Blackhawks and Dragons

Happy New Year! By now the parties have ended, the resolutions have been broken and just about everyone goes back to work tomorrow. I will admit I broke my resolution... I was planning to eat breakfast everyday this year but overslept and missed the DFAC on the 2nd by 15 minutes. At least there's 2009!

My New Year message to my wife, Katie

The new year started as cold as ever, with several days in the single digits. By now we have each accepted our fate and pretty much layer-up to survive. Thank goodness we work in a climate controlled hospital. I really have to hand it to the infantry maneuver units.

Silent Night, Freezing Night

Typical Army truck known as a "deuce-and-a-half"

Hi Mom!

Sunset over the frozen tundra and Mt Duke

This week, I was wandering down past the EMT department and witnessed the Air Ambulance crew preparing and executing a training exercise. The Blackhawk was idling outside, so I thought I would try my hand at some video and incorporate it into my blog. Here goes...

BlackHawk idling on the pad

Crew preparing their "patient" for flight...

BlackHawk casualty loading

BlackHawk Liftoff!

Today, the weather decided to give us a break and went into the 40's. Balkan heatwave, baby! We went to church services as usual at the South Town Chapel. As the weather was so nice, following the service we decided to search for what we thought was Bondsteel lore (i.e. urban legend). Currently, there are battalions of both Polish and Ukranian soldiers living and operating out of Camp Bondsteel. We quickly located the Polish headquarters and confirmed the story. Myth Busters has nothing on us! Ssshhhhh! Mums the word. Please do not tell anyone that we located the secret office! I know we take liberties with our Polish friends, but this was too much. I figure we can send it to Leno, as he probably needs material more than ever right now. As the temperature rose above 0 degrees Kelvin, the snow was again amenable to packing. CPT Johnson (our ER doc and newly-minted DCCS) created a new masterpiece that put the Al Qaida snow rabbit to shame. It's a snow horse... dinosaur... dragon... of sorts. I was impressed with the creative use of our residual icicles. Yes... I know. It's either time to go home or increase my medication. Hi ho, silver. Stay Warm, Muller out.