(no subject)
We did 4 really pointless missions in the last 72 hours and haven't really had a break. The first one, 2 days ago, was a loooooong walk through a supposedly hostile area. Since the locals all have cell phones, by the time we got to any houses, they were either empty or only had women and kids. Yesterday we had a shorter walk, but it was over rougher terrain*, at a faster pace, and about 20 degrees Fahrenheit hotter with no breeze. I was hurting by the end of it, and so were a lot of people (I just shrugged off the previous one like it was nothing). Then last night we had to just grab our gear and go (no warning at all), and once we were at an intersection we found out that we were blocking it for another unit's air assault. We ended up being completely unnecessary. Then today, something similar happened, but we went out to support the IA (Iraqi Army), and they never needed us from the start. Then again, that's a GREAT thing, b/c hopefully they won't need us at all anymore and we can stay home!!!
* - speaking of rough terrain: anyone who thinks Iraq is as flat as it looks on a map is WRONG WRONG WRONG! It's not hilly or mountainous like northern Georgia, but b/c of all the farms and canals, it's actually rougher on your legs and feet. The are crests and troughs, as well as berms.
Today I actually managed to get ahold of my youngest brother for a little bit, but the phone conversation got interrupted for weapons maintennance, which in turn got interrupted to go help the IA who didn't need us. Hopefully I can get ahold of one or both bros soon! I miss everyone a lot, and I get to talk to them the least.
* - speaking of rough terrain: anyone who thinks Iraq is as flat as it looks on a map is WRONG WRONG WRONG! It's not hilly or mountainous like northern Georgia, but b/c of all the farms and canals, it's actually rougher on your legs and feet. The are crests and troughs, as well as berms.
Today I actually managed to get ahold of my youngest brother for a little bit, but the phone conversation got interrupted for weapons maintennance, which in turn got interrupted to go help the IA who didn't need us. Hopefully I can get ahold of one or both bros soon! I miss everyone a lot, and I get to talk to them the least.