Team StrongHeart

We had a great Friday night supporting Amy on her indoor Team Strong Heart indoor prep for RAAM. The Race Across America is grueling for a team and Amy is doing this solo. We watched a tape where the average soloist in this event sleeps only 11 hours in one week of riding. Wow... I am really in awe of those who compete in RAAM. Amy is doing this grueling race to support the kids of Camp Odayin, thru Team Strong Heart (their link is on the right on my blog) and I encourage any and all to check out this site and if you feel touched, help support the cause.

Way to go Amy!!! You are a hero and already a champion to your freinds, Camp Odayin, and Team Strongheart.

Home

My year is done in Iraq. I can say that things are better than the last time I was there. I was able to travel 7 of our 9 provinces (think states, the two I didn't visit were religious provinces and our presence there was very minimal). They have made great improvements and I am sure they will do well. I am also very sure (my own opinion) that we will have a base there (we are still in Korea, Germany, Japan) but for the politicians they will say that all the "combat" troops have left and everyone else is now just advisors, or we are opening a base there for just a presence in the region.

Came back and our family went on vacation to Bridger Bowl MT and met the Ruda family there. They are a great skiing family and were very helpful, we really had a great time. The skiing was a lot of fun. We were lucky and had 3 wonderful days of powder and then our last day was on groomed runs (more like MN). the runs were very long and yes we fell and got back up and had a blast.

Was able to go Spinning on Tuesday and realized that getting on the bike will take more work. I was also able to go spinning on Tuesday and can say that was the hardest and funnest spinning class I have had. I sure hope Lea will do this again next year.

Thanks for all your well wishes and I am glad to be back among family and friends.

Whoo Hooo

Snikes, I finally have been able to post!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First let me talk about the PICS. Starting on the top left and working down, then right. When traveling to the Provinces I mostly fly in a helicopter.

Top Left: This picture is in Baghdad. The big building behind me is the Iraqi Ministry of Interior. I am standing next to their officer club where the iraqi conference was (we had translators) and I had to have this picture because of the writing and the style reminds me of the 70's.

Bottom Left: This picture is a typical village located near the river. The houses are made of mud and bricks. This village looks like it has power and they farm and fish. This is not a zoom, we fly this height for safety.

Top Right: This picutre is just me sitting in the helicopter before our take off. Just a picture of me and we all need some of those right?

Well, where to begin...

First, I am not much of a writer, but that has not been the problem. Internet connectivity is an issue. Part of starting a new base is the growing pains. Living conditions are minimal (still are) but I do have a roof over my head so no complaints. I have had the opportunity to visit 7 of the 9 provinces in our area and though I would rate us a 3 out of 10 there still are a few not so nice places yet. Also we have much better conditions than the locals and I count my blessings I was born in the U.S. The people here are amazing, their culture is different, they have hard lives, for the majority they want to do good, they are generous, and they put up with this hot weather without complaint (put a blowdryer in front of your face, place on high, in other hand have a handful of sand; sprinkle sand infront of blowdryer).

Back to internet issues. Many sites are blocked on the military system (this being one) and it took a couple of months to get connectivity in the room, and this was minimal. Army does not provide this (too many restrictions) so I went in with a smaller group and we do have the best system, though it has taken some time for everything to work ok. John just added another satelite the last couple of days so hopefully this will help.

I have had the opportunity to get back to the states (for army work...training up our replacements) and spend some time with my family (they flew down for a few days) and surprise the RAGBRAI friends as we got into town one day early and I was able to sneak away for a few hours.

Life here does go by fast. The work has been 12-16 hour days and they fly by fast. I have noticed though, just this week actually, that we are in a good rhythm and the hours are not quite so long. More 12 hour days but they are becomming more the norm than the exception. Sundays are our "Red Bull" days and I work only 6 or so hours that day (this feels like a day off...believe it or not). I have been trying to use Sundays as family catch up day back home, though sometimes it is hard when the power keeps going out (every thing here is generators, and they overheat easy). We just recently got a phone cafe and I have used this a few time to call home when the computer system is not working.

I do take an opportunity to have some fun. Wednesday and Saturday nights are Texas Holdem (cards and military go hand in hand) and I have been making Friday nights movie nights at the retention trailer with a Sergeant Major (highest enlisted rank, I am an officer, yes I rank higher but only in pay) who actually lives close to me in the states. I short myself some sleep but it's a great outlet.

Now for the $2.00 question: What do I do? I work with the Professionalization of the Iraqi Police. I oversee the brigades (military Hierarchy: Corp, Division, Brigade, Battalion, Company, Platoon, Squad, Team, Individual)and transition teams (Company Level) and provide guidance on level of interaction (Provincial Headquarters, District Headquarters, Local Police Stations, Training Academies). I also track all their interactions. Being at Division means lots of staff work (reports, meetings, interaction with the command group). I have been out and about more so than last time (things are much better than last time, not so many bad guys) getting ground truth on whats going in our Area of Operations (AO). I can say that there has been a marked improvement since 2005. The country is starting to stand up on it's own and taking more responsibility. So this is my time here in nut shell.

I can also tell you my scale and I have not been getting along. It keeps lying to me, and telling me I am older than I really am (I have one of those scales that does body fat, muscle mass, body mass index, age). According to today's arguement. Hilda (my scale) says I should be a member of AARP and collecting social security. We aren't talking anymore this week.

I am going to use this as a test to see if I can actually post and then hopefully I can contribute something every couple of days. We shall see.

Take care

Working in the Army

Exercise is going well. Learning new things about the job. Hours just flying by.

Those are the things happening in my world. Yes, it is ground hog day (think Movie) just about everyday. If I didn't have a watch I wouldn't know what day it was. Not that this is a bad thing, but does demonstrate how the day goes. Big things do happen and they get handled but this happens everyday.

Sometimes the day goes fast and I can't believe I need to leave work because there is more to do, but That is what Tomorrow's for.

Hope your day is good

Hi all, thought I could get a quick message out while on a lunch break. Army food is tasty. I believe it is sooo good because it has a shelf life of a 100 years (and thats after it has been opened/cooked).

We had some sun shine today for about two hours (first time since my return). I guess I won't get scurvey now...there's always a positive in the day.

Ground hog day is still continuing.... Though it will soon take on new meaning in a few weeks. Yea for me. Was able to get to the gym yesterday before they closed. Haven't really been working to hard on the weights but that will change with the change of scenery as gyms will be open 24 hours a day. Any who... was able to play some more racquetball and even score a couple of wins. Woo hoo.


Gotta get back to getting the digital bad guys.

Hope you are having a good day. (found out today was Sunday...enjoy the rest of the weekend)

back to ground hog day

Just like the movie. Every day is the same. Actually the break was really nice. besides seeing friends, riding both bikes, DBR and Harley; I spent a great 4 days with the family. I have some fond memories.

Back to the army: The day went really fast as I had much catching up to do before our next exercise. I also found out that there is now a huge group of racket ball players. Most of my section among some others. So now the work and work out plan is getting more exciting. Played tonight for two hours and got a good work out in. The work is good, but the workout is what gets the blood pumping.

Speaking of which, Gave more blood today literally. My HIV was within two days of being good for the year. Now it is. I personally got a chuckle out of it since I have given blood or gotten a shot of some kind for the last 3-4 SRC's (soldier readiness center).

Well now that the fun part is over (my pass), I look forward to getting on with the mission and getting to the real task at hand, not that I hate FT. Lewis, but it is not a place I would choose to live. Once I get an address I will forward it on thru the bike club and home as OPSEC (ask andy) is important and I kinda keep a suedo identity here (No...I am not bat man...but still king of the downhill).

Enjoy the day.

MOON ROCK

What a great night. Went from the airport out to celebrate the biking season with friends. Thanks for the warm welcome. Had to have a bowl of the wild rice soup...my favorite...since I don't like soup (you figure that one out, I gave up)...and will miss the Headwaters 100(they have the best wild rice soup).

Everyone was in great spirits (or had lots of spirits) and ready for the road. Congrats on a good kickoff. Keep the wheels turning and the wind at your backs. I look forward to seeing you all again and getting on the bike.

Enjoy the summer and fellowship of the ride