Wheew, man I am tired and so glad that this week is over. It seemed that it would never end with all the visits and big cheeses that showed up to check out the Maintenance Depot. It all started one week ago Saturday when Juan my boss who is based out of the IZ called me while I was with the IT guys working on my computer. "Hey brother how would you like to escort a general officer tomorrow?" I knew from his tone that he was having a good laugh so when I asked him who are for how long he said its our boss BG S and he'll have 4+ hours boots on the ground, and oh by the way he'll be there at 1030 hrs. and wants to see you and the depot and nothing else! Damn I thought Sunday is the only day I really get a small break from the grind and now it's shot, plus BG S isn't the most talkative guys in the world. I never met him but had heard about him, and lets leave it at that. Not only was BG S coming but so were 7 other folks from the IZ.
So on Sunday while I am heading to the LZ to pickup the entourage, with choppers you have to get there about 15 minutes early because they sometimes arrive early and sure enough by the time I got there they were already waiting. After the exchanging pleasantries we headed off to turn in some paperwork to one of the units and then we headed to our main office. After presenting the team I gave them the intro brief and a more detailed "where we are at" brief. There was some open discussion as to what additional items they wanted me to work out, some training issues and lots of questions. We ate lunch and then it was off to both depots.
The boots on the ground tour went well as did the drive by of various sections of the depot. We stopped off by the RTC (Basic Training) area to check out some Iraqi troops and then it was off to the LZ so they could head back to the IZ. It wasn't too hard to figure our why he visited, we were going to have a 4 Star visit on Wednesday and the command group in the IZ wanted to make sure I had my ducks in order unlike some of the other O-6's here at Taji. I passed that muster as no one called me that day from the IZ to tell me how to suck the proverbial egg. But now that they visited I knew it was a matter of hours that the original schedule and activities for Wednesday would be changing every 2-3 hours!
Monday was filled with meetings in the morning and then in the afternoon I had to a chance to meet the new O-6 for the USACE in Baghdad. I linked up with them down at the depot and gave him and some of his folks a tour. I actually enjoyed this tour and getting to meet the Colonel because here in Iraq it is so important to meet people who you will be dealing with in the future so when there are issues you know who to contact and have had face time with them. They brought a camera crew and I had no idea that they were filming until after the tour I was asked to spell my name and list my job title. Here is the short clip
By Wednesday the schedule had been changed at least 9 times and here the 4 star who was here to see his folks and the depot since they are supporting us with the development of the depot was no longer scheduled to visit the depot. We kept our original plan of the depot visit and the assets required to support that visit because I knew that he was going say that he wanted to visit the depot. The big arrived, we picked up our command group at the LZ, LTG D, BG S and BG A plus 4 other Colonels. General G and his group of a MG and BG and Colonels arrived soon after. That gave us a total of 12 stars and shitload of full birds crammed into a conference room going over logistical and Foreign Military Sales info. During the logistics brief when the depot was mentioned the discussion was rather intense regarding the manning situation, when the General said that the wanted to go to the depot. BG S handed me a slip of paper with what needed to be visited and I told him not to worry because like I tell my kids and HQ6 all the time "Don't worry everything is under control"! The visit went without a hitch and the General had a good time going inside some the buildings under construction and speaking with some of the Aussies and other support folks on the ground. The total visit lasted almost 3+ hours and as the General left he gave us coins and for me it was the first time I have ever received a coin from a 4 star general.
On Thursday Major Y from the J-4 arrived to see what we were doing here at Taji and to interview for the Deputy PMO position. I had told Juan that I needed now more than ever a deputy because with all the work that had to be done I found myself getting bogged down at the tactical level and with all the strategic decisions that still needed to be made I couldn't afford to lose site of the long range decisions that need to be made. She had a chance to see both the north and south depots, what the layout of the depot and Taji was like, interview and take care of some work that she had to do over at the Supply Depot.
I finally got the Operation and Maintenance Contract awarded for the Generator Farm. This was the last hurdle to get the power running at the depot and a couple of other areas on the Iraqi side of the base. The contractor is now testing the generators, replacing some dead batteris, fine tuning some of the equipment, making sure that the transformers are connected properly and that no one is tapping into the lines illegally. We should have the power on Monday and can begin to do our infrastructure testing and after that make any necessary repairs and keep the power running. That will enable the Iraqi's to move into their quarters and we can finally begin day to day operations at our HQ building at the Depot. That will make my life a lot easier because we will now be able to work with our counterparts on a daily basis versus once a week.
I had my usual chips and dip with some non-alcoholic beer tonite and am listening to soccer via the internet from Spain. At least tomorrow I will be able to sleep in and relax until 1300 hrs when the new week will start all over again. I am sure that this coming week will be an interesting one but more hectic than this week I doubt it.
I finally got a chance to see some of the pictures from the reunion get together last weekend and from what I have seen so far it looks like a good time was had by all. Some of my classmates haven't changed much from when I last saw them, others I didn't recognize right away.
Have a nice week everyone, Go A's and Viva Er Beti Manque Pierda!!
The Colonel
25 August, 2007
17 August, 2007
Franklin High School Class of 77--Thirty Year Reunion "Party On"
They say time never stops and it is true as this weekend back in Franklin Wisconsin my classmates will be celebrating our 30th High School Reunion. It's hard to believe that 30 years ago we were just a bunch of 18 year olds with the rest of our lives still in front of us, and here we are today celebrating all that we have done in these past 30 years. It seems like yesterday that we were going to Kiss and Queen concerts, wearing those bell bottom pants and those great looking polyester leisure suits, participating in sports, going to football and basketball games, for us guys enjoying the view in any of Ms Noble's classes and drinking beer out of I forgot whose boot at Senior Skip Out Day!
I guess the get togethers and parties start tonite, tomorrow is the big event and Sunday is the picnic which will wrap up the reunion weekend! I had looked forward to attending especially since I had a good time at our 20th reunion, but hey I've got nothing to complain about and there's always the 40th!! To all my fellow classmates, I hope you all are doing well and have a great weekend celebrating and enjoying each others company, I will partake in a nice cigar and can of non-alcoholic beer late tomorrow night after work and will offer a toast to all of us!
GO SABERS!!
The Colonel
12 August, 2007
Sunday Morning in Taji
It's hard to believe that another week has gone by so quickly! Today being Sunday is normally a day to sleep in but here at Taji we had a 5K run "Harley Davidson 5K Hog Run" obviously sponsored by Harley Davidson who just happen to be from my home town of Milwaukee! Since I am finally running 5 days a week but with no speed work I figured that if I could run a sub 24 race and not have feel anything funny in my left quad that I would be happy with that! So for the first time I actually went to bed at a decent time since I had to be up at 0530 for my pre-race cup of joe and get ready for the race which started at 0700. I never check my watch when I have to get up in the middle of the night so I don't get depressed that I have only X hours more of shuteye before I have to get up. So when I got up I noticed that there was some light coming from the sand bagged window so I checked my watch and almost had a cardiac arrest. It was 0623 and I still had to shave, brush my teeth, change and drive to the start and sign in. I was flying and got there at 0645, signed in, did some quick stretching and bang the gun sounded at 0655 and off the pack went. I went out easy and since there were no mile markers (no big surprise here) I figured I was a little slower than 8 minutes at mile one, so I picked it up slightly and at about 12 minutes figured it was time to do start passing some runners and the last mile it was great picking off the runners one by one and I finished pretty strong. No pain in the quad, not thirsty since I had my handy water bottle that I use when I run back home and a 23:35 time, which considering it was the first time since my quad injury that I ran a sub 8:30 pace!! I was happy with that, I ran into some of the Aussies and a couple of the 104th guys at the finish area. The T-shirt is not bad either and is a good souvenir from Taji!
Got back and spoke with Carmen, Cheenie Peenie and my sister in law on Skype, they had just gotten back from their week in Tahoe. We reserved the cabin before I got mobilized and I told Carmen that life goes on and to enjoy themselves up there and from what they told me they all had a good time. They said that even though I wasn't there it was like I was there, since Javi was doing the usual stupid antics and things that I always do and Cheenie was planning the days events like I always do! That's good to know that the kids do take after their dad sometimes, or as Carmen always points out when they do something bad or stupid that they take after me!
Here at work we are soooo close to getting power turned on at the Maintenance Depot. We purchased fuel, the guys that run the generator farm are almost done getting the last minute details ready so they can crank up the generator farm and start running power to the maintenance depot and another part of the base. Once they do that, we will be able to turn on the lights, AC's, to see what doesn't work, run the sewage lift stations, turn on the water and see what part of the infrastructure needs to be repaired. The power will run for 48 hours so that we have time to inspect all the buildings, and various water and sewage lines. The bid is out for the Operations and Maintenance Contract for the Generator Farm and power lines, that should be ready to start in late August and the contract for fuel has been approved. You would have thought that fuel in Iraq is cheap since it is drilled and refined here, but with the transportation costs which includes armed escorts and the middle man profits a gallon of Diesel goes for $4.97 a gallon at a discount rate since I will be purchasing a decent amount!
Once we get the generator farm operating 24X7 then we can occupy our PMO Building and work side by side with our Iraqi counterparts daily. That alone is worthwhile, since there are so many decisions that we still have to make regarding which fleets we will rebuild at the Depot, order the repair parts for those vehicles, work manning figures, training plans for new incoming Soldiers etc. Robert and Larry have completed updating the designs and have forwarded that info to the J-7 and USACE so that they can review and buy off on the changes and send those designs to the Construction Services folks at USACE and the Army can send them the monies so they can start refurbishing the buildings. I know that folks back down at the IZ want to see bricks and mortar flying all over the place because that shows progress. I would not be surprised that once the construction starts to really pickup that the one star and three star Generals will be paying the Depot a visit.
We finally had our new priest arrive here at Taji, unlike the others that were rotating on a weekly basis because lets face it there just aren't enough priests back home and that affects the number or Army priests. This one will be based out of Taji which means more services and that fact that we now have someone we can go to if there is the need. He reminds me a lot of Father Jim the priest from back home; he likes participation wants us to feel good about ourselves and get involved here on base with the church. He's from Puerto Rico but lived a long time in Boston so he has a very peculiar accent to say the least!
Well I got a couple of hours left before it's time to go to work today and I have to finish up a couple of officer evaluations and hit the PX to see what they have on their shelves. I honestly believe that on my second or third day back home I will go to the mall and stay there from the time it opens until it closes just to walk through and stare at the shelves full of merchandise!
Before I close a big birthday shout out to Javier who today hits the big 16, and tomorrow starts his behind the wheel training for drivers ed! Happy birthday Javi enjoy your birthday and remember keep two hands on the steering wheel at all times! ;>)
The Colonel
Got back and spoke with Carmen, Cheenie Peenie and my sister in law on Skype, they had just gotten back from their week in Tahoe. We reserved the cabin before I got mobilized and I told Carmen that life goes on and to enjoy themselves up there and from what they told me they all had a good time. They said that even though I wasn't there it was like I was there, since Javi was doing the usual stupid antics and things that I always do and Cheenie was planning the days events like I always do! That's good to know that the kids do take after their dad sometimes, or as Carmen always points out when they do something bad or stupid that they take after me!
Here at work we are soooo close to getting power turned on at the Maintenance Depot. We purchased fuel, the guys that run the generator farm are almost done getting the last minute details ready so they can crank up the generator farm and start running power to the maintenance depot and another part of the base. Once they do that, we will be able to turn on the lights, AC's, to see what doesn't work, run the sewage lift stations, turn on the water and see what part of the infrastructure needs to be repaired. The power will run for 48 hours so that we have time to inspect all the buildings, and various water and sewage lines. The bid is out for the Operations and Maintenance Contract for the Generator Farm and power lines, that should be ready to start in late August and the contract for fuel has been approved. You would have thought that fuel in Iraq is cheap since it is drilled and refined here, but with the transportation costs which includes armed escorts and the middle man profits a gallon of Diesel goes for $4.97 a gallon at a discount rate since I will be purchasing a decent amount!
Once we get the generator farm operating 24X7 then we can occupy our PMO Building and work side by side with our Iraqi counterparts daily. That alone is worthwhile, since there are so many decisions that we still have to make regarding which fleets we will rebuild at the Depot, order the repair parts for those vehicles, work manning figures, training plans for new incoming Soldiers etc. Robert and Larry have completed updating the designs and have forwarded that info to the J-7 and USACE so that they can review and buy off on the changes and send those designs to the Construction Services folks at USACE and the Army can send them the monies so they can start refurbishing the buildings. I know that folks back down at the IZ want to see bricks and mortar flying all over the place because that shows progress. I would not be surprised that once the construction starts to really pickup that the one star and three star Generals will be paying the Depot a visit.
We finally had our new priest arrive here at Taji, unlike the others that were rotating on a weekly basis because lets face it there just aren't enough priests back home and that affects the number or Army priests. This one will be based out of Taji which means more services and that fact that we now have someone we can go to if there is the need. He reminds me a lot of Father Jim the priest from back home; he likes participation wants us to feel good about ourselves and get involved here on base with the church. He's from Puerto Rico but lived a long time in Boston so he has a very peculiar accent to say the least!
Well I got a couple of hours left before it's time to go to work today and I have to finish up a couple of officer evaluations and hit the PX to see what they have on their shelves. I honestly believe that on my second or third day back home I will go to the mall and stay there from the time it opens until it closes just to walk through and stare at the shelves full of merchandise!
Before I close a big birthday shout out to Javier who today hits the big 16, and tomorrow starts his behind the wheel training for drivers ed! Happy birthday Javi enjoy your birthday and remember keep two hands on the steering wheel at all times! ;>)
The Colonel
06 August, 2007
Great Job Sun!!
A super big shout out to the gang back at Sun, which based on the earnings call from last week must have kicked some big ass this past quarter!! 9 cents earnings per share which beat the analysts expectation by 4 cents, another quarter with a profit. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication, rumor has it that the bonus isn't too bad either! I heard the party last Friday with the beer and munchies was a pretty nice one. Although I couldn't celebrate drinking beer I did have a non-alcoholic beer for all of you!
You all should be glad to know that we've been reviewing design plans on these buildings and have been able to reduce the amount of structural changes by a fair amount which means less cost and more savings for us taxpayers! Tomorrow we have more design reviews with the J-7 Engineer guys and if all goes well those will be approved by them which means monies will be obligated and the USACE can solicit bids for those buildings and get the construction up and running!
It was an interesting meeting with my Iraqi counterparts this morning. Besides all the usual stuff that goes on during these meetings I got a chance to discuss with them the meaning of responsibility and the importance of delegating that responsibility to others and holding them accountable. Culturally with the old regime responsibility was avoided at all costs because if you screwed up jail time or some serious punishment would be handed out in a heartbeat. Because of this getting the Iraqi Army and specifically lower ranking officers to take the bull by the horns is very difficult to do. When we need to have a decision made on the spot or in a short time frame they want to defer everything to their boss who is swamped up at the Ministry of Defense with more pressing manners than some of the decisions that we need to resolve at our level.
The temperature has been somewhat cooler, 114 versus 120 and in the mornings today it got down to 84 which is a nice change from the lower 90's. It makes running more enjoyable, and now that I have found a couple of decent dirt routes running has been a lot more fun. It's been quiet here of late as the artillery guns have been silent for almost a week, that plus the dust storms have kept the choppers out of the sky and from flying over our barracks.
The first few Soldiers from our unit here at Taji have left for their 4 day Rest and Relaxation at Qatar. I am curious to see how it went and what activities they signed up for. The good news is that you get 3 beers or glasses of wine a day while you are at the R&R site in Qatar, and can do whatever you want or not do anything at all but chill out while down there.
You all should be glad to know that we've been reviewing design plans on these buildings and have been able to reduce the amount of structural changes by a fair amount which means less cost and more savings for us taxpayers! Tomorrow we have more design reviews with the J-7 Engineer guys and if all goes well those will be approved by them which means monies will be obligated and the USACE can solicit bids for those buildings and get the construction up and running!
It was an interesting meeting with my Iraqi counterparts this morning. Besides all the usual stuff that goes on during these meetings I got a chance to discuss with them the meaning of responsibility and the importance of delegating that responsibility to others and holding them accountable. Culturally with the old regime responsibility was avoided at all costs because if you screwed up jail time or some serious punishment would be handed out in a heartbeat. Because of this getting the Iraqi Army and specifically lower ranking officers to take the bull by the horns is very difficult to do. When we need to have a decision made on the spot or in a short time frame they want to defer everything to their boss who is swamped up at the Ministry of Defense with more pressing manners than some of the decisions that we need to resolve at our level.
The temperature has been somewhat cooler, 114 versus 120 and in the mornings today it got down to 84 which is a nice change from the lower 90's. It makes running more enjoyable, and now that I have found a couple of decent dirt routes running has been a lot more fun. It's been quiet here of late as the artillery guns have been silent for almost a week, that plus the dust storms have kept the choppers out of the sky and from flying over our barracks.
The first few Soldiers from our unit here at Taji have left for their 4 day Rest and Relaxation at Qatar. I am curious to see how it went and what activities they signed up for. The good news is that you get 3 beers or glasses of wine a day while you are at the R&R site in Qatar, and can do whatever you want or not do anything at all but chill out while down there.
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