Yesterday I once again got delayed due to weather.  Not a sandstorm but rather a lot of dust and a few thunderstorms in the area.  Weather looks great here as well in TQ so it looks like I am flying out later today.

Al Asad (AA) isn’t a bad place to be stationed either.  More selection of food in the chow hall and more unnecessary goodies to buy in the exchange but it’s basically the same stuff different location.
 

The only thing I didn’t like was that at night we wear a very bright/reflective belt so you don’t get accidentally run over.

One thing for sure you certainly have to pay attention here when walking around.  It’s like the human version of the old video game Frogger (click here if you have no clue what I mean).  Lots of military members, Iraqis, foreigners, vehicles, crazy drivers from seemingly every close by 3rd world nation.

Stop signs seem optional in some areas and in some areas staying in your lane is just a nicety because the other guys isn’t paying attention.  Not bad as driving in Barranquilla Colombia but close.

Below is a picture of one me (right) and my AA counterpart LtCol Terence Larkin (left).  Great guy who really cares about helping Marines and willing to do anything to get the job done.
 

Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

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Many times you sit around to wait almost 6 or 7 hours before they cancel your flight.  Today at least they told me it wasn’t going as soon as I show up.

Another night in AA but at least no sitting around useless all day.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 41% [?]

Today I had meetings with Marines at various levels in a number of commands.  It was great to see that all of those I met were very much into their job and motivated to help their fellow Marines now and as well the ones that will start to relieve them months from now.

Of particular note was the executive officer (XO) of one of the battalions.  She assumed responsibility for over 100 Marines that were recalled and proved herself not only someone to complete the mission but COMPLETELY understood troop welfare.

Successful Marines live life by an unwritten ethos: Mission, Men, and Me.  Meaning complete the mission first, care about those in your trust second, and eventually take care of your own needs.  A good officer and staff non-commissioned officer knows that there are a few times when your Marines welfare must come before the mission. 

In this case, the XO recognized so many cases of Marines not being paid correctly, family back home not receiving the correct benefits, etc… that she actually stopped all the necessary grunt training they were mandated to complete and sent them all to the admin shop to get their personal lives in order.

Her ability to recognize the unnecessary stress and hardships her Marines and their families were having and to take immediate corrective action not only eased the minds of her warriors but positively effected morale, strengthened unit cohesion, and increased performance.  Now, almost every leadership position in her command is led by Marines who were recalled from their civilian life and doing an exemplary job.

She is certainly a Marine I would follow.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 33% [?]

Finally, after 5 attempts I am in Al Asad (AA).

Interesting place.  There is actually some greenery.  What’s cool too is that it is nested in an old sea bed.  Not sure how long its been dry and need to find out (since I am a geek you know).

AA was just one of the many Iraqi airbases we destroyed and then took over.  There are still some remnants of their aircraft which never got off the ground to be shot down.

Steak and shrimp for dinner again.  Weird how each time I get to a new FOB (Forward Operating Base) I seem to have steak and shrimp that first night.

Room this time was nasty.  Trash from knuckleheads who didn’t clean up when they left as well as dirt and sand everywhere.  But again, its all relative.  Better then sucking in sand while you sleep in an open tent eh?

Met my counter part LtCol Terence Larkin today who then showed me around.  Nice guy and seemingly very eager to help Marines.  I can tell we are going to have a very good working relationship.  Check it out – he is conservative too.  Now we just need to push him to run for some elected office when he punches out to go back home to Virginia in a few months.  Ha-ha 

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 27% [?]

Grrrr to sandstorms.  Grrrr to cancelled flights and Grrrr to Al Asad (AA).

Because of weather my flight to Al Asad has been canceled for the 4th time.  Not sure but I am wondering is there is something too cool about AA that I am not supposed to see.  Ha-ha

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 51% [?]

Tonight I find myself writing and re-writing this blog entry as I just don’t know where to start.

We lost 4 Marines due to an IED just outside of Camp Fallujah (FP) on 2 May.  The 4 warriors were with Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (CLB-1) which is under the 1st Marine Logistical Group (1st MLG) like me. 

I just left CF a little over a week ago and met a number of Marines while there.  I am not sure if I meet any of four as the Marine Corps has yet to publicly release the names. 

The Marine Corps recognizes the great individual tragedies that occur from time to time and work diligently to meet with all the families before the press gets word of the tragedy.  To ensure families find out in the most respectful way possible the Marine Corps shuts down all but the most essential communication (no phone calls home, no general Internet access, etc…).

It’s a sobering experience waiting for Internet access again.  You have work to do and need the Internet up but once its up you can picture in your mind the spouse, parents and siblings crying.  I don’t know how to explain it but for me it’s a bit of an eerie feeling.

Shortly, I will be heading back to CF to speak with a number of Marines in CLB-1 for business matters.  Hopefully, I will also have time to seek out friends of these 4 to see if you all can do anything for their families.

Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathon Jenkins

Popularity: 59% [?]

Today the Marines welcomed recent newcomers to the country music Granger Smith to TQ.

They opened up about 1230 and played to us for about an hour an a half.  A heard only one of their songs before but certainly left a fan because of their music as well as a desire to give what they could back to the troops.  Certainly not Dixie Chick types.  Very down to earth and actually stand for something.

Thanks guys.

Semper Fi

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 20% [?]