Photojournalist, Brandon Bingham and I are packing for our week long visit to the National Training Center in the Mojave Desert. It's part of our continuing coverage of the Iowa National Guard's Second Brigade Combat Team, preparing to leave for Afghanistan next month.
In June, we had the opportunity to follow the soldiers while training at Camp Ripley in Minnesota. We're told this is the most intense training yet. We're told to expect drastic temperature changes, sand storms, rough terrain and lots of creepy-critters. The public information officer for the Guard advised us to "shake out our shoes" in the morning to get rid of any snakes or spiders that might have taken shelter in them overnight.
Among the items on our packing list: Rugged, long pants, hiking boots, sun screen, gloves, rain gear and a hydration system. We'll be staying at the forward operating base (FOB). It's about 40 miles away from what most of us know as civilization. Our accommodations will likely consist of cots set up in large tents. The ground rules also note, "You carry in and out whatever you bring into the box, including trash." I have to wonder if there will at least be "porta-potties" in the area.
Of course, we're only staying a week. This is roughly the third month of training for the soldiers, who said goodbye to their families in July. We'll be interviewing as many as possible while we're at the NTC. I'm anxious to hear how they feel about their training thus far and going to Afghanistan at the most violent time in the war yet.
If you have questions you would like answered, please post them on this blog. I'll try to write something daily about our experiences, but Internet access is limited so bear with me.
Sonya
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5 comments:
I used to live at Ft Irwin. My dad was a teacher at the elementary school when I was a kid. Somehow the heat never bothered me until I got older. Had fun catching snakes, rabbits, lizards, turtles and all the other stuff that comes with living in the desert in the middle of nowhere. Those were the days :)
Does anyone know if the soldiers will get a leave before they head to Afghanistan? We heard from our son briefly while he was in Mississippi, not at all since he's been in California except a few text messages, but he warned us of this. It's gonna be a long, hard year for us Iowa families....I miss him so much already! Thank you for your reporting from Cali!
Sincerely, Mrs. Ward
We are all praying for these soldiers. Please tell them that they are in our hearts and prayers all the time..
A mom of one of the soldiers
My son Specialist Jacob Gunn is in mechanic/wrecker truck area. He's a ham and would love to tell you his first time experiences for sure. Sonya and crew, thanks for sharing our soldiers training with us back home. Give virtual hugs to them from us. TC
Yes there is a leave. Contact your Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader or refer to the virtual FRG website for more details.
Proud Mom of a National Guard Soldier. Johnston, IA
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