Has Had It….

I’ve finally figured out a point of reference (sort of) for those who’ve never been to Kandahar Airfield, which I suspect includes most of my readers. For those who live near Detroit Metropolitan airport (or any other major airport) imagine living a short distance from the main runway.

Seriously….now add in a ton of helicopters with no flying or noise restrictions and you’ve just learned what it is like to live with the noise we hear here. Of course, this does not take into consideration that sound because that clearly adds an entirely new dimension which is basically indescribable. I’ve tried to do my best, but it simply can’t be put into words. There are times when I think I hear it. Yes, unbelievably, I "think" I hear it. Those times are typically when I’m laying bed trying to sleep.

Last night, for example, I went to bed (early) for a change. Having been woken up the three prior nights – at all hours – to that sound I figured I try to get a few more hours of sleep. I laid down at about 2130 (9:30pm for my “civilian” readers) and I quickly fell asleep. My alarm clock however, was not my Blackberry or my Ironman watch which have been with me throughout this entire deployment. My alarm was – you guessed it – that sound at 2315! Seriously? ….the one time I try to get a little rest and I hear that sound. Fortunately, I did hear it because my new roommate slept right through it and that completely amazes me. This is not a sound anyone should be able to sleep through. I haven’t checked, nor do I plan on checking, but she must wear headphones. That is the only logical way anyone could sleep through that sound. As I laid on the ground I yelled her name, a few times. She didn’t answer. Still on the ground, I knocked on my wall locker---She still did not hear me. After two minutes, I quickly put my shoes on, grabbed my sweatshirt, my M9 and I knocked one last time on her wall locker….LOUDLY. She woke up (was startled) and joined me in the bunker! I can’t believe it. There is no possible way I could sleep through that sound. It's startling, unnerving, and down right scary! After the “All Clear” I immediately went back to bed but could not sleep. I just laid there listening to the now greatly increased aviation traffic at the flight line. Fixed wing and rotary, you name it! Ugh….catching up on my sleep must not have been in the cards for me! Another day in Paradise (as we say here)….wherever Paradise may be (recognizing this is NOT even close to Paradise)!

Is it time to leave this place yet???