A "QUIET RIDE" ON CAMP ECHO 19-DEC-10

We had another band come through COS Echo, QUIET RIDE. They are a pretty straight forward rock bad, I tried to look them up online but Google returned very little info on them. Nevertheless, they sounded great and pleased the ears for a few hours on a chilly night. The Military had a nice, roaring, bonfire going which added to the feel of the evening. I was able to stay for most of the concert and take a BUNCH of pictures....surprise, surprise!

Check out...

QUIET RIDE

NO!

NOT QUIET RIOT!

That seemed to be what people were expecting, LOL!

Typical looking band.

Now, THAT'S a FIRE!!!!


Rock Star seating!


Way to keep safety in mind boys! Gotta have those reflective belts at night!!

Burn baby burn!

The band was awarded with a certificate of appreciation by the Base Commander.
Thank you.
Very much!
So, how about and encore!

Overall a good night!

THINGS STILL GO BOOM!!

Well, every once in a while it is possible to forget that you are in Iraq, things tend to get quiet and people get complacent. They a rocket whistles over your head followed by a few explosions close by make you think; "Oh yeah!". I was in dispatch on the 8th of December when just that happened, I heard one rocket fly right overhead followed by 3 loud explosions. Fortunatly those did not result in any damage on base, but later that night they hit again, and one got on base.

No one was seriously injured, and the one injury that occurred was the result of not ducking low enough to get into a bunker. Also, the rocket itself hit, quite convieniently, on the EOD (Explosive Ordinance Detection) Compound. Those are the guys that, after an attack, go in and clear the area, making sure all of the boom stuff is gone so no one gets hurt. Anyway, they lost a connex full of equipment, nothing that can't be replaced thankfully. It was late, about 1am and I didn't have my camera, these pictures were taken by our Fire Prevention Officer.

Destruction is always a good photo op!

Ouch!

Part of the rocket.

Try finding a replacement windshield in IRAQ!

This was the only injury of the night, sorry dude.

These were taken the following day after the connex was empty.

FLIGHTLINE MEDICS FIRE WARDEN CLASS 17-DEC-10

We do a lot of classes on base to teach people the basics about electricity here in Iraq, it is different that back home, most everything is 220 as opposed to 110. Because of the difference there tend to be a lot of electrical fires on bases, typically not very serious, but still safe to try to educate everyone to avoid the situation if possible.

Normally we host a class once a week at the fire station training room, but in this case we travelled to the Flightline Medics to give the class, they are not able to leave their compound, on call 24/7. They are stationed on our base but they will run emergencies all over Iraq if necessary so they need to be ready to move at a moments notice.

Anyhow, we got to the flightline and had a few minutes to spare so here are a few "killing time" pictures, the crotches, butts, and dancing pictures were taken when I went to the bathroom.

Nichole being sexy.

Rayner vogueing.

Badly!

Butt.

Bust.

Crotch.
This is what happens when you leave your camera alone for 5 minutes!

I wanna be a SUPERVILLAIN!

Maybe time to actually teach a fire warden class.

That's more like it!

A little fun and a little learning go a long way!

MASS CASUALTY DRILL: CAMP ECHO FLIGHTLINE 17-NOV-10

Recently, our department has become friendly with the new units Flight Medics and we were off invited to participate in a "Hard Landing" drill. That means an incoming aircraft emergency landing with the possibility of more than a few patients.....which we got! These guys went all out and didn't pull any punches, the call came out with 8 crewmen and patients on board. When we arrived on scene there were five victims on the ground and 3 still in the bird. The Medics had fake blood and open wounds which looked pretty good and definitly added an additional level of intensity to the drill, sometimes it is hard to just use your imagination. I, for one, have a hard time playing make-believe when it comes to a serious situation, I am definitly better under pressure.

The talent.

A great bunch of people and a very enlightening drill!

I wasn't a victim, I was the Tanker driver, just a good photo op.

Dang!

OUCH!! A little femoral artery action!

These boys got tossed out!

Some heavy boys! Look at that board BEND!

I was dripping sweat all over this poor girls face!