Ten West Sport Pilots

I'm going to post update emails I get from Chad up here so everyone can see how he's doing.

Dec 8th, 2009
"Veilleux, Chad J PFC NG NG FORSCOM"

Hello All,

It has been about 3 weeks since I had sent out an email. Things hadn't been to bad for us during the time. We learned how to work a Compound which is a prison setup. They hired people to play different roles to help us train.

I learned how to do searches on people. It takes some getting used to on how the process is. Learned how to walk in a circle with a rubber shotgun..ha. Rovering is what they called it when were walking around our quad. Was a 5 man team, 1 was the "nco"= Sergeant in charge. 1 was assistant of the nco with paperwork. 2 were rovers that made sure the fence was good and helped with security. 1 was the tower guard for added security. We did for 6days with 12hr shifts.

Our group thought our night shift from 12midnight to 12noon would be easy.
Well that turned out to be wrong very fast. The week prior the weather was great. Well it changed on us big time I hadn't experience cold like that in a long time. Even with our "sniffle gear"= cold weather gear, it was still cold with 3 layers. Hot Snork & coffee helped alot for about 30mins.

A 4 day pass was giving to us for thanksgiving. That was good to get a small break to be with friends and family before leaving. The family surprised me with Xmas early and that was pretty cool. But wasn't able to take any of it cause of no room.
But look forward to them sending me the stuff. Saying bye is probably the toughest thing I've done in a long time. It's hard to see family and friends cry.

I would say it has now slowly sunk in that it's time to get the mission we are going on started. I can't give dates but we are in Kuwait for more training.
I have to say our flight to Kuwait was very interesting for me.
That is one of the longest flights ever and one of the biggest planes I had been on.
18hrs of total travel time with 2 stops for refuel.

Well I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving and here in a couple weeks give another update.
Thanks for the support

Chad Veilleux

hello from the sandbox. hope things r going well for all. im getting settled in now u could say.. here is my address

SPC Veilleux,Chad J.
A1/133 FA
Camp Cropper
APO,AE 09342

Hope ya all have a good xmas and safe new year

jeez, I dropped the ball on this... I'll post the last few updates I've gotten.

Dec 15th, 2009
Veilleux, Chad J PFC NG NG FORSCOM

Hello All,

I just recieved the address for where I'll be able to get packages, letters, etc..
I wont be there right away but if you want to send anything ahead it will be there waiting when we arrive.


My Address:
PFC Veilleux,Chad J.
A1/133 FA
Camp Cropper
APO,AE 09342

Around Christmas we will have boots on IRAQ Ground


Chad V.

Dec 22nd, 2009
Veilleux, Chad J PFC NG NG FORSCOM

Hello All,

Well 2wks that we were in Kuwait went by fast. It took about 3days to get used to the change of climate and jet lag. The time change was tough on people trying to get in touch with family. Had about 6days of training that was a refresher from El Paso and the rest was down time. We lived in 70 man tents and slept on cot's. Pretty much lived out of our bags.

Kuwait is a cultural shock from what your used to seeing. All the trucks & cars there are all manual and mitsubishi is the winner and a few chevy tahoe's. The smell in the air is different not as clean as we are used to in the states. Very dusty and no matter what you do there is dust on your things in 10mins.

Texas is going to have to invest in "The Green Bean Coffee". I have to say it's alot better then starbucks and half the price.. Had food court if you didn't want to eat in the chow hall. Taco bell, Subway, Chinese, Steak & Potato, & Ice cream shop. You could spend alot of money just eating at these places.

Around all the buildings they had 6-10' Jersey Barriers. Alot of them had paintings of different units that been to Kuwait before heading out. I got some pretty cool pics when I was acting like a tourist.. HA.
Our last night in Kuwait before heading out for IRAQ we did promotions. I was one of the select few so now went from E-3/Private First Class to E-4/Specialist. A little more pay and more responsibilities now with this rank. The commander put the 4 of us in the front leaning rest for about 10mins while 6 other soldiers got promoted from E-2 to E-3's.

The big flight to IRAQ took about 2days for the whole company to get here. I was on the last flight cause they did it in order of the alphabet. Imagine that one always the last one..HA. We flew on a C-17 let me say that is a big plane. Not much room to move around in and not being able to see where your at sucked a little. We got told we had to do a combat landing into camp cropper. We lucked out and it was a normal landing. I wasn't ready to loose my dinner that I had not long before the flight.

We are the first unit to sleep in new buildings they set up for us. 2 man rooms with ac, and everything is run on 220. My roommate and me are going to get a frig and microwave. So it's almost like dorm life and make sure you can stand the person for 8-9months. If you don't get a converter you fry your stuff. Many have had to replace things. I been lucky and not had to replace things just yet.

We start our left/right seat with the unit here on the 25th. 12 hr shifts, 6 days on 1 day off, be interesting to see who can handle this crazy schedule. Well thats about all I have for updates for now. I hope all have a good Christmas with the family and safe new year. Til next time God Bless & Take Care.

Chad Veilleux

PS with the address I sent out all that needs to change is the rank from PFC to SPC. If you sent letters, etc with PFC I will still get it regardless.

March 4, 2010
Veilleux, Chad J PFC NG NG FORSCOM

Hello all,

Sorry it has taken awhile to send a mass email out with an update. But once we got to Camp Cropper we got told alot of rules so been trying to follow them. Well the press has been here and the whole secret that our mission was suppose to be was out the window now. If you want to get a small idea of what my mission is you can google: houston chronicle then search camp cropper. there is a article about what our group from Texas is doing. Making history is what we are told.

I'm in a totally different area and I can't talk about that til I'm really home and not on deployment. But what I can tell you is that it's been interesting. I do tower guard, run the blocks that we have, escorts which is running people to different area of the tif. The 12hr shifts and what we deal with here can drive you nutz/ and make you very tired. We are working 6days on and 1day off.

So far we have had 2 concerts in our area that isn't to far to walk. One was a all girl band that is doing a tribute to AC/DC. Pretty awesome. Then last night was 5 finger death punch. I wasn't sure what I was going to get myself into with that one. But it turned out pretty good. Every band that comes here to play for us it takes 2yrs to make it. Thought that was interesting to know that info.

Everything is going pretty well here to be honest. We have had a few issues on the outside of our walls but nothing big yet. With elections things could get interesting for March but hopefully no big ones to report. I am adjusting to the life here and keeping my sanity. Hitting the gym and slimming down. The food here is pretty good. I do have a funny story to add then i'll let ya all go for now.

I started eatting boiled eggs cause I started a diet. Well little did I know when I was getting ready to eat my egg I split it to take the yoke out. Well imagine what I was thinking when I saw eye balls looking at me.. HAHA. A few of the guys thought is was BSing about it so I cracked another and sure enough the same results. So long story short before you eat a boiled egg see if it's a fertile or non-fertile egg..

Have a good day and have a few for me. Take care and god bless

Chad Veilleux
PS: I come home on 2wks of r&r come end of may unless the weather slows things down. have more info soon