Last Week

So it's my last week at home with Becky (assuming no change in flights) and I'm trying to enjoy it as much as possible. We went to Wal-Mart today to stock up on toiletries and miscellaneous clothing, and then took a little drive around Fountain trying to find where are friends live. We never realized how much nice housing there is south of us, and we wish we did a little more looking before we chose--although we are extremely happy with our place.

We had a layout of our gear on Friday morning--talking 2 duffle bags, 1 rucksack, and a small backpack for personal items.--I'm pretty much ready to go, just have to pick up my ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet) cover which is getting the 4th ID patch sewn on it.

Thanks to everyone who has posted, e-mailed and kept us in their prayers--we appreciate all of it.

Done with IRT

Well IRT is officially over, and now its time to enjoy a four day weekend with Becky and my mom who's flying in today! We've got a reservation tomorrow night at our favorite local restaurant--The Craftwood Inn (where we had our anniversary).

So training concluded yesterday with a lesson in modern CREW--Counter Radio-Controlled IED Electronic Warfare. This is the latest and greatest in current methods being used to prevent IEDs from detonating. There's dozens of different types of machines out there that the military is currently using, but we focused our efforts on the Warlock Duke (by the way this is unclassified, so don't worry). The Duke is very expensive 1 cubic foot box which can be filled with frequencies from a PDA or laptop. The idea is, you roll out the gate on a convoy or patrol and turn the box on voila...the box emits all these frequencies at a VERY high power and any receiver connected to an IED within your "bubble" that responds to one of these frequencies will be distracted by the Duke and unable to hear the transmitter---therefore unable to explode. This works great against cell phones, pagers, walkie-talkies, garage door openers and car remotes, just to name a few.

It's important to know that this only works against Radio-controlled IEDs, not other kinds, but this makes up a huge chunk of the bad stuff over there, so it's definitely a plus. Another system we learned about is Compass Call, which is a large CREW system which can go in a C-130 jet. Not only can this jam a very large area, but it can do the exact opposite....it has the option of sending out a large wave of varying frequencies all at once over a large area and actually detonate any RC IEDs that may be around. This is often used in the middle of the night, when people aren't wondering the streets, thus helping to clear the route before any convoys or patrols head out. Neat eh?

Saving a life or two

So IRT is going pretty well so far, the focus so far this week has been CLS (Combat Lifesaver) training---basically first aid. I've learned a few new things and even got a chance to destroy a few of my buddy's veins while trying to give him an IV...

Butts Army Airfield...CLS central

A fellow LT checking for the mid-clivicular, second intercostal space, just above the third rib to treat a sucking chest wound via needle chest decompression

A medic explaining the procedure mentioned above

Another medic showing us how to initiate a saline lock and give an IV transfusion, most of us look in shock knowing that soon we will be doing this to each other

A close-up of a completed IV

Joe wrapping a Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) around a dummy's leg

Using a litter to transport a casualty to a secure location

My buddy starting the IV process on me....this is the hardest part. Most of us blew each other's veins by sticking the needle in too far (happened four times to me).

Ahhh...it felt good getting that restricting band off (I was starting to lose circulation)

My arms after getting stuck five times!

Even a successful IV can be messy. Inserting the catheter opens up the blood flow...gotta put that saline lock on or pinch the vein to cut the circulation!

Individual Readiness Training Begins!

IRT began this week, so far we've reviewed land navigation, the use of hand-held radios, close-quarters marksmanship, and the fundamentals of traffic control points....

Had to wait about 2 or 3 minutes driving to work the other day for a family of about 30 geese to cross the road (they're crossing in pairs!)

A mock traffic control point from a distance. On the right is a private manning a M240B mounted on the back of a soft-skinned HMMWV (Humvee). His job is to ensure that any driver who enters the southern end of the control point and doesn't follow the rules gets his fair share of lead.

Joe taking a smoke break after learning the basics of close-quarters marksmanship

More downtime

A PFC following my guidance for inspecting a vehicle...you have to check everythingSome privates learning the fundamentals of detaining and conducting a hasty vs. deliberate search of a detainee...pictured here is a deliberate search, homeboy had a 155mm artillery shell under the passenger's seat of his van, along with a cell phone that he really didn't want to give us! We can safely say he was up to no good.

Me and my non-ballistic unauthorized sun glasses...waiting for the bus after training