Hunter Deploying Today

Hunter is deploying to Iraq. He will travel (wheels up about 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time today) from NC to Kuwait where he will be briefed and given an orientation. Then he will travel on to Baharia, Iraq by next week. His unit's orders as of today is to relieve a unit that has been serving in Baharia. Their function at the base there is to back up the Iraqi Army as needed. Later in the 13-18 month deployment they are hoping that their job focus becomes dismantling the U.S. base there.

Hunter's main job will be as a driver. Any time they leave the base it will be in a convoy of 3-4 vehicles. He will either be driving an "armored up" HUMVEE or an MRAP (see picture). Keep your fingers crossed for the MRAP, as these armored vehicles have had over 2,400 hostile incidence with zero fatalities. One of these vehicles ran over a 500# roadside bomb that blew the wheels off, and sent the engine 300 feet from the vehicle. Then every Marine got out and walked away. There were a few minor injuries, and the most severe was the driver with some broken ribs. They later found out he didn't have his seat belt on. So, we want Hunter in this vehicle with his seat belt on!

I will update the blog once Hunter contacts us from overseas. As for now; please pray for Hunter's safety as he travels, and for the entire time he is deployed.