The end of one season starts a whole new adventure...
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas with the Family via Skype
Even though I couldn't be there, my family made sure I knew I was loved and missed. I must 
admit that I am a huge fan of Skype!!! We even opened presents together. Merry Christmas family!!!
admit that I am a huge fan of Skype!!! We even opened presents together. Merry Christmas family!!!And no, they aren't vampires...it is really bad lighting...
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas from the 47th Combat Support Hospital in Tikrit, Iraq!!
Many thanks to:
Azusa Pacific University, Alumni Relations
Blue Star Moms of Danville, CA
Burdine Family
Hillside Covenant Church
Hultgren Family
Oakland Covenant Church
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Happy Christmas Eve from the 47th CSH
We had a blast!! The Tacky Sweater Party was a great success!!! There was food, music, games, dancing, and a visit from Santa!!! If you can't be at home with family, this is the way to celebrate the Holidays!!! Merry Christmas!!!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Adam Celebration
Our Chaplain's Assistant hosted our "Official" Holiday Party. The COB Speicher Commander and her Command Sergeant Major came to wish us a SAFE and Happy Holiday! Then we partied (tastefully). This event was held at the front enterance of the 47th CSH. Even Santa came for a
visit...
SFC Bryant showing off what he got from Santa
My picture with Combat Santa
Combat Santa made his first appearance on our roof
Caroling in Iraq
Cardimom Bread
Thanks Langdale Family!!!!
The greatest care package I could ever ask for!!!!
We were doing some IOTV trainng with a Christmas twist of a Holiday tie when the greatest package came. Couldn't wait to take a picture and post it for you!!!
Seriously, THANK YOU!!!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Thanks for the Care Packages!!!
Back in October I posted a request for help with the 47th CSH Holiday Party. We asked for decorations, Santa hats, white elephant gifts, tacky sweaters, and Christmas trees.
You answered our call!!! We have received over 150 boxes of holiday decorations!!! Including at least 4 Christmas trees!!! Our Hospital was what we called "uncomfortably Christmas". It was awesome!!!
My personal thanks to:
Hultgren Family
Burdine Family
Blue Star Moms of Danville, CA
Azusa Pacific University Alumni Relations
Hillside Covenant Church
Oakland Covenant Church
Thank you for all your care packages and holiday inspired gifts. We were able to not only provide a gift to every member of our Hospital but also provide many gifts to the Units that we are here in support of. 
Many more pictures to come...
Safe Arrival Back in Tikrit
Today's final leg of my trip brought me back to COB Speicher in Tikrit via CH-47 Chinook. While I was excited to get back to my own CHU and own bed, I was not looking forward to the long flight. It is rare to get a direct flight in Iraq (I need a new travel agent!!!). This flight originated
in Mosul and landed at two other FOB's before arriving at its final destination, Tikrit. Each leg of the flight was long enough that we had to refuel twice. Most of us on the flight were so tired that we all kept dosing off for short moments during flight only to be awoken by a sharp turn in one direction or the other. But, I thankfully made it safely to Tikrit were I am sure I will soon be back to work.
in Mosul and landed at two other FOB's before arriving at its final destination, Tikrit. Each leg of the flight was long enough that we had to refuel twice. Most of us on the flight were so tired that we all kept dosing off for short moments during flight only to be awoken by a sharp turn in one direction or the other. But, I thankfully made it safely to Tikrit were I am sure I will soon be back to work. Wednesday, December 16, 2009
A Layover in Balad
That's right, transient...
CPT Brown catching some Zzzzz's on our flight to Balad
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
More Al Asad
Some more random shots of my trip to Al Asad.
With 1LT Partick Hopple who was finally enroute to Ramadi
after being repeatedly misplaced by the Army.
No serious, they misplaced him...
CPT Amy Brown hard at work sharing her nutrition knowledge.
Just remember, everything in moderations.
I got stuck in the elevator in Al Asad...
Al Asad Tower of Terror...
This generator was new 6 months ago until we left it unattended...
Monday, December 14, 2009
Al Asad
I am in the midst of traveling to the two other sites of the 47th Combat Support Hospital. We are actually three different hospitals in three very different locations in Iraq. (I do think Tikrit is the best, of course...) I spent the last few days in Al Asad with Alpha Company reviewing their SOPs and certifications. Soldiers at all three sites are getting ready for the Transfer of Authority (TOA) with the 21st Combat Support Hospital in February. The day the 21st CSH takes over we can leave. Our Leadership wanted to be sure that all three sites are getting ready so they sent me (what were they thinking) to check-in with our two other sites. While I did do some work while in Al Asad, I was stoked to have an afternoon free to check out the COB.
With CPT Amy Brown in front of a Mosque on COB Al Asad.
Working hard or hardly working?
An oasis in the desert.
With an Iraqi 7th Infantry Division soldier.
With CPT Brown on the ridge overlooking COB Al Asad.
I am traveling with the 47th CSH's Dietitian CPT Amy Brown. We are having a blast finding ways to make this trip phenomenally and delightfully fun!!!
Queen of the Al Asad Ridge
An old plane that may still have unexploded ordinances...so not a jungle gym?
With CPT Amy Brown in front of a Mosque on COB Al Asad.
Working hard or hardly working?
An oasis in the desert.
With an Iraqi 7th Infantry Division soldier.
With CPT Brown on the ridge overlooking COB Al Asad.
