Day 431

Able Company 4-9 is now in Camp Virginia, Kuwait for three days preparing to go home. We must stay here for 72 hours for what's called "decompression." I guess that means R&R. Here there is a PX, McDonalds, Subway, etc. The local merchants have stores to sell local crafts but a lot of their offerings come from Pakistan where the labor is cheaper. Not all is well however. There is a sandstorm in progress and the sand gets in your eyes. We had to unload our heavy ruck sacks off of pallets and onto trucks. Each man also had a duffel bag and an assault pack with personal items. We did all the loading and unloading with our personal weapons slung and wearing our gear (vest and helmet.) After arriving and taking all our gear from the trucks into the temporary barracks, we all took a nap. Our flight out of Balad left late last night and we didn't arrive until 0900 this morning. Military transit is a real pain because things go so slow and there are lots of changes. We are traveling with part of 2-12 field artillery which includes the commanding officer who is a lieutenant colonel and the battalion sergeant major.

The first two months of the tour were the most difficult. At that time we were still getting situated and patrolling out of Camp Taji heavily. There was no set schedule then and we were going out at all times of the day and night. Danger of hitting IED's or taking fire were high as well. There was a greater sense of urgency and more excitement however. We knew there was enemy in the area and we were there to back up an ailing cavalry unit that wasn't outfitted correctly for patroling the area.

Over the past two weeks all weapons and a wide range of gear had to be packed and put in connexes for overseas shipping. Vehicles had to be cleaned inside and out. That means unloading all of the trash and dirt that had collected in them, unloading all the electronic equipment and cleaning it for inspection, and then driving them to the washrack to wash them down. This was an exhausting process. There were all kinds of loose ends too; medical paperwork to identify possible cases of PTSD among the men for example.

Long days were spent out in the sun doing layouts of all our gear. A lot of guys got sunburnt because we were wearing the PT uniform not ACU's. There were a few fights. The worst part is knowing you are so close to going home and being confined to this place. It has been pretty hot, over 100 degrees every day and there is lots of work. The past two weeks has actually been some of the hardest work I have ever done. In a way I'm glad I'm not 11B, going on night raids and kicking down doors. That puts real wear on you. I spent much of the deployment sitting and waiting, pulling guard. Part of the forces are set aside for headquarters duty, sort of a standby that leaves the compound less. That means safer and easier work. I'll take it.