Wow hard to believe I have been mobilized 10 months as of 25 November, as the saying goes "time goes by quickly when you're having fun"! Things are really starting to pick up at the Depot. We now have some sort of construction going on in every building but 5 so that means I am getting out of the office a lot more to walk the sites, check up on issues that have arisen and talk to the USACE Quality Assurance Reps on their findings and resolution of those deficiencies. Today was a typical day, there was an issue with the component cleaning building regarding the doors which swing inside as they open and the available clearance between the doors and the blast booths that will be located inside the building. The USACE rep stopped by last night and told us about the issue, so this morning we went out and had the contractor measure the layout and we could see where the doors would hit the booths. So after reviewing the equipment layout we realized that we could move the 40 ft long blast booths 4 feet deeper into the building and still be able to have clearance for forklift traffic in the building.
I got a chance to confirm my suspicion that on the DPW building the water troughs that collect the runoff around the building did not actually drain into the sewer but instead the water would remain stagnant at the end of the trough! I had asked about it the other day when I saw them rinsing off the driveway and noticed water gathering instead of disappearing, but since it was under the grate I couldn't tell if they had plugged the drain for now with plastic and would remove it later. So today I removed the grate and kept searching for the plastic cover but there was none. The contractor never put the drain in, duh!! So it's on their dime to have to cut away the cement and insert a drain from the trough to the sewer. Right now for us the long lead item for all these buildings tends to be the crance whether jib or bridge cranes. The bridge section and motors tend to take a long time to be manufactured and shipped up to Taji.
I later stopped over at the Iraqi PMO Headquarters to sign for computers, printers and scanners that had arrived for the Generator Repair Building. So I inspected the items, signed for them and subsequently hand receipted them to my Iraqi counterparts who were waiting with baited breath the receipt of these laptops since they have no computers and are not allowed due to force protection to bring in their personal laptops onto the Iraqi side of base. I know that our interpreters will be happy campers now that they don't have to type documents for the Iraqis. They still owe me the SOP's for the handling of the weapons that will be repaired at the Depot. I can not sign over to them the keys to the secured storage until I approve their SOP and am satisfied that they have the proper internal security procedures, inspections and paper trail for maintaining custody of the weapons. Lt Shaw AKA "junior" is working with an Iraqi officer assisting him on what is required and providing guidance.
A couple of quick shoutouts for Brenda and Stephen thanks for the package of goodies that you sent me, the running socks and drink powders will come in handy this Sunday when I and a couple of running buddies of mine will be running our California International Marathon (CIM) here in Taji. I and SSGT Mike one of the guys I ran with at Ft Riley down in the IZ got another 18 Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors to run down there so the CIM has graciously supported us in running their Marathon and have sent us t-shirts and finisher medals. Pictures to follow! Mom and Dad thanks for the pates and the smoked salmon. The only thing I will be missing on my Friday night tapas nights is the company of my family and a nice glass of wine. I guess that grape juice will have to do for now!
That's all for now I am heading over to grab some chow to go as the Aussies invited me over to their base camp to smoke some cigars, drink some non-alcoholic beer and shoot the breeze around their evening bonfire.
The Colonel
28 November, 2007
25 November, 2007
Some Pics from the Past Few Days
The DFAC's Thanksgiving Decoration Spread!!
I Did Not Inhale!! SFC Fowler AKA "The Soccer Mom" and Others Doing the Hookah
The Poker Gang!!
Part of Our Thanksgiving Spread
Cutting the Turkey!!
Major Gamble and I Wearing My New Aussie Slouch Hat at Aussie BBQ
Here are just a few of the photos that were taken during our two BBQ's that we had earlier this week. It was great to have two consecutive BBQ's and just have relax and enjoy the festivities for a change. Tonite is Sunday night and I took today off so that SSG Gamboa who is an avid NFL fan can stay up late watching the games tonite and sleep in tomorrow. This week will be a busy one as we have lot's to do with the small arms facility in terms of repair parts and weapon inventories, and the generator farm construction of the new generator and fuel tanks.
Talk to you all later!
The Colonel
Talk to you all later!
The Colonel
22 November, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Tom the Turkey Pays Us a Visit
(SFC Dempsey the "BBQ King" and I with Tom the Turkey)
Greetings from Taji Iraq on this Thanksgiving 2007. For all of you out there I wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!! Today being Thanksgiving I told my crew at the office that we were shutting down at 1400 hrs today to enjoy and partake in the various Thanksgiving activities. I had volunteered to do some of the food prep and cooking today. Just after 1415 I headed out of the office and came back to the hootch. I changed and I joined SFC Dempsey the Taji National Depot Supply First Sergeant in getting the Thanksgiving Meal ready. He was able to purchase some steaks and his father sent from the US two frozen smoked turkeys that believe it or not were still frozen upon arrival here in Iraq. By the time I got there he was finishing up preparing the marinade for the steaks. We opened the steaks and placed them into the baggies full of marinade and let those babies soak for a while. In the meantime, we got the BBQ ready and enjoyed a nice cigar and some non-alcoholic beer while soaking up some rays. Although it had been cloudy of late, today it was sunny, breezy and a temp of about 74, not bad for Thanksgiving.
At 1600 hrs we lit the charcoal and waited until those briquettes were nice and hot, and the steaks were the first thing on the grill. Some of the other Soldiers at 1630 went to the DFACs to pickup the various condiments, vegetables and other items for the feast. Others had made mash potatoes, dips, desserts and had banana breads and other food items sent from home just for today. After removing some of the steaks from the grill it was time to throw the smoked turkeys (2 each) onto the grill wrapped in foil. By 1730 hours it was time to start eating, I got the honors to carve the turkeys. The Soldiers really enjoyed the steaks and turkey, plus all the food. Right after the first wave had eaten the Aussies arrived and we had to make some more steaks. Soon after Cigars and a bonfire were in store as we all congregated around some of tables and the fire to enjoy everyones company.
Through out the evening you could hear everyone talking about how they celebrate Thanksgiving and wouldn't it be nice to have a nice glass of _____________ (insert your favorite alcoholic beverage) to enjoy with the dinner! I know that for some of the interpreters this was their first Thanksgiving spent with American troops and they were still stuffed from the official Thanksgiving lunch at the DFAC that had the usual Thanksgiving spread just like back home! I passed since one large meal was enough, plus I still had memories of last years Thanksgiving when I ate too much too quickly and thought I was going to burst at the seams! Beside missing the family the only thing missing was the cranberries and pumpkin pie at our feast, plus a nice scoop of breyers ice cream on top of the pie. We all agreed that even though we were far away from our families and friends we had a lot to be grateful for on this day, and the chance to enjoy Thanksgiving with each other was definitely something that would not be forgotten for many years.
This was our second BBQ in two days. Last night the Aussies had a BBQ at their area which is adjacent to ours and we all had a great time over at their place. They are getting close to their departure date so for them it was a nice way to have a nice shindig with us and enjoy each others company. The Aussies have been great help for us here at the Maintenance Depot and the Supply Depot. For most of the Soldiers it has been their first time working with Soldiers from other countries that are part of the Coalition. I have gone full circle, having worked with Canadians, Brits and now Aussies, only the Kiwi's remain.
That is all for today, I have copied below the official proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln which created Thanksgiving Day in 1863 and now 144 years later we are once again a country at war and the parallels are very similar.
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless America
The Colonel19 November, 2007
One Down More to Follow!!
Well Rich and Brett some good news that you all can appreciate from North Carolina and Australia!!
Finally the first building of the new Depot was completed and turned over to the US Government Rep--me! Last Wednesday late in the afternoon the US Corp of Engineer Rep. George C, Larry F. the senior AMC rep here on the ground, the PM for the company that refurbished the facility and I had our final walk through of the 4 buildings that comprise of the Small Arms Facility. The work on this started in late May and here we were almost 6 months later finally getting to move into the facilities. This was the first facility to be worked on and we all learned plenty of lessons, from difficulties getting supplies delivered due to curfews, holidays, damaged bridges, etc. Vendors not coming through on their contractual agreements, sub-contractors not having a sense of urgency in getting things done on time, sub-standard equipment being sent back, etc.
I was not able to get a good picture of the facility so I will go up the water tower tomorrow to take some nice pics which will give you all a better idea of what these facilities look like. Now we are waiting for the company that is supposed to have delivered all but the long lead items to ship the remaining items to us, so that the USACE can have a contractor install and set up the equipment that has been purchased for the site. At the same time we are ordering the electroplating equipment and the target optics and accoustic equipment for the firing tunnels. Since this equipment is very technical it made sense for AMC to have their small arms subject matter experts on the ground to measure and order this equipment. The contract guys in the IZ are working with the supplier for the equipment to light a fire under their asses so we can get this equipment now, they are only 1 1/2 months late and I finally got fed up with the "we are loading the truck this week" only to ask them the following week where in the hell is the truck and find out the damn thing hasn't even been loaded yet. I have asked that these guys get negative reports so that when they bid again for another project that info is available and this lousy performance will cost them points in the past performance category.
I have a one star general that is keeping the heat on my fourth point of contact to have this up and running by mid January and right now with the equipment delay, the fact that the Depot Integrtor Contract that was supposed to have been awarded in late September, then late October, then 10 November and now 30 November has not yet been awarded. With the Aussies leaving soon and no DI contractor yet there will be no left/right seat battle handoff so I will get the training package ad will have to hand it off to the Training Advisor that I just hired when he gets here in mid December.
At the PMO office we are working in getting the weapon repair parts that were left over from the Saddam days inventoried and brought over to our facility so that we can use them to begin repair of the Iraqi weapons thus saving us taxpayers money by not having to purchase these repair parts. On top of that the Aussies have used the Iraqi Small Arm Techs in training to triage the captured weapons on hand and conduct a quick inspection and segregate repairable weapons that we will work on later, and those that will be destroyed by the MOD. Once we get them sorted out and annotate the serial numbers then we can process these get them ready for repair work. I have the Iraqi's working on the internal process of moving weapons from one depot to another, maintaining inventory and serial number accountability, storage and security requirements, daily handling/storage and the return process of weapons back to the Supply Depot. This is the point where they need to step up to the plate since the depot is theirs, I am here to make sure it gets built and that they do the necessary work and develop the required SOP's to ensure the depot can operate. I am no expert in the Arabic language but have come to the conclusion that the phrase Ascension and Javier remember all to well from their childhood "move with a purpose" and "sense of urgency" is not found in Arabic and this has caused me to age what feels like 5 years and what non-gray hair I had on my head to become gray! But those stories will be told when I am back home with my family and friends enjoying a nice cold one or a glass of wine!
Time is starting to fly quickly as evidenced by the fact that lots of people are now on their 15 day R&R and you begin to sense that we are on downward slope. For those of us who still haven't gone on our 15 Day R&R you can see what it has done to those who have already returned. As the day they leave approaches nothing but nothing will ruin their parade, they are upbeat and on the day they are leaving they are all smiles and laughing, knowing that even though it is a big hassle getting from Taji to BIAP to Kuwait and finally on the freedom bird, they will be home with their loved ones in 4-5 days time. When they get back they seem to walk taller, their bags under their eyes are all but gone and they have huge smiles on their faces. I still have a ways to go for mine but Carmen and I are both counting down the days until my R&R and the chance to see each other again! Besides I haven't gotten a good night kiss from Cheenie since April nor have I seen Javi doing his best rendition of some of the stupid antics that I am accused of having taught him when he was younger live and in prime time, it just doesn't have the same effect on the web cam!
This Thursday I am shutting down shop early for Thanksgiving. SFC D are expert cook ordered 3 turkeys and we will be having our own Thanksgiving BBQ. I told him that I would help with the cooking and as the saying goes fun will be had by all!! It's been a long while since the last time I worked on Thanksgiving. I think it was in 1990 when we were rail loading our equipment for deployment from Ft Riley to the desert. I remember eating at the DFAC with my parents, Carmen and Ascension, then changing into BDU's and working until 0 dark hundred at the rail head! I guess that we all have a lot to be thankful for, as we all now it could be worse than it is.
Things over here in regards to the Iraqi military is starting to change as the transition is ramping up and soon will be in full force. Our leadership in the IZ has put the IA on notice that most of the services that the US Army has provided will be transitioned over to the IA once the current contracts expire. This is good news for us taxpayers and I believe is necessary in order to the get the IA and Government to take ownership and financial responsibility for services that are critical to the success of Iraq going forward. This affects two areas that are near and dear to my heart, the generator farm and the fuel for the generator farm. Currently we are funding the operation and maintenance of the generator farm to include repairs of poles and high voltage wires. The new 6 month contract that is being solicited has a training program funded to train the IA or MOD representatives so that in six months when the contract is over, they will have been trained and the battle handoff will have taken place. The generator mechanics will be trained by the DI, so that all aspects of operating and maintaining the facility will become an Iraqi responsibility. As for fuel I have a blanket purchase agreement for lets just say a lot of fuel which is earmarked for the depot. We have some units that are on the grid who are consuming more fuel then they are providing based on the paltry fuel allocation amounts that MOD approved. Our HQ has already notified MOD of the requirement to allocate fuel to the generator farm and that failure to do so will cause units to be removed from the grid. This next week unless we receive fuel from one of the key units I will have the honor of having our contractor shut off power to that units electrical grid. Maybe when MOD gets some calls from some PO'd IA generals about having their power turned off , they may do something about it. I guess we'll see in about a week!
Looks like the weather will start cooling off more later this week, highs will drop to low 70's and lows will actually be around 45. So far no rain but the humidity is starting to rear its' ugly head and the mud factor has increased and it seems everywhere one goes we are tracking mud around.
That about it for now, thanks to all of you who have dropped me a quick email note, it's good to receive some email from all of you and I really appreciate it!
A couple of quick shoutouts, to Ray L thanks for the box of tea and Halloween goodies, to my sister in law Mari Censi gracias por las revistas de vino que me mandastes el otro dia. No sabes las ganas que tengo de beber un buen vinito tomando unas tapitas!
Mom make sure when dad gets back home you work him hard so that he gets that new knee rehabilitated as soon as possible so he can chase you around the house just like the good ole days!
Carmen un dia menos!!
The Colonel
Finally the first building of the new Depot was completed and turned over to the US Government Rep--me! Last Wednesday late in the afternoon the US Corp of Engineer Rep. George C, Larry F. the senior AMC rep here on the ground, the PM for the company that refurbished the facility and I had our final walk through of the 4 buildings that comprise of the Small Arms Facility. The work on this started in late May and here we were almost 6 months later finally getting to move into the facilities. This was the first facility to be worked on and we all learned plenty of lessons, from difficulties getting supplies delivered due to curfews, holidays, damaged bridges, etc. Vendors not coming through on their contractual agreements, sub-contractors not having a sense of urgency in getting things done on time, sub-standard equipment being sent back, etc.
I was not able to get a good picture of the facility so I will go up the water tower tomorrow to take some nice pics which will give you all a better idea of what these facilities look like. Now we are waiting for the company that is supposed to have delivered all but the long lead items to ship the remaining items to us, so that the USACE can have a contractor install and set up the equipment that has been purchased for the site. At the same time we are ordering the electroplating equipment and the target optics and accoustic equipment for the firing tunnels. Since this equipment is very technical it made sense for AMC to have their small arms subject matter experts on the ground to measure and order this equipment. The contract guys in the IZ are working with the supplier for the equipment to light a fire under their asses so we can get this equipment now, they are only 1 1/2 months late and I finally got fed up with the "we are loading the truck this week" only to ask them the following week where in the hell is the truck and find out the damn thing hasn't even been loaded yet. I have asked that these guys get negative reports so that when they bid again for another project that info is available and this lousy performance will cost them points in the past performance category.
I have a one star general that is keeping the heat on my fourth point of contact to have this up and running by mid January and right now with the equipment delay, the fact that the Depot Integrtor Contract that was supposed to have been awarded in late September, then late October, then 10 November and now 30 November has not yet been awarded. With the Aussies leaving soon and no DI contractor yet there will be no left/right seat battle handoff so I will get the training package ad will have to hand it off to the Training Advisor that I just hired when he gets here in mid December.
At the PMO office we are working in getting the weapon repair parts that were left over from the Saddam days inventoried and brought over to our facility so that we can use them to begin repair of the Iraqi weapons thus saving us taxpayers money by not having to purchase these repair parts. On top of that the Aussies have used the Iraqi Small Arm Techs in training to triage the captured weapons on hand and conduct a quick inspection and segregate repairable weapons that we will work on later, and those that will be destroyed by the MOD. Once we get them sorted out and annotate the serial numbers then we can process these get them ready for repair work. I have the Iraqi's working on the internal process of moving weapons from one depot to another, maintaining inventory and serial number accountability, storage and security requirements, daily handling/storage and the return process of weapons back to the Supply Depot. This is the point where they need to step up to the plate since the depot is theirs, I am here to make sure it gets built and that they do the necessary work and develop the required SOP's to ensure the depot can operate. I am no expert in the Arabic language but have come to the conclusion that the phrase Ascension and Javier remember all to well from their childhood "move with a purpose" and "sense of urgency" is not found in Arabic and this has caused me to age what feels like 5 years and what non-gray hair I had on my head to become gray! But those stories will be told when I am back home with my family and friends enjoying a nice cold one or a glass of wine!
Time is starting to fly quickly as evidenced by the fact that lots of people are now on their 15 day R&R and you begin to sense that we are on downward slope. For those of us who still haven't gone on our 15 Day R&R you can see what it has done to those who have already returned. As the day they leave approaches nothing but nothing will ruin their parade, they are upbeat and on the day they are leaving they are all smiles and laughing, knowing that even though it is a big hassle getting from Taji to BIAP to Kuwait and finally on the freedom bird, they will be home with their loved ones in 4-5 days time. When they get back they seem to walk taller, their bags under their eyes are all but gone and they have huge smiles on their faces. I still have a ways to go for mine but Carmen and I are both counting down the days until my R&R and the chance to see each other again! Besides I haven't gotten a good night kiss from Cheenie since April nor have I seen Javi doing his best rendition of some of the stupid antics that I am accused of having taught him when he was younger live and in prime time, it just doesn't have the same effect on the web cam!
This Thursday I am shutting down shop early for Thanksgiving. SFC D are expert cook ordered 3 turkeys and we will be having our own Thanksgiving BBQ. I told him that I would help with the cooking and as the saying goes fun will be had by all!! It's been a long while since the last time I worked on Thanksgiving. I think it was in 1990 when we were rail loading our equipment for deployment from Ft Riley to the desert. I remember eating at the DFAC with my parents, Carmen and Ascension, then changing into BDU's and working until 0 dark hundred at the rail head! I guess that we all have a lot to be thankful for, as we all now it could be worse than it is.
Things over here in regards to the Iraqi military is starting to change as the transition is ramping up and soon will be in full force. Our leadership in the IZ has put the IA on notice that most of the services that the US Army has provided will be transitioned over to the IA once the current contracts expire. This is good news for us taxpayers and I believe is necessary in order to the get the IA and Government to take ownership and financial responsibility for services that are critical to the success of Iraq going forward. This affects two areas that are near and dear to my heart, the generator farm and the fuel for the generator farm. Currently we are funding the operation and maintenance of the generator farm to include repairs of poles and high voltage wires. The new 6 month contract that is being solicited has a training program funded to train the IA or MOD representatives so that in six months when the contract is over, they will have been trained and the battle handoff will have taken place. The generator mechanics will be trained by the DI, so that all aspects of operating and maintaining the facility will become an Iraqi responsibility. As for fuel I have a blanket purchase agreement for lets just say a lot of fuel which is earmarked for the depot. We have some units that are on the grid who are consuming more fuel then they are providing based on the paltry fuel allocation amounts that MOD approved. Our HQ has already notified MOD of the requirement to allocate fuel to the generator farm and that failure to do so will cause units to be removed from the grid. This next week unless we receive fuel from one of the key units I will have the honor of having our contractor shut off power to that units electrical grid. Maybe when MOD gets some calls from some PO'd IA generals about having their power turned off , they may do something about it. I guess we'll see in about a week!
Looks like the weather will start cooling off more later this week, highs will drop to low 70's and lows will actually be around 45. So far no rain but the humidity is starting to rear its' ugly head and the mud factor has increased and it seems everywhere one goes we are tracking mud around.
That about it for now, thanks to all of you who have dropped me a quick email note, it's good to receive some email from all of you and I really appreciate it!
A couple of quick shoutouts, to Ray L thanks for the box of tea and Halloween goodies, to my sister in law Mari Censi gracias por las revistas de vino que me mandastes el otro dia. No sabes las ganas que tengo de beber un buen vinito tomando unas tapitas!
Mom make sure when dad gets back home you work him hard so that he gets that new knee rehabilitated as soon as possible so he can chase you around the house just like the good ole days!
Carmen un dia menos!!
The Colonel
17 November, 2007
That's My Girl !!
Taking a Well Deserved Study Break!!
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