junk drawer

i'm back...

Hello friends-

I didn't mean to take such a long blogging break there, but life kinda got a little hectic there for minute. Right now it has calmed waaaaaay down, which is great cause I was in dire need of more "me" time.

Let's get right to it. I'm sure you are wondering where the hell I went...and the answer will probably surprise you. This is going to be a long post....fair warning.

Remember that crazy trip I took to the Middle East last year?

Well the same folks called asking if I wanted to go to GTMO..you know...the hot topic detention camp in Cuba...and I agreed to go.

What's cool about these trips is the group they invite to come on them...it's not a media junket...it's a varied group of professionals, so the crowd alone is pretty engaging, not to mention where they take you. I would never ever ever have gone to Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar or Cuba. I would never, otherwise, have access to top leaders of our Defense Department. These trips, to say the very least, have certainly made me think.

Plus, we get to take military aircraft wherever we go...which this time meant a KC-135, or refueling plane which has this hose on the bottom that can refuel other aircraft in mid-air. To top it all off, I got to sit on the jump seat in the cockpit as we came into a landing in Cuba.

pretty cool...no?

Once in Cuba (holy crap! I still can't believe I was in Cuba) we went in for a briefing with the top brass on base. I was later told that the briefing we got was pretty similar to the one that congress members get when they come down to tour the facility. History of GTMO, history of the camps, briefing on the status of the camps and the new facilities, lots of talk about the military tribunals, the precautions to keep the detainees and guards safe, talk about the medical care detainees receive, the way that the guards honor detainees' Muslim traditions, and how GTMO is striving to be the most transparent detention facility in the world, a declaration that some folks might snort at, a declaration I would have snorted out just 2 weeks ago. But after being toured around, debriefed and having the opportunity to grill the head of detainee affairs for the Pentagon every and any question I have ever had about the US detention centers and detainee practices world wide, I think I might just believe them.

After a quick lunch they brought us on a tour of all of the camps. This is the moment where just thinking about it before the trip made my stomach flip-flop. It's one thing to have an idea about a detention camp, but to be there, to see it, to see detainees, brings it all home in a big way.

I was extremely trepidatious to go on this trip, afraid of what I might see. I had searched the web and found photos released by the DOD that scared the bejesus out of me. Men in orange suits, shackled to the ground, wearing eye masks. It wasn't pretty. I thought that all detainees (they don't call them prisoners) lived in outdoor cells exposed to the weather, shackled to the ground all day long, hauled off to torturous interrogation rooms located underground...after all, those were the only photos that came up in my query and isn't that how it is in the movies and on TV?

What I saw was very different from those images. I was surprised how many concessions we made to the detainees' Muslim traditions, everyone gets a Koran, everyone gets a prayer rug, every cell has an arrow to Mecca. In fact there were arrows to Mecca everywhere. The detainees get special halal meat and bread. Certainly more things than I thought the DOD was giving them.

There are 6 camps at GITMO. Camp X-ray, the original camp from 2002 is now overgrown and closed. Camp 1, an outdoor camp, is closed. Camp 2 & 3, outdoor camps that embodied what I thought I would mostly see, outdoor cells made of wire mesh that were definitely rustic, were nearly emptied out. Most detainees have been moved.

Camp 4 was totally surprising....these were communal living camps. (what?!) I had no idea these existed at all. 10-12 guys sleep in a cabin-ish barrack setting with access to the outdoor rec area for most of the day. When we showed up the detainees were doing laundry and their clothes were hanging out to do dry. Because guys who get placed at Camp 4 are seen as being "compliant" to camp rules, it's seen as an honor to be there and they get special privileges. One being white outfits, which I am told are, highly regarded by those in the camp. We were told that it was so important to them to keep their whites clean, that they asked, and received special khaki outfits for when they are outside in the rec area. They were washing their khaki outfits when we were there.

Our escorts then took us to Camp 5 & Camp 6. I had NO IDEA anything like this was at GTMO. Here were maximum security prisons modeled off of American prisons in Michigan and Indiana. They were air conditioned, enclosed, and much more of what I would think of when I hear the word "prison" or "detention facility"

Camp 5 is where the more "high profile" guys are (we were told there are no detainees at GTMO from the war in Iraq, rather all of the folks were thought to be enemy combatants with Al Quieda ties, which I was surprised about.) The guards had put a cover over the cell doors for the detainees’ security and to respect their privacy. We had walked in during prayers. Imagine this....you are in a high security prison facility and you heard beautiful Arabic songs as detainees have their own prayer session. Certainly a memory that will stay with me.

It was here that they showed us interrogation rooms. Also- way different then I thought they would be. Here is how we were told interrogations go down:
Detainees come into an interrogation room, which are outfitted with a TV, a fridge, a Persian rug, a coffee table, and a tea maker. There is also a nice couch or chair for a detainee to sit in. (I saw three examples of these rooms) According to our escorts the detainees have 2 hour "custodian interrogations" where the interrogators talk to them and ask questions. They insisted that they are usually quiet conversations, no water boarding here folks, and sometimes these interrogation sessions are just a time for the detainee to get out of their cells...again, not what I expected to hear.

We then went to Camp 6, which just opened in December. Here we were able to see detainees in their cells. Gah. Weird. They couldn't see us cause we were behind this huge sheet of 1 way glass. I've never been to a prison...I was surprised by how much the detainees paced in their cells. It's like the guards and the detainees paced in unison. I wonder if all prisoners do that?

In addition they took us to the camp hospital. Nice clean facility. Everything you could imagine at their fingertips. In fact, they have more access to care then I do at this moment...what with my limited health insurance policy and all...

I'm glad I went. I asked questions to top officials about torture, treatment, policy, conditions...the whole 9 yards. Hell, I even queried about those pictures I found on the Internet. I might not have gotten the answer I expected (something to the effect of: it was after 9/11, we didn't know who we had, and were abiding by the Geneva Convention and trying to protect America) but I had the opportunity to exercise my right to ask those questions and hear those answers, and that in itself was worth it all.

To read another person's perspective of a similar trip, and to read info on what we were told, check out Tom Fiedler's op-ed from the Miami Herald in early January here. This is pretty much exactly what the DOD said about everything.

And to bring it all back around to what this blog is truly intended for here is a photo of a cute little hat that I knit up while on this trip: I took this photo down at the window where the refueling pilot sits during a refueling mission. Probably the best view I have ever had from an airplane.




back to basics tomorrow gang...no more war talk till I get the next unexpected phone call.....

week of color: black.grey

Here is a shot from my trip to the Middle East four weeks ago.  While on the aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan I took a series of silohuette shots from the hangar bay looking out onto the Persian Gulf.

This is one of my favorites: A portrait of the admiral we were traveling with.  He is a quiet, thoughtful man.  The kind of person who takes a moment to think before answering. 

There was something striking about an important military leader staring out to sea while on an active carrier carrying out war missions on the flight deck above.  I often wonder what he was thinking about.

BONUS SHOT:
To give perspective on where I was on board.  Here is an F16 fighter jet on the same spot that I took the portrait above.

reacclimation by fire

I made it back to Philly safe and sound thank goodness and I'm trying my  best to get adjusted to EST.

Within an hour my arrival at my front door, my father arrived breathless and ready to pour through every detail of the trip.  So sweet.

I do have a memo to everyone though....

TO ALL WHO WERE INSULTED BY MY HORRIBLE SPELLING. I'M SORRY.  ESPECIALLY ALL MY JOURNALISM PEEPS WHO MIGHT BE READING THIS.

These errors were lovingly pointed out by my Dad who showed up with my entire blog printed out and marked with typos and grammatical mishaps.  In my own defense I was trying to write the posts as fast as I could cause time was limited....too limited for spell check.

But my Dad and I had a great time.  He spent the night and the next day we watched the tape in between conference calls (him) and painting my bedroom (me) the color "squirrel."

The footage looks awesome BTW.

It was also pointed out to me that I wasn't completely accurate in my play by play.  Two major things I missed:

1. The flight from Bahrain to Qatar was incredible.  We did a tactical take off and landing which pilots use in combat zones.  This helps to protect them from enemy fire. The take off entails them putting the plane on full blast and keeping the brakes on.  They release the braked and we go pretty much straight up.  The landing consists of hard banks and turns which create negative and positive G's.  It was pretty much the best ride I have ever been on.

2. On the last day we had special forces training with Air Force. It was so cool.  We suited up and shot at each other with paintballs.  The gals who suited me up were hilarious.  They have to wear these horrific protective devices "down there" that are labeled MACHO. HILARIOUS!!!  After running around outside playing a bad ass version of capture the flag and pretty much getting killed immediately I had a small battle wound on my upper right arm.  A great bruise with a great story!! Can't wait to go to a dinner party wearing a tank top. 

Tonight I am sewing my pillows for our bedroom and doing laundry.  I am soooo glamorous. I am using the fabrics from here and here and here.

More pics tommorrow.  My camera just ran out of juice.  AND THEY WERE REALLY CUTE TOO!!! DAMN.

back home...

In lieu of writing today I am going to let these images tell more of the story....

Some of the photos are cropped off.  Just click on the pic and they will open in a new window.

The C-17 plane that we rode in all week.

Marines at our IED training in the Kuwait Desert.

My college roomates' ex, Jeremy Martell, the first soldier I talked to once I arrived in Kuwait. RANDOM!

Life in the midddle of nowhere.

MH-60 Sea Stallion - waiting to take us back to Kuwait City.  we had to hustle out before the weather blew in.

At the Grand Mosque in Bahrain.

On board the USS Ronald Regan's flight deck.

Dinner party at the four seasons in Doha, Qatar.

View from my hotel room at the four seasons.  swanky!!!  The Amirs' boat is the big one below.

In the cockpit of a british tornado fighter plane.

 

On the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan.

Kuwait City from the BlackHawk

till tommorrow....

Jack Bauer ain't shit

Cause the US Air force kicks his ass.

OK - I thought I was impressed before.  but today I was truly impressed. 

After a very late night and an early morning it was off to the US airbase in Qatar.  Another police escort and more affirmation that I really need my own whenever I am driving in the states.  I just kept thinking of Lindsay quoting...."I'm kind of a big deal" whenever I saw them blocking and chasing cars off the road as we zoomed by.

We approached the base and got to the gate only to be held up by the Qatari immigrations officials for an hour.  This was a huge snaffu and pissed many of the big wigs off.  After much back and forth and General North, head of the Air Force efforts in the region coming out to kick some ass and take some names, we were on our way to breakfast with some airman.

This base is very nice and the food was delish.  Those poor army boys.  They have it the toughest!!!

Then it was off to a briefing by the wing commander of the 379 talking about their role in the war.

After that it was time to go to the flightline to check out some planes on base.  We saw C-130's tankers, medical nurse evacs on an australian plane, and a spy plane.  - I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT I SAW. BUT IT WAS IMPRESSIVE AND MADE "24" AND "ALIAS" LOOK LIKE A PATHETIC COPYCAT. The real deal is way cool.

then we went and saw some fighter jets.  The british pilots let us sit in the cockpits of their tornados.  so cool.

Then it was time for lunch with some more awesome airman...what up TJ - and then on to a briefing by General North.  some incredible CLASSIFIED Q&A and a CLASSIFIED tour of an AMAZING ROOM WHERE THEY DO AMAZING THINGS THAT BLOW YOUR MIND AWAY....but I can't talk about.

Then it was off to a briefing by CENTCOMM's own General Abouzaid.  He is an incredible leader and we were honored that he could take time out to meet with us.  He was very frank and was the only one to allude to the fact that OIL is a driving factor in the reason that we are where we are out there.

Then it was time to head to the C-17 to head home.  We said goodbye to Admiral Nichols and General North at the bottom of the steps.  I must say I was a bit misty eyed hopping onto the plane.  It was wierd to learn what I had learned and then to hop on a plane and leave.

I slept and slept and slept.  Woke up in Shannon, Ireland where we had some delicious Guiness at the airport pub, checked in with Otis who was listening to Etta James perform at Jazzfest in NOLA when I called, hopped back on the plane, slept and slept and slept. 

Right now I am safe and sound in Tampa FL. 

I will be writing more this afternoon on my final thoughts.

THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR GREAT COMMENTS.  I am flattered that so many are checking in.

America- F&*K yeah!!!!

I don't think you can land on an aircraft carrier and not feel impressed.

This morning we got up and prepped for our day out in the middle of the Arabian Gulf.  Apparently at some point between now and my sixth grade year it changed to Arabian Gulf instead of Persian Gulf. My bad.

We headed off to the airport where we met up with our COD crew.  A COD is a plane that transports people and cargo to an aircraft carrier, and today was the day that we headed out to the USS Ronald Reagan.  According to pretty much everyone you talk to in the navy, this is the most bad ass vessel in the world.  After spending time aboard, I would have to agree.

Our flight to the ship lasted about 45 minutes and everyone on my flight was gracious enough to let me have the window seat (1 of 2) so I could film the landing.  This way EVERYONE will be able to see it.

When you are on approach all you see are HUGE ripples in the water.  They got tighter and tighter together.  Then a destroyer going full throttle came in to view and then BAMMMMMM.  We caught the line with the tail hook and we went from 150mph to 0mph in about 2 seconds.

Up came the cargo bay door and we were on an active aircraft carrier runway.  INCREDIBLE.  We were shuffled onto the HUGE aircraft elevator on the side of the ship and lowered into the Hangar bay where we were greated by the Captain.  There were F-18's as far as the eye could see and people were hustling around everywhere.

After a delicious gourmet dinner in the officers mess (manned by folks in black tie mind you)  which included shrimp cocktail and cheesecake, we headed up to the bridge and the captains quarters.

The captains quarters are modeled after the red room in the white house and is beautiful. Some of Reagan's old desks and chairs are in this room as well.

The bridge was flippin cool.  we got to sit in the captains seat for a photo op which was really cool.  Probably the most impressive thing was the fact that a 19 year-old was stearing the boat.  CRAP. talk about responsibility.  The best part was that when he was called out he was bashful.  so cute and so little!!!

After our tours it was time to head out to the flight deck.  OH MY WORD> We saw about 12 fighter jets take off and 2 land.  AMAZING.  I pretty much got video from every available angle.  This was the opening from Top Gun in real life.  Smoke on the deck and all.  It was amazing.  The crazy thing was that there were so many people there and they were all so young.

After that it was time to go back down to the Reagan museum and to take a look at some of the pilots.  I chatted it up with the photographers on board who were super cool.  I pretty much have been chatting it up with a lot of them at every branches display.  they are so insightful.

They filled me in on the basic moral of the boat.  Apparently they had had a play the night before in the bay for the ship.  It was a dramatic play about life at see with props and everything.  Plus they have been very busy with their Reagan Idol program.  Supposedly there have been some ship celebrities emerging.  I would pay to see those shows!  Hilarious.

I think this segment was the one that I got the most footage and the most time to concentrate on getting some.  Thank goodness.  I have about 9 hours of tape so far.

Then it was time to go. Admiral Nicholas was aboard and on our way to our Helicopter (1/2 of the crew got to land half got to catapolt of) the ship had the color guard for his departure.  All of the flight deck colors lined up (the different tutle neck colors) and they had the planes in a circle around the helicopters. how neat to see.

On the way back to Bahrain a member of the helicopter crew took my camera and got shots of the other chopper going beside us.  that was cooler than cool.

Upon landing it was time to get back into the C-17 and head for Doha, Qatar.

Qatar is an amazing place, and Irene Farrelly you shoulda gone...It looks like southbeach and the growth in substantial.  you could turn your head without seeing a building being built.

On the way from the airbase to the hotel (The FOUR SEASONS respectively) we had a police escort.  I demand one in philly at all times now!  It was incredible.  We blast into town. But it also shed some light on our IED training a few days before in Kuwait.

We had a quick wrap up and it was off to our exquisite rooms.  Dinner was on the beach below and it was a traditional beoudian meal with a loot player and many dignitaries in attendance.  Late night we gather round the sofas under the tent on the beach and smoked sheesh in the hookas.  Truly a night and a day to remember.

more tommorrow.

Diplomacy school

I think I was cross eyed when I wrote yesterday's post.  I didn't last much longer in the night after that. I went upstairs and had dinner and drinks with the whole gang and was in bed by 9:30p.

I was concerned that my short sleeved shirt might be offensive to some locals.  boy was I wrong....The dinner came with mandatory show with live "girls." Ugh.  hilarious.  we were all in uncomfortable shock.  What can you do?! It was protocol for the restaurant in our hotel.  Certainly hilarious to see girls prancing around practically naked in a muslin country.

I am in Bahrain today and I liken it to Las Vegas.  Apparently many Saudis come here to play, thinking that Allah will not see their sins outside of their kingdom.

This morning we woke up and headed over to the Navy headquarters here.  There are both Coast Guard and Navy folk living off base in country.

The admiral gave a speech and finally we are getting to some REALLY deep issues.  I feel like I am not only taking War 101 but also Diplomacy in the modern, globalized and Islamic world.  VERY eye opening.  Certainly has changed my perspective and these guys were extremely FRANK. Good to hear but a little scary at the same time.

After our briefings which ran extremely long due to in depth Q&A we headed over for lunch with the Coast Guard and then it was off the Grand Mosque.

You would have thought the gals on the trip were celebrities the way the men were taking our picture in our Muslim dress. The building was pretty and we were able to hear the call for prayer.  The Guide was super informative.  What a different approach to life.

After that it was off to see the coast guard.  So cool to see their ships and they put on a huge demonstration.  These guys were very cool. a totally different feel than the marines and the army dudes we met yesterday.  not better, not worse, just different.

We got to shoot air guns and pretend that we were taking over a ship.  So cool.  Plus I mule kicked open a door.  bad ass.

Then it was back to the hotel for a cocktail hour and more Q&A with the admiral and the political advisor to Bahrain. I am telling you....it was amazing to here what the had to say about the region, the war, the Geo political relations and info about everything in general.  Truly these guys are like diplomats and are tack sharp.

After dinner we went to the local Souk, kind of like an outdoor marketplace meets  the Pensauken mart.  I found the coolest blankets, scarves and beautiful embroidered pillow covers for our Living Room.  (don't worry otis, you'll like them, there is a lot of orange in them).  There were a lot of men out on the streets and they were very interested in my blonde hair.  I got a few more stares than usual.  I also had a blast negotiating with the merchants.  It was pretty cool. The security MA-1 who was escorting us was great at talking down prices.

then it was off to two commanders house for Rug Flop.  2 things about this.

1. The housing in Bahrain is unreal. These two guys had a five bedroom house with 8 bathrooms, a pool, maids quarters, and a maid all paid for by the US govt. It was gorgeous and i think we should do a TS over here.  they certainly had room for us. ;)

2. A rug flop is when a merchant comes in and rolls out his rugs for you.  Mohamed the rug flopper also caters it with Bahraini food.  yummy yummy hummus.

At first I wasn't going to buy one.  but then I found one that I really liked. It was quoted for 150 Dinars or $400.  I talked him down to $260.  So I gave him $220 USD on the spot and he trusts me to send him the $46 USD in a few weeks.  It is a pretty rug...otis- you'll like it too....hehe

Overall Bahrain has been very interesting and the people are very nice.  I'm not sure if you all heard in the states yet but last night there was a blast here at a police station.  Not sure if it is related to our presence or not.  The latest Intel we heard was that it was shi'a (sp?) and were told it was unrelated.  It occured very far from our hotel. Just wanted to address it so there were no freak outs.

On that note, just an FYI to you.  Yesterday morning at breakfast a Kiwi came up to me and asked me why were there.  I told him and his response was.

"Well you all must be very important because I have never seem so many security forces at this hotel in my life."

The benefits of traveling with an admiral.

cheers ya'll...tomorrow is going to be an EXCITING day. I PROMISE.

The desert is sandy

It gets in your eyes, ears, fibers of your clothes.  EVERYWHERE.

This morning we woke up in Kuwait at this FABU resort on the water in Kuwait City.  It was gorgeous...cabanas, pool, beach chairs.  Kuwait City was like Miami meets Asbury Park.  Bombed out beaches with ritzy hotels on them.

We drove thru town to the airport and headed off to a camp in the middle of the desert riding helicopters.  This time there were no problems with engines.  Once at camp the general was there to greet us and we got IED training.  Those things are what blow up convoys in Iraq.  After a brief Q&A session we hopped in HumVs with the marines for something like a war game. It was nutso. Very realistic and very scary.  I can't imagine riding through town that way.  These guys were ALL BUSINESS too.  No chit chat.  just business.

After that we ate some delicious MRE's and headed to learn about tanks and guns.  I rode in a Bradley with my head sticking out the top, ala Dukakis, and shot an M14 and Sniper rifle.  I am NOT a marksmen.  I hated it.  I only shot one round of the sniper rifle and said no way, no more.

then it was off in the black hawks to Kuwait to catch our plane.  Right now I am in our next locale....can't say where, but tommorrow will be cool.  I am visiting a mosque!

off to dinner then much needed rest. I have only had 6 hours of sleep since leaving FL.

planes, tanks, and helicopters

Those are the vehicles I rode in today.... nuts.

So this trip is INSANE. I am apologizing now.  a.  I am incredibly jet lagged.  b. I can't for the life of me upload photos.  So patience please. But they will be worth it.  I promise.

Monday started off with us headed to Mac Dill AFB to visit Central Command, wherer they run the war in the Middle East.  We pretty much got to ask some of the KEY LEADERS any question we wanted.  crazy. people were very frank and it was impressive to be surrounded by all of these 3 star generals.

After that we headed off to the flight line to head on over.  there waiting for us was a C-17.  This is kinda what the inside of the plane on the inside and (all photos will be from past JCOC's till I can get my pics up.)

We flew for about 10 hours until we arrived in Germany at an airbase as the sun was rising, just in time for breakfast. (it was midnight on the East coast.) Then they brought us out to a flight line to look at F16's and meet pilots.  NEWSFLASH - Tom Cruise is an excellent actor cause these pilots were right out of top gun, down to the cocky smacking of their gum.  They one guy I talked to was a year younger than me and headed for Iraq later this spring. Im serious though.  This guy's name should have been Maverick.

Then off to the Middle East....I crashed out on the wonderful cots along the side of the airplane.  I swear this was the best flight of my life, I went up to the cockpit twice, you could walk laps, sleep on cots or sit in your seat which had TONS of leg room.  Apparantly we really rode in style.  No one ever gets cots.  But they should do it all the time.  Michelle- can we rent C17's for crew travel? the trailer would fit in cargo bay....

Upon landing in a country still not to be named but you will find out soon, (I know you kan't wait) there were black hawks and MRsomething somethings waiting for us to take us to an Army base.  The loader saw my camera and purposefully let me load last.  I got the best seat in the house along with the DOD photog. We sat in the back of the chopper looking out of the back (which never closed all the way so the large GUN could manuver)  THe footage is soooo cool.  We went over the desert and there were goat herds, horses running, people living in tents in the middle of no where.  UNREAL!!!  It truly is the beach with no ocean (I promise that I am trying to protect the camera as much as possible Lanie! it is dusty and in my lungs right now)

Once arriving on base I start chatting with some of the soldiers there to greet us while we wait for the other group who had to turn back cause their engine had problems (yikes).  Turns out he dated my roomate in college who is currently stationed in Baghdad.  Nutso-

then we hopped in Hum-vee trainers that turned us upside down and let us feel what it was like to tip over.  SCARY.  I would never want that to happen to me. apparantly it has happened a bunch before.

after a brief from the general here, it was off to dinner at the mess hall (the food was certainly not what I eat everyday, very college-ish).  I sat next to this kid Mike from NOLA.  he sorts the mail here.  Let me tell you.  This place was in the middle of NOWHERE.  There are building just plopped ontop of the sand.  there is obviously no grass....everything is SAND!

I had to use the ladies room and this gal escorted us to the nice ones next to the barracks.  she let us peep in and see had the chicas live.  Looks like a Kappa Delta sleep room to me.  I was surprised to see they all had their own sheets and blankets.  Soldiers were also walking around in civilian clothes some even dressed up).

They are never allowed off base...unless it is a group trip which rarely happens.  I can't imagine living there for a year.  they say in the summer it is 140 degrees.  Today it was HOT and it was a cool 94 degrees.

Tommorrow is going to be a long day of tank training, close quarter combat training and live fire.  (shooting guns).  So with that I am hitting the hay!

Love to all.  thanks for all the sweet comments.

  Key phrase for the day - "I HAD NO IDEA"

I had no idea how these people live on base, and I had no idea how many generals were in charge.  This shit is crazier and more of a large scale operation than fathomable.  I had a feeling as such...but these guys are spelling it out.  It's mind boggling.....I just keep muttering "holy shit" under my breath. 

Here we go

I think I have met enough people today to last a lifetime. 

You know what is hilarious?  Putting people who are all dynamic and talkative into one room.  It's hilarious to think that you can actually hear each other!

My trip down here went great.  I met some AWESOME people on my flight and it sailed by.  A specail thank you to Ed for the lift.  much appreciated!

So far today I have checked in and I FINALLY got to hear about what we will be doing this week.  All I have to say is...wow.  I will be doing some very incredible things (like...landing on an aircraft carrier..thank you!) and flying in helicopters and going to mosques. It will be amazing.

My team (the blue team) is cool.  It includes a movie producer/director, 2 radio announcers, an awesome gal Cathy who helps people get jobs, Henry Ford and other amazing individuals.  pretty cool. 

We already got some Loot.

PICTURE TO BE ADDED

Those black heels are what I was wearing tonight to our reception here.  Those boots are what they want us to wear for the rest of the week.

Tommorrow we tour here in Tampa and then it is off to the Middle East in military air craft.  They did say there will be cots so that will be cool.

PS - I am pretty much the only one not wearing a polo.