En route to the KRAB

We finally got out of Bangor and flew on a charter - type flight to Ramstein AFB in Germany. The flight was quite comfortable (given the fact that I had a row to myself) and relatively quick. We had a short layover in Ramstein for the plane to refuel and get a new crew, during which time I was able to eat dinner with Jeremy and his family. That was a real treat to have them come greet me at the airport and I was especially grateful to Elijah for sharing his birthday time with me.

I can't find the picture with me and the Germany Oldhams, but when I do I'll add it in.

Here is a picture with Ben Kam and Shaka Walker (who is an orthopedic surgeon at Lanstuhl and a classmate of mine from the Academy) and his family at the airport.

We flew into Al Udeid air base in Quatar, which functions as a transitional base where everyone goes through when they are coming or leaving the Iraqi theater. Unfortunately with air flow patterns and inherent military inefficiency, it ends up operating like a giant whirlpool that sucks everyone in and only through a Herculean effort are groups able to get off this base without spending entirely more time than is necessary. Not such a bad place to be stuck, though, with a swimming pool and decent food. Above is the shade structure where they have MWR functions, etc.

One of the biggest drawbacks to being at Al Udeid is the living accomodations. They will pack 40 or more individuals in one of these big cylindrical tents.

As you can see there are quite a few of them. Below is a pic of the interior of the tent.

You can imagine how much sleep anyone is able to get in a place like that, with people coming and going at all hours of the day and night - but it is what it is and the next time I go through there I will be on my way home and won't care too much one way or another as long as my stopover is brief.

Our plane to Kirkuk was delayed (mechanical problems) initially, then when we finally got out of Al Udeid we were loaded in the back of a C130 like this....

Unfortunately, due to dust storms, we were unable to land in Kirkuk and the flight that should have gotten us there in less than an hour took 3 + hours and ended up dumping us off in Bagdad, where we waited for a few hours for our next chance to catch a plane to Kirkuk.

This is Greg (general surgeon) passed out on the tarmack early in the morning (0500 or so) outside the passenger terminal after traveling all night (and not getting very far). Melissa (our ER doc) is in the background sleeping as well.

We were able to get a slot on a state department flight later that morning and arrived in Kirkuk close to noon that day.

Here the three of us are on arrival, looking at the map and trying to get our bearings. After spending so much time away from our homes but not really doing anything useful (except traveling in the most lengthy and ineffeceint manner possible) , we were all ready to get situated and start doing what we were deployed to do.