Operation Mohawk

Kyle is now on three weeks into "Operation Mohawk." Doesn't he look handsome?!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was created for a great purpose. Originally called "Decoration Day," Memorial Day was created in 1865 to honor the men and women who died during war. Today, I remember those men and women, and the gifts of freedom and liberty they secured for us. Today I recognize the courage and valor of those who gave their lives in defense not only of this great nation, but in defense of other nations, peoples and, particularly, principles.

A Memorial Day tribute video on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK0T4pVHP28

Now Where Did I Put That…

Misplaced, mislaid, missing, lost- whatever I may call it- I lose things. A few of the things I misplaced over the last few weeks: Knife, patrol cap (hat), sunglasses, flashlight (x2), legal pad, flash drive. Luckily I was able to locate all of these shortly after misplacing them- except for the patrol cap that I set on top of my Humvee just before I hit the dusty trail, that one’s gone with the wind- literally. In many cases I put things in a new, safe or convenient location so they don’t get misplaced, only to forget the location hours later. It’s a trait that’s annoying and occasionally expensive. Here’s the real problem: as the Battalion’s military intelligence officer, I’m responsible for accounting for and tracking all of the unit’s sensitive items and classified materials- totaling millions of dollars in war fighting equipment and countless classified documents. If my Boss is reading this- don’t worry Sir, we are 100% green and any accountability problems I have with my personal equipment is only because I spend so much time, effort and attention accounting for the unit’s sensitive items. Also, I wrote this Blog from my personal computer during those 6 or 7 non-duty hours.

--Kyle

Sandstorms

Kyle talks about how incredible these sandstorms are and how sand gets in EVERYTHING. I couldn't fully comprehend the intensity of these storms having never seen or experienced one myself. However, these unbelievable pictures really help me better understand. Kyle however, doesn't get credit for these outstanding pictures. They are pirated from our friend, Lindsay T. who will be returning home at the end of this month from her deployment. Thanks for sharing these Lindsay!
The structures in the first photograph are combat housing units a.k.a trailers that soliders live in while deployed. Kyle gave me a tour of his combat housing unit via skype and well...as he says, "its better than the tents in Kuwait."

Al Faw Palace

The Al Faw Palace (also known as the Water Palace) is located in Baghdad near the Baghdad International Airport. Saddam Hussein commissioned its construction to commemorate the Iraqi forces' re-taking of the Al Faw Peninsula during the Iran-Iraq conflict. The Penniula is a marshy region in southwestern Iraq that contains a number of important oil installations and facilities, and also controls strategic access to the Gulf from the port of Basra.

Al Faw Palace contains over 62 rooms and 29 bathrooms. I used one of the gold trimed bathroom facilities on my last visit (sorry, no pictures). The Palace is situated on a former resort complex that contains numerous villas and smaller palaces and its surrounded by an artificial lake that has large carp and a special breed of large bass dubbed the Saddam bass. Since 2004, the Palace has been used as the headquarters for the Multinational Force Iraq (MNFI), along with the Joint Operations Center (JOC), which serves as 'Mission Control' for the Multi-National Corps Iraq (MNC-I) and all operational aspects of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There is. Saddam formerly used the palace for duck-hunting expeditions. With very light damage to the Al Faw Palace and other structures located on what is now Camp Victory, one could infer that planners of the 2003 invasion intended that this area would be used as a headquarters and main base area following the liberation of Baghdad.

On my last visit I gave myself a brief tour around the place, although I was not sure which areas my clearance allowed me to go, and more importantly which areas I was not allowed to go. I took a load off briefly in this ornate thrown gifted to Saddam by the former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The top floor of the Palace (in addition to being the work space for the theatre’s senior generals) opens to roof top balconies with great views of the area surrounding Baghdad. As you can see, I was able to requisition a gulf club and a golf ball for a 7-iron shot into the surrounding lake. It was a difficult shot because the “balconies” have no railings, ledges, or anything else to lead you to believe it’s safe to walk around up there. Additionally, right below the ledge , in the area a shanked golf ball normally would land, was a parked convoy of armored suburbans that undoubtedly belonged to a general, foreign dignitary, or politician visitor.

Reverse Care Package

Coming home to a surprise package at your front door. Always a good feeling. Mine was from Kyle. He called it, a reverse care package:) It included all things that he knew would make me smile. And they did!

Commissioning

This weekend is the commissioning ceremony at MU. I would like to Congratulate those soldiers being commission. Especially, Little Hoefler and Little DeStefano!

Commissioning ceremonies are full of excitement and a complete sense of accomplishment like any other graduation. However, this graduation and achievement comes with a commitment to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”(can I get in trouble for plagiarism on a blog?) The ceremony culminates with the newly commissioned officer rendering his or her first salute to the Soldier of their choice.

In this military commissioning ceremony a cadet is being granted authority to carry out their duties as a newly commissioned Officer in the military. But first they must take the Oath of Office, similar to what each President does during their inauguration. The authority to grant a commission rests with the Congress of the United States.

This picture is from Kyle's commissioning day, 5 years ago. I was happy to be there to support and celebrate these soldiers then and I am happy to be coming to brew city to celebrate these newly commissioned soldiers in true MU style this weekend!

AND and this is a BIG AND, WELCOME HOME, ROB!

May 11, 2009 News

Yesterday's incident at Camp Liberty is tragic and unfortunate. I am comforted in knowing that Kyle is ok. He was not involved in any of the violence that occurred. He is currently stationed at Camp Liberty. I am also relieved to have learned that our friend, Lindsay T. that works in the counseling centers was also not harmed in the incident. Below is a link to the terrible occurrence:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/05/11/iraq.violence/index.html

My prayers and thoughts go out to the soldiers and their families that were affected.

Kyle's mailing address

Like many things with the Army this is subject to change. But it should work for now:

1LT Kyle Hartman
HHC 1-128 IN
APO AE 09344

5 Days, 3 Planes to go 100 Miles

Kathy got it mostly correct, it took a mind boggling 5 days to make the 100 mile, 45 minute flight from Kuwait to Baghdad. It was like that Tom Hanks movie, the Terminal, except with automatic weapons and no real terminal, just a large circus-like tent. Three mechanical problems and two weather holds kept us grounded. We've all been delayed at airports, but this is different- your flight either goes or doesn't go at its scheduled time. If your flight doesn't go, you don't just get a seat on the next one, you have to get back in line and request seats on a future flight. Because of the administrative hurdles, we could only try for one flight on any given day. The worst part was schlepping all of gear to each flight, loading it all on pallets for the flight, and then unloading and moving it each time our flight was cancelled. On day three we crammed into the nylon strap seats in the belly of a C-130 cargo plane and flew all the way to Baghdad just to circle the airport and return to Kuwait. Apparently the plane's defensive countermeasures were not functioning, and our fearless Air Force would not risk the landing without them. When the pilot announced we were heading back to Kuwait, I was convinced it was just mis-guided Air Force humor- no such luck. Our small party of 21 soldiers, which constituted the advanced party for our entire battalion of over 600, arrived safely, and only 10 hours before the main party began arriving. Go Air Force.

CFO Discovery

I've been finding myself looking more closely at bills. Wondering where all this money is being allocated to. I found myself wondering. How can a phone bill cost so much? When I discovered something. A charge I never knew existed...$2.50/month for 911 capabilities! Seems like a lot. It's really only about $30/year. But still. And yes, I do want the ability to dial 911 if necessary, I just never knew it cost me monthly. I challenged others on this issue. Wondering what, if anything their city or phone plan charged. All and all it seems that almost everyone gets charged something, but so far $2.50/month is the highest.

5 Days Later...

5 days and several obstacles later Kyle has finally arrived in Iraq. He had quite the trip getting from Kuwait to Iraq but is now all settled into his new living quarters. Unfortunately, our means of communication are not as readily available as we had been cautiously and optimistly hoping.

I don't feel like I could do the story justice and hopefully Kyle will be able to blog in the missing pieces but a quick recap. Kyle was told to pack up his belongings and hurry to the airfield only to sit in the belly of a C-17 with full, hot and heavy, body armour on for hours. The airplane was having maintenance problems. They finally let the men off the plane to sit on the runway. Kyle slept a few hours outside on the ground waiting to seeing if the plane was going to go out. When they decided it wasn't they set up in a tent for the next airplane. The next airplane arrived loaded them up and off they went. They were there about to land when the pilot announced that they would not be landed due to "something" being wrong. No runway flares maybe? They landed back in Kuwait and finally after 5 full days at the airfield the air force picked them up and flew them and landed them in Baghdad.

It's Tradition

When we learned that our friend, Tony, would not be able to make our wedding due to his overseas tour schedule, we were really bummed. We couldn't imagine our wedding day without him there. After much thought we decided that since he couldn't be there in 3-D we would bring him in the 6 foot cut out cardboard 1-D version. It was great!

This past weekend was the fabulous wedding weekend of the new Mr. and Mrs. Brad and Karen! Brad and Karen felt the same way we did about Tony, for Kyle, Rob and Jake. All three men are currently serving their country. So a cardborad cut out it would be! And so the tradition has begun!

I was warned in advance, by a really amazing army wife, that weddings without your husband, are tough. This statement I can now confirm is true. However, these ROTC Marquette men and their significant others, are top notch people. They made the weekend emotional manageable and just plain fun. Thanks, friends:) And although a 1-D version of Kyle (and Jake and Rob!) could never compare to my wedding dance partner, it helped in a way that I can't explain.

Goose Bay

Kyle and I both have a love for seeing the world. Exploring new cultures and experiencing unfamiliar places. We have been blessed in many ways and having traveled together is one of them. Rarely, have we traveled to new places without the other. But when we do, its always interesting to live through one another. However, if the choice was mine, and not Uncle Sam's, we wouldn't ever travel separately. To be clear here, I am not requesting a trip to Iraq.
One of the many places Kyle can now check off his list, of places he's been to on the map, Goose Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada. Photographed here during one of their many layovers to Kuwait.

The Bongo Bus

Photographed here was Kyle's ride while he was in Kuwait. Can you imagine, Kyle the bus driver?! Somewhere along the way it became not just the bus but the, "Bongo Bus." Kyle tells me that the pick up on this bongo ride was weak at best. He would gun the accelator and hope for some Bongo Power! Maybe when Kyle gets home we can trade in our car for something as sweet as this automobile...

Word Vomit

Sometimes, on occasion, I have something Kyle affectionately calls: Word Vomit. If I'm nervous or in a situation that is uncomfortable or have had more than one glass of wine, the word vomit can come out.
Word Vomit, for me is when I go on and on, in far too much detail about something. Or when I fill an awkward silence with something completely out of left field. In a social setting Kyle will throw me a look or take my hand in a way that says, "ok, honey..." and the word vomit stops. I have found that this vice, in his absence, has gotten,unfortunately, more frequent. The worst part about this fault is that I know when I am doing it, and complain to Kyle later that my flaw is out, in full display. In an effort to "fix" my problem, like all men like to do, he started formulating a plan to deconstruct this behavior.

His solution: Kyle suggested that I write a reminder to myself on my hand. Something like writing "word" on the palm of my hand with a slash through it.

His Concern: Kyle thought this idea through a little more thoroughly and decided that his solution might have the exact opposite effect. He thought if someone saw the reminder and asked, that it might cause the word vomit to come out in greater force.

Other problem solving solutions are still being constructed at this time. Kind hearted suggestions welcome.