Folks Of Interest Operation: Christmas HAMB

You guys rock!!!!

I would have loved something like this when I was over there! We didnt get much because of our location but it seamed we were always LOADED with girl scout cookies!!! HAHA

I dont have addresses for ayone right now or through Christmas but If you guys do this next Xmas or durring the next year let me know. The 32nd Brigade is shipping out in FEB-MAY (the biggest deployment of a single state since WWII--over 4,000 mostly infantry) I am not shipping this time and I am gong to be put in as Acting Comander of the 732nd CSSB REAR DET. And I will be working with the FRG(family readiness group) for the whole tour time.

So.... If you ever want to give some infantry grunts some magazines or what else, send them to me or the Tomah armory and I will make sure they get sent free of charge.

Yule

P.S. My cousin came home yesterday for Thanksgiving exodus!!!

 

What he is trying to say is the basically every US Army Reserve Facility and National Guard Center has at least some people from one the units that occupy the facility currently deployed. Although they will not (BETTER NOT) release any APO addresses, typically, they can use the facility postage to mail stuff to their troops if you take it down there and donate it. They can also get you in touch with the FRG and they can get stuff over to them.

 

Hey I just Got back from the sandbox today....wheels down 01:40 this morning. Cool stuff guys really cool. I was always digging into the care packages at the patrol base where I was out at from anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months at a time. Saved my *** many a time.

Stuff that gets used a lot
tooth brushes used mainly for weapons cleaning
toothpaste
body spray...when you are cooped up with guys for weeks on end without a shower...
Gummie bears, worms etc.
trail mix
the lil packages of kool aid flavored teas
baby wipes
DEEP WOODS OFF....used at least a can a week Sand flies ****!!
cleaning patches
pipe cleaners
Q-tips the good ones not the cheap ****

I don't recommend phone cards because unless they are international the cash you spend on 100 minutes will get them 25 minutes maybe. but they are good for when you are on leave without a cell at the airport.

DON'T SEND FEMININE HYGIENE stuff to all male units. Yes it happens and really stupid **** happens with the stuff. Tampon Xmas tree decorations **** like that.

T shirts.. cool but they won't be able to wear them. No Civvies. Chances are they will become gun rags


You can look up army bases and make contact with FRG Family Readyness Group that send stuff off to there soldiers. These groups are our families and they gather stuff up and get it sent over there to us.

I got a laptop set to me last deployment by a pal from a chefs message board. This deployment he sent about 150 DVDs to me to share.

when you get something from home it really help you get through the **** we deal with daily there.

Thanks for thinking about us.

 

I can't speak for the conventional forces, but I do know most units over there are fully equipped with either laptops or computers or tv's with DVD players, overhead projectors etc. Then, a lot of the troops, especially those who spend 15 months over there, have full blown entertainment centers in their hooch. THen, if you're like me, you have a laptop with you that you can watch movies on, iPods, etc.

My unit has been deployed steady state (not a rest) since 2001. The people rotate in and out, but our unit has been there 100% since 9/11. I'll do some checking and see if I can come up with a better point of contact for this.

 

Good stuff. I'll start getting a box together. Only wicked cool stuff...and some toiletries of course!

Good on you guys!

Cheers and beers
Hodge

 

I'm game,, drop off point,? shipper ... sounds like a really good idea..

 

Ok, just a thought...WHO do you guys think this should go out to? Single troops? Anyone? I haven't been on the SENDINGside of this, only receiving side. I THINK there is a website that is general, and you can send it to something like: ANY TROOP IN IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN..... I would RECCOMEND writing the AOR on there, or somebody who really doesnt NEED it might get it. I like to hook the warriors up first, REMFs last. Sorry, but that is how I feel.
Personal feelings aside...if we agree to send to ANYONE, disregard the rest of this. If we want to send to specific "HAMB friendly" units, read below...I **** at putting my thoughts on paper (er, monitor)

I can't speak for the rest of the military, only Air Force Special Operations. My Commander is going to want to know a few things before I can get permission to send out an address. Who would be getting these (via MY units' address)? Who is sending them? What's in them? (NO ****, NO ALCOHOL, NO MORALE, nothing flammable like lighters, etc).

We do get care packages from time to time, and the last few Xmas's I was over there, it was nice to get something from the States, especially at that time of year. I lucked out and had a baby last month, or I would be there right now. Oh well, it's nice in February there I'll keep reading in here and PM people if necessary. I'll have more answers tomorrow close of business. Later JL

 

GOOD books! We back when this all began, we would write publishers and ask them to send us books, and MAN, they sent us a LOT. Then, the war lost poplularity, and no more books, except what the wife sent over. Now, we have a good PX, which is well stocked, and a good selection, albeit not current. Oh, magazines about ANYTHING other than Cosmo, Redbook, Hairstyles for aboriginees, etc. You can NEVER read enough over there....poker cards, board games, pocket digital games (Battleship, UNO, etc)...I'll think of more...

 

bump

 

I can be a dropoff point and I can supply a bunch of Gazettes. Let me know what to do.

 

Check out the Operation: Christmas HAMB sticky on the main page and send me your Drop Off Address and contact info.

Kevin

Any news about our shop tour while I have you on the horn?

 

OK, here's an update from my end of the deal. I jsut spoke with my Commander, and was given the green light to proceed. I have also contacted my First Sergeant, and will get the minute details sorted out.

Now, there are a few ways to do this. Ship packages to an APO address. This is basically military mail speak for New York. From there, a big military cargo plane (or civilian charter) loads up the pallets of mail, and flies them to Germany, where they are resorted, and then put on another plane to the final destination/AOR (Area Of Reponsibility...aka Desert).. Then, they get sent to all the units, an disdtibuted from there to the member.

OR, there's option 2.

I MIGHT MIGHT MIGHT be able to get some loaded on one of OUR planes, IF they are headed that way. We are cutting things short, but, the APO route may be the way to go. Once I get final permission, I will PM Hot Rod Ch***is, give him the mailing address, and we'll go from there. Due to security reasons, an terrorist ability to use the internet/google, I can't put the address in here.


Again, we will need to be fast on this, and need amount of boxes, WHICH AOR we want them to go, and WHO gets them. Thanks, this will mean a lot to the fellas downrange! I've been there a few Xmas' recently, and it is amazing how a box from a stranger can change your morale.

Keep us posted JL

 

Cool Slepe67! Let me know. We have some swag here already, and if need be, I can box the stuff up and send it directly to you asap. PM me if that's what we need to do so it can get on an SOC bird.

 

btt for the week end lurkers

 

I'm down for helping!
I can put a box together or boxes of hot rod T-shirts, magazines, stuff. I also shot some film at the A-bombers and can put a super cool B&W hillclimb vid in it.

I can be a local drop off if you need me to as well, fill us in as you get more details!

Support our troops!


I spent X-mas in boot camp, Parris Island ****s!

 

Ahhhh, just came up with another idea. I have all these pics laying around of pretty girls next to cars in my garage. My friend shoots here, then gives me all these photos, I'll p*** them onto the boys....or girls. Hahahaa.


I only have few pics with clothes on.... so here is a taste. They are big and glossy, nice for a foot locker!

 

i dont think that will fly,may get intercepted-i was told they censor stuff like that,

 

Even the above pics? None of them are vulgar, just might be *******.

See if you can find out... I was in the Marine Corp and we never got our stuff searched, I'm curious...

What ever they say though, just wanna cheer up some deserving people. My goodie bags will be sweet!

 

they usually don't search, once I DID have somebody take ONE Red Bull from a pack of 4...

HRC, still waiting on my 1SGT's response, you may want to send them here, and I can figure something out. Thats a bit down the road. I'm thinking get the parcels out by say...07DEC, BUT it COULD be the end of THIS week...I'm trying

I think the pics above will be ok, no ******...damn, I kinda wish I was deployed for xmas this year...oh well, there's always 2009...this is going to be AWESOME!

 

bump

 

santa says btt

 

ho ho ho?

 

hohoho...still waiting...I'm getting a yearly flight evaluation tomorrow...most stressful single day ever. I think invading Iraq was less stressful...I get the answer for my part of the deal, but it might be late at night. JL

 

OK, I spoke with my 1SGT today, he said that we are a "go" for this. If you guys can get the packages together ASAP, and I guess mail them to ME??? Then, I can go and take them to work and get them on a bird headed east. I can't guarantee by XMAS, but the fellas will appreciate it nonetheless.

A few things I need from you guys.

1. Pack these as tight and LIGHT and SMALL as possible.

2. I need them mailed by Wednesday (or ASAP), if we want them there by XMAS.

3. I'll need to know WHO is sending WHAT, how much of it, etc. How many boxes, weight, etc. More Weight=less aircraft fuel ( flyboys LOVE fuel), so the lighter the better. The loadmasters won't want to mess with a bunch of tiny boxes, so I'll consolidate all of them in average size boxes, and take them to work.

Pretty much enclose a packing list. This will be attached to the box, addressed to my Commander or deployed First Sergeant, so it goes to the right people, and nobody messes with it.

4. We don't know when the packages will get out, or get over there, but we always try to make every effort to get packages sent at a Priority Type status. Especially this time of year. Keeps morale high. Shoot me or Hot Rod Ch***is a PM for questions.


HOT ROD CH***IS, do you want them delivered to ME or how did you want to work this?

Guys, let me know your thoughts. JL

 

good idea, anyone in east tn have a drop off

 

I'm not aware of any drop offs listed yet for Tenn.

 

Kevin asked me to compile a CD of rockabilly, surf, etc Christmas songs. I have tons. He hasn't gotten back to me, so maybe one of you guys knows. I'm a little concerned about burning CDs like this since it may be construed as music piracy/theft. There's been a lot of concern over this lately. While I'd like to think that it would be ignored since it's helping the troops, we all know the Govt is inspecting everything and hurting for cash... and each CD represents untaxed sales (even though I bought the original albums) and the music industry is hurting, etc.

Am I just being parnoid in our litigious society?

 

I was looking into it, that's why I hadn't gotten back. I really don't know what to tell you. Yes, you'd be copying songs, but not re-selling them. I can't get an answer that's clear on the subject.

 

Ok Slepe67, here you go. The two boxes for the Air Commando's (AFSOC) will be on their way in about half and hour. First shipment away. For those that don't know, Special Operations troops don't always benefit from these type of Christmas care packages. The very nature of their missions and base or FOB's (Forward Operating Base) locations will often limit such shipments. Slepe67 arranged a special shipment that will reach the AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations Command) troops directly. AWESOME. Some of you know, some may not, I'm an AFSOC Alumni. So this arrangement is really special to me. Way to go Slepe67!!!

 

Air Force/Army Special Ops aviators, Air Force Ground SOF, SOME Army SF/SOF as well as USNSW (SEALS), and our kick *** aircraft maintainers may get some of this as well. Just so you guys know, it's not JUST flyboys. The packages going to the AFSOC units will be dished out accordingly, and we'll try to spread this out as much as possible.

My leadsership wants to say THANK YOU to each and every person who helped out in this. I have the ball rolling on my end. I'll keep ya'all posted.