The Official Jango Wes Iraq Update Thread

[Jango and Zam]

Jango wes,

Thank you and your troops for all you are doing ! We don't know each other but.. Your service for our country is very much appreciated. Even through I and all of your fellow TDH brothern will never know what you and many others have givin an endured in Iraq. I feel We owe you and the US troops some kind of thanks. So please If you need anything please let us know. On this post you gave an ship to adress for mail. It was :

SSG Wes Fussell
B co/4-1 BSTB
Unit#42530
Apo AE 09361

Hope this is right , You will hear from me and my family soon. I think we all should drop wes a line . Hope to meet you at the next Star Wars celebration to thank you in person. and

[Jango_Wes]

Hey everyone,

I'm still here. Nothing new really going on. Still surviving and counting down the days until R&R. Sorry for not posting sooner, but I've just been worn out.

The address is correct, but the rank has changed: it's SFC Wes Fussell now.

Wes

[MandalorFett]

Congrats! Does that "S" stand for Sergeant?

Stay safe.

[Silver Fett]

Wow, congratulations on your new rank, Sergeant First Class. Keep in touch my good friend.

[BH7379]

Wes,

Good to know the sandbox hasn't gotten the best of ya! Best from your Arkansas brothers in the SG.

[DarthVader1]

Congrats! Does that "S" stand for Sergeant?

Stay safe.

SSG stands for Staff SerGeant. SFC is Sergeant First Class.

Congrats, Wes. Hope to see you again at Dragon*Con.

[Mandalorian for Christ]

I'll be praying for you. Be safe.

[Citokre Dekanis]

Hello my TDH brethren!

Just dropping a line to let everyone know how I'm doing.
First of all, my travel agent is fired!
I've been in Baghdad for about a week now. We've finally gotten our bags in and we've gotten settled in. I'm living in a tent with about 18 other guys but it's not that bad. We have an industrial A/C unit to help keep it cool and ponchos hung up to give us privacy. We should be moving into hard side barracks in about 2 months.
The base itsself is a hole. You wouldn't expect mud here, but good lord, the motor pool is about a foot deep mud pit. And it dries like concrete. You really realize you are in a war zone when the first night you have mortar attacks. There has been small arms fire every night since we've been here. Last night the guard towers were fighting and you could hear the M240Bs (big maching guns), 249s (smaller machine guns) going for about half an hour. Today, someone launched an RPG round over the wall. Luckily, it was a dud and no one was hurt (I wasn't in there at the time).
We have no equipment in right now, so we have lots of down time. Once it gets here, we will start our missions. The days are going by pretty fast, so once we start real work, they should really go by fast. Only 345 more to go!

Wes

Ahhhh, good 'ol FOB Falcon. Yeah, it was a freaking mud hole back then. When I first got here back in October, it was U3 every night between 17:00 and 20:00 because the insurgents would rocket and shell us every night between those hours, like clock work. lol Every few days they'd REALLY shell the hell outta us.

Now I split my time between living at a COP and running mission after mission after mission out of Falcon.

SPC Simmons. C/co 1-18Inf

Oh yeah, n00b to TDH here BTW.

-Cit

[MandalorFett]

Ahhhh, good 'ol FOB Falcon. Yeah, it was a freaking mud hole back then. When I first got here back in October, it was U3 every night between 17:00 and 20:00 because the insurgents would rocket and shell us every night between those hours, like clock work. lol Every few days they'd REALLY shell the hell outta us.

Now I split my time between living at a COP and running mission after mission after mission out of Falcon.

SPC Simmons. C/co 1-18Inf

Oh yeah, n00b to TDH here BTW.

-Cit

Welcome to TDH, and thanks for your service.

[Citokre Dekanis]

Thank you. I'm very glad I found this site. I've been browsing and have found everything I've read so far EXTREMELY useful. I learned more about Mando costumes in here in 1 hour than I learned searching through Google for the better part of a day.

Oh yeah, quick edit to my previous post. For those of you who are probably wondering. U3= Uniform 3, which is full kit.

-Cit

[Fett Girl]

Wes wanted me to post some of his softball pics from Falcon. Good thing it's not always work and no play there.

Brandy

[Star Wars Chick]

Nice to see them getting some play time! Thanks for posting some more pics!

[Mr Fett]

Thanks, Brandy! Glad to see some new pics from over there. Tell him we're all thinking about him next time you speak.

[Col.Chopper]

Looks like you guys just havin your selves a little tea party out in Falcon. Ha!, just kidding youse guys be safe out there ok. "Semper Fi" wate that's the Marine Corps, What is the ARMY saying anyways?

[hansoloway]

Thanks for the update, it's good to see Wes is OK...did his team win the game?

[Citokre Dekanis]

Nice to see them getting some play time! Thanks for posting some more pics!

Ha-ha-ha, not all of us have enough free time, or enough energy left over to play ball games. Nice to see someone enjoying themselves though.

Looks like you guys just havin your selves a little tea party out in Falcon. Ha!, just kidding youse guys be safe out there ok. "Semper Fi" wate that's the Marine Corps, What is the ARMY saying anyways?

It's: ARMY STRONG!, roger? Heh heh heh, yeah the Army doesn't have a fancy Latin slogan like the Marines and their "Semper Fidelis"...Special Forces do (De Opresso Liber/Liberate the Oppressed), but yeah, the Army as a whole makes do with "Army Strong"...for now at least. Probably change again in a few years...

-Cit

[Col.Chopper]

I always thought the army would have a motto. Oh well be safe "devildog" wate that's the Marines well that's what I get for joining the USNSCC.

[Citokre Dekanis]

well that's what I get for joining the USNSCC.

What? Aspirations of being a "Squid"? If you do go the Navy path make sure it's either: SEAL, pilot, or EOD.

-Cit

[Col.Chopper]

What? Aspirations of being a "Squid"? If you do go the Navy path make sure it's either: SEAL, pilot, or EOD.

-Cit

Actualy I was hoping to join the Army as a Military Intelligentce Officer but I am still going to go to SEAL Training and maybe EOD in the USNSCC. Unfortanintly I am still only a 13 year old Seaman and I have to be a Petty Officer and 16 to go to SEAL training.

[jodo]

Glad to see they're having some fun while they're there, stay safe buddy!

[dgasser]

Thanks for sharing those pictures Fett Girl. The first shot I would have not guessed he was over there. Then the 2nd shot..the building in the background.. i'm like how many antennas can you put on a building.

Glad to here he is having a bit a fun while over there.. We'll make sure he has a good time on his R&R... Congrats on your promotion too.

[Bountys Hunted]

Good News to get about Wes!! Thanks Brandy for the update!!

[J-ROCK]

Stay Safe.

[Laan]

Ok, what gives? I have tried sending Wes a package 4 times now. It takes a while but I get it back. No reason no explaination. Am I hated by the mail service? I think so. I have checked the addy too, its correct. Anyone have ideas?

Jango wes,

Thank you and your troops for all you are doing ! We don't know each other but.. Your service for our country is very much appreciated. Even through I and all of your fellow TDH brothern will never know what you and many others have givin an endured in Iraq. I feel We owe you and the US troops some kind of thanks. So please If you need anything please let us know. On this post you gave an ship to adress for mail. It was :

SSG Wes Fussell
B co/4-1 BSTB
Unit#42530
Apo AE 09361

Hope this is right , You will hear from me and my family soon. I think we all should drop wes a line . Hope to meet you at the next Star Wars celebration to thank you in person. and

[anakin1322]

First off I'm a newbie here and TDH is great.

Laan -it is possible that when the package gets to a certain location, there may be activity going on to close the military post office there. For a while there were certain locations in Iraq that were closed for mail, im not sure if those areas are still restricted. Let me check on his location and will get back to you. The reason I know this is because I am a Air Force military Postal clerk. I am stationed in Italy now but have been to Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Bahrain, and Pakistan. Believe me it really stinks when your at a location and mail can't get there. There have been times that no mail would come for days/weeks.

Wes from one service member to another - take care and keep your head down. Come back safe and sound.

[Trooper TK409]

Hey Wes!! Hope you're doing well. I know I'm late, but congrats on the promotion. Just wanted to say my family and I appreciate your service. Hang in there, man. Do you guys have an xbox360 by chance?

[Jango_Wes]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Laan: Not sure why you can't get a package here. Brandy sends me on once a week and I get them.

Chris: Yeah, we have an XBox 360 in the room.

To those attending Dragon Con: I leave in less than 24 hours to head back to the States for 18 days R&R. First stop: ATLANTA!!! Brandy will be there before me, but I will make it to D*C! See ya there!

Wes

[Jun Garros Fett]

Have a good flight back home dude. Enjoy the R&R too. You deserve it after playing in the sandbox for a while now.

to ya.

[Bountys Hunted]

Right on Wes!!!! Can't believe you're going to be at Dragoncon!! That is sooo awesome bro!!!! Right on!!!

[Jaiden]

Hey, Wes!

I hope you enjoy your time at DC. I wish I could be there in person to shake your hand for all the work you're doing.

I showed your pics to my 5-year-old son and he really got excited when he found out we could write to you.

He said, "We can send him a letter. That will make him feel better."

You gotta love kids.

Anyway, be safe, be strong, come home for good when your tour is over.

If you ever make it to the Central Florida area, look me up. I'll buy you a drink!

[Star Wars Chick]

Have a safe flight Wes and looking forward to seeing you here soon!

[Mr Fett]

AWESOME! Wes is coming to DragonCon!!!!!! Will see you there, bro!

[LadySewforus]

My helmet is off to you and ALL of the amazing men and woman there, doing their best to take care of the rest!

[Fett Girl]

Unfortunately Wes and I won't be making it to DragonCon. His flights were delayed by a few days. He's still at the baghdad airport. He wouldn't be able to make it until late sunday or even monday. He's really disappointed about not being able to see everyone and wear some costumes. I'm sure you will all hear from him soon once he gets here.

About the package thing... are you doing a white/green customs form (depending on the weight)? There are restrictions to what can be sent. Are they giving you any kind of reason why they send it back to you? I haven't had that problem yet.

Brandy

[DarthVader1]

Man, sorry to hear about this. I so wanted to see Wes again after 3 years...and I perfectly understand the flight delays when in a combat zone.

Anyways, be safe and stay in touch.

[Jango_Wes]

Yeah, it took me almost 5 days to get home. I was really disappointed not to be able to go to DC. I was looking forward to seeing everyone.
However, I won't miss it next year.

Wes

[Star Wars Chick]

We missed you buddy! Glad you made it home safe though.

[webchief]

Sorry you weren't at D*Con Wes. We missed you.

Enjoy your well deserved R&R though! We'll see you in Atlanta next year!

[Goro]

We missed you Wes! Hope all is well.

[LadySewforus]

Hi Wes,

I don't know you personally either, but wanted to throw in my "hurrah" to you and everyone that is over there, for our benefit!!!!!!!!!!

Not enough exclamation points available for that.

Please let us know what the most wanted "thing" from home is.
I think plenty of us here, would love to send some of you there a care package. Please make a list of what is the most appreciated things from home.

Glad to see you post!!!!!!!

Say Hi to everyone for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



:thumbup

[I)r. No]

I know it's a little late but it's good to here you're back here in manhattan!

[wampachile]

Here are pics!

Humm!! Mando Troops Yeah!!! Regars From Chilean Base Is a Honnor!!!:thumbup

[WannaBeBoba]

It's three days until Veterans day. Jango Wes, I just wanted to take a moment to say 'Thank You' for your service! That goes for all stationed at home or abroad past and present!

Stay safe out there and come home quickly!

WannaBeBoba

[g_man_71]

In the pretty reasonable chance you go through Camp Patriot/KNB, Kuwait, before February, stop by the command cell, building 17 and ask for Glasgow. I'd love to discuss the whole "build-your-own" costume subject with you. It's fascinating and I'd really like to know a bit more about it.

Cheers,

g_man_71

[Jango_Wes]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted everyone to know I'm still alive and kicking. I've had a couple of close calls, but came out unscathed (nothing like a couple of RPG rounds shot at your truck to get the heart rate up).

Looking forward to the Christmas season over here. Thanksgiving wasn't so bad. The chow hall had turkey (still not convinced it wasn't camel) and ham, dressing, apple pie, all the usual.

5 more months (roughly) until I come home.

Now, if I can convince FettPride to drop this Boba kick he's on and pick up the Jango......

Wes

[InfraFett]

glad you're doing good. stay safe

[BOBA PHAT]

Hang in there, Wes. Hope we can troop together with Star when you get back. Watch your 6!

[Myles]

Hey Wes, keep it cool and safe ight? And thanx for the work you boys have been doin ner vod.

[wampachile]

Congrat!!!:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup

[Xantok_Odysseus]

Hey man, Keep pushing out there in the sandbox, you'll be home before you know it. I have a few more buddies there in Baghdad, ya'll stay safe and come home. Hoohah.

-Xantok

[wampachile]

Feliz Año BroHappy New Years!!!!

[Jango_Wes]

Again, thanks for all the kind words. We are about 90 days out from coming home, so we are on the downslide now. It's hard to believe I've been gone over a year. How the time flies. Here's a couple of pics.





Wes

[MandalorFett]

Good to hear you're doing well, and that you'll be home to see family and friends soon.

Thanks for your dedication, keep up the good work.

[Myles]

Kandosii! Ori'vor'e par meg narir ner vod. (Awsome! Thanks a ton for what you do my bro.)

[Jodo Kast 3]

Wes,

Good to hear from ya..

Stay safe and we`ll see you soon!!

[jodo]

Great to see your doing good Wes, can't wait to hear that your back home safe!

[webchief]

Good to hear you're doing well man. Stay safe and see you at DCon!

[Citokre Dekanis]

I have one question that's been bugging me off and on. As my unit was leaving back in November (TF 1-18 ), I noticed a lot of the FOB renovation efforts were almost done. So, my question is: Just how WELL have said efforts/tax dollars worked during the rainy season? *lol* I have very un-fond memories of the rainy season/clay like mud when I was there.

Glad to hear you're still doin' good. Come back safe.

-Cit

[samlynn79]

Oh god, the clay mud.... you sink in it to your knees, and it sticks to you worse than glue, and adds a good 20-30 pounds to your legs and boots. Been there, done that, my friend. Western Iraq got a pretty good flood early '06 while I was there. I drove through a water puddle in my hummer with water up to the top of the hood. :-D

[onigiri]

Hey Wes...I know your neighborhood, including Super Mosque, very well The parking lot your standing in is also very familiar to me but in the early days of the conflict the only Subway and Burger King we had was at BIAP. I was part of (then) Prime Minister Alawis Security and I lived in the ICC/Al Rasheed. Ive also got a pic of me at falcon in almost the same spot you are standing in only facing the opposite direction. We controlled all the major checkpoints in to the Green Zone. Right after we left it sounds like the ICC and Al Rasheed were turned over to Iraqis (and Georgians) and teh boundaries of the GZ were pulled back. We used to get mortared daily. 24 hours after we cleared out of our QRF 'shack' (Saddams old helipad) two Kitusa rockets took it out. Timing is everything.
Anyway, shukran habibi, and come home safe...Ive decided I like it better here in teh world...lol

[wampachile]

Hey Wes...I know your neighborhood, including Super Mosque, very well The parking lot your standing in is also very familiar to me but in the early days of the conflict the only Subway and Burger King we had was at BIAP. I was part of (then) Prime Minister Alawis Security and I lived in the ICC/Al Rasheed. Ive also got a pic of me at falcon in almost the same spot you are standing in only facing the opposite direction. We controlled all the major checkpoints in to the Green Zone. Right after we left it sounds like the ICC and Al Rasheed were turned over to Iraqis (and Georgians) and teh boundaries of the GZ were pulled back. We used to get mortared daily. 24 hours after we cleared out of our QRF 'shack' (Saddams old helipad) two Kitusa rockets took it out. Timing is everything.
Anyway, shukran habibi, and come home safe...Ive decided I like it better here in teh world...lol

:thumbup:thumbup:thumbup

[Gilmore of OK]

Well, I thought I would let yall know...talked to Wes and as of the 8th, he was on a plane home!! Congrats brother!!

So now when I get outta this place, I'll see you at Dcon, and we can share another beer!! Maa's aSalaama habebe. Zien Wahra.

[jodo]

AWSOME!!!! Lookin' foreward to your coming home message as well Gilmore.

[Mr Fett]

Alright!!!! Welcome back to the states, Wes!

[pennywise]

Well, I thought I would let yall know...talked to Wes and as of the 8th, he was on a plane home!! Congrats brother!!

So now when I get outta this place, I'll see you at Dcon, and we can share another beer!! Maa's aSalaama habebe. Zien Wahra.

Welcome home Wes!

[DarthCarcinus]

I Salute you !

[wampachile]

:thumbup