Fireworks

[Baron Von Crowder]

He also hated unexpected bangs.

True.

[Denny]

My brother ended up as a convoy gunner, and after he got back, he would freak the fuck out at aluminum cans and other trash in the road.

He also hated unexpected bangs.

[Baron Von Crowder]

I have talked thus over with close friends who worked/served in the same areas I did. For some it passes. But some of us spent too long around getting hit numerous times a week and even numerous times a day. I noticed after driving convoys for a year in Kabul. For many trips home I would drive around at home with similar thoughts and anxiety that I had in Afghanistan. I would catch it and laugh it off. After I stopped driving convoys the head games stopped after a short time. But I have never been able to shake off the explosions in the distance or firecrackers. My 10 month break in 2012, they didn't go away. And haven't gone away in the past four and a half months I have been home.

Shitty thing is, gun ranges etc I am fine. I enjoy the shit out of fireworks and I am fine watching them. It is just when I am home. Thunderstorms are just as bad though, no matter where I am.

My brother ended up as a convoy gunner, and after he got back, he would freak the fuck out at aluminum cans and other trash in the road.

[helosailor]

Manila would have been a fun place to be (as if it wasn't already enough fun)...

[DieselSmoke]

I was at shank when it was a tiny polish base back in '08. I was there for 6 nights and we got hit 5 of those. You could hear their mortars leaving the tube as they high angled the base. Round after round and the Polish didn't do squat. Then the US moved in and expanded the fuck out of it. Eventually last year they got two land based Vulcan base defense guns. They were very successful at knocking the rockets down. And eventually they went from bring daily down to a few times a month.

Bagram had 21 Vulcan systems up when I left in August but still were getting pounded and rounds were getting through. Even if they hit the rocket with the shells it would just deflect and land on base. How would you like to die from a round the cannon hit but deflected towards you? Ouch. When I left BAF in August they were still getting incoming 4-5 times a week.

I did four tours at Bagram. Been through a lot of IDF attacks but my last deployment had a rocket hit 30 foot from me. Fun times...

And I hate fireworks when I'm not expecting them.

[KBScobravert]

Shank was probably the worst installation I was at in theatre.

I have never had a problem, even when I was in Afghanistan. I spent a lot of time at Shank and Bagram, and both got hit quite a bit. Leatherneck was a nice respite, as the only explosions were outgoing, but I was only there for the last 6 months I was in Afghanistan. The only thing that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up now is the damn incoming siren if I hear in a song/movie/etc.

*EDIT* I did want to add that I have anxiety in other areas; maybe I am weird. My problem has always been walking around everywhere overseas and almost never getting in a vehicle. Then, when I get picked up at DFW airport we immediately hop on the highway and I am white knuckles for 5 minutes until I get used to it.

I was at shank when it was a tiny polish base back in '08. I was there for 6 nights and we got hit 5 of those. You could hear their mortars leaving the tube as they high angled the base. Round after round and the Polish didn't do squat. Then the US moved in and expanded the fuck out of it. Eventually last year they got two land based Phalanx CWIS base defense guns. They were very successful at knocking the rockets down. And eventually they went from bring daily down to a few times a month.

Bagram had 21 Phalanx CWIS systems up when I left in August but still were getting pounded and rounds were getting through. Even if they hit the rocket with the shells it would just deflect and land on base. How would you like to die from a round the cannon hit but deflected towards you? Ouch. When I left BAF in August they were still getting incoming 4-5 times a week.

[Denny]

I have never had a problem, even when I was in Afghanistan. I spent a lot of time at Shank and Bagram, and both got hit quite a bit. Leatherneck was a nice respite, as the only explosions were outgoing, but I was only there for the last 6 months I was in Afghanistan. The only thing that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up now is the damn incoming siren if I hear in a song/movie/etc.

*EDIT* I did want to add that I have anxiety in other areas; maybe I am weird. My problem has always been walking around everywhere overseas and almost never getting in a vehicle. Then, when I get picked up at DFW airport we immediately hop on the highway and I am white knuckles for 5 minutes until I get used to it.

Shank was probably the worst installation I was at in theatre.

[Sean88gt]

Never been to combat (other than Compton), and it twists me off.

[inline 6]

Maybe I should get a thunder shirt.
http://www.thundershirt.com/

[Strychnine]

When did you move to the Houston area?

April

[motoman]

This was our neighborhood last night. Holy shit it was crazy.

10 minutes of this nonstop.

When did you move to the Houston area?

[Mike K]

I have never had a problem, even when I was in Afghanistan. I spent a lot of time at Shank and Bagram, and both got hit quite a bit. Leatherneck was a nice respite, as the only explosions were outgoing, but I was only there for the last 6 months I was in Afghanistan. The only thing that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up now is the damn incoming siren if I hear in a song/movie/etc.

*EDIT* I did want to add that I have anxiety in other areas; maybe I am weird. My problem has always been walking around everywhere overseas and almost never getting in a vehicle. Then, when I get picked up at DFW airport we immediately hop on the highway and I am white knuckles for 5 minutes until I get used to it.

[jw33]

If you need air, call it in.....

[Strychnine]

This was our neighborhood last night. Holy shit it was crazy.

10 minutes of this nonstop.

[KBScobravert]

I had never thought about this. Thanks for bringing it up. I know our dog loses her damn mind, but hadn't thought about our human protectors.

I have talked thus over with close friends who worked/served in the same areas I did. For some it passes. But some of us spent too long around getting hit numerous times a week and even numerous times a day. I noticed after driving convoys for a year in Kabul. For many trips home I would drive around at home with similar thoughts and anxiety that I had in Afghanistan. I would catch it and laugh it off. After I stopped driving convoys the head games stopped after a short time. But I have never been able to shake off the explosions in the distance or firecrackers. My 10 month break in 2012, they didn't go away. And haven't gone away in the past four and a half months I have been home.

Shitty thing is, gun ranges etc I am fine. I enjoy the shit out of fireworks and I am fine watching them. It is just when I am home. Thunderstorms are just as bad though, no matter where I am.