Hey up,
Are any of you ex-pats that are driving for KBR working out of Tallil? If so drop me a PM I’m out here with the mob at the minute.
tippers
hi all,
yes i am still alive 
sorry its taken so long to do a report but its been the 1st chance i have had
well i got here at just gone midnite on the 14th dec and was met at the airport by a member of the iap staff by the name of liz parker.
i was driven to my apartment block and what a site met me.
all brand new
satellite surround sound tv +dvd
3 bedrooms as i was first in i got the ensuite one the other 2 bedrooms had a bathroom each and there was also a seperate toilet as well.the bed was a king size brand new one.
the kitchen had microwave washing machine tumbledryer fridgefreezer and 4hob gas cooker and toaster and all pots and pans and utensils and everything was brand new
3piece suite all brand new.
i met up the next day to get my id pass which will get me into any us army base in the world.
my first trip was local but it took nearly 20hrs to do so i thought this is not gonna be an easy job
9999999.999999% of the trucks in kuwait and iraq are mercedes and bot do they take some punishment.
my first trip into iraq was filled with a mixture of emotions and i thought i was gonna die of BOREDOM nothing but desert for most of the trip.
the sad part was seeing the kids as young as 2 begging on the road and the living conditions thet had to cope with.
i did have a stone thrown at the screen which seems to be the norm but pretty noneventful apart from that.
that trip took 5 days but got back xmas eve in time for the party that iap threw with tons of great food which was repeated xmas day.
i was back out boxing day to iraq and got back today at 3am this morning it was a nitemare trip due to the US ARMY being useless at logistics
did a 30hr stint with just a cpl of hrs sleep and a total of 11hrs in 72.
no 45minute break here.
cars are not allowed to pass convoys so they use the otherside of the motorway which is amazing to see esp when a convoy comes towards them.basically all we see are convoys and convoys and convoys.this last trip we went to camp anaconda and went via baghdad but you have to drive at nits so havent seen much of it yet and you have to drive with no lights on at certain places which is great fun.
this trip i just returned from i was carrying 2 huge frieght liner units which we knew wouldnt go under the bridges in baghdad but told to run anyway and lo and behold 1st bridge we took the tops off them but not our problem the us army pay.
anyway thats a rough sketch of whats been happening although i did forget to say they laid out a stinger and blew 3of my tyres near the border last nite but just had to keep driving.
well signing off now will try and update after my next trip.
happy new year to you all
neil
neil46:
yes i am still alive
Good start 
neil46:
anyway thats a rough sketch of whats been happening although i did forget to say they laid out a stinger and blew 3of my tyres near the border last nite but just had to keep driving.
Which 3 tyres? Unit or trailer? Either way it sounds scary…
The accomodation sounds good at least. Are you still pleased you went? When do you come back?
Paul
offside front of unit and offside front 2 tyres of triaxle
neil, i wish you all the luck in the world. rather you than me but nice to hear your ok nontheless. good luck. jon
Good luck Neil, you keep posting 
.
Glad to hear you are OK, keep safe.
Keep your head down and keep those reports coming…
regards
bob
Hard to know what to say really. 
Just take care.
Take care mate. 
take care out there.
good to hear your alive and well,remember stop for no one.good luck
Take care out there Neil,keep your head down and yer chin up! All the best for 2005.I’m sure you will make it back to Blighty safely.All the best,
Glenn,
Glad to hear you are safe even if the going is tough. Hope you stay safe through the New Year. All the best
Keep safe out the Neil.
Nice one on trimming down the frightshakers 
Nice to see you are putting on a brave face out there. Take it carefully, get back in one piece. Although if you are going to be stuck out there for a while, you may as well keep us in awe of your daring exploits
Keep your 'ead down
Great to hear you r safe and alright.
Any chance of see Willi Betz truck in Iraq or Kuwait bec i have heard they doing lots running there but any other europe haulage company there ?
Cheers
Ben
Good to hear from you Neil.
Keep your head down n your arse up, (much more padded (if bigger) target than your chin) .
Keep safe and keep us as up-to-date as you can.
JayHoe:
Hard to know what to say really.Just take care.
i will second that.
Great to hear from you Neil I have been thinking about you.
Take care honey and come home safe.