Hey guys,
Saturday afternoon here and the winds have picked up to over 30 miles an hour and that creates giant sand storms across the desert. I thought we would be ok with the rain that has fallen in the past couple of days, but as my weather guys explained to me “Sir, the high pressure system forced warm air down onto the desert and dried things out, hence a “mild” sand storm”.
Because of this, fine dust is pushed through every crevice and hole in the buildings/tents/cans etc so that you always have a layer of dust on all of your items including the food you eat. People ask if it’s hard to breath, the answer is it’s so minuscule; you just kind of get use to it. It happened pretty fast and the visibility dropped down to about a ¼ mile which grounded an Air Force C130 from Alaska.
The crew was asleep in the back waiting to pick up some passengers and didn’t realize they were socked in till they looked out the front window and couldn’t see the control tower next to them. Running into our building to call their command, you could hear the stress in their voice “Sir, I did know what to do… this might not clear till the morning and we’re scheduled to depart back to Alaska in the morning… Yes Sir…but Sir, that’s not fair, can’t you hold the flight? Really Sir, 3 months out here is way too long” the female copilot was more worried about getting to the gym on base in Kuwait to do her yoga one last time, the others were a bit down. All of us here loved it. See, Marines come out here for either a 7 month tour or one year. The Air Force stays for 3 months then heads home. The C17 guys out of Charleston only spend two weeks at a wack out here. (Tax Free four years now)
“Hey Captain, don’t worry, we’ll hook you up with a nice place to stay here” Stay here!!!! You could see the look of dismay on his face as the thought of being the only crew to have spent the night on a forward operating base crossed his mind. Actually he was probably thinking about all the extra medals he and his crew would get being here, maybe the Bronze Star or a John Kerry Purple heart. He looks up and whines some more “Sir, we appreciate the offer but we’re out of here as soon as the weather allows.” I mention to the Cpl that we’ll probably receive a bunch of IDF rocket attacks tonight because the Chuckleheads in the local town know a giant sky pig is stuck on deck here. Maybe we should move her over to some obscure part of the airfield so they don’t miss her and blow up our building “this time”.
“This Time???” Now they really want to leave. I’m just kidding of course but you are allowed a lot of room when you’re messing around with the Air Farce. “Hey did you guys bring your flak vest out of the plane?” Now the worry lines are building on this guys face. We turn on AFN, which stands for Armed Forces Network but if you watch it, you would think it’s Air Force News. “Hey, check it out, “Tora,Tora,Tora” is on, grab a seat, I think you’ll be here for awhile. Five hours later the dust calms down enough for at least a ½ mile of vis and these guys, within minutes to go before their second duty day crew rest waiver expires, run to the plane faster then Sen. Murtha can change his mind, start engines and boom they are out of here!! I believe they would have been the first crew (Air Farce that is) to have actually spent the night here since the war. The weather did cause me to cancel my visit to see Capt B. but we’ll reschedule that.
When the jet guys divert in here, they love it!! We go up and smoke Cigars up on top of our Tower that we fixed up called the “Bada Bing”. Life is good, but then again, these are Marine fighter pilots and easily entertained. All Marines put on their Green trousers before they put on their Gold Pilot wings, that is what makes us different. We all love being Marines!!! OOhhh RRRhhhaa.
I hope this picture comes through and you get a feel for the dust here. You guys have a great day and I’d like to thank Captain B for his extreme patience in helping me with my “Code” on the blog. I owe ya brother!!!
Semper Fi,
Taco
The SandGram 
January 22, 2006 at 4:58 pm
Yip look like that here too! Total shit storm. We got a good barage of counter Arty going on now (12) outbound shells and thumping in the distance! Good stuff!! I aaded ya to the links and added “New”. I will update probably tomorrow and you should get some visitors. Stay low….more outgoing. I have to go change my underware now. Stay low.
January 22, 2006 at 7:45 pm
The picture of the sand storm is awesome, Taco! Taken with your description, one feels like they were there, too!! Poor Air Farce (or was that a typo?). Too bad they didn’t have to stay with you Marines! Take care!!
January 22, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Just found your blog. I laughed my fanny off. I know it is serious, but the way you put it is hilarious. My grandson is with the 3/7, so anything in that area, I try to keep up with. Keep it coming.
January 22, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Yes, you are getting visitors now from Capt. B’s site. I’m one! Who can resist you guys????? Lord, I hope Capt. B has a good supply of underwear!
January 22, 2006 at 8:40 pm
Taco;
Found your Blog through your family member’s recommendation.
You have a gift of taking something that imparts stress to one person, but is viewed as just something to witness by another.
Good job.
January 22, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Found your blog from a friend of mine. You are hilarious.
Semper Gratus.
January 23, 2006 at 12:44 am
Hi,
Got your blog from “mother Taco” and thought I would commend you for your superb ability to report in a “fair and balanced” humorous vein. I have followed your postings on “any marine” and found your writing to never fail to produce a chuckle.
January 23, 2006 at 1:30 am
Another great milblog! Instant bookmark! And yes, Capt. B sent me here, you should buy him a box of cigard;)
January 23, 2006 at 4:23 am
Hello Taco. Glad to see/read you here. Looking forward to reading more SandGrams. Stay safe.
January 23, 2006 at 4:41 am
Hooray! You finally got your very own blog!
I see you’re taking full advantage of not having to be so PC, and I like it!
January 23, 2006 at 7:36 am
Howdy Neighbor!
It’s about damn time!
Sam
January 23, 2006 at 7:46 am
Do you have any pictures of the “Bada Bing” you can post?
January 23, 2006 at 8:31 am
It’s great Capt B added you as a link, makes it east to switch right over after reading of his adventures.
I can tell your book collaboration is going to be a best seller.
Stay safe and God Bless you and all your Marines
Anita
January 23, 2006 at 8:33 am
OOPS, that’s ‘makes it EASY to switch ‘ better proof read next time. Anita
January 23, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Finally! I was starting to think you were shy or something.
January 23, 2006 at 12:48 pm
Taco,
Let me be one of the first to congratulate you on your blog. Can’t wait for your book with Gary Bourland and Brian Horn to come out. You guys are the best!
January 23, 2006 at 1:21 pm
Nice blog. Found you through another link. I will be a regular reader. Enjoy your perspective/humor.Thanks for your service.
January 23, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Hi Taco,
Glad you and “B” got your new blog up and running. I was missing you on AnySoldier – you guys are addictive and have a great way of putting things into proper perspective. Like many others I anxiously await THE BOOK! Take care, be safe, God Bless and KYHD (keep your head down).
~J~
January 23, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Another reader that linked over from Capt B. I had an email about said sand storm. Sounds like good fun.
Funny post…but please tell me you’re frickin’ kidding me about the Air Farce crew? Exaggerating…a little, maybe?
I’m so sick to death of hearing their whinning. Seriously. Okay…so my old roommate in DC is currently a Colonel in the Air Force, my best friend’s hubby was in the Air Force and I’ve been listening to Air Force spouses whine elsewhere (I won’t reveal where to protect the clueless and wimpy). They make me wanna puke.
My personal favorite was when someone told me that since General Jones took over as the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, there was talk amongst spouses that he and Rummie were, horror of horrors, going to increase their deployments from 3 months to 6. Do you know what she said, God love her? She said that Air Force wimps (she didn’t say wimps…I added that ;)) join the AF because they are generally more educated (even their enlisted she added)and that they didn’t join the AF to have to deal with that. WTF? And WTF again? What’s wrong with these people?
But some time…I’ll tell you how I really feel about it. Great blog by the way.
January 23, 2006 at 4:15 pm
I never did respond to the e-mail ’bout the book title suggestions, but this post reminded me.
“Sand In My Cigar Box”
yuck yuck!
Have a Marine kinda day!
Errrrrrr rahhhh!!!!!
January 23, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Taco, welcome!!! Have missed you on AnySoldier and am glad to have the comic relief back in action. Thanks for the laughter and keep it comin’!
January 23, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Love it, blogs a great idea too, glad you could get it up n runnin. Great shot of the C-30, poor AF fellas.
January 23, 2006 at 5:13 pm
I am so glad that you started this blog! I will add it to my journal so more people can read it! You guys rock!
Kelli….wife of a disabled retired marine!
http://journals.aol.kamdghwmw/noonmom
January 23, 2006 at 5:15 pm
I have loved reading you and Capt. B on anysoldier.com so I am glad you found your way to a blog Taco. (Thanks for the link Capt. B) Did you two know you have a following there in Iraq too? I know I send Capt. B bytes and Taco tales to some of my guys that don’t have internet access. (I can’t be the only one doing that..)They thought the P-O-J 2 Marines 0 was hilarious! And they want to know if you got a cappuccino machine too!
January 23, 2006 at 5:15 pm
I am so glad that you came up with this! You guys rock! I am going to add this link to my journal so more people can read it!
Kelli….wife of a retired disabled marine
http://journals.aol.com/kamdghwmw/noonmom
January 23, 2006 at 5:19 pm
I am so glad that you came up with this! Hey Taco! Jennifer and I are still talking!
Kelli wife of a retired, disabled marine
http://journals.aol.com/kamdghwmw/noonmom
January 23, 2006 at 5:21 pm
I am so glad that you came up with this. You guys rock. Hey Taco, Jennifer and I are still talking!
Kelli…..wife of a retired, disabled marine
http://journals.aol.com/kamdghwmw/noonmom
January 23, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Good Job, Taco! This is great. Laughed my a** off over the Air Force guys – my hubby is retired
AF. And you described them to an exact T. That story HAD to be the truth…..and that crew was from up here @ Elmendorf, too! LOL – you should have reminded them that at least they weren’t having to de-ice the wings before they could take off, too!
I was raised, and learned to suck it up, by Navy. You are absolutely right, none of the AF spouses could ever understand how I could STAND it! I just snorted, and said, “Honey, you ain’t seen hard times, yet!”
So, I got the cakewalk as a spouse, but most of us were proud our guys chose the Air Force.
The AF guys brag all the time about joining up so they didn’t have to grunt and do push-ups, like the rest, – getting teased like this is the back-lash from that.
I love you all, every one – thanks for standing in harm’s way to protect me & mine.
And thanks for the really good laugh!
January 23, 2006 at 10:24 pm
Hooray! Yea Taco!
Glad you have a blog now! Thanks to Capt B for the assist. Hope you will keep it up when you are back in the States! We really look forward to your posts!
Hey from Kansas!
January 23, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Great pic! Found my way to your Blog thru Capt. B!
Can’t wait for you guys to write that book!!
Stay safe.
January 24, 2006 at 12:02 am
Hey Taco,
Great to see you have your own blog now. Priceless comments about the Air Force.. Typical huh! I loved the pics of the shaved heads! Cmon you still have a few weeks for it to grow back before you come home. GO for it!
January 24, 2006 at 1:18 am
Stuck in Iraq With Sand in my Crack…
…..How about that as the title to the opening chapter of your book…
*big grin*
Air Farce…….hahahahahahaha!
January 24, 2006 at 2:05 am
One of your family members told me about your site. I followed Capt B’s link to get here.
Thank you for your service to our country!
We’re proud of you back home.
January 24, 2006 at 11:51 am
Yay Taco!
My addiction to Sandgrams can continue.
January 24, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Hey Taco…Bigbird here enjoying your writing style Capt B too. I plan to come to your place to burn one of those stogie when you get home.
“Aim low boys, they are riding ponies”
January 24, 2006 at 12:37 pm
Hey Taco,
Love the title – it’s typical YOU –
Your humor amazes me each SandGram.
Seal up all those cracks as best you can — sand causes rashes!!
January 24, 2006 at 5:31 pm
LUV your non-PC stories! I’m so sick of hearing the Lefty Quisling pukes on the Big Networks & seeing them in print & not one appears to be a real man (or woman).
Speaking of pukes, take a look @ Drudge Report today (1/24/06)& L.A. TIMES columnist Joel Stein’s “Warriors & Wusses” article. It starts off “I don’t support our troops” & goes downhill from there. I have never seen so much vitriol sent the way of the military & those of us who support you since Vietnam! The guy is a total Leftist elitist puke. By the way, on their website you can send comments to the so-called paper….. One thing he did do was to take the “fig leaf” those folks always wear (We support troops but not mission)off so we can see the shrivelled thing behind it! JeunePup51
January 25, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Air Farce had me in creases – Added your blog to my favorites to read whilst having my early morning coffee – Take care out there & thanks for your service!
January 29, 2006 at 10:51 am
Great site Taco. Love your referrence to the Kerry Purple Heart. Of Kerry’s 3 Purple Hearts, he has only allowed the medical record of the first one to be made public. Later his campaign admitted that, well maybe it was not the result of hostile fire and was denied by all of his senior officers. The medical records regarding the 2nd & 3rd Purple Hearts (if they exist) have been as closely guarded as the investigation into Chapaquidick.
Vietnam Navy Doc