Not MIA....

Long story short:
1. Did the Crossfit Open, got 219th place in the world for Women age 45-49.
2. Hip pain started off & on back in January after the Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE). Something about sitting in a chair all night (12+ hours) in chem gear & IBA. Turned into piriformis syndrome (my glute muscle smashed into my sciatic). Eventually got some sarapin shots in my butt that reduced the inflammation (and another shot in my right bursa at the top of the right thigh I-band). Helped but not cured. Worked out for one week but the recurrent numbness/pins & needled, along with upper sartorious pain led me back to the doctor & eventually an evaluation by a Sports Medicine doctor. Now waiting on CT results (L4-L5 evaluation for a defect that could be a fracture, could be a disk malalignment, who knows).
3. Bottom line, physical training limited. Losing strength, endurance, stamina, etc. Sucks!!
4. Good news/bad news from the Operational Readiness Inspection (March 2012). First the good. Our unit (301 MDS) got an "OUTSTANDING" for their incredible work at the DMF (Deployed Medical Facility). Smooth operation, great teamwork, and killer security. I was working in the Command Post (on the night shift with the Deputy Wing Commander) as the CAT (Crisis Action Team) Director and we also did a great job. The big boss recognized me as a Superior Performer. Now the bad news. Some folks have to do this again in the fall in order for our Wing to pass. So we have ORE in Oct & Nov, ORI in Nov. Hopefully I won't have to be in MOPP4 (that's full on gas mask, etc).
5. We have season tickets to The Smith Center for their 2012-2013 Broadway season.
6. Working on my poker skills. Need to do more tournaments and less 2-4 Limit (but it's fun trying to get high hands/bonus jackpots).

Welcome to the 301st Fighter Wing and Medical Squadron

Introduced to the mission of the unit. Then to my squadron. The largest medical reserve unit in the USAF - providing support to the entire base and maintaining readiness to deploy anywhere in the world.

Many folks from here were in Balad with me last year! So great to see so many familiar faces. Some of them are going back this fall.

Here is my team:


We're building the Nutritional Medicine Element almost from scratch, I'm the first dietitian they've had in the unit. I volunteered to be alternate unit fitness monitor as well (there were a few folks impressed with my push-ups). Next time I'll talk with the squadron vice commander about additional duties in the administrative side (next time I deploy I want to be in the command hallway, not the kitchen - and transfering to a unit is how I can get the experience to do this).

First UTA Weekend at the 301st

Flew into Dallas-Ft Worth tonight.
Billeting put me up at the Sheraton downtown Ft Worth.
Tomorrow morning I figure out how to get to the base and find the newcomer's briefing. And learn all about Unit Reserve life.