Marine Base Camp - Al Asad, Iraq

Dan worked it out so he can stay in Al Asad so it is now safe to mail him things. He should actually start working today or tomorrow. Yahoo! I can now mail him his computer and he will be able to put Skype on it to call me anytime he wants. He will also be able to watch movies and keep his blog updated. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for him, he is very comfortable and likes what he is doing.

Still in limbo!

Dan is still in Al Asad doing some more training. As far as he knows he will still be going to the other base. Because he is beginning to settle in, make friends and know his way around he is not looking forward to up rooting again. He really likes who he is working for and doesn't want to take the chance to get someone who is hard to work for.

Today is his 43rd birthday, you can send him a note or e-card to this email address

dlf43338@gmail.com

He checks his email regurlarly.

~Ranel

Halt! Don't send Mail Yet

Dan just called and he is very excited. He is moving to a new base called Baharia (Camp Kent). He will be their Master Electrican QA/QC (guessing Quality Assurance). He recieved a formal welcome letter from his new Quality Professional (Supervisor) who insured him he will be very comfortable there. This is really good news since he is moving up in position and pay (possibly double). He may be in a three room hootch (metal building) that has two bedrooms with a bathroom in between, Yeah! No more nights to the outhouse.

This base is not as big as Al Asad which is 37 sq miles. Baharia is one hour away by air but I don't know what direction (S E N W). Dan said it is a little a smaller base and I am praying it's not that small. There will be new construction as well as re-wiring of older buildings. This time he was told he probably will get to travel there by helicopter, so we will see, things change there like the weather in Ohio.

Please be praying for safety in travel for Dan. Pray also for KBR as there seems to be a lot of disorganization and confusion. Pray for the wisdom that God gives and for quality workers, pray that grumbling would halt and peace will prevail. Pray also for protection of all kinds, spiritual as well as physical.

On Location

Finally here at Al Asad, Iraq. Still in training and trying to get adjusted to things, like where everything is located and so on and so forth. No real idea if this is my final stop or if I will be transfered to another location. Four of us electricians went to Christmas Eve Service with the Marines stationed here. It was a tradtional Reading of the Christmas story with Catholic style included. Candle lighting and so forth. I enjoyed it and it was touching being so far away from home. Doesn't really feel like Christmas, cool at night and up to 70' during the day if it is sunny. This is the first time I have been this far away from home since I was in the submarines, so luckily I know how to adjust and with communication so available it is easier to stay in touch. My wife is the greatest at keeping everyone informed and loving me so far away. She is doing really well at adjusting to the single wife/ soldiers wife role. More updates soon.

Al Asad

Dan just called. He made it to Al Asad (by plane not helacopter) only to find he is back in a tent with eight other men. I think it is single bunk verses double bunks, however there is a portable wall between the beds; the last 25 man tent was completely open and allowed for some humorous times. Though this is said to be temporary, temporary can be a couple of months. He seems disappointed but still has hope. He said he has more room than he did when he was on the submarine. Tomorrow he will be his first day on the job. He will be watching people work and writing reports up on a computer. That's all I know for now.

I would imagine most of these guys are pretty worn out. They have been going since 11/30, twelve hours a day, seven days straight. No real breaks. I am sure there is an adjustment period to that level of commitment. They are tired and a bit cranky because they never really know what is going on and things keep changing. Daily Manna! Those of you who are christians know what that means. ~Rane

Talked with Dan and for sure he is going to Al Asad on Monday. There are 10 guys in his group and they will be traveling by Black hawk Helicopter which will also be their main source of traveling. Armor bus is only used for bases that are close to each other. Pretty Cool Huh!

Dan seems very positive. Thought he doesn't say he is excited I think he is. He has had some sense of routine now and that helps a lot.