DAILY COMMUTE

I asked the people "what do you want to know about my life in Iraq?" Some of the responses were how far is your work, what's the food like, do you get your own shower? This is the first of the series of answers in which I will attempt to express my life here in Iraq.

Notice the sky in the video. There are no special fx here. The sky was orange most of the day. My favorite weather forecast, "blowing dust!"

FRONT SIGN

STP "Shock Trauma Platoon"

At night when the halls are quiet you get the sense that if they could talk they would tell the stories of courageous Marines that have served here.

CLEANING TIME

AMBULANCE @ NIGHT

DENTAL CLINIC @ NIGHT

An hour before this picture was taken, the wind was blowing hard and sand was everywhere. It got in your eyes if you weren’t wearing eye protection and you could feel the grit in your teeth. We even got some sprinkles. The power went out in our living quarters so I took the opportunity to get out and take some photos. To our surprise sky cleared up with only a slight breeze left. As I was taking pics there was a huge animal that ran by the dental clinic. It has been said that there are a pack of hyenas running around. I’ll keep an eye out.

FIGHT ON!

MY DOOR SIGN

TOUR OF THE CLINIC

A typical day in the clinic consists of field day before the patients arrive.

USO

I forgot to post this video.

All along the way the USO was there to support the troops. Even here at the airport at 0500 people were lined up to greet us with a hand shake and thanks for our service.

I know the audio is choppy. I will try to fix it later. It's bed time!

EXODONTICS

CDR Knutson hard at work. No pictures please!

TRAINING DAY

In an attempt to get the team caught up on basic skills that we may use while we are out here we have had a number of training days. Here are of few pics of them. This one is to package a patient to prepare them to be transported on the helicopter.

CDR places a C-collar on a pt suspected of a spinal injury. Luckily I watch ER so I'm already up to speed. JK

HM3 Palacios and HM3 Miller practice placing the C-collar.

WE MISS YOU SARAH???

So I got this letter from my niece and at first glance I read "We Miss You Sarah." I thought that postal employee Sandi mailed it to the wrong address. Then I realized that it was Sarah standing by the oak tree and that it WAS intended for me. Thanks Alyssa!

TECH SUPPORT

In addition to my dental duties I am the tech support for our internet system. Thanks to the last group we have satellite internet. Luckily my job at Ambertek taught me how to install Cat-5 cable. I had to run some lines to other rooms.

DENTAL CREW

TOOTHMAN

In my search for the Tooth Fairy I came across the next best thing, the TOOTHMAN! That's PFC TOOTHMAN. I thought about putting on his uniform, but it looked a little dirty for me. My search continues...

IT'S HEATING UP

HOME SWEET HOME

This is my home for the next 6 months. The windows are boarded up and covered by sand bags. Sand leaks in everywhere. It could be worse though, I could be in a tent somewhere.