Rand called Monday - once at 2 in the morning and then again about 10 pm! He reached Al Assad Air Force Base in Iraq. Everyone is safe and sound - it was so good to hear his voice! It's going to be hard to get used to going back to sleep after the middle of the night phone calls! The 10:00 phone call was much nicer - we had a good visit. Rand is in very good spirits - Al Assad is an AIR FORCE base: meaning there is good food (ribs!) and a full gym and even shops. With this brief respite, the men are spending their time working out, eating, getting to know each other better, and preparing for the missions ahead. Rand says they will spend 3 or 4 days at Al Assad.

Rand says when they reach Camp KV, they will be at sent out on missions for about 10 days and spend about 3 days in Camp. He's ready to get started so time will go by faster.

Rand and his buddy "Hawaii"

Rand's Deployment to Iraq

Rand left for Iraq on Thursday, the 18th - WOW! We didn't think we would have to deal with this for three years, but due to personal reasons, Rand chose to go now.

Randy, Clark (Rand's best friend from birth) and I were all able to be there to see him off. It was, as always, bittersweet.

Rand will be stationed at Camp KV (Korean Village) and then sent out on "hunting expeditions" (this according to his commanding officer) in getting rid of the remaining insurgents because the Marines have done such a good job. He will spend a few days at the Camp KV and then 10 days or so on the hunting trips.

According to Rand, the Army took over Camp KV, so its actually a nice place, instead of the dirt pile with a fence around that the Marines maintained. Rand says it has a full Chow Hall (very important!) and a gym. I'm sure he'll let us know more when he gets there.

The picture of me holding Rand's M-4; it gives you a feeling of power, but I was glad to give it back to him!

Rand is in charge of four men and will be leading scouting expeditions. The LAVs (Light Armoured Vehicles) will drive to a specific location and Rand and his men will jump out the back to look for insurgents and anything/else they are told to do. None of the men under him have been to Iraq before.

Here is Rand leaving for the bus - he is last guy because he couldn't stand to go (and being the third highest non-commissioned officer going, he could get away with it.) We've said our good-byes, shed tears, said "I love you!" and given many hugs, but you can never give enough.