Radio coms

Well earlier this week we went through advanced medical course which
included 2 days of lectures and 1 day of trauma validation lanes.
Putting in IVs in the dark by flashlight then playing paintball
against terrorists while. Attempting to rescue patients from a burning
vehicle.
Today and tomorrow we have 2 days of radio coms class. Lots of fun!

Josh with his Individual Body Armor assembled (finally)

Well today was a day off & Easter.  Happy Easter everyone.  He has risen indeed.  This afternoon all 30 of us Navy folks worked on assembling our individual body armor (also known as IBA).   The millitary has slowly added more body armor to protect its troops going into battle. I'm not sure how a doc can move let alone take care of patient's in this heavy armor.  Nevertheless this body armor has proven to protect soldiers and safe lives so no matter how heavy it I'm planning on wearing it as much as I can. 

Well the weather was pretty rainy here today.  Friday we started classes learning the prominent language in Afghanistan, Dari.   This class in addition to several others on topics like interpreters & cultural matters where largely taught by local Afghans who have been brought over to teach us the ways of their people which was really interesting.  Tomorrow classes resume.  Looks like we won't be shooting any guns for 3 weeks and thats when we'll start learning how to do convoys and drive the Humvees.  We're planning on doing some 2-3 mile hikes this week with our 70 lb body armor on to get our bodies used to this new armor.

First weekend at Camp Fungsten

Well 2 days ago we moved down to Camp Fungsten to start the training.  The first few weeks are language and culture training.  We've had several Afghan locals teaching us the language--- Dari.  Most challenging has been moving into the pictured 40 man barracks & dealing with lines at the food galley (chow hall is the name in the military).  Tomorrow we're planning on climbing a hill nearby with our newly issued body armour.

40 Man Barracks living

Well 2 days ago we moved down to Camp Fungsten to start the training.  The first few weeks are language and culture training.  We've had several Afghan locals teaching us the language--- Dari.  Most challenging has been moving into the pictured 40 man barracks & dealing with lines at the food galley (chow hall is the name in the military).  Tomorrow we're planning on climbing a hill nearby with our newly issued body armour.

Onto Camp Fungsten and got our weapons

Well this week has gone by fairly slowly! I'm really amazed at how
much useless stuff the Army issues. We spent most of the week getting
issued sea bags full of gear. Yesterday we got issued 7 sets of cold
weather gear--- from long underwear to a very thick jacket which could
protect you in arctic temps! We also got issed our Kevlar helmets and
earlier this week 70lb body armor!! Makes you feel like a knight in
full armor. So later today we head to a camp that is a simulated
forward base with local afghans to teach us the afgan culture and army
folks to teach us how to use these big guns! Thankfully we get a
little break for Easter later this weekend.

Post from my first intermediate stop in beautiful beach town of Port Hueneme California (just south of Ventura)

Well just finished a week of admin,medical, legal, dental paperwork.  Which most of us had completed before arriving here in Port Hueneme.  This is a beautiful little town about 30 mins south of Ventura.  I had a lot of fun spending many of the daytime hours exploring the beaches & harbors.  My hotel was in back drop of the one harbor shot.  So far this deployment stuff isn't too hard.  Tomorrow however I fly to Fort Riley Kansas where the  hard living begins.  8 people to a room.  Hopefully they won't mind my loud snoring.  Well I'll try to keep you abraist as best I can.  Excited that I'm going to be flying first class most of the way.  Off to bed before the 3 AM wake up to drive down to LAX airport.