Washing HMMWVS + Sandstorm + Customs = PAIN!!!

And I thought Iraq sucked!

Published on June 10, 2005 By greywar In Misc

Hello folks Yes I am still alive. The vaunted Iraqi insurgency didn't manage to get that lucky mortar round in after all (pause to moon the Jaysh Al-Mahdi et al...)

I am not back in the states yet but I am getting a bit closer. Right now we are at an unnamed staging area trying to get our trucks clean enough to pass the customs inspection to alllow them back into the U.S. The thng is that every time we go to the washrack (picture an industrial sized carwash for those of a civilian persuasion) a sandstorm whips up! Now customs knows that wet trucks + blowing sand = dirty trucks but even with them cutting us some slack it is very very tiring to wash large miltary vehicles in 110+ degree heat with sand blowing in your face at 20+ MPH. Nonetheless progress is being made.

I can't take much time to relate to more amusing anecdotes from this place beacuse AAFES (the Post Exchange people) charge $5.00 an hour to use the internet. So this constitutes a couple of bucks worth of my time. Deal with the typos on your own:) More to come.

Be seeing you.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Jun 10, 2005

Glad to have you back! We will watch out for more Greyisms.

chiprj

on Jun 10, 2005

Good luck with the inspections! I remember doing that when we returned from Haiti and from JRTC (Hawaii's standards were always much more strict than the mainland). Was hard enough doing it there. I can't imagine having to do it in the desert with the sand! Take care and good to hear from you again.

Hyperborean Wanderer

on Jun 10, 2005

I know where you are, more or less. I didn't realize you guys were that close to coming home. Yes, the washrack experience blows. I feel your pain. Life says hi, and we're looking forward to seeing you again. if you get a chance, shoot me an e-mail to let me know when you guys are coming in, and we'll see if we can be there. Later!

oleteach

on Jun 10, 2005

So glad to know you are on your way home. I dreamed of your return last night. You were in your dress uniform coming on the bus to wherever I was. When I woke, I had to laugh. I have never seen you in dress uniform. Hey, come as you are and thanks for doing what you were trained for and also for your efforts to shake the dust of Iraq from your feet.

MasonM

on Jun 10, 2005

Good luck with the wash. Glad you're coming home safe and sound.

ParaTed2k

on Jun 11, 2005

Yeah, the worst parts of any deployment (training or real world) are the load out and the redeployment procedures. If you ask me, the worst of the two is the redeployment because, well, with the load out what do you have to look forward to... Redeployment means HOME! And even the gung ho are usually ready for home by the time redeployment hits.

Stay safe, and just laugh off the BS, it's all part of the game.

Oh, yeah, and thanks for stopping by! ;~D

Joe S.

on Jun 11, 2005

Dam AAFES is a rip off. You think they would give you guys free time.. I guess not it sounds like the same as it was back in the seventies. Well Good luck and watch your back until your on that flight home.. You are all in my Prays..

InBloom

on Jun 12, 2005

Nice to hear that you will be coming back soon! Stay safe.

lifehappens

on Jun 17, 2005

When you get closer to home, let us know.....we'll be there to welcome you back to the States. At least we can feed you ........

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