There and back again: A Chaplain’s Journey back to BIAP (Baghdad International Air Port) // January 5, 2006

My soldiers do it all the time. We escort convoys to and from the city. I have been so busy with the Christmas season that I have not taken the time to go on one with my guys so, once the New Year came, I was all over getting on one of those convoys.

I figured that I would kill two birds with one stone and jumped on a convoy with the boys from Alpha Company Second Foot so I could get up to the BIAP and see the boys from Alpha First Foot. What a ride!! We left about 1400 one day and didn’t get to our destination till about 2 that morning. Going there was not that bad, we stopped at Scandia and I was able to link up with Chaplain Smith who is a dear brother and always has the most encouraging words for me.

The most hairy part of the trip is the path from there to BIAP. There was nothing for us that night but traffic. Lots of traffic. It’s not that long of a trip but it takes some time with all the traffic from here to there. Gives me a good chance to talk to the guys and see where they are at.

I spent the next day while the crew recovered visiting Alpha 1-121. They are still up at Striker, and they are doing well. It was so awesome seeing some of my closest brothers up there, seeing the 410, hanging out in their CP. I visited with the 101st chaplains and we had some very encouraging times together.

Then the time came to leave. For whatever reason, I was like – “hey, I’m gonna drive back so…” and then proceeded to jump in the driver’s seat. Six hours later we finally got to Scandia. Six hours. It usually takes about two. I now see why our troops are so exhausted after such a mission. Its just about the most draining thing I have ever done. Your out there, traffic is just… well…think 285 around ATL at rush hour…then there is a five car accident. Yeah, now you get the picture. Only, you have 20+ vehicles that need to stay with you. Its nuts. I’m telling ya, such a thing will drive the Christian right out of you!! Actually, it was a good trip and God blessed. We talked about prayer right before we left. Sometimes, soldiers look at me like I’m some kind of good luck charm and prayer as a talisman against bad stuff. Course, we prayed before we left and nothing happened, our convoy was not attacked and we had good running’s all the way home. Eh, I always go back to the phrase I learned at college – works for me… “Pray as though it all depends on God and work as though it all depends on you.”

All in all, I was thrilled to get back to Stryker – and now I pray for my guys even harder…
Blessings!!