September 11th

This week has flown by. I am sure it is a combination of traveling for most of it and not posting my last update until Monday. Our trip was very productive until we arrived in Qatar, but after that it went downhill. We spent three days trying to get on a military flight to our finally location before we decided to call it quits and head back to our base location. It would have been good to see that location, because the Seabees have done more in half a deployment that most can do in a full one. They have even designed complete facilities while constructing others. A major impact!!!

When we returned to our camp and there were terrible communications problems. Our phones were down, our unclassified computers were down, and our classified computers were sketchy at best. It was a tough couple of days with lots of running to the Morale Tent to attempt to email or make phone calls. Not the best way to try and conduct business, but we got by.

Weather has been similar, but we saw our first break in the temperatures the last couple of days. It is still above 100 degrees each day (90+ days in a row), but you can feel the start of cooler evenings/mornings. I am guessing that by the last week in September we may not break 100. I will keep everyone posted.

Only bad news is that someone stole my camera while flying around the Middle East. It was on the last leg of the trip and someone went through my bag to take it. Sorry Jarrell, but looks like I need to open up another account for you to pay it back. Bad thing is that I can’t take more pictures, but will have to get them from others. I will try to post some when I get them.

This week I would like to tell a little bit about the mysterious “Senior Chief Dyer” that I keep talking about. He is my Operations Chief and we work hand in hand to the point that we are joined at the hip. His rating is “Builder” which means that he is a technical expert in wood framing, concrete, masonry, etc. Basically all the construction skills that you would expect except electrical and utilities. He has been in the Navy for over twenty years, has worked around the world, and was assigned to Camp David a couple years back. He is very focused on taking care of every single Seabee that works for him and has a very positive personality. He is extremely financially savvy and plans to be a Financial Advisor when he retires – not your typical second career for a Seabee. He will be transferring next spring and it will be a huge change.

Special thoughts and prayers to all the families of the September 11 victims. Please take a moment to remember why all of us are serving around the country.