Lesson Learned!

We flew a fair amount today and since I have been battling the head cold from...well, you know, I thought it would be a good idea to stretch out during our last leg of the flight and get some sleep.

I was nicely stretched out when I was awoken by two straps being tightened over me. Yup, the two load masters thought it would be really fun to "secure me" to the plane, you know, just in case.

What started out as two straps, quickly became three straps. Oh, and then there was the taping of my forearms together and then taping them to the straps as well!

Yup, we had a fun flight.

Oh, right, and then there was the whole "plane on fire" thing...but whatever. It is a combat zone after all...and we all made it back to our base safely!

Happy New Year To Ya!

Hacky Sack or Flying Squirrel?

So, we might have some free time in between our actual flight time...

We carry stuffed animals on board our aircraft to give to the kids we fly. Granted, we are not very good at hacky sack, but trying to play in flight is way harder than on solid ground. Just saying...

TURN YOUR SPEAKERS OFF TO PLAY VIDEO

I think it is safe to say that this particular beanie baby-type squirrel won't be making it to any kiddos. But don't worry, we have plenty more!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant Noah M. Korte, 29, of Lake Elsinore, CA, was assigned to 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, TX. SGT Korte died in the Paktya Province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

Also killed were Army Spc. Kurt W. Kern and Army Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire.

My Holiday Message from Sharana, AFG

Battle Rattle

Sorry Mom! Maybe this new site isn't as safe as we thought....

The "voice in the sky" spoke to us tonight. It was a British voice that told all of us to put on our vests and our helmets. This is not something we hear often so we all quickly got to our gear and got "dressed". We later found out that of course this was all a precaution, but I can't complain. I would rather have my gear on an be prepared than be caught by surprise!

So here I am watching a Christmas Hallmark movie on AFN with my gear on. And yes, it is really cold here at night!

6-Months Done

Today was a bittersweet day as it marks the end of the first half of my deployment but also it forces me to say farewell to friends that I have enjoyed working with.

I had the privilege of flying with Mike up to Bagram to drop him off as he starts his journey back to the States. He has spent the last 6 months doing the job I am taking over.

Safe travels to my fellow Army Flight Nurses! I have learned a lot from you and will miss you!!

My First Flight

Today was my first flight with my new job. I know I said that this job was supposed to be safer...but...

These pictures were taken from the back of the plane while we were waiting for our patients to arrive via ambulance from the hospital.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant Christopher L. Muniz, 24, of New Cuyama, CA, was assigned to 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI. SGT Muniz died in the Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

Also killed was Spc. Ronald H. Wildrick Jr.

My New Room

The Start of My Last Few Days in Sharana

I have been very lucky to have been given some awesome friends on this deployment. I originally met fellow Flight Nurse CPT Camisha Boatwright at Walter Reed a year or so ago. We always seemed to work opposite shifts, but still had some good laughs. Jovana Meyer is the First Sergeant for A Co 1-227, it is an Apache helicopter Company. It has been a fun 6 months getting to hang out with these girls. When one of us was down, the other two were right there to help and encourage.

As I get ready to move to RC-S and CPT Boatwright gets ready to redeploy home, we thought it would be fun to take some pictures together....

The three amigas!

Just chilling on the HH-60M Blackhawk!

Riding the HH-60M Blackhawk like a buckin' bronco in our 1st CAV Stetsons!
Looking awesome in the 1st CAV Stetson!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant First Class Clark A. Corley, 35, of Oxnard, CA, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Bliss, TX. SFC Corley died in the Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Thomas J. Mayberry, 21, of Springville, CA, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Bliss, TX. SPC Mayberry died in the Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Honoring the California Fallen

Marine Lance Corporal Joshua D. Corral, 19, of Danville, CA, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, CA. LCpl Corral died in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Sean M. Walsh, 21, of San Jose, CA, was assigned to the 185th Military Police Battalion, 49th Military Police Brigade, California National Guard, Pittsburg, CA. SPC Walsh died in the Khoswt province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained during indirect fire.

Staying in Afghanistan

So, things have changed here a little. What was originally a 6-month deployment to Afghanistan has turned into a full 12-months of deployment. Here is a little of the back story:

Before I had even left for Fort Benning for pre-deployment training, I was approached by my Clinical Nurse Officer in Command (my boss) asking if I would be willing to extend my deployment. At the time with the way the numbers were looking, there would be no one to replace me here in Afghanistan when I would be scheduled to return home. I did not say yes at that time but agree with my boss that I would spend a few months here before saying yes or no. At the end of August I again spoke with my bosses both back at home and here in Afghanistan and made the decision to submit the paperwork for the 6-month extension. A few weeks ago I was informed that the extension had been approved and that I would be staying.

However, I am not scheduled to stay in the same location. Currently I am working with rotary-wing MEDEVAC in Regional Command - East (RC-E). Sometime in December I should be moving to the South to work with the Air Force to complete the fixed-wing MEDEVAC. It is a move that I am looking forward to. While I have enjoyed working with the rotary-wing MEDEVAC, I am ready for a change. I will miss the friendships that I have made here but am excited at what lies ahead.

Since I am moving in December, Christmas is going to be very different this year. Last deployment we had a huge party for the entire Combat Support Hospital. I will not be stationed at a hospital, but I am confident the Air Force knows how to party!

Any packages that are being sent probably need to be done so by November 16 to my current address. As soon as I get a new address I will be sure to post it.

Thank you for your love and support. I miss you all!

Hometown Salute

A 23-year-old soldier who had planned to return home in time for his daughter’s birth was killed in an ambush in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Army Corporal Sean K. A. Langevin of Walnut Creek, CA was one of five soldiers who died November 9, 2007 when their patrol came under enemy fire in Aranus, according to the Department of Defense.
CPL Langevin was assigned to the Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, based in Vicenza, Italy. He was originally scheduled to go to Iraq during the troop surge, but in May he was sent to Afghanistan instead.
Relatives remembered him as an adventurer who snowboarded, skated, bungee-jumped and tried tandem skydiving.
Langevin graduated from Ygnacio Valley High School in 2002 and met his wife Jessica when they both worked at a pizza parlor in Walnut Creek. They married in January 2006 and their first and only child was born in February 2008.
“You have your ‘shoulda, coulda, wouldas,’ ” said Jessica Langevin, who talked to her husband almost every day. “I don’t have those with Sean. I have no regrets. That’s where I find a little of my peace.”

Information from MilitaryTimes.com

Happy Halloween

Our Halloween Party was a success!!! A huge thank you to everyone that helped us pull this off! Everyone had a blast dressing up for pictures and playing games. The decorations helped completely transform our plywood-walled MWR into a ghoulishly wonderful Halloween room for a party.

Certified Emergency Nurse

I seem to have a lot of down time while awaiting a call for MEDEVAC. So I decided to put some of my spare time to good use. Back in September I signed up to take the Certified Emergency Nurse Exam. A few years ago I got the Critical-Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification so I figured, why not get another certification.

The test was rather easy. Much easier than I had anticipated. Now that I have passed this one, I guess it is time to study for another one...

Guess grad school isn't as far away as I thought it would be...

Blast from the past

Today was a great day! While visiting with the Docs and Nurses at the local Forward Surgical Team I ran into CPT Tanya Dickey. CPT Dickey is the pharmacist that I was deployed with at the 47th CSH in Iraq. I knew she was in Afghansitan, but had no idea she was on FOB Sharana for a visit and she had no idea I was on Sharana. We had a great time catching up over lunch! I don't think I had smiled that much in a while!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant Carlo F. Eugenio, 29, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, was assigned to the 756th Transportation Company, 224th Sustainment Brigade, California Army National Guard, Van Nuys, CA. SGT Eugenio died in the Kabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device.

Also killed were Army Lieutenant Colonel David E. Cabrera, Army Staff Sergeant Crhistopher R. Newman, and Army Sergeant James M. Darrough.

Honoring the California Fallen

Marine Staff Sergeant Stephen J. Dunning, 31, of Milpitas, CA, was assigned to the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. SSG Dunning died in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Awesome Crew Chiefs of 1st Platoon

Not only do the Crew Chiefs of the 1st Platoon of C-3/82 keep the aircraft up and running, they keep all of us safe when we fly out to pick up our patients. An amazing group of guys that I have been very fortunate to get to work with.

Honoing the Calfornia Fallen

Army Sergeant First Class Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29, of San Diego, CA, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. SFC Domeij died in the Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wound sustained suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Honoring the Califonria Fallen

Army Private First Class Steven F. Shapiro, 29, of Hidden Valley Lake, CA, was assigned to teh 3rd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX. PFC Shapiro died in Talil, Iraq.

Honoring the Paktika Province Loses

Navy Chief Petty Officer Raymond J. Border, 31, of West Lafayette, OH, was assigned to Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 74 in Gulfport, Miss. CPO Border died while assessing a route in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

Army Staff Sergeant Jorge M. Oliveira, 33, of Newark, NJ, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, 50th Brigade Combat Team, Riverdale, NJ. SSG Oliveria died in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Camisha's Spur Ride

Tonight was a fun night in our tent as we got Camisha (my fellow RN) ready for tomorrow's Spur Ride. Since the MEDEVAC unit here is under operational control of the 1-227 CAV, we are eligible to participate in their Spur Ride. Because of the nature of our job, only one of us can participate at a time. This month, it is all Camisha!

Historically, a new soldier assigned to a Calvary Regiment was given a horse that had a shaved tail and the soldier was not allowed to wear spurs. The new soldier went through extensive training on horsemanship and combat before being allowed to wear spurs while riding. Over time as the Cavalry "dismounted" for WW2 the tradition of earning of the spurs changed. Soldiers deployed with the Calvary Regiment can earn their spurs through deployment in a combat zone or by participating in a Spur Ride.

Camisha is getting to do hers this month and I am hoping to get to participate in a Spur Ride in December. It all depends on what the unit here is able to do, but the CAV leadership here really wants me to get to participate with them...I am hopeful

Deployed Birthdays

In mid-September one of my roommates, CPL Sophia Hernandez celebrated a birthday. Unfortunately, I was at work and Camisha was in a different part of Afghanistan. While we were bummed to miss celebrating with her, we promised we would make it up to her.

In late-October, Camisha will celebrate her 21st (+9) birthday. For her birthday, she will be at work and I will be in a different part of Afghanistan.

So, we celebrated tonight! My mom had sent me some luau themed decorations and some food so we could make some Afghan stir fry! While the food was nothing remarkable, it sure was great to eat something that did not come from the dining facility (DFAC). Through our connections at the DFAC we were able to get a lemon cake for all to share. It was a great evening of fun and laughter!

Wedding favors

Today I got an awesome package from my family! My cousin Allison got married to a great guy named Ben a few days ago. I was super bummed not to be able to attend the wedding as I am here in Afghanistan, but my mom sent me some little gifts from their wedding. I got a copy of the wedding program, some bubbles in a little champagne bottle, a picture of Allison and Ben, and some bride and groom cookies.

Seriously, these care packages are getting better and better!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 James B. Wilke, 38, of Ione, CA., was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Bliss, TX. CWO3 Wilke died in Doha, Qatar, in a noncombat incident.

Allison and Ben's Wedding

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Ben Tillman!!!
And welcome to the family Ben!!!

My cousin Allison got married today!!! There are not words to express how excited I am for her and Ben!

Since I am here in Afghanistan, I was unable to attend the event...well, okay, I sort of got to attend. I worked with my Mom and Dad to create a life-sized custom cardboard cutout of me so that I could "attend" the wedding. From the stories I have heard it sounds like I am quite the dancer!

I love you Allison! I am so excited for you and Ben!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Ricardo Cerros Jr., 24, of Salinas, CA, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. SPC Cerros died in the Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire.

My Mornings

 

Mornings at work have become very routine. Every morning the junior pilot and the crew chief complete a full inspection of the aircraft while the medic and the nurse inspect all the medical equipment inside the aircraft. The senior pilot is usually getting briefed on weather and other things while this is happening. Once the senior pilot arrives at the aircraft he briefs the crew on our mission for the day and reviews safety protocols. Once that is complete, the crew begins run-up. Run-up includes starting the engines and testing the different systems. We can go days without flying a mission, so it is important to check the aircraft every day.
Our crew chiefs are awesome at their job. They are responsible for the "well-being" of the aircraft. Because of the dusty and austere environment that we are in, there are always little things to be cleaned and fixed. I have really enjoyed working with the crew chiefs here in learning more about the aircraft. While I cannot fix anything major, there are a bunch of little things that the crew chiefs have taught me. We joke saying that the Camisha, the other nurse here with me, and I are going to be honorary crew chiefs before we leave here!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Garrett A. Fant, 21, of American Canyon, CA, was assigned to 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS. SPC Fant died in the Helmand province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant Tyler N. Holtz, 22, of Dana Point, CA, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. SGT Holtz died in the Wardak province of wounds caused by small-arms fire.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Private First Class Aparicio A. Carlos of San Bernadino, CA, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, LA. PFC Aparicio died in the Wardak province of injuries caused by an improvised explosive device.

Also killed was Sgt. Rafael E. Bigai Baez.

Happy Grammie Day!!!

Thanks Uncle Jim!!!