R&R

All,

Well, I haven't written in a while so here is an update. I just returned to Baghdad after some long awaited R&R. I got home 10 months to the day after I left Texas. It was nice to go places and no one is carrying weapons. When the plane landed, the guys on board all cheered. It was a charter flight full of Army soldiers and one lonesome sailor. The 12 hour flight from Germany was not so pleasant, even though I had the seat next to me empty. When we landed the Dallas fire department saluted us by forming a water arch with fire trucks that we drove through. As we walked though the terminal, the people in DFW cheered for us as well. If they only knew I am just a Power Point ranger. The USO was there in full force helping us with our luggage, pointing us to the terminals and getting us on the next flight out. The two weeks went by incredibly fast. It was nice to do absolutely nothing. Jamie and I enjoyed our favorite foods, caught up on tv shows (TiVO rocks) and saw some live music. The bluebonnets even made an appearance just before I left. Good news is I only have 48 days left. I'm sure most of you have been watching the news these last couple days, so there is no use hiding it now. Yes we have been taking alot of rocket attacks lately. This is not something new, it has happened ever since I got here. Since I returned from R&R, it has been probably the worst it has been in my time here, hence the extra coverage. However, their aim is poor and their weapons are substandard. A good number of the rockets and mortars do not detonate. The palace that I work in in basically a bunker. Rockets have hit the building before and it barely scratches it. The only thing that will really do any damage to this place are weapons that we have and they don't. There was an upswing last September, the last time that the CG and the Ambassador gave testimony to Congress. The enemy may not be educated, but they aren't stupid. Another thing is the size of the IZ. Saying that the IZ was hit is like saying North Austin was hit. It's a large area. Bottom line is I'm fine and there is nothing to worry about. The media likes to play things up more than they should. Truth be told, I'm probably safer here than ya'll are driving on the interstate. That is about all for now. I'm starting to get short timer's syndrome and really trying to shape a few things up before I leave. I think I've been here long enough that the higher ups let me speak my mind a little more. They still don't listen, but at least I let my voice be heard.

Talk to ya'll later and see alot of you soon,

Jase