02/17/2002 Entry: "Our New Job and New Home"

We have gotten settled in finally. Unfortunately, we are spread all over Eagle Base. It is definitely not the same old cozy FOB we are used to.

We have split up into various groups and have begun our new missions. The organization we have been assigned to, is a brand new one. It has been reorganized and nearly tripled in size. The growth has been painful for everyone. We have had difficulties getting the proper equipment signed to us, but we are making do.

Some of us are assigned to Weapons Storage Site inspection teams. The local armed forces of Bosnia are required to keep all of their weapons and ordnance in centrally located storage facilites. These facilities are required to undergo regular inspections where quantities of all of their items are verified. We are responsible for going from site to site to verify their inventory. We are responsible for all of the Weapons Storage Sites in the US Sector, So We travel all over the area unlike our previous assignment where we were pretty much responsible for much smaller areas. It is quite a change, a good change.

The most notable change is our equipment. We kind of act like military liasons so we dress down a little to facilitate a better working relationship, unlike the more aggressive role we used to portray. We no longer wear full battle rattle such as our Kevlar and Flak Vests, and our transportation consists of SUV's (ie Toyota Land Cruisers and the like), not Humvee's. Although we always have our gear readily available and still carry weapons.

Others are assigned to training and movement teams. Anytime weapons are transported, ammo is taken to ranges to be fired, or any other times the local armed forces are training with or moving ANY ordnance, they must request permission through SFOR. Our teams verify and supervise these activities. Again, they are taken all over the country side to accomplish this. Another welcome change.

A few others are assigned to the Mine Action Center. They primarily deal with supervising local demining activities throughout the US Sector.

The above picture was taken during a weapons storage site inspection. We are inventorying ammunition, hand grenades, and some explosives. This is a fairly small site compared to others. There are some of our guys, a couple of interpreters, and the site commander (A Captain in their Army).

We are getting close to the end. This move has broken up the monotony and time is beginning to pass rather quickly. We all look forward to coming home. Until next time...............................