BREAKING NEWS: ALLIES STEPPING UP!

Per my sources (i.e., DOD, The Long War Journal, BBC, and countless other military websites - yes, I'm obsessed!), looks like Australia and the Brits are sending additional troops to Afghanistan. Good to hear, especially critical to the success of the upcoming August elections in Afghanistan.

Australia will send 450 troops, bringing their total to 1,550. The Aussies will help with reconstruction and security efforts, specifically, in the Uruzgan province in southern Afghanistan. The Brits will send 700 more troops, bringing their total to 9,000. The new wave of British reinforcement will be situated mostly in Helmand, a known Taliban stronghold. Good to know some of our Allies have our back! As they say in OZ, "Good on ya!!"

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Around the Service: Balikatan 2009

Interesting news from my homeland, the Philippines. The U.S. and the Philippines have had a long military relationship that dates back to WWII, when Japan attempted to seize the Philippine Islands in an effort to control the Pacific Southeast. In 1941, the Philippines formed the westernmost U.S. outpost, 5,000 miles from Pearl Harbor and over 7,000 miles from San Francisco. The U.S. and the Philippines continue their military partnership by holding the annual BALIKATAN 2009. Good to know we're working together! Here's a brief background on the events.

Exercise BALIKATAN 2009, an annual Republic of the Philippines and U. S. bilateral combined exercise. The exercise will be structured to further develop the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in crisis action planning, enhancing its ability to effectively conduct counterterrorism operations, and promote interoperability between participating countries. The exercise demonstrates U. S. resolve, consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement, as we continue our commitment to train, advise, and assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines. AFP and US Personnel will conduct multiple medical, dental, veterinary, and engineering civic action projects during this activity in Bicol, central and southern Luzon and Zamboanga. Exercise Balikatan 2009 is the 25th in the Balikatan series.

CAMP EMILIO AGUINALDO, PHILIPPINES

ANGELES CITY, PHILIPPINES

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His M16 (aka King Leonidas)

I received an e-mail from Butters today. WOO HOO!! He told me that, this morning, they were issued practice M16s. They'll be undergoing Basic Rifle Marksmanship training this week. Here's a little history lesson on the M16 (per my favorite online reference source Wikipedia).

The M16 (more formally Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16) is the U.S. military designation for the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 rifle family has been the primary infantry rifle of the United States military since the 1960s. With its variants, it has been in use by 15 NATO countries, and is the most produced firearm in its caliber. The M16 entered U.S. Army service in 1964.

On a side note, I told him to name his M16, King Leonidas, for extra intimidation factor (not that the M16 needs it).

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Spartan vs Ninja

A legendary Spartan on the battlefield, with the stealthy prowess of a ninja, Butters is battle born. Actually, I was just trying to think of a way to set up this next video clip. On the Spike channel, Butters enjoys watching The Deadliest Warrior, a show that attempts to determine, with utilization of some computer modeling software, who is the deadliest warrior in history by comparing legendary warriors from different time periods and regions. Last week it was Spartan vs Ninja. We are dorks! Enjoy, my Butters.

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Chauncey? Nikita?

We do love those Chow Chows!

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The Way We Get By

Think I'll catch this.


The Way We Get By - Trailer from The Way We Get By on Vimeo.

SYNOPSIS

Inside a small airport in central Maine, a group of senior citizens are making history by using handshakes and hugs to play a critical role in the Iraq war. The Way We Get By is an inspirational story about how these handshakes can change a person's life. Since March 2003, nearly one million soldiers and marines from across the country have been greeted at the Bangor International Airport. With each flight, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, these volunteers have been there to send them off and welcome them home.

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Individual Warrior

So, why did Butters trade in his planner hat for an Army beret? I thought I'd provide a little background on how and why he is back with the Army.

Sgt. Butters did his first tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq back in 2004-2005. After 12 mos in the "Sandbox," as the kids call it, he headed back home and became part of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). (A little known fact to civilians, like me, was that when you sign up for the military, you are obligated to serve an 8 year term. Now those years does not necessarily mean active duty, but you are under obligation to fulfill the 8 year contract). These trained Soldiers may be called upon to fill vacancies in Army Reserve units and may replace Soldiers in Active and Reserve Units. With one year remaining under his Military Service Obligation (MSO), Sgt. Butters was once again asked to return to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan or as I've read in other blogs, "The Suck").

That's the story in a nutshell. What comes next?

Generally, The called-up IRR Soldiers spends about 30 days at a mobilization installation, getting checks to see if they are qualified for deployment, getting individual weapons qualification, conducting Common Task Testing and receiving training in a number of warrior tasks. Those who do not pass the readiness muster at the mobilization installation may be disqualified and sent home. Those who pass the muster will be sent on to military occupational specialty schools to get refresher training, normally lasting between two to four weeks. The final stop is joining the deploying unit at least 30 days before deployment for collective training as a unit.

Butters has passed his medical (**phoey!!**) and will complete the 2 weeks in Ft. Jackson. After, he will fly to Ft. Benning, Georgia for more refresher training. I anticipate that after, he will link up with the Nevada National Guard (1/221 Cavalry Unit). But, this can all change depending on the needs of the Army. As he likes to say, we'll see.

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The Long Business Trip

And so, the long business trip begins. My original title for this post was "This F^$%$^ Day," but I thought I'd be less vulgar. My Butters has landed safely in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina to begin training for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), military title for the war in Afghanistan.

Prior to this, I took some "vacation" time to spend with my Butters. It was my goal to have a mini-getaway at some point during our two weeks together. Perhaps the two-day getaway to some sleepy town by the coast I envisioned wasn't quite what materialized. Instead, most of our time was consumed with preparation for his imminent departure. But, somewhere in the midst of the packing, repacking, schlepping, etc., there were more memories made. Two people trying to maximize the time they had together. I guess it's true that the adventure lies in the journey itself.

Today, was not a day I was looking forward to. Trying to find the silver lining, my wise Butters reassured me that "the sooner I get started, the sooner I can come back safely home." Still, I dreaded this day.

The truth is, no amount of mental and emotional preparation could have readied me for this day. We had to face it head on. Just like I have to find the strength to face each day one step at a time.

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A Little Pick-Me-Up

One of those days where I've succumed to the dark side and my mind has been consumed with what Butters labeled "stinkin' thinkin." During Lenten Season, I vowed to give up fries (an annual sacrifice) and certain websites (e.g. U.S. Department of Defense). The latter was new, which was appropriate given the current situation. It was on the Butters' insistence that avoiding certain websites would be better for my mental health. To a certain degree, it was a good move. However, I have now made all things related to Afghanistan my new obsession. This has contributed to my increasing anxiety.

Anyways, I thought I'd lighten the mood with a favorite video clip of mine that always makes me laugh. I know the Butters' gets a kick out of this, as well. Enjoy!!

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When I Think of Butters...

Inside joke, but, I know he's laughing.

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