| Operation Iraqi Freedom II |
| As most of you know, Allen is currently depoloyed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. His unit is stationed at an air base in central Iraq. After a long and round about course to Kuwait, through Maine and Germany, they have finally arrived at their firm base. They left Twentynine Palms on February 14 and are scheduled to return hopefully in September, but possibly not until November. Due to Operational Security, I will not be giving too many details. But what I can tell you is in general what they will be doing as well as how they are living and what keeps them busy in their 'free time'. As soon as they arrived at their area of operation, they were put to work. That would explain the lack of communication for over a week. Well that and the fact that the electricity and phones were down for about 3 days. They are 11 hours ahead, and I am in the Pacific Time Zone. This also throws some wrenches into the communication network. However there are letters. Although waiting 2 weeks sure feels like a life time. Their living conditions at the moment are pretty basic, Tents! But once the change of command is completed and the Army moves out, they will be living in 1, 2 or 3 man 'boxes'. This to me brings to mind those portable buildings that can be torn down and re-constructed in a matter of minutes. On the postive side they do have airconditioners for those 120+ degree days they will be facing this summer. Right now the temps are in the 90's during the day and 60's at night. So far there isn't much in the way of free time. But I suspect that once they finally get on a set schedule, things will change. More updates to come when I receive them. So stay tuned! I am also hoping to post some pictures when they arrive. Monica - 3/8/04 Allen has sent out an email to all that he could. He is doing well. But tired of the desert. Spirits seem to good for all that are over there. Including him, his command, and the Marines under his command and guidance. We have received word from the 2/7 Batallion Commander. The Unit has been together for the past couple of weeks for probably the first time since arriving in Kuwait almost 11 weeks ago. Over the past 8 days the unit, now 800+ strong, has traveled from their base (s) of operation to other regions where they were needed. Logging over 400 miles, cross country I imagine, they are beginning to head back to their base (s). Allen has sent the digital camara memory to me. When I receive it, you can bet that I will be posting some pictures! Until then, keep all the soldiers deployed throughout the world in your prayers. Monica - 4/27/04 I received a letter with a memory stick fromt he digital camera Allen took with him. I have created a web page with quite a few picturs from the deployment. Feel free to venture over and view! He is doing well. Lots of duty watches and patrols and little sleep! Monica - 5/20/04 I am finally getting around to updating this web page. I have been keeping up with Allen's Units webpage (ourmarines). I have about 16 pages of pictures over there. But on this site, I have been a bit lax. Last week we received the offical word about the flight window for Allen's return to 29 Palms. And it is what we thought. He should be home shortly after Labor Day weekend. As things stand now, we are planning on taking time off and traveling to TX. We will leave this area on October 1. While over in Iraq, Allen has done some amazing things. And rightly so, he is being recognized for them. He will be adding 2 medals and 2 awards to existing medals/ribbons. I have even been told what a great job he is doing over there. Monica - 8/9/04 OK. You may have noticed that the site for Allen has changed. And I am sure that you have figured out why. Yes, he deployed again. So on that note, here come another page! Look for it! Monica - 10/10/05 |
| Here are some links to sites with more information on OIF II, 29 Palms Military Base, and things going on back here in 29 Palms...... https://www.29palms.usmc.mil/fmf/2-7 https://www.29palms.usmc.mil/fmf/2-7/kvn.asp http://www.29palms.usmc-mccs.org |
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