I,m gonna be a desert rat !!!

“My Alabama National Guard unit leaves for Fort Irwin this Saturday. For the uninitiated, draw a line between L.A. and Las Vegas. We will be in the middle. No time for a hike there, as we will be playing war most of the time. There will be a lot of emphasis on NBC. That's nuclear, biological, chemical. I wonder what mid-eastern country that sort of training could come in handy?”

“Have fun there. You should be nice and warm! There is some great wilderness area mountain hiking about an hour away...too bad you won't have time.”

“Sandy that sounds way cool you will have to lets us know what happens and if your team won!

8)”

“Good luck whoopin' OpFor, sandy. Make Alabama proud!”

“Good Luck and be careful.”

“Yeah... keep your head down!”

“Uh, history has it that would be IRAQ.

And oh yes, the joys of fighting in a gas mask. I remember the days on a weapons crew doing integrated combat turnarounds (ICTs) on F15 fighter aircraft. One after another and another and another....I know that aircraft well.

During NATO war games, under the threat of simulated chemical attack, we would have to re-arm and refuel these fighters as fast as possible (and all the while in a full blown chemical suit). Your effort is worth it though. The F15 did some serious damage in desert storm.

You'll learn about a wonderful anti-nerve gas agent called atropene, BTW. Nasty side affects.

What you're about to go through is understood and appreciated.”

“Sandy, don't volunteer for anything...and don't drink the red/blue/green etc. water also.

I had a friend that trained for chemical warfare, in Northern Quebec, a few years back...they had all sorts of different coloured water...yikes.”

“Yesterday ;105*F,8 knts SSE
Today ;91*F,thunder showers-WHAT?????FINALLY RAIN!!!!!!!!!”

“Dude, been there and done that, twice!! Take some sunblock at least 30 spf. drink lots of water, and make sure to use your gloves to pick things up, an M-16 gets hot as heck setting in the desert sun. Watch for the bugs and snakes, some of them are not very friendly. If you get a chance to go out, Barstow is pretty close and has a few good bars in it.
Be careful and don't get hurt, good luck and have lots of fun.”

“Rosita's Mexican Restaurant in Barstow. I will be there for my aunt's birthday on June 9. I hear they have great carnitas.

You can also visit Calico Ghost Town. It's not Dollywood, but it is close by.”

“Cool! I will try to check those places out. Formation is in 45 minutes. See you guys later.”