Thursday, March 4, 2010

Afghanie Update

It has been a good two days for communication with Charley! I have received two emails and a phone call. I think this is some kind of record, as we usually talk about once a week or so.

Charley making sure his new gear fit. Once again with the Log Cabin : )

Charley has had it rough trying to make it to his FOB. Apparently there is no such thing as a direct flight to Afghanistan FOBs. Once he arrived in Afghanistan he spent more than a week waiting on hopper flights (of which there were 3) to get to Wilderness. FOB Wilderness is right on the border with Pakistan, and it is small. Too small if you ask me. So small that they don't have a place to pick up basic necessities. I have to send a monthly package including toothpaste, soap, deodorant, razers, you name it. If he needs it I have to send it.

The reason for the call this morning? Just to let me know that he will not be staying at Wilderness. Instead he is being stationed at an even SMALLER FOB. I can't believe it! Worst.Luck.Ever. And to make matters worse, his battle buddy Trist (featured in several blogs recently) won't be going with him. He gets to stay at Wilderness.
Trist, all ready to go. And yep, took a picture of himself. Goof.

And by now you are prolly wondering what the big deal is. I mean, really, one FOB is a good as another right? Um, no. The smaller the FOB the more action they see. The more danger there is. The harder the missions are. Not to mention that if there is trouble it takes even LONGER to get BACKUP. And the icing on the cake is that the only guy over there that Charley has trained with won't be with him.

So, Interwebby Friends, today I am sad. And mad. And prolly a little terrified of the Unknown. I don't like the way things are working out. I think I am going to melt down and have an absolute panic attack. So I am off to the shower to try and calm myself down, and to have a bit of a cry without the kids seeing me.  I'm an Army Wife.


ps. FOB stands for Forward Operating Base. I know you don't all speak Army!

7 comments:

  1. Wow, hon. I am so sorry for all this. My ex got sent to Iraq back when The Shrub first declared war and I was a wreck for the entire year plus he was gone. So I empathize. I wish I had something witty or wise to say to help, but I don't. Just know that I am thinking of you both and wishing you nothing but the best in all this. It's a hard row to hoe, I know. But hang in there if you can. And if ever you need to talk or scream or babble incoherently - just give me a shout, bébé - I've got the shoulder.

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  2. I know a few army speak abbreviations (living close to an army base and doing tax returns for a lot of them you learn a few) but I hadn't heard FOB before.

    Now I can casually drop it into conversation the next time a greenback comes in.

    I'm sorry that he has been sent to the smaller FOB. Especially without Trist.. going into a situation like that you definitely want someone you can trust beside you.

    I don't think there are any words to make it right. I think time is the only thing that can do that.

    *Hugs*

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  3. I hope everything will be ok and that he'll remain safe!!

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  4. Oh no! I'm so sorry! We're praying that he stays safe!

    If you'd like to cheer up a little, you should stop by my blog...there's something there for you! :)

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  5. I'm an army wife too; I know what you're going through! My husband was in Iraq nearly two years. I'm sorry things are rough right now; I hope things start to look up soon! Hang in there. ;)

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  6. Wow! I couldn't imagine all that worry. You are one strong woman! I am praying for a safe return!

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