The Flight Deck

Our forces are doing “good” – meaning both well and the right thing, and they are by no means “safe” just yet. I was forwarded the following message from a dear friend of a dear friend, this beautiful and quiet Thanksgiving Day.

Along with Unkawill’s post, it is time for us to pause and think of those more than a few time zones away. Now, say a prayer, why dont you.

Who is “Rick M”?  Tim, he’s a former AW1 of the Left Coast VP variety, who apparently got to go to knife and fork school and become an Intel Officer.

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Hi Master Chief: 

I am thinking about you on this warm and wonderful day and so I am sending you a Happy Thanksgiving message. I had a great Thanksgiving meal today prepared here at the Dining Facility (DFAC) in the International Zone (IZ) in Baghdad.  I enjoyed the feast with new friends and colleagues.  We had turkey, lobster(!), mashed potatoes with gravy, dressing, green beans and pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream.  Of course, there were many other tasty items to eat, but I just couldn’t eat anything more…    Soon after the levity of dinner had concluded, however, the reality of war became all too apparent.  The IZ was bombarded by mortar fire and flaming, smoking mayhem ensued.  I observed the entire attack from the front row — the roof of the Embassy Building… 

 I just happened to be up there with one of my team members.  That was quite the experience to say the least.  We are all okay, but some are a tad jittery…

Despite the immediate troubles of the war, all is well with me.  The overall situation here seems to be improving with each day, and acts of violence have been significantly reduced.  But this continues to be a dangerous place, and a lot of work still lies ahead.  The Coalition Forces are doing a magnificent job in neutralizing or removing the insurgents, nefarious activities and those hell-bent on wreaking havoc, destruction and intimidation to a largely peace-loving people.  Providing a safe and secure environment is the main objective of our Multi-National Force right now, so the citizens and government officials can make progress in restoring the infrastructure and basic services and give Iraq back to its very deserving people. 

This has been quite an experience for me thus far, both personally and professionally.  I am doing work that I never would have imagined only a few short months ago, and while challenging and intense, it is making a difference.  Handling intelligence work in a forward position comes with a great deal of responsibility and high expectations.  The team here delivers on that every day.  I have learned a lot and given a lot already.  A State Department project for which I am the co-chairman, for instance, is actually reaching the highest levels of government here and has nation-wide implications!  And there is more to come… As for statistics, right now, I have served 88 days, “boots on ground,” with 276 days to go, but who’s counting?  That means that I am nearly 1/4- the way through this journey… 

I am missing all of the tradition surrounding this year’s Thanksgiving celebration, but I am honored, proud and humbled to have been able to celebrate with some of the best and most deserving young soldiers and sailors.  At the same time, I am thinking about you on this wonderful day, and will keep you in my daily thoughts and prayers. Take care and please keep in touch — and please write back when you can! With warmest regards and best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving,

 –Rick.M–