The Replacements Arrive

Although three of us docs have been here for over two months, the majority of our EMEDS is on a different schedule. So, the "replacements" for those guys arrived about a week and a half ago and have been getting settled. Most of them are from Florida (Eglin AFB is the main supplier of personnel to our facility) and will be here for the next six months. Their predecessors were ecstatic to see them arrive, but their energy dissipated as the news that they would sit here at the KRAB for an extra week sunk in. Have I mentioned the efficiency of the Armed Forces yet? Have no fear, they finally left this weekend and should be happily sipping margaritas at home before the end of the week. We'll miss our roommate and running partner, Glen (flight doc), the most but are stoked for him to get home to his wife and FIVE kiddos.


(Glen's in the middle)


Literally right as these new folks were getting settled, and before my planned mass casualty exercise, we were privileged to take care of a few more of our Army brethren. Yet another Russian-made, shaped-charge grenade was thrown at a convoy of Humvee's and brought us four patients. One was injured and required some relatively minor operating, two were minimally injured and the fourth was gravely injured as the grenade exploded right behind his head. Despite his devastating injury, we kept him alive and hurried him out of here in an attempt to get him to Germany per our protocols (to either be an organ donor or say goodbye to his family). The other injured patient is finishing up his treatment in Germany and Walter Reed.

On a brighter note, many of the new crew is excited to join in our fitness efforts. Here, Jake (ortho) and I made a curious decision to run "hills" in the middle of the day, when the temp was around 115. By "hills", I mean one of the 75-ft tall, pyramidal mounds that dot the base, usually topped by a radar or some antennas. I'll admit that it was RIDICULOUSLY hot and, even after consuming plenty of water, caused lingering nausea for some time! Hey, we gotta find something fun to do around here.

(note the lush vegetation)

And for our weekly culture, we enjoyed last weekend's KRAB's Got Talent show, our monthly event to showcase the hottest future stars of the Air Force and Army. Quite a few good musicians and singers stood out this week, as well as an old-school robot-breakdancer that was phenomenal. I think the funniest was the guy who dressed up as a Viking (complete with the mop-wig, helmet and shield) to sing an Italian aria. He had a "translated" version on the projected screen that explained he was singing about things like scratching his butt with salad tongs!



Love to my fam' and my lady.