out if there are visitors (again, at least in Sunni areas).
More soon.
LW
Camelbak BFM, Wiley CQC Goggles, Misc. Gear Report
I have been getting some inquiries about how well the gear is doing, so wanted to post a quick update.
The Camelback BFM is fantastic! Quite a few carry them over here, and it has been great. I highly recommend it.
The Wiley CQC Goggles are okay, but there are fogging issues even with all the no-fog treatments. The First Sergeant has shown me some options, both Wiley and other, that I plan to investigate for later use. All such will have to wait until I return home. The one thing I do like about them is how quickly I can change out the protective lenses, as it makes it fairly painless to do. The downside is having to find a home for the spare insert.
I was not quite as happy with the Tactical 5.11 flame resistant pants in that they don’t appear to be as rugged as I want, since they also have to be used for more than just flying. The mock turtleneck flame resistant shirt has been very good, however.
More on the vest (vest great, carrier may change), my Tactical Tailor vest (very nice), and other stuff later.
LW
Friday, September 28, 2007
For My Wolf Park Family
My time here has had some interesting reminders of Wolf Park. I am with Echo Company, and even though they go by the name Team Easy or even Easy Company, given my relationship with Echo I prefer the formal name. I also had the priviledge of going out on patrol with the “Wolfpack” one day, and enjoyed the experience. Even one of the local sheiks brought up a wolf reference, not knowing of my work with the Park. I have to admit, I’ve enjoyed and appreciated these reminders of home, and thought you might enjoy them too.
LW
Thursday, September 27, 2007
This Is Ridiculous
Okay, I know I can be a sound sleeper. As an infant/small child, I slept through a tornado that blew out a window and sent glass and water over the bed in which I was sleeping. I’ve slept through some other things, and I know that I’ve been sleeping over here because I have to, not because I want to, and that I am a bit short on sleep. But…
Last night, somewhere around 0100, I finally racked out. I am in a bay with a number of other people (at least six, varies as not all are night sleepers, and there are a couple of guys who snore) just off the ready room. Net result, when one does rack out, you quickly learn to ignore almost everything if you want to sleep. However, somewhere between 0100 and 0600, we had some excitement. Somewhere to the south of us, a sheik was attacked and/or killed (not one of the sheiks I’ve met, out of our area from what I’ve heard), but our base was apparently the closest/best to get to. So, we had dead and wounded brought in, there was treatment, there was dustoff, and there was more—all of it literally right outside my door. I slept through it all. I feel like an idiot. I think I’m also going to ask if I can be put on the alert list for the rest of my time here…
LW
Iraqi’s/U.S. Army 3, Terrorists 0
Some days, life is good. When you have a majority of days when life is good, you know that you have it good and that things may even be getting even better.
Where I am currently, life is good and there are many signs that it is getting better for everyone here. The larger reasons are for later, but for now I wanted to share one reason life is good for Echo Comapny ("Team Easy). It’s good because life is getting better for the local Iraqi’s.
“You don’t have the people, you don’t have it,” states Timothy Wilcoxen, Easy’s First Sergeant. Here, they are indeed starting to have it. Iraqi Police Volunteers are staffing checkpoints to protect their homes and communities. The citizens of the area are stepping forward in other ways as well, by turning in terrorists and report suspicious activities.
My first night here, one such tip came in. Information was gathered, stories checked, and plans quickly and efficiently made. Last night, a raid was conducted of the site given, resulting in two terrorists captured, along with a cache IEDs and supplies for making more. That cache, along with the abandonded building being used as a headquarters and IED factory, were destroyed. It’s not just Easy’s area that safer, it’s Baghdad as well since the materials may well have been headed there.
Anbar has awakened; but, West Rashid is tipping and the ripples from that are already having an impact—on several levels—in Baghdad.
The implications are profound, for the U.S. and the future of Iraq. Yet, on a more fundamental level, the affairs of princes mean little here considered against the basic and most important thing: we are all safer today because the citizens in this region are stepping forward.
West Rashid is tipping, and if it lands on its feet, the ripples should become waves of change.
More to come,
LW
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Out And About
Am out and about, more soon but communications will be spotty the next day or few…
LW
Monday, September 24, 2007
Night Rhino, Take 3
Well, here is take three.
Intercontinental flying is routine these days, and there is not a lot to say about my trip to Kuwait. It was what it was, standard coach, enlivened only by a ticket issue that cropped up and was resolved in Frankfurt. I was somewhat amused by the Teutonic assumption that I should have known that I had a ticket with a wrong number on it, as one should know all one’s numbers, nicht? Thankfully, they also were quite proud, if not even happy, to show an American how it should be done and fix things for them. Overall, minor, though I’ve been more nervous than I would admit that something would happen to keep me from going. Until I arrived, that fear has gnawed at me more than a bit.
Kuwait was different, but can’t say much more than that because of the extremely short stay. I arrived at night, and to be honest, leaving the airport reminded me a bit of Miami with just a few flourishes in signs and architecture to say it wasn’t. The hotel was nice, security excellent, and the service to and from the airport good.
I left Kuwait at night, but got out to the airport early so that I could see the area in daylight. I wanted to see a bit of this country in the light, having seen it on the news and hearing about it decades ago from someone I went to school with who was from Kuwait. I was struck by the rebuilding, the obvious higher-end buildings, contrasted with some not so high. A good bit of the day-to-day work, menial work, is done by imported workers, so one saw many from different parts of Asia and SW Asia there. All the Kuwaiti’s I dealt with were professional, and even quite friendly to this American.
The trip in was much like any other flight, which is what was remarkable. It was a typical takeoff, a flight with stewards who served water and soft drinks, then a light meal/snack to those of us on the flight. Looking out, I was struck by the lights: Southern Iraq was a patchwork of small to large towns, lit up with streetlights and more. From the news, one would expect blackness, obvious signs of areas within cities without lights, or even weapons fire.
Instead, what I saw reminded me of the Tennessee Valley at night from a similar altitude. Small to large cities all lit up, like pearls on the string of the river valley. In this case, that valley was the cradle of civilization as I learned all those years ago in world history. The oil fields kept it from being a comfortable illusion, however. Gas flares and such were obvious from on high, and I wonder if it is just a western thing to call the light hellish, or if those there on the ground see it as something more positive.
The descent into Baghdad was where the illusion stopped. The plane blacked out, and did a descent that was far different than you get flying into any normal airport. Exactly what or how is not for my discussion, but I will say that it wasn’t bad. Then again, I am a pilot and actually like a certain amount of push-the-envelope, but it didn’t seem too bad.
What I could see of Baghdad coming in was much the same as before, a well lit town. On the ground, I was reminded of what a friend and mentor said years ago about his arrival in Vietnam: dust. The sand and dust here is very fine, and makes even rubber non-slip mats somewhat slick. The dust was everywhere, and I understood then the admonition to bag everything that a friend had given me.
On the flights over, at the airport, and while waiting for the Rhino, I chatted with civilians and with soldiers, and one theme came through loud and clear: they feel the war is lost—at home. During a transportation wait, one person told me flat out that it was won here, but lost at home because the average person doesn’t have a clue how things really are here. Are there problems? Sure, but they are being worked and things are better, and people are working to keep making them better. But you never hear it on the news, and that is killing them.
Camp Stryker was my waypoint in, and the first of my ”obscene amenities“ of the night. Concrete, canvas, wood, and dust. It awoke memories of years past, with the only thing missing being a card game. The chairs and benches were a bit more comfortable than I remember, though the benches outside were much the same. No smoking, and stacks and stacks of water bottles, and refrigerators with signs saying that if you take one, replace one. There were MREs as well, but I had had enough food for one day so passed. If I wasn’t over packed, I would have stuffed one or two in the bags just on general principles.
Strange to say, it was a good time rather than long. I talked to people, took a walk through the night to stretch out some kinks, found out the coffee shop was closed, and met up with some people from my flight in. We passed a companionable enough time, watching each other’s gear for various breaks and such on each’s part, and they were kind enough to help fill me in and get me taken care of. From Capt. Safe to the transportation officer at Stryker, to my new acquaintances, people were extremely glad to help a new arrival.
I choose not to write a lot about the Rhino trip, for insurgents have far too much advantage already, and even a near miss is great propaganda for them. To ride the Rhino, one must be in vest and helmet, just in case. Being night still, there was not a lot to see on the way in, other than road, occasional walls, and roadside vegetation. We made it safely, and I was picked up by representative from CPIC and taken to the Lizard Lounge for what was left of the night. Yet more opulent and obscene amenities, upon which I racked out for a couple of hours.
The new day dawned bright and hot, and I began to learn the system and the area a bit better. Paperwork cleared, I am set to press on. The day shift folks here at the CPIC have been wonderful, and extremely helpful. I was taken around briefly to see some of the sights, and plans are afoot. The chow was good, and I am looking forward to what comes next.
LW
Apple Power Adapters Suck
Sorry, don’t feel terribly PC right now. The very nice folks here at the CPIC had an electronics tech check it out, and it be dead. They have also loaned me someone’s personal adapter to charge the computer up for now. Apple has no good way to get to support, much less send a message, so… I may try to find someone who will go buy one and ship it to me from an Apple store, online taking potentially weeks to get a new one over here. For now, video, photos, and more on hold.
If I had read all the reviews of the new power adapters on the Apple site, I would have brought about three with me. My old adapter never had a real problem that I remember, so this was very unexpected. Have to say, it bites. That said, however, necessity is the mother of invention and I will find a way to get all I can posted here, at Blackfive, and at PMI.
LW
Take the Night Rhino To Baghdad, Take II
And we’ll meet you at the station… Okay, so it’s not last train to Clarkston, but given the long hours it’s the best I can do.
I left the other day with two hours on a shuttle bus down to Indianapolis, then an hour plus on a puddle jumper, then trans-Atlantic to Frankfurt, then a final leg down to Kuwait. I discovered that in getting older, coach seats get worse and I think a tender portion of my anatomy was bruised at the end. The hotel was nice, and I had one of the best night’s sleep in a long time, most of it face down.
After a night’s rest, I flew out on Gryphon Air (link added later, I hope) to Baghdad International, or rather BIAP, the military side of things. An excellent flight and I highly recommend the service for those who want to get in and out quick and without the usual. One of the people meeting us on the flight line was someone I will call Capt. Safe: he helped make sure we stayed safe on an active flight line; and, he also made sure I was safe and gave me a ride on the first part of my journey to CPIC to get credentialled (sp?). I then waited a bit and took a Rhino ride, that is a ride in an armored vehicle into the International Zone.
Once there, I was met by representatives of CPIC who brought me on in and were kind enough to offer me a bed for the night. A few very short hours later, and I was back up, had my credentials, and some coffee. All was right with my world. I have to say a lot of nice things about the day shift at CPIC, as they have been very helpful, to put it mildly.
The only fly in the ointment so far is that it appears the power adapter for the laptop is dead. Not sure why or how, it was working fine in Kuwait just 24-hours ago. I will trouble shoot and see what can be done, but figure that type of adapter is going to be hard to find here. Meantime, I am going to get creative, and continue to get something out. So long as the owner of the computer doesn’t come back, all is golden. 
I really do hope to do this more justice later, as the ride in from start to finish is something to share. Coming in at night, southern Iraq reminded me of the Tennesse Valley from the air at night, with a string of cities along the river, lit up. The oil fields were visible with gas flares and such, reminding me I wasn’t home.
Stay tuned, there is more to come.
LW
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Take The Night Rhino To Baghdad
Yes, I am in Iraq. The bad news is that something appears to have happened to the power adapter for the laptop, so posting may be sparse. Please stand by.
LW
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Sleep
Finally.
The last few weeks have been very stressful. Lawsuit, major projects at work, embed, and more. Some have worked to ease the stress, others, well, not so much. Work has been the worst in some ways, as there have been several major events and a trade show I want to see go perfectly. The bad thing is, that has carried over into sleep, with nightmares about that event. I haven’t slept well in several weeks as a result of all the stress.
I’m not sure if it is because the repairs to the roof were done Thursday, the trade show is set to actually start, or what, but last night I slept long, dark, and deep. I think I dreamed, but the alarm this morning was most unwelcome and I suspect I could have slept dark and deep an hour or three more. Exhaustion takes a while to get over, but that was one heck of a good start…
LW
Embed Prep: Gear
I haven’t talked much yet about gear, so thought I would take a quick moment to do so. When the call went out for assistance to PMI and myself for this, I noted that all my gear was aimed at other climates and extremes. Not only did you all pitch in with financial support, I got a lot of very good advice on gear.
In discussing choices with various people, the subject of why go for the best often came up. There are two parts to the answer, but both are fairly simple. When you buy, why not spend just a little more and get the best you can at the time. If it truly is the best, it will last a long time (as evidenced by my boots). The second part is that, yes, some of what I was after (and still lust after) may be overkill for this initial, all-too-short embed. Who says this will be the only embed? Depending on the response, other trips may come up.
For my main pack, I went with the Camelbak BFM upon getting several very good recommendations for it. I ended up having to get a new carrier for my laptop, since the new MacBook Pro is an inch or two too long for my current carrier. That was a shame as said carrier had served me well and clipped nicely onto the back of the BFM. So, I am trying out a Blackhawk carrier/tactical briefcase instead. Doesn’t clip as well (D-rings on the bottom of the bag somewhere would be a nice addition), but has a well padded and waterproof/dustproof compartment for the laptop and I can get the camera, two lenses, cords, power supplies, and more in the bag itself. As a carry on, I’m using my gym bag as it can be clipped to the bottom of the BFM, and the entire assembly stands up on its own in that configuration. Given that armor doesn’t fit well anywhere, I am using a roll-up duffel for the vest and helmet. I may not be able to get this down to essentially one pack as I could the original set-up, but not bad.
As for where, allow me to highly recommend Extreme Outfitters and Tactical Tailor to you. Extreme Outfitters gave me excellent customer service, and some good products. I purchased the new tactical briefcase through them as well as some minor gear/supplies. I purchased Nomex, pouches, LBV, and a variety of small items through Tactical Tailor based off what I had read of them at Maj. Z’s. They were patient, helpful, and more with me, and put up very well with my sniffing after gear that they couldn’t sell me (Oakley). In both cases, orders were processed quickly and efficiently, problems or backorders noted, and great customer service provided.
I actually got some of the major gear at TAD Gear, which has a good catalog, good prices, and came with a strong recommendation. That said, I had customer service problems with two of the three orders I placed with them, and the other one was something I would best describe as acceptable. If you have lots of time, give them a try. Also, a note for the record, if you are more than a week late shipping an order because you screwed up, don’t sit there and mumble about using this as a means to do better next time, tell me what you are going to do to fix THIS time.
In the acceptable category goes BulletProofMe. I purchased my Paulson goggles and a set of Wiley CQC goggles with prescription insert through them. I have to rate the service as average, and hope I don’t have to write a whole lot about how well the actual products work.
More on body armor later, can’t find the bookmarks. Let me just say thank you to all involved, and I again hope it is one product I really don’t have to write a whole lot about how well it works.
While various check lists recommended a Nomex flight suit, I also was told strongly that such was no longer really needed. Instead, several people recommended the flame-resistant clothing at 5.11 Tactical. That is what I went with, and the clothing is quite comfortable. May it never be needed for more.
Two other shout-outs are needed to say thanks and point out something great. The first goes to Lens Crafters in the Tippecanoe Mall, and the associated independent doctors of optometry there. Both groups were extremely helpful, and Lens Crafters bent over backwards to get my prescription insert done right and fast. The second goes to my friend Val at Babalu Blog. When I asked him if he still had any of his wonderful all cotton t-shirts left (had heard he was running low), he not only said yes, he sent me three of them. Thank you very much my friend.
Finally, a quick note. Yes, I am packing in too much. I was pulling a Pouretena (sp) long before it was called that, even though I don’t carry a big pocking wrench. Back in the Boy Scouts I used to carry a huge amount (and weight) of gear, as I was always the one who had the stuff that mattered when it was needed, and I kept the tradition going for years after. The amazing thing to me is that I have kept the weight down as low as it is, it’s the volume that is the problem. A lot of stuff will be used up or given away, as I am carrying in coins and pins for Soldier’s Angels, pogie bait to share, and some other goodwill items.
If time permits, and if there is interest, I will detail some of the other gear and talk about why’s and such. Yes, I do have a first aid kit, and a few other things too.
More soon.
LW
Expressing Displeasure
No, not me—Jenny. She has some interesting ways about her, including how she displays her displeasure with various things and situations. Take, for example, how she deals with going to the groomers.
Not a spa girl is my Jenny. Much more the tomboy, she does not care for her visits to the groomers. Things are better now, but at the start taking her to the groomer or the vet (about the same in her mind) resulted in her sitting in the passeger seat with her back very pointededly towards me, with “I am not happy with you” positively radiating from her.
She hasn’t done that in a while, but I just took her to the groomers and she did manage to let me know by look and by posture that she was not happy with me on that. She didn’t turn her back, but instead adopted a long suffering posture and some looks that mixed that “I’m not happy with you” look with pitiful/guilt trip looks. Am hoping the visit with her boyfriend afterwards (thank Ifni she is spayed!) will help get her over her annoyance.
LW
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A Curious Phenomenon
Several times now, I had something very creepy happen in regards my embed. While most people are supportive and very honest in telling me to keep my head down, I’ve also had some do something else. These people have all told me not to get my head cut off. That in and of itself is not a bad thing, and I do plan to do all I can to keep my head. Yet, the way it has been said is such that while the right words are being said, they also have been said in such a way as to convey a clearly opposite meaning. As in, they hope that I do get my head cut off. There do seem to be some common things that unite those that have done this: they all self-identify as Democrat or liberal; they all have been annoyed that I was quite set on seeing and reporting what I saw and not what they thought I should see; and, that I disagreed with them on certain events and “facts” and had citations to back up what I said. I would also note that most or all appear to worship at the altar of the Goreacle as well. While not as openly orgasmic at the thought of my losing my head as was Carl Prine over at Blackfive a while back, they seemed quite, well, hopeful. While there are always going to be fringe elements, this is not what I regard as a good sign for the body politic, and clearly not a sign of rational discourse. Interesting.
LW
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thank You For Rio Bravo
Someone out there just sent me Rio Bravo from my wish list, and since I don’t know who, I just wanted to say thanks. It is very much appreciated!
LW
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