To Baghdad, adventurous Stranger

Flew my first patient last night with a trauma nurse I am replacing. All of our MEDVAC's are flown by the Army's 45th Aeromedical evacuation squadron based here at Al Asad. We exclusively fly H-60H's (Blackhawks) with the patient carousel in the fuselage, and are sandwiched between the crew chief and the helo medic.
My patient was an Iraqi Policeman that presented unresponsive and was in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA......in other words very high blood sugar levels and acidotic...he had an impressive pH 6.90). We intubated him, started IV's, chest xray, labwork, ect. and then called for a MEDVAC.
Ummmm, I'm not sure exactly how to explain the flight.........don't want to alarm anyone. But flying into Baghdad is a "unique" experience all to itself. For the most part, there isn't much to see in transit.....a lot of desert with scattered homesteads.....fairly routine. But once we start approaching the Army Hospital in the heart of Baghdad, the pilots have a lot to deal with: we are approaching a hostile urban terrain complete with houses, street traffic, towers, antenna, and other low altitude aircraft. Not to mention they are trying to land. Have I mentioned yet that we aren't the only ones flying 1,000 feet off the deck trying to bring casualties to the hospital? So, they had no problems identifying the Army Chinook flying a few hundred feet below us.......it was the second Army Chinook they didn't see until it was almost too late........I'm glad the Blackhawks are much more maneuverable.........but it came with some interesting views of the neighborhood rooftops out my window. I don't think they intended for me to be able to count roof vents like that.
As if that wasn't fun enough, leaving was even more challenging: the new pilot forgot to turn off the landing lights before liftoff.....so about 30 seconds after taking to the air, the hospital ATC radioed them to warn them just as they started seeing tracer rounds.......none to worry: we launched about 6 flares (deflecting heat source and distracting light to throw off the enemy) and didn't gain any new air conditioning ports in the craft. The pilots were laughing about it once we got out of Baghdad (I'm plugged into their communications system while flying, and I'm still trying to decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing)..........I guess it's all fun and games until you leave your lights on in indian territory! Just remember, I get all this and a paycheck to boot.....lets get some.
I'm inspired to quote C.S. Lewis as Digory and Polly come across the mysterious bell in the grand hall in his first book:
Make your choice, adventurous Stranger;
ring the bell and bide the danger.
Or wonder, till it drives you mad, What would have followed if you had.

Disclaimer: apologies to anyone who doesn't speak medicalese or military jargon.....this blog is going out to a broad audience, and I just can't explain it all....however, Google is only a few clicks away.....it will shed light on some of the technical stuff you may have questions about.
Also, I have been taking pictures, but just can't get the internet time to upload them yet....should be within the next week, including panoramic shoots from the roof of Saddam's Olympic Training Pool (story will have to wait for a future post, sorry!).
I finally have an email address:
carl.goforth@acemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil
Also, here is my mailing address:
LT Goforth
CLB-2, HSS/medical
Unit 73655
FPO, AE 09509-3655

God Bless and good night.......