As The Beacon Turns . .
Cableites have been busy with their projects; traveled to the far reaches of the world; joined together in the proverbial search for a fun place to fly for breakfast, brunch, or dinner; and taken that terrifying step into the wild blue yonder, trusting that their many hours of love and labor will hold together until they touch down again. Most of us other Cableites never hear about these adventures or possibilities. Along with other pertinent happenings affecting Cable Airport.…....As The Beacon Turns . . . . . . .
April 13, 2010
Did the last day drag by, like a slow, sweltery eternity? Yes, uh, I mean no, but it was agonizingly slow. The wind is totally playing games with us -- the nearer we get, the less it blows. If it weren't for the 2 knot ocean current we've been riding since the equator, we'd be even slower.
April 14, 2010
We're here! It took 22 days, 10 cabbages, 33 watches, 22 cooked meals, 5 buckets of laundry, a crunched middle toe, some shin bruises and a few head bonks, but we made it.
Ever wonder what it would be like to sail a little boat across the wide blue ocean? Go back to the blog and read what its like for 22 days with Alison.
Follow along with Alison and Allan on their Blog site
www.sailblogs.com/member/flyaweigh/
As we sit back in our easy chair, or maybe having lunch at Maniac Mikes Café, let's not forget our friends who are helping make all of this freedom possible for us!
Dear Cableites,
It has been two months now since I was home on mid-tour leave, and since I have been back we have been busy. We have been able to conduct all sorts of lower level training with our Iraqi counterparts to ensure that when we (the U.S. Armed Forces) leave Iraq, that they will be able to conduct operations at least at the very basic levels. 
My medic has been conducting basic level first aid, and has been very successful in his efforts. 
In other areas ofconcentration such as operations, and Intelligence training, we have not been as successful. One of the problems we are experiencing is that our counterparts are not at 100% of manning, and are hard pressed to send personnel to training, when they have their daily jobs to do.
Left picture is the First Aid Graduates, Major Pete is the middle, lower level. The right picture is Major Pete as the patient.
Another underlying factor is that we are having to accommodate cultural norms, and ego’s. So with these issues we are sometimes pressed to get good results
Other issues that have kept us busy around here are of the normal day to day activities. Last month we replaced and improved our inner entry security gate. The old gate had been hit so many times by incoming convoys that it finally fell off the hinges. Thankfully no one was hurt when it fell off.
The caption on this picture: Welding Helmet, You don't need one!!
We also developed a MEDEVAC plan 
for our Out-Post and even practiced it 
with the local unit from the larger U.S. base to our south. We had to make an adjustment to our plan though since the pilot of the helo determined that the LZ on our compound was just too tight for his comforts. All in all however, it was a successful training event for all.
Lastly, we installed a new camera system that allows us a back-up to our other camera system. Albeit both systems are different, each complements the other, and covers areas that the other system cannot.
One highlight from last month is that we conducted a MCP (Mounted Combat Patrol) out to the Iraq & Iranian border and took a look at our counterparts Border Forts and area of operation to get a good sense of the operational 
environment around us.
It was a good trip, since we were able to confirm with the Iraqis their areas of concern for smuggling activities, and we got to see the Iranian side of the border.
Upper picture is Iranian Border Fort...Lower right is the Iragi Border Fort.
We are now into the 8th month of our deployment, and with this we are beginning to prepare for our departure. Part of the preparation has been the early arrival of our replacements. This is a bit unusual, since the replacement team does not usually arrive until two weeks prior to the out going teams departure. 
But with the changing operational environment that we are in, the Army has changed how the Teams are configured. So to aid in the transition, the Army has switched to a longer transition period. This is still in the developmental stages though, it is our estimation that my Team will be moved sometime soon to another location to fill a void where there is not a Transition Team currently stationed. My Team is hoping this will happen, since we are of the opinion that there are too many people here all trying to do the same job. If change comes, it will be welcomed.
Major Yousef on left, Captain Wachutca on the left.
So that’s how things are here in the Maysan Province this month. It is my hope that my letter finds you all in good health and good spirits.
Best Regards,
MAJ Peter Queyrel
11-4 Border Transition Team
TEAM DESTROYER
Amarah, Iraq
(909) 518-2745
www.cableairport.com
Explore the Live Cams Hangar and see the
weather at the airport before you begin your journey.
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