Back to Iraq- Hurry up and wait in Baghdad

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

Shawn Bryan reports

Hurry up and wait......somethings NEVER change.  We arrived in Kuwait after a 12 hour direct flight from DC.  Upon arrival we were put up in the Safir Hotel at the airport...PLEASE no matter what you are thinking do not EVER put this place on your travel plans.  I went to my room and thought it was a smurf village with the bed size and the wretched stench made me wish I were sleeping in a portajohn in 120 degree heat.  After a 24 hour layover we were finally en route to Baghdad.  A normal flight as usual until you get on approach and you realize how fast you are coming in.

Once at BIAP, the airport in Baghdad, we were able to link up with soldiers who gave us a ride to Camp Stryker.  A great crew over there by the way.  We enjoyed a 7 hour hold waiting on a Rhino.  For those of you who are not familiar this vehicle is basically an RV with armor and Im not sure but I believe Mario Andretti was our driver getting us to the green zone.  Blackwater guards watch over us and their professionalism is second to none.  I had a conversation with our BW guard and being former Army he was very opinionated about the surge.  He was very frank in telling me that since the surge the attacks on the green zone have all but stopped.  He said the last time they received IDF (indirect fire) was Easter Sunday.

We arrive at the CPIC.  Reality sets in.  The familiar sound of generators, 100 degrees plus at zero dark thirty.  We are in Iraq.  I am hoping to get going but am at the mercy of hurry up and wait.  Flights will hopefully get us going soon but for now we sit. Will update soon and be sending pix and video when I have something worth posting.

Semper Fi

Shawn

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Comments

Back to Iraq- Hurry up and wait in Baghdad

Shawn Bryan reports

Hurry up and wait......somethings NEVER change.  We arrived in Kuwait after a 12 hour direct flight from DC.  Upon arrival we were put up in the Safir Hotel at the airport...PLEASE no matter what you are thinking do not EVER put this place on your travel plans.  I went to my room and thought it was a smurf village with the bed size and the wretched stench made me wish I were sleeping in a portajohn in 120 degree heat.  After a 24 hour layover we were finally en route to Baghdad.  A normal flight as usual until you get on approach and you realize how fast you are coming in.

Once at BIAP, the airport in Baghdad, we were able to link up with soldiers who gave us a ride to Camp Stryker.  A great crew over there by the way.  We enjoyed a 7 hour hold waiting on a Rhino.  For those of you who are not familiar this vehicle is basically an RV with armor and Im not sure but I believe Mario Andretti was our driver getting us to the green zone.  Blackwater guards watch over us and their professionalism is second to none.  I had a conversation with our BW guard and being former Army he was very opinionated about the surge.  He was very frank in telling me that since the surge the attacks on the green zone have all but stopped.  He said the last time they received IDF (indirect fire) was Easter Sunday.

We arrive at the CPIC.  Reality sets in.  The familiar sound of generators, 100 degrees plus at zero dark thirty.  We are in Iraq.  I am hoping to get going but am at the mercy of hurry up and wait.  Flights will hopefully get us going soon but for now we sit. Will update soon and be sending pix and video when I have something worth posting.

Semper Fi

Shawn

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