Your Bahgdaddy

Saturday, 12 June



The organization I am in is called ISAM for Iraq Security Assistance Mission. This morning we had what apparently is part of a regular inter-organizational competition called the ISAM Olympics. This morning’s events were darts, pool, ping pong, and foosball. My office is ISAM-AF for Air Force. I represented my office by playing on our pool team. In pool we came in a very close second. Bummer, I sunk 4 balls in a row to nearly win the game but the last shot was too difficult. ISAM-AF came in second overall.



I worked out really hard at the gym today. My running coach would be proud of how hard I pedaled the exercise cycle today. My goal is to flatten my belly, put on 10 lbs, and substantially increase my aerobic capacity.



Normally when we going to the dining facility, if we have been wearing our body armor we take it off and store it in bins just outside the facility. The Marine and I just got back from visiting one of the Iraqi defense agencies in town and still had our armor on…my stuff weighs at least 50 lbs. Anyway, the Marine didn’t want to take his off because he didn’t trust leaving it in the bins outside. So, not to be a wimp, I wore mine in to the dining facility also. We were the only two in the joint that had our gear on. Got several funny looks but he was oblivious to them.



I have internet in my CHU (Container Housing Unit…house in a connex box) for $77/mo for slow internet. It is a lot for a little. We will have to see if I continue it. I am there mostly between 8 am and 10 pm…sometimes later. Yes, we are at work a lot. A little too much I think. I get a ½ day off on Friday mornings and then am supposed to get another ½ day off on another day. Right now I am scheduled on Mondays mornings but I went back to VBC (Victory Base Complex) on Monday. One of my co-workers needed a battle buddy. We never go off the FOB alone, even when in an armored convoy as we did to and from VBC (which in around the Baghdad airport about 11 miles from here.). I met some of my counterpart and established relationships and opened up dialog with them. They are Air Force guys that work the requirements that I help execute. You see, I am sort of an arms dealer for the Gov’t. My friends at VBC work with the Iraqis to find out what they need and to advise them on what they need to build a stable and functioning military. They then give those requirements to me and I work with stateside agencies to deliver the goods and services. I wish I could get a cut off all that money. Mostly the Iraqis pay for their stuff but sometimes we help them out too. The deal is we (and they) need to build up sufficient capability in Iraq that they become self-sufficient in their own security. The sooner we do that, the sooner we can minimize our presence. The Iraqis though are struggling with many different factions and opinions that wish for success and failure. Sometimes that don’t just wish but they sabotage the success of our projects administratively or actually kill people and blow things up…mostly against each other lately. I think the bad guys know the more trouble they cause with us the more likely it is we stay longer.



Due to the Rhino schedule we had extra time at VBC today. I toured the Al Faw Palace and sat in Sadam's throne. We also climbed through the Flintstone/Bedrock village Sadam made for his kids/grandkids. Poverty and opulence side by side in this country is amazing…as it is in many 3rd world countries.



Sweat my brains out on the Rhino back to the FOB. It got up to at least 120. This will be a familiar theme as I complain about the heat as it gets hotter and hotter for the next few months. It truly is amazing to carry on as if everything is normal when you are getting blasted by a 115 to 120 F wind. No joke...it really feels like you are walking into a massive hair dryer at times.



My boots are killing my feet. I was getting blisters on my heels. I have been using moleskin and double socks and that has helped until I find a better pair...which it turns out is not that easy to do here.



On Tuesday of this week I went over to DGA&S (Director General for Armament and Supply) for the Iraqis. I will work with this organization a lot as they help us get our work though the Ministry of Defense. They are in the IZ with us but a few miles from here so we go armored up and in an armored vehicle. The IZ is tightly controlled but that job has mostly been given over to the Iraqis so you always have to be cautious. Anyway, when I was at some training in Ohio prior to coming over here I met some very high level Iraqi Generals in the Ministry of Defense. One of the very high ranking ones is running DGA&S. I had heard from another Iraqi that I met in Ohio and had since met again at DGA&S that Staff Major General Kareem wanted me to see him. I tried on two other occasions but he was out. I hear the best time to catch him is before 10 am. So, today I was able to get to his building by 10 am so I went straight in to see him while wearing my body armor and I still had a magazine in my gun. I get permission to go in his office and the translator also seems to double as a body guard. It is understandable given my warlike apparel. Anyway we had a short and cordial re-acquaintance meeting and then we did some work that I did not expect him to request of me. Normally my General is the one who discusses work with him…not my boss and full Colonel and certainly not a Lt Colonel. Ooops. Can’t help it if the Big Dog wanted to talk with me. I do not suspect the General and I will do much business in the future. It was cool to get a private audience with him and share some “Honey” brand water. You could tell by the aides scrambling around that this was a big deal.



I went to the shooting range on FOB Prosperity today (Saturday 19 June 10). I got to shoot my 9mm that was brand new and never had rounds down the barrel before. I also shot a 9mm submachine gun that was very cool and a lot of fun. Who hasn’t wanted to put a machine gun on full auto at least once? I also shot a lot of ammo through and M-4…a shorter M-16. I actually shot two different ones. Once with a really cool holographic site. It was easy to shoot well with that site. I did some combat skills shooting where I had targets down range on my right and left and the instructor would call out threat right or left and I had to quickly put two bullets through the right target. We call that double tapping. I did this as I was walking toward, away, standing, and keeling and changing out magazines as the instructor called out directions to go forward, back, stand, kneel, etc. It was fun though really hot and sweaty with all the body armor, helmet and side arm on and shooting the M-4. I had to put gloves on because the M-4 was so hot from the sun and my shooting 150 rounds though it.



I am safe. Hazards do abound around us but we have a pretty secure protective bubble and we do all we can to travel as safe as we can also. I feel the prayers and am grateful for them. Give everyone my love and thanks.



Love and miss you all. I stayed up to 1230 am to write this so don’t be afraid to expend a little energy and write back,



Gary/Dad