9. Call Sign is Gabriel
Written: February 19 - 21, 2003
Wednesday, February 19th
Met with the Apache guys today. We formed our Personnel Recovery detachment today. Our call sign is Gabriel. We have our 4 Blackhawks, 3 Longbow Apaches, 3 Regular Apaches and a Long-Range Surveillance team. We spent the day meeting and talking about how we are going to work together under a common charter.
Chris, one of the Apache guys, and I came up with a training plan for tomorrow and began to put packets together. We spent most of the evening getting the packets squared away. Went to bed around 12:30am.
Thursday, February 20th
Dust storm from hell all day long. The visibility was low and at times we could not even see more than 100 yards or less. I took a video of it. We woke up in the morning and met in the briefing tent to talk about tactics of Personnel Recovery with our Apache brethren that have now joined our group. Our call sign is “Gabriel” and it’s pretty appropriate considering what we do. We are put at risk, purposely, so that we may save someone who put himself in harms way for us.
So, we met with the Apache guys and I gave a briefing on what we were going to be doing today. I introduced them to our mission packets and laid out the plan for rotating all aircraft and crews into the mix today. We walked outside and rehearsed our tactics (in the middle of a raging dust storm) and then headed out to the aircraft to work on commo.
We started with the aircraft commo and had 1.5 hours before our commo check. We worked on filling and loading the aircraft then slowly started checking in with each other. At the appropriate time, I began the commo check but due to our separate locations and the dust storm, it was difficult, at best, to talk with the Apaches on the north ramp. We decided to head back inside and come up with a new plan. With the visibility being as low as it was, there was no way we would fly.
We met back in the tent and talked about our commo issues then set a plan to do another check at 1600. We headed back out, in the storm, and this time we were armed with an Apache guy to help us with one of our radios that we did not use very often—Have Quick II.
After the commo check was complete, we met back inside and discussed a few more things then headed off for the night. Shawn Holmes and I spent an hour typing in all the spider points into our computer so we can plan easier. These are points that when linked together, in any order, will create a useable route to ingress and egress the target location.
Came back and talked to CPT Halter about enemy intelligence and enemy situation. He showed me some pretty good information coupled with pictures.
Came back to my tent and found that all of my gear (sleeping bag, rucksack, computer, everything) was covered in a thick layer of dust. I brushed off what I could and tried to get the sand off of my stuff and at some point had to give in. The sand is everywhere but I had to get some of it off.
Took a shower and CPT Hester got in an argument with some jackass who said we could not take a shower because we weren’t part of his unit. Obviously he was told something different then we were. Bottom line: we all took a shower.
At the end of the night, I dug out my laundry, sorted it, counted it and put it in a laundry bag for washing. I had a few pairs of socks, underwear and t-shirts and one uniform. It has only been 12 days but guess it was time to change.
Looked at my Smallpox vaccination site—its looking pretty nasty and hurts on and off. The spot is swollen up, red, oozing and hurts when touched. I put a band-aid on it at night and try to remove it during the day. I took a picture of it the other day and will take another on tomorrow.
Friday, February 21st
Woke up at 7am. Slowly climbed out of bed. Got dressed with a new uniform and under garments. Went to breakfast with Sam and CPT Hester and 8:30. The visibility is low again but at least it is not windy like it was yesterday.
Sat down to work on my journal and write a LONG overdue letter home. Things have been pretty busy and by the time I finish my day it is after midnight anf I am too tired to type or write. So, now I have to play catch-up.
Today’s plan is for Team Gabriel to meet at noon, then head out for flying and training the tactics we worked out.
3 Comments:
You know, we are living in the most extrordinary and exciting time. With the advances in technology that brought us the internet and now blogs, more soldiers are journaling their unique experience in this war and placing them here for the world to read. I, and legions of Americans, appreciate that you and others are willing to share this with us.
In past conflicts our only source of information was the main stream media, with their focus mainly on the death and destruction. Granted this is an important aspect of war but there is so much more that's not covered by them.
With the blogs we can get a much broader view of what goes on in war. It also allows us the show support for our brave men and women in a very tangible way by leaving comments and interacting on their site. The soldier can see, and feel that support, which helps keep morale up.
Although, your's has been posted some months after your mission was completed, your account reveals information that I otherwise may have never known. One example is the use of blood chits, How Facinating. I like that you've also included the personal info. The story of your daughter helping you pack, placing little surprises throughout your belongings,brought a smile to my face. Alternately, I cried as I read your account of saying goodbye to your family. Also, I think "Gabriel" was a well chosen call sign.
I look forward to reading your post each day as you reveal not only your mission, but the man behind the mission, and the family that is his reason for fighting to keep us free. Again, I thank you and your family for the sacrifices you've made. God Bless you all.
It's funny how inevitable it is that there will always be some jackass like the guy who tried to prevent you guys from taking a simple shower.
Mental--Thanks! I think you are absolutely right--we do live in a fascinating time where we can share all we experience as it happens. For me, on the few occasions I was able to communicate with my family (early in the war) it was amazing...and I suppose scary at the same time.
I think one important fact is that although we are all exposed to varying levels of "Combat" and "Hostile fire," we don't all experience the same sort of stuff that men like CBFTW (http://cbftw.blogspot.com/) are experiencing.
Read in. It's a roller-coaster of ups and downs.
GHOST--yep. Always some asshole out there who thinks he "owns" the water! haha
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