|
Letter No. 15: Turning in equipment and getting one step
closer to home
GOODBYE TO
WHEELS: David Jenkins turns in his Humvee.
By
David J. Jenkins, USU class of '98
March 3, 2005 | Hello
Everyone. Greetings from Baghdad. . . .
We have finally moved. The past week has been a whirlwind
of transporting our platoon and equipment from Patrol
Base Volunteer to Camp Taji, north of Baghdad.
Four days ago, as we were packing our bags and preparing
to load up for the move, our platoon sergeant briskly
made his way throught he house, peeking his head into
each room along the way, emphatically stating, "We're
spinning up."
In each room, at least one person would look up from
his duffel bag, which he was trying to shove his entire
life into, and state, "I thought we were moving?"
With no response from the platoon sergeant, it would
only take a moment for them to snap back to their training
and begin outfitting themselves with their Individual
Body Armor, helmet and rifle. Within five minutes, the
entire platoon was staged and ready to roll out the
gate.
We were well on our way when the word came that we were
picking up a disabled vehicle. One of our companies
was travelling between Volunteer and Taji, when a civilian
truck pulled out in front of one of their Humvees. The
Humvee was rendered disabled, and the civilian truck
was catapulted onto its side. We escorted the wrecker
to the scene, helped upright the local's truck and pulled
security while our mechanics hooked up to the Humvee.
We then led the way to Taji, in the event that they
experience more surprises on their mission. Fortunately,
the remainder of the mission was incident free.
Arriving at Taji, we helped the other company find their
way to the mechanics shop and then returned to Volunteer
to complete our mission of moving. Unfortunately we
were still being held accountable to meet our 12:01
SP time, which meant that we only had 20 minutes to
finish what we had originally planned on completing
in two hours. Miraculously enough, we did it, and rolled
out the gate saying good-bye to Patrol Base Volunteer
for the last time.
Once arriving at Camp Taji, we were surprised to find
just how big this base really is. We were assigned to
the warehouse district, as far as we could possibly
be from civilization. We rolled passed the Chinook helicopter
pads; passed the former Iraqi Air Force bunkers; through
the wetlands (we are still at a loss for what causes
that); and then found our residence passed the boat
graveyard--so much for the Iraqi Navy.
The last few days we have been conscientously cleaning
and inventorying our equipment for turn-in so that the
incoming units may have good, serviceable equipment
to work with.
We were notified last night that although our platoon
was the last to arrive at Camp Taji, we were officially
the first to complete all of the necessary requirements
for turning in our equipment and reporting 100 percent
on all sensitive items.
Camp Taji is a very large post, about the size of Eugene,
Ore. We clocked off the distance from the warehouses
that we are living to the heart of the post where all
the ammenities are found (e.g. Post exchange, MWR Facility
with pool tables, TVs and Internet Cafe), Burger King,
Subway and other fast-food restaurants, and found that
we are only 3.5 miles from these services. They have
started providing us with shuttles that are fairly consistent,
but better than walking.
Having turned over our vehicles and crew served weapons,
I think the realization that our usefullness is over.
As I walk around the post and watch the new soldiers
coming in, they are walking with a certain arrogance,
which I believe we turned in with the rest of our equipment.
It is nice to see that something has been issued out
in an expeditious manner. The walk of confidence and
the aire of arrogance will help keep these people safe,
much like their weapons and vehicles. It is yet another
tool.
The warehouse that we are living in is housing approximately
280 soldiers. They have upgraded them to the point that
the traditional Army "cot" has been replaced
with bunk beds to help conserve space. The dirt floors
have been layered with concrete, then the doors at either
end left open so that more dirt can blow in and in turn,
cover the concrete.
We just keep reminding ourselves that we are just one
step closer to home, and we are looking forward to re-locating
again in the next couple weeks, to Kuwait--the portal
to the west.
I am happy to inform everyone at this time, that I have
successfully completed the requirements for my Physical
Fitness Test, and have been moved to position of 1st
squad leader. I am expected to receive my sergeant stripes
in the coming weeks.
I will continue to send updates periodically, and I
enjoy hearing back from each of you.
Best wishes,
David J. Jenkins
Click
for Letter No. 1 and a photo of David J. Jenkins
Click
for Letter No. 2
Click
for Letter No. 3
Click
for Letter No. 4
Click
for Letter No. 5
Click
for Letter No. 6
Click
for Letter No. 7
Click for Letter No.
8
Click for Letter No.
9
Click for Letter No.
10
Click for Letter No.
11
Click for Letter No.
12
Click for Letter No.
13
Click for Letter No.
14
MS
MS
|
