Training

Working with Air Force Pararescuemen has been a lot of fun. They are the highest level of search and rescue in the world. And thankfully, they are very willing to share some of their training with me. A few days ago, they had a Military Working Dog Rescue refresher class. The US Army Vetrinarian stationed on Camp Leatherneck came and presented classes on trauma, medications, and even CPR. Yup, doggie CPR. The last part of the class was a review of intravenous access on dogs. Our Vet brought two dogs with her allowing us to practice starting lines on them. Let's just say it was a little more difficult than I thought it would be. I am a little excited about the opportunity to get to hangout with the Vet in her clinic on my off days and learn a little more about Military Working Dog care. Hope my parent's dog is ready for me and my new skills when I come home...

Homemade Bread

While I was at FOB Sharana, I was introduced to the wonderful world of a break maker. Growing up , homemade bread took forever! I could remember my mom waiting for the dough to rise before beating it down only to have to wait for it to rise yet again.

Now, I put a cup of water and some dry bread mix with the little yeast packet into a machine and 3 hours and 5 minutes later we have bread! And oh does it make my tent smell absolutely amazing!

Not only do the flight crews, medical teams, Pararescuemen, and support staff enjoy this little treat, it has become a good way to get to know people better. Breaking bread has finally become fun!

Until They All Come Home

Army Staff Sergeant Ahmed Altaie, 41, of Ann Arbor, MI, was assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team, Divisional Training Center, Special Troops Bn, 4th Inf Div, Fort Hood, TX, SSG Altaie died in Iraq after being kidnapped in Baghdad on Oct. 23, 2006. He was declared "missing - captured" on Dec. 11, 2006. The Armed Forces Medical Examiner at Dover Air Force Base, DE, positively identified his remains Feb. 25, 2012.

Welcome Home Staff Sergeant Altaie. We never stopped looking.

The Things We Do

A quick shot of our set up enroute to pick up at a mutiple casualty incident. Four boxes of blood products and 3 critical care transport setups.

Rocking Out

The world of medicine and surgery is a stressful one. In the blink of an eye a patient's status can change and what was going to be an easy shift has become the longest 12-hours of my life. But when my 12-hours are over, I get in my car and drive to the safety and comfort of my home. At least that is what my "other" life is like.

Here, I never know when I am going to go to work. I live at work, literally. I, along with my teammate and a physician, live in a tent with mere plywood walls giving us our own space. A large air conditioning unit sits just outside my head, about 2 feet from where I sleep. Helicopters and airplanes of different nations are taking off and landing at all hours of the day and night. In fact, when it gets quiet is when I can't sleep.

My best days are still the worst days of someone else's life. I am reminded almost daily that the gift of life is something that can change with one breath, one step, or one missed communication. The adrenaline rush is indescribable when working on a patient in the back of a C-130. There is nothing like this at home. It is addicting. It is why I wanted to come back, it is why I stayed.

While en route to a patient pick up, in an attempt to keep my adrenaline rush under control and to keep myself from getting too connected to what is about to happen, I have started to play my mandolin. Since I am not very good, it is a little embarrassing to play at the compound. On the plane, no one can hear me. I can "rock out" while looking like an idiot but since no one can hear me, I sing even louder!

One afternoon, one of the loadmasters on my crew snapped a picture. I had no idea until he showed me later. I think I am up to 8 chords, so I have a long way to go. Thankfully, I have plenty of flight hours ahead of me.

A "Spring" Picture for Dad

We had an amazing storm roll in for a few days here in the southwest part of Afghanistan. We were told we had more rain in this storm than Afghanistan usually gets in a full year.

Back story of the picture:

My Dad had sent me a picture of a cherry tree (I think) full of blossoms from our neighborhood at home. I replied back that I would try to get a "Spring in Afghanistan" picture for him. So here it is Dad. A midnight shot of "spring in Afghanistan".

Chest Seals vs. the Rain Storm

And I am spending yet another rainy season in the desert of the Middle East. There really is no comparing Iraq and Afghanistan other than to say that at times we are in the middle of the desert where it seems time has forgotten. Everything seems to primitive. The people of Afghanistan have been surviving on so little compared to our flashy materialistic lifestyle in the States. It has been an interesting lesson to re-learn.

Okay, now the real reason for this post...the rainy season! The Camp I am living on is in the middle of desert. There is not much of a drainage system for rain, but since they don't get much of it I guess i t is not a big deal. Except for the last few days. Wow! It has rained buckets!!! Drainage ditches throughout the camp are full and our tents all seem to have a few leaks in them. My floor is half saturated since I live in a tent with no "tent floor". And there is a hole right above my bed. Thankfully I have a bunk bed, so the water leaking in hits the top bunk (no one lives up there). But in an effort to fix the problem, I placed a chest seal over the hole. And then another. And then another. And then another.... I even re-supported the tent ceiling with some small straps to take the "sag" out of it.

End result is we made it through the night with no leaks. Now to wait till the next storm to see what happens...

The Things We Do

 

America: Shame on You!

Really? Really America? So far this month we have lost 3 heroes. All 3 died as part of the less than 1% of us willing to risk everything to make life better for someone else. Yet you choose to celebrate the life of a selfish drug addict? Yes, I am sad for Whitney Houston's family. But I do not celebrate her life. I choose to celebrate selflessness, not selfishness.

Look at their pictures. Read about them. Who would you rather your children look up to? Individuals willing to give up some of their own freedoms or even their own life for the safety of others? Or a woman who was all over the tabloids for drugs, alcohol, marital problems?

Marine Lance Corporal Edward J. Dycus, 22, of Greenville, MS, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. LCpl Dycus died February 1 when he was shot by a member of the Afghan Security Forces in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Army Brigader General Terence J. Hildner, 49, of Fairfax, VA, was assigned to 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Cmd, Fort Hood, TX. BG Hildner died February 3 of natural causes in Kabul province, Afghanistan.

Army Sergeant First Class Billy A. Sutton , 42, of Tupelo, MS, was assigned to 223rd Engineer Battalion, 168th Engineer Brigade, Mississippi National Guard, West Point, MS. SFC Sutton died Feb. 7 in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan of a noncombat medical condition.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Private First Class Cesar Cortez, 24, of Oceanside, CA, was assigned to 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Bliss, TX. PFC Cortez died in Bahrain in a vehicle accident.

The Things We Do

Sam Brown in GQ

I met Sam Brown via Skype while I was deployed with his wife Amy to Iraq. Amy and I were travel buddies which meant I was lucky enough to come home from Iraq knowing that I now had 2 awesome new friends in Texas.
Sam was deployed to Afghanistan when his life changed forever. He was badly burned after an improvised explosive device took out is vehicle. His recover has been long and painful...and is far from over.
GQ did a story on Sam for this month's edition. Click the picture above to read the article.
Sam and Amy - Thank you for being role models for me. While I am sad that I don't get to see you often, I really enjoy reading your blog and learning of all the Brown Family Adventures!

Company Grade Officer of the Month

Honored and humbled to get to work with some great team members. It is because of the team that I am able to accept such an honor! Thanks Fever Team for your hard work and dedication to saving lives!