FOB NORMANDY, IRAQ – You’ve all heard of the American bases in Iraq that have Taco Bell, Burger King, decked out 24-hour gyms, etc. This isn’t one of them.
Forward Operating Base Normandy is a collection of dilapidated concrete buildings where stray dogs roam and the only workout space is a couple of pull-up bars and a 20-year-old stationary bike at the edge of a rocky courtyard.
While soldiers are the biggest part of the population here, their numbers are rivaled by the resident bats that fill the skies each night, flying low amid the floodlights to catch the many insects that also inhabit the base.
Sand is everywhere, most often sent airborne by the sultry desert wind, coating hair, eyes, and throat, and the PX’s main offering is empty shelf space (the only shampoo left the other day was made specifically for women of color).
The chow hall often serves its puzzling take on Chinese food. The drooping General’s Chicken here is more like Generally, Chicken (oh, for some good Chinese).
In other words, it’s probably closer to what war is supposed to be: an uncomfortable situation you’d rather get out of sooner rather than later.
Yellow Pine, ID - Version 2
12 years ago
3 comments:
I think your next career move should be as a food credit. Really. And you can start by reviewing the food you are eating over there, from the chow hall meals to MREs, etc.
credit = critic
Just remember Heath, there will always be Jing Jings.
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