Koyote's den

Hello, Good-Bye (for now) and thanks for all the... laughs.

koyote@gmail.com — Fri, 13 Jun 08 05:28:00 UT

(Some of you were expecting "fish"... admit it! If you have no idea what I am talking about, disregard this comment!)

So,

Friends, family, compatriots, and the privileged few I consider all three; here is the long awaited update. This is my first journal entry in a very long time; not just on Journalscape (and thank you for the medium Kenny), but anywhere. For those of you excited for info, well, it is pretty bland, but here is the summation:

First, there was no catastrophic event in my life, no divorce, no deaths, no amazing life occurrences that made me stop my journal. It was a mixture of life being busy, me being lazy, and most importantly, the military not allowing journals while on deployment; as too many individuals accidently (I hope accidently) leaked classified information that in a few instances have been used to our detriment by those who mean us harm. The cases are few and far between, but typical military, we close it all down. Do others still do it? Of course they do, but I am leading by example. What can you do?

I am still married, my son just turned six in April, and I just spent the last seven and a half months on the USS Tarawa. Woo Hoo! (For those of you who do not know me that well, please add sarcasm here!) No action while on the boat, but some good experiences. I've now been to Singapore, Bahrain, Dubai, Djibouti Africa, Perth Australia (where I got my first tattoo) and Hobart Tasmania. I arrived home last week and I am slated to move to Pensacola, Florida to be a flight instructor. (I know I can hardly believe it myself). The orders will probably be for three years. We'll be moving on the 3rd of July. I know... But what can you do? We are also leaving to find a place to live between the 18th and 22nd, so visits will be difficult.

FYI, I have been selected for Major and will be promoted sometime between November and February. (Yes, you are all getting old!)

This is a rather brief update, but my main concern is getting back in touch with all of you. So please respond or send me an email to Koyote@gmail.com and I'll be happy to respond quite promptly.

Sorry for the lack of witty comments or satire, but it is before 6 in the morning!

Fight on!

Death of a companion...

koyote@gmail.com — Wed, 6 Sep 06 11:51:00 UT

Some of you know him others do not, but Bear the ferret is on his last leg. We are making him comfortable in his last hours of life. I will write more later, but not from work. Pictures will follow.

Good bye good friend...

Homecoming

koyote@gmail.com — Sun, 9 Jul 06 11:15:00 UT

So,
This deployment is finally coming to an end. We will wrap up this coming Friday and return to CONUS (Continental U.S. - for those non-military types). I actually have time to write this as I am sitting in my room waiting out a Typhoon! I think this is my 6th. Well, here is a small synopsis of this deployment.

Although I was not in the war zone, which I admit I regret as I don't like having friends in harms way and not being able to help them, I was graced with the opportunity to see a great deal of the South Pacific. I spent time in Guam, Iwo Jima, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and even crossed the equator to Indonesia, although we never got to dry land in that country. (I don't know why a country that sees the US as an enemy wouldn't want 3,000+ infantry Marines on their soil to help out after a catastrophic earthquake. We did send Army Navy and Air Force doctors and engineers though. I would like to add that when they interviewed the local military personnel at the earthquake site, they said that they didn't understand why the US was helping them, as their government has told them for the past 10 years that we are planning an invasion and want to eradicate them from the earth. He said that he has some questions for his superiors. I'm sure he's now having dinner with Allah, on his superiorâs orders. Can't be having questions now, that's bad for business. Oh well, maybe someday they'll be able to express themselves freely.)

Sorry, bout the tangent... I have a habit of doing that. Well, I would like to interject that Korea has one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples I have ever seen in my life. Guam was amazing and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting good relaxation at a great price. Thailand... well, everything you have ever heard about Thailand is true, but one thing I never knew is that their King is the longest ruling monarch in history (60 years) and the people absolutely love him. He actually holds a day each year were he allows ANY of his people to come and speak with him in person about their concerns with the country, the government, personal problems or anything thy wish to discuss. That's an amazing trait in a leader. He has been known to change government policies based on these meetings!

Life on the USS Essex was not all that bad. The standard of living was far superior to like in Iraq on the Syrian border, that's for sure.

And Okinawa, well I've done this bit before and I love the place, but it is definitely lacking in something... Oh yeah, MY FAMILY!!! I had a blast when they came out to visit. I wouldn't mind being stationed out here for a few years. I think I might like to do it with an ANGLICO unit though. (Ground unit: Air and Naval Gunfire LIaison COmpany). We'll see.

Well, I'll stop babbling. I can't wait to get home. I'm going to Catalina Island; I'll be assisting in the Annual on my airplane and doing some general relaxing.

So,
Take care of yourselves and keep up the good fight on the home front, and I'll be there soon to help out!

Semper Fi

I was a Chineses Emperor in 1411! The internet told me so!

koyote@gmail.com — Wed, 5 Jul 06 08:42:00 UT

0845's Past Lives

1411 BC: Chinese Emperor

698 AD: A Nun

1751 AD: An astronomer

'What were you in your past lives?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Hello?

koyote@gmail.com — Fri, 26 May 06 01:11:00 UT

Insert another clichÃ© "I haven't been blogging because..." excuse of your choice here.

Well, I am currently sitting in a hotel in Pattaya Beach Thailand. It's a beautiful and completely crazy place, but I wish my wife were here to share it with me. Oh well, I'll be home soon enough. I get back on the boat for our trip back to Okinawa in a couple of days. After that I'm looking at a little over a month before I get on an airplane home. I can't wait.

The flying over the last couple of months has been amazing with stops at Guam, the Philippines and here in Thailand.

I have recently bankrupted myself by buying jewelry and having a suit and several shirts custom made. I went with Kashmir vice silk because the latter just isn't a practical materiel for me.

I will spare you the boring details of my recent life on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard the USS Essex. It really isn't that interesting.

I look forward to seeing many of you upon my return. Sorry this is such a bland entry, but such is life at times. Take care and keep up the good fight on the home front.

Korea

koyote@gmail.com — Fri, 31 Mar 06 19:37:00 UT

(Insert standard quote hereâ¦) I havenât written in quite some time soâ¦ Yes, I know how clichÃ© that is in the so-called blogsphereâ¦

So, we are now off the coast of South Korea and participating in exercise Foal Eagle. We have been conducting amphibious landings on the west coast during our stay here. It is the first time that has occurred since the invasion at Inchon back during the Korean War. The countryside is bleak as far as vegetation goes, but the structures look well kept and colorful. Next week Iâll get to go on a small excursion to see the local culture. I should have the time to write about it afterwards. I am looking forward to it. Then from there we will be going back to Okinawa for a time. Soon after we arrive, Iâm taking some leave, as my wife and son will be coming out! I canât wait. We have some simple, but great times planned. It should be a phenomenal break.

Have been doing some thinking about the future and am quite befuddled, as I imagine many others are. I have been looking at property to start an airpark, or at least have a personal airstrip. But Iâve also been considering property in Europe. Yes, me. I must admit that there are three concerns I have: My son, my family and my friends. Is it good for my son to be bouncing around so much? I must admit that I have little doubt that this could be at all bad for him as far as his upbringing is concerned, but distancing him from his friends and grand parents does worry me. I donât know anyone who got a bad deal in life from having experienced the world, but I do worry about the isolation factor. I rarely have enough time to see friends and family as it is, but that is not the case for my son. If we had a local place, friends and family would be able to visit, but not so abroad. Well, not nearly as much anyhow, and I would be cutting out those who could not afford the trip if we were overseas. But regardless, to all of our friends and family out there reading this, please know that regardless of what we do, you will always be welcome in our home. Though the wife may complain if itâs short notice due to the cleanliness of the place! Although she has good reason, as we have a rambunctious four year old with more energy than I do, more pets than I can name and Iâm around just enough to make a mess and then out again.

Well, Iâm off again. I hope you all are keeping up the good fight on the home front. We are doing so out here. It may not be as exciting as firefights in Iraq, but itâs important just the same. Besides, I already got that T-Shirt.

Take care all,

Koyote

Picture and email issues

koyote@gmail.com — Thu, 23 Feb 06 19:35:00 UT

Okay, a couple of things. I cannot access my Flickr account from this ship. Nor can I access my GMAIL account, so until I return to mainland Japan in another month and a half, please use dixonvk@31meu.usmc.mil to contact me. I've been unable to read my other account since we left Guam a little over 10 days ago. So, if you e-mailed me something, I haven't gotten it yet. Sorry. Also, pictures will be put up promptly upon my return to Japan.

We are still out here helping. Does not look too good though. Apparently the initial estimates of 30 feet of mud were inaccurate. It is 30 meters deep! That's around 100 feet. And today it rained furiously and our marines were evacuated just before the slide moved again. When that happens, it becomes a dangerous quicksand that swallows heavy objects, such as people...

The rain was so heavy that we could not even see the boat when we were flying just 3/4 of a mile away. That is bad. When you have trouble seeing in a car, you can still see in an airplane. If you were on the ground, you would probably of had 25 feet of visibility at best.

But again, hope we can do some more good here. We are feeding a large amount of people who have been evacuated from other cities as well, so we are making a vast difference. Hope all is well back home.

Keep up the good fight on the home front.

Koyote out

South Pacific Hoe! (Think Thudercats, not hookers)

koyote@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Feb 06 10:49:00 UT

The mood on the ship has gone from mundane to excited. We are on LHD 2, the USS Essex. We are part of the Amphibious Ready Group (A.R.G. - yes, pronounced like the pirate word aarrrggg... pretty apropos if you ask me) that has been diverted from operation Balikitan to help with the mudslide in Southern Leyte in the Philippine islands. This is the same location where the largest surface naval battle in history occurred. (By surface I mean on the water, not aircraft dominated... I.E. ship to ship... not that anyone really cares but me)

Point is that we are getting to help some really desperate people. It's great. As a cobra pilot, I'm severely restricted where I can go. the landslide sight is not one of those locations. But we are being utilized to ferry parts to different locations for aircraft that have had mechanical issues and cannot make it back to the ship. I hope to get my feet on the ground to physically help out and have made those desires clear to my command, but I will do as I am ordered. I will be happy that I am getting to help out on any level, but I'd like to get my hands in the mud, literally, that is just how I am.

The Philippine islands are remarkably beautiful. On my last excursion here I didn't get to see much but the interior of the northern most island. It was indeed beautiful, but all of my flying was done at night. This time I have seen some amazing sights and will be posting some of the photos very soon if this network can handle it.

Unlike Iraq, the people here are not shooting at us for bringing assistance! In fact, the resistance here is organized and disciplined unlike Iraq. In Iraq, the enemy is usually a bunch of thugs with rifles, nothing more than heavily armed street gangs with little morals and an interest in their personal financial future, with no care for the future of the country or the local populace. (There are organized groups, but they are few and mostly centered around Baghdad and Ramadi) These rebels told their people not to attack because we came to help, and their people listen. Go figure. That is the difference for someone fighting for their people or a belief, and someone fighting for power or money. Yap, yap, yap... any way, the point is that we are not being hampered by the rebels, in fact I'm sure we are indirectly helping some of them.

Well, I've got some great pictures so here is the link again:Pictures

They should be up soon.

Keep up the good fight on the home front, we'll do the same out here.

From the USS Essex in the Leyte Gulf,
Koyote out

a few more pictures...

koyote@gmail.com — Mon, 6 Feb 06 08:01:00 UT

Just a quick note. I'm currently in Guam and it looks as if I'm going to get to watch the super bowl! I'm in front of a big screen TV and on free wireless internet, so it could definitely be worse. So, as the title entails, here are a few more pictures.

Another Loss

koyote@gmail.com — Mon, 30 Jan 06 19:42:00 UT

Our neighborâs son passed away recently. He was 17. I don't know the cause, but it is, regardless of the circumstances, a horrible tragedy. Please reference My Wife's Journal.

Just to let you know

koyote@gmail.com — Sat, 28 Jan 06 11:49:00 UT

After getting on the USS Essex about a week and a half ago, I am currently doing exercises on Guam and the surrounding Islands. It is absolutely beautiful here and the vast majority of the land is untouched and rural. I really don't have the time to write but wanted to give an update to those who were wondering if I fell of the face of the earth.

I'll try and expound later and attempt to drop in a few more pics.

Keep up the good fight on the home front!

New Photo Page

koyote@gmail.com — Tue, 10 Jan 06 18:48:00 UT

Here is a link to my new photo page. I'll use it to link pics to this journal in the future, but for now you can go here and take a look. New Photo Page

Serenity...

koyote@gmail.com — Fri, 6 Jan 06 15:11:00 UT

As most of you know I am now in Okinawa on deployment. Well, we have theatres out here that play old movies for cheap and they were playing Serenity. I remember Thea posting something a long time ago about ComiCon in San Diego, and the movie. So I went. 48 hours later I had seen every episode of Firefly (The series that only ran one season)...

WOW!

Cheesy, but honest and a little raw. Most of all it was real.

I'm addicted.

Final loss for SC

koyote@gmail.com — Thu, 5 Jan 06 17:34:00 UT

To come so close to achieving history, and falter; knowing that it took years to accomplish, and will most likely never have the chance of occurring in your lifetime again...

Regardless of the outcome, thanks for the ride boys. It was amazing.

Fight on SC...

Fight on

Long awaited general update

koyote@gmail.com — Mon, 2 Jan 06 19:20:00 UT

So,
I am now getting settled down in Okinawa again. I actually went to some castle ruins and a beach I went to last time I was here, two-and-a-half years ago, and actually remembered how to get there. That's scary.

I'm waiting for a friend of mine to get back from his new years trip to Tokyo because he has a recommendation for a free picture posting website. If I like it I'll use it to link pictures to this page. But we'll see, I have yet to look into it.

I'm sitting here typing to you on my new laptop which is nothing short of amazing. I won't bore you with details, if you want to know, leave a comment and I'll elaborate. But suffice to say it is a desktop crammed into a laptop. (I'm sure the battery life won't be more than 2 hours, but I didn't get it for that. Besides, I got a car adapter.

As I type, I'm listening to the "Gin Blossoms". This really takes me back to college. Damn folks... we are getting old.

I found out that my Combat Crew (the individual I will fly with almost solely while on the boat) is a Long Horn graduate. Oh well, no body is perfect. I hope SC blows them out on the 4th, but I must admit I am a little worried that our boys might be feeding into the media frenzy and getting a little over confident. Texas is not a school to be trifled with. Time will tell. Regardless of the outcome, it was an absolutely amazing year for the Trojans that I will not soon forget.

Jenny is currently taking care of our airplane. She does not have her license as of yet (but she is finally finishing up) so she has been going up with a retired Marine LtCol who is a lawyer and has an airplane of his own at Fallbrook. Harry goes with them. He has like 6 kids (Jenny will surely correct me on this one) and has been married for like 38 years or something like that.

I know I am rambling on, but I have been wanting to update for a while now.

My mother is about to move again. Although I do get the distinct impression that she is beginning to settle down and has a desire to stick around California a little more and travel a little less. Again, time will tell.

We get on the USS Essex in a a couple of weeks. Our tour will consist of (in alphabetical order): Guam, Korea, Philippines and Thailand. That is the current list of our concert locations. Tickets will be on sale at ticket master, although airfare is not included ;-)

Should prove to be interesting. The down side is that every day is Monday. There are no weekends on the boat. Operations are continuous. Such is the nature of being a force ready to deploy at a moments notice. You can't have down days when you are in international waters and bad guys are around every corner, now can you?

OK, I'm going to wrap this up now. I'll be posting pictures soon enough regardless. I'll let you all know when that happens. Until then, keep up the good fight on the home front and we'll keep the world safe for you all.

TTFN

Koyote