Deployment 2.0

Iraq doesn't seem that bad when you're looking at it from afar that is...
I find myself on deployment...on deployment. Bahrain to the Oil Platforms.
I am now calling Abot my humble abode. One of the two largest oil platforms in the world.
Offshore Iraq. There are 5 platforms and about 100 American military up here.
We're working on turning it back over to the Iraqis so we are working hand in hand with them.
I never thought I would be standing on the pinnacle of the world's oil reserve.... but here I am.
Watching larger than life oil tankers pull up to the side and fill up, which takes a couple days usually. There are 4 ports where they hook up at, however only 2 can fill up at a time because the equipment is so out of repair. We're running at about 25%.... Word is the Iraqis make about $250 million a day from this joint.
Everything is super rusty out here because of the ocean and humidity. We do have some luxuries, though you think we'd have marble floors and glass houses out here because of the money it produces... we have what we call a "prison gym" which is basically free weights and workout equipment outside, we have an inside "gerbil cage" consisting of cardio equipment and some other workout devices inside a box type room with 2 fans. We have a dining facility that's tiiiiny. You walk in and there's about a 10 foot area where they have the food set up. There's a pantry with cereal/muffins/salad toppings that you wedge your way through. For seating there's a kitchen table and 2 lines of stools in an attached room which can hold up to 14 people at a time. As many people are here there is usually a place to sit. And there's always the picnic table outside. Our living spaces are "containerized living units", or CLUs, which are basically metal boxes stacked on top of each other like legos. They are about 6' by 15' and hold 2 bunkbeds and 4 standup lockers. We have 3 females in ours and it's cramped, but not nearly as bad as a berthing on a ship.
It seems to be more humid up here compared to Bahrain...which seems strange since we're farther away from the equator. I'm taking some pictures to share later.
I've met some interesting folks. There's Fasil, the head cook who is Indian and makes AMAZING food. Last night he made chinese noodles with chicken and delicious BBQ ribs. Each night there is a theme. Thursdays, mexican. Fridays, asian. I'm interested to see what comes next. Fasil is always very happy and in a good mood and excited you are there to see him. If you don't show for lunch, he'll save you a hot plate! I don't know how, but he knows every single person here. (or maybe just the ladies!- ha) Our interpreter for the Iraqi militants is actually the City Planner for Bahrain. This is sort of like his side job. He comes up for about a half a month to help out. He has lots of interesting views on Americans and is very intelligent. He's invited us all out on his boat with jet skis and cigars when we get back to Bah. Our other linguist is Kas (pronounced Khaz) , but all the locals here call him Gas, hah. He does a killer British accent and has lots of stories. There are assorted Navy folks out here, about 100 if I had to guess. There are reservists also. Mostly Seabees (construction) and MAs (cops) to do roving watches and whatnot, make sure we're safe. There's only about ten intel people up here actually.
Abot consists of 5 platforms. They are all connected by rusty metal walkways with decrepid railings. So you pray you don't fall through basically.... I work at platform 5, which has 3 or 4 CLUs stacked on top one another and a lookout point where the Iraqis have set up shop with their form of military cops. And also a bathroom. Platform 4 is where I live, also the galley, bathrooms, showers, laundry, gym, and where 2 tankers can hook up. Platform 3 is where the SOF (southern oil factory) workers are, who fix everything on the platforms. Platform 2 is more living quarters for Navy peeps and 2 more berths for the tankers to come in, and Platform 1 is where the Iraqi military reside.
The ride out here was amazing. We got on a helocopter in Bahrain and took about a 2 hour ride up here. They landed on the USS Hopper, a DDG. Once we disembarked the helo and got our bags, we were loaded into a rhib (rigid hull inflatable boat) basically like a tiny blow up speedboat. We climbed a ladder down into it and got ready to leave. The seas were a tad rough, but off we went! About ten mins later and 3 gallons of water in my face....we arrived at the Abot. Up our bags went by way of rope, and we hopped on the ladder and officially arrived at our new home. (myself and a Navy Captain who was here to take over command)
I got a tour from the Chaplain and was dropped off at Platform 5 where I would be working for the next 30 days. .... and here I am....
OH, last night we got a new toy up at the shop. Infrared Imagery binoculars. Basically 20,000 dollar eyeballs. You can look into them and see anything on the water in the dead of night. We were watching the USS Hopper, at about 3000 meters away and could see it perfectly clear, to include the waves and other boats out there...pretty cool..not really sure why we need them but....
Hope all is well back home, I'm thinking about everyone..lots of time to stare out into the ocean and make some dreams = )