Need Iraq information...

[shives007]

I know someone who is going to be spending 3 months in Al Kut, Iraq starting in January. Specificaly they will be XXXth FST (Forward Surgical Hospital). That is connected w/ the XXXth CSH. I am going to heat up google a little bit here, but I knowwe have bodies that are/have been there in this forum. Let me know what you know.

Thanks,
Shives

Is that a sufficient edit? If not, fix it as needed.

Shives


OK, now the person I know is going to be heading to Mosul. He leaves Saturday morning for GA for "training" (to find him a uniform that isn't 30 years old). After a brief time there, he heads "over there". Anyone in Mosul?

Shives

[Army]

I do believe I can help......seeing as I am currently stationed at Al Kut (Camp Delta)

Minimal, at best, amenities. The PX is no larger than your bedroom. No, I am not kidding. You stand in the door and point to want you want...as long as it is soap, near beer, or smokes. Coffee makers are the only electronics sold there. It is NOT an AAFES store, they go to Baghdad to buy stuff, then re-sell it here.

MWR is almost not bad. Good weight room, but hard to breathe in there because of the unwashed Georgians (Republic Of, not the state). They just got internet and phones, but the line is immense.

DFAC isn't bad at all, food is good and plentiful....just the same week by week.

We have a KBR laundry service, with 72 hour turn-around.

That's it for things to do. We aren't big enough to draw any USO shows, or big name entertainers....or small name for that matter. Mail is suppose to get here twice a week...yeah, right.

Bring his own computer and movies/music. The hajji marts have stuff..but buyer beware, big time. There is NO ATM capable machines here, everything moves by cash ONLY. Finance comes twice a month, and allows up to $350 to be drawn against your pay....not that there is a lot to buy anyway. The CSH and their living quarters has internet, purchased monthly. It's slow, but it works. Hajji sells cell phones that work....for the most part....for $55, and $10 phone cards for $12 (hey, it's hajji, what did you expect?) The phones only work with these cards. Calls can be up to $0.40 a minute, but texting is only $0.14 a message. There are no options to buy minutes other than the cards. It sucks, but its better than nothing, or standing inline for two hours at the MWR.

Bring thermals, as January can be butt cold. Raingear is NOT an option, as it will be wet. It's dirty now, it will be muddy soon, prepare for it.

Yes, we get mortars and rockets, get over it. Our counter-battery is excellent, and has a 100% success rate thus far. There are troops from Georgia, Kazakstan, Poland, Romania, El Salvador, US Special Forces, and others pulling mission from here.

Seeing as he'll be here for only 3 months, he can bring enough cash and personal gear to get by. Remember, he is limited to the total weight he can bring, usually 400lbs (which includes himself). This is due to aircraft lift limits.

Anything else?

[shives007]

Army, email is on the way.

Thanks,
Shives

[nmib]

Army can we please edit out the unit names for opsec?

[kosmo]

Army can we please edit out the unit names for opsec?

Roflcopter.

/

[shives007]

Proud of my old man!!!

http://cw11tv.trb.com/news/kplr-news-030308-6,0,1904582.story

Shives

[Army]

Hey! That's pretty cool! Too bad I didn't get to meet him, your Dad sounds like a great guy.

[WingMan13]

outstanding!

[rifleman wi]

that rocks

[darqueMeye]

I spent a little bit of time there back in 03. and from what army says, it sounds like it hasnt changed much at all. its still a dump.

[MANN]

wow what an honor. congrats