Tale of a Flight

Finally arrived in Kuwait this week after being on training hold and later medical hold at Ft. Bliss. Last Friday I was informed there would be a flight leaving Ft. Bliss on Monday; my information was taken for the manifest. Packed most everything and was ready when I received the call at 11 am on Monday to have my bags in the parking lot to be transported to get my weapon and proceed to the airport at Ft . Bliss. I was informed that I would be a tag along with units.

In my military career I have found that flying on chartered aircraft brings or awaiting a flight can bring about some drama. In 1991 our job completed in Saudi Arabia, our company was split with half going home, leaving the unmarried, higher NCO's and officers back; there dealing day to day of how we would get home. In 1998, trying to leave Equador our flight was delayed a day and stayed the night in an Equadarn Army base. In 2003, our flight to retrive my company in Kuwait was delayed by weather on the US eastcoast. With no real place to sleep, some of us stayed up all night and I had the opportunity to try out a Cuban cigar.

These time around the plane was not able to take off due to ice on the wings. Cold fuel was added to the plane and it was unusually cold in El Paso, TX and I slept on the floor of the airport terminal. Next morning the flight took off without any trouble and proceeded to Hahn, Germany. Landing in Germany, I added this country to my European list that already included: Belguim, Italy and Ireland. While in Germany in the terminal, I purchased an hour of internet for 8 Euros. Money well spent since I was able to use Skype to call someone in my section to gather last minute information of what zone and building number and also alert the company that I was on the way.

With 22 years of experience in the military and making my 3rd overseas deployment I had the odd feeling that some would go wrong (a Charlie Foxtrot was in the making). We arrived at Kuwait City International Airport and the escorts for the buses informed me that we would all go to Camp Arifjan. I got some sense of relief and boarded the bus after dealing with the baggage. Got in a short nap and awoke looking around and the location was no longer familiar. I pulled out my GPS and saw that Ali Al Salem Airbase . I had downloaded a pocket quarry of all the geocaches in Kuwait and knew I was heading the opposite direction of Arifjan. Like I told my 1st SGT later, can't fool a geocacher. We went to the airbase to check in and there I was informed I was on my own and to get on the 1830 bus to Arifjan. I did not have time to find a wi-fi and make another attempt to call anyone in my company. Arrived at Arifjan bus terminal and it was just a set of benches. Met other service members and they asked if I knew my way around. I told them that may last visit to Arifjan, most of the roads were not paved and building were underconstruction, that was 2003! They pointed the way to another bus that moves about from zone to zone. My feeling continued to sink due that I was hauling over 300 pounds of gear that included body armor and a rifle. Leaving any of my bags unattended was out of the question. Arrived at my zone (Zone 6) and thankfully there were two soldiers on the bus who recognized my patch and knew where my company was located and helped me get to my baracks. I entered the building to the surprise of everyone that I made it from Ali Al Salem totally on my own.

Continue to stay behind at Ft. Bliss

My company, the 1171st Transportation Co. has been in Kuwait for about three going on four weeks. The purpose that two parts clerks and myself staying behind was to attend a convoy live fire training. Attended the training which was more less a waste of time and not realistic to current Iraq. I was given live rounds, but didn't chamber a round or fire my weapon. Unlike in 2003, where I kept my rifle pointed out the window, current up-armor does not permit this since I am protected by armor and the gunner takes out the target. I felt the training was a joke since we kept driving through the hostile area, which is fine, if we were military police or infantry. But being transportation, the gun truck role is to engage the enemy and keep engaging until the convoy passes. I was the truck commander since I am a Staff SGT, one of the parts clerk was a driver and our gunner was a Texas Army National Guard infantryman, at least his training was realistic.

Since I had been at Ft. Bliss for nearly two months, I was required to go through SRP (Soldier Readiness Program); it was discovered that my hearing loss in both ears was not equal. This hearing test occurred last August. I visited an audiologist and concluded the findings and sent back to SRP. From there, I had to visit a medical case worker and informed that I may not go to Kuwait this weekend. The case worker and other medical staff are concerned my hearing loss could be a medical problem, possible tumor. I am guessing the problem is from constant ear infections in the left ear. I guess we will see after the MRI and seeing the Ear/Nose and Throat specialist.

I will again watch my friends board a bus for the airport and will be left behind. This is really bothering me. In 1990, preparing for Desert Shield/Storm, I saw about 10% of the company stay behind for various reasons. I held much resentment after I returned home in May of 1991 and saw the held-backs still in the Guard. I have always felt that if one can not deploy, it's time to leave the Guard. Saw some of the same again in 2003 but not the same amount as 1991.

This time, it's me that held back and feel I have let my friends down. Prior to deployment, worked on three of my known medical problems: back, knee and feet. I also lost 15 to 20 pounds to make myself more physically fit and now a hearing problem!

Will continue to post updates.

EDIT: Feb. 18, 2010

Have been cleared by the Ears/Nose/Throat Specialist and will rejoin my company in Kuwait in the coming days.