Zulu Six Blog

Today Im flying off for a missions..Happy New Years 2011...wow..im getting old.

Its not any Christmas I have ever experience, its unique especially in Muslim world like Afghanistan, sense of absence of Christianity, the casual normal day winter day in Afghanistan. No Christmas music, caroling, Santa Clause, decorations, just a regular day, they don't even know about Christmas nor do they care, the seem oblivious to it. When I was Iraq I actually met some Iraqi and people from Kuwait who were Christians. But not in Afghanistan, this is a whole different world of culture.

It was a lovely trip to the UK, I truly enjoyed my time. I wish it had better weather, guess being spoiled in California. But I should not make judgment, great people and food was surprisingly excellent. I was expecting bland food, i was very surprise. Even the taste of haggis in Scotland was good, but would not want to eat it everyday. I ate filipino food in Dublin Ireland which was unique and finally took picture of an Irish redhead . This picture was taken in Edinburgh Castle, behind me is a statue of William Wallace. I have always wanted a picture of him.

I went to see a movie today at Vue Leeds Lights in downtown Leeds.

Mersey Ferries in Liverpool lovely day being with Suzanne.

I stayed at the Central Hotel King's Cross in London. WC1H8EQ. Its a bed and breakfast in the middle of King's Cross which is a busy train station area. I went out an got some Greek food.

Its been the beginning of this month of October and I can't wait to for my leave in November. I am really tired of the soldiers whinning about every thing around them. Its taking its toll on my head, my mental capacity is its breaking point, i m not who i am anymore. Days are slowing down. its all down hill from here until we leave this place. I don't mind the job its the people thats making it difficult. I miss being with an infantry group bunch of men,,female soldiers are nothing but whiners and complainers. They do a half ass job. I workout just vent out my issues with bunch of incompetent idiots. I m just so angry right now its affecting my mental well being. Just ranting. I'm in the MWR computer room because my computer crashed. Im getting a new one, it seems every deployment i get a new laptop computer.

For the past 3 days nothing but incoming mortar attacks. This is getting really annoying. The Logisitics OIC is a total idiot. What i feel is numbness in my mind and heart. Except for my daughter Savannah, she's the only thing thats keeping me sane and think of home. People stress here over stupid things and the way deal with it is a bit strange.

We had an incident where a boy fell off a well., and Provincial came running like a bunch of heroes., they were corrected for being stupid. Then the commander wanted to leave and we waited till dark like a bunch of idiots and he never left.

tonite..its quite unnerving all these mortar attacks at our area...pissing me off now.

We had interesting day today..couple days ago we went on MP mission its called detainee ops... this was taken at OCCP atop of hill that had a British castle next to it, it is manned by ANA.

It was a long patrol, we had to haul a trailer to our headquarter which is up this hill over looking the city of Khost, Province. Since there was heavy traffic, motorist, carts, horses, cows, sheeps, goats and children, the wretched smell of the city. The Khost province is a poor province its close to the Pakistani border. Everyone burn their garbage and used tires on top of their roof, Afghani have a habit of not showering for days or week. So the stench of people and lack of sanitary systems shows in this city. They are making of effort of making it civilize but they're failing in the unfortunate way. If were to make any effort of "civilizing" this place to learn the thinking of the Afghan people..these are proud people whose been in wars with foreigners for centuries. To automatically change them overnight or years is nearly impossible, they don't even have the basic needs compared to modern countries like europe or americas. Afghanistan is the purest form of

I have a major tan, sun has been hitting hard, I bought my own SPF 30 sunscreen. We were getting back from from our area we have been around lots of VIP, especially with the Afghan police. Been seeing lot of duststorm lately. I have to workout been so lazy. I need some major motivation, the only motivation i have is my R&R to Ireland. I need to set up my financial future. Where I will live is a very important decisions because it will involve of my love ones. My failure in my past are not important and should never be factor for my future.

We got mortared today..it was real close, i was eating and heard it hit next to the dining facility, pissed me off, ruined my dinner. We had to run in the bunker. I had my accountability, I believe there were two of them, don't have much intel in any of these things. i have been sending postcards to my daughter Savannah, I hope she receives them. We have another mission tomorrow. i think its my 13th one..

I just finished a dozen patrol to during my time here..our base got hit by VBIED (vehicle borne improvised explosive device). I twisted my ankle when we were told to go into the bunkers, i was taking accountability of my soldiers. I have a soldier her name is Mack, she told me she was scared I looked at her and at that moment I was lost for words to say to her. "don't worry I'm here, I will make sure nothing bad happens to you". I don't know why i said that but it felt right to say it to her. The patrols here is not like iraq, we tend to go in small groups but lots of firepower. Afghanistan is more dirtier than Iraq, I never thought that would be possible. But i have seen it with my own eyes. The attitude of the Afghani is not like any culture i have experienced. well i have to go bed, i have a routine. I wake up 530 personal hygene and 6am i workout at the gym.,,then sometimes mission starts early or late in the morning.

I have a layover here in Spain..its my first time in Spain, well this is where my ancesteral name originated. I hope Savannah would be proud of her last name, its very special. The C5 Galaxy had mechanical failure in Dover Maine, so it took us awhile to get here in Rota, its a lovely place very close to the beach. I went to the NEX Spanish Gift Shop and bought a silver Rosary for $139.95, various postcards and stickers. Well its sleep time 233 am typing this.

I am waiting traveling my way back to Mississippi. I'm typing this at Salt Lake City airport, waiting for my flight to Memphis, TN. I wish i can eat Carne Asada and drink Corona.

It was humid day here at Camp Shelby, MS. During one of my assignment of moving vehicles, my heart ached for you. I miss you my little darling Savannah. I want to tell you that, that you promise me to do something you love in your life. That you grow up to be strong and independent. That i hope i have made somewhat difference in your life. The day after u were born i held you in arms. That was a very special moment for me. You were so light in my arms and beautiful. I am thinking of you this very moment, nothing i love in this world more than you. your Dad.

My dearest Savannah.. Camp Shelby, MS is my mobilization training sites. This is where i relearn my skills or refresh my memory i once knew. I am also learning something new. I still think of you. I have one pair of boots that does not fit me and left with only one. Today I fired my M4 rifle at the range, from 25 meters to 5 meters while moving. It was fun. I will try to blog again tomorrow, its been awhle but i think of you. My heart aches and there is something is missing in my life until i see you. You are the only person in this world that will help me with this deployment.

Today power point from hell, Combat lifesavers course and M1146A1 drivers training course. its been a long day. I miss my daughter Savannah. I love you Savannah your the best thing that came into my life. I will always love you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3G2Z7SpBp0

Well its been raining all day. I drive up here was not as pretty as before. I guess we are spoiled here. When we see heavy rain we tend to panic because were so use of beautiful weather. But I'm glad I drive a H3, the drive here was bearable with my driving. I had a CPL Faeke with me during my drive. He was ex Marine that join the National Guard as a military police, he just got back from Kosovo now he's going A-stan with me. I noticed during my running around i see fresh faces that have never been to combat. I see the concern and fear in their faces. I guess I was like that when i was going to be deployed to Iraq. I hope they have good leadership, the National Guard don't put out too many great officers. Leading them to combat are inexperienced officers and officers trying to be heroes. And at the end dead enlisted soldiers. And if they do make out alive in combat zone, the enlisted soldiers will be screwed over with awards by the National Guard officers, they will get the

Today, I was in the borders of Mexico southern San Diego county, 3 blocks away from the borders. I met some people from Mexico, they work in the U.S. and go back to Mexico. So many MACK trucks and border police around this area. I learned about people around here. How they survive to live a normal life. The news was all about the earthquake in Haiti. In 1994 in Operation Uphold Democracy we were about to jump in Haiti. The 82nd airborne division mission was to secure and hold the airport then the whole country. "There is only one way to fail and that's to quit". Brian Hays

Last weekend was a drill weekend. The commander is leaving the unit to be transferred out. We have a surprise urinalysis, I have nothing to worry about. I have never ever smoked pot or used any recreational drug in my life. I had class Hazardous spill and be an assistant instructor. This was my last drill weekend. I cherished it. This is a picture of me at the Santa Barbara armory my last time being here. Its time for me to go. 2002 Sept 5 thru 2010 Jan 10. 128th QM LAS (airborne) and B CO 1106 TASMG. My california army national guard in Santa Barbara is over. "We all end up dead, its just a question of how and why" Braveheart, WIlliam Wallace

Last night I barbecued for John and Melinda, it was a lovely night. John, Melinda, Vanessa and Vin sang last night they re really good very impressed. John's mother was also here she can play piano quite well. Overall a lovely evening. Today at work supervisor was not at work...so many things were accomplish. This is Martin,,he's been in the military for over 30 years. He is one of the mechanics that work at my shop. He took a month to put this hummer together he took his time, he's civilian not military anymore. "Best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one". Oscar Wilde

This is my first blog. I'm doing this because just maybe someday my daughter will read this and understand what i am going through. She's the greatest person in my life. Well a couple of days ago i found out I will be deployed to Afghanistan. This will be my third deployment. The first deployment was Iraq OIF 3, in 2004-05 then Kosovo 2008-09,,yes its considered OEF , a combat zone to much disagreement to Kosovo veterans. I am hoping Afghanistan will be my last deployment. My main concern in this deployment is my ability to take care of my soldiers. Anyone can lead in battle but to truly care for them, the details and motivate them every day is quite difficult . But i have 17 years experience I'm confident in my abilities to take care of them. I hope my daughter realize she has a warrior bloodline. When she gets older I hope I can instill the same motivation to be strong, independent and smart. "Life has no rehearsals, only performances"- Anonymous