Checking in

It has been a couple of days since I last wrote so I thought I’d drop you a quick line. The rain has stopped here and the last couple of days the weather has been beautiful. The U.S. Army officer I work for, Maj. Stamm, always says it would be a gorgeous day only if we weren’t in Baghdad. And you don’t have to look far to see the signs of the ongoing conflict, concrete walls with barbed wire, self defense systems, M-16s in abundance, etc.. Even saw the V-22 Osprey flying around the base today. The more people you meet here the more I understand that everyone here is working toward a common goal. One everyday example is at the gym, we typically go there during mid-afternoon. In every corner of the gym there is a tall glass refrigerator with water bottles stacked one on top of another. Outside the refrigerator there is a stack of packaged, warm water in bottles. When someone takes one inside the fridge, they replace it with a warm one on the bottom. There must be 500 people in the gym at any given time throughout the day and there’s always cold water to be had. Common goal, teamwork and cooperation, you see it time after time throughout the day.

I witnessed an overview of “forward” EOD training the day before yesterday. Even though it was a demonstration of the training concepts that are being conducted and was somewhat staged, it really gave me a feel for the risks taken by our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen. They go out daily conducting route clearance operations, searches of various types to support daily life in the region and to support coalition troop movements. Again, an impressive blend of Australian, U.K. and U.S. operators, who conduct what is a seamless and orchestrated motion of safely reducing if not eliminating risk posed to the population of people behind them. Since I’ve supported the U.S. Navy for 20 years now, I always was shocked at the competition and apparent friendly sniping between us and our allies when in a office or totally risk-free environment. However, in this environment, at a time of war, these women and men join together to get the mission accomplished, not as three or more individual countries or units but as one cohesive force.

The same holds true for the global network of technologists and scientists supporting the initiatives to get better equipment into the war fighter’s hands, therefore reducing the risk to the force and inversely increasing their effectiveness against the threat. I’ve always had a radical disdain for Video Teleconferencing, however, when you’re here, 4,200 miles from London, 6,500 miles from D.C. and 9,100 miles from the West Coast, you adjust and deal with the inconveniences. But again, I’ve witnessed a common link, a desire to help from all. Late nights and early mornings aren’t a problem, whether we are speaking of the support staff here or the laboratories and depot facilities at home. It is surreal walking up the stairs of the Al Faw Palace to attend a VTC and you look around and all you see are grand marble staircases, a crystal chandelier that is 30 feet in diameter and 20 feet tall. Once in the conference room which had been some sort of banquet room with 18 inch crown and chair molding, you are sitting at the conference table participating in a VTC on outfitting and/or discussing a proposed solution to a ever changing threat.

Again, this dynamic nature of this war plays directly to the strength of unmanned systems. Whether we are in the context of air, land or sea the unknown threat elevates the importance of a greater stand off employed by the on-site commander. The unknown threat increases the imperative of getting more information back from the sensor to the uniformed decision maker. The evolving threat makes getting higher resolution images and more non-image based (i.e. material type, object density, magnetic or non-magnetic, etc.) information back to the U.S. Army/Marine Corp/Air Force Captain or Navy Lieutenant.

I’ll sign out for now and hopefully this addition will give you a notion of the happenings, efforts expended and general environment at Camp Victory.

Take Care,
Rob (the camper)

Arrived

I boarded and departed on the flight from Dulles Airport to Kuwait on 22 Feb at 21:40. Flying time was around 11 hours so I had plenty of time to read my basic Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) reference materials, which were critical since my knowledge level of the subject matter was sparse at best.

Once in Kuwait, it was obvious that I had been transported to a very distinctive culture and very different geographical site. Once off the plane, obvious differences were the abundance of: Arabic language, flowing clothing, sandals, warm breezes, very helpful people (who really expect money for their help) but most of all I noticed the abundance of magnetometers, jersey barriers and concrete walls. They were everywhere but definitely around most buildings of significant size with U.S. connections or names.

The next day, I caught a plane from Kuwait International Airport to Baghdad. Getting to the gate was interesting. I had purchased a ticket on a “Air America” style airline. No ticket agents, no marked gates nor tagged bags with the airline’s name on them. I found an airport employee and asked him where the airline’s ticketing agent is and he walked behind the counter and checked me in. Unbelievable. I went to the gate and no notice of pending departure. Twenty minutes after we were to board, a man hollers out, “all those going to Baghdad, time to board.” We all go through a third magnetometer and get on the plane.

Anyway, the flight ended in a very dramatic fashion. They turned all the lights (i.e. interior and exterior) out on the plane 30 minutes outside of Baghdad. We got over the military base and the plane spiraled in, descending while over the base. Once on the ground we had a long taxi to the drop-off point.

After getting off the plane, there were about 10 Blackhawk helos getting ready to takeoff for night missions. About 10 soldiers per helo, fully outfitted with night vision, full body armor, backpacks and weapons. Those guys are unbelievably brave. Not sure where they were going but I’m sure it wasn’t going to be a pleasure ride on a helo.
David Thompson from NAVEODTECHDIV was at the airport to pick me up. I had about a quarter-mile walk with my gear, which David helped greatly, to transfer to a pick up. I would have been fine but the last eighth of a mile was through six inches of gravel. The gravel was important because of the rain. When it rains here, if there is no gravel, then the dirt turns to a peanut butter consistency compound. It is more sticky and just as dense as PB.

David, who was been an unbelievable advisor and help, gave me a ride to my hooch, i.e. where I will sleep for the next four months. It is way above the accommodations of most (the other support types and soldiers) here, mainly a trailer, without water, that has been compartmentalized into three sections. My section measures about 12 feet by 12. It has a window but I can’t open the blinds because of light escaping at night. I’m not there during the day. The sheets, blanket and sleeping bag are perfect. I sleep on a single bed and the mattress is fine. The electricity has been a problem. I can not power anything to date because the voltage is too high for our widgets, i.e. iPod, Blackberry, computer, etc. I still have to go get a transformer from the PX to charge these types.

The days are long, work hours are 9 a.m. to 12 midnight (seven days a week). We do eat a galley lunch and dinner and have worked out at the gym the last two days. The soldiers, especially including my office mates, the J8 of Task Force Troy, are unbelievable. Friendly and funny. I’m very fortunate to work with these great people. And ironically enough, it feels good supporting the men/women who go in harm’s way–just like the ones I saw when I arrived on Sunday.

The damage caused by the U.S. bombing at the beginning of the war in 2003 is remarkable. Some buildings of strategic importance show significant damage while others close by were untouched. The streets are in pretty bad shape but passable. The food is really great. Lots of variety and quality is excellent. So no complaints there.

I think the coalition aspect of this effort is incredible. The Americans, Aussies and Brits are leading the way and truly act as a cohesive team. They are providing a great leadership foundation for the other countries that are participating, I’ve even seen representatives from El Salvador.

I believe the biggest relaxation of this experience for me is the bravery and fortitude of the soldiers. Women and men, many in their early 20s, that day in, day out, cross the wire (the name for the perimeter fence boundary of the Camp) to keep roads cleared and areas safe for all to travel, whether we are considering local Iraq traffic or coalition  forces. The Blackhawks are constantly flying overhead, we (i.e. at the staff level back at Camp) are listening for the sounds of the “incoming” siren, that indicates imminent rocket or RPG fire from the insurgents and the large vehicles (MRAPs or other types of armored personnel carriers) are constantly passing the office.

One can easily see how the employment of unmanned systems is and will continue to save lives and limbs. The acquisition and technology development communities need to remain diligent in moving capabilities and suitability forward so we can extend the reach of the operator while conducting their mission. Maximizing the margin of safety to our armed forces personnel is a very high priority.

That’s about it for now. I’ll be in touch since my e-mail is up now.
Take care,
Rob