Pics around Victory Base Complex or VBC

Nothing to do since the 14th CSH is in our places working. Just waiting for a ceremony now to make it official.

Here is Lou Stout and I washing our hands at the outside sinks created by Saddam Hussein to go along with his man made lake. It is nasty as hell in the lake so no swimming unless you want to catch something. I am only looking to catch a plane ride home.

More pics around the lake. One on the left shows the top of the perfume palace. Named because the top looks like a bottle of perfume and it is where the hookers stayed.


Palace named - Victory over America. Inside has murals on the wall showing American troops being defeeated by Iraqi soldiers. Saddam built it after the Gulf War and brainwashed his people to believe they defeated the Americans. Of course it was one of the 1st buildings bombed this time. funny...

1st Leg of the trip home done

The crew that came out to see me get on the MRAP. (L-R) LT Wilson, CPT Hurtado, LTC Daniels, and LTC Velayhudan. It was really nice of them to see me off...or were they just making sure I got on so they could go party.

"Sir, your charity awaits!!" I road in the 2nd truck. Called an MRAP and I felt safe. No bombs penetrating it.

Roads in Iraq. I wonder what the vehicle with the roses on it was doing?

We have cows!! bombed out backyard.

my college hooptie does not look so bad now. The definition of the bad lands??

More photos..wonder if this guy has Verizon? "Can you hear me now?"

Back in my old room. These are all my worldly possessions ready for me to carry on the plane.

Convoy bullshit

So I hate convoys but it now appears that is the way I will get to the plane that will take me out of this crazy place. I can't say when for security reasons but it is soon enough that I am concerned about it.

enough about that...I will perseverate on it too much if I continue...

Yesterday;

• ran 6 miles in 68 minutes-little over 11 minute miles and it felt good
• went to my last meeting with the 115th CSH
• listened to problems going on in the clinic and did not get upset
• got caught up on email, FB and the BLOG.
• learned one of my friends is the producer/writer on a show I love on TV.
• packed everything I own into a backpack and a duffle bag.
• had dinner at the best dining facility on post thanks to my CMO

Crap!

It doesn't appear I am headed anywhere in the next few days!! Look what settled in today! Damn sand storms can ruin a wet dream!

This is a picture of the front door to the coalition side of the clinic I run...er..used to run. Love the "T walls" around everything to keep the incoming rounds from coming through the wall. Every building is surrounded by them.

This is my office. My Chief Medical Officer, LTC Jasmine Daniels is the person standing behind me. We were talking about some business and because I am leaving I was playing with my new camera. It does have a timer feature so this is the test. This is my desk...er...former desk. The guy who replaced me had an emergency back at home so he had to fly home to comfort his family.

two of my pillars that we built that clinic on. LTC Daniels and CPT Francisco Hurtado, my chief nurse. I could not have done it without either. Each contributed to build the clinic from the ground up. I should take the Project Management certification test as it was really a chore but luckily a successful one.

No pool for you

Like the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld - No pool for me today. I helped write some evaluations and had to attend two meetings to make sure the new team knows what to do. So the camera I thought I lost was actually in my pants pocket (cargo pocket by calf) when I turned in laundry. The laundry team didn't steal it. They turned it in to the lost and found. Guess who now has 2 very nice cameras (smile). Guess I will be nicer to the laundry team than usual even though they turn everything brown when they "wash" it. Just a few more days...sand storm came in today. Think I may be unlucky and get stuck here an extra day or two. Damn crazy as place!!

Latest group to leave

SPC Couplin and CW2 Furr

SPC Wood and SPC Matawa(sp?)

CPT Morrell, LTC Daniels

CAN I COME???

My final stop at the MudHouse

With my day off I wanted to get in some more pictures to post. Here are several pics of the MudHouse here at Taji. Notice the stage in the background. There was a lot of good and bad karaoke on that stage...mostly bad but it was all fun.

Me and LTC Jasmine Daniels - Head provider at the clinic

The pool at Taji

I went to the pool today here at Taji. I had never been because I was too busy. It was alot of fun. It is nice that they have something like that here for everyone to enjoy. I will bring my camera next time to take picture of it to post. I did get some great shots today though. I can't wait to post them but when you only get 30 minutes a session the computers you have to be smart with your time. I will post more in the am when it is not so busy. Good day today sending folks home. Great smiles from some hard working people. I am happy for them.

People leaving all around me...YEAH!!

Farewell friends see you back at home. This is MAJ Holtzclaw and 1LT Ahorrio

1LT Anchetta

CPT Hurtado is not leaving but he and I were there sending them off.

Look at these 2 ladies. Can you tell they are headed home? Finally leaving Iraq. They did not do the 15 months but they are happy to scoot anyway.

L-R = CPT Rodriguez and 1LT Wahler a nurse

1LT Ancheta here. Look at her heading back home!!

CPT Rodriguez - Psychologists. Look how happy she is!!! She is ready to go home to her husband and son.

New pics finally

A new camera means more pictures. I think I may be trigger happy as I have nothing to do now but get ready to go home. Here are a few shots from today. Like I said earlier...nothing to do at all. I re watched Angels and Demons to look at the sights of Italy. I must go visit that place. It look so interesting.



Here is my new home as I head home. That little Spam blanket has come in handy.








Here is LTC Velayhudan again. He showed me which bus to take to get to the PX. I have been here for 8 months and never done it via bus. Not really an adventure but it was new...LOL






CPT Hatcher - he is a nurse stationed at Ft. Stewart. He deployed with the 115th for 5 months. He has been at Taji with me for 1 of those 5 months. He is packing it up to leave Taji.






1LT Ahorrio - a nurse currently stationed at Walter Reed but heading to Tripler in Hawaii. He just found out that good news this week. Funny story about him is when he arrived at Taji turns out we knew each other. He used to be enlisted and he and I played on the Walter Reed basketball team back when I had knees and a game. He went to nursing school and stayed in the Army. Good for us.

a full reset day in PT uniform

Unbelievable. I will get my full reset day and not put the uniform on all day. It is a really big deal because I always had to go into the office for something. Even slow Sundays required that I check my email or check the pulse of the hospital. I no longer have to worry about it. Too funny...I had to buy another camera today. I lost my camera. I am hopeful that I was so busy packing crap I through it in one of the boxes as opposed to someone stealing it. Either way I had to buy a new one today as I finish out my tour. I couldn't mention this the other night but I said goodbye to my first group of guys/gals. I have to make sure 22 of the guys from 115th CSH get loaded on helicopters with their gear and fly out of Taji back to Baghdad then on to Kuwait. I will be the last person from 115th to leave Taji as the leader. So each flight I go out to the flight line to shoot the shit with the Soldiers that are lucky enough to be leaving. Some are really nervous/anxious because we are close to getting home now. Imagine being scared to go home? They are so young to me still. I will load some pictures tonight showing my room accommodations-smile.

Not my problem.

I am offically not in charge. I won't be making any decisions from now on. YEAH!!!

2 days

left in charge. I hand over the responsibilities to Spencer on Saturday. We had an award ceremony today for some guys that are leaving now and will meet me in Kuwait. I will be the last person from my unit to leave Taji. It was good to see their smiling faces as I pinned on their awards. I kept my speech relatively short but I had to say some things about these Soldiers. All of the ones today did 15 months with me so I know how they feel. It is good to be rewarded for doing a good job...I said, "You are returning with dignity..." and they really are. The prison mission here has really changed since the scandals but you won't hear about how good it is now.

Watching them leave reminds me I am closer to going home everyday. later

The new guy

Okay no more FNG - His name is Spencer and he appears to be a good guy. He is taking furious notes and appears to want to do well. He is personable so he has that leg up on "work Chris." He is also asking a ton of questions.

Time for me to go lay in my bunk and dream of home.

He's here!!

My FNG is on the ground here at Taji. He is sleeping in my old room. Yes - they changed the mattress and cleaned the vents. He appears to be ready but honestly I dont care. I am ready to move the hell on. I am at one of the computer centers typing this post. I no longer have access to the internet in my bed but I dont care it just means I am closer to going home. Everyone that wants to post be patient I will publish them when I get a chance. Waiting in line to use a computer is not my thing.

So I took the FNG to the prison today and he had a wide eyed look. I usually get that from most visitors. He seemed embarrassed to look at the prisoners. <--hope he gets over that.

I have decided I will miss the people here. The interaction I have for the most part is pretty good. I am so ready to get home though I cant see it right now. Iraq sucks sorry to say but I will appreciate so much more when I get home. Well I only get 30 minutes on the internet and I have to check my facebook account. Later....ps forgive my spelling I dont feel like checking it

Want to Sing (UNCLASSIFIED)

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

I feel like singing. - "Give me the Green Light" by John Legend, where
the chorus says, "I'm ready to go right now!"

CHRIS AMAKER
LTC, MS
TIFRC Clinic OIC
CAMP TAJI, IRAQ
NIPR: 834-4184
SIPR: 243-9552
DSN:318

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

interesting week

117 degrees today just really topped the week off for me. Let's see;

• I had a doctor shave a mohawk on his head - not allowed
• I had a doctor write his Congressman because he doesn't like his job - great
• farewell for me with Indian food - interesting
• cleaning my room for the last few days - finally
• still havent found a box to mail my guitar home- shit!
• got in contact with an old bud from my grade school days. He is a pastor now at a church - good for him
• I heard a good friend of mine is leaving the Medical Service Corp - too bad
• My replacement landed in Kuwait - HELL YEAH!!!

4 Sundays left -if the weather cooperates.

I am standing next to LTC Jeff Hunter. He is a social worker with the 328th CSH. We just came back from breakfast and I made us stop out in front of our trailers to take pictures. It has been sandy for 4 days and I want proof of how bad it is. Look down the alley behind us. It is about 9am. My Mom sent me a mask to wear but I can't put it on because I am in uniform always.

Thx for thinking of me Mom.

This is LTC Velayhundan and Hunter again. LTC V is the pharmacist at my facility. He is a great story teller. He has traveled the world and does some of the most interesting, strange, and funny things.

Well time to do something physical for the day.

4th of July!!

You gotta love the effort they give on the statues. My last holiday in Iraq! (I hope) Ribs and Steamship Round was the main menu. Happy 4th of July everyone. Only a few weeks left. Wish me luck.