Whew! Been a wild couple of days. Started in Minneapolis, where I spent a week before I deployed with my family, wife Jodi and my daughters Emily and Megan. It was wonderful to be with them but sad at the same time. Sometimes it's just better to pack your bags and go than to prolong the departure. But I'm glad we spent that time together as a family. Had a great send-off dinner at Jodi's sister's house with Lisa and Ted, Erin and her kids, minus Dean who was playing drums at a gig somewhere. Too bad, whould have liked to have seen him. Jodi's mom Loretta was there too. Always a good time.
So the next morning, Dec 5th, we said our goodbye's and I outprocessed from the 934th Airlift Wing. Caught a flight to Norfolk, VA and on to Norfolk Naval Air Station. Spent the night in lodging and on to the military passenger terminal the next morning. About 130 of us left on a chartered 757 for Germany at 10 AM. After 7.5 hours, we landed outside Berlin at midnight. Weather was about 40 degrees. Spent the next six hours haning out at the terminal and unable to sleep. Left Germany at six AM and caught the sunrise somewhere over Egypt. Then on to Al Eudid, Quatar. So we are on an island in the Persian Gulf until tomorrow.
This base is better known as Camp Cupcake, as it has a large pool, Dairy Queen, BK, Pizza Hut, three beers a day, and a coffe shop (thank heavens!). Looks like Arizona, brown everywhere, as is the sand. Yesterday was filled with in-processing (wait in line), being issued our IBA (Individual Body Armor), chemical suit, helmet and all kinds of gear to lug around. OK, my bud Miguel is here and we're headed to the chow hall for lunch. More info and pictures this afternoon!
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