I have accepted another contract in Afghanistan. I do not know my duty station at this time. I will be working on an unclassified video project. I have done three (3) other projects in Afghanistan, and the work is interesting.

If anyone wants to keep up with my progress, please see:

http://www.cemab4y.blogspot.com

10 Sept

OFF WE GO!
The phone rang June 15, and the man asked me if I was interested in a position in Iraq. I interviewed by telephone, and then I was offered a position. I was directed to report for training in Huntsville, and after a short orientation, I was informed that my assignment was changed to Afghanistan.
Last month, I was directed to spend a week in Fort Benning Georgia, for orientation, and equipment issue. I picked up a gas mask, body armor, a helmet, and a sleeping bag. Then my firm sent me to an outdoor outfitter, where I was issued winter pants, and combat boots. Now that all of my gear is with me, I can leave for Afghanistan.
I will be flying to Baltimore, and then on to Manaus, Kyrgyzstan. (Every time I read that country’s name, I think they need to buy a vowel). Our team will remain in Manaus for a few days, until we can catch a ride to Bagram, Afghanistan. I first saw Bagram, way back in 2004, and it was primitive. The Army has spent a lot of money on the place, and now the housing is modernized, and they have a modern recreation center, and the dining halls are first-rate. Bagram is a major hub for Afghanistan, and many of the fixed-wing and helicopter flights change/originate/terminate at Bagram. Bagram is the “Atlanta” of Afghanistan.
I will be working on an unclassified video security project. I have worked in broadcast and cable TV, as well as closed-circuit TV. I am excited about installing security cameras on military bases in Afghanistan. If you want to see the cameras we will be using, just check out any Wal-Mart.
There are other countries with higher elevations, but Afghanistan is called the “roof of the world”. I spent three months on Sharana base, at 7400 feet above sea level. One of my lungs developed a blockage, and I was definitely oxygen-challenged. The doc checked me into the M*A*S*H, and after a chest x-ray, the doc prescibed an inhaler.
Afghanistan is an unusual country, to be sure. I have worked on three other contracts in Afghanistan, and the country is definetly an “acquired taste”. The principal languages are Dari and Pashto, but I have no fluency in either of these languages. I speak electronics, and that is enough!

After waiting in Huntsville ALA for many weeks, I am finally on the way. I flew to Baltimore yesterday, and I am now waiting in the airport for the flight to Kyrgyzstan tonight. I will be in Manaus, Kyrgystan by Friday night, and then after a couple of days, back to Afghanistan.

I flew to Manaus, and stayed in the barracks for two days. Then we flew to Bagram Afghanistan. I am now in a tent, sleeping on a rock-hard cot. Aircraft take off 24 hours a day, I am right next to the flight line.

My first duty assignment is Salerno, I will fly up there in a day or two. I will be servicing equipment at several other bases.

I arrived at Forward Operating Base, Salerno two days ago. I am in an air-conditioned tent, with a real bed and a mattress. The chow hall is decent, last night was T-Bone steak and King crab legs.

There is no masonic group on the base now, so I met with the Chaplain, to get the process underway. We will get a letter from the area commander, so that we can have a Masonic club.

I met with the director of the Education center, to secure a room for meetings. We will not do any esoteric work, or degree work, but we will have meetings, and fellowship.

This looks like it will be an exciting time.

I have been assigned to Bagram Afghanistan. it really does not matter where I am assigned, since I travel all over this country, installing equipment.

This place is an "anthill", way too many people on the post for the housing and infrastructure. I am in a tent, in a bunk bed, right next to a 30 KW generator that runs 24/7. It is way too loud for any sleep, but I guess I will get used to it!

If I am lucky, I will get transferred to one of the forward bases, where I can have some privacy.

You can keep up with my progress at my blog. Send me a PM, and I will send you the URL!

If you come to JBAD before we RIP out let me know, shoot me a PM.

CMT

Well- I completed my assignment with the video systems project. I have been picked up for a new unclassified project. I am in Washington DC area now, just relaxing after 7 months in Afghanistan, without one day off. (We work 7 days a week there).

I will be flying down to Tampa, FLA for a two-week training school. I will learn their systems, and then be flying back to either Iraq or Afghanistan (I do not have my duty station yet). Believe me- Iraq has a better quality of life. Better housing, better food, better recreation, and it is easier to get around the country as well. Afghanistan is growing so fast, that the housing and the rest of the infrastructure has not kept up with the growth.

I have been informed that I am going to Afghanistan. I do not have my duty station yet, but I will leave in a couple of weeks. I keep a blog of my activities, if you would like to keep up with me. Send me a PM, and I will send you the link.

The title of this thread should be "Back to Iraq". Last week, I found out that my assignment has been changed. I will be doing about three months in Iraq, then I will transfer to Afghanistan.

I flew to Kuwait three days ago, and I stayed in the tent city at Ali-Al-Saleem. I got a flight this morning to Iraq, and I am now at my new duty station.

The climate is moderate in Afghanistan, but it is HOT here.

well brother keep up the diligent work that you continue to do and maybe ill be able to run across you over there

I finished an Iraq contract on Labor Day weekend. I worked in Camp Liberty Jun/Jul/Aug. I came back to the USA Sept 8.

I was picked up for a project in Bagram, Afghanistan, and I went on the payroll, Oct 1. I went to orientation in Arlington VA.

I was told to report to Fort Benning GA, on Oct 12. I spent three weeks, waiting for a plane to Afghanistan.

While I was at Fort Benning, the project was scaled back, and I was laid off. I never got on the plane to Afghanistan. My firm told me, that if I had been in Afghanistan, that I would have had to fly back to the USA.

My last day on the payroll was Nov. 8.

I was picked up by a new firm, for a project in Kandahar, Afghanistan. I should by flying back to the "Roof of the World", by the first of 2010.

I have been working in Iraq/Afghanistan since February 2004.

i found you again. idk where to look for help with freemasonry in mosul, iraq!!! and if i ask ppl if theyre a mason and theyre not i dont wanna be the idiot here. pls help me.

cemab4y good luck to you brother. Its been a while since I've been on here but I do remember you posting on here frequently. Be well.

To Enlightened Soldier: You are encouraged to seek out other Masons, and ask if you can become a Mason. See if a soldier/civilian is wearing a ring, with the S&C on it, and ask them about Masonry. I suggest that you visit the Chaplain's office. Although Masonry is not a religion, Chaplains often provide meeting space, and administrative support to Masonic groups on bases.

Remember "2B1 ASK1" is our policy.

I am going to be in Iraq soon (20 Jan), maybe I can assist you further.

I have been bouncing back and forth across the Atlantic, like a ping-pong ball. I worked in Iraq for about two months, and I returned to the USA in early March.

I have been picked up for an unclassified video project, and I am now in Cape Canaveral FLA for training. I will have to return to Fort Benning for a week of CRC training.

I will be posted at some base in Afghanistan. I got my first Afghanistan project in February 2004. I have now been working in Iraq/Afghanistan for six years. I want to do at least one or two more years on the mountaintop.

If anyone would like to meet, just keep in touch on this board.

Actually, many of our Marines are over there. If you see anyone from 2-MAW, that's our men! Remind them that we are proud of them and we pray for them daily.