Christmas In Iraq

(Updated 12/30)
This is a retelling of news received over a couple of conference calls and a tinny cell phone speaker, so the story is only as true as the connection was reliable, which is to say 'sort of'.

Nate stayed "home" at Balad Airbase and festooned his hooch with a small Christmas tree and improvised decorations. On Christmas Eve he dined on prime rib and attended a candlelight service.

He worked Christmas morning -- I think he said he was sorting and distributing 'any soldier' mail. Christmas day the dining facilities (DFACs) competed for best decorations. Nate's DFAC had an 'O' scale model train set up with features made from colored grits and mountains made of broccoli -- or the connection was really bad and he said they had old brains with collard greens and fountains of brown collies. Either way, he feasted well that day. He also opened gifts he received and saved for Christmas day.

Christmas night he went to the PX (post exchange) in an attempt to access the WiFi for a webcam conference with us and Kay's extended family. Unfortunately, there was no signal. Uncle (Major in the Signal Corps) Roy blamed a technical issue that reduced capacity in southwest Asia. Nate blamed some idiot who likely flipped the wrong switch when closing the PX. Could be both.

War being nursemaid of expedients, he called my cell phone and we gathered around the speaker, disappointed to not to see him, but grateful to wish him a Merry Christmas!

After the call there was some debate on our end over whether he had moved to new quarters. With the connection fading in and out and the confusion of in-laws and out-laws gathered it wasn't clear. Maybe he can post a confirmation or correction when he posts some pictures he promised. (P.S. Katie confirms in comments below -- yes, he moved to new quarters.)

It also sounded like he was having some problem with his X-Box. Dear Lord, when will this war end so our dear Nate can rely on his X-Box once again? Maybe Inauguration Day.


Merry Christmas!

Turkey Day Near Turkey

Nate celebrated Turkey (the bird) Day nearer to Turkey (the country) than he's ever been before. The flight out of Balad was much delayed, but they eventually arrived at the FOB in the middle of the night, quite exhausted. He celebrated Thanksgiving with the troops and the chaplain out at the FOB. He called home to wish us all a Happy Thanksgiving, and asked that his wishes be passed to you, dear reader. So, "Happy Thanksgiving" from Nate.

Sherpas Aren't Just For Mountain Climbers Anymore

So what does a chaplain's assistant do all day, and how is that different from a chaplain. Some of our readers are confusing chaplains with assistants. The chaplain is a commissioned officer and is typically a priest, pastor, rabbi, imam, or other clergy. That's not Nate. Chaplains are defined under the Geneva Convention as "noncombatants", but the laws of warfare under Geneva do not prohibit noncombatants from carrying weapons. Legally, the Geneva Convention permits medical and religious personnel to carry weapons for self-defense and for the defense of the wounded.

In the U.S. Army, for example, combat medics carry weapons even though they are protected as noncombatants and must display the red cross or red crescent. (I served with a medic who was a conscientious objector in the 3rd Armored Division in Germany in the 80s. His status as a conscientious objector excused him from carrying a weapon. I always respected his sense of duty to serve the military in a medical capacity in spite of his objection to war and violence (to some extent, because of those objections). He was a patriot, and knew war is a fact of life, and that his fellow countrymen in service would need medical assistance, which he felt called to do.)

As far as chaplains are concerned, even though the Convention permits them to be armed for self-defense, the U.S. military has opted to leave chaplains unarmed.

That's where chaplain assistants, like Nate, come in. He is ultimately an armed body guard for the chaplain. He is more than that as well. Think of him as an armed combination of your church's office manager and altar guild. He could be assigned to a chaplain in any of the more than 100 faiths represented by U.S. military chaplains from Christian to Buddhist to Baha'i to Wiccan. So far, Nate has only been assigned to assist protestant Christian chaplains, none of whom have been Lutheran. However, in his duties at the main post chapel in Ft. Jackson, SC he supported religious activities for Roman Catholics, Jews, and Muslims. The following is a description of duties a chaplain's assistant at Nate's skill level is expected to perform:

The chaplain assistant performs and provides specified elements of religious support mission in deployments, combat operations, training, and sustainment.

Performs religious support duties for Unit Ministry Team (UMT) programs, worship services and crisis intervention. Performs UMT functions in field and combat environment. Performs combat lifesaver tasks. Applies communication skills in crisis and potential suicide intervention. Supports the UMT family readiness program. Coordinates UMT activities and maintains physical security of UMT facilities/equipment. Safeguards privileged communications and offerings. Arranges religious retreats and memorial ceremonies. Receives, screens and refers visitors and prospective counselee. Performs office administration functions using automated systems to include inventorying supplies and equipment and determining supply requirements. Maintains chaplain vestments and religious items.

Thanksgiving and Sherpas

Nate will accompany Chaplain King to another Forward Operating Base (FOB), and plans to stay there through Thanksgiving. They are planning to fly out on a C-23 Sherpa, which is not, as I thought, a Nepalese mountain guide. This Sherpa is a fixed-wing transport aircraft, operated by the Army. Yes, Army. And yes, fixed-wing. I betcha thought the Army only had helicopters (rotary-wing). The Sherpa (aircraft, not mountain guide) is an Army National Guard asset, so those operated in Iraq are operated by activated Guard personnel -- you know, the men and women who work with you at the office and deliver your mail until we need them to go fight.

First Trip Outside the Wire

Nate has been anxiously awaiting his first opportunity to get out to other locations, and it finally happened. The first 4 attempts by the chaplain to get out were thwarted -- two by rain, one by lightening, and one because the flight left early without them.

This time they made it. The battalion commander needed the chaplain to go out to a COB (combat operating base) to counsel a soldier. Chaplain King and Nate flew out on a C-130, and spent two days at the COB. That gave them time to visit all of their troops there, distribute morale and devotional materials, etc.

They flew back to Balad Airbase at night on a Chinook helicopter.

He enjoyed the experience of getting out to a more remote location, with few amenities, and see some new things. He has a lot of down time, though, on these kinds of missions, as he is often waiting to the side while the chaplain does his thing.

Gifts for 'Any Soldier'

Kay spoke with Nathaniel today, and he said that he is helping to coordinate the distribution of items that are sent over to "any soldier" in their unit . He said that various organizations and individuals have sent items. If you would like to send soldiers some small items that would brighten their day, especially with the holidays upon us, you can send them to Nate, and he will distribute them. His APO does not accept 'any soldier' mail, so send it directly to Nate, and enclose a note letting it know the contents are to be distributed.

Needs are very simple and modest. He said toiletries such as: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant (unscented) would be nice. The soldiers also appreciate magazines, books, ground coffee (in 1 lb. or smaller bags), and instant beverages such as: cocoa, apple cider, lemonade, tea, coffee. A card or note would also be great.

Nathaniel is fortunate enough to be stationed at a large facility where he has a dining facility with hot meals and a shopette that he can go to for items, but he said many of the soldiers in their unit are stationed in areas so small that they don't have dining facilities or a place to purchase basic necessities and niceties. They are rotated in and out of these areas, but they are looking to distribute these types of items to the soldiers that are stationed in these more remote locations, in particular.

Happy Veterans' Day, Nate!

“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

-- 1 Thessalonians 1:3

Your mother and I can't find adequate expression of the pride we feel over your service, and that of your sister, Katelyn.

We are honored by strangers even, when they learn of your service. We display blue star banners on our vehicles, kitchen window, and lapels, and below the banner on my car I have two bumper stickers; "My Son Serves in the US Army" and "My Daughter Serves in the US Army". A few days ago on my drive to work the driver of a car in the fast lane to my left slowed down to match my speed and laid on the horn. I looked over to see an elderly man saluting me. He held it until I returned the salute, and then he sped on past. His license plate read 'USN VET'. You stand at the end of a long line of honorable men and women, Americans and even aliens, who since June 14, 1775 have served honorably in the United States armed forces. They have sacrificed careers, blood, sweat, tears, lonliness, separation, and even their lives because they were called to serve and did their duty in answering that call.

When you were baptized you began your vocation as a Christian. Through these years, God has blessed you with unique, special gifts and interests that have led you to service in the Army. Today it is our privilege to affirm you as you represent our country. Let your Christian light shine wherever your military service may take you. Our ascended Lord assures you, “Lo, I am with you always.” With His forgiveness and the constant presence of His Spirit, with all His grace and fatherly care, He is with you, Nate. We commend you and your wife, Katie, to His gracious care and pledge to you and Katie our prayers and continued spiritual support.

Thank you. We love you.

The Start of the Rain Season

Greetings!

I don't have much time left on the computer here at the USO, so I'll be brief.

Last night we had the first 'real' rain since I've been here -- a thunderstorm no less. Followed by yet another, longer storm, at about 6AM this morning. Fortunately, it stopped about 10 minutes before I left my hooch to go to breakfast chow, and then to work. However, it seems the storm knocked out power at the Dining Facility (DFAC) and so no hot food was available this morning, though I did have a couple tasty banana nut muffins and some apple sauce, along with some V8 vegetable juice.

I've got some pictures of all the near-flooding, and I'll see if I can post them in the next couple days.

Well, that's all for now. God bless!

New Features

Based on your many requests, I've added a few things to the blog...

If you want to receive new posts via email, you can subscribe by entering your email address in the form on the right side of the page. When there's a new post you receive it via email. No new posts, no email for you!

Also on the right is an icon showing the current weather conditions at Balad Airbase. Click on it to get details, current time there (it's different than here!), and a forecast in case you want to visit next week. :-)

If you have a feed reader, you can get this blog feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/NateGnews. Or see the RSS subscription links at the bottom of the page. If you understood this paragraph you are under 25, a nerd, or both.

Satellite Image -- Or, Where's Nate?

Here's a Google map satellite picture of Balad Air Base near Balad, Iraq. It's about 45 miles (c. 70km) north of Baghdad (in spite of what Wikipedia says, and I blindly repeated in my first post).

It looks very brown from space. Except for the gray parts.


View Larger Map

Today's Weather; smoke

So should we worry when the weather icon over there on the right --> says the current weather is "smoke" as it did Monday night? ;-)

Daily Life

We had our longest phone chat yet with Nate. He called after returning to his hooch from the iraqi bazaar on base, where one can buy pirated movies.

The trip into Iraq from Kuwait was via air on a C-17 (large cargo plane) with no windows, so he's seen nothing of Iraq except the base & its immediate surroundings. It's been a safe place to be. The new "R2-D2s" have been effective deterrents to rocket and mortar attacks. There was one incoming shortly after he arrived, and none since. A couple years ago the base earned the nickname "Mortaritaville", but not so much any more.

It's a good thing Balad Airbase is big and has lots to do, as Nate hasn't been outside the wire yet. There are many stationed there, of course, who never get outside the wire their whole time there, like hospital workers and such. Once Nate gets started travelling with CHP King, he'll get to see much of the country. The chaplain's first trip out was cancelled, his flight grounded due to weather. Nate wasn't scheduled for that one anyway, as he has been tasked to coordinate the prayer breakfast later this month.

So what's he do when he's not working? Pretty much whatever he wants. He's seen several new release movies for free at the base theatre (concessions are still overpriced -- just to create that back-home feeling I suppose). Actually, concession revenue covers operating costs (see this article). Once in a while they actually see the movie before it opens stateside.

Temps are cooling, so highs are well below 100 now. If the leaves are changing color :-) , it's impossible to tell under their coat of dust. Nate saw his first drops of rain today. Dust & air quality are the worst of the environment. In Kuwait, it was all sand, so when the winds died down after a sand storm the sand dropped out of the air immediately & one could breathe again. In Iraq the soil isn't sandy, so they get dust storms, and the dust lingers in the air for 3 days after winds die.

He really likes the USO. It's a very nice facility with an internet cafe, telephones, games, book swap, TV, etc. They have several interconnected X-boxes for multi-player gaming. They also provide a nice free service to GIs with young children back home. They have several children's books they record the soldier reading onto DVD. The soldier writes a note to the kids, and the USO slips the note in the book and ships it along with the DVD to the kids back home. Nate would like to volunteer at the USO once his schedule settles into routine.

MWR has similar recreational activities, though nothing like the bus tours Kay & I used to take around Europe when I was stationed in Germany.

The internet cafe, and sometimes his office, are his only access to the internet. Some housing areas are getting WiFi towers, but monthly rates are high. He doesn't know if/when his housing area will have access or if he'd be willing to pay the price.

To get around base he usually walks, or if he has a great distance to go there are shuttles running. The chaplain doesn't have a vehicle, so when they need one for their mission, they sign one out from the motor pool. Nate's looking for a bicycle, but hasn't found any sellers yet.

He & the chaplain are starting to think about what to do for Thanksgiving. The chaplain hasn't decided whether he should celebrate at Balad where the battalion has its highest concentration of troops, or go to one of the other FOBs (forward operating bases) or COBs (combat operating bases).

Nate attended the Lutheran worship service on base the first three weeks he was there, but then the only LC-MS chaplain redeployed to the States. He was pleased to find they used LW (Lutheran Worship hymnal), which is what he used at home in Tacoma, WA and Columbia, SC. The service on base is now conducted by ELCA & Episcopalian chaplains, so he's been less enthusiastic about attending. He thinks he'll give it try.

It sounds like life at Balad is as good as circumstances allow. If war is hell, maybe hell's not so bad. Just hot, dusty, lonely, and 8 hours ahead of central time.

CHAP'S CHAT:

CHAPLAIN KING

Dear Soldiers, Families, and Friends,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord! Well, the temperatures are really beginning to drop here in Iraq. It has been getting down to a cool, almost chilly, 95 degree average during the day! In all honesty, it does feel pretty good compared to the 120's we were sweating in down in Kuwait. Needless to say, the land-scape here is dry, dusty, and barren – a far cry from the "Evergreen State."

However, not far from the base, you can see an area that is lush, green, and full of life. Palm trees fill the horizon in this oasis in the desert. How is it that this patch of vibrant vegetation rises up in the midst of a desert wasteland? Well, I'm glad you asked! It's because it lines the banks of the Tigris River from which it derives its life-giving water.

This reminds me of a passage from the Psalms. It says that the person whose delight is in the Word of God and who meditates on it day and night is "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers" (Psalm 1:2-3). God's Word is a source of refreshment for our souls. When we fail to spend time drinking from its life-giving waters, we become dry in our spirits and we struggle to bear the good fruit of kindness, gentleness, patience, and love for others.

...the person whose delight is in the Word of God and who meditates on it day and night is "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."

We all face "dry times" in our lives, and therefore it is essential that we take time to drink from the waters of God's Word. By doing so we will find life-giving spiritual water that will enable us to not only survive, but to thrive in the difficult, dry times.

THE COMMANDER'S NOTES:

LTC FREDENBURGH

Hello 51st Family and Friends,

I am so immensely blessed and proud to be a member of this Battalion. The FRG, Families, and Rear Detachment have really stepped up to the plate and are working diligently to take care of business at Ft. Lewis. And regarding the Soldiers here, you all would be so proud to see them in action. They are amazing and are truly making a difference here.

Obviously much has happened since our last newsletter. We successfully deployed to Iraq and have taken over for the 63rd Signal Battalion (Expeditionary). Getting off the plane, a wall of heat met us in Kuwait. Thankfully, the weather has started to cool off as we all moved North– 97 degrees feels like a nice day here! Each company has settled into their respective locations. Teams have been de-ploying to every corner of an area that is roughly half the size of California. Our respon-sibilities here are immense; we provide voice and data communications to major Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), as well as every size of unit down to small Military Transition Teams (MTT) that train the Iraqi Army.

Every Soldier has a role in our overall success. And back stateside, behind every Soldier, there are family members making unique sacrifices. Whether it is handling the family finances, yardwork, medical issues, or raising children without the help of your spouse, I appreciate your sacrifice and commitment to your Soldier, our unit, and our great Nation.

I ask the entire 51st Family to continue our commitment of working together as a team to accomplish our mission and get everyone home safely.

Thank you again to everyone in the Battalion Family for your commitment and support.

Always Constant,
LTC Paul H. Fredenburgh III

THE 51ST SB(E) TAKES COMMAND

BY 1LT DALEY, BN ADJUTANT


On September 30, 2008, the 51st and the 63rd Signal Battalions(E) con-ducted a formal cere-mony to relieve the 63rd from its wartime mission. During deployment, this process is referred to as a "Relief in Place" (RIP). For two weeks leading up to the RIP, the 51st and the 63rd worked side-by-side. The 63rd conducted normal operations as the 51st observed. A week later, the 51st assumed many of the responsibili-ties inherent in the mission while the 63rd observed. This training method is referred to as the "Left Seat, Right Seat, Ride," much like many of us experienced in school during driver‟s edu-cation. First you observe, and then you practice while under observation, then you carry out the task. This practice is beneficial in that the replacement unit can learn from the experience gained by the outgoing unit dur-ing their deployment. Once the RIP is com-plete, there is an official ceremony to recognize the "Transfer of Au-thority" (TOA). This ceremony marks the completion of the mis-sion for the outgoing unit and the continuation of the mission by the in-coming unit.

The TOA ceremony in-cluded the casing and uncasing of battalion col-ors. LTC Carlos Morales and CSM Bruce Stanley of the 63rd Signal Battalion(E) cased their battalion colors, symbol-izing the completion of their mission. LTC Paul H. Fredenburgh III and CSM Milton Weatherly of the 51st Signal Battalion(E) uncased their battalion colors, symbolizing the continuation of the signal mission by the 51st under the new leadership. COL John Hildebrand, Com-mander of the 11th Signal Brigade, presided over the TOA ceremony.

Office Space

The chaplain and his assistants are moved into their new office. Nate is very happy, and looking forward to begin travels in the next couple of weeks.

 

Mailing to an APO

References:

http://www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/welcome.htm

http://www.oconus.com/zipcodes.asp

The price of military mail postage is the same as domestic postage. A first-class stamp that gets mail across town will also get mail half way around the world to a military service member.

Generally, the following are prohibited in the region of Operation Iraqi Freedom:

• Obscene articles (prints, paintings, cards, films, videotapes, etc).
  
• Any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, pornographic or sexual items, or nonauthorized political materials.
  
• Bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith. Items for the personal use of the addressee are permissible.
  
• Pork or pork by-products.
  
• For packages, print on one side only with the recipient’s address in the lower right portion.


• More restrictions specific to APO 09391 are listed here.
  
  

Save $2 mailing packages to APOs with the special priority box. Order it online from the USPS, and they will ship you a bunch free of charge!

Introducing a quick, easy, convenient and NOW 50% larger way for you to ship Priority Mail packages to military personnel serving overseas. The Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Box features predetermined rates regardless of weight (domestically) or destination, similar to our other Flat Rate products.

Some key benefits:

• Only $10.95 when used to send to APO/FPO addresses; $2.00 less than our domestic pricing.
  
• Box features the “America Supports You” logo and APO/FPO addressing block.
  
• The U.S. Postal Service offers free Package Pickup from your home or office at a time and place convenient for you. To schedule Package Pickup and for other pickup options and availability, visit usps.com.
  

The customs forms for packages are available online. For priority mail (using the special box mentioned above), use Form 2976-A. Articles are liable for customs duty and/or purchase tax unless they are bona fide gifts intended for use by military personnel or their dependents. When the contents of a parcel meet these requirements, the mailer must endorse the customs form, “Certified to be a bona fide gift, personal effects, or items for personal use of military personnel and dependents,” under the heading, Description of Contents.

The Hooch

Nate has moved into his "hooch" (permanent quarters). He has a mailing address now, so if you'd like it, please email me, and if your name doesn't rhyme with Pruce Jee (like this blogger), I'll send it to you.

He bought a 27" TV, fridge, and microwave from a departing soldier and got his room mostly organized. The closet could apparantly use more order, but now that he can watch DVDs there's not much chance of that happening. He is anxious for internet access to reach his housing area. The 1/2-hour allotments at MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) aren't quite enough for him to stay caught up on email and Facebook.

They are hoping to move into their office this week. They're also planning a prayer breakfast sometime the end of October. Nate expects around that same time he and the chaplain will begin visiting the FOBs (Forward Operating Bases) where other elements of their battalion are located. The chaplain from the 63rd Signal Bn (the unit they're replacing) never took a convoy anywhere, flying to the FOBs instead. Nate expects they will do the same.

He has visited the base theatre (a for-real movie theatre just like in the Grand ol' USA) a couple times, and likes to hang out at MWR or the USO (United Services Organization) with other soldiers in his unit.

More gnews, in his own words...

This last week I went to the gym every morning (M-F) that was mandated by SSG Walker, despite my plan to do so on my own anyway. Theres a "Cross-Fit" class Sunday-Friday which is *really* good. Its kinda a circuit training class, where each day there will be a different set of stations you rotate through, many using weights of some kind, others simply push-ups or sit-ups, and others more of a cardio station (jumping jacks, etc). This last week I did it MWF, and did weight training Tuesday and Thursday. This coming week SSG Walker is having us do running (treadmill) MF, cross-fit TTH, and weight training Wednesday. I wish he would give me a little more freedom in setting up my own workout program... Id continue to do Cross-Fit MWF in the morning, then run (treadmill) in the evenings MWF, and do weight training in the evenings on T & TH. I can't run outside here... the air is just too bad. The air quality is really, really bad, and even on pretty "clean" days I sometimes find myself breathing very shallowly by the end of the day. Some days my lungs will hurt if I breath normally, and Ive been wearing my balaclava almost every day... when most people only wear them during and a couple days following a sand storm.

Permanent Quarters

Nate is now in permanent quarters. Very nice, I hear. I'm hoping to get more details soon. Internet access is still spotty for him.

His unit is still without office space. The unit they are replacing hasn't vacated yet. Once they do, Nate and Chpl. King can set up shop.

Limbo

In case you missed Nate's comment to this earlier post...

He's still in temporary quarters, which limits his access to email and the internet. He pops by the base's Internet Cafe when he has time, which is to say, rarely.

There's not any Nate-specific news to report, so I thought I'd open a portal to other news few civilians come across. I've added a set of links over on that side --> of the page, under "Iraq News and Other Resources", to offer you a view of what goes on "over there", but is typically not reported. Some of it is not reported because it is good news (which doesn't sell as well as bad news). Some is not reported because it is inconsistent with the story line the news peddlers believe. Much is not reported because it really is mundane, local-interest-type stuff. In any case, I find it interesting as a competing viewpoint. I especially like the base newspaper. But then I like small-town papers, and military base papers kind of have the same flavor. If you know of other good links email me.

Also, email me if you hear some gossip from Nate or Katie that you think should be shared on this blog.

Peace and Stuff,

Tim

Contact Info -- NOT

... well, that's one of those things that shouldn't be published (at least not without Nate or Katie's permission).

At this time, Nate doesn't have a mailing address in Iraq. When he has one, I'll let you know that it's available, but will not publish here what it is.

If you have access to our church's online directory, they keep their phone, mail, and email info up-to-date there, and welcome your letters and emails.

If you don't have access to that, view my profile, where you will find my contact information. Contact me, and I'll either give you Nate and Katie's contact information (if I know who you are and know they want to hear from you), or, in most cases, I'll forward your request to them.

All of us in Nate and Katie's family are very grateful for the outpouring of support from family and friends. We'll do everything we can to help you communicate with them, consistent with their need for privacy and security.

Welcome to Nate Gnews

I hope you find this blog a good way to keep up with Nate and his gung-ho Army stuff. This should be the place you go to for the latest information on Nate -- insofar as he and his wife, Katie, keep his parents informed. ;-)

First we must play some catch-up. As you should be aware, Nate is an Army Specialist, assigned as the chaplain's assistant in the 51st Signal Battalion. As the chaplain's assistant, he has various duties, including being the chaplain's clerk and driver, as well providing physical security (as chaplains don't carry firearms, so somebody has to protect them).

On August 27th, Nate deployed with his unit (51st Signal Battalion) from Ft. Lewis, WA en route to Iraq via Kuwait.

They spent something on the order of about 2 weeks in Kuwait adjusting to the time change (CDT + 8hrs in Kuwait where they don't observe daylight savings, CDT + 9hrs in Iraq), climate; and receiving additional training. For example, anybody who has participated in marksmanship training in the military, law enforcement, or at a sportsmen's club would know how sterile and safe that environment can be. Rarely will a hostile situation permit soldiers to line up and face the same direction, take a comfortable shooting position, control their breathing, sight a plastic target safely downrange, and squeeze the trigger. In Kuwait, Nate and his comrades got some more realistic training; forming in small groups, running through an area with live ammo, surprised at various times by potential targets which had to be quickly identified as friend or foe, and if appropriate, engaged. Good stuff. Nate loved it. Sprained his foot, but a small price to pay.

In addition to combat skills training, they also received training about the local culture, including some basic Arabic -- "Please", "Thank you", "One at a time", "Keep your hands where I can see them" -- you know, typical tourist stuff.

Sunday morning we received word that his unit had moved to Iraq. The battalion HQ is at Balad Airbase (formerly Camp Anaconda), located about 68 miles north of Baghdad, in the Sunni Triangle (see map -- click on 'satellite' to see anything). Balad hosts over 30,000 coalition troops and civilian contractors, and unlike most bases in Iraq has the luxury of a base movie theatre, fast food, an indoor swimming pool, and dance lessons. No excuse for him coming back without serious foxtrot skills. Katie, are you ready for that?

He is still in temporary quarters, and expects to move into permanent quarters by Tuesday.

While HQ is at Balad, the rest of the battalion is spread all across Iraq. The chaplain, of course, serves the whole battalion, so Nate and Chaplain (Captain) King will likely be flying all over to provide ministry (or coordinate ministry for soldiers of faiths other than Ch. King's), offer counseling, evaluate and maintain morale (hand out candy, books, DVDs, etc.), and identify and treat combat stress. If necessary they will also plan and conduct memorial services, and notify soldiers of death or illness of family members back home.

Katie seems to be taking to her new role as "Army Wife", even under this most difficult initiation. She is learning how to access all the services available to her, and getting to know the other spouses in the battalion quite well. She is taking this semester off from school, and a part-time job she thought she had lined up fell through, so she is not as busy as she would like to be. It looks like an opportunity at a nearby Radio Shack may come through for her. She is kept company by a couple of kittens they got shortly after moving into their apartment in Tacoma in June. I thought they were intended as surrogate Nates in his absence, but she had them fixed last week, so perhaps I should reevaluate.

Please keep Nate and Katie in your prayers. They have maintained a great attitude about it all, but have already experienced the pangs of separation and all the anxiety associated.