I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. Mainly because there is nothing here to really talk about. I am still hanging out in Al Asad running a BAS for the army contingent here. Pretty boring place really. The Army is growing in this predominantly Marine base. SO If you are slotted to head this way don't expect much. The rumors are that they are planning on turning this into another Anaconda but the signs of that are no where to be found yet. The folks I  have talked to about this say that the rumors have been there for months and they haven't seen a move in that direction yet. We do have a PX pretty limited, and a theater. The movies are projected from a computer DVD onto a screen really isn't too bad but no heat in there makes it a cold trip lately. There is a few Haji shops at the stadium here but same old crap in each one. The most popular item seems to be the movies and it is a big deal the day the “new movies“ come in. To be honest it is a good thing they sell them. Our routine has been watching a new movie each night and we have a decent supply for now. There is Boxing night Fridays which again is a cold endeavor since it is outside, I haven't been to it yet but heard there are a few good bouts from my NCO that does go. Saturday look out its Salsa night!! (puerto rican National guard unit go figure) Again I haven't been but my guys have gone and said it was OK. They have a lot of other stuff posted in the DFAC and things but not sure of the turnout they get.

  So Here I sit hoping the internet stays up. Waiting to get back to Balad with the main unit. (They are a lot busier in the TMC there). We get an Occasional rocket that has yet to make it past the wire since I have been here. They told me that a couple have actually made it into the perimeter in the past but not too often. I guess I should be happy I am in such a safe place.

   I read the article that Ed refers to in AKO and pretty accurate. The contrast in Army and Marine troops here is a perfect tell tale sign of the state of things. For the most part the Navy and MArines don't mess around if you have a medical condition that is not good to have in Iraq you don't come to Iraq. If you develop one while here well you go home. Not a whole lot of geriatric medicine on the Marine side either. Ed, I agree the mess hall is loking like a nursing home lately.    

   Now on the working side we have a ton of Transportation folks and they are working hard driving all over the place and they are severly strapped for people. When I got my orders off the IRR my wife wondered why I didn't fight it and all I could really say is that if they need  me that bad then I will go do what I am trained to do. Well they do need me (and a lot of others) that bad but most seem to be doing everything but what they are trained to do. Luckily in my MOS there really isn't anything else but what I do for me. Besides the boredom I keep telling myself that this is a worthwhile mission and eventually this place will be better off for what we are doing here. I may have to fight a little harder if my resignation is deniedagain after this is over. The news will have everyone else think that this is a horrible place and nothing but killing and bombs but that is not the whole story of the big picture. 

 Sorry about saying a whole lot of nothing. But if you are headed Al Asad's direction then be ready, hopefully it will get better but I am not holding my breath.

Tracy Hang in there. I miss you and the girls.