Random Pics

So here are some random pics form the past few months I have been here. I have some more on my camera I need to upload, but the timing has just not been right. I just came back from a FOB (Forward Operating Base) and have some exciting pictures from that adventure. However, for now you will have to gnaw on these random pictures. In no specific order here they are.

This CH 53 is down and out. Look, you can see the propellars removed and placed on a makeshift rack to the right. I am not positive, but I think they cannibalize this helo for parts to keep the others up and running. This model, the CH 53 D, leaks hydraulic fluid everywhere. On a recent trip I got off this type of helo with drenched pants and blouse stained with hydraulic fluid. Not cool. The slow drip, drip, drip while you are immobile, squished inside of a full helicopter surrounded by gear, bags and other Marines/Sailors is uncomfortable at best.

Here is an old (circa September) picture of me. This one is for the kids. Like I said at the start, random.

A very happy Chief Stubbs. We caught him teaching the sailors. Hoo rah!.

Stein-O-Mite! Nuff Said.

This is the front desk, being manned by our corpsman. Note the happy looks on their faces. Isn't that the sight you want to walk into when you are sick or otherwise afflicted? It sure is for me.

Just to reemphasize, I do have some good pictures coming, and the next blog will be more substantial. Until then, Semper Fi.

Bad Day

So, the other day some Marines were playing softball outside the BAS. All of a sudden a Marine walks in holding his hand tightly in his other. I could see blood coming out from under the one. I asked to see it and the pictures show what I saw. The ball apparently went into the razor wire that is located around the camp and he went in to grab it. When he pulled his hand out with the ball he wasn't as careful as he was when he went in to get it and this is what resulted. We took him to the main hospital to be seen by the surgeon to ensure that no tendons or nerves were involved.

Above is the view after taking the bandage we initially put on to control the bleeding.

After putting on a blood pressure cuff to control bleeding and then washing, to get a better look at how deep the lacerations went. What you can't see as well in this picture is that the lac. only went to the subcutaneous fat. No tendons or musculature involved. Surprisingly.

Same as above

The final product.  I did not sew this up.  After the Plastic surgeon ruled out any tendon damage he let the E.R. intern practice throwing mattresses, simple interrupteds and others.  I was not happy with the end result.  Who knew the British sent interns to Afghanitan for 3 month rotations.  And you thought your intern ear was tough.

This vehicle is like a tactical ambulance. If someone gets hurt they will go after them. What they have that a helo doesn't is that inside the DASC is a Jaws of life, a large saw and something called an exothermic torch which can cut through armor. Additionally there is oxygen and other first aid equipment.

Obviously, a huge beast of a truck.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the Walkers. It was a huge deal. I love these cookies, they are a Holiday favorite. Apparently so do all my Corpsman because they have been pounding them.

BAR B Q

So this blog is to tell you about our Nov 11th celebration. The Marine Corps birthday is on the 10th but we had our shindig on the 11th because we are so far east we didn't want it before the rest of the Marine Corps. Anyway you will see a bunch of grills, food and some cooks. The Marine cooks or "Food Service" personnell are great. When I first met them I thought to myself "you joined the Marine Corps and they made you a cook, that sucks." But you know what, they absolutely love it. They have very high standards and whenever they cook, you know the food will be good. On multiple occassions they have complained and got things changed in chow halls that were not keeping good hygiene or high levels of excellence. It made me laugh at first but now I can say that I know they really love their job and they sure are good at it. As an aside, one of the best things about the Marines is that they are always happy. Sure not everybody every minute, but the Marines are always in a good mood and seemingly better as things get worse. It is inspiring and infectious. I love serving with Marines and am proud to be counted among them.

Some cooks flexing in preparation of the event ahead. Note, these are some of the fittest Marines we have.

After what I said above, is it any wonder a Marine Cook wouldn't want one of these! Grrrrr.

They're heating up!

Chicken

Steak. Mmmmmmm

Recently, I have been asked to give my address. I believe this would be o.k. I can receive mail addressed to:
LT Mike Crandall
H and S Co./Medical
MWSS-372
UIC 42020
FPO AP 96427-2020

Good luck and thanks for everything.

We are starting this blog off with some random pics I have not shown yet. This is A.J. who rooms with us. Just getting some cleaning on.

Note how all the dust in the air causes the snow flake like appearance of the picture. At leaast I think that is what is going on.

Here Mark is demonstrating Warrior 1 pose. Maybe it is Warrior 2 pose. We have been trying to get into Yoga for our flexibility and health. Also because it is totally manly.

Some wiffle ball a couple weeks ago. We totally broke the bat and balls by the end of the day.

So, Tuesday the 10th of November, is the Marine Corps Birthday-Semper Fidelis. The Marine Corps is 234 years old. Yes, older than the U.S.A. For the day we took a tour of the HiMARS. This stands for Highly Mobile _ Rocket System, or something like that. Basically, these very mobile rockets that you drive and shoot. They are ridiculously loud taking off and often wake us up in the middle of the night. It works like this. Our guys on the front lines need some pesky bad guys taken out. They call HiMARS, and can have warheads on foreheads in as little as 6 minutes. Much faster than an airstrike and depending on how many satellites are available for targeting, much more accurate. The best part, they are totally quiet coming in, until they explode and wreak havoc. So they took us on a tour and we got these photos. They drove out to their firing spot but did not fire. They lift those rockets to a 45 degree angle or so and then let them go. Awesome.

The back of the truck, note this one carries six rockets but 5 have been used to blow up bad guys.

The HiMARS after they rolled out to where they launch rockets.

This is the tube the rockets come out of. Note the similarity between the inner barrell of a rifle. Cool huh. I thought you'd like it.

Chief and I trying to get a good shot of the HiMars standing on Humvees.

So this last pic is of me, Chief Stubbs, Mark (Dr. Tucker) and Stein. Actually it's Stein-o-mite. Said like Dyn-o-mite and yelled. Whenever I see him I yell it, whether inside or out. He is a good kid. He once put in 2 I.V.'s in Marine's, at night, using only Chem lights. Pretty impressive.

The Osprey Has Landed

O.K., so today I had a lot to blog and thankfully, the computers were open and moving at unusually high speeds. This morning I went down to the flight line to watch the Osprey's land (V-22 for you aircraft nerds). This is a montage of their landing here and some other sweet pictures. Semper Fidelis!!

The above picture is a Russian made helicopter. Notice the dual propellars on top. Pretty odd looking. However, for you nerds out there, the physics and engineering on this baby have got to be revving your engine.

V-22 coming in for a landing.

Landing in a row.

After landing they taxied right up to where we were standing.

Awesome huh? Some say that they are ugly. Not I. Like the scriptures say, the Lord looketh upon the heart. I looketh upon the specifications. This bird is fast, can take off and land with a relatively short runway or no runway at all and it can carry troops to the fight. What else is there to say. Besides, who doesn't like slate grey.

Happy Blog! This beautiful picture is of a package I received the other day from the Dustin and Kendra Wirig's! Obviously, it was absolutely fabulous. Movies, candy oatmeal etc. Kendra even put cookies in a bag with bubble wrap to ensure they would be structurally sound upon arrival. They were delicious and round. To the D.K. W.'s - thanks. To everyone out there I appreciate all your support for myself and more importantly my family. Mike

To anyone who has been to Disneyland and eaten a Monte Cristo, this collage is for you. This sandwhich is called a "ham and cheese dream". The English cooks name, but it certainly is fitting. It is ham and cheese between bread dipped in egg batter and fried. Something like french toast ham and cheese. Not quite a monte cristo, but we did our best to hook it up, as you can see below.

Chris and I enjoying the feast. At first the others didn't believe me that jam would be good on the sandwhich, but any of my fellow Monte Cristo afficianados can attest to the truthfulness of my statement. After some reluctantce, the others embarked on the gastronomical journey with me and were greatly ewarded. To those of you at home the recipe for real Monte Cristo's can be found on the Disney website, or contact my wife, Shannon for it.