Jack_Crow
Enlightened
Hi all,
I will keep this short.
With the help of a bunch of ham radio clubs back home, I have been able to build a little FM stereo station for this base. The camp mayor won't let me turn it on without approval from higher HQ.
I'm going to call it WTFO 105.9 FM. It will be an album format station. The play list system in the MP3 juke box works like this. All the albums beginning with A, then B, and so on. I will collect music from the troopers and play that as well. So for the first week I get to hear what I like. Too bad most troopers like RAP. Perhaps I can change a few minds.
Been working on the programming material during the down time. One of the guys I shoot with back home (www.irighti.org)sent me a bunch of old time radio show episodes of Gunsmoke on MP3. You can bet these kids never heard anything like this. The new unit that is going to take charge of this base has a clue and will give me a wink and nod approval for the station.
The Contractor commo team is making our selves useful on other non contract projects.
Improving the camp PA system. Right now it's wired together like a car stereo.
Signal flags for base status.
Getting people off the Army's data system and on to the MRW system for their personal e mail. An encrypted wireless lan for the whole living area. The Mayor is willing to spend money on the parts if we spec them out.
Also helping the Army in getting some new hand held radios into the hands of troopers. Got some frequencies from the Air Force coordinator and programmed them up. These are state of the art cop radios. Digital modulation, they sound like hash on a standard receiver. Very good tools.
What you are seeing on the news is only the tip of the iceberg around here.
The other morning we get a thump from the ground into the comm trailer.
Seems the bad guys blew up a bridge near here, about 5 miles away.
Had dinner last night with a KBR truck driver. Seems he knew the guy that was grabbed. What wasn't covered was of nine trucks in the convoy, eight of the other drivers were killed, and this one got out of his burning fuel truck and was grabbed.
Seems back in Kuwait, there is a line of truck drivers waiting to 'out process' and quit the job. They can't quit fast enough.
Many of the military units that were rotating home just came back. I'm seeing a lot of Armor headed north again. The units are not happy about it. Some have been here 14 months and just got extended a second or third time. The troopers are bitching about his and are in a foul mood. I suspect a lot of necks are going to be stepped on, and the rights of Iraqi citizens will not be so carefully respected.
Within the comm unit we have an 'arrangement' with the vehicle maintanance unit next door. If push comes to shove, we can get on the roof of the mechanics building and stay with them. For the moment it's the second highest structure on this base.
We are also going to check with the MP's and see if we can be issued weapons. A captured AK is loads better than a pile of stones.
While on the chow line for dinner last night, the MP's give somebody the bums rush out of the dining hall, and slammed him into the gravel. Seems he got into an argument with the camp mayor (LT. Col) and wouldn't leave when ordered. Last anybody saw of this dude was the MP's using plastic cuffs on one hand while is other hand was picking a rock out of his bleeding forehead. Idiot.
Last night the Army sent up some flairs, looking for something.
Somebody had an AD with a 50 cal. Made a dust cloud in the parking lot.
I'm happy to report the Army is responding well. Extra ammo cans are going into the vehicles, same for water and food.
I have talked to the camp mayor on this subject.
If there is a choice I am willing to say on the job if it's advised that contractors leave.
If we get an order to leave, then that's not something I can ignore.
I feel strongly about this mission. Already told the wife and sister about this thinking. They don't like it, but they are not here.
As I have told some of you before, I don't feel right about not sharing the risk the line troopers accept. Having to put on armor and take shelter I view as somewhat less than proper. Hiding while others face the risk is bad on the soul. Brave? No, just the willingness to stand and do my part.
Hope your Easter was better than mine.
Jack Crow in Iraq
I will keep this short.
With the help of a bunch of ham radio clubs back home, I have been able to build a little FM stereo station for this base. The camp mayor won't let me turn it on without approval from higher HQ.
I'm going to call it WTFO 105.9 FM. It will be an album format station. The play list system in the MP3 juke box works like this. All the albums beginning with A, then B, and so on. I will collect music from the troopers and play that as well. So for the first week I get to hear what I like. Too bad most troopers like RAP. Perhaps I can change a few minds.
Been working on the programming material during the down time. One of the guys I shoot with back home (www.irighti.org)sent me a bunch of old time radio show episodes of Gunsmoke on MP3. You can bet these kids never heard anything like this. The new unit that is going to take charge of this base has a clue and will give me a wink and nod approval for the station.
The Contractor commo team is making our selves useful on other non contract projects.
Improving the camp PA system. Right now it's wired together like a car stereo.
Signal flags for base status.
Getting people off the Army's data system and on to the MRW system for their personal e mail. An encrypted wireless lan for the whole living area. The Mayor is willing to spend money on the parts if we spec them out.
Also helping the Army in getting some new hand held radios into the hands of troopers. Got some frequencies from the Air Force coordinator and programmed them up. These are state of the art cop radios. Digital modulation, they sound like hash on a standard receiver. Very good tools.
What you are seeing on the news is only the tip of the iceberg around here.
The other morning we get a thump from the ground into the comm trailer.
Seems the bad guys blew up a bridge near here, about 5 miles away.
Had dinner last night with a KBR truck driver. Seems he knew the guy that was grabbed. What wasn't covered was of nine trucks in the convoy, eight of the other drivers were killed, and this one got out of his burning fuel truck and was grabbed.
Seems back in Kuwait, there is a line of truck drivers waiting to 'out process' and quit the job. They can't quit fast enough.
Many of the military units that were rotating home just came back. I'm seeing a lot of Armor headed north again. The units are not happy about it. Some have been here 14 months and just got extended a second or third time. The troopers are bitching about his and are in a foul mood. I suspect a lot of necks are going to be stepped on, and the rights of Iraqi citizens will not be so carefully respected.
Within the comm unit we have an 'arrangement' with the vehicle maintanance unit next door. If push comes to shove, we can get on the roof of the mechanics building and stay with them. For the moment it's the second highest structure on this base.
We are also going to check with the MP's and see if we can be issued weapons. A captured AK is loads better than a pile of stones.
While on the chow line for dinner last night, the MP's give somebody the bums rush out of the dining hall, and slammed him into the gravel. Seems he got into an argument with the camp mayor (LT. Col) and wouldn't leave when ordered. Last anybody saw of this dude was the MP's using plastic cuffs on one hand while is other hand was picking a rock out of his bleeding forehead. Idiot.
Last night the Army sent up some flairs, looking for something.
Somebody had an AD with a 50 cal. Made a dust cloud in the parking lot.
I'm happy to report the Army is responding well. Extra ammo cans are going into the vehicles, same for water and food.
I have talked to the camp mayor on this subject.
If there is a choice I am willing to say on the job if it's advised that contractors leave.
If we get an order to leave, then that's not something I can ignore.
I feel strongly about this mission. Already told the wife and sister about this thinking. They don't like it, but they are not here.
As I have told some of you before, I don't feel right about not sharing the risk the line troopers accept. Having to put on armor and take shelter I view as somewhat less than proper. Hiding while others face the risk is bad on the soul. Brave? No, just the willingness to stand and do my part.
Hope your Easter was better than mine.
Jack Crow in Iraq