Welcome to the Dora High School Alumni Web CommunityKeeping the Alumni in Touch
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| Hot As A Firecracker
On The 4th of July Letters from Iraq by Tate Shaneyfelt How hot is it? Well, here you have it. Actually the day I took this picture really was'nt that bad. It gets worse. When I first arrived in Kuwait on December 1st, 2005 Southwest Asia was nice. During the days 
temperatures were around 70 to 80 degrees during the day and 50 to
60 degrees at night. I left Kuwait January 1st, 2006 and entered Iraq.
We had to drive our up-armored gun trucks ($200,000 hum-v's) all the
way to Camp Taji. I honestly can't tell you the actual distance, but
it took almost three days.My issued weapon is a M249 SAW (squad automatic weapon). Therefore I'm always a gunner on board the truck wherever we go. As the gunner I ride in the turret on top. The eyes and ears you might say. Its a cool job because I get a birds eye veiw. Down side is I'm the only guy exposed outside the thick skinned hum-v. During that long journey north to Bahgdad I almost froze. The guys on the inside are comfortable because the trucks have heat and air conditioning. I remember hearing through my headset my Captain telling my buddy Jeff (the driver) to "turn down the heat man, its gettin hot in here." Shivering outside in the wind I replied sarcastically "thanks alot Sir. My feet are a gettin' a little hot." He said "really? Turn on the AC, Shaneyfelt's feet are hot." "Thanks Sir." January through April it rained. The mud was everywhere. Miserable mud. I remember hearing guys complain about it, and I would tell them they were gonna wish for mud soon enough. Well, now its July and it has'nt rained at all. Mud would be nice compared to this heat! Now, I've lived in Alabama almost my whole life, and I know its hot there right now, but I have no sympathy for you guys at all! Imagine standing in front of a giant hair-dryer. Thats what it feels like. However, its so dry that the only time we really sweat is in our IBAS (interceptive body armor system). This armor is a mystery to the Iraqis'. They can't seem to understand how we can wear all this gear and survive the heat. They think we have a built in air-conditioning unit in our vest! The truth is your soldiers are tough, and extremely well trained. We can fight anywhere, against anyone, and win. I'm not sure how long the summer here lasts, but I hope it ends soon. It averages 120 to 125 degrees everyday. Some days 130 degrees. I have'nt seen a cloud here in months. Why someone would want to live here is beyond my understanding. But then, its amazing what you can get used to. Shaneyfelt,Tate SPC |