The picture above shows the view from the driver's hatch while we were rolling to a new position.  You can't see to well because I had to keep it small for the web, but in front of the track that's in view are the lead elements of our convoy.

We passed one of the guns on our way.  It's a M109A6 Paladin.  We were the first unit in the National Guard to receive this latest artillery piece.  It's one sweet machine, and I'll never will forget the time I got to be #1 gunner on it.  It was quite an experience!

Once in our new position, we had a big storm move in.  It's hard to tell from the picture, but the wind was really blowing and a huge storm with lots of lightning came in.  Heavy rains came with it along with golf ball sized hail.  I had mixed feelings about sitting in my track during the storm.  I had to monitor the radio traffic from Range Control to get updates on the storm.  I was happy to be safe from the hail and driving rain, but a little uncomfortable sitting in a metal vehicle with a tall antenna on top.  Everyone else was ordered to take their antennas down... except for me so we could have the latest on the storm and the tornadoes it was producing nearby.  That was a LONG night!

The picture above was taken near our last position.  It was a beautiful, cool clear day.  You could see for miles from this ridge.  It was a lot of fun to get to with the Humnmer since the rains had turned the dirt trails into a muddy mess.  There was no stopping the Hummer though!

And in case you were wondering, yes we are issued weapons in the National Guard, and yes we know how to use them!

As I mentioned on here before, I was recently awarded the Army Commendation Medal for my service "beyond my required position".  It was a great feeling receiving the award in front of my fellow soldires!

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