Shock

Russian Tower

Lisa and I on Tuna Bridge

We arrived in Bagram at 0630 on 1 Dec 10.   I really didn't know what to expect.  The flight over was uneventful, we were in our battle rattle, which was extremely uncomfortable for a two hour flight.  I just put my head inside my IBA and went to sleep like a turtle.  Too bad I didn't have the helmet on because then I may have looked like a turtle!  When we landed, we departed the C-17 through the back end.  It was cold and dismal.  I think my shock started then.  We carried our bags across the flightline to a run down room where we were briefed.  The inprocessors looked through out deployment folders and Annie was told she would have to return to the states because she didn't have her 522.  I can't possibly understand why her 522 wasn't there, only six people had looked through the folders and stated they were "complete".  We were able to get a ride from the hospital so luckily we didn't have to trek all the way through the base. 

When we arrived at the hospital, no one expected us.  This seemed fitting because that's how the whole trip has been.  Tovar, five time deployer, has stated this is the "worst deployment ever".  I can only hope this is my worst!  We had a briefing and were run through the hospital doing different tasks.  Luckily we had our Colonel with us.  She's so awesome, so realistic and I could easily walk through fire for her.  We then got our rooms.

Annie

I can't describe the shock of walking into my room and seeing how overcrowded we are.  There are four bunk beds in an 10x10 space.  Along with the bunk beds are four desks, four small dressers and four armoirs.  What a disaster!  Poor Annie and Michelle have it much worse.  Their room honestly looks like a crack house.  That is the best way I can describe it.  They are sleeping on their beds WITH their luggage.  There has to be a better way.

Our first night here, we had a fire alarm.  I thought I had set it off with burning the strings on my gun holster but thankfully someone else had burned some noodles.  Poor thing, she was really embarrassed. 

Waiting to get weapons issued

I find some personalities difficult and I do hope these people will gain perspective on what the big picture is and stop complaining about silly things, like the combat showers and how it is not conducive to their hair.  Today we went to IED training and of course, the second sand storm of the season (apparently there were no sandstorms this season until we arrived; yes we brang it!).  We stood out there for a couple of hours, it was difficult to see, the sun disappeared behind the sand; but for the minimal time we were there the realization that there were people patrolling the perimeter or staying out in that environment for much longer periods of time hit me.  I am not the hero, they are.  They are who protect me at night so I can help heal them tomorrow.