SHIPMATES

Hey guys! The weather out here is starting to warm up a bit, but that doesn't slow anyone down out here. Missions have to be run, equipment has to be fixed, and SeaBees still have to build! These guys seem to have two speeds: Wide-open, and sleep...and definitely more of the first than the second.

One morning as I was getting ready, the A/C in our hooch cut out. I feel a bit uncomfortable telling our guys about it, as they have so much work to do. I just leave a note with them, tell 'em that I'm in no hurry (because I really shouldn't be complaining about lack of A/C in a war zone), keep the lights off, and shut the door. I headed off to my first meeting, and got started on the day.

I'm usually back to the office before too long, and when I arrived, a truck had pulled up to our service area....with a brand new A/C unit in the back! I had to do a double take, and then I see one of the guys knocking on my door to see if he can come in and install it!

Again, there are more important things to be worried about, but the guys just took care of me.

They were in and out in just a few minutes, and were about to leave for their next task. I stopped them just before they left, said thank you (many times), and gave them this (pictured below):

It's a command coin, and amongst its uses, it's the way leaders say thank you when someone does something big for them. They sure did.

We shook hands like men, and carried on.

Even in the desert, there are still Shipmates.

SEMPER FORTIS,
BEAR

CAMP KNOTT - HOME OF THE SEABEES..FORWARD!

Hey Everyone!
I made it! My home away from home is Camp Knott, and what an interesting set-up it is for me here. I'll try to not make it confusing:

1. I am assigned to a SeaBee unit here at Camp Knott, and I am responsible other EW assets in other Camps as well. HOWEVER, I don't wear Desert Cammies that the SeaBees wear, or even the Army ACU's...I'm wearing USMC Desert MARPATs (Marine Pattern) now, because...

2. I am assigned from JCCS-1 through Multi-National Forces West, which is run by our Marines....to the SeaBees. I'm considered "embedded" with USMC units, hence in the change in uniform.

At any rate, I get to work and train with some of the hardest working folks on the planet, and definitely some of the toughest. Marines and SeaBees are hardy folk, and can make do with less, whatever the circumstance.

My shop is set up with the SeaBees communications department, as most of my work ties into theirs. You'll see in the pix below the living situation, but I've got a real bed and good A/C. The gym and library is within walking distance, so I'm ALL set.

The SeaBees have projects all over the country, rebuilding bridges, setting up bases for our Soldiers and Marines, and getting the province's infrastructure up to par.

The SeaBees have a motto: "We Build, We Fight, CAN DO". You get inspired by their work, their gusto, and their die-hard dedication to duty.

Now to my ground-pounding brethren and sistren, the Marines. You can't walk by a Marine and not feel the pride that they exude. The smallest and toughest branch of our Armed Services was born on November 10, 1775, and have been making victory a part of their history ever since then. Agile, self-sustaining, and intestinal fortitude to spare, the Leathernecks have been put in the toughest battles, and act as the landing force during an amphibious operation. Their days consist of kicking-in doors and vanquishing terrorist cells, and then gearing up and resting for the next charge.

The Marines have a well-known motto: "Semper Fidelis"...always faithful. A Marine continues to be a Marine after leaving service, period.

I'm lucky to be serving with these folks.

If you are a SeaBee or a Marine reading this, thank you for all that you have done to protect me and my family back home. I'm honored to be serving with you.

SEMPER FORTIS,
BEAR

CAMP VICTORY: HOME OF JCCS-1!

Hey Everyone!
I'll have to do some backfilling starting with this entry, because I'm well outside Baghdad now, but on with the story.

The Victory Base Compound holds the headquarters for Multi-National Corps Iraq, where the fight is planned. Our first day brought us to Al Faw Palace, Saddam Hussein's home. Every stretch of the palace is tiled, shined, and very pleasing to the eye (see the pix below).

After our host showed us around, it's hard to believe that this place was such a stronghold of evil. The impression I got was that it was now a Hall of Justice, where the Generals of our time plan the next move, and keep moving the country towards reconstruction.

Victory Base Compound also holds the home of Joint CREW Composite Squadron One (JCCS-1), the Navy's Center for Counter Radio-controlled IED Electronic Warfare (whew!). Our training at Victory was compreshensive, and on multiple types of systems. By the time you are done, you can talk the talk, understand the basics of spectrum managment, and why we are performing this mission: to save lives.

By the end of the week, we were all chomping at the bit to get going and get to our commands. I recieved word I was heading west. More to follow.....

We are winning the fight!

SEMPER FORTIS,
BEAR