The first week

I have now been in Kirkuk for a little over a week and thought I'd share some pictures. We flew in a C-130 (the primary transport to the smaller, forward bases) from Qatar, through two other bases and finally to Kirkuk. It only took ~12 hrs for what is really about 3 hours of flight time...my first experience with the Spring sand-storms! The first pics are of us strapped into the plane (notice the webbing that we get to sit on/in) with our individual body armour and helmets "just in case" we go down.

The past week has been spent adjusting to life in Kirkuk, exploring the base and exercising (usually twice each day). The weather is MUCH more mild than Qatar (even 100 feels comfortable compared to the 110's). I live in a MOD with roommates. As you can see, it's a little cramped but certainly could always be worse. The blankets are for privacy (both light and sound) since we all keep somewhat different schedules.

(a row of MOD's with the usual bunkers)

(my home away from home)

There will be plenty of time for more details about the base, but the core components of this week were: the gym (the building shown is the cardio gym, with an identical building just to camera left housing all the weights) .....

(the cardio gym)

...Skyping with my family near the Chapel (I sit in the white chairs inside that bunker on the right b/c it's quiet and dark for good viewing of the screen).....

(foreground pallet stacked w/ H2O bottles...they're everywhere)

(my happy place....in a bunker)

....and doing work at my office in the EMEDS (our small, two building hospital)....

(Ortho doc on left, my desk behind shelves on rt)

(pics of my Lady and the B-ster...of course)

I'm sure you noticed the sandbag-covered bunkers everywhere as cover from mortar attacks and the countless 10-foot concrete T-walls that separate everything on base. Many of the walls have been painted by previous groups or with the name of the services that can be found if you dare to enter. We have a good crew here at the EMEDS and are ready for anything. Unfortunately for my professional pursuits, the trauma surgery business here has been quite slow for the past 6 months as the Army heavily patrols the city and the land surrounding the base. Good for everyone but me... On the bright side, this certainly allows more time for working out and reading (pleasure and professional) than I've had in a LONG while. I will stay prepared and focus on enjoying the non-medical aspects of life in Northern Iraq for now. Love to my family.